First day of training (pt. 1)

After finishing my food I take my gear off while my trainee rests. The first jumps are the worst for side affects. It's usually nausea, headaches, a few rare cases of hysteria and so on. Hopefully she has mild symptoms. 

Aba says she is shy, perhaps I should be a bit lively when she wakes up? The nerveousness of training a new person starts to get to me. I about jump out of my seat when her hand twitches. I need to calm down. The girl opens her eyes then sits up and takes the room in quickly before her gaze settles on me.

"Ah you're awake!" I say with some pep standing up. I give her a warm smile with my hands on my hips. "My name is Hazel. How are you feeling?" I ask.

"I guess I feel okay." She replies with a hand resting on her stomach.

"That's good. Sometimes people throw up after their first jump. Now how much has Aba told you or what do you know about the job?" I start pulling my gear on.

"Job?" Samantha asks. 

I stop getting dressed. "Don't tell me he hasn't told you anything." I say flatly.

"I have no idea what's going on." She retorts with a shocked expression. Then she pulls the blanket up over her as if to hide.

"Alright then. I am a hunter of the supernatural. Now we don't just kill any supernatural. They have to break a law of the land or the rules Aba has in place. Aba has told me you are ready to become a hunter and I am to train you. Any questions?" I smile gently in hopes to be more friendly looking.

She looks at me and processes what I had to say. "I don't think so." She shakes her head.

"Good! Let's get you some gear and head out for an easy hunt." I say finally geared up. 

Waving my arm she follows me out of the room then down and out the building. The streets are bustling with vendors of a variety of species selling what seems like everything or anything. Felix is trying to sell a head in a bottle to a druid in an alleyway. Sally has some new style of clothes displayed in her shop window. Matilda's shop has a cauldron bubbling away in her iron designed shop window. Soon I see the black smith's shop where Chelsea has a fancy paladin armor displayed.

"So what's your battle style?" I ask over my shoulder as I lead the way through the crowded street.

"I haven't faught outside of play sword fighting. The gym teacher wouldn't let me pick up a bow after I missed the sheet on archery day."

"Hmmm let's try spear that's an easy one to start with." I duck into Chelsea's shop.

Samantha follows me in. She stares in awe at the walls and shelves covered in bows, quivers of arrows, shields, spears, javelins, throwing knives and hatches, swords and battle axes. She then starts to slowly look around taking in Chelsea's craftsmanship.

Chelsea pops her head out from the back room. "Hazel!" Chelsea says with a smile. Her mid-shoulder length blonde hair is tied back in a few braids before going into a low ponytail. 

"Hey Chelsea!" I smile back then go back to eyeing the spears.

Chelsea makes her way out to the front counter pulling off her leather gloves. She is in black pants and a tan shirt. Years of blacksmithing has left scars on her muscular arms. She is roughly my height and size but much more built.

"What brings you in today Hazel?" Chelsea says leaned against the counter before looking over at Samantha.

"Training. Whatcha got for spears?" I reply eyeing a set.

"I only have the basic ones out here. Unless you want to see the expensive set in the back." Chelsea motions over her shoulder.

"Basic is fine. We are just going after some zombies today." I inform her as she grabs a set of spears. 

Chelsea nods in acknowledgement. While Samantha looks dumbfounded.

"How about some armor?" Asks Chelsea.

I give Samantha a decent look up and down. Her black tank top shows off her small frame but she does carry a lot of muscle. Her sweatpants don't let me see her legs. Then I look at her bare feet.

"Crap! You can't run around in the snow like that." I turn back to Chelsea who throws a pair of boots on the counter.

"I know you're broke so you can pay for these the next time you're in." She says with a smile.

"You're the best." I sigh in relief.

"I know. Now about the armor-" Chelsea tries selling me something else.

"Nah she will be fine." I say waving my hand.

A small "um" escapes from Samantha's lips.

"I use to and still can fight zombies with my fists." I boast grabbing the spears off the counter and throwing my fist in the air. Hopefully she finds that comforting.

"Not all people are crazy." Chelsea chuckles. She pulls a leather chest plate from behind the counter. "Here, this is on the house. We need all the hunters we can get." Chelsea smiles at Samantha.

"Thank you." Samantha says shyly.

I set my coin bag on the counter and feel it getting lighter as the gold magically transfers from the bag to Chelsea's safe.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Chelsea beams.

"Uh huh." I pretend to chuckle too.

Chelsea throws the chest plate at Samantha and I help slip it on the young girl. We all wait as she ties the boots onto her feet. I then hand the spears to her and show her how to strap the extras to her back.

"See ya girls!" Chelsea yells on our way out.

"I have enough potions but you shouldn't get hurt too bad if you do get injured." I explain while walking toward the waypoints.

Samantha seems almost lost in thought for a bit while following me.

In the center of town is a square with 4 pillars and fancy brick work marking the boarder. This is where 4 flame circles with engravings in their centers are. Each in their own corners.

"Looks like this one isn't being used." I say walking into one circle. "Come on." I wave for Samantha to follow me.

She holds her hand out to the flame then hops over them. I bust out laughing. I have seen some things while training but that was a first.

"Ahhh I love training. To pine hill." I say drying my tears.

Then in an instant we are in the north. We are standing in the flame circle and the surrounding area is tall pines with patches of snow under the trees where they have shaded it from the sun. Looking up the sun peeks through the tall pines. I take in the cold air deep into my lungs. Then the chill of the cold hits me and I realize I never did the warming spell to keep us warm.