Orn, heeding his beloved’s wishes, paced himself with his mead cup, and while drunk, avoided the ill effects of the morning. He rose early, and moved to the dining hall to fetch some breakfast.

As he entered the room, he was surprised to see that Erik had arrived before him. Then, he noticed Selti beside him, and snorted to himself.

Erik heard him, and looked up and asked, “What? What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. Well, I remember how angry Briga was with me the last time we drank here, and seeing you here with Selti, well…”

Erik eyed him for a few moments, and then gave a sardonic chuckle of his own.

“Why is that funny, my love?” asked Selti, a sweet smile on her lips, but a dangerous glint in her eyes.

“Just that my self-control last night was another expression of my undying respect and love for you,” Erik responded almost immediately, with a nervous smile.

Orn muttered, “Nice recovery.”

Selti turned that sweet smile toward Orn as she asked, “Did you say something, Brother?”

“What, me? No, nothing,” Orn said almost too quickly as he sat down, and busied himself with filling his plate. As he began eating, he thought to himself ‘Great. Another one who has spent too much time around Mother.’

“So when are you going to the armoury, Orn? I thought I would come with you, to get all my cinches adjusted, to ensure my armour sits properly,” said Erik.

Orn responded, “I was actually wondering about that. When did you get measured for your suit of armour? I don’t recall that happening.”

“Oh, Uhter took his measurements while we were in Paqurineva,” Selti interjected, as she placed a morsel of honeyed hotcake in Erik’s mouth.

“Huh. By the way, are you all right, Selti? You look a little pale this morning,” asked Orn.

“I’m fine. I think I must have eaten something that didn’t agree with me last night. I was sick this morning, but I feel better now” answered Selti with a slight grimace.

“Oh, good. I’m glad,” said Orn to Selti as they smiled at each other.

Erik, while still chewing, said to Orn, “You didn’t answer my question. When are you seeing the armourer?”

Orn responded, “Oh, right. Sorry. I was planning to go after breakfast. The sooner, the better, right?”

Erik looked at Selti, who inclined her head, then he turned back to Orn and said, “I’ll join you. Maybe we can get a start on our training tomorrow.”

“Sounds good,” said Orn with a smile as he tucked into his breakfast.

After Orn and Erik had finished their breakfast, the brothers headed to the armoury. Whereas Erik already had a set measured for him, Orn needed measurements taken, however as he needed the armour by the next day, he was forced to have pieces that were available adjusted for him.

Orn wasn’t bothered. He just wanted to spend time with his brother. Soon Erik would begin his education in earnest, for he needed to catch up on lessons the royal family begin as soon as they can speak. Orn was aware of this, and resolved to make the most out of the coming weeks.

Erik only needed his leather straps adjusted. His gambeson was already fitted to him, and his horse was to be provided from the local detachment of knights that were part of Fludavera’s city defences.

Orn needed to remain for the better part of the day. First, to find a gambeson that fit him, and to be fitted with a suit of assorted pieces to best fit his size. Orn avoided pieces with elaborate designs, instead opting for a plain, unadorned suit of armour. After he was satisfied with his own armour, he needed to equip Bullhead with some protection.

After removing the now adjusted suit of armour, Orn headed to the stables to collect Bullhead for his fitting out. As he approached the corals, he could hear an excited whinny and a solid thumping noise. Confirming his suspicions, Bullhead was kicking the door of his stall.

“What are you doing, boy?” asked Orn. “You have all the stable hands terrified.”

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“Where you go? Where you go?” Bullhead asked, his tone showing that he was distressed.

“I went to eat and rest. What’s wrong?”

“Why you leave me here? I stay with you.”

“I’m sorry, but you can’t stay inside where I was. My uncle wouldn’t allow it. Horses must stay out here.”

“No, I stay with you,” Bullhead insisted.

“No, you cannot. But I will see you every day that I can. There are things that I have to do that can put us both in danger, and there are some things I will have to do that you cannot. But you will have a good life here. You will have to accept it,” responded Orn, calm but firm.

Bullhead snorted in frustration as he eyed Orn. Orn stood and stared back at him. Finally, Bullhead lowered his head in submission.

Orn reached out his hand, and stroked the horse’s muzzle, and asked, “We need to go to get some things that you will wear to protect you. Will you come, and be patient while a man looks at your size, and puts the protecting things on you?”

“I will. We go now?”

“Yes, we go. Follow me, all right?”

“I follow.”

Orn opened the stall, and walked back to the armourer, with Bullhead walking beside him. The pair walked through the stables, and along the path to the side of the armourer’s smith where horses are fitted out.

The next morning, Orn awoke with a familiar presence beside him. Opening his eyes to see Briga’s slightly out of focus smiling face.

She leaned forward and kissed him. When she pulled back, she asked, “So you will be training with the knights of Ohlsbach for the next few weeks?”

“That’s the plan. I mean, Erik is. I am only going along,” said Orn.

“Oh? So getting fitted for armour was merely for show?”

“Well, I mean, I will participate of course. But I’m not all that serious about it. Erik needs to learn it, because he will be ruling over them and commanding them. The knights believe that in order to command their respect, the royal family needs to understand their ways,” Orn reasoned.

“Marius doesn’t,” came Briga’s simple response.

“You have a point, but who are we to judge their traditions. If it means Erik can win them over, that will be one less headache when he becomes the Grand Duke.”

“And you too, have a point,” Briga said as she smiled. “Shall we get some breakfast before you boys head out?”

“Sounds good. Just let me get up.”

Briga got off the bed and took two steps before turning around in the guise of Brigeeth.

“Would you like me to help you to dress, Young Master?” she asked, with a winsome smile playing about her lips.

Orn snorted, and said, “I wouldn’t want to be unfaithful to Briga. She’s a goddess, you know.”

Briga laughed as she dropped the façade and moved toward the door. Before she opened it to exit she turned and said, “Don’t dawdle, my love.”

When Orn arrived in the dining room, he found the table heaped with food, his family occupying most of the seats around it. In addition, Sir Uhter was there, Marius and Nadia, and lastly an elderly woman who Orn didn’t recognise.

The woman was wearing a riveted leather armour vest, bracers and a brown hooded cape. The woman looked him in the eyes and tilted her head slightly, causing Orn to realise he was staring. He blushed and quickly turned his attention to the food on the table.

He moved toward Briga and took a seat next to her. Briga was preoccupied listening to Heidris listing off the names of her dolls, and her pet birds. She didn’t really have pet birds. She had named all the birds that live in the palace grounds in the Skordian capital, Lopstad.

In a hushed voice, Orn asked, “Briga, do you know who that is?”

“Hm? What?” Briga asked in response.

“That lady over there. Do you know her?”

“I know everybody Orn,” Briga replied as she chuckled. “But I don’t know her personally. Why don’t you go and introduce yourself, dear. See Heidris? Men are helpless without us ladies to tell them what to do.”

As Briga finished speaking she tickled Heidris, eliciting a delighted squeal as the little girl struggled to break free. “Stop!” Heidris cried.

“Will you give me hugs if I stop?”

“Yes!”

“Promise?”

“Promise!”

The goddess relented, and the little girl hugged her, even as they laughed together.

Orn rolled his eyes as he filled his plate with food, and headed over to the unknown woman to introduce himself.

“Hello. I’m Orn.”

The woman smiled back at him and replied, “I know. You are Venna’s younger boy. I am Nerethe.”

“It is nice to meet you, Lady Nerethe.”

Nerethe laughed heartily, and said, “Lady? I am no lady, young prince. I taught you how to fight.”

“I think I would remember that,” said Orn with a dubious frown creasing his youthful features.

“Oh? Then who taught you?” Nerethe asked as she cocked an eyebrow, the corners of her mouth twitching with suppressed mirth.

“My mother, of course,” said Orn with a bemused smile.

“I taught your mother, so everything you know comes from me.” Nerethe winked at Orn as she said this. Her mischievous grin revealed a youthfulness that belied her age, and showed that she was still a handsome woman, despite her advanced years. “Before you leave with your brother, I will put you to the test.”

Orn looked at the old woman, confusion written plainly on his face. It was not framed as an offer or request. She said it matter-of-factly; this was happening and that was that.