The teenagers returned to their quarters, trying to enjoy the only free time they would probably get until spring arrived. Eathel sat at his desk writing in his journal the events of the past days, he left his dream out in case someone would read it without his knowledge. He tapped with his leg, reflecting about everything that has happened to him.

He went to bed early, still exhausted and in need of recovery. Sleep came early and easy to him, but it was anything but peaceful. Images of Ed plummeting to his death, his mother sad eyes when he could not reach her. The horned face he saw deep beneath the earth and then in flesh in his dream haunted him until the morning.

Still exhausted he was woken up by knocking on the door.

“Come in” He called out, still half asleep and annoyed.

Edmure entered the room with a mischievous smile adorning his face.

“Knight captain Alfred is demanding your presence in the training yard!”

“Please Ed, if you treat me like you are a lowly serv, I might actually be punished.” answered Eathel.

Atleast he is happy with the new opportunities to torture me,

He stood up and sent Ed outside, he did not want to expose himself before his friend, not even out of revenge. He changed into a bleached tunic with blue pants, he fastened them with his sword belt and was ready to step outside.

Outside Ed waited for him like a loyal hound.

"Sigh. You know that I can find my own way there” Eathel said.

“I was instructed not let you out of my sight” Edmure said

“You already failed. At Least tell me how long I slept into the day.”

“Not at all the sun just rose” After he saw Eathels shocked face Edmure continued “It is good for body and spirit to train as the first activity in the day” imitating Alfreds voice.

The incredulous Eathel accepted his fate without a lot of complaining, staring forwards with hollowed eyes, and wallowing in pity of the breakfast not eaten by him.

After a bit of time passed, Eathel asked, confused “So you have not eaten either?”

“No, I stopped by the kitchen on my way here, I can tell you about the delicious breakfast the cooks are conjuring there, ham eggs bacon, wild broth…”

Eathel was salivating listening to his friend's account of the wonders he had seen, it was not unnoticed by Edmure who dug in one of his pockets and fished a bread roll out of it. He gave it to the eternally grateful Eathel.

They walked and talked, when they finally arrived at a small side courtyard, used as training grounds for the small force of men at arms, a pitiful amount in contrast to the fighters who had once manned the Last in its glory days. Small slits were in the walls surrounding them, to let at least a bit of natural light into the dark corridors.

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Except for a few training dummies, and benches on the side, the yard was empty, Alfred was nowhere to be seen.

“Are you sure we are supposed to go here?” Eathel asked.

“Yes, of course, I never make mistakes in matters in these” after a short time Ed added “except once”

They waited, and waited. Eathel was not able to sit still, he paced up and down, trained the slashes and stabs he had learned from his father. Played word games with Edmur. Looking around could see someone behind the window, it was probably just a figment of his imagination, after he could not find the person after looking again.

Eathel and Edmure first grew enervated and later on borderline angry having to forgo a real meal only to wait for Eathels instructor. They even went so far as to invent slanderous rumors only to pass the time. Still there was no sign of the knight.

The sun was nearing its peak when the small gate to the yard finally opened to make way for Alfred.

“Where have you been? I am sure father will not be pleased when he hears that you failed to do your duty in training me!” Eathel said the anger clearly in his voice. Most any one else in the keep would have been distraught by the thread the young lord proclaimed.

Alfred's face remained impassive and he answered in a deep voice.

“The baron already knows, I have just spent a late breakfast with his lordship” hearing this alfreds temper grew even hotter than before.

The knight added “It is well known that you should not train on an empty stomach” only to add fuel to the fire.

Eathels was ready to attack the captain only held back by his etiquette training and his knowledge that he would lose.

“Attack me, I know you want to” said Alfre.

In an instant Eathelstan unsheathed his sword and sprung into action. After only two strikes Eathels sword landed in the dust. Unpleased with the display Alfred turned away.

Edmure, who found the entire exchange entertaining could not contain his giggle anymore after noticing how much his friend tried not to show how much it got to him.

“Instead of giggling, come and try. Maybe you put up more of a challenge.” said Aflred.

Edmure's eyes widened in panic” but I am just a lowly servant, surely an honorable knight like you would never raise his sword against me.”

“You can be grateful that I convinced your father not to watch, I am sure he would be ashamed by your pathetic display. And tell me how can you serve your lord if you cant even fight for him”

Now it was Edmure's time to finally lose his temper. His display of swordsmanship was even worse when he was disarmed.

After the knight had shown his own superiority he let the two teenagers run drills against the training dummies.

Eathel was covered in sweat from head to toe, his right arm was burning, his shoulder hurt yet he still tried to keep his face as impassive as possible, he did not want to give that satisfaction to the knight. Edmure was also trying but with much less success, it even seemed like tears were forming on his eyes.

The longer they trained the more mistakes they made which were promptly corrected by Alfred. Finally the bell rang, a hope of salvation sprouted in Eathels chest, if they could go to lunch maybe they would finally be free. He and Ed both stopped beating up the defenseless and looked at the gate.

“You may go, we will meet tomorrow two hours after sunrise, after lunch you will report to medicus Asser”

Eathel never hated the ceremony around eating as much as on this day. He started to devour the food before him without regard for manners when he finally felt a hand pressing on his shoulder.

“If you decide to eat like a hog maybe you should also eat with them” His father said in a low voice to not draw unnecessary attention “I know you had a bad morning but, manners are most important when it is hard”

Eathel just nodded and started eating again but slower and in a more seemly manner. The food was nothing out of the ordinary and like always he stole a part of the desert for Ed.

Once lunch was finished he waited for his friend to go to Asser to learn about the world.