To Sharpen the Blade Once More (7)

To Sharpen the Blade Once More (6)

Korv awoke this morning with a slight chill in his bones. Mother Nature had decided to play a cruel prank on the denizens of the realm, it seems! Where the day prior had brought rains, the temperature had been moderate. Today, however, the temperatures had dropped drastically, and the winds gusted with the fury of a scorned lover.

Korv took his morning brew and gazed at the scene outside. This was his kind of weather, indeed. While the winds could cut through one sharply, he found it to be invigorating to both body and spirit. Often, he would sit outside his cabin with no cloak, and breathe deep as the cold pierced his skin and awoke his tired bones.

As he downed his sacred elixir, Korv again mentally prepared himself for his training, and the day ahead.

He took a few minutes to think of all the wonderful people and opportunities this life had gifted to him. He was grateful for his health. Aye, while he was perhaps a bit battered physically, there were others far less fortunate, and he would do well to remember this.

As he gave a slight smile, his mind shifted once again to his training. While he and the iron bastard were far from through, today, Korv would dedicate himself to tackling a different foe. Indeed, today, the Axle of Apollon awaited him.

The Axle of Apollon was a beast, indeed. The thick handles made it difficult to grasp, and many a man who thought himself of good stock had been left humbled in it’s wake. Korv loved wrestling with this monster, but admittedly, had not done so for many a season.

When he dedicated to rebuilding himself, Korv thought back to his early days of training, when he was but a soft, naive lad. He had pursued the art of gaining strength with passion and vigor. He sought out the most difficult challenges he could, and through them, he had grown mightier.

Perhaps he needed to sit beneath the Tree of Learning again and remember that which he had forgotten. What had worked before, coupled with the rekindling of a long-dormant flame, may just work again. With that thought in mind, Korv went outside to meet yet another old foe head on.

Unlike the iron bastard, Korv approached the Axle with respect. It was like an old friend that he was seeing after a long separation. It also came with a very important memory, as someone very special had gifted it to him. Someone who accepted him as he was, good and bad alike, and who loved him a great deal. Korv often thought he had never done enough to deserve such fine treatment, but he remained grateful all the same. Today, in her honor, he would face and conquer the Axle again.

Korv leaned over and wrapped his fingers around the Axle. Instantly, he remembered the first time he had held it. He recalled the heft, the fight and the ultimate triumph as he hoisted it above his head. He took a deep breath.

He gave a few short pulls to gauge the resistance and to find his footing. He could feel the anticipation rise in his belly as he braced his body slightly. He set himself and slowly counted down.

3, 2, 1…

With a mighty grunt, Korv heaved the weight upward and cleaned it to his chest. It threatened to topple him over, but he regained his footing. He could feel the bar slipping from his hands, the thick metal determined to break free from his grip. Korv’s face turned red as he struggled not to lose the weight. He found his balance just long enough to regroup for the final push.

“Not today, old friend,” he vowed through gritted teeth.

With the last ounce of might he had, Korv thrust the bar up from his chest and above his head. As he locked it out above him, the winds began to howl, as if the gods were recognizing him for his feat.

As his arms began to shake, Korv brought the bar to rest on his chest, and finally, back to it’s place on the deck at his feet. He panted as he gazed at the Axle. While he had a ways to go before he mastered it again, he felt a sense of pride in knowing that he had not given up this day.

He nodded to the heavens and smiled. He hoped if she was watching, that she was proud of him too.

Korv retired to the indoors to celebrate with another tankard of warm brew, after which he readied himself for the rest of his day.

To be continued…