POV: Deirdre

Nestled into her bed, curled up like a cat, Evelyn is sound asleep.

The strands of her long black hair are mussed, tangled, and still abominably soiled with blood stained dirt.

Infuriatingly. 

Maddeningly.

Filthily. 

I don't dare move. The bedraggled and exhausted woman needs her rest. No doubt she teeters on the very edge of waking as it stands.

No. I'll move again when she is deeper in slumber. When I won't risk waking her. I owe her that much at least after the day's debacle. 

Her covers block the view of the majority of her newly minted scars, but via the subtle lines along her cheek and temple it would be wise to infer she will be well again by morning. Those wounds were healed so fast, there won't even be a mark left behind. Surely her spellcasting aided in that. What a remarkable feat to be able to apply so much magic so often. Still, today was an unmitigated disaster.

Stupid.

Stupid of her.

Stupid of me.

She should have never been so far way from me while out on the plains. I should have never let her dither so far behind. She should have been keeping better watch. IShouldHaveBeenQuicker. SheShouldHaveNever-

My eye twitches.

My hand clenches and then unclenches. 

Neither listens when I tell them to be still.

I exhale slowly, more of my body forcefully unfurls as the stresses of the day dissipate. Bless the evening's reprieve from the weight of the world. Worry can wait again until morning, now is the time for planning. 

Time and training. 

Time isn't something we can afford. How could I possibility fit getting Evelyn up to speed into my schedule. There are no daylight hours left to bargain with. It's not like I could leave her training to someone else after what happened today.

Compromise would mean less time on the hunt. Less time Hunting could spell disaster. Does nobody see the danger? Does nobody understand the stakes? 

Training is something Evelyn needs, it's non-negotiable. I will have to make the time. Allowing experience alone to raise her capability won't work like it did for me. She isn't a fighter. She can hardly even defend herself. It's madness that she would even leave town so incapable. 

First the woman has the gall to choose a career such as Monster Hunting so freshly after arriving, but to do so completely unprepared. 

Why, why didn't I at least test her ability to defend herself?

A shiver runs down my spine, fear, pure, unadulterated.

She'd been out Hunting even before venturing out with me. Lunacy. A death wish. The height of foolishness. 

Evelyn would do something so brash wouldn't she?  She's so blasé! Always so eager. Always blabbering on. Always looking around with those curious eyes. Always quick with a joke. Always, always, always finding something to say.

Across the table, atop the bed, tucked under her covers, Evelyn shifts.

The red skinned devil reprobate breathes in short sleepy puffs. 

Her eyelids flutter, and I wonder if she is dreaming. If she is dreaming will it devolve into a nightmare? I hope that it does not.

Goodness gracious. With each of her little stirrings an avalanche's worth of dirt rains down from her covers onto the floor. How she can sleep with even a single grain of detritus in bed with her is beyond me. 

Those sheets will require the utmost cleaning, as will the rest of her place. Will she be upset if I clean it for her? No, that wouldn't work at all. I'd wake her. 

My silver and good bowls are still strewn about. That's one more thing I'm going to have to clean before bed, and my own bathing to worry over, stained clothes, bloody backpack, and no doubt the mess all around me on Evelyn's floor will tempt my floor in rebellion. ThereIsTheMeatFromThatSlipperyCat. WillAnyoneEvenPurchaseFromMeAtThisHour? WhatWillIDoWithItOvernight-

Deep breath in, deep breath out. Yes, just like that.

My shoulders relax again. My eyes return to Evelyn. Sleeping there, not a care in the world.

I've a headache coming on.

Silently I drum my fingers on my thigh.

Our situation is fine. She will be fully recovered by morning. I will incorporate some training into our days, we will have to adjust how far we can go out but we can still conduct a proper patrol to keep the Monsters at bay. 

Unless she quits.

She doesn't need to become peerless in combat, she just needs foundational training to defend herself better, and perhaps some physical conditioning. Without strength to hold her weapon properly it won't do her any good. 

Unless she quits.

Perhaps she could do with a new weapon anyways. A quarterstaff to better keep enemies away with maybe? Or even just a shield? That might work, better to protect herself to give me time to get to her.

Unless she quits.

We can practice our cohesion as well. Staying behind me during a fight without provoking attention provides a unique challenge. What she lacks in skill she more than makes up for in enthusiasm. 

Unless. Evelyn. Decides. To. Quit.

And why wouldn't she?! Surely this will be a wakeup call. She could have died. What sort of person wouldn't evaluate after that. If she's smart she'll quit. If she's smart she'll leave me after what I let happen.

How? How could I not be fast enough? 

Damn it all.

...

How can I be faster? 

Deep in the recess of my mind I crack open my card catalogue.

Pulling out the piece of paper with my Ability Rapid Movement's information I read it thrice. 

Not good enough. Not fast enough. I've been using it, I've fought with it! Yes, granted I can't afford to use it willy-nilly like a certain someone does with her magic, but I've been fighting with it for months, seasons even. Since there was snow on the ground! 

Must I really use my Ability that much more to grow it's power again? How would I even manage that? I can only spend so much Mana per day. Could I fight without channeling? Save all my Mana to focus on Rapid Movement?

If my regeneration was faster... I suppose I could adjust my habits. A breakfast of magic dense food could help.

I've never needed to push for more Mana regeneration.

My current rate has always been more than enough. More than enough for me at least.

But Evelyn was hurt.

Perhaps it has been a good thing nobody else understands the kind of hard work that needs to be done. Nobody else needs to get hurt. Perhaps it's best I do it alone. Let the others flail about, picking off a Monster here or there, I'll make sure no avenue goes unchallenged, nothing has the chance to slip by, nobody here suffers the specter of death.

There's a soft mumble. A nonsense word. Evelyn. Not awake, just a sleeping noise.

Perhaps in a deeper sleep now? Better get to it. No time to dally, too much to do.

As quietly as possible I slide out of my chair. Moving slowly I gather up my things on the table taking extra care to not make so much as a sound. Next I tiptoe to each wall sconce and press a thumb to the magic runes deactivating all but one by the door.

I need to get everything outside into the hallway, then I can rearrange things for the walk home.

The unoiled door hinges creek as I sneak my way out. Blast. My head snaps around into the dark looking for movement or the sound of Evelyn waking.

Nothing stirs in the bed. Before that changes I set my kitchen goods on the floor followed by our derelict backpacks. Evelyn's belonging are stashed along side mine, I'll have to return them tomorrow.

Her door protests once again instead of being quietly shut. She needs to apply grease to those hinges. I'll have to remind her of that some time.

A quick locking, followed by my sliding her key back under the door sorts that out for the evening.

One wounded partner put to bed, sans further disaster. 

***

For almost a year I've woken up with the sun, at this point it's second nature. What isn't second nature is planning for mayhem, disorder, and breaks to my perfectly good and respectable routine. Obviously, despite Evelyn's injuries yesterday, Hunting was still on my to do list this morning. Was on my to do list anyways, no longer.

Like an epiphany it occurs to me on waking that Evelyn lacks direction like a newborn lamb. Without instruction she'll spend the day foolishly, which ought not to be allowed after yesterday. Leaving her to her own devices has a chance of going poorly, so it simply must be averted. She'll be healthy and hale by now, no point in putting off the start of her training a whole other day.

No, I've got to forgo patrols and check in with her, even if a single day of missing patrol is one day too many. I can't venture on over to her place for a few hours yet, so I may as well do physical conditioning to pass the time. What harm is there to a little pre workout workout?

***

Knocking on Evelyn's door produces a suspicious banging sound from deeper within.

"Evelyn? It's Deirdre, are you awake? Time to wake up if you haven't."

In a few moments her door swings inward revealing a disheveled barefoot Evelyn. Behind her are tangled sheets spread out between bed and floor. Dirt clearly still rules this place with an iron fist.

"Uh, oh Deirdre. Hi. Forgive the mess, I'm going to get to that. First I just had to you know- anyways, Yes? Hi. Hello?"

She's such a goofball sometimes.

"Are you well, did a good night's rest do the trick?"

Deirdre motions me inside. Standing about all I can do is grimace at the absolute state this place is in.

"Yeah I'm okay, still just trying to sort everything out, been trying to check on my scars. Of course I don't have a mirror yet sooo," she replies ruefully, "hey since I can't see the ones on the back of my shoulder can you tell me how they look?"

After I nod my approval she goes about flexing this way and that like a contortionist. 

"These ones are pretty much gone," she says while pointing at several spots along her right arm and side, "but the ones on my back still feels pretty big."

Peaking around her and looking onto the areas she's tapping with her finger I can spot the faintest of lines from yesterday's encounter.

"No, it's practically gone, you can barely see them," I assure her.

After that she goes about throwing on some extra layers to bundle up in her otherwise chilly room. This gives us plenty of time to talk turkey. It's time I gauge her willingness to continue with the Hunter's lifestyle. Most of my concern from yesterday disappeared after sleeping on those fears, but some small part of me is still worried she might actually be reconsidering working together.

"I know asking you to head out today would be too much too soon after what happened. Instead, I think it's about time we do some combat training. I could help you with your sword technique. Unless... you're considering calling it quits that is," I say with a deadly serious expression so she knows I'm not joking around.

Fortunately, it seems that she requires no time at all to even consider my question. 

"No. I'm not going to quit just because one Monster got the better of me," she says distraughtly.

Thank goodness. She goes quiet, I'd prompt her, but she looks as if she's working her way towards saying something.

"I been thinking. I don't know much about this place, but I know enough already that I really want to do something about it. Why can't things be better for everyone? I know a lot of people don't see this as any sort of afterlife, and of course the people who have spent their whole life here certainly don't, but why can't this world be greater than the one we left before? There's magic! For example, if we just put our minds together I'm sure we could take care of the Monster threat. Nobody should have to fear a creature like that cat thing from yesterday attacking them in the night. I want to do my part, make an impact, you know?"

She does have a point. So many of the horrible things of Earth have already been left behind. Old divisions and hatreds erased. We escaped the war. Why not more? The peoples of this world have a common enemy in the Monsters, if more folks cared about the problem we'd have a real chance at actually assuring the safety of regular townsfolk.

"I do, I feel the same way. The people of this town could really use that attitude Evelyn, more than you know."

Which is exactly why it's imperative we lead by example, show everyone the correct way. It's something I've got to drill into her, she needs to understand.

"How about I come back at midday, and we will go train you to use that sword of yours?" I ask.

Evelyn has no objections to my plan, which I can certainly respect. If I'm going to be doing nothing today I may as well be productive about doing nothing. Step one, restock some essentials, step two, give my floor a second scrub down in case I missed something last night. I've also got to oil and clean my spare arming sword if I'm going to be teaching with it today. Joy.

***

Leading the way towards some empty fields still within sight of the edge of town's buildings we make our way to the destination of my choosing.

I've found us a nice empty patch of dirt, perfect for some casual practice. The afternoon's sun is blocked out by dense clouds not yet threatening rain. There is a chilly breeze today, which ought to help keep us cool. 

Standing in the middle of our clearing Evelyn already has her sword held out in front of her, ready and waiting.

"I really have no idea what I'm doing here Deirdre. But I'm ready to spar and stuff, just go easy on me yeah?"

Silly girl.

"Oh Evelyn no, we're absolutely not doing anything like that right now. For the time being I'm just going to teach you how to hold a sword."

She looked confused a moment but sorts herself out by time I'm standing beside her miming how she ought to be doing things. I demonstrate how to hold her sword appropriately, dominant hand wrapped around the middle of the leather wrapped handle. Then emphasize my footing to help her learn a proper wide stance. Great for a beginner, she can switch to something more advanced if that ever becomes relevant for her.

"Look here, see, I'm right handed, sword in my right hand, right foot forward, stance square, hip rotating. Like this."

Evelyn is paying close attention. Good. It would irk me to no end if she was like everyone else with their lackadaisical attitudes. 

Next up I'm demonstrating a downward slash down the centerline, a forward stab, and then a left to right horizontal slash for her to copy. All very basic actions for her to improve her strength. 

"Learning these basics will help you stay safe out there in the wilds. You might also want to consider something other than that sword of yours long term. A staff maybe, or perhaps a light shield. Here watch again, and then you try."

As I slowly illustrate basic technique she follows along clumsily going through the motions. Yesterday her sword was too heavy for her, she's unused to the weight of her weapon. That will have to change.

When she focuses on one part of her body another part seems to always go out of alignment. Right now she's lost her footing while she's focused on turning her waist correctly and keeping her elbow back and ready to thrust forward for a stab.

"Stance Evelyn. You'll be knocked over if your legs are too close like that."

Walking up behind Evelyn I give a kick to her back foot scooting it out wider, grabbing her hips I then rotate those into their proper place.

"These go here, and keep you knees bending at a level that helps you feel stable. Now slowly, stab outwards with the sword."

Elbow coming back and then a forward thrust she gives it a decent shot. Still, her control of the blade is lacking, and she would need time to train up to not fatigue out trying to fight. Even with just a better handle on the basics it could help protect her from the next Monster trying to take a chunk out of her. Or at least keep her alive while she acclimates to this sort of lifestyle.

Backing off I let her practice her sword stance and swings while I spend Mana training my Rapid Movement. With each burst of speed I dash back and forth around our training area, spear leading my advance, arming sword stowed by our packs. Doing this eviscerates my stores of Mana, but I took care to ensure maximum regeneration for the day.

Evelyn still struggles with her swings, understandable with how little experience she has. It looks like she might need an adjustment, her sword arm is already trembling after less than an hour.

I drive my spear into the ground and come up behind her to help out. With a snatch of her wrist I stop her before her next downward chop, "this here, your thumb keeps wandering. Try something firm but relaxed. No squeezing too hard, your hand will get tired quickly," with a careful hand over her hand I guide her into a less strenuous and hopefully easier to handle sword grip. 

"T-thanks," she says with a hitch in her voice. I wonder if she know how transparent she is.

She doesn't, she can't possibly. She must be as I was before my parents decided to move the family to Boston. I wouldn't want to embarrass her, maybe I should just let it be. Then again, maybe I should talk it out with her and see where that goes. Who knows?

When Evelyn is nice and worn out I decide to bring on the practical training for the day. 

Thus far she's been holding still, feet locked to the ground. Great in some ways, but also a terrible habit to ingrain if she doesn't also learn how to turn about and move. My idea of some decent practical skill building is switching out Evelyn's sword for a nice weighty stick. My weapon gets exchanged for stand in fallen branch snapped to roughly the size of my spear.

With this setup I can play Monster while Evelyn works her mobile footwork and swings in conjunction. 

Charging her is quite enjoyable, dashing from side to side until she commits to turning one way, then dancing around her in the other direction. It keeps her on her toes, and forces her to get used to reacting instead of planning ahead. Naturally, her feet constantly get all messed up and out of place, perfect for getting pushed over which I partake in whenever possible. 

I can tell she's getting frustrated. Between each of our short little bouts and water breaks her grumpy glare grows. Every time I spin my branch around and grin at the fun of this she even rolls her eyes.

The day's work can be declared a success. We'll follow this up with more practice daily. I'm sure I can convince her to spend a hour on technique at the conclusion of our days. She will of course get a chance to implement the lessons out in the field too, and maybe just maybe she'll keep herself safe from surprise Monsters trying to take a swipe at her. 

Of course I won't let it come to that, I simply won't be too slow next time.