As the Denmother starts calling out everyone else's name I looked at the huge pile of wooden weapons seeing swords, shields, axes, hammers, and even a few scythes. If I was to choose a weapon, I doubt it with the Denmother way the she is, I wasn't sure what to use even back in my last life the only weapon I ever held was a two action small caliber revolver that I kept for self defense. In the end the Denmother not going to let me have a weapon and probably going to encourage the kids to have me as so called sparring partner if not a practice dummy while being unarmed.
Denmother: Silva Cloud go and pick your weapon.
I was stunned at what I just heard and not just me but the others as well. One of the brats asked the Denmother if she is feeling alright, the Denmother not pleased replied in annoyance.
Denmother: You heard me so little beast hurry up and pick your weapon unless you want to fight bare handed.
I needed no other motivation and started to dig though whats left of the weapons. After trying out the various weapons with a couple of swings with different grips the one that felt less a awkward was a two handed great sword about three and half foot in length. I liked how heavy it felt in my hands but didn't feel exactly right but it was the best I could find. The Denmother started to speak again after clearing her throat.
Denmother: Alright brats pair up and stand at the ready.
All the bandit whelps looked at me thinking of pairing with in order to get some revenge with their new toys. I just smiled and had my great sword in a stance with it in front of me using both hands while having my right leg forward and bent along with my left to help better maintain my balance.
The kids huddled together whispering as to will be paired with me even though I can still hear them.
Vest: So does anybody have any idea on how to use the weapons they picked aside from me and Ame.
???1: Not me.
???2: A little but not as good as you Vest.
???3: I think big sis Ame should be the one give that bad kitty a lesson.
???4: But Vest is bigger and stronger.
???5: Oh come on you should know how much of beast that guy is.
???6: How about both Vest and Ame work together to take that animal down a notch.
Vest: Ame are you game.
Vest took a liking to the idea and asked Ame with a grin. Ame being a girl of few words quietly nod her head with a determined look in her purple eyes. Once they agreed the other six kid went off to form their pairs while Vest and Ame approached me with weapons in hand. Vest went with a axe and shield combo like his father that is one of the guards in the nursery camp, Ame has a spear in her hands which is not surprising since her father also uses one. Vest acting very smug asked.
Vest: Ready for your beating animal because I am.
Ame: .....
The two think they have this in the bag because they now now have weapons that their respective fathers taught them how to use and that they out number me. I just continued to smile at them as I replied in a nonchalant tone.
Silva: We shall see.
Vest entered a stance with his round shield forward and his axe in back, Ame crouched down a little with both hands on her spear pointing towards me. The Denmother noticed that I was fighting two against one but ignored it and started to speak again in a loud clear voice.
Denmother: Alright brats are you at the ready.
She looked around to see if they were ready to start.
Denmother: BEGIN!!
Vest letting out a childish war cry charged at me with his shield raised I evaded to his right and used my sword to sweep under his legs knocking him down to the ground. Ame soon attacked by repeatedly thrusting her spear at me while I block it till I parried it to the side then use a over head slash on her right shoulder making her drop the the spear making her clutching her shoulder. Vest already back on his feet started to charge again this time I took his charge head on by planting my sword in the ground after losing his momentum I pushed him to the side making him hit the ground again then I proceeded to strike with my sword on his unguarded legs, right arm, and head leaving him rolling around in pain crying. Ame recovered her spear and proceeded to charge at me, like Vest I sweep under her legs forcing her down then performed a overhead strike at her. Ame put her spear up to block my attack her weapon broke under the weight and strength of my slash and hit her squarely along the chest, she cried out in pain and curled up into a ball whimpering. I looked to Vest to see if he's up when saw me looking at him he got a scared look and tossed his weapons aside then had his hand up in surrender with tears in his eyes. The Denmother saw all this and shouted.
Denmother: SILVA CLOUD THAT IS ENOUGH!!
The boys and girls stop trying to hit one another and looked at their respective leaders in the state they are in then to me with my sword resting on my with not a scratch on me, having a bored expression on my faced I asked.
Silva: Is there anyone else that would like to be my sparring partner?
The kids quickly shook their heads side to side with a little bit of fear. I shrugged and proceeded toward the other side of the tent to practice swinging my sword till lunch time. The Denmother didn't stop me and looked towards Vest and Ame then spoke with a tired tone.
Demother: Can you brats take these two to camp doctor to them fixed up.
Bandit Brats: YES DENMOTHER!!
The Denmother walked out of the tent with a tired face before taking one last look at me swinging my sword around. The kids tried and failed to help their leaders up with out hurting them more earning them scoldings from Vest and Ame. I was left alone doing my own thing which I prefer because the less I get familiar with these bandits and bandits in training the better because one of my goals is to be a huntsmen.
(Later that night)
The Denmother was waiting in her tent with some tea when a familiar face walked in her red eyes, black hair tried back in a loose pony tail, her fair skinned mature body in a shallow cut red and black dress with black shorts along with loose black thigh high leggings to match her black heels carrying a katana with a large modified sheath this the current chief of the Branwen tribe Raven Branwen. The Denmother spoke first in a respectful tone.
Denmother: Welcome Chief I made tea for you please make yourself at home.
Raven looked around the tent then took a seat across the older women then pour herself some tea in a cup then added a lump of sugar. She proceed to stir her tea gently while the Denmother looking nervous waited for the chief to speak. Raven finished stirring her tea then took a long sip of her tea then savoured her tea before speaking in a neutral tone.
Raven: Denmother how are the whelps this year any that stick out in particular this time.
Denmother: No chief, well there is one but...
Raven looking curious with a raised eye brow was making her a second cup of tea gesture her to continue. The Denmother looking reluctant spoke.
Denmother: There this silver eyed faunus cub that is a trouble maker and a vicious one at that.
Raven: Silver eyes you say.
Raven remembering a pair of silver eyed cookie monsters and what the older one could do with them against the creatures of grimm. Raven started quietly making plans for this silver eyed young faunus to be loyal to her. Raven spoke out in interest.
Raven: Tell me everything about this child.
The Denmother told Raven about Silva from how beating don't stop him from attacking the other children when provoked or from taking revenge on the guards that are parents to the kids here when they asleep and what happen earlier during sparring. Raven showed more and more interest after hearing how unyielding and fierce the kid is. The old women then spoke in a worried voice.
Denmother: The real issue is when he gets older because his mother is Foresti Cloud.
Raven: As in that Foresti.
Raven showing displeasure at the name Foresti Cloud, recalling the rumors of when she was alive.
The Denmother nodded and continued.
Denmother: The very same one that any man or woman that walks out of her tent is either tired enough to be dead or drained to point of death just so she can sated. I was surprised to learn she had a son even after all the partners she went though she never got pregnant before till with him. I think he should be neutered before he get older.
Silva woke up in a cold sweat covering his manhood and with a strong urge to murder a certain old hag. Raven decide against neutering him because it would be impossible to hold his loyalty if he wanted tear her to shreds for it at least for now. The talk between the two continued though out the night till morning. Raven left the nursery camp and headed back to the main encampment with plans on how to get Silva Cloud under her thump by what ever means necessary.