Walking into the late morning sun Kitsune took a deep breath letting it out in a heavy sigh. “All good baby?” Mama D asked concerned.

“Most definitely, the food was all you said it would be and it came with a fascinating story. Now I get to go fishing for the first time with my favorite person.” 

Mama D smiled “Lots of first with ya. I’m lovin it. We gotta stop by the training grounds first.”

“I thought it was my day off for healing.” Kitsune glared at Mama D.

Mama D scoffed “I ain’t lie to you sugah, We are gettin some weapons for protection, being outside the walls is not exactly safe.”

“Oh, I apologize. That makes sense. Lead the way Mama D” Kitsune apologized grabbing Mama D’s arm.

At the training ring Yidia greeted Mama D and Kitsune “Hey old timer and rookie, back for another session?”

Kitsune looked worriedly at Mama D fearing that she may be persuaded despite her promise to have an easy day. “Not today, it’s her rest day. Just stoppin by to get some protection for the walk to the lake. Girl’s goin to learn how to fish.”

“Rest days are important. So you wanna borrow something off the racks, that’s fine if I can go with you, a day of fishing sounds good. The guards are on patrol and won't be back until late this afternoon.” Yidia smirked with her response.

Mama D crossed her arms, glaring at Yidia “I guess three is a better deterrent than two, but you’re paying for your own pole.” 

Yidia smiled “Great, I will be right back. Mace and shortsword good?” Yidia skipped away, not waiting for her response. 

Yidia speed walked back carrying a staff, flanged mace, and a leather bag under one arm. “Here you go Deena” she called out as she tossed the mace. 

“What’s in the bag?” Kitsune asked.

“Just a surprise for a rookie.” Yidia winked and handed the box over to Kitsune. “Go on and open it.” Yidia urged excitedly.

Inside the bag Kitsune found a sheathed kukri, a small crossguard extended from the polished, black stained grip. Pulling it from the sheath the blade widened as it extended from the grip curving forward with a sharp, heavy belly “Oh my god, I love it!!!” Kitsune screamed.

Yidia stepped forward “I’ll hold sheath, get a feel for the blade.”

Kitsune took the blade through a series of heavy slashes followed by quick cuts and possible defenses. Once she was done, Kitsune had a huge smile and light sweat. “It’s perfect, I love the forward balance it adds to the cutting strength. I will need to practice with it more.”

Yidia stepped forward with the sheath “Here I will just put this on your belt” Yidia reached for Kitsune’s tail hidden as a belt. At Yidia’s touch, Kitsune twitched her tail caught off guard.

“Oh…um.” Yidia responded in shock.

Kitsune started stepping back away from Yidia. 

“Dammit, now we gotta have a talk. Don’t go anywhere sugah.” Mama D ordered.

“I don’t have any qualms with anyone.” Yidia assured with her hands up, still holding the sheath. 

Mama D let out a sigh “I know, let’s just get to the lake. We will talk more there.”

Yidia gave the sheath to Kitsune as they set off toward the gate and the lake beyond. The trip to the lake was a long quiet endeavor.

At a shack near the lake Mama D told Yidia and Kitsune to wait outside. She exited with three poles and a wooden bucket of worms and soil. “Let’s go, Yidia, you can pay me back.”

“Yes, Deena.” she replied sheepishly.

“Let’s get the lines in the water before we talk. Kitsune, grab a worm, I’ll show you how to put one on a hook.” Deena spoke in a threatening calm. “Alright, now that the lines are out, Yidia, you found out our secret. You gonna keep it?”

“Deena, I may not be her caretaker, but I am one of her teachers. I care for all of those who study under me like family. I apologize for getting her personal space, but I was just trying to give my student her first weapon.” Yidia explained calmly. 

“Kitsune, this is about you baby. Talk to us.” Mama D requested in a warm tone. 

Kitsune shook herself “Mama D, Yidia, I trust you both. It did scare me for a little bit. I am still getting comfortable here. This is all new to me, I love it, but it’s all unknown, everyday. Yidia I love the kukri, I look forward to learning how to use it properly.” Kitsune looked out over the lake, the sun and a gathering of thick, fluffy, white clouds gathering reflected off the placid mirror of its surface. “I don’t think the fish are hungry for the worms. Yidia teach me the proper way to use this dagger, please sensei.”

Yidia cocked her head to the side “Sensei? What is that, a title?”

Kitsune couldn’t help but smile a little “Yes, where I am from it means teacher. My last sensei was my uncle who taught me many things and gave me my name.” a single tear rolled down her cheek, which she wiped away as she stood and pulled the kukri from its sheath. 

“Sounds good soldier, get ready for some practice.” Yida leapt to her feet. 

Mama D shook her head “Don’t complain tomorrow when you’re back to our training.”

Yidia and Kitsune went through how to attack with the kukri without sacrificing defense, while Mama D watched smiling, the fishing poles were forgotten. After an hour of becoming familiar with her new weapon Kitsune asked Yidia for some sparring practice. Yidia nodded and tossed Kitsune the sheath for the kukri. “Put that on the blade, I don’t want to get hurt or scar this staff.” 

Kitsune did as told, then took a balanced stance kukri held ready. Yidia leveled her staff. They went back and forth with attacks, blocks, parrys, and counters. It was a dance showing off the skill of both. While they were sparring Mama D took notice of a cloaked rider slowing his pace to observe the two sparring. As Mama D observed the observer she noticed that his gaze was locked on Kitsune. Mama D stood grabbing her mace and the cloaked rider resumed his trek down the road toward Siren’s Echo. 

Yidia stabbed her staff towards Kitsune’s chest, Kitsune parried the staff to the side, spinning with the parry to grab Yidia’s rear arm with her left hand. Kitsune continued her momentum to launch a spinning hook kick to the back of Yidia’s head. Yidia stumbled forward from the unexpected attack. Taking advantage of the stumble Kitsune brought her kukri to press against the back of Yidia’s neck. 

Yidia dropped her staff. “You got me with that one. Where did you learn that? You have been hiding some skills.”

Kitsune removed her kukri from Yidia’s neck to hold it by the sheath in her left hand. “My uncle taught me how to defend myself without weapons and how to use knives and daggers.” her sense of pride was evident in her voice.

“He must have been a wonderful fighter.” Mama D commented “Ladies we need to get back. While y’all were sparring we had a suspicious rider watching Kitsune here.”

“Are you sure they weren’t just entranced by two lovely ladies and their prowess?” Yidia asked, giving a nod to Kitsune. Kitsune smiled.

Mama D shook her head “Nah, I thought so at first, but his eyes were only on Kitsune. I have a feeling that something bad is gonna happen. I hope it’s only an overprotective sense of caution, but I would rather be safe. When we get back, Yidia find out where they may have gone, please. You won’t owe me for the poles.”

Yidia's face contorted into a look of controlled fury “You got it Deena, noone is going to hurt my student.”

The trio had a quick walk back to Siren’s Echo after turning in the fishing gear. At the gate Yidia set off to find out about this cloaked rider after a promise from Mama D to return the mace the following day.

“Kitsune, let’s get to Duncan’s.” Mama D’s voice carried urgency and rage.