The heavy cargo ship rolled over the smooth waves, creating a gentle rocking sensation for its passengers. There was a steady breeze from the south this close to the coast of Gorteau, meaning that the rowers were currently resting in their benches, chatting lazily with one another. The Captain himself stood at the wheel, keeping an eye on the sails and horizon. A few crewmates moved about the deck performing chores, but most were below decks, eating or drinking.

The two strangers aboard the ship were at the bow, leaning on the rails and watching the sun as it sparkled on the face of the waves. There was something calming about the up and down movement of the boat that soothed both, and they went a long while just enjoying the breeze, not talking between themselves.

Samuel and Tobi, though unnerved by the unfamiliar motion of a ship on the waves at first, had grown accustomed to the motion by now. For Tobi, he’d had no trouble maintaining his balance, used to more demanding circumstances in his life as a warrior. Samuel had staggered back and forth in the more choppy waters of the first hours of the journey, but he had finally found his sea legs.

The two, while regarded with nervous curiosity by the members of the crew at first, were now regarded fondly by most. Common sailors were not used to seeing important people aboard their ships as they ferried goods back and forth from Gorteau for the Mage’s Guild. As such, Samuel’s relationship with them had been strained at first, as he tried to help with the easier tasks on board that did not require much skill.

The crew had been aghast, insisting that he relax below decks. A cargo ship was short on comfort, but at the very least he’d be out of the sun and cool. But Samuel had matched them for stubbornness, actually snatching a heavy crate from one of the crew member’s hands and hauling it down to the storage where it would be kept. After that, they had begrudgingly let him assist, directing the mage as to where to place the boxes and barrels they had as cargo.

Samuel of course was helped by the new body that Arcana had made for him, which was much stronger and more agile than his previously feeble human frame. As he did not want the strength to go to waste, he’d taken on many different regular exercises, which for the moment included sparring with Tobi, and helping the crew out.

“It’s strange,” Tobi said after nearly an hour of silence. “I never imagined that I would be so far from home.”

Samuel turned and grinned at him. “Whereas I have been dreaming of it for years now.”

His apprentice stretched slowly, peering out at the horizon, completely void of land or buildings. His feet shifted as the ship lurched to the side suddenly, and he had to balance through the motion. Excellent balance or no, the ship’s random movements took some getting used to. He put his hands back on the rail.

“Is it anything like you imagined?” He asked, looking at Samuel out of the corner of his eye.

“Sort of,” Samuel said, leaning his back against the railing to watch the crew. “I never imagined the quiet moments like this, though. I just pictured the end result, a famous nomad and author.”

“Well, at least you’ve got the famous part down,” Tobi said with a grin. “Doesn’t seem like you enjoy it, though.”

Samuel turned his head slowly to eye his grinning apprentice, raising one eyebrow. “I won’t be famous in Zaban. They’re the country that interacts with Gorteau the least.”

“Which is why you picked it, of course,” Tobi commented. “Can’t have anyone recognizing you so far from home.”

Samuel said nothing to that, turning back towards the bow. “There are rumored to be mages far inland in Zaban, between the three lakes.”

“I’ve heard that too,” Tobi said. “But I thought nobody had ever actually seen them.”

“They’re definitely hermits,” Samuel agreed. “But I spoke to Kiinor, and he’s met them, so I know they exist.”

“Well, it’ll be more than a week before we get there,” Tobi said. “If you wanted a faster voyage, you should have requested a faster ship.”

“Not needed,” Samuel replied at once. “I’ll take whatever’s available. I’m not picky.”

“Oh, I know,” Tobi replied. “Well, since we’ve got a week, I suppose I can start teaching you how to use that stick you carry.”

Samuel looked up, surprised at the sudden decision. “Now? On the unsteady deck of a ship?”

Tobi was already reaching into the rucksack he had leaning nearby and pulling out two wooden longswords. “Why not? Learning now with a tricky balance is good for you.”

Samuel reluctantly took the practice weapon Tobi was offering him. He wasn’t sure they’d get far in the day, but with a shrug, he started untying his outer robe. The heavy woolen clothing was uncomfortable in the heat anyway, so he was glad of the reason to discard it. He bundled it up without much care and shoved it into his pocket space.

“Very well,” he said with a sigh. “Gods know I need the practice.”

And so they began. Tobi kept the pace slow at first, teaching Samuel the basic strokes and positions. He showed the ideal ways to position the blade to block an attack, and how to use his wrist for maximum impact. While Samuel was using his entire arm to swing the sword, Tobi flicked the wooden weapon back and forth with deadly ease, using just the muscles of his wrist and fingers to control the sword.

Samuel was surprised to see Tobi’s skill with a longsword. The way he slashed back and forth, the way he kept his feet light and moving during thrusts and parries, it seemed the youth had been wielding one all his life. But, as Samuel reminded himself, Tobi had mastered several different weapons under his father’s tutelage. He wasn’t just a master of the long spear he carried.

“What do you call your spear?” Samuel asked during their short break, moving out of the way of the crew. “It’s not like any other spear I’ve seen.”

Tobi reached over and scooped up the weapon from where it was resting on the railing. The head of the weapon was wrapped in a cloth to prevent rust buildup. He tossed it lightly between his two hands as if making himself familiar with the weight of it once more. It was indeed different from most spears. For one, it was longer, and the wooden shaft was thicker. It was nothing like the thin, short throwing weapons of the Gorteauan military.

“It is called a naginata,” Tobi explained. “It comes from my father’s homeland.”

“I remember you using that against those bandits,” Samuel said. “You scared them senseless with that.”

Tobi tried to look modest, but couldn’t prevent the grin from spreading across his face. “Issho-Ni hunts a lot of bandits, so I’m quite used to the reaction.”

They resumed their training then, and the air was filled with the sound of the wooden swords clacking against each other. After nearly a week of practice, Samuel was starting to notice tiny improvements in himself. He had a better sense of timing, his reflexes were sharper, and his strikes had much more force behind them. But against Tobi, he still felt about as graceful as a stone. Though he landed a lucky blow every now and then, he could never disrupt his apprentice’s timing or momentum.

Tobi explained that this was only to be expected, given the difference in both their training and experienced, but not to be disheartened. He told Samuel he was advancing at a very rapid pace, much faster than the average swordsman. The compliment did encourage Samuel, though he couldn’t help a flare of impatience with himself every time he failed to complete a sequence properly.

“I think that’s enough for today,” Tobi said, some hours later when he’d disarmed Samuel. “We can pick up again tomorrow, but it’s important to know when to rest.”

Samuel agreed all too readily, picking up the wooden sword and handing it back to Tobi. The apprentice had become a completely different person while he was fighting. He was much more serious, concentrated, and disciplined than when he was at ease, talking with Samuel to pass the time. Samuel could clearly see Shigeru’s influence when the boy was holding a weapon.

They enjoyed a simple meal of bread and stew with the crew below deck, talking and laughing with one another as the sun sank below the waves. Now that the crew had warmed up to their two guests, they weren’t shy with the casual banter that normally came between sailors. They told Samuel and Tobi stories about all the different countries they’d visited, strange people they’d met, and even shared legends about the sea that Samuel had never heard before.

Samuel retired to the swinging cot that was his bed well after dark, doing his best to assume a comfortable position on a bed that never sat still. It was unnerving to hang in the air, rocking back and forth with each of the ship’s movements, but he gradually became used to the sensation. Still, it was several hours before he managed to finally doze off.