63 What must be done before winter part 3 (1/2)

Once the dummy was complete, everyone gave it a try. The boys, in particular, enjoyed their new toy often trying to copy the description of John's technique. They would all learn it when they reached the foundation stage, so this was proper training for the future.

Anna spent every moment she could training with Franklin. When they got up in the morning they'd run. After breakfast, Franklin would train in John's technique. Before lunch, they'd do muscle training by lifting heavy objects and doing squats. After lunch, they'd join everyone for Elanor's basic training regimen. In the evening they'd hunt weak demonic beasts in the forest.

Time flowed on like this until the air chilled and snow threatened to fall. That day the boys were called to help by their moms, and Laurel was all alone with the dummy. She also did the training to join in the fun some times. But the boys tended to hog the dummy. Today though she's just unleashing her anger on it smacking it about with no intention of practicing.

”Stupid Franklin,” smack, ”Stupid boys,” smack, ”Stupid village,” smack, ”Stupid raggedy clothes,” Laurel complains with each strike.

”Having a rough day?” Elanor asks as she walks over.

”Elanor!” Laurel lights up. She drops her sword and runs over. ”I'm so bored there isn't anyone to play with. There isn't anything pretty hear it's all mud, wood, and demonic beasts,” Laurel cries.

Elanor receives the hug encompassing the girl between her ample chest. ”There's one thing pretty in the village!” Elanor exclaims.

”What?” Laurel asks peaking up at Elanor between the mountains.

”You,” Elanor replies while giving the girl a squeeze.

Laurel blushed at the sudden attack. She then pushes away and gestures to the village. ”There's nothing here. I'm all alone. Only when you come here can I have someone to talk too! No one cares about fashion or love.

The boys only want to fight. Playing with Donna is just babysitting, and while she says she wants to be girly, she's the biggest tomboy in the world. She always comes back covered in grass stains and mud,” Laurel pours her heart out to Elanor. The stream of complaints just come out one after another until she's exhausted.

Elanor laughs and pats the dummy's shoulder. ”Why take it out on this guy you should just beat the boys up and make them play with dolls!” Elanor jokes.

”There's no way I could do that!” Laurel rejects.

”That's fine. Who cares about them anyway look what I've brought!” Elanor changes the subject. She waves her hand, and a chest of exquisite dresses appears. Even a small changing room pops out of thin air. ”Let's dress you up!”

Then a magical evening passes by of dresses and laughter. Each dress was crafted with care. The silk's softness couldn't even be described. It felt as if it wasn't even there letting air pass through as light as wearing nothing. Sometimes Laurel felt like they floated being lighter than air.

Well it is fun they were all made for Ellanor, so Laurel didn't fill them out in any way. Elanor filled them with so many pins that Laurel felt like a pincushion. Still, she thought this is what a girls life should be like. Yet the sun dropped too quickly, and the fun ended.

Elanor as free as the wind disappeared into the night. While Laurel was still bound to this place in the middle of no were. The girl looks out with longing towards her old home before shaking her head. Laurel smacks her cheeks with her hands and puts on a smile before returning home.

That night Laurel had a strange dream. Different from her dreams of an ocean she was sitting at a small table with tea. Across from her was an old man with grey hair and a well-trimmed gray beard. He gave off the look of a distinguished man.

”Hello, sir,” Laurel ventures as the old man sips his tea.

”After all that complaining you're not even going to take time to relax and drink tea?” John asks with a smirk.

Laurel starts and quickly reaches for the teacup in front of her. ”Thank you!” She yelps. She then slowly brings the tea to her lips and sips it. Her eyes go wide as the taste fills her mouth and warms her body. ”Wow,” she sighs. 'This truly is a dream to have something so delicious,' she thinks.