10. Hanako Has A Day At The Beach.

While Reinhardt was reinforcing the new helmet, Isaac took Hanako to the beach located at the rear end of the Keep.

A long staircase led down toward a wide portcullis set under a stone arch. The Old Knight used a ‘Paladin Key’ and pulled on a lever. The gate shot up in an instant, leaving the way open for a well-stocked armoury.

It reminded Hanako of someone’s garage, with swords and shields in place of tools. Axes were stacked in barrel in the corner, with Bludgeons on a wall to the right.

She immediately gravitated toward the giant sword spanning the left-hand wall. She admired the size of the weapon and how it was only slightly shorter than she was.

“A Claymore,” Isaac said, slightly amused. “Otherwise known as a ‘Great Sword.’ Unless you have horses charging at you, it is not the best choice for a one-to-one battle.” The girl picked out a small sword.

~I could use this.~

“Ah, a Cutlass,” Isaac said. “This one is known as ‘Bee-Eater.' I remember not wanting to sell it because I had sworn I would use it later on. I never did.” He weighed the weapon with both hands. “Good for a secondary weapon, but let me tell you why a sword should not be your first pick. Stay still.” He moved around, and after a few seconds, Hanako suddenly felt a tap from behind. Looking to her left, she saw half a wooden blade resting on her shoulder. Isaac came back into view. “Of course, you couldn’t hear me sneaking up behind you. That’s where you are vulnerable. Once your enemy realises this, you are done for. Hop the twig, as they say.”

~So I can’t do anything? ~

“Let’s not give up hope just yet. You have to shift the balance in your favour.” Isaac pulled out one of the pole weapons that were neatly stacked under a workbench. It had a short shaft ending with a spear point on either end.

“I present Chain-Maker, a Javelin. It can be used for both close-quarter and throwing. I think it will be more to your liking.” He handed her a Gladiator helmet. “Come on, let’s try it out.”

As they walked down the wrinkled beach, Hanako wondered if there was a sea. She could see only a line on the horizon, with no sense of movement. With three moons, it would not take much for the sea to drown the forest with one freak wave. A cheery thought to warm her up, while she put on the helmet.

Isaac handed her the Javelin.

“How does that feel?” He asked. Hanako shrugged. “The trick is to keep your grip in the middle. Too far back and your hits will be too weak, too far forward and the back end will drag it down. Get used to the weight, find the balance.” He used his sword to position the weapon outward “Keep on the move in this position, you will find it easier to keep your rear-guard protected.” He took a few steps back. “Alright, let’s see what you can do.”

Hanako took Chain-Maker in both hands. She began to swing it around like a majorette, displaying a flamboyant show of skill. Once done, she poised angrily with the weapon at the ready. Isaac tapped it with his sword, and it fell from the girl’s hands. “Oh, thank goodness, you nearly had me there.”

~It’s too big.~ Hanako signed, frustrated. ~How am I supposed to take this thing into a forest? ~

“You won’t always be in the forest. In case you weren’t aware, this weapon will stop enemies from sneaking up on you. Pick it up.”

Hanako reluctantly bent over and took the weapon in both hands.

~What if I forget how to fight? ~

“Skill is like any blade,” Isaac said. “If it is neglected, it will become dull and ineffective, which is why you must practice every day. Trust me, enemies will come when it’s least convenient, you have to respond with more than a bored look.” He raised his sword. “Shall we?”

Over a few hours, Hanako began to apply everything she had learned over the past eighteen months. Positioning, muscle memory and technique came automatically thanks to the unique nature of the training:

The wooden blocks had taught her to keep her feet balanced while constantly shifting.

‘The lesson of the Sword’ built up the strength in her arm, while ‘The lesson of the Spear’ taught her how to pierce with any pole weapon.

The Log run allowed her to use her shield to deflect incoming blows from all sides, while the sewer chase helped her anticipate danger.

With the dagger, she skewered the nearby pumpkins in place of enemies and knew how to change weapons in a swift motion.

They sparred throughout the afternoon; slowly at first before increasing the intensity, until the clouds grew dim and grey.

Satisfied, Isaac brought the training to a stop.

“Good, good.” He said. “You are ready, but you can always improve.”

Hanako looked up at the three moons. The two smaller ones were now lined up on the right. “The Trifecta.” He added. “This only occurs once every hundred or so years. You’re lucky, not many get to see it.”

Hanako scooped up a handful of sand. It reminded her of home, of picnics on the beach, when the family would let their English Sheepdog run free as they sat on the grassy bank, eating Banana buns.

There was sadness in her expression, a permanent aching for a time before the madness, a time when the world spun on its apathetic axis, and youth culture heaved with a disconsolate shrug.

“Are you alright?” Isaac asked and watched Hanako spell out ‘Inverness’ on the sand. “Is that where you’re from?”

The girl nodded. ~What if I never see it again? ~

"What if you wake up as a crab and find out reality was just a dream?" Isaac said. "Only worry about what is in front, the rest will just play out in time."

Where do you live?

“Doesn’t matter, I’m not there anymore.” On the journey back up the cliffs, Hanako noticed something she had missed on the way down. A jet of yellow goo was being expelled from the side of the wall and landed into a steaming pool.

The girl looked at Isaac, who merely shook his head sadly.

Wandering over to the pool of goo, she was surprised to see a cage built into the cliff face. Behind the cage was a giant lilac caterpillar with an enormous mouth, filled with metallic, knife-like teeth. Its two eyes were set apart and resembled pin-pricks in the snow. Reeling from the shock, she backed away.

“Careful, that stuff is like lava,” Isaac said.

~What is that? ~

“This here is a Witch-burner who pushed her luck and burnt the wrong sister. The witch responsible let this individual retain her memories, if only to torment every waking hour.”

~That’s terrible.~

“So is burning an innocent. You reap what you sow. C’mon.”

Hanako was deep in thought on the way back to the Keep. This was the second time she had encountered a creature that had suffered at the hands of a witch, and she wondered what she would do if she met one. It didn’t take long for Rufus to notice the girl’s dour mood.

“What’s up with her?” he asked. “You two go swanning off and she comes back with a face on.”

“She saw the Caterpillar,” Isaac said. “It was a shock, to say the least.”

“So it bloody should be. Mardy cow thinks she can go 'round burning who she likes. What did she expect?”

“No one expected that.”

“Exactly. Let that be a lesson to everyone.”

~Didn’t they have any proof? ~ Hanako signed.

“The accusation is the proof,” Isaac said. “Guilty by suspicion.”

Rufus exhaled contemptuously.

“Ever since the ‘burners took over the village, they’ve been ruining everyone’s lives with their own warped sense of justice. You won’t get any sympathy from me, that’s for sure.”

“I would never have guessed.”

Hanako was suddenly curious and gestured toward the Sundered Knight.

“She wants to know what happened with the village.” Isaac said.

Rufus scoffed and poked the fire.

“Ilith Londo, city of the Moon,” Rufus said. “Once there was prosperity and light. Money was rolling in from all corners. It was the envy of the world and the hub of a thriving industry. The Artisans were skilled, their talent unmatched and sought after from stem to stern. It was a comfortable place, friendly, and no one seemed to care what you said. Suddenly, there was a shift. The Witch-burners had infiltrated the council, and soon people were no longer allowed to speak their minds. Those who did were publicly shamed and their lives ruined. Then the ‘Burners came for the Artisans. One by one, these skilled workers were pushed out and replaced by zealots, who thought they could do a better job. Soon, accusations were made, histories revisited, and reputations muddied. Friends turned on friends to save themselves from being burned. Those lying Throckmortons…”

“Stick to the story.”

“Anyways, once word got round, there was no money to be made, shops closed, businesses folded, and the industry became a shadow of its former self. As of today, the Mayor lives in fear of the ‘Burners and their ‘Bloody Code’; too afraid to speak against them, to tell them they are bad at their jobs. So he lets them do what they want, give them jobs they are too unskilled for, pretend that there’s no crisis, and that the village isn’t drowning.” He shook his head. “Those that benefit from tyranny are the first to deny it exists.”

Hanako sat horrified. She then asked another question.

“What happened to the Artists?” Isaac said. “I think she means Artisans.”

“Oh they did better than they could ever dream,” Rufus said. “They used their talents and found riches away from the village. There was always a demand for their work, unlike the zealots, who complain they’re not making enough money. No one wants to tell them why, of course…but we all know. The End!” He looked at his companions and saw their sunken expressions. “Oh, come on! You two looked like a pair of smacked bums.”

“You didn’t exactly help things.”

She wanted to know!” Rufus said. “I’m not going to sugar-coat it, or spare her feelings. I mean, she doesn’t look like a zealot.” He laughed. “Go and show her the pony, maybe that’ll take her mind off it.”

~Pony? You have a pony? ~

“Yes,” Isaac said sheepishly.

~Why didn’t you tell me?~

“You weren’t ready for it.”

Hanako stood up, steely-eyed and resolute.

~I want to see it.~

“Maybe later, you’ve just done training.”

~I’m not tired.~

“Well, maybe I am.”

~Please! ~

The Old Knight puffed out a breath and turned to Rufus with a disappointed look.

“You had to open your mouth.” He said.

“I really did,” Rufus said, tearing off the meat from the tip of his knife. “Happy trails.”

***

Isaac led Hanako to the ruins of the courtyard. Among the broken walls were the remains of stables. Chewing on the high grass was a black horse with a while man.

“Bandit.” He said. “Rufus may be a lout, but always has a soft spot for this old dear.” He then moved to a heavy grey horse and stroked its side. “Of course, you know Ruggerio. This chap saved my life more times than I care to count.” Hanako checked out the stall at the far end and noticed a small brown pony lying in a bed of straw. “This one doesn’t have a name. It used to be Reinhardt’s, but he won’t touch it now, too many bad memories. It’s skittish, probably to do with the Rats in the walls. Anyway, it’s yours if you want it. Rufus calls him ‘Moany Pony’ You’ll need one if you have any hope of leaving this place.”

~I love him, thank you! ~ Hanako said and stroked it gently. It trembled with every touch. ~It’s shaking.~

“Poor thing has been locked in a permanent sleep cycle thanks to night terrors. Rats in the walls, to be more precise. Maybe you’d like to get rid of them? They’re in the cellar.”

The girl looked at the Horse and then back at Isaac.

~Show me.~