"Excellent!" she clapped Holly on the back "You make this old woman proud!" she exclaimed. She picked out some dark greens, browns, as well as black for night traveling and for dark, rainy days. She handed the shopkeeper some coins "Make three of everything in each color, we'll be back when you are finished."

Holly beamed. "You are not so old," she chuckled. "Cannot be that much older than me." Holly watched as Lairiel handed over her money to the clerk. "Lairiel...perhaps while we're at this I should find myself a job. It would not be kind of me to pick your brains and run down your resources while I'm at it," she bit her lip worriedly.

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"No worries, Holly." she winked at her "My resources can always be replenished. Besides, I've not had anyone to spoil besides myself, and that gets old." she chuckled as they made their way to the armory.

"If you are sure," she grinned. "It has been long since I have been spoiled. I do warn you, I will find some way to return the favour. I do have some skill in the food department. Mother prided herself in teaching me how to cook from an early age. It was her belief every woman should know how to cook and clean. Mother was a family orientated woman." Holly smiled at the memory of her mother.

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"That is what every woman should know." she teased "And I am sure you need not return the favor." she looked at the swords, picking up some and feeling them over, carefully examining them.

"I would like to," she smiled. "I can only imagine what my mother would say if she could see me now. Father, on the other hand, would be cheering the both of us on." Holly giggled faintly as she surveyed the swords.

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She smiled fondly, then handed her a sword. "How does this feel? A good sword should not only be balanced in itself, but balanced with its owner."

Holly held out her hand and weighed the sword gently. It was fairly light weight. "It certainly feels light. Would do well to go with something light - considering how much travelling a ranger does."

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"Right." she got the sheath to it as well as the belt. She paid the man then picked up a leather case full of daggers, and another full of throwing knives for herself. "We'll start you off with that and the daggers."

Holly's eyes were wide with excitement. She started to wonder when she had last blinked. Am I dreaming? Holly thought. This seems too good to be true... Holly walked beside Lairiel. "Thank you, again. Oh heck a million thank yous to you, Lairiel!" Right there, she hugged her, closing her eyes blissfully.

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She blinked in surprise when Holly hugged her, but smiled and returned the hug. "You're welcome, Holly, it's my pleasure." she rubbed the girl's back comfortingly.

"Can we start training now? Pretty please?" Holly batted her eyelashes at Lairiel. Holly knew the theoretical ins and outs of being a Ranger, but she did not know the physical side. Holly frowned as she looked at her slim, some might saw scrawny, body.

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"Of course. And don't worry, part of the look and physique of a Ranger comes with age." she said, noticing the look Holly gave herself. "Come, let's go to the training grounds." she smiled and guided Holly to the training grounds where a straw filled dummy sat waiting. Lairiel drew her own sword "First you must learn defensive moves. Draw your sword."

Holly looked around the training grounds with interest. As Lairiel had instructed, Holly took up stance beside her and drew out her sword.

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"Now," she moved in front of her, looking at her stance "Not so rigid, you need to loosen up a bit, if you are too rigid you will not be able to react in time." she watched as Holly did that, then went around to her side "Hold the sword with both hands, like this." she moved Holly's hands on the handle, nodded, then nudged her feet closer together. "You were right somewhat, in seeking balance from widening your stance. But if you widen it too much you expose yourself to attacks from the enemy that will put you off balance Abd topple you over." she moved around Holly, looking At the stance and nodding, smiling in satisfaction. "Go back to standing normal, then when I lunge with my sword, take the exact stance I showed you again."

Holly nodded and shook herself to loosen herself up. Holly let her sword dangle by her side. Her eyes narrowed as she carefully watched Lairiel's movements.

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