Orn’s days fell into a pattern. In the mornings, he would train behind the house. In the afternoons he would study under his parents or Olivia. Given a chance his father would bring them all to the table for a hand of cards before dinner. Evenings were spent with his parents, catching up on their day before being sent to bed for falling asleep while talking to them.

As weeks passed, Orn could tell he was getting stronger. He was no longer winded as easily, and he was struggling less to open the door to the dining room. However, the only change he saw was his strength growing. The threat of the goddess always in the back of his mind, and unsure what else to do, he just kept pushing himself. His efforts meant he collapsed exhausted into his bed each night.

…

Orn looked and the weapons on the table again. He had tried heavier weapons, but his height and strength limited him to the weapons here.

He knew it was futile, but he had no choice. Since no one could teach skills, he was on his own. Worse yet skills took over when used, so talking to anyone with a skill was effectively useless. The inability to help had bothered his father greatly. However, once Orn’s father was convinced Orn was not about to literally fall on his sword, he left Orn alone to his efforts.

Orn grabbed the short sword and casually swung it to get a feel for the weapons weight and length. Moving to a clear space in the garden he swung and stabbed with the short sword as fast as he could.

He moved slowly at first trying to decide how best to move the blade. As he repeated the motions, he began to feel his body warm from the exertion.

Not completely pointless, he thought idly, I can swing it longer and faster now. Not that I have the slightest idea what I am doing.

Time passed slowly as he repeated the motions trying to image how the blade should move. Summer was now in full force and even his increasing strength did not change how hot it was getting. He walked to the table next to the house and took a drink from the water left with the weapons that morning. It was probably time to practice with the bow again. At least that he knew he was starting to get better with that. I can tell if I hit the targets at least.

He put down the cup and was about to take off the sword belt when a voice whispered in his ear. “Giving up already?”

Orn jumped in shock, and spun to see who it was

Kao danced away, laughing at his reaction. Causing the skirt of her black dress to spin around her feet as she came to a stop.

Orn was shocked. Questions raced through his head as she wiped at her eyes with her sleeves. Why was she here? Is it normal for a goddess to show up repeatedly? Was she going to make a habit of messing with me?

As he was lost in his thoughts, Kao looked him up and down. Smiling she said, “You have been working hard.”

He shook his head, “I know I am getting stronger, but I feel I am just flailing around.” Orn tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice “I know I have not made any progress on the healing skill.”

“Healing is a rare gift. It will not be easy, but I believe you will manage if you keep working hard at it.” she smiled, “You are rather bad with weapons though.”

“It is hard to learn when no one can teach.” He thought of how his father said the skills worked, and cringed, “Asking to spar would probably not end well for me.”

“Maybe.” Kao replied. Then smiling she placed her hands on her hips and added, “But, then again maybe not. If you have the right teacher, that is.”

Suddenly her figure blurred, and when she came back in focus her black dress was replaced with clothes mirroring his own, boots, pants, and a loose shirt. The only difference was she wore all black had a silver sword and knife hanging from her belt.

She reached back and tied her hair into a ponytail with a piece of black ribbon. “Pick which ever one you want.”

Not waiting for his response, she walked into the garden stopping where Orn liked to train.

Orn grabbed the side sword and a buckler shield before following her. “What do I need to do? “

Kao drew her blades as he approached, each changing to match what he carried. Smiling wickedly, she replied, “Simple! You try to not get hurt.”

The sword in her hand shot forward causing him to stumble backward to avoid it. Despite moving the blade barely missed him.

“Good! Just like that. Just keep avoiding it.” Kao said calmly as she pressed forward, swinging her sword into the space where he was just standing. “You can also attack as well. If you want that is.”

Orn was just barely able to keep avoiding Kao’s blade or pushing it aside with his own. Attacking was not going to happen and they both knew it. He stepped to the side barely avoiding the blade thrust towards his middle.

With each miss Kao moved slightly faster. Orn’s escapes and blocks became more of a near thing with each attempt. Eventually, Orn’s luck gave out. Trying to knock her blade away with his shield, he overextended himself.

She stepped in her blade flickered forward catching him in the stomach. In the same motion she used when stabbing him she pulled the sword out and stepped away.

Pain raced through him. Doubling over, his hand instinctively clutched at the injury as if he could pull the wound closed. Orn fell to the ground gasping in pain.