Teon brushed a stray strand of his dark hair from his face, his brow slick with sweat as he stared down at his opponent. He sidestepped a sloppy thrust aimed for his chest and spun on his heel, keeping the tip of his wooden blade aimed squarely at his opponent's chest. The other boy snarled and swung wildly as Teon continued narrowly dodging every strike. He waited till the boy made one last wild swing, overextending himself, and then jabbed him in the side with his sword. 

"Dead. I win again, Baldwin!" Teon grinned, his wooden sword resting on his shoulder. 

"Shut up, Tey!" The larger boy huffed and dropped his sword, rubbing his ribs. "Did you really have to poke me that hard? You damn near skewered me there!" 

"Well, maybe next time don't drop your guard. If I was a real enemy, you'd be bleeding out on the ground."

The boys turned around to the sound of clapping from behind them. "Well fought. But you both have a long way to go." The broad-shouldered battlemaster strode towards them, the scar on his left cheek stretching with the pleasant smile upon his face. "Baldwin, you're strong. Determined. Don't let your frustration get the better of you. Unless you want more bruises."

"It's exactly why I keep beating you. You're too easy!" Teon smirked, clapping his old friend on his shoulder. 

"Yes, Teon, you did manage to win. But only because of Baldwin's lack of experience. How many times have I told you? Never rely on your opponent making a grievous mistake. You dodge well, but you can only do so for so long. Had Baldwin kept his anger in check, you would be the one rubbing your ribs."

Teon simply shrugged, "I suppose. But that's just not how my body works. You taught me to listen to my body, didn't you, Alden?"

Baldwin sighed and rolled his eyes, "You're missing the point!" 

Alden held up a hand, "Thank you, Baldwin. Your help is appreciated." He cleared his throat and turned his attention back to Teon, "Yes, you should listen to your body. But never at the cost of compromising your advantage. You should have won that fight much sooner." Alden drew his sword and stepped to Teon's side, the tip facing the shorter of the two boys. "If this was on the battlefield, you'd risk fighting two men. Better then, to kill one quickly and then move your attention to the other, yes?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

Teon frowned, "Reckon you're right. As always." He knew better than to question his mentor. As father used to say, nothing trumps experience, he thought.

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"Well," Alden sheathed his sword and clapped his hands, "Lesson's over for today, boys. I'm letting you off easy tonight, but expect to be weary after tomorrow. Go home and rest!"

Teon's smile wavered slightly at the thought of going home, a knot forming in his gut. Though I suppose I don't need to go home right away. Anything to get away from the old man for a while longer. He took Baldwin's sword from him and dropped the two wooden swords in the nearby barrel before leaving the barracks, running to catch up to his friend. 

"Suppose you'll be going to the stables then?" Baldwin asked, absent-mindedly scratching his barely formed beard. 

"Well, I was going to bother you a while longer, but judging from that look on your face, I expect you're seeing Levina tonight?" Teon nudged Baldwin with his elbow, his eyebrow raised. 

Baldwin chuckled, his neck flushing slightly, "Well, I mean yes. But I suppose you can come along too if you'd like?"

Teon shook his head, a gentle smile on his face, "No, it's alright. You go have your time alone with her. You spend more time with me than with her now. She might feel jealous if I'm there, and I'd hate to be the focus of her ire."

Baldwin grinned, nodding in agreement, "Well, if I do plan on marrying her when we're of age, it'd be wise not to have her throttle my friends." His smile faded slightly, replaced with a look of concern, "But are you sure you'll be alright? Your bruises from the last time—"

"Are pretty much gone now. Besides, it's usually never that bad. I'll be fine, promise," Teon smiled, sounding as if he were trying to convince himself of this just as much as he was Baldwin. "Go, I'll see you in the morning. Then I can give you a few more bruises for Levina to nurse for you!"

"Bastard! We'll see who bruises whom tomorrow, just you wait!" Baldwin laughed, chasing after Teon a bit before waving farewell to him. 

Teon sighed and left for the stables, his mind wandering. Soon, he promised himself. Soon, I can be done with him, leave Manton, and go to Edenbury to join King Varden's Black Boars.