Sorry, Rosa. The only blacksmith he knows is not cool with weapons. So wood is how they train here. Even though that frustrates Nida to no end. Wood won't do much damage as a knife, but it will give you an idea of size. He just wished he could get metal cores to deal with weight.

He does smile at the way she pays attention. Not entirely sure, but he has an idea that she might be. Too many years training as a mercenary spy to not notice how she moves closer, even if it's only a hunch.

"The dojo's sorta in transition. There was a martial arts master of a number of styles, but he was taken away. I'm taking over, looking for people to help with instructing. My specialty is staffs, polearms, and a more acrobatic combat style. I am bad with basic sword work but I can teach basic stances and which end to attack with, and I'm passable at hand-to-hand. Would prefer someone teach that. I'm more of a hand-to-hand style focused on kicking, dodging, and throwing."