Beginning the Training.

Artimus woke early and did his morning workout routine. Each day he was slowly getting back into shape; regaining his former shape and skills.
He had been busy last night, working in the light of one of his lanterns as he found a series of large boulders and slowly moved them where he needed them to be.

He had breakfast after his workout and waited the arrival of his daughter.

While he waited, he sat on a rock in the morning sun, closing his eyes and clearing his mind, focusing on nothing except one small spot in space.
He was a patient man, years of standing guard in the throne room had taught him patience.
He sat, cross-legged, eyes closed, just listening to the sounds of the forest, slowly coming to terms with his new surroundings.

~laying in her bed at the castle the sunlight coming in she sits up in the bed and slides out and walks over to her bag and pulls out a pair of simple black pants and a simple Blue shirt. then moving over to the dresser brushing her hair back and pulling it into a ponytail. She grabs a few things and places them in her bag grabbing it and running out of the castle. Moving to the back of the stable she kicks off her boots and places them inside her bag.~

"Here we go." ~she melts into the ground and moves toward the forest underground. Remembering where in the forest he had set up camp and came up from the ground right outside of it the noise of crumbling rocks and dirt would be heard. Once completely out she takes a knee breathing heavy it still taking alot out of her.~

"Good Morning.." ~getting her breathing back under control she pulls out her boots and slips them back on~

Artimus opened one eye as he heard the commotion near him. Oh yes, there was no doubt in his mind now that Jade wasn't his daughter. ((OOC: Hope that sentence makes sense - He is 100% certain she IS his daughter.. darn double negatives and stuff...)) Only a Morningstar could make an entrance like that.
He reclosed his eye and remained sitting cross-legged on the rock, wearing just a pair of loose-fitting trousers and some short boots.

Good morning he replied with a smile, it was very nearly that famous cocky grin of his.

Before we start, there are a couple of errands I need you to run for me. Take your time to get your breath back.
I need you to go to Meriddia and purchase a 10 pound bag of tri-colour rice, a few small bowls, a bunch of flowers and 2 juicy apples.
If you can ask the florist to write a small note for the flowers, simply saying "With apologies for lying" and deliver them to the newly opened tea merchant shop in the town. Then bring the other items back here for me. He paused, his eyes still closed, although he could hear exactly where she was due to her breathing. Yes, she needed to work on those powers; her mother didn't even break into a sweat doing that sort of thing.

And please, do everything I ask of you, to the word.

The time she would be away would just be enough time to allow him to finish moving the last of the boulders into position.
He estimated it should take no more than an hour, plus travelling time. He felt the wind on his face and the sun on his skin and took another deep breath in through his nose, held it, then out through his mouth.

~taking a deep breath now she was fine. She watched him closely and then made a mental note of all the things he wanted her to pick up.~

"Ok...a 10 pound bag of tri-colour rice, a few small bowls, a bunch of flowers and 2 juicy apples.
And ask the florist to write a small note for the flowers, simply saying "With apologies for lying" and deliver them to the newly opened tea merchant shop in the town... Is that everything?" ~she stood up and did alittle stretching.~

"What did you lie about?" ~she tilted her head~

He opened his eyes and smiled at her.

I needed some information from her, and had to avoid a few unfortunate questions. Her husband is quite powerful, and I would hate for him to think I wasn't feeling guilty.

He reclosed his eyes, noting her recover time.

That is all I require you to do at the moment was all he said, with a small grin.

~she nods and smirks alittle wondered who it was that had the tea shop guess she find out soon enough~

"I will be back as soon as I can." ~she got her barrings and knew which way to go as she ran towards the town. she thought nothing like a nice run on a day like this.~

(making a tiny thread in Meriddia)

~slowly disappearing into the distance~

He waited until he heard her vanish, then hopped down from the rock and moved the final boulder to join the rest.
There were now 5 boulders together, near the lake. It had taken him the best part of 2 days to move them.
They, along with the rice, would be perfect.

He smiled to himself then went back to wait for his daughter to return.

~runs back to the camp the 10 pound bag of the tri colored rice on her shoulder. she stands there and grins.~

"So you lied to Lord Rensain wife."

~she stands there and shifts alittle keeping the bag on her shoulder.~

"Got everything you asked for and did your flower delivery."

He glances at the shadows on the ground. She made very good time, he was impressed, although eh didn't show it on his face.

She had information. I need it. Sometimes it's easier to ask forgiveness than it is permission.

He didn't appear to be that bothered about it, although it was obvious he was, otherwise he wouldn't have sent the flowers.
He picked up the items she delivered for him.

Now, just before I start your training, I need you to move those boulders over there.

He goes with her to the lake, where the 5 large boulders were.

I need them moved to the other side of the lake.

He knew it would take a while, and be hard work. But he remained there, waiting for her objections.

~she looked at the boulders then looked at him then back to the boulders... she thought," Is he serious...I have to move those boulders to the other side..

~you could see the "what the..." look on her face. But she did wanted to learn no matter how hard he was going to make it.~

"How long do I have?" ~she kicked at one of the boulders~

As long as you need was all he said.

~she looked at him and then back to the boulders she was trying to figure how she was going to approach this. ~

"Ok.."

~She moves to the first boulder leans against the boulder using her legs to push the rock as she starts to move the first boulder. She starts the trek around the lake. Grunting and pushing the boulder the warm sun coming down continuing to moving the boulder coming up to a down tree she walks over to it and moves it out of the way and continues to push the boulder.~

He watches her start to move the boulder, and smiles to himself. Then he moves over to the bag of rice and the bowls, places the bowls on the floor and pours the bag of rice into one of the bowls.

He then picks up his hatchet and starts to chop down a tree.

~Finally getting the one boulder to the other side she sprints back to the other ones wipes her forehead and then starts to move the second one. this one alittle easier then the last. after struggling in a few spots finally gettting the second one in place running back over to get the third as she looks over to what her father is doing. She wipes her brow and takes a moment.~

In the time taken to move those two boulders, Artimus has chopped down the tree and start to cut it into.. something.

He is sitting on a rock, enjoying the sun, gently carving the wood.
The wood had been cut into 2 pieces, both about 3 foot long by 6 inches thick by 12 inches wide. One was still a complete block, but Art was working on the other one, carving it down to a point at one end, and then smoothing out.

He was keeping an eye on his daughter.

~Starts to move the third one faster then the last two. She could feel it in her legs her muscles getting used the pushing finally getting the third one in place. She sprints back to get the fourth one. Glancing to her father trying to figure out what he is up to and shakes her head and starts to move the fourth boulder. she stops a moment wiping her face on her shirt. and continues on. The fourth boulder decides to be alittle pain... with one push it decides it wants to roll towards the lake. Jumping in front of it bracing against it using her strength to get it back on the path she had worn in. With a yell she grunted loudly as she pushed big and then it gets back on the path. taking a moment. She then continues moving the fourth one to the other three.~

He watched as she struggled with the fourth boulder, but made not attempt to go and help - even if the boulder did end up in the lake.

His careful carving had continued throughout her ordeal, the first piece of wood now starting to resemble a simple sword, with a small handle and a blunt blade. He continued making the finishing touches to the first one before picking up the second plank of wood and started carving it in the same shape.

~Finally getting the fourth boulder in place she sprints back for the fifth. Not really paying attention to her father she was set to get this last one in place this one went faster and she made sure this on stayed on the path. Finally having all 5 over at the other side of the lake she runs back and kneels down as she catches her breath. Her muscles starting to feel alittle sore as she wipe the sweat that was running down her face.~

"Boulders... moved." ~she looked up at him~




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He looked up from his crafting, then down at the shadows of the trees. She made very good time. He looked up at her, with no hint of affection or how impressed he was.

Well done he said simply. Now, that bowl over there, with the rice in.
He indicated the bowl he had tipped the tri-colour rice into.
I need the colours separating out. Put one colour into each of the bowls.

He knew that 10 pounds of rice meant a LOT of grains of rice, but he remained looking at her.

~she looked at him and thought," Is he serious...what the hell will this prove."~

"The whole ten pounds?" she made a little of bit of a face. Sitting down and facing the three bowl and the rice.

He kept his expression neutral.

Yes, the whole 10 pounds.

He watched her sit, then turned his attention back to whittling his sword.

~she raised an eyebrow as she thought to herself... not sure what this will prove.. but i am willing to see.~

~she takes a deep breath and starts to separate the rice. One color in each bowl.~

~after separating for a time.~

"Am I loud something to drink?" ~she points to her bag that had some water.~

Of course. You can take a break whenever you wish. You can stop any time you want.
We're doing the training at your pace. He said with no hint of emotion.

Truth be told this was tearing him apart, but he had to be strong and continue.
He finished making the second sword and stood up, making a couple of practise swings with it, then paused for a moment before launching into a full scale whirl of motion, sword striking out in all directions in a show of upmost control.

" Oh am not stopping. Just thirsty after the boulders." ~she stands up and brushes herself off. grabbing the water from her bag. She drinks down the water and wipes her head again. and places it back in her bag. then sits back down and continues to separate...as she was thinking."I really don't see a point of doing this other then being a pain in the butt."

~thoughts swirl in her head.. was he just being tough on her or what was it.. she did kinda surprise him with the father thing... but heck she didn't really think he would come back after leaving... and yet part of her is wondering when he will leave again. When her mom died she was alone...even in training she was around alot of people and always alone... for the first time she had family in a long time. She was going to suck it up and do anything just so she can spend time with him... even if it required her to sort this stupid rice.~

He stopped his movements, standing rigid on the spot, looking every bit like a guard should do - alert, and ready to spring into action at any moment.

Yes, the boulders are heavy.
Tell me, why didn't you use your powers to aid you?

He cocked his head slightly to one side, his tone was almost as if he were formally questioning her.