Violet was practicing combat with a new weapon Poe had given her. Poe had tried to teach Violet how to use a sword but after several attempts, then realized that Violet was not suited for it. She had neither the frame nor the talent for it. Poe recalled a weapon she knew that did suit her. So she crafted the needle Violet was now using.

It was a 7-inch long gold needle that gave off a sturdy feeling. The gold needle gave off a sheen that was uncommon even for pure gold. It was in fact a very special weapon. The sharpest and densest a weapon could be but also in a very usable size. It was perfect for Violet almost like destiny itself had set the events in motion that made it possible.

One of Raylin's ancestors was a blacksmith. He was not well known for it by the locals but apparently, he was a legend among assassins. He had met a group of women that would assassinate corrupt men in positions of power. When others refused to make them weapons he had agreed. Eventually, their support and funds led to him discovering a new way to smith gold. Gold could be sharpened more than any other metal and his new tempering method could make gold as strong as adamantium. Gold could also be coated in mercury, which would turn the gold black and make a wound from it poisoned.

Raylin had visited his biological parents home when he grew up. There he found a tome made of pressed flat bamboo hidden there. All the smithing knowledge of gold and the story of how it came to be was within it. Raylin even recognized the designs of the hook sword he wielded within it. According to the tome, the smith had made it for his brother when he became a fisherman.

Poe remembered using it in the past to make weapons for someone he cared for. He had practiced under a smith for two years and wasted a thousand gold practicing to learn it. Having managed to get enough gold coins Poe forged the needle Violet now wielded for practice.

The technique Violet practiced was not of Raylin's making but someone he had known. Violet practiced moving the needle in a rotation resembling a bullet and strikes that resembled a scorpions tail's attack. It also resembled the crashing wave in the ocean. The techniques brought out great power from the dense needle Violet worked with.

"Who taught you this?" Violet had asked Poe after realizing she had not created it herself.

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Poe had looked far off into the distance. The was a look of longing in her eyes that Violet could not understand. The only answer Violet had gotten was, " Someone very special".

Violet interrupted Poe nostalgic trance, "I'm tired".

"Just a little more Violet. You've got to force your muscles to remember the movement", Poe exclaimed.

Violet was beginning to have a temper tantrum as her face became red and tears formed in her eyes. " First its educational lessons, then it's magic training, now I have to do combat training. Why can't I go play like all the other kids outside?"

Poe sighed, " I'm not doing this to make you suffer violet. I want you to be ready for what is to come. There are bad people that want to hurt you and everyone you care about."

" I don't believe you. Why can't I just be friends with them?" Violet demanded.

Poe looked seriously at Violet, "That's because all they want is to destroy you and take everything you have. So keep training so there can be a tomorrow for you to complain to me about how tired you are."

"B-but it hurts", Violet cried.

"Life is pain Violet, it's all about how much pain you can take for the people you love," Poe stated.

----------------------------------------

Violet was practicing her meditation as Poe had a strange feeling. A familiar feeling that put butterflies in her stomach.

" What are you doing here Anea", Poe suddenly exclaimed looking off towards the town.

"Huh," Violet inquired suddenly breaking out of meditation.

"It's nothing Violet go back into meditation. I just need to take care of something. I'll be right back,' Poe assured Violet.

Poe ran off into the distance appearing before a rundown tavern. A tavern Poe knew well as Raylin had visited it many times with Anea. Sitting at a table was a woman in a green and brown tunic. She had black hair and eyes. Her skin was so pale that paper seemed dark by comparison. She was drinking heavily and seemed not to care about a brawl that was going on nearby. A few drunk men had tried to approach her but a quick flick of her wrist and a broken arm later deterred any further action from them.

This woman could be considered beautiful but something about her deterred people normally. You could say she was a woman covered in thorns. From her personality to her attire, she was not someone most would dare approach.

Poe wasn't bothered by them though, she did not see any thorns. She could only see the rose beneath the thorns.

The woman clearly intoxicated looked down at the table with a look of utter sadness, "goodbye my love and happy anniversary".

She dropped a ring on the table with a familiar sheen on it and left. After the woman left Poe picked up the ring as tears poured down her face.