She walked around, waiting to make sure Holly was completely relaxed, then lunged at her with her sword. Carefully, though, in case Holly wasn't ready.

Holly started slightly, but jumped into her stance just in time. Her hands clenched her sword, just as Lairiel had told her to. Holly brought her sword up to block Lairiel's attack.

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Lairiel grinned "You will be a quick learner. But first, we must continue to practice this stance and basic block. It is important to build foundations. Again." she made Holly go through the steps repeatedly until the light began to fade from the sky. She set her hands on Holly's shoulder. "Tomorrow we add more. For now, we get food and rest up."

Holly hadn't noticed the fading light. When she stopped to look, her body ached with fatigue. Her stomach grumbled loudly. "I think that is a very good idea," she wrinkled her nose grinning.

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Lairiel laughed and took Holly back to the Inn where she ordered two meals and two rooms for the night. "How long have you been traveling again?" she asked curiously. Depending on how long she had, she already knew the basics of how to travel, she mused to herself as they waited for the food.

"Just over six months," Holly said, thinking back to that dreadful day. Holly shuddered, pushing it back in her mind, where it was meant to stay.

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She let out a low whistle. "Six months is a long time." she leaned forward. "You obviously have a lot of moxy." she smiled slightly, then the food came. "Eat up, long day tomorrow." she winked and paid the waitress.

"I had no other choice, but to travel. I thought it best to keep moving too. Less likely that my uncle will find me." Holly started to eat. "Thank you, again, Lairiel." Holly smiled softly.

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She nodded "Good choice." she watched Holly eat. "Really, there is no need to thank me anymore, it is my desire to see you succeed." she smiled and began working on her own meal, wondering at what the next few days would bring.

Holly nodded and silently ate her food. Her mind was buzzing of the days events. She could only imagine what the next few days would be like. She hoped she would be good enough to make Lairiel proud.

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When they were done, she took Holly to her room. "Get some good sleep tonight." after a pat on Holly's shoulder, she went to her own room next door and sat on the bed, lighting her pipe as she sat to think.

Holly crawled into the four poster bed and burrowed herself under the covers. As soon as her head hit the pillow her eyes closed. Her dreams were fraught with worry and fear. Holly tossed and turned the whole night. Her uncle turning her dreams to nightmares.

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After a while of thinking, Lairiel emptied her pipe and lay down to sleep. She was one who slept with no dreams at all. As soon as the sun was up she could be heard moving about her room, getting ready for the day.

Holly had long given up the ghost. There was no use in trying to sleep. She woke a few hours before sunrise and had her things ready for the following day. When the sun rose Holly went downstairs to order some breakfast. She took her food to a table by the window and watched the world pass by.

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Lairiel walked to Holly's room and knocked on the door. No answer. That's curious, she thought and opened the door to find the room empty. She warily walked down the stairs, but relaxed when she saw Holly there with breakfast. She paid the waitress for Holly's food and her own, then took the seat opposite Holly, noting the tired look to her face. "No sleep?" she said casually as she began eating, knowing what the answer would be.

Holly looked up as Lairiel took a seat across from her. She pasted a smile on her face, which fell at Lairiel's question. "A little," she said stifling a yawn. "What is on the rota for today?" she asked pleasently.

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