by Aleron Kong
“Thank you. I would be honored,” Richter said somewhat surprised. It never occurred to him that the diminutive sprites would have a high-level swordsman. Before he let Hisako slip away, there was one last piece of business to address, “Do you know where the bugbear and goblin camp is yet?”
Hisako sighed, “We are looking, but so far we have found nothing. We must be cautious, though. The bugbears have been sending out patrols of their own. We have already had several skirmishes. Thankfully none of my people have been seriously wounded yet. Don’t worry, we know they are to the east, so there are only so many places they can hide. We will let you know soon.”
Richter nodded and the two of them walked back through the tall grasses. Once they reached the Hearth Tree, Hisako took her leave. As she was walking away, she called out to another sprite to bring the sword adept. She also looked back and said, “Don’t worry about returning your old armor. I have a feeling it might come in handy for you to have a spare set. Also,” she paused, “you might want to put on your new armor now.” The last was said with what could only be described as a devilish grin on her face. With that parting rejoinder, she walked away.
A little confused as to why he would need stronger armor in the heart of the wood sprites’ defenses, he still took her advice. Once that was done, he stowed his old armor in his Bag of Holding. It took up a ridiculous amount of slots in the 20x20 grid. He would have to unload it in the vault as soon as he got back to his village. Once that was done, he drew his long sword and took several practice swings with it. The tall gold grass bent out of his way whenever the sword came near. At first he thought it was a trick of the wind, but when he intentionally tried to hit the grass, it still avoided the strike. He started a bit of a game, fencing with the grass which continually dodged out the way. Despite his efforts, he got nowhere near cutting even one of the tall gold blades of grass. He jumped back with his sword extended, and one arm thrown in the air behind him and shouted, “En garde!”
“Don’t play with it son,” a gruff voice said. “That’s how you go blind!”
Confused, Richter turned towards the voice. He was surprised by who stood before him. The sprite was taller than most. Hisako was the tallest he had seen at four feet. This man was closer to five. He also lacked the smooth, childlike quality to his face that the other sprites possessed. That may have just been due to the scar that pulled the left corner of his mouth down into a slight perpetual frown, but Richter didn’t think so. His ears were also more pointed and his skin a slightly darker hue. Richter decided to use his Analyze skill.
Name: Yoshi. Half-Sprite, Half-Human. Level 26. Health 520. Mana 200. Stamina 290. Racial blends are erratic in their disposition. They can end up with some or none of any of their parent races characteristics. Profession: Warrior.
Level 26! And he had a profession! This was not someone to take lightly! Richter nodded at him. “So you are the sword adept?”
“That I am. Hisako asked me to help you. Is there a reason you’re staring at me like that?”
Richter had been closely examining the man. He had never seen a mix of the races before. When Yoshi asked the question, though, he jumped, not realizing he had been so obvious with his observation.
“I’m sorry, I’ve just never met someone who was born of two races before.”
“And? Do you have a problem with it,” Yoshi asked with raw ire in his voice.
“Not at all! I did not mean to offend you! I am truly appreciative of any help I could receive from an adept like yourself.” Richter raised both hands in a mollifying gesture.
Yoshi gave a loud ‘hmpf.’ “Well enough then. We might as well get started. Hold onto that crowbar you call a sword if you can!” Yoshi picked up a bundle of thick sticks he had next to him and walked over to Richter. He dropped the bundle when he was a few steps away from Richter and drew a four-foot long piece of wood from the collection. It was a thumb width in size and bare patches showed where smaller twigs had been torn off.
“Now attack me,” Yoshi said.
Richter looked at him with uncertainty, “You’re not going to use a sword?”
“No, I’m going to use these branches.”
“Why? I don’t want to hurt y-. Owww!”
As Richter was talking, Yoshi had leisurely raised his stick and then there was a blur. Richter hadn’t seen the man move, but he felt the stick strike him in the side of the head. He grabbed the spot that was throbbing, taking a step back. When he looked up again, Yoshi was standing in the same place with a calm expression on his face.
“I am using this stick for several reasons. You have just discovered one of them. It allows me to instruct you without the risk of immediate and irreparable injury. When I give you a command, I expect it to be followed. You may always ask questions, but only after, or time permitting, during, the completion of my command. Now come face me and attack.”
Richter rubbed his head and glared at the man. He wanted to be attacked? Fine! Richter would give Yoshi a little scar to remember him by. He stomped up to the smaller man. With no hesitation he lunged forward, sword positioned to scrap the man’s ribs. That was the intention anyway. What actually happened, was Richter began to move forward, Yoshi did something, and then he was lying on his back. The sword was no longer in his hand and now his right wrist, both temples, chest and left leg were all throbbing. It was now very clear why Hisako had told him to put on his enhanced armor. Even wearing it and with Yoshi using only a stick, this was incredibly painful!
Richter heard a long suffering sigh come from Yoshi. “Banished gods, why have I been sent such a hopeless case? Well, get back up human. We have a lot of work to do.”
Richter’s only answer was the combination of a slow exhale and a groan.
CHAPTER 2
The rest of the day was a study in abuse. The strikes with the stick didn’t remove more than one health at the most. The worst injury Richter received was actually when he tripped over his own feet and landed on a rock. The minor loss of health did not translate to the pain he felt, though! Yoshi was a true sadist. Richter was convinced that the man had methodically beaten every square inch of his body. After hours of torment, with no lunch break, Richter might add, Yoshi said it was time to stop. That was only because the sun was going down.
After Yoshi called it quits for the day, he just picked up his bundle of sticks and walked away without another word. The reason for the large number of sticks became clear after Yoshi had broken the first one against Richter’s thigh. The point was further illustrated when the second stick broke across Richter’s back. By the third break, Richter stopped thinking about it. That was partly because when that particular branch broke, it was across the back of his head. It was nice having a pause in the training, even if it was because he had been knocked unconscious for a short period of time.
Richter slowly stumbled after the sword adept/sadist, his entire body screaming in protest. He just wanted to lay down and stop existing, but he refused to give Yoshi the satisfaction. The entire time they had been “training” Yoshi had taunted him. ‘All you need to do is walk away’ ‘This is not fun for me either’ ‘Well its kinda fun’ ‘Only sissies vomit…’ ‘Well I guess I am looking at a sissy.’ Richter was kept upright through the day out of pure spite. He had pride, and would not be broken! Who cares if it now took twenty minutes to walk a hundred yards? That’s not the point!
The sprites were gathered at the base of the Hearth Tree for their evening meal. Sion was sitting at the center table next to Hisako, and Yoshi was sitting next to him. An empty seat was at Hisako’s side reserved for Richter. When Sion saw Richter’s pathetic appearance, he started laughing loudly until Yoshi jabbed a quick finger into his throat. After that, his so-called friend was more focused on breathing than mocking him.
Richter sat down with a pained noise, and Hisako just looked at him with a sympathetic expression. Was she smirking right before he had turned to look at her? He had to ke
ep his eye on this woman. She might not be too different from her son in terms of twisted humor! All such unworthy thoughts fled, however, with what she did next.
Hisako reached out her hand and laid it atop of his. With a few muttered words a gold light enveloped her hand and spread up his arm and then over the rest of his body. It alleviated his aches and pains and left him with a refreshed feeling. He sighed in relief. Then he looked at Sion still struggling to breathe. Richter took an exaggerated deep breath while looking his Companion in the eye and then exhaled overly loud. Sion glared daggers back.
“Thank you, Hisako. Your sword adept was… very energetic in his lesson!”
Yoshi looked up, “Are you complaining, son?”
“Not at all, Yoshi. Who doesn’t like being beaten with a rod for twelve hours?”
The half man laughed, “Happy to oblige then. We will do more when we leave tomorrow.”
“We,” Richter asked, with a sick feeling in his stomach.
“Yes, of course. The Hearth Mother is leaving the protection of the glade for the first time in over a century. Her protection is paramount.”
“Ahem, yes,” Hisako said. “I was going to speak with you about this tonight Richter. I would like to be there personally for the planting. If you are okay with that.”
“I would be honored,” Richter said.
“Well that settles it,” Yoshi said. “We will train each morning, a bit over lunch and for two hours when we stop each night. Right now your sword work looks like a gnome having a seizure. I shouldn’t have to say this, but that is NOT what you should be striving for. It’s important to remember…”
Yoshi continued to drone on, and Richter just sat back with a sour expression on his face. His appetite had fled for some reason.
The next morning, countless sprites were gathered in the golden grasses around the Hearth Tree. They were arrayed in an expanding spiral with Hisako in the center. Each sprite held hands with the sprite to either side. They had gathered while it was still dark. As the sky began to lighten, they sang. Their already musical voices rose and fell in soft counterpoint. There was no direction or guidance, they simply coordinated as if being led by an orchestra conductor. The music grew as the sky lightened, and a golden glow began to infuse all of the tall grasses. The glow built in intensity, matching the tone of the sprites’ voices as the first rays of the sun shone down into the glade of the wood sprites. Hisako raised her own voice, and her soprano rang clear. The Seed Core was in her hands and she raised it above her head. The aura of magic permeating the glade flared, focusing upon Hisako. Pure golden light shot into the sky like a spot light and then went out. The sprites voices subsided at the same time.
Hisako was left standing in the center of her people with the Seed Core still above her head. The green veins of light glowed much brighter than before and small cracks in the shell of the Seed leaked golden light. Richter expected Hisako to look exhausted, but instead she seemed exhilarated. She handed him the Seed with a broad grin on her face.
“Everything went wonderfully! The spell might have yielded a result even be more powerful than I had hoped! Let’s not waste any time. I think it is time that I saw your home.” She turned in a circle looking out at her people. “My fellow sprites, I travel now with our friend Lord Richter of the Mist Village. We will plant a Seed Core and bring life to a tree of magic!” The wood sprites cheered her pronouncement. “I will miss you all, and will return soon. Follow the wisdom of the elders, who will lead in my absence. Thank you for your help this day, and, as always stay true to the Forest!”
Another cheer sounded, and then all of the sprites broke up into various smaller groups and went on about their days. Hisako turned to Yoshi, who was flanked by twenty other armored sprites. “Are we ready to go, sword adept Yoshi?”
“We are, Hearth Mother. In addition to the guard we have arranged, Daniella requests to accompany us.”
Sion who had been standing quietly at his mother’s side until that moment decided to chime in, “I don’t really think that is necessary. A smaller group is less likely to attract attention. Especially with bugbears and goblins roaming the woods.”
Daniella was walking as up he spoke, “Thinking Sion? Never really your strong suit. I would like to see the home of our new neighbors. If it is okay with Lord Richter, that is?”
Richter looked at the female sprite and then looked at his friend Sion. The beseeching gaze on his Companion’s face was almost pitiful. But what are best friends for, if not to gain a cheap laugh at your expense. He plastered a huge smile on his face, “I would be honored to have you join us, Daniella. In fact! You are welcome as long as you like.” He gave his best impression of a courtly bow, and dipped his head toward the pretty sprite who laughed delightedly and clapped her hands. When he picked his head back up, he looked at Sion whose face was screwed up in silent anger. Richter simply smiled even bigger and mouthed the word ‘pushups.’ Oh yes, he thought dramatically, you will learn the truth of this old Tarantino proverb, Revenge is a dish best served cold! And it looked like it would be a cold day in hell before Daniella gave Sion a moment’s peace.
“Well that settles that,” Hisako said. Turning to Richter, she said, “I did have a thought last night. I do not want to infringe upon your hospitality, but you would you do me the favor of hosting one of our elders?” She beckoned forward an older sprite who had been standing several paces behind her. “This is Sumiko. Her counsel has guided me through many difficult decisions. I would ask that you accept her as an ambassador between our two peoples. She is also a Master of Life Magic. I believe you would find her aid invaluable.”
This wasn’t Richter doing Hisako a favor, which she clearly knew. He had very little Life magic at his disposal other than his Charm spell. It was not the kind of spell he could practice with often. Having a Life Master to teach him spells and speed his leveling would be incredible. He looked at Sumiko and said, “I would be honored to have you join us for as long as you are willing. Your presence will be a gift, and I will treat it as such.” Man, he was really getting good at this grownup talk!
Yoshi looked at them all and shouldered his pack, “Well, the sun slows for no one. Let’s get going.”
They started walking, but paused at the edge of the golden glade while Hisako took a long look at the Hearth Tree. Then she turned away, squared her shoulders, and kept walking forward. The sword adept set a brisk pace. Yoshi said he wanted to limit the time spent out in the open. Richter used the time they were walking to speak with Sumiko. The older sprite was only a few inches above three feet, but was spry enough to keep pace. She had an easy smile and short cropped black hair. Her skin was a touch lighter than the normal olive complexion of the other sprites. Her face was a bit rounder as well. Richter spent the first day just discussing the strengths of Life Magic with her. She was every bit as pleasant as she looked. Sumiko promised to teach him a spell in the morning.
His interactions with Yoshi were somewhat surprising. At the lunch break, the sword adept walked over with a stick. Richter groaned internally, but stood and raised his sword none the less. The man simply shook his head and told Richter to sheath the blade. Rather than beat Richter pillar to post, Yoshi instead showed him a sequence of movements called a “form.” The first form was named, “The Forest Wind.” It focused on shoulder length sweeps of Richter’s blade for attack. The second was called, “Willow in the Storm.” He was made to move through a series of motions that bent him at odd angles, keeping his sword between him and the anticipated “attack.” For both, Yoshi focused a great amount of attention on Richter’s stance. Each movement required him to be both flexible and balanced. They went through the same series of movements for the half hour allotted for lunch each day. When it was time to move again, Yoshi just corrected his stance a final time by gently prodding one leg, grunted and then walked away.
Richter was certainly not disappointed that he didn’t need healing again, but the man�
�s demeanor was so different that it was a bit a mystery. He wasn’t about to complain, though. He shouldered his bag and walked on with everyone else, resuming his conversation with Sumiko.
The next several days followed the same pattern. Walking with Sumiko, and during their rests, training the forms with Yoshi. He would steal a little time in between to read the lore books he had bought from Leandra. At the end of the second night, Yoshi stood opposite him again holding a small branch. The sprite attacked from a high guard. Richter responded with Willow in the Storm and flowed out of the path of the attack. It somehow left him in the perfect position to attack with The Forest Wind form. The two of them flowed through the movements, their two sticks clattering together. Richter saw now how the two forms he had been practicing naturally complemented each other. They kept up this exchange for almost an hour. When they finished a final rapid exchange, Yoshi stepped back and grunted.
Congratulations! You have reached skill level 2 in Swordsmanship. Damage +2%. Chance to cause bleed status +0.5%.
The sprite was turning to leave when Richter called out, “I really appreciate you teaching me, but I’m not exactly sure what I am supposed to be learning. When I studied with other Masters, I leveled up several times, but my swordsmanship skill seems only to go up when we spar. Why don’t we spar the whole time?”
“I am teaching you the art of the blade, not how to increase your level. You could bash away at a monster all day long with your sword. It would raise your level, but you would learn nothing. To you, a sword would still just be a club with edges. If you go that route, anyone with a bit of training will still kill you no matter how high your level is,” Yoshi replied.