It all started around 8 PM. I was sitting in my usual spot on the wall above the Doer courtyard reading a book on history. The book was so interesting, that I completely lost track of time. The next time I looked up, the lamp lighter was walking by, lighting the lamps on the top of the old stone walls, and the soldiers were gone – probably inside their barracks getting their own nightly meal.
With no one – not even the city guards around – I thought it best for me to head back to the college and begin my nightly studies. I rose to my feet and carefully made my way down the ramps and stairs to the courtyard below.
I was about to leave the courtyard when something caught my eye. One of the soldiers had left a wooden practice sword sitting on a table. "Go ahead," A little voice inside of me whispered, "No one is around. Pick it up and take a couple swings with it."
I took a quick glance around. The voice was right – no one was here to witness me making a fool of myself. I tiptoed over to where the sword laid and carefully picked it up.
Though it was made of wood, the practice sword felt just like the real sword I had stored away at the college. I gave it a couple swings, listening to his swish through the air just like a real sword.
As if on automatic, I dropped into ready position and began to run through the exercises and drills that my father taught me years before. He had made me practice them so often that now, even years later, my muscles seemed to automatically know what to do. It was as though the years disappeared and I was standing in our front yard, doing the drills, my father yelling tips and feedback to me on my stance and swing.
It wasn't until I reached the end of the routine that I realized I wasn't alone in the courtyard. I swung around to face the unexpected company. What I saw shocked me to my core – Captain Aldis was not more than five feet away from me, leaning against the table, his arms crossed.
I instantly dropped the wooden sword and backed away, stammering, "I…I'm sorry. I…I didn't…"
"You're pretty good," he commented, "for a girl, that is."
The smile on his face didn't make me feel any more comfortable. I quickly gathered my wits and began to apologize, "I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to…. I mean, I know I shouldn't have touched the sword but I couldn't resist. Please don't call the city guard."
The captain waved away my words, "Calm down, my child. See?" He picked up the wooden sword and placed it back on the table, "No harm done. Believe me, those old practice sticks have had a lost worst stuff done to them than being dropped. Who taught you how to fight?"
"My…my father," I replied.
"Was he a military man?"
"No, sir. He is a traveling merchant. He travels all over Skyrim."
"I'm surprised. By the routine you ran, I would have expected him to be ex-military."
I shrugged.
"You were taught well. So well that if you were a boy, I would sign you up to the war effort this instant."
"Thank…thank you, sir," I said, suddenly very thankful that I was a girl.
"You come here often," he commented, "I see you every night sitting up on the ramparts reading a book and watching us. You're a student at the Bard's College, aren't you?"
Viarmo's warning suddenly echoed in my head and I couldn't help but wonder if the captain was going to get me kicked out of the college.
He didn't wait for an answer before he continued on, "They don't teach you how to defend yourself down there, do they?"
"N…No, sir," I stumbled.
"Are you interested in honing your skills?" he asked.
I stared at him, not sure if I should feel relieved or excited. Was he offering to train me?
"Don't get me wrong," he added. "Your skills are good but they are very rudimentary. But I know with a few tips and practice against some skilled opponents, you would be pretty good."
I wasn't quite sure how to answer that. Did I really want to be some sort of great warrior? And then I remembered the horrible battle through the Respite. I barely survived that trip by the skin of my teeth. If only I had had a little more training and a lot more practice, that trip would have gone a lot easier and I wouldn't have spent five days nursing those sore ribs.
"I…I would like that, sir," I replied.
"And in return, every night that you train with us, I would like you to come into our dining hall and sing for my boys while they eat their dinner."
My brow wrinkled with surprise, "Sing? For your boys?"
He shrugged, "It's the simple things - a good meal and a beautiful woman singing to them would help then unwind after a long day of patrols and training."
I stared at him for a moment, surprised at his request, not to mention him calling be 'beautiful'.
He went on, "I can understand if you're wary about this. I promise you that you will be safe. Any man who lays a hand on your will have to answer to me and the city guards."
I thought about it for a moment. I could get some practice with a sword AND practice my bardic talents all in the night. What could be wrong with that?
"Fine," I finally said, "It's a deal, Captain."
"Excellent. Come tomorrow at 6 PM and we will start your training."
And with that, Captain Aldis turned and disappeared into the night, leaving me standing there, surprise running through my veins.
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