Sweiza found herself gazing at her village for sometime. If there was ever a more grueling and boring task, it was this. The only thing more aggravating about it, was the potential friend and playmate whom was just a short distance from her, sleeping up against a tree. To pass the time, Sweiza chose a number of activities: staring up at the different moons, wishing to the stars above to bypass her fate, staring off into the woods and checking on the village. She would make faces at the Valkyrie in front of her, but the only motion of life within Strife was when she'd occasionally rustle or stir in her sleep. A few times Sweiza thought she would awaken, only to see Strife shift her position. When she chose a more serious approach, she would walk a paremeter of about twenty feet within the tree. When the boredom finally got to her, she would pace to-and-fro extremely slowly. At one point she finally stamped her foot on the ground and her armor gave a distinct vibration.

Past midnight, Sweiza finally gave up and let herself slump up against the tree that would put her in a position to keep guard of the village and the nearby woods well within her sight. She gives one look over to Strife and mutters, "I really do hope you'll be my friend someday. I don't mean to cause a mirade of problems; I'm still young and stupid." She lets out a yawn as the sweet embrace of sleep takes her on her journey to the dream realm. She thought she heard Strife's voice, but it was already too late.

---

"Valkyrie Angst, wakeup."

Her eyes open slowly as he body forces a deep breath and then a yawn; almost on instinct she twists her shoulders and her arms stretch. She felt good despite recent events. She finally lets out a sigh and her gaze fixes on the greaves and leg armor of someone standing over her. She looks up to see Strife with her left hand supporting her right, with her right hand supporting her chin.

"Sweiza Serif, did you sleep well?"

"Marvelous."

"Good. Your training starts now."

"Wait, what? I..."

"Miss Serif, on your feet."

"But I..."

Strife's voice gets sharp as she shoots Sweiza a look.

"I will not ask you a second time."

Strife's hand appears and a sword appears in it.

"At least let me dust my..."

"Angst, this is called a bastard sword. You will be training with it. I expect you to become well equipped and aquainted with it. It is going to serve you well."

Sweiza lets out an involuntary sigh as she holds out her hand.

"You are going to learn to control your behavior and those outbursts, do I make myself clear?"

Sweiza's eyes shift away as she lets out a nod.

"Angst, look at me. Now."

Sweiza looks over as Strife hands her the sword. It was strangely light.

"Now pay attention."

Sweiza nods.

"As mentioned, this is a bastard sword. It is so named because it is the bastard of all swords. This weapon can be weilded one or two handed. You can swing or stab with it depending on the situation; there may come a time you have to hold the blade in your gauntlet and club someone with it. If you look at the grip..."

Strife shoots her another look. Sweiza looks down at the grip on command.

"The two protrusions between the blade and the grip are the guard. They will be used to stop incoming swords, blades and all manner of weapons. This can be done while a weapon is sliding along the blade or done forcefully by pointing the blade and guards at an incoming weapon. Sweiza, do you understand?"

"Strife, what weapon do you use?"

Strife shakes her head as she approaches Sweiza. Sweiza insinctively braces her body for another punishment, but it never happens.

"Sweiza, put your right foot in front of your left as if you were walking."

"Why?"

"Do it."

Sweiza complies. She holds the sword down by her left side with her left hand.

"I see you hold it with your left hand. You are left handed, yes?"

"I'm very proud to be left handed, so fe..."

"Angst, less chit chat."

Sweiza's face turns into a frown. Strife stands next to Sweiza and her head leans within a foot of her face. Sweiza again stiffens up expecting a punishment; instead she jumps and lets out an instinctive, but silent yelp. Strife places hand on her shoulder. Unexpectedly, Strife gives her shoulder several playful nudges.

"Sweiza, I know it's hard."

Sweiza's face again holds a frown as her body shakes in disgust.

"You need to know how to do this. There is going to come a time when you need to attack an opponent and defend yourself. You don't want to be caught unprepared."

Sweiza's body slackens, "Yes Strife, I understand."

Strife gives her an encouraging smile, "I knew you would. Now, before we continue..."

Sweiza finally looks over at the Valkyrie standing on her right side.

"...we will have plenty of time to chit-chat about silly things later."

"What?", Sweiza's face turns to surprise as her mouth turns into an o-shape. "I..."

"But for the time being, I am speaking to you as Valkyrie mentor and trainer. It is my committment to turn you into a warrior fit for battle. I want your solelm oath that you will give me your full committment and attention on this."

Sweiza remains silent for a moment, and mutters, "Okay."

"Good." Strife gives her one more playful nudge, "Now back to work... Angst."

"Now, as you've mentioned, you are left handed. I want you to change your position to hold your left foot out instead of your right."

Sweiza complies and changes position with her left foot in front of her right.

"Because you are left handed, your scabbard will be belted on your right side. You will unsheath with your left hand, and if you must walk while unsheathing, you will also walk first with your left foot. Understood?"

"Yes, Strife."

"Angst, unbuckle your belt. You'll find a loop on your sword's scabbard; loop it around your belt, taking care to make sure the loop is faing outward and the scabbard in."

"I don't understand."

"What part don't you understand?"

Sweiza holds the sword up, "What is a scabbard?"

"It's the leather and wood covering held over your sword while it is sheathed. You do know what it means to sheath right?"

"I don't."

Strife walks up to Sweiza again, whose body once again stiffens; Strife's head shakes. "Honestly Sweiza, you are not a statue. Quit acting like one."

Sweiza lets out a puff of air and her body slackens.

"Hold up your sword."

Sweiza does so. Strife puts her right hand to Sweiza's left and tilts the sword to its side. Strife then places her left hand onto the scabbard and pulls it apart. Sweiza's mouth drops to a surprised o-shape again as she sees the sheath expose the sword.

"This is what it means to unsheath. When your sword is sheathed, the blade is not exposed and can't hurt you. That isn't to say the scabbard can't be used as a weapon, but that will come later. Also, if you don't watch your footing at points, your sheath can be an obstacle. Now, I need you to unbuckle your belt."

Strife pulls Sweiza's sword out of her hands as Sweiza fumbles with her belt. Once unbuckled, she pulls it from her side and it slackens to the Earth. Strife takes the sword and loops it, scabbard facing in, to Sweiza's belt. "Now put it back on."

"Yes, Valkyrie."

"Angst, you will no longer address me as Valkyrie, it is Strife."

"Yes Ma'am."

Strife shoots her another look.

"Strife."

"Better."

Strife leaves Sweiza behind and walks several feet in front of her.

"Where are you going?"

"Nowhere. Only a safe distance from you."

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"Safe for..."

"Sweiza, take out your sword with your left hand."

Sweiza pulls on the grip, except she pulls the sword out backwards with the bottom of her hand and the blade faces the ground.

"Angst, the blade needs to be held upward."

Sweiza uses her right gauntlet to grab the base of the blade and reposition it in her left hand.

"We'll ignore the fact you don't grab it that way. If you pull it out properly by turning your left hand upside down, you won't have that issue. Now, I want you to hold the grip with your left hand on top and your right hand on the bottom."

Sweiza complies again.

"This is called two handed style and gives you more power as well as more control over the blade. If you have a preference for that or if you prefer to use it one handed, you may do so. However, right now I want you to use the two handed style first."

Sweiza nods.

"Resheath your sword, using only your left hand. Use your right to guide the blade; if you have to, use your thumb to do so."

It took several attempts, but the sword was finally sheathed.

"Angst, from a standing position, I want you to unsheath your sword with your left hand and walk forward with your left foot."

Sweiza hesitates.

"Do it."

She walks forward and then unsheaths her sword with her left hand.

"Good. Resheath your sword and do it again."

She does so and lets a snort. "This is easy."

"Don't worry, we'll fix that later. Now, do it again; only this time, I want you to do it one hundred more times without being instructed."

Sweiza's eyes close and she lets out a forced sigh before resheathing her sword and repeating the steps as instructed. Strife stands there watching, ever so carefully. By the one hundredth unsheathing and stance, Sweiza was panting. Strife's hand passes through her hair and then to her chin as she went into though.

"Take a break."

Sweiza finally resheathes the sword and lets out a sigh before attempting to drop to the ground in a huff. Her attempt was to sit crosslegged, but the attempt was foiled by the belted scabbard hitting the ground. Sweiza topples over to the ground and lets out a moan of dismay.

"One of the options you may use if you desire your scabbard to be an obstacle."

Sweiza rights herself up while positioning the scabbard to sit behind her. She sits crosslegged.

"Really Angst, that is such an undignified position for a Valkyrie.

"You said I could take a break!"

"I suppose we'll let it slide for now. You get ten minutes; then your training starts again."

Sweiza's face again frowns.

"And Sweiza, quit frowning at me. That look is getting to be as old as I am."

Sweiza looks up in surprise, "How old are you?"

"There will be chit chat later. Right now I want you to focus your mind on what you just learned."

"Yes, Valky... Strife."

As Sweiza sits, Strife paces randomly, but slowly. Her left hand supporting her right elbow and her right hand supporting her chin.

"Strife, what are you doing?"

"Thinking."

"About?

"Your lesson plan."

"Great."

Strife gives her a cheaky smile, "I knew you would think so."

Sweiza sticks out her tongue at her, but Strife ignores it.

Ten minutes pass...

"Angst, resuming your lesson from before. Once you unsheath your sword and step forward with your left foot, I want you to take one more step with your right. While you are doing so I want you to hold your left hand on the top of the grip and use your right hand to brace the bottom. You should be able to do this in two swift motions. One hundred times, begin."

Sweiza complies yet again. This time drawing the sword with her left hand and walking forward with her right foot; then ending the motion with her right foot and both hands on the sword.

"Angst, faster and harder. You need to be able to do this at a moment's notice."

After one hundred times of this, Sweiza found herself breathing hard again.

"You're not used to this, it'll get easier; but don't worry, we'll make it harder for that reason."

"Right."

"Take a break for now; minding where you position your scabbard this time. I also want you to give a slight, but quick bow with your head ever time you acknowledge a training manuever."

Sweiza was about to give the indicated bow, but is interrupted. "Also, I want you to sit yourself down this time, gracefully. Not quickly like a wreckless person. We're going to iron that out of you. You may be taking the training of a warrior, but you will act as a lady. Understood?"

Sweiza gives a slight bow and then slowly lets herself to the ground, this time making sure to place the scabbard behind her; again she sits cross-legged. Strife walks up mere feet from her, looks down at her, closes her eyes and looks back up. Her hands craddle themselves around her waist and she slowly lets herself down with one foot to sit with her knees forward and her feet under her. She puts her hands in front of her in her lap.

Sweiza's face again turns to surprise.

"How did you do that with the armor?"

"Practice my dear. We'll give you the same ability, don't worry. And Angst..."

This time Sweiza interrupts Strife, "Strife... thank you."

"You're very welcome dear."

It was in that moment Strife knew that Sweiza had finally been won over, at least in part. The two of them sat that way in silence, Sweiza staring at Strife's elegant seating position. For the duration of roughly ten minutes, Strife's eyes remained closed as she faced Sweiza. After the ten minutes, her eyes open and she raises herself to her feet with her legs unassisted by her hands.

"Angst, your training is to resume."

"Yes Strife." Sweiza gives the appropriate bow before pushing her hands into the ground and climbing to her feet. At this point, she couldn't help but feel like a backwater swamp monkey compared to the more elegant Strife.

"Angst, the rest of your training for the day will include working on your form with different cuts, stabs, thrusts and swings. We'll conclude with different stances to block an attack. Let's begin."

Sweiza nods.

---

The training lasted from early morning before sunrise, to just before noon. Part of the repetoir included cuts to vital areas of the body such as the neck, joints, arms, legs and groin. Different stabs and thrusts to hit vital areas on unarmored opponents, as well as reaching vital joints between the armor of an opponent. The shorter, but latter part of the training included different stances, thrusts and swings to potentially block, and potentially parry an opponents attack. Each method was done one hundred times and after each a ten minute break. The period before noon rolled around quickly, and by that time Sweiza was panting and breathing hard.

"Strife, how much longer?"

Strife was leaning against the tree from the previous night, "Hmm? Oh. You're done for the day Sweiza, well done."

"What, but I thought...?"

"That it would be all day? No dear. That comes later when I will be training with you."

Strife lets out a weak smile, "For now, your training is concluded. You will train like this for one week. From just after midnight you will be on guard duty until early morning where you will train with different uses of your sword. Eventually we will move onto another weapon. But for now, your training is completed. I have no complaints."

Sweiza gives a bow, "Thank you Valk... Strife."

"Sweiza..."

"Yes, Strife?"

"You are released from training and as Valkyrie for the rest of the day."

Sweiza was taken aback, "What?"

"Go home to your family. They're probably worried sick about you."

"Strife, with all due respect..."

Strife's gaze was focused on something in the distance, but not quite there, "Hmm?"

"My family knew I would be at the Shrine of the Goddess of Fertility. The group that took the pilgrimage wouldn't be back yet."

Strife's left hand passes through her hair once, "Oh, that. It's been two weeks."

Sweiza lets out a gasp as her face and body turn to one of surprise, "How?"

"Your trials took up a number of days as you were wisked around the contintent. You'll get used to it."

Sweiza winces and nods quickly.

"Also..."

Sweiza's attention was again had on the Valkyrie.

"Is Sweiza your given name, or is it a nickname?"

"What?!"

"Sweiza, honestly, don't act surprised. That is a boy's name and I'm sure you know it."

"My parents wanted a boy to help with farmwork and to carry the village's honor. Instead they had me. Everyone calls me Sweiza."

Strife now approached the young woman before her, "You do have a given name then, yes?"

Sweiza's eyes and head shift away from Strife momentarily before looking at her, "My given name is Starla Serif. Everyone calls me Sweiza; some people shorten my lastname and call me Sarah."

Strife's left hand again passes through her hair, "What a beautiful name for an intriguing beautiful young woman. Very well then Starla Serif, that is what I will call you."

"It's Sweiza! Sweiza!"

Strife gives her a cheaky smile, her hand still in her hair, "And so you were named Angst by Odin."

"You're teasing isn't welcome!"

"Oh for the love of Midgard, lighten up Sweiza. It's not all that bad."

"That's what -you- think. Starla is a terrible name!"

"Maybe for a roughian," Strife's teasing continued, "But we'll change that."

Sweiza's face again turns into a frown. Strife's left hand moves from her hair as she approaches Sweiza and her right hand again approach's Sweiza's shoulder. Two more nudges, "Starla is not as bad of a name as you think."

Sweiza's eyes close as she sticks her tongue out at her. Sweiza couldn't discern if Strife's cheerful laugh and smile was fake or not, but it came off with an elegant demeanor; it clearly wasn't meant at her, but with her.

"Either way Strife, please refrain from calling me Starla."

"Sweiza Serif, before we part company for the day, there are two matters to attend to."

Sweiza's face looks dead on to Strife again, but her curiosity was mounting, "Such as?"

"Do you have a favorite color?"

"Why?"

"Look down."

"Sweiza looks down to see her armor had disappeared. In its place was a more rustic leather extierior; predominantly tan, with green color secondary, with brown stitch and trim. The leather armor came in the form of short underwear, a long dress, two-piece blouse and light-coat covered by a very short mantle, wrist-length gloves, and thick leather boots. The boots have a belt and large buckle to tighten them around the ankle, as do the gloves. The large sword belt, scabbard and sword remained.

"Leather?" Sweiza was quite surprised.

"I see your favorite color is green. So will be your armor then."

"I like it... kind of."

"It will grow on you."

"But how did..."

Strife was now walking partially circular and adjuscent to Sweiza's front and left side, "If you will it, you can switch between the armor depending on the setting. Also, as you've noticed, I can summon my lance at will. You can do the same with your sword. It will not always be a sure thing while you are training, but with pratice it will be an absolute. Use these abilities to summon your articles and weapons wisely."

Sweiza gives another bow, "Yes, Strife."

"For now, I suggest you leave your appearance and weapon as is. You'll need to learn to walk this way."

"Yes, Valkyrie."

"Sweiza, it's Strife."

"My appologies Strife."

"As for the last matter of business."

"And that is?"

"I heard you last night when you said you wanted to be my friend. I wholeheartedly agree. Kinship is a grand thing and not to be taken lightly. However, I expect you to appreciate that same kinship with other Valkyrie."

"Yes Strife, I understand; and thank you!"

"You're very welcome dear. However, that isn't what I meant."

"Then what did you mean?"

"Verdandi is my last name; Alice is my given."

"What?!"

"I'm sure you are well aware of the Verdandi family name in your village."

"They all become knights, including the women."

"Correct."

"But wait, doesn't that mean you are from my village?"

Strife's hand goes through her hair one last time as she nods, "Correct. If you want to know more about my lineage and me specifically, you can check the record section at the village's library. Your boyfriend is studying to be a mage isn't he? I'm sure he can help you."

Lester while not there, evoked a serious mage holding a goofy peace sign; her face braces itself with a mix of frown and cringe rolled into one.

"For now young one, this is where we part company. Go home to your family, let them know of your good fortune. We will resume your training in early morning after midnight; make sure you are well rested."

Sweiza gives one last bow, "Thank you for everything Strife."

"You're welcome. I am happy to have changed your outlook on becoming a Valkyrie." Strife nods one last time, "This is where I depart." She says it sharply and turns around. As she walks, her form slowly fades as if by some other worldly force.

Sweiza is left bewildered to stare the direction Strife was heading; but it just lead to woods. Rather than stand there like an idiot, she walks briskly to her village. Her attire caught a few bewildered, if not surprised looks. She gave it no attention as her goal was imminent, her parents' house. Once there...

She gives a sharp knock at the door. Her mother was there to greet her, "Sweiza, were have you been? Your father and I have been worried helpless!"

"Mama, I'm alive and well, I most regretfully appologize for my absense."

"Sweiza, where have you been?"

The new voice catches her attention. Sweiza's eyes tear up when her father, whom had been sitting at the table, came to the door to join his wife to see what the commotion was about. She rushes into the doorway past her mother to hug her father. His hand rests on her head. "Judging that you came back after the main group, I'm guessing you had quite the adventure getting back. What happened, and why are you wearing that outfit?"

Sweiza nods to her father and pulls away from him to bring her attention to the both of her parents. She tries to say it calmly, but the tears break through her emotional dam as she finally breaks down.

Her mother tries to counsel her, "Sweiza, maybe you should sit down. Tell us everything, from the beginning."

Sweiza nods between the tears, "Mama, papa. I'm so sorry for having worried you. But I regretfully have the most terrible news to report."

Her father also counsels her, "Sweiza, whatever it is, we'll help you through it."

"Mama, papa... The Verdandi lineage has knighted me a Valkyrie."