Everyone had to wake up early the next day. Over 100 recruits, including Faust, Aquila, Cassius, and Leona mustered on the large training yard in the outer castle. It offered enough space for a hundred men to stand next to one another. Leona had practiced combat all her life, but she didn’t receive any military training besides combat techniques, which were important, but she still had a lot to learn.

Something similar applied to Aquila, who had been honing his bow skills for years and only now decided to join Schenk’s army. The four of them happened to be all 15 years old. The other hundred recruit’s age ranged from 14 to 20. One could see they came from different backgrounds. Some were scrawny and malnourished while others were well fed and had sturdy physiques.

The group of four stood in line, next to each other, as the officers had ordered. Before them, a dozen veteran soldiers were currently discussing what to do next. After a few minutes, one of the instructors stepped forward and announced.

“Welcome to Vostrim Castle. This day marks the end of your civilian life. From now on you will be training to become soldiers. To start we will split into groups of 10. Each group will have one instructor that will remain the same for the next 2 years. After 2 years your training will be done, and your regular service will begin. If you have any questions, you can ask them later. For now, each instructor will read out 10 names. Step forward if you’re called out!”

He then starts shouting names and the men hurry forward to join him. He then makes them stand in a line before he departs with them, away from the large open space. Then the next instructor stepped forward. He looked just as battle-hardened as the one before him. He also called out 10 names and left with his group.

Leona made calculations in her head.

‘That’s a hundred people. So, there are exactly ten groups of 10… but what would become of us? Will I be in a group with Faust?’ She looked at Faust who was standing right next to her and he shot her a nervous glance.

‘I want to be in a group with her.’

‘I want to be in a group with him.’

They both thought at the same time. Their faces only showed anticipation for what would happen next. Group after group left until, at the very end, only Cassius, Aquila, Leona, and Faust were left on the practicing ground. They looked ahead and saw the last instructor walk towards them.

It was Vitus. The veteran was one of Schenk’s trusted aides and best warriors. He was a stocky man with an enormous mustache. His short hair was black with a bit of grey in it. He wore a casual linen outfit and carried a sword on his belt.

He wore a slightly amused expression on his face as he could see the confused faces of the 4 teenagers.

“Your father dotes on you.” He said to Leona who blushed in response.

The veteran continued, looking at Cassius, Aquila, and Faust:

“The three of you were chosen as the bodyguards of Leona.”

‘What? Bodyguards?’ Leona's expression was a mixture of excitement and confusion. She hadn’t asked her father for any of this. And she didn’t think she needed it. On the other hand, this way she could train with Faust more often and all of them would receive much better training since their group was smaller.

‘Aquila has excellent hunting and tracking skills… and Cassius’s social skills are abnormal… maybe all of this isn’t so bad. Still, having personal guards… is a bit too much…’ she didn’t like the sound of it. While she had to admit it had many benefits it made her feel… too noble… she never liked to see herself above commoners or others.

After his initial confusion had disappeared, Faust cheered inwardly. Learning directly from Vitus would increase his strength rapidly. The only thing that weighed on his mind a bit was, that his new position only highlighted the difference in status between him and Leona even more.

Cassius and Aquila were excited to receive this kind of special treatment. They also knew how beneficial this would be for their development.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Vitus mustered each of them. He noticed the excited expressions on the boy's faces and nodded inwardly.

‘They will give their best, I’m sure. Schenk has chosen them based on their relationship with Leona and their skills… Aquila and Cassius are highly skilled in different fields and Leona doesn’t seem to mind their presence.’ He looks at Faust.

‘And then there’s him.’ He couldn’t help but smile looking at the boy.

‘He has gained a few kilos already. Maybe he has the potential to become a great warrior. He’s got the spirit.’

Vitus took pride in the knowledge of human nature he gained over his years in the army. He had trained many recruits and this batch looked very promising.

‘He will be a good friend to the young lady, I’m sure.’

Leona's reaction didn’t surprise him. He had trained her for years, so he knew her character well.

“The baron has high expectations for all of you. The next months will be rough and dangerous. We will train in weapon combat, formations, teamwork, and more.”

He looked directly at Leona.

“You will eventually lead a hunting expedition for stray orcs.”

She nodded excitedly at the prospect.

‘Finally. My father always forbade me from joining the hunting parties!’ she celebrated inwardly.

Faust was confused.

‘What the hell are stray orcs?’

Vitus couldn’t help but grin. He saw the confusion on the boy’s face and explained briefly.

“Stray orcs are primitive orcs living in the forests around us. They hide in the deeper parts and are very good at hiding and ambushing. They are unable to form big tribes and only use primitive wooden weapons. They’re taller and nimbler than the orcs from the Bloodhand Tribe, but also much weaker. We hunt them as a means of practicing our skills since the danger they pose is limited. Also, we never manage to eradicate them due to their skill at hiding.”

Aquila, Cassius, and Leona seemed to know this already, but Faust was completely taken aback. His mouth was slightly open.

“So that’s why my parents always told me to stay out of the forests…” he marveled before the thought of his parents sent a cold shiver through his body.

Leona put a hand on his shoulder and Vitus sighed.

“This will be the first test you will have to face. Until then… you will receive a different training than normal recruits.” A sinister smile crept onto his face.

Cassius gulped and asked: “In what way will it be different?”

Vitus’ smile deepened.

“Harsher. More close combat. Knife fighting. Individual weapon choices. When the others will rest… I will still torture your bodies. As you are here to protect Lady Leona you must become elite soldiers… bodyguards often find themselves with much less equipment than normal soldiers. Just think about it. If you follow her into another castle where you must hand in your weapons, and she is attacked you must still be able to defend her.”

Leona started feeling slightly uncomfortable. But she couldn’t deny that the prospect of strong companions sounded very pleasant. She didn’t want to see them as serfs, she hated the feudal system. Instead, she would treat them as equals and try to be their leader.

Faust was genuinely looking forward to the torturous training. The only thing that worried him a bit would be that his time with Flora would be limited drastically. The cold feeling from before still wasn’t completely gone. But he knew one thing. If he ever wanted to overcome his trauma what he needed was strength.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not much later, Schenk’s room in the castle

Schenk lay on a large bed. He had both hands behind his head and looked at the woman clinging to his body. Her naked body alluringly snuggled up to him and she had her head on his chest. It was Mirabella. She was still sound asleep.

He gently traced her naked back with one of his hands and before long she giggled.

“Androcles… you’re tickling me.” She looked up at him with a sweet smile before his hand found a soft spot beneath her lower back, where it stayed. She just smirked in response.

They had a happy marriage. It was uncommon for arranged marriages like theirs to turn into loving relationships. But they had been lucky. Whenever he looked into his woman’s eyes, he thanked the world for giving such a treasure to him. Mirabella’s gaze was always filled with a kind of reverence for her husband. He was a great man. But behind every great man, there is a great woman.

Mirabella was not merely a housewife. She had her estates gifted by her family as a dowry. She was quite rich and influential. She was the one who handled the political affairs and economic management of the barony for which her husband lacked the patience and knowledge.

In her eyes, he was a loving brute who kept away all the monsters while she made sure he didn’t have any other worries. In short, they perfectly complemented each other, resulting in a happy relationship.

Only a single stain remained in their relationship. Schenk did not have a male heir. This was not a disaster for the couple, but it took its toll on Leona who shouldered all their expectations all alone. Since their little son died a few years ago they did not have a new child.

Schenk was still hypnotized by the woman on his chest when she spoke to him.

“Thank you for hearing me out and assigning her a few bodyguards.” It came out as a hoarse whisper.

“You were right. She needs friends and companions who will help her in her ventures. She’s so wild, I’m afraid we wouldn’t be able to confine her to some castle walls now that she is growing up. I’d rather see her in the world with good, strong friends than all alone.”

“You’re such a softie.” Mirabella teased him and giggled when Schenk grabbed her legs.

“I just care about my family.” He smiled tenderly and kissed her on the lips.