It had been a few days since training had started, Twilight frowned “Can we get down to the real training?”

Steel nodded “Yes, walking may seem simplistic but it is the hard part. It took me two months to do it properly, you truly understand magic on both a conscious and subconscious level.”

Twilight asked “So what now?”

Steel pulled out two wooden swords from his wagon “I will teach you the basics of proper swordplay. Holding the sword is the same as standing don’t worry it’ll be simple.” He tossed her a sword which she caught in her right hoof. He smiled “First is a simple slash.” He swung the wooden sword in a simple vertical motion, he smiled “Your turn.”

He smiled as Twilight imitated his swing perfectly, Twilight asked confused “That was simple?”

Steel replied with a goofy grin “I’ll explain later.”

Twilight grumbled “You better.”

Steel got serious “Alright next step is a thrust, once again it’s fairly simple.” He thrust his sword forward and then beckoned Twilight to do the same, Twilight copied the thrust. Steel nodded and then said “Alright this one is going to require both of us, take a swing at me.” Twilight swung her wooden sword and Steel blocked it with his own. He said “Your turn.” He swung at her and she blocked his blow, nodded “Alright final skill side stepping, swing your sword.” She did as he said and he sidestepped her sword swing. He then swung at her, she stepped to the side.

He smiled “Well we can head into the desert now.”

Twilight shouted “What, that’s it?!”

He said with a warm smile “The pony who taught me swordplay told me his master said ‘I do not fear the pony who knows ten thousand techniques but I do fear the pony who knows one technique but had practised it ten thousand times.Do you know what that means in reference to this?”

Twilight shook her head in confusion “No?”

Steel grinned “All sword fighting techniques are based off those four, one who has refined the basics will be capable of mastering any of the advance techniques. I have several books on complicated techniques as well as the magic that goes along with them.”

Twilight squeed as she darted into his wagon. Steel smiled as she was hugging a book, he shouted “We are going to get going, you can stay in there and read.”

Twilight smiled “Okay.”

Steel whistled as he pulled his cart along, he asked “I would like to know more about you?”

Twilight frowned “I don’t want to talk about it, my life before is gone now and I have to move on” tears began to form “I have nothing left to me, I have lost everything that mattered to me.”

Steel grimaced “I understand that feeling, my parents died when I was a foal. I had no friends as I was shunted through the foster system. Equestria may preach peace and kindness but for a foster foal it’s anything but.”

Twilight whimpered “But Princess Celestia would..”

Steel sighed “Princess Celestia is a great leader and a truly amazing pony but she is still a pony. Many forget that detail she can’t be everywhere at once and she is not without her own flaws otherwise her sister would never have ended up on the moon.”

Twilight scowled “Now that’s not fair!”

Steel frowned “The world’s not fair, lass. My first merchant trip out here I was woefully unprepared as where all my fellow merchants, I only survived by dumb luck.”

Twilight whimpered “I’m sorry.”

Steel smiled “Don’t worry about it lass keep reading, it’s going to take a couple of weeks to get to Klugetown.” Steel continued pulling on the cart, Twilight was reading about various spells and sword techniques. Steel grinned as he saw the sunset, he set up camp he smiled “Hey Twilight want to join me for my nightly practice.”

Twilight smiled weakly “Sure I’d love to try out some of these techniques.” The pair practised for a few hours before descending into slumber.

Author's Notes:

I hope you like this chapter, thanks for for warm reception to this story.