by Brian Keller
He showed her where to put her plate and mug, and then told her that lunch was still a couple hours away, but he’d get in line with her and guide her through the process of getting her lunch. She stood looking around the dining hall, fresh clothes, belly full and not grumbling, then turned to look at him, “Thank you, Mister Cooper.”. Cooper said, “It’s no big deal. It’s just a sash…”. Loryn had started to turn away, now she turned back and looked at him again and saw that he was trying to keep a straight face and was almost succeeding. She smiled, her first genuine, full smile and but then she wrinkled her eyebrows and said, “That wasn’t what I meant and you know it!”, her expression softened again, “but thank you for that, too. What’s next?”. Cooper made a show of observing the contrast between the pink skin of her washed hands and the rest of her before he replied, “Well, I hate to make it sound like a complaint, but you need a bath.”
Fifteen minutes later, she was freshly scrubbed and dressed in her new clothes stepping out of the privy. While she was bathing, Cooper had returned his bundle to his footlocker and had draped her old rags over the foot of her bed, to mark the space as occupied. She could wash them and keep them or simply discard them, it would be her choice. He waited near his bed and had occupied his time by stretching as Mister Skran had shown.
As she stepped out he was able to get a better look at her, without all the grime. He had thought she had dark brown or black hair. As it turned out she had light brown hair. It hung down just past her shoulders. She had light brown eyes and was already showing a hint of cheekbones, or maybe she just had sunken cheeks, time would tell. She had a small nose that was just slightly upturned at the tip and a faint cleft in the center of her chin. He had to admit she looked much nicer now. Nice enough to almost not notice the thin scar that went from the middle of her nose and across her left cheek. She noticed him looking and knew he had seen her scar. She dropped her eyes to the floor. He stepped slowly to her and leaned down so he could speak softly but still be heard clearly, “We all have our own history. We all come from somewhere. You can use this as a chance to leave all that behind. I have.”.
When she looked back up at him her eyes were wet, but there were no tears. She nodded, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, cleared her throat and asked, “Now what?”. Cooper started to reach and clap her on her shoulder, but he stopped that movement as soon as it started. She’d seen his shoulder’s shift and she’d started to shrink back until she realized what he was doing, and that he’d stopped. They both shared a look of embarrassment and he broke the silence. He turned and gestured toward the door, “Now we go to class.”.
As they walked down the hall, he was explaining the copying of textbooks and she stopped. “I can’t read.”, she said in a small voice. He turned to her and said, “It doesn’t matter right now. Master Worthan will teach you. And in the evenings, I can help you sometimes, if you want.” She still didn’t look too certain, but she nodded and started walking again. She was learning to trust someone, which felt very strange to her. The fact that it was a boy made it feel even more strange.
Chapter 10
As they entered the classroom, Master Worthan spotted them immediately and stood from behind his table. He assessed Loryn quickly then looked at Cooper and gave him a slight nod. He returned Master Worthan’s gesture along with a slight smile. The old teacher approached them and Cooper stepped to one side to reveal her more completely. She stepped closer to Cooper as Master Worthan approached. The old man looked at him with an expression of appreciation mixed with a touch of admiration. He then looked at her and spoke in a gentle voice, “Hello again, Miss Loryn. It appears that Mister Cooper has done just as he should, and more than that it appears he has taken you under his wing…? Hmm?” With this last, Master Worthan had raised his eyebrows. He turned to Cooper, “You may now return to your studies, Mister Cooper. And it has been a busy morning, I believe the next outgoing message will be yours.”. Cooper returned to his seat to resume copying pages. Master Worthan guided her to a seat a row over from Cooper, placed a textbook and a few sheets of parchment on her desk and once she was seated he spoke to the class. “Class. This is Miss Loryn.” Master Worthan turned back and leaned over Loryn’s desk and they spoke in hushed voices. Cooper did hear Loryn say, “But, sir, I can’t read.”. Cooper was unable to hear anything else that was said and had returned to his copying. Cooper had barely touched quill to paper and he heard Boyd’s voice pipe up, “Oh, isn’t she just sweet. I could just eat her all up!”. Cooper looked up at Boyd but before he could do more than that a blur swept past him. In the next instant Cooper saw Boyd leaned back, almost tipping out of his chair and Master Worthan had him by his collar and his ear. Master Worthan spoke in low, clear tones, “I tolerate your behavior with other boys, because that’s what boys do but you will give this new student a few weeks to adjust before you try to play your little pointless games. Am I being completely clear, mister Boyd?”. Boyd tried to nod but Master Worthan held him fairly immobilized, so he managed a shaky, “Y-y-y-es, Master Worthan.”. Cooper leaned to one side and looked to see if Boyd had, per chance, soiled himself. It appeared that he hadn’t. Too bad.
Cooper had copied almost a page when a scribe opened the door and leaned in. He passed Master Worthan a hand sign and the old man nodded. Master Worthan looked across the classroom, located Cooper and saw that the boy was already looking at him. Master Worthan gave him a nod and then looked past him and indicated that he should take Loryn with him. Cooper stood and reached over and tapped her desk. She looked up and he indicated that she should come with him. He took a glance at what she’d been copying. She’d managed to copy a few lines of text.
Once in the Scribe’s storefront, Cooper started explaining what they were doing and how the process worked. Cooper accepted the copper tube and double checked the address. It was a home in The Grid just a few houses away from edge of the Trade Quarter, next to the Whitefoam. As he slowly and carefully assisted her with her courier sash, he told Loryn that they’d likely be back in less than an hour. They left the office and he spoke about how the city was arranged. As he was pointing in the directions of the different districts and naming each one, Cooper realized that he needed to tell her something that might be important. “Loryn, did you notice the boy that Master Worthan grabbed in the classroom?”. She replied, “Of course. I was amazed. Master Worthan looks so old. How can he move like that? I’ve never seen anyone move like that.”. Cooper nodded, “I don’t know. I could always tell that Master Worthan wasn’t just some old man, but I never expected to see him move that fast. He must have incredible Talent, but then he is a Master. But that’s not what I want to talk to you about. Do you remember the boy that Master Worthan grabbed?”. She said, “Yes. He must’ve said something that angered the Master. That boy looks like a cruel person.” Cooper nodded, “Yes. That’s the boy, his name is Boyd and he is cruel. Stay away from him as much as you can.”. She snorted, “You can bet I will.”. Cooper thought about it for a moment longer and added, “If Boyd ever corners you or harms you when I’m not around, I want you to tell me. All right?”. Loryn ducked her chin but nodded. Cooper leaned down slightly, “Promise me? That you’ll tell me?”. Loryn took a breath before she looked up at him and felt a little uneasy that the darkness in his eyes went deeper than she could see, “I promise.”, she said. Cooper stood upright, nodded and turned to continue walking.
A few minutes later they arrived at the house near the Whitefoam. The wall surrounding the property was constructed of tan and gray stones and about seven feet tall. It was crowned with eight inch spikes that looked like javelin points spaced about six inches apart. The first floor of the house was made of the same stone but the walls of the second floor were of stucco. The front of the house was completely unadorned. There was no guard at the gate so he led her through and they walked up to the door. Cooper gestured that she should knock on the door. She looked at him, shrugged and walked up to the door and lifted the knocker and banged i
t down a couple times, then she returned to stand beside him. Less than a minute later the doors opened revealing a stately woman. Her features were lined with wrinkles around her eyes and mouth. In all ways this woman had a very stern look about her; all, that is, but her eyes. When she looked at the children in front of her house, she had a kindly look in her eyes. Her hair was graying, but still mostly dark brown, it was braided, pulled back tightly and wound into a bun. She was dressed in a light blue gown that was clasped close around her neck. If Cooper had been better informed he would have realized that this dress was a style very much in fashion, five years ago. She asked Cooper, who was carrying the tube, “Is that for me?”. He bowed and replied, “Milady, if you are Lady Wilhemina Rheysuv, then it is.”. Lady Rheysuv had drawn four coppers from the folds of her dress above her sash and was handing them to him. “Indeed I am, young man.”. She handed two coppers to each child. Cooper had already explained to Loryn the custom of tipping couriers two coppers, and that she’d begin receiving coppers when she was making deliveries by herself. Loryn accepted the coppers but spoke, “Milady, I’m just following – “. Lady Rheysuv held up a hand and said with a wink, “I know the custom, but we ladies need to stick together. Wouldn’t you agree?”. She gave Loryn a slight smile, increasing the depth of her wrinkles. Loryn glanced over at Cooper as he was handing the rolled up message to the woman. Loryn gave the woman a shallow curtsy, “Indeed. I thank you, Milady.”. The older woman looked over the two children and said, “You two be careful in the city, won’t you?”. He performed a short bow and said, “We will, Milady.” And with that Lady Rheysuv went back into the house. The couriers were back in their seats in the classroom forty minutes after they’d departed to deliver the message.
On the way to lunch, Loryn stuck very close to him, with everyone moving and jostling through the hallway, it surely seemed utter chaos to the young girl. Boyd tried to give Cooper a little shove. Expecting it and seeing the movement from the corner of his eye, Cooper ducked under and avoided most of the push and a rolling of his shoulder deflected the rest of it. Boyd leaned in and hissed, “I’ll bet you enjoyed that, you little prick.”. Cooper continued walking, thinking, “What is he talking abo- Oh, Master Worthan grabbing him!’, he smiled faintly as he spoke over his shoulder, “Well, you’d be the expert on little pricks.”. Cooper hustled Loryn down the hallway and into the dining hall. Once they’d gotten their food, he made sure she picked up a set of utensils before they went to a table to sit. They were joined almost immediately by Birt and Aden. Cooper made introductions all around and assured Loryn that Birt and Aden were friends. He then looked at each of the boys in turn and said, “No pranks and no sudden movements, all right?”. Birt’s face took on a pained expression as he asked, “For how long?!?”. She arched an eyebrow and allowed herself a slight smile, “Oh, you’ll know.”. Cooper could feel his eyebrows moving up in amazement, “Well look who’s already emerging from her cocoon!”. Aden chuckled, “Yep, I’m gonna like her. She’s gonna fit in just fine.”. Birt turned serious and said, “What about combat training? That’s where we go right after lunch.”. Cooper hadn’t thought of that, “Well, we’ll just have to see how it goes. Mister Skran is harsh, but fair. He’s the Trainer anyway, it’s up to him to get her sorted out. We’ll help however we can, of course.”. Before anyone could add anything else, Birt said, “’WE’ will?”. Loryn snapped her head up to glare at Birt and saw he was crossing his eyes and sticking his tongue out at her. She rolled her eyes and returned to eating. There was little discussion at the lunch table, with everyone busy chewing, but the boys took turns describing what she could expect in the Training Room. She appeared to be trying to mentally prepare herself, if that was possible.
Mister Skran told everyone to pair up and then realized they had an additional student. He approached her swiftly, examining her. She didn’t back away but it appeared she was trying to shrink and was ducking her head. Her face had tightened up, and her eyes were almost closed. Mister Skran recognized this immediately and his entire demeanor softened. He adjusted his stride as he approached closer. His voice remained sharp and forceful but when he spoke he wasn’t speaking to her. “Mister Aden, this new student is now your partner. You don’t hit anyone anyway. You will start by showing her stance, strikes and basic sequences.”. Aden’s eyes got big and he looked like he wanted to say something, but he simply nodded his head and walked over to her with his eyes downcast. Mister Skran spoke again, “Do not concern yourself, Mister Aden. I am still the teacher. You get started and I’ll come along and make corrections.”. He offered her what he probably thought was a friendly smile but she was looking at anything else but him.
Cooper stood alone, thinking, “I hope Mister Skran isn’t going to be my new partner or I’m going to be sore for weeks.”. Mister Skran turned to look at him. “Mister Cooper, come with me.”. He thought, “Oh great, here it comes.”. Mister Skran took him to one side of the room where there were several figures made of wood, straw, leather and cloth. They were fashioned to look like men. Mister Skran told him, “Mister Strawman here will be your partner today. You will use kicks and strikes of your own choice but they will be in one of these sequences: low-low-high or high-low-high. For today your main focus is proper form and speed. Before each sequence you will strike, or, kick from either a crouched fighting stance or from a neutral, standing position. Do you understand what I mean?”. Cooper nodded and Mister Skran continued, “I expect Mister Strawman to look a bit rougher after your session today, but I’ll say it again, your focus is proper form and speed. Once you start becoming comfortable and confident with your movements, it is time to perform them faster.” Mister Skran looked like he just made a decision. “Since we have an uneven number of students, tomorrow we will be breaking up a few pairs and other students will be following your example, literally. Tomorrow you will demonstrate your flawless technique and increased speed while I describe to the students what is expected. Surely you won’t disappoint.”. Mister Skran was silent, letting this new information sink in, and then he added, “If you have no questions, do a few combinations while I watch. If you’re doing as I expect then I’ll return to the other students and leave you to it.” He knew that Mister Skran divided high and low by some bodily feature he called ‘the diaphragm’. As such, he considered a low strike to be anything below the chest, and high strikes included the chest and anything above it. He turned and faced Mister Strawman, dropped into a crouch and immediately released a low kick to the side of the dummy’s leg, then placed his kicking foot on the floor just in front of it and as his weight shifted forward he launched a left hand to Mister Strawman’s solar plexus and instantly followed that with a punch to the throat. He stepped back to prepare for another combination and Mister Skran broke his concentration, “I am not sure what that was, but it was ugly and slow. Show me again.”. Cooper repositioned himself, dropped into a crouch and started to kick. Before his kick even really got started Mister Skran’s voice cut through the air, “Stop. Again.”. He shifted back into a crouch and Mister Skran moved behind him. He put one hand on Cooper’s shoulder and one on his hip. Skran then helped guide his kick to show how he could avoid wasted movement and increase his speed and power. Over the next few minutes Mister Skran made at least a dozen adjustments to Cooper’s movements. Mister Skran stepped back from him and said, “Practice those same movements with those corrections for the next thirty minutes. Start slowly to get accustomed to the movements. Then after thirty minutes increase your speed. By tomorrow I’ll expect you to be amazing.” He knew that today’s Training Room session was to be two hours long. Within forty minutes he was imagining Egil standing in front to him instead of a straw and leather dummy. Within ninety minutes he started to feel a Flow while he was practicing the combination, like he felt when moving through the crowd in the Trade Quarter. He focused on getting the movements right, as Mister Skran instructed, while embracing his Flow and worked to make his movements smoother and faster.
It was still an hour before dinner and he went to see Master Loril. He wasn’t in his shop but Cooper could hear loud banging and ringing in the next room. Cooper walked over to look through the doorway to see who was working the forge. Master Loril had a hammer in each hand while another man held a bar of red hot metal with a set of tongs firmly against an anvil. Sparks flew with each strike of a hammer, and Cooper could guess how Master Loril had developed shoulders that looked like cannonballs. Every couple of strikes of a hammer the man with the tongs would rotate the metal a little. Cooper could admire the precision and timing needed because the hammers never seemed to pause. Master Loril was midswing and he called out, “Good afternoon, Mister Cooper. A few more seconds and this sword will need reheating. You can tell me what brings you here while we give it more heat.” Master Loril never stopped swinging, in fact he never looked away from the metal he was hammering. How had he known Cooper was there?