Three years had passed since Nerya had arrived in this world.

  Her small legs, now able to bear her weight upright, had allowed her to walk for a few months already.

  Her voice had also formed, letting her speak fairly clearly.

  The month of Nivalis had just begun, bringing with it a chill announcing the cold times.

  Nerya woke slowly, stretching her arms before sitting up.

  The morning dew settled on the wood of the house spread a pleasant scent of pine.

  She dressed in her opaque tights and her skirt that fell to her knees, then put on her small top topped with a pullover.

  She then went to the kitchen, where Zephyra was already preparing breakfast.

  “So, did you sleep well, my darling?” she asked in a gentle voice.

  Nerya pulled the chair her father had made especially for her, fitted with a small slanted step so she could sit.

  She placed her hands on the table and rested her chin on them.

  “Yes. Mama smells nice. Belly hungry,” Nerya replied.

  Although the words sounded wrong, Nerya forced herself to speak the way a child would.

  She did not want her parents, or anyone else, to suspect her true nature.

  Pretending not to know how to speak properly was a real headache.

  More than once, she had almost slipped and spoken like an adult.

  But the hardest part for her was adapting to the language of this world.

  Their way of speaking was very different from where she came from, and some words did not exist here.

  On the other hand, other things she did not yet understand did exist.

  “It’s almost ready, wait just a bit longer,” Zephyra went on.

  “This morning, I made the brioche and the sausages you like.”

  A smile formed on Nerya’s lips.

  Her mother cooked so well that every meal made her mouth water.

  After a few minutes, Zephyra brought three plates to the table along with the cutlery, and set the food down.

  She then went to the window and opened it.

  “Eldran, the meal is ready.

  Come eat now, or I’ll give your share to Nerya.

  Understood?” she shouted.

  Eldran came back fairly quickly, wood under his arms, which he set down near the fireplace before sitting beside Nerya.

  The meal passed in good spirits.

  “Tell me, princess, would you like to train with daddy this morning?” Eldran asked.

  Nerya swallowed her last bite the wrong way when she heard that sentence, coughing to clear the piece stuck in her throat.

  She looked at her father, eyes shining.

  “Me want.

  Train with papa,” she replied, holding out her arms.

  Even though she was excited at the idea of training, those words nearly made her laugh, they sounded so absurd to her.

  Honestly, it’s really complicated to play the role of a child.

  Butchering words so they don’t suspect anything, pfff.

  I can’t wait to grow up and stop talking like this, she thought.

  Eldran then cleared the table, then went to Nerya and picked her up in his arms.

  “I’ll let you finish the rest, Phyra.

  I’m going to make our daughter a sword pro,” he said.

  “But first, young lady, a little coat to cut the cold.

  Come on, hop hop hop, let’s move.”

  He went to the door, taking a small coat that he handed to Nerya.

  But she raised an eyebrow, making him understand she still could not put it on by herself.

  “Eldran, she’s gifted for her age, sure, but don’t overdo it,” Zephyra remarked.

  “And if you call me Phyra one more time, I’ll warm up your training so much you’ll regret the dragons.”

  He slipped Nerya’s arms into the coat before closing it, then straightened and opened the door.

  He gestured for her to go out, then turned back toward Zephyra.

  He took a step backward toward the exit, one hand holding the door.

  “We’re going to train for two or three hours.

  With her motivation, it should be fine.

  But to warm me up, I’m fine with seeing about that later, little Phyra,” he said.

  He closed the door quickly, just before Zephyra threw the saucepan she was holding at him, a mischievous smile on her lips.

  Eldran took Nerya’s hand and headed toward the small gate.

  “You stay close to me, understood?

  A lot of people pass on the road to reach the training arena.

  I don’t want you getting trampled by a merchant’s horses,” he explained.

  Nerya stayed close to him, discovering more of the village.

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  It was the first time she had gone beyond their garden.

  Solva?l was a small, peaceful village, made up of about a hundred inhabitants of all ages.

  The place was friendly, and everyone Nerya passed greeted her father, before greeting her as well.

  It unsettled her a little at first.

  Why does everyone greet him like that?

  I know he’s a city guard, but why so much politeness?

  Did he do something important that I don’t know about yet? she wondered, troubled.

  Even though questions burned in her mind, she could not ask them yet.

  They continued walking, until they stopped in front of a man.

  He was rather short, but had a powerful build.

  His long beard reached his knees and mingled with his hair.

  His hands, large and marked by many deep scars, testified to a past of hard labor.

  “Ha, hello Eldran.

  Out for a stroll with the future guardian of the village like this?” the man asked with a loud laugh.

  “Good morning, Grydhor, how are you this morning?

  And yes, this young lady is going to train a bit.

  I don’t plan to let her grow up without knowing how to defend herself,” Eldran replied.

  But as the two men spoke, Nerya’s gaze was drawn to a stone resting on the counter.

  She approached it as if hypnotized, fascinated by its color, a pure white like snow, shining as if stars were trapped within it.

  “What that papa?

  Stone pretty,” she said in a slow voice.

  The two men stopped their discussion, turning toward Nerya to see what she was talking about.

  “That, my little one, is a Signiloth stone.

  It’s used to make weapons and armor for guards and adventurers.

  But you can also create magnificent jewelry with it,” Grydhor replied.

  “She’s only three, Grydhor.

  Do you really think she’s going to understand what you’re saying?

  Just the word Signiloth is already too complicated for her,” Eldran shot back with a laugh.

  “Hohoho, but look at that!

  Children understand far more than you think, Eldran.

  But well, let’s get back to it.

  I suppose you didn’t come here to talk to me about stones or about your little heart softened by this young lady?” Grydhor asked.

  He went back in front of his furnace, pulling out a piece of scrap metal that he plunged into a barrel filled with water.

  He placed his hand on the edge of the barrel and spoke words Nerya did not understand.

  “Guelgruk tilqueros permonete,” Grydhor muttered.

  The water in the barrel then lit up with a very pale blue, like frost.

  The piece of metal began to cool rapidly, taking on a dark color under the brutal change in temperature.

  Nerya stepped a little closer, her eyes shining even more at what she had just seen.

  She discreetly placed her hands on the barrel and tried to repeat Grydhor’s words in her mind so as not to betray that she had understood them.

  But nothing happened.

  “Step back a bit, Nerya.

  That can be dangerous,” Eldran said again, placing a hand on her shoulder.

  “And yes, I came to place an order with you.

  After all, you’re the best blacksmith in the village.

  Even if your hospitality is that of a smiling troll.”

  Grydhor shot Eldran a dark look at that remark, his hands tightening around the iron bar he had just pulled from the barrel.

  Nerya felt a slight tension wash over her… but suddenly, the two men burst out laughing together.

  “If you’re hoping for a discount with that kind of flattery, I’ll serve you an increase.

  So, tell me what you need.

  You want a ring for your wife?

  Or a new weapon?” Grydhor asked.

  “A ring for Zephyra?

  Hummm, maybe another time.

  I’ve got nothing to be forgiven for this time,” Eldran replied.

  The two men burst out laughing heartily together again.

  Help…

  Do I really have to put up with your awful jokes? Nerya thought.

  “No, more seriously, I’d like a sword for my daughter.

  A length of seventy centimeters, and not too heavy, would be good.

  We don’t have equipment for children at the training camp,” he went on, looking at Nerya.

  “Ohhh!

  I see, it’s for the little one,” Grydhor breathed.

  He set his piece of scrap back on the anvil, and approached Nerya.

  In a moment of doubt, she stepped back behind her father, clinging to his legs.

  Grydhor knelt down, motioning with his hand for her to come closer.

  “Show me your hands, my little one.

  I need to see them to do the job properly.

  A good sword is one that fits its bearer perfectly,” he added with a smile.

  Eldran shifted slightly, placing his hand on Nerya’s back to reassure her and tell her to go ahead.

  She moved forward slowly, still hesitant.

  She held out her hands to Grydhor, who gently took them, turning them in several positions while letting out small “Hmm” sounds from time to time.

  “Okay, perfect.

  Give me two weeks, and I’ll make it for you,” he said, releasing Nerya’s hands.

  “For the price, you’ll invite me to dinner one evening.

  But a feast, understood.”

  “Are you sure?

  Not that the idea of paying in meals displeases me, but you know I can pay you without trouble, right?” Eldran replied, slightly unsettled.

  “Eldran, you already pay me handsomely to equip the army.

  And it’s for your daughter, look at that little hesitant face.

  Don’t worry, I’m not short on money or clients.

  Beginnings have to be marked for the future swordswoman of Solva?l,” Grydhor replied.

  “Perfect then, thank you very much.

  I’ll let Zephyra know tonight, and I’ll keep you posted about the day.

  Come on, we’ll leave you be, otherwise we’ll be late.

  Say goodbye, Nerya,” Eldran said, waving his hand.

  Nerya imitated her father and waved her small hand as well.

  A sword for me?

  Really?

  That’s so exciting…

  I’d really like to hug him to thank him, but that would give me away.

  Unless…? she thought.

  She grabbed her father’s trousers, tugging lightly to get his attention.

  Eldran bent down to her level, and Nerya jumped into his arms.

  He hugged her gently and stood back up.

  “Ohhh, I know one who wants a daddy hug, huh?

  They’re better than mommy hugs, is that it?” he said, laughing.

  “Don’t tell her that, understood.

  She’d make me sleep outside if she found out.”

  He headed back toward the arena visible beyond the houses, Nerya resting her head on his shoulder and enjoying the moment.

  This life isn’t so bad after all.

  I have loving parents, and life is peaceful here.

  I should just enjoy it… and stop worrying about everything, she thought, closing her eyes.

  She enjoyed the rest of the walk, her arms around Eldran’s neck, looking at every person, house, and landscape.

  She still had so much to discover and learn.

  But for now, she had to savor this second chance and what she had.

  The world could wait a little longer… until she grew up.