Dearly Departed

Gwene couldn't help but smile "Yeah. I couldn't believe how quickly she warmed up to us."

"Give me her sword," Konbei said to Gwene. "I wanna see how well she can use it."

"Konbei," Nuala said to him in a tone that warned him to be careful.

Gwene pulled it out from her adventure pouch and gave it to Konbei.

"Niamh, come with me," Konbei said as he took the sword, his own excitement brewing.

Niamh followed closely behind, eager to find out what her father wanted her for.

Konbei lead her outside and unsheathed the sword. "I got this when I was about your age," he said as he slowly handed it to her, making sure her hands only went near the handle. "Careful..."

"Oh my goodness!" Niamh could barely contain her joy, she held it as if it were easily breakable. She put it back in its sheathe and hugged her father around the waist. "Thank you Papa, I love it so much!"

Gwene leant against the doorway with her arms folded and watching the two.

Niamh pulled the blade out again and noticed the symbols on it "Hey. It even has my name on it!"

Gwene raised an eyebrow at this.

"What are you putting it away for?" Konbei said and then stopped. He looked down from her. "Did you just say it has your name on it? When did you learn to read?"

"The people taught me how to read and write a little." Niamh said.

Gwene came up to Niamh and knelt down to speak to her. "That is ancient Hylian. You can read that?"

Niamh nodded "Yep. They spoke it, they taught me both languages."

Gwene went to question her some more "Who taught you?"

Niamh had a look of rememberance on her face "I don't know, I didn't know their names. It was mostly the same person that always talked to me."

"What did they look like?" Konbei asked.

"They all had brown hair and eyes." Niamh recalled "Some had tattoo's on their faces. That is all I can remember."

(I knew it!)

Konbei looked at Gwene and shrugged. He'd never heard of a tribe or race with those characteristics...

(Uh-oh...)

Gwene nodded.

Niamh pulled out her blade and admired it some more, treating it with extra care.

"Ever used of those, Niamh?" Konbei asked, drawing his own.

Niamh shook her head "No. But, would you train me to use it? Mama said you are one of the best swordsman she has ever known."

Konbei grinned at the compliment and glanced at Gwene. "Yeah, she's right," he said jokingly, though part of him was quite serious...

"First you wanna hold it like this..." he said as he positioned it correctly in her hands. "Then go like this," Konbei demonstrated a slow-motion slice, "but fast."

Niamh nodded and took a couple of steps back, so she wouldn't hurt anyone. She swung hard, just like Konbei showed her to. She looked at him for his approval.

A proud grin spread across Konbei's face. "Yeah that's it," he said. "Now hit your blade against mine."

Niamh nodded, she swung hard and it clashed with Konbei's with a sound of steel on steel.

"How good does that sound?" Konbei said as he mock-fought Niamh.

Niamh nodded "Sounds fine." her usual bright face was full of concentration

Konbei couldn't help but laugh a little under his breath at Niamh's expression.

Niamh took another swing at Konbei's blade.

Konbei blocked her blade carefully, he would never take a swing at her, even it was just a weak one

Gwene walked up behind Niamh and placed a hand on her head "Niamh dear, you seem to be quick at learning, see if you can pick up a few things while your father and I spar."

Niamh nodded, she put her sword away in it's sheathe and backed away, giving the two space.

Gwene reached into her adventure pouch and pulled out one of her own blades. She gave Konbei a smile and a nod, she moved into a defensive position.