“Good, the clothes fit you well enough.” Said the Soldier as he placed the document on top of a pile of other documents.

“I am Garrison Commander Novil. Now let me explain something to you. First, as of right now, you are free and yet not free. You see the King doesn’t like slavery but understands it is a necessary evil. Second, you are not free because you were used to pay off a debt owed to the king and as such you are beholding to him until that debt is repaid. Third you will be required to learn at least one skill or trade during your time here so that when you eventually leave you will be able to live. I know that is a lot to take in, but do you have any questions?”

“Only one Milord. What is to be my job here sir?”

“Well since you can read and write you may help the Tax Appraiser and our Battle Mage if he so desires, you could also be my valet.” The Commander replied.

‘Now Marki here will see to your needs and getting you a place to sleep and a tour of the keep. Dismissed.”

Marki clicked his heels together and exited the room with Painin following close on his heels. Painin rushed to match his pace to that of Marki.

“Your room will be on the second floor here it won’t be big, but it will be yours. Which is a fair sight better than being with the enlisted downstairs in the hall. Also, on this floor are the officer’s rooms and those of the senior clerks and their assistants. The Battle Mage keeps his rooms on the third floor down the other side of the Commander’s office and room.” Said Marki motioning with his hands in the general direction of things as he went over them.

Marki gave Painin a quick tour of the Garrison which included seemingly everything of note including the locations of the privies and a quick rating of their preference. They ended up in the courtyard which looked much larger now that the caravan has left.

“Beyond the gate and wall is the trade town of Wildrest. You do not have access to the town and the guards will stop you if you try to leave the Keep proper. Now follow me back to your room assignment.”

Painin followed him back inside and upstairs to the second floor and a door that looked like every other door. Which he promptly opened revealing the inside.

“Now I will depart and leave you to your room so I can see to my other duties. If you have any issues, we will square them away on the morrow.” He nodded to him before he turned and walked off at a brisk pace leaving him standing in the hallway alone. With a deep sigh, Painin entered the room and seemingly the entire past month caught up to him. He sat on the edge of the bed frame and cried until he fell asleep.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

After a few wrong turns, Painin found the Sword Master’s forge and the training yard. He followed the sounds of metal ringing on metal as he approached the ring. He watched the dazzling patterns the swords made as the men moved around the training ring. They looked to Painin to be almost dancing with each other as they flowed around the ring their blows coming in patterns. He lost track of the time as he stood there watching the men work before realizing that a voice from his side called out.

“No standing around watching lad, either pick up a sword and join in or move on about your way.” Said a man of middle years who was dressed in Eastern clothes his hands clasped behind his back.

“I’m sorry sir. I was just enjoying their grace. I am supposed to meet Master Nich here to begin to learn the sword, sir.”

“I’m Master Nich and here you will learn everything that I can fill your head with regarding weaponry if you show any aptitude. Now follow me and I will get a feel for your skill level.”

They entered a little building located off the forge where weapons of all kinds were hung on the walls.

“Here try this one.” Said Master Nich choosing a wooden sword from a barrel of different-sized wooden swords.

“But it is wood, sir.” Stammered Painin as he held the sword in his hand before him.

“Even a wood sword can kill lad. Now hold the hilt of the swords like you would an egg, not too firm but also not too soft. There you go, now give it a few swings to get a feel for the balance of it. It is wooden but it is weighted to feel like a regular sword.” Said Master Nich moving back a few paces as he watched Painin swing the wooden sword back and forth through the air a few times.

“How does it feel to you?”

“Like a big wooden knife sir. Not very heavy.” Answered Painin beginning to feel slightly embarrassed.

“Well let’s see how well you use your ‘knife’ then.” Said Master Nich as he pulled a different wooden sword from the barrel.

“Now come at me and try to hit me.”

“I won’t be able to hit you, sir. You are a master swordsman.”

“Well with that type of attitude you are right you won’t, but if you don’t try you will not be allowed to train in anything at all, least of all the sword.”

Painin charged the sword master his wooden sword leading the way and Master Nich deflected his attacks seemingly without any effort no matter how hard he swung the sword.

“Tell me does your father know that you dishonor him with your lack of skill?” Asked the Master parrying the blade with his own sword.

Rage filled Painin as he began to swing the sword with reckless abandon. He was no longer trying to simply hit the sword master he was trying to hurt him. Through for every swing he made against the master two or sometimes three returned with light touches of the wooden blade landing on his arms, legs, and even chest. The small counter hits only seemed to enrage Painin further as he threw all his strength now behind every attack and Master Nich quickly disarmed him with a quick but wide-sweeping motion that sent the practice sword flying. Painin balled up his fists and advanced upon the Master.

“Calm down now. I only said that to you to see how easy to anger you are to provoke. I apologize for doing so.” Master Nich bowed before him.

‘You would be a good fighter with some training if you could learn how to harness that anger of yours but remember strength of body alone does not make a good fighter, your strength of mind does.”

With that, he walked over and picked up the wooden sword and replaced them both into the barrel before walking back out into the training yard leaving Painin alone in the room.