The fall months quickly flew past, with the first frost around the corner and the harvest festival over. After the incident with the tree, Paulette had cracked down on Saira’s training. At times, Saira felt as though there was a whip at her back. Though it was excruciating, the training had changed Saira in many ways. Saira had gained an even better control on her aura, and she could even completely conceal it for an hour or so. Saira had hit another growth spurt and had shot up several inches, and for some reason her hair started to take on honey colored highlights. Saira would twirl the golden locks of hair in her fingers, and it made her heart swell with happiness. She had taken after her father in more ways than one, and having hair that even slightly resembled her mothers made her very happy. With her new height, her limbs had also increased their size and the slight difference occasionally befuddled Saira. She found her natural nimbleness and agility impaired at times and would fall out of trees more often than she would like.

Why was she in the trees? Well, in order for Saira to occasionally escape training, she would climb a very leafy tree and hope Paulette would take a break to wait for her return, thus ensuring additional breaks here and there. Unfortunately, once the trees were bare, it was a lot harder for Saira to hide herself. Paulette would find her quickly, and while attempting to clamber down the tree she would just go PLOP. The laughter this brought Paulette was usually one of the few things that would ease her temper. Most sword instructors don't like it when their students whisk themselves out of the training area. After the incident with the aura explosion, everybody sat down to a family meeting.

Paulette and Devon agreed that Saira needed a large dedicated area to train and grow. Every year, the fields that were chosen for crops were rotated, so the three adults and Saira went out to the field that would be barren the next harvest season and prepared it. The ground was flattened and leveled, and practice dummies as well as a small track were prepared. Paulette made a small circular arena of sorts, and several bags of sand were mysteriously delivered to the farmstead a few days later. Saira enjoyed her new training area and the distance from any large objects, the farmhouse, and people in general helped significantly.

One day after her usual basic training and strength exercises, Paulette threw her a wooden sword. Saira easily caught it but looked confused “Huh?” she said, looking between the sword and her teacher. “But I thought I wasn't to use a sword again until you felt I was ready?” Paulette grinned and grabbed another wooden sword from the crate she had carried over. “So, does that no mean if ah hand ye a sword, then I reckon ye're ready?” Paulette walked over to Saira and put her hand on Saira’s shoulder. “Ah've noticed yer hard work ower the last few months.” Saira’s lips trembled and her palms started to sweat as she gripped the handle of the sword. She nodded as she looked at Paulette. Paulette spoke in a soft voice, “A'm no' botherin' wi' yer head noo, as ah ken it's screwt on richt, an' ah trust ye.” With that she walked a few feet away from Saira and turned so her back was to her. “Awright, afore we start swingin' oor swords ataeither, ye'll need tae pick up yer footwork an' the like. Keep yer eyes on me an' follow me lead.” 

Saira grunted an okay and watched Paulette carefully, mirroring every move she made. Once Paulette was done showing her, she turned around and had Saira practice it all over and over again. After a week or so Saira had finally nailed her steps, and when Paulette gave her the nod of approval Saira felt elated. She jumped up and down with a victory fist in the air and a “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Paulette chuckled and cocked her head in curiosity when a familiar voice entered her mind. 

You’ve done well with the girl. I suspect she'll be ready to go adventuring in a few years.

“Aye, maybe. But ah cannae say ah've ever trained onybody as bleedin' stubborn or twitchy.”

She sure is an even match for you. It’ll be an interesting search to find youngsters compatible with her.

“Ah dinnae worry yersel’, mate. A’ve got a few chums up high and some auld lads who owe me a guid few favours.”

Are we talking about the current pope’s previous master’s master? I remember you saving his skin back in the day. Man were you two a power duo.

“Aye, for sure. Sin’ ah helped him rise tae the rank o' cardinal an’ then pope, he penned me a wee favour that’s been handed down tae every pope. Two hunner years later an' it’s finally guid for somethin’.”

I am glad that brat left you with more than just a broken heart and a pile of gold-

“Dinnae ye dare talk pish aboot him-”

“Why do you look so lost in thought, Paulette?”

Paulette snapped out of what felt like a decades long daze and looked at Saira who had cocked her head in confusion. Paulette shook her head and motioned for Saira to pick up her sword. 

We’ll talk later, old friend.

Paulette walked into the dirt circle that was especially for sword related exercises and got into  position. Saira’s eyes widened as she realized that they were finally going to spar.

“Right, here we go. Ah need tae see whit ye're made o'. Gie me yer best shot and we'll see whit happens. Every round ends when ane o' us lands a hit oan the ither.” 

Saira nodded and took a deep breath before lunging forward, sword forward. She flew toward Paulette who stood still, her sword causally up. When she was within arms reach, Saira raised her sword and tried to bring it down with a chopping motion, only for Paulette to block the strike, knock the sword out of Sira’s hands, and lightly tap her. Saira’s face turned beet red and with a quick nod from Paulette she jogged over to the sword and picked it up. She resumed her original spot and started a new round, this time making a feint to the left just as she reached Paulette and attempted to slash at her. Paulette easily parried the attack and lightly placed her sword neck to Saira’s neck. 

“Aigain.”

Saira grabbed her sword and this time dashed toward Paulette and feinted, slashing at her. She tried to then make a chopping motion only for Paulette to again deflect her attack, but this time she moved, almost pirouetting. Paulette spun around Saira, knocked her to the ground, and tapped her head with the tip of her wooden sword. The two practiced many rounds with Sira losing all of them. After several hours, Saira flopped on the ground, sweat dripping down her face and onto the cold packed earth.

“Let’s go inside the house, it’s dinner time and I don’t want either of us to catch a cold.” 

She looked pleadingly to her teacher, who after a long swig from one of their waterskins nodded. “Aye.” Saira reached her exhausted arms into the air and with a very tired “Yay” slowly got up and waddled after Paulette to the farmhouse. She quickened her steps when the succulent smell of pot roast hit her nose. Her parents had made a delicious dinner and when the two got inside there was a feast laid out and a big jug of hot apple cider. Her parents smiled at her, and Soleia reprimanded her for taking a few swigs ahead of time. The family laughed and for the first time in a few months, Paulette and her parents heartily told tales of their youthful exploits. Devon had brought out a barrel of spring wheat ale, and the adults heartily drank their full. 

At one point, Saira asked what the occasion was and the entire table turned silent. Devon looked away before muttering under his breath about Remiel’s birthday, which was tomorrow. Paulette kindly explained that it was Remeil’s own tradition to drink and feast the night before his birthday, as he spent his birthday sober for some personal reasons. Soleia cheerfully chipped in that they had not performed this rite in a long time and it felt right. Devon agreed that Remile wouldn't have wanted them to sulk for too long and made a toast to his long lost brother, the cheer returning to his voice.

The party returned to its previous state and the four enjoyed hot spiced cider in front of the fireplace after dinner. Paulette praised Sira to Devon and Soleia, and the couple puffed up their chest and praised their hard working daughter as well. Saira blushed, not used to being praised so much. Eventually it neared her bedtime and she left the adults to their devices. As she merrily made her way to her room, she passed the guest bedroom. The door was ajar, and since she was out of eyesight of the adults Saira peeked in. Saira had always been curious about Paulette’s room, and her eyes caught on an interesting book resting on the dresser right next to the door. It had a maroon leather cover and silver letter reading “The Study of Aura and Mana: A Comprehensive Guide For Students of Zhadkiel University”. Saira tentatively reached for the book, but jumped when a voice called out from the family room. 

“Ye can borrow the book, but mind tae tak' guid care o' it. That was mine once upon a time”

Saira’s eyes had widened when she heard the voice, but she squeaked out an okay and scurried to her room, the book under her arm. Her door closed shut and she opened the book with a determined excitement. A new chapter of knowledge had unfolded its pages for her. Sira drank in the book, not quite understanding the meaning of a lot of it, and unaware of the exciting new path her journey was taking.