We lived in a quiet place, somewhere out in the hill country of Great Britain. I was home schooled by my mother, she was a quiet lady I guess that's why we lived out here. She had always kept herself in shape and so I did too. We rarely went out, only for essentials like food or books, my mother and I loved books and often spent our time reading. I was not sheltered but trusted, I had a computer but I rarely used it and I had a TV but that was mostly turned off too. I suppose I did many normal things, I read, practiced soccer, my mother taught me Karate and sword fighting, I sketched and painted, and wrote music. I loved our life, it was so simple, so easy just us two. My favorite time of the day was around twilight when we went outside and practiced, I don't know where she learned but she taught me sword fighting, archery, and Karate by age 10 I was a 5th degree black belt.
     Today is my 14th birthday, every year I get 3 big gifts like my TV and my computer were gifts last year. Had my calender not reminded me I probably would have forgot completely, but I noticed when I slept in till 8:00 to find my alarm clock stolen from my bedside. Undressing I pulled Banana Republic Jeans on and a Hollister shirt, I don't know why I wore Jeans I just liked them I guess. Smelling pancakes I followed my nose to the kitchen and sat down on a stool, the metal legs hitting the tile floor as I pulled it closer to the table. "Good morning" I said politely.
     
     "Happy Birthday!" she said turning around with a plate of pancakes.

     "Thanks ma" I replied happily. We both started eating my moms famous chocolate chip pancakes. We ate in silence for the remainder of breakfast. After I finished I emptied what was left into the sink and washed and dried my plate. Placing it on the rack I walked back to my room to get ready for practice.
     I slipped on some tennis shoes and grabbed my katana. I walked onto the back porch   and waited for my mother. I sat on the steps and looked out over the fields we owned and the horses that roamed on it. Finally she walked out, but she didn't have her sword.    
     "Where's your sword?" I asked curiously.

     "We're not practicing with those today." She replied calmly. I knew by the tone of her voice to wait so I stood there by her and waited. Finally she turned and held out her closed hand to me. I simply stared in curiosity as she opened it to reveal a small silver cord. I picked it out of her hand and it dropped nearly to my knee a small gold knife on the end inlaid with a blue sapphire, my birthstone. I felt my jaw almost drop but quickly mastered myself carefully pulling it into my hand I said thank you and followed her out into the field.
     "Mom, umm isn't this a girls weapon?" I asked.

     "Many men have mastered the whip, this one itself was my grandfathers. He crafted it himself folding the metal of every link 30 times." She retorted annoyance seeping into her voice.

     "Sorry" I answered looking down at the silver cord in my hands.

     "It's ok, just let me see the whip so I can demonstrate." She said holding out her hand. I gave it to her silently and she threw it out the cord shining in the morning sun. "When throwing the whip out you use you wrist to aim it and your arm for force." She directed. We practiced all morning, she often let me try which ended up cutting up my jeans and shirt and left me with small cuts on my arms and legs but still we kept on. I grew fond of my whip and it became more of an extension of my arm rather than a tool.  The cord, though hit against trees and the ground never broke or showed any sign of wear. Finally towards the evening we stopped and walked inside where she showed me my new grand piano and Ipod that I thanked her for very much. At last the day came to an end and I pulled out a piano book and began to practice on my new piano.