Believing in Myself

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Chapter 29


\"That\'s some story John. And you mean to say this guy is really invincible?\" Aivon asked.

\"Not invincible... but very strong, yes. He even beat John really bad...\"

\"I\'d rather you not mention that.\" John said. He certainly hadn\'t forgotten the bruises he endured, nor how easily he made it seem to win.

They had all gone through two bowls of stew each during the telling of the story, including what had happened at Beras\' tower and at Aseli. John explained his struggling with magic before, and Jessica, her angelic past and role in all this. They also briefly talked about the Angelic companion that spoke to Jessica, and the attack on Aseli. Once Aivon had been brought up to date with their adventures, there was nothing much left but to wait for Karin to return, from wherever she had to go. John, at this point pulled out his locked book, and showed it to Aivon.

\"Aivon, what do you make of this? I found it a long time ago at my house...\"

Aivon took the book and examined it. \"I\'ve never seen anything like this... But it definately has no magical feel around it... I can\'t detect any.\"

\"But then why lock it up? Why go through all the trouble?\"

\"Not sure... but perhaps maybe there is something more dangerous in there then magic. After all, magic may be strong, but it\'s not unbeatable, nor is it the strongest that one can weild. After all, knowledge is power too.\" Aivon returned the book to John, who looked at it again before pocketing.

\"I\'m back.\" Everyone looked to Karin, who had just stoped brushing off snow from her shoulders. She walked over to the packs that they had and withdrew the sword John had obtained from Resas, which felt like so long ago. \"This... is a very intertesting sword. Where did you acquire this blade?\"

\"It was given to me from someone, after we helpped him.\"

\"Perhaps you would honor me with a duel... it\'s been a long time, and I want to see how good you are.\" They both stood a good distance from each other, and got into stance. However, Karin looked to John, searching for weak spots. In fact, she saw alot of weak spots, that John himself didn\'t seem aware of. He rushed in first, intent of a vertical slice, but Karin saw it coming the minute he raised his blade. Dodging the blow, she made a strike of her own, which was narrowly blocked by John. John tried to thrust, but no avail, for Karin knocked the blade away, and gave a swift kick. Her blade rested against his chest and she looked to John with some disappointment on her face. \"What was that? You barely were even considered a challenge.\"

John\'s temper flared at this. \"Hey! So I\'ve never practiced with a sword before! Big deal!\" John raised his hand. \"Fire!\" Karin jumpped back as the fire spell passed. John got up and looked livid.

\"So... your a magic caster. That makes sense, I think... But your serious, you\'ve never trained with a sword before?\"

\"Not that we\'ve ever seen him...\" Aivon said. Jessica nodded in acknowledgement. John looked away anger on his face.

\"Then... we have alot of work to do.\" Everyone looked to her in surprise. \"Permit me to say this, but I used to be a swordsmaster. I used to reside in the village one the other side of these mountains, until one day, when I decided to leave. After I left, I only had one student dedicated enough to come seek me out. No one else bothered. They lacked faith in themselves.\"

\"I heard about a woman who used to be quite the swordsmaster from travelers as they passed by the village I resided in.\" Aivon said. \"From the legends they told, she had vanished leaving no trace. Her swordsmastery was considered something to be feared, as well as admired.\"

\"I don\'t tend to think of my hobby in such a way. But it\'s true, I do have extordinary talent in the ways of the blade. This talent lead many to come, seeking me as a master, and them as students, or else as a challenge, to prove themselves worthy of being considered a master swordsman. But I think I can help you refine your technique... I think you will need it.\"

\"What makes you say that?\" Jessica asked.

\"Magic casters traveling... bearing weapons to fight with... you must be on some kind of journey, something that threatens your very lives. If you accept, the road won\'t be easy, but I can at least help you get started in the right direction.\"

The three looked ot each other, and back to Karin. Her expression had not changed, nor did she look away from them. As through silent agreement was made known, John raised his blade...


For three days, John trained with Karin. At first it was simple enough. Find the best stance of attack, one that could not expose him to many attacks, and hide his intentions of striking. Next was working on his speed. His weapon was not that heavy, yet it still slowed him down, as Karin had said. He had to work with this extar weight on him, being able to fight effectively, without losing momentum. However, when it came time to actually perform strikes, he had given away his every move. Karin knew exactly how he would attack, and every counterattack needed to block.

While John was doing all this, Aivon and Jessica got to know each other better. Aivon did not press upon her any questions of heaven. He knew he shouldn\'t, and either way, he didn\'t really care. Despite his own heritage, he never bothered much with learning about his father, or of any other \'relatives\' of his. As far as he was concerned, they were not his family. His only family he had ever known was his mother who had raised him, and that was all he cared about. Jessica herself had little to tell, besides her mission, for just about everything else was already told to him earlier.

It was after a long day of training, that John retired to bed. He found it hard to sleep, despite the mat he had, and tossed and turned. It was then he heard footsteps approaching, calmly moving toward him. He did not know if Karin had gone to bed yet, but the answer was clear to him.

\"Good to see you again.\"

John instantly recognized that voice, and he had half a mind to get up now and confront him. However he had heard Karin\'s voice reply, and insteaded decided to listen in. \"Is that how you speak to your master after being away?\"

\"You aren\'t really my master anymore. But, I\'m sorry. I shouldn\'t have forgotten my manners.\"

John didn\'t like the way they had such a friendly conversation. It could only mean... \"And why have you come back? Is it because of him?\" John felt himself being watched and tried to pretend to be sleeping. \"You don\'t think he can?\"

\"Well... he has potiental. However, he seems to weak to grasp it.\" John felt himself watched again, by them both this time. \"It was a mistake. Eveyrthing about him... a mistake.\"

\"Do not undermine his skills. He has time. But would you mind telling me how you knew I would meet him? If I recall, you said he had some kind of great destiny.\"

\"That was what I was told. But I\'ve been rethinking that ever since I met him. As far as it stands... he can\'t do it. He will die if he continues.\"

\"Continues what exactly? You haven\'t been one to express details.\"

The man did not say anything, but turned his back to Karin. \"I can\'t say much more now... Do your best. I will be watching and waiting for the chance.\"

Karin watched him walk away, the pendant he wore swinging free. All the while, John wondered what it meant these two knew each other, and what secrets, and dangers, would emerge as a result of it.