"This is the perfect place." Ash turned slightly to gaze around the clearing. "Quiet, hidden. We can catch our breath here. Its a good place to learn while youre waiting for your father to come out of it. When were done here, I have a feeling things will get much more chaotic." He gestured to the sword in her hand. It was in a leather sheath and had a thickly layered handle

She slowly unsheathed it, examining the blade curiously.

The blade was made of steel. Not faery steel. Not a fey sword covered in glamour. Real, ordinary iron. The kind that would burn faery flesh and sear away glamour. The kind that left wounds impossible to heal.

She tossed it between her hands, feeling out the weight.

He nodded. "An eighteenth-century Spanish saber. Leanansidhe nearly had a fit when I told her what I wanted, but she was able to track one down in exchange for a favor." He paused then, wincing slightly. "A very large favor."

She quickly looks up, "What was the favor?"

"It doesnt matter. Nothing that endangers us in any way." He hurried on before she could argue. "I wanted a light, slashing weapon for you, one with a good amount of reach, to keep opponents farther away." He gestured to the saber with his own weapon, a blindingly quick stab of blue. "Youll be moving around a lot, using speed instead of brute force against your enemies. That blade wont block heavier weapons, and you dont have the strength to swing a longsword effectively, so were going to have to teach you how to dodge. This was the best choice."

She nods, "Alright."

Ash chuckled, then raised his weapon and stalked forward, all amusement gone.

She holds the sword in front of her, keeping eye contact with Ash.