"What?!" Lord Tommel exclaimed after listening to Avery's description of what happened after he left Gontu's Market. With the biggest bandit group in Seabo being associated with Avery it was difficult to think of any smaller groups risking annihilation to attack him. He knew just by looking at the man that it was a miracle that he managed to survive. "Did you see the faces of the bandits?" Lord Tommel asked. "My lord, I only saw the face of the one called Tal. He had a pale face with a flat red nose," responded Avery calmly. "That's a Burgan! What would a Burg Knight be doing so far from the border?" Tommel asked to no one in particular. "If there was one Burg Knight then they must be a Burgan order roaming the area. But how did they pass our armies at Talawa?" He questioned himself. Suddenly, it hit him. His face drained of blood as he quickly wrote a letter. "Get this to the messenger coop! Tell Sergeant Michael I said to gather his men. Seabo is about to go to war!"
Lord Tommel had always prided himself on geography and history. He could recite all the great works of the scholars before him. He was especially fond of the old books he read as a child that depicted the Tiger River as a furious animal ready to chew or grind any boat in its channel. It was known as the river inaccessible by all. Before Seabo was part of the Kingdom of Katar, it was completely disconnected by the river. It had taken the lives of countless carpenters and masons to build the bridges that connected the different regions of Seabo to Talawa.
However, all of Tommel's knowledge was challenged as soon as he heard the report from Avery. The only way for a Burgan order to enter Seabo was through Tiger River, something he just couldn't fathom. His first thoughts were to protect those close to him. He had sent Avery with a letter to the only person he knew could save them. He just hoped his letter reached its destination without any Burgan interception. Although he didn't know the first thing about wars, he had read most of the reports. He knew the traits of the Burgans as good as any war veteran. His thoughts swayed to the children. Although Khal was not his by blood, he still considered the boy his own just like Erik. He would not allow them to become collateral damage during this insurgent infestation. First, he would have to devise a plan to stall the enemy before defeating them in one fell swoop.
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Erik had been dismissed as soon as Avery returned to the manor. He saw the man's bloody clothes and knew that something big must have taken place. He was happy that Avery had managed to survive. He thanked the creator that Khal wouldn't have to experience the loss of both parents as he had. He walked back to his room trying to remember the little he knew of them. He knew there was something weird about his mother the day they left. She had hugged him and told him how much she loved him. It was something he always heard but that time it seemed a little different. She said it as though she knew they may not see each other again. He didn't remember ever meeting his mother's parents. He didn't even remember her ever speaking of them. It wasn't until now that he thought about it. Why was it that I knew so little about mother? He just couldn't figure it out. He always assumed she was a commoner like his father but how many commoners would leave the safety of the capital to live in Seabo? He kept the questions to the back of his mind as he approached the barracks.
The first thing he saw at the barracks was Khal goofing around with his wooden sword. "What are you doing dumbass," he joked. "This stupid sword just wouldn't cut through the metal one!" Erik watched his friend for a few seconds before he fell on the floor laughing. "Idiot, there is no way a wooden sword can cut through a metal one, did one of your stones fell on your head while you were training?" Khal stopped his sawing motion and turned towards Erik, "Ser Roth did it once, you should have seen it, it was so cool!" Erik walked over to his friend with a concerned looking face. "Hey! What are you doing!" Khal pushed away Erik's hard from his forehead as he shouted. "Just making sure you're ok. By the way, I have a plan for us to get stronger," Erik paused then smirked. He watched his friend's eyes initially lit up before he became suspicious. "Don't worry, you would love it. Next year is the Skystead's entrance exam. I just spoke to grandfather, he's letting us go!"
Khal looked at his friend in awe, he knew that Lord Tommel didn't have the resources or the manpower to properly train them. Sure, Sergeant Michael was strong, but the man was terrible at teaching. There was no way Ser Roth could take time off from his work to teach them often enough. It was already a big favor getting the man into the manor without raising any suspicions. "Wait! We need to be 12 before we can enter Erik! How could you forget such an important fact!" Erik grinned at Khal as he approached him closely, "Well...nobody outside of the manor knows how old we are, your training alone has given you a more mature body."
Khal stared at Erik in surprised, "You don't mean..." Erik nodded before he laughed out loud. "Enough of that, what did you learn all day while I was gone? We need to begin our training." Khal scratched the back of his head as he smiled at Erik, "well, let's start with the knighthood order...."
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After tying the message to the pigeon's foot, Avery headed to the barracks as quickly as he could. He was just too exhausted to notice the staring servants as he approached the Sergeant. "Good af....." Avery was too shocked to complete his sentence when he saw his son practicing sword forms with Erik in a corner to his left. For the first time, he'd notice that his son's sword form was as smooth and streamlined as any veteran Squire. When did Khal learn to use the sword? Avery thought to himself. Wait, when did he start training? Avery became extremely nervous, he had explained to his son the importance of keeping a low profile. Was this Lord Tommel's doing? If it was then it should be ok. Lord Tommel is an intelligent man, he wouldn't risk Khal's future by exposing him to anyone he didn't trust. He became so absorbed in his thoughts, he completely forgot about the Sergeant staring at him.
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"What did you say, Avery?" Michael questioned as he inspected the blood on the farmer's clothes. "Ohhhh Sergeant Michael, I didn't see you there, sorry I was distracted for a second. Lord Tommel has asked for you to prepare your men. Burg knights seem to be in the district," Avery responded casually as he stared at Khal. "Burg knights are here?!" Michael asked, making sure what he heard was right. "Yes Sergeant, Lord Tommel has all the details," Avery added, still with his eyes on Khal. Avery watched as Sergeant Michael rushed outside quickly to gather his men. Avery then wasted no time before he approached the boys, "Khal!"
Khal flinched as he heard his father's voice allowing Erik to land a blow across his stomach, "Ooouch!" The boys stopped their sparring to stare at the stern-faced Avery. Khal knew he was probably in trouble. He quickly sheathed his wooden sword before walking towards his father. "Pa! What happened to your clothes?!" It was only now that Khal registered his father's appearance which gave him a fright. "Nothing important, come with me, now!" Khal had never seen his father so pissed before. Sure, the man was stern but he had always shown him a smile even after all the complaints he got from Gary.
Khal silently walked behind his father as they made their way towards Nicole's grave. "Khal, I thought we had an understanding. Did I not make myself clear the first time? You are not allowed to act like a child anymore! Is goofing around more important than your life?" Khal could see the anger in his father's eyes.
He could see the terror his father felt. Tears began to well up in his eyes as he said, "Lord Tommel ordered Sergeant Michael to train me, I didn't use any elementum powers." Khal didn't know what else he could say to his father. Although he felt like his father was wrongly accusing him, what disappointed him more was the fact that the hero image he saw in his father was completely shattered. He now saw him as a weak man, too cowardly to admit his own heritage.
Avery froze at his son's response. Had he not had a near-death experience just a few hours ago he would have dealt with this situation differently. He took deep breaths as he tried to control his breathing. He had never been this vulnerable before. He had been hiding in Katar all his life without exposure but one trip to the Market had nearly caused him everything. "From now, I'll be in charge of your spirit training," Avery informed Khal as calmly as he could. He waited patiently for Khal's response while cleaning the weeds from his wife's grave. "Ok, pa," Khal said quietly with his head held down. It was all he could say after seeing how his father reacted.
"Papa, will I have to hide all my life? Will I have to abandon all my dreams as you did just to survive? What sort of life would that be?" Khal said as he finally looked at his father with his sad eyes. Today, he had been seeing his dream finally taking shape only to be shut down. He couldn't accept it. He knew his father meant well, but he was just too emotional about watching his dreams being crushed to care. Tears started dripping down his face as he waited silently for his father to respond.
Avery felt a pain in his heart as he listened to the boy. "Is that how you see your old man? You think me a coward, son?" Avery looked directly into Khal's eyes hoping to find his answer. Khal looked away swiftly, unable to admit what he really felt. "Your life at the manor is not a proper representative of the dangers outside. Durmondae are feared throughout Valeria. Lord Tommel may seem powerful here but outside he is just another commoner." Khal quietly listened without responding. Father and son stood there for a while silently until Avery finally sighed. "Maybe I went about this the wrong way. I will speak with Lord Tommel, we will find a way to continue your training in secret. Your father is too weak to protect you forever but maybe I won't need to if you become stronger."
Khal looked on, his eyes bright, Avery could see the hope rekindling in his son. Feeling foolish for venting all his anger at his father, Khal gently hugged him. He knew it wasn't his dad's fault for hiding, yet he still became unfilial. "I'm sorry, pa," Khal whispered. It was all he could do at the moment. He promised himself he would make it up to his old man later. "Don't worry, son. Just know I'll always be here for you". Avery smiled gently as he stared at the grave and whisper, "Nicole, if only you were here..."
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"Milord, I am at your command!" Sergeant Michael saluted as he bowed to Lord Tommel. He had rushed to prepare his 22 subordinates before quickly seeking out Tommel for further orders. "At ease Sergeant, Burgans were spotted just along Saddleback Road. It is without a doubt that their infiltration into Seabo hasn't gone as they were expecting. I'm sure they will try to contain this information as much as possible. It is most fortunate that Avery made it back with this report. I need you and your men to make the necessary preparation to defend the manor at all cost."
Sergeant Michael looked at his Lord confused. The enemy was outside the wall. Surely, Lord Tommel didn't believe that the walls would fall. "Sigh, by your will milord," Michael knew better than anyone that his Lord's foresight was formidable. What he lacked in physical prowess he made up for 10-fold in wits.
"Bryce! Nick! Order your men to fortify the manor's defenses. I want this place secured as soon as possible!" Michael ordered his men before issues a few more orders. "SER!!" The men shouted as they saluted then began carrying out their orders. Although Sergeant Michael's men were squires when they pledged allegiance to Lord Tommel, he had trained them to become elite warriors in their own right. A few of them were able to compete with Knights and senior Knights if the need ever arose. It was a necessary risk allowed by Lord Tommel and one of his many secrets to ensure his family's survival.