Tales of Tenric's Training: IX

Part V

Now that he had the benefit of hindsight Tenric regretted the teasing tone he had used. His whole body ached from the many places his Master had struck in order to ‘teach’ him. Set for training mode his Master’s saber was only marginally more powerful than his blue training blade, but that was little comfort. Each time he had dropped his guard or been too slow in recovery his master had nailed him with his sun-colored blade. Most of the exchanges had gone something like slash - block - thrust - parry - counter attack - riposte followed by a loud ‘Yeow!’ and the taunting words “Are you learning my Padawan?” or sometimes the much simpler, “No pain-no gain, my padawan.”

It was much worse than sparring with tool handles and sticks. Those weapons left bruises and calluses. The training saber, however, not only left Tenric bruised but twitchy with frayed nerves from the jolting. Even now, laying in bed the next morning, stray muscles would twitch randomly or send phantom pain messages to his brain. He groaned as he realized that he had to get up and ready himself for more of the same today.

“Tenric, if you don’t come and eat soon I’ll wrap it all up and have you take it to Dale.” Teased his Gam’Ma.

Sitting up, Tenric pulled his worn tunic over his head and shuffled out to the table.

“Well mornin’ there m’little Kindler. Glad to sees ya’s still ‘live.” She said as she winked at him.

“Am I really Gam’Ma?” he replied with feigned surprise as he sat down gingerly.

She came and sat with him, the smell of her ever-present cup of tea reviving him somewhat. She looked at him proudly. Tenric knew she had given his Master a tongue lashing last night over his bruises and felt better knowing she had avenged him at least a little. As he hungrily wolfed down his food he noticed a gleam in his Gam’Ma’s eye.

“Wha’s up Gam’Ma?” he managed, his mouth full.

“Now I dun taught ya more manners than that!” she said with a broad smile.

With a gulp of cool water he washed down the last of his food. “Sorry Gam’Ma.”
Still smiling at him she glanced over at the chair by the window. It was the one she always sat in to watch his comings and goings. Following her gaze Tenric saw a small bundle on the seat.

“For you m’little Kindler.” She said, “An’ it’s ‘bout time too!”

Tenric stared wide-eyed at it until he realized she was waiting for him to go over and unwrap it. His aches and bruises forgotten, he went over to the chair and looked down at the ovoid bundle. There was the faint and unmistakable smell of leather in the area.

“Well I ain’t getting any younger ya know!” she called out in a laughing tone.

Her jibe broke his paralysis and he scooped up the bundle. It felt both firm and giving in his arms. Brining it to the table he unwrapped it and felt his heart leap for joy. There before him was a hand-tooled, double-banded, leather belt. There was one pouch hanging on the side with a curious symbol inscribed on the flap.

“I styled it after his belt ya know. I just added a bit of my own touch to it.” She offered.

“I – I can’t believe it!” He exclaimed. “My own Jedi belt!” He practically danced as he fumbled with the unfamiliar rear clasp.

“Seein’ as how he finally got around to letting you have a real blade I figured you should have somethin’ ta wear it on.” She said with that gleam in her eye.

“Does he know?” Tenric asked, suddenly concerned that his Master might disapprove for some reason.

“Sure does.” She replied. “He even gave me that old clasp thing for you to hang your saber on. Told me where ta put it too.”

Wide-eyed once more Tenric looked down at the side of the belt and saw the clasp affixed in just the right spot. Suddenly remembering, he dashed to his bedside and retrieved the saber that he’d left on the floor. When he had rejoined his Gam’Ma he clipped it to the belt and stood tall for her inspection. She smiled at him and tousled his hair.

“You’ll make a wonderful Jedi m’little Kindler.” She beamed at him. “Why I’ll bet ya even outshine tha stars someday.”

He threw his arms around her and hugged her as tightly as he dared. “Thank you Gam’Ma!” he choked out amidst his joyful tears.

“Now get along now.” She said as she held him at arms length and looked him over. “He’s waitin’ for ya in your clearing.”
Tenric headed off to meet his Master with visions of soaring among the stars as a Jedi filling his mind. Today he felt like more than a Padawan, more even than a Jedi. Today he felt like a man.