--Alena Perspective--

“Alaster, wait!” I called. He always took off as soon as he saw Lilly coming. He used to love her attention but seemed to be trying to act tough now that we were getting older.

Today we would be taking our first defensive lesson, something father had set up for us. Living out here carried dangers, just a couple of months ago another kid, not much older than us had a run-in with a demon. He was alright, but it did cause quite a stir.

Lilly was against us learning to use weapons at only seven years old, but our father was more concerned by the danger that surrounded the village. If we ran into a similar situation he didn’t want us to be unprepared and freeze when faced with danger, or so he said.

Alaster didn’t get far, Lilly was quick and scooped him up without much effort. A child’s small legs could not compare to an adult, especially one who was as skilled with children like her.

I laughed watching him struggle in vain. I loved Lilly, I was convinced she was my mother, despite us being orphans. We had matching hair and eyes. Alaster hated whenever I called her mother though, I was not sure why but there seemed to be some secret among the boys.

There were no young girls in Silvergrove right now. There was a recent birth of a girl, but she was hardly a playmate yet. I had to settle for the boys, and although we got along, they always kept a certain distance.

Mother arrived with my brother in her arms. Father was busy with work so she was here to make us lunch before we had our first lesson.

“Morning Mother” I smirked, knowing it would get a scowl out of Alaster.

“Good Morning Alena, excited for your first day?” she replied, finally letting go of Alaster. He looked like he was going to try and run again, but Lilly just gave him a stern look that seemed to set him straight.

“Yeah, it’s going to be nice to learn something not taught by father, his lessons always make me sleepy,” I answered. Father was a priest, so he was used to long lectures, but his voice seemed to always put me to sleep, though I usually lasted longer than Alaster at least.

“I see, well you be careful, I know I am a worrywart but I can’t help it.”

I couldn’t help but smile and nod, while Alaster just groaned. She brought us over to the bar, it was closed this early making it a convenient place for her to cook if the church was in use.

She had prepared some boar meat and potatoes before she came to get us, so we just sat down as she brought our plates.

“Thank you mother,” I said before starting to eat.

Alaster had already dug in the second the plate touched the table, though he did mouth a mumble a thank you with his mouth full. He may have been a bit of a brat, but he wasn’t a complete brat at least.

Mother was a great cook, even with the simple ingredients we had to settle with most of the time, she made it work. I often wondered if she should marry our father, it seemed fitting but when I brought it up to her, she looked uneasy.

There was tension between her and our father, but I was not sure why. They didn’t argue or anything like that, just Father always seemed to have a hint of sadness whenever Lilly came up in conversation. Mother on the other hand seemed a bit guarded.

We finished eating and it was time to go meet up with our teacher. He was a friend of Father before he had come to Silvergrove and the training was meant to give us some basic prep for any emergencies. I was sure we could get some more advanced training later.

I was a bit of an oddball of a girl, likely thanks to not having any girls my age to play with and having to play with the boys. I had seen some my age come in caravans, they seemed more interested in helping their parents than coming to play while they were here though. Father had told me a merchant’s life was full of goodbyes, so they were taught to not get to attached to any place they visited.

There was a small field behind the church that would serve as our training ground. Our teacher was already there. He was wearing full plate armor and was a paladin of the order. Father had told us to be respectful since unlike people in the village, he would not tolerate childish antics. His stern gaze was enough for me to not want to get on his bad side though, I hoped Alaster was the same, he did not seem like someone to anger.

“You must be Alaster and Alena. My name is Kamil Sadler. I will be teaching you this month.” He said as we arrived.

“I understand you are children, but being late will not be tolerated beyond today”. Mother winced and apologized, but he just waved her off. I didn’t think we were late, we were just told to come here in the afternoon right?

I glanced at Alaster and could see some anger in his eyes, he might act out but there was no doubt he would feel some anger at someone treating his mother like that. Lilly didn’t argue though and just took some distance to allow Kamil to start his lesson.

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“First, I simply want you both to stand there and not move. Don’t try to block me, if I hit you, then it’s your fault.” He said as set his lifted a wooden sword.

“Don’t move? What is he planning to teach us then?” I thought, but it was answered soon enough, he charged at us and I could feel danger and instinctively raised my arms to avoid getting hit in the face.

I could feel a heavy impact as my arms slammed against my face from the force of the blow. I fell back and could hear mother gasp. Blood was coming out of my nose and I felt like I wanted to cry, but I had to tough it out.

Alaster didn’t do any better. Kamil had knocked us both on our butts at almost the same time, I was not even sure who he hit first. Though he seemed to be spared the bloody nose, figures.

I groaned as I got to my feet, I was always told I was a tough kid, especially for a girl, but even that had limits. I wanted to run, I didn’t want to get hit again.

Looking up I could see Kamil was waiting for us to stand to make his next move, he did not seem to care about my nose in the slightest so I just held it closed and glared at him, waiting to see what he did next.

I was excited about this training only minutes ago, and now I understood this was no fun activity. Kamil smirked at my glare and seemed to decide I was ready.

He charged and this time I tried to hold firm, but fear welled up inside me, screaming that I was about to be hit. I avoided raising my other arm this time, but I still flinched and closed my eyes when he got close.

There was a snapping sound in front of me, but no pain. I cautiously opened my eyes only to see Alaster in front of me, arms crossed in front of him to try and defend me. Kamil had a look of shock on his face and was holding half a wooden sword, a couple of seconds later I saw the other half land a few feet behind him.

What just happened? Alaster was still standing and the sword was broken. Was he hurt? That must have hurt. I couldn’t help but worry and ignored the lesson to check on him. Mother did the same.

“Are you alright?” mother asked looking him over, we could both see he wasn’t. There was a large purple bruise already visible on his arm and I couldn’t help but wince as I saw it wasn’t straight anymore either.

Alaster seemed to be trying to be tough and not cry, but he was quickly losing that battle.

“You responded well Alaster. Let me help you.” Kamil said as he pushed us aside. He grabbed the broken arm firmly which caused Alaster to finally lose his composure and start to scream.

“I need to straighten it first, You’re a tough one, you can handle this right?” he teased, while he squeezed on the arm, feeling the bone and making sure it was in place.

I couldn’t take it, I rushed in and tried to pull him away, but Kamil didn’t even flinch. “LET HIM GO” I screamed, my hand bloody from holding my nose, and now getting my blood all over his armor.

Alaster was screaming louder than I ever heard before, any amount of his tough persona was replaced by the normal reaction of a 7-year-old. I needed to help him, I needed to save him. I needed to protect him.

Mother pulled me away, why was she not helping? He needed us. It was rare but I felt a tinge of anger at my mother.

“He is healing him, Alena, let him work.” She said, trying to seem calm but I could hear the strain in her voice. I wanted to struggle, but mothers arms were shaking as she held me. I didn’t want to make her worry more and put my trust in her.

The whole process only took a couple of minutes. After straightening the arm, a faint glow came from Kamil’s hand, a clear sign of healing magic.

Alaster's screaming settled and Kamil finally let go. The arm was no longer purple, but there was a red hand mark where Kamil had gripped his arm. I was boiling with anger, I knew this was training, but he didn’t need to be that rough.

“Now Missy, I will forgive you for getting your blood over me, but…” He was cut off as Father arrived and without even a word decked him in the face.

I was stunned, I had never seen father look that angry before. But I could not help but giggle when Kamil fell on his butt as we had previously.

“Was there a need to be that rough? I could hear the screams from inside the church, everyone could hear them. They are seven Kamil, and not from some knight family.” He spat.

“I know Oswald, The kid has talent though. He managed to get in front of his sister and blocked my strike, you must know the significance of that.” Kamil replied as he stood up, clearly not angry at all over the punch.

I was confused, what did he mean? He just broke Alaster’s arm and he was saying he did a good job?

“Look” he added, showing father the broken wooden sword. What was the significance of a wooden sword breaking? Though clearly, it should break before an arm.

Father took the sword from him and then scowled. “This isn’t a wooden sword, why in the hell would you use a weighted training sword on kids?”. I took a look at it and could see a black bar protruding from the center of the sword. Was that an iron bar?

“Wooden swords are too light, I held back, though the boy got in front of my swing and I wasn’t able to adjust in time. For that, I do apologize, but you should be happy. He used a barrier,” Kamil said with a big smile on his face.

“Barrier, as in magic?” I thought. We were only 7, magic did not usually manifest until you came of age, and only after a ceremony. Mother looked confused as well.

“You mean he is gifted with light magic.” Father declared, he did not seem as happy as Kamil seemed to be about it.

“I can use magic?” Alaster asked, having finally regained some composure.

“I would not go that far yet my boy, it’s dangerous for kids to try and play with magic, that is why the coming-of-age ceremony takes place when it does,” Kamil replied.

“But it does mean you are likely well gifted in it, I am sure the paladin order is going to be overjoyed about you”. I shuddered, did this mean they were going to take Alaster? I could tell by the look on fathers face that he was concerned and I could not help but feel uneasy about what this meant.

“Oswald, you know what I will need to do. I will delay my report as much as I can, I suggest you prepare” He said as grabbed the other half of the sword and left the field.

Father stood motionless, looking down. I could see him clenching his fists and it made me uneasy.

“Is he going to take brother?” I asked, feeling tears in my eyes that I could care less about holding back. Alaster seemed giddy at first but seeing my reaction he rushed over and took me into his arms.

Father joined him not long after and mother tightened her hold on me as well. I don’t think we ever hugged like this before, like a family, and I could not help but feel this was also the last time.