Finding Jonathan - done

[Kender Bard]

Jonathan let out a sigh of relief. Nothing for it now but to hope for the best. "Good, good. Well, then, since we're here, how about we get started on teaching you how to wield a sword with the best of them, aye?"

[Deleted]

"Yes!"

Shui grinned excitedly. She was going to learn how to fight, and how to protect the ones she wanted to. Her grin faded, and her face became a trifle grim. She had to do this; for now, this would be her life, her goal.

[Kender Bard]

((Skipping ahead.))

After the initial lesson, Jonathan appraised Shui with a grin. "You'll do fine," he decided. "Tomorrow I'll have you work on your patterns. You'll get to hit a big pole with a stick." He grinned again. "Run along now and get cleaned up."

[Deleted]

"Thank you very much!" Shui said jubilantly. Her cheeks were flushed as she darted from the training room and ran down the hall. First she needed a bath, then she needed to figure out how to get back to the Queens room.

She thought she knew how, but...that was to be for later in the night. "Pardon me!" she cried as she almost ran into someone.

((whether we end it here or not is up to you. ^^))

[Kender Bard]

((Nope this is good))

"My my," came a woman's amused voice as she laid gentle, but firm hands on Shui. "Turn around child, let me see you." She knelt and looked at Shui carefully. Her hair was blonde - almost white - and soft, fluffy white wings ran the length of her back. Her summery yellow dress fell in folds around her as she examined Shui. "Why, you're the young lady that was in there sparring with Jonathan, aren't you? Planning to be a guard or a knight someday?"

[Deleted]

Shui blinked and opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Her father had told her stories about the woman who had been her birth mother and she looked a lot like what he had told her.

Closing her mouth, she lowered her head and then looked back up. "Yes; he was teaching me a little of the basics. I want to learn how to fight with the best and perhaps become a knight!" She grinned, her eyes lighting up. "My name is Shui!"

[Kender Bard]

The woman smiled sweetly. "You will make a fine member of the Beloved Knights someday, I'm sure." She leaned forward and took Shui's left hand gently in her own, and then squeezed it softly. "Just remember to fight for the lives of those you love and you'll be fine." Letting go of Shui's hand, she stood, pat the girl softly on the head, and continued on her way.

[Deleted]

Until wasn't until she had returned to her room and was in the middle of bathing that she noted anything of difference about her. When Shui finally did, she jumped up and stood there in the middle of the tub and stared at her hand.

"A new sign?" she asked the empty room, incredulously.