As Arterus looked back on his day he did not think he would be here.

It had been a long day but he was happy about it. Maybe the happiest he had been in his life.

Sitting in a new friend’s house while their mom served dinner and his own mother helped her, and dad sat at the table across from Markus’ dad looking to be having a lively conversation.

This whole day has been a whirlwind of emotions, but he was glad that it ended on a positive note.

Evenlynn and Laura bring dinner to the table and Mazliu says grace for the unlikely group.

As the group begins to eat in awkward silence, Markus elbows Arterus in the side and looks at Mazliu.

Clearly he wants Arterus to ask his dad about what they had talked about. Seeing no reason to hesitate, Arterus cleared his throat.

“Eh hem”

“Dad?”

Mazliu with a smirk says

“Son?”

“I was wondering if I could invite some friends to train with you and I?”

starting to stammer Arterus continues with

“And before you say no. I think it would be a good idea so we could have more protection for the village.”

“A greater number of stronger people can only be a good thing right?”

Looking down at his bowl of stew he tries to continue

“And since you know you will be lea–”

Arterus was abruptly cut off.

“Ah Arterus, let's not talk about that last part with others present please.”

Mazliu clears his throat now as well. Trying to relieve the obvious tension in the room formed from Arterus’ anxiety

Mazliu looks at Arterus and raises an eyebrow in question.

“I am not opposed to letting in a couple people to train. Who did you have in mind?”

Arterus and Markus look up. Hearing a possibility to succeed.

“Markus and the other boys from earlier today.”

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“Ok as long as that is it I don’t see any harm in it, but they all need their parents permission first.”

“I don’t want to be scolded by anyone's parents about endangering their children.”

At this Mazliu looked to Laura and Jace, Markus’ parents to see what their thoughts on the matter were.

Jace would look hesitant at this

“I don’t know. it sounds dangerous.. What would you have them do?”

Mazliu would look the man in the eyes and say with a serious expression

“I wouldn’t ask anything of them that would put them in harm if that is what you are worried about. Some physical training and sparring will be the only things taught for now until they reach copper.”

Markus’ excitement redoubles as he looks at father, willing him to say yes with all the might he could muster

the look is not lost on Jace and he gives in sighing and saying

“Go ahead. Just don’t hurt yourself please.”

“YES!” Markus yells in excitement

he grabs Arterus and runs out the door to tell the others

Arterus is taken by surprise but quickly feels a smile spread across his face as he looks back to Mazliu

“I will be back later tonight.”

Mazliu looks back to the two parents after the two boys run off to tell the others

“I know this may seem irresponsible of me to put them through training. Especially so young, but I do have my reasons for doing so and the reason may as well come out now.”

Mazliu takes a deep breathe

“In a year's time I will be leaving and when I come back many things will be different. I wish to train up as many as I can in order to defend the village from any threats while I am away.”

The two parents faces immediately fill with worry and a hint of dread

They remember the days of running from the beasts in the wilds and always being on the verge of starving

Jace looks at his now sizable belly and feels grateful for Mazliu yet again.

This twisting of emotions quickly settles within the two and comes to rest. They trusted Mazliu and they would continue to trust him. He had a plan.

Mazliu seeing the turmoil in them come to rest continues

“I need you two to spread this news to everyone. This is something we will need to start preparations for soon. I will make sure on my end that the beasts of the woods know not to encroach on my territory while I am gone.”

looking to the two with hope

“Do you think you can do it?”

Jace quickly stands up eagerly.

“O-Of course we can. This news just took us by surprise is all. To hear you are leaving. Even if only temporarily is disconcerting, but we will make sure to let the other villagers know.”

Mazliu smiles then nods

“Thank you.”

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Mazliu and Arterus are standing on the makeship training ground they used for their personal sparring. Waiting for the group of village kids that Arterus and Markus invited to come to the early morning training.

Mazliu looks at Arterus who is clearly exhausted from not having slept well and then having to wake up early for this training day

looking away Mazliu says to Arterus

“So how many did you end up rounding up?”

Arterus looks over to him with sunken eyes and says

“I am unsure…. Markus and I invited the other boys but after we told them about the training they all ran off.”

“I couldn’t sleep at all last night because I didn’t know how many would come and I didn’t want to have too many here and go against what you gave me permission for.”

At this Mazliu’s eyes suddenly fill with worry. He was not expecting more than 4 or 5 others

then Mazliu has a idea and slyly says

“Arterus, I may need help with training them if there are too many.”

Arterus looked to his father in surprise. Not ever expecting his father to need help with anything.

Seeing the reaction he was hoping for Mazliu asks

“Do you think you can do this for me”

Slowly smirking then saying the next part

“Master Arterus”