Master was guiding the carriage along the path with himself at the reins. A whole day had passed already since Master had the boys get into the improvised ring. Master quickly was able to see who would clearly come out on top. Master took advantage of both boy’s focus and knocked both of them out and loaded them up into the carriage and headed out to meet with the newly promoted Deacon Daniel. Daniel was a friar on his way to becoming an ordained father within the Church’s Military Order of Jesus Christ. Daniel wished to become a Master Chaplain the highest a member could become without giving up his calling in the Military Order of Jesus Christ. However Daniel could not give up the ancient free and accepted rite. This rite was passed down since King Solomon and King David. To distinguish the best of the best in whatever craft or calling that was granted to a person. Even if the name of the organization changed, Daniel's calling was granted him in the military, specifically Second in Command Chaplain. This was all Daniel ever expected or wanted he would achieve Chaplian as the Templar and he did, being blessed by the Pope and even more rare he was blessed by multiple Bishops of the Greek Orthodox Churches too. After informing the Master Templar of his regumate of a few Orthodox Churches requests. The regumate took care of the needs and assisted with the rebuilding efforts. Daniel was then granted all of those said blessings. Making then Friar Daniel one of the last in a long time to be recognized and accepted by both Catholic branches. Shortly after Orthodox excommunicated the Pope and in retaliation The Pope excommunicated the Greek Orthodox Churches and their order.

Master and Daniel both served in the tail end together of the Savoyard–Waldensian wars and the more recent Isle of Wright defense. Brothers in arms a bond that spanses even space and time. They say blood is stronger than water, well if that is the case than what is the bond of battle harden brothers is it just as strong or maybe stronger; Master had been contemplating this since Master began creating the improvised ring. After he read Daniel’s reply. After realizing he’d been contemplating the phrase he laughed to himself. This action caused Friedrick to instantly awaken, palming a blade in his left hand and making a fist with the other hand. Friedrick quickly looked about and then checked on John all without saying a word. After deciding that John was safe and healthy just sleeping Friedrick put away his blade and released his fist. Once Friedrick was relaxed Master said; “don’t worry he is only sleeping just like you were doing before.”

“Master what happened I can only recall John and I was facing off in the improvised ring, then oh that was your hand on my shoulder wasn’t itl WHY?” Friedrick began calm then became more agitated as he spoke, realizing what happened especially that he did not catch Master in his scheme still.

Master laughed again not as hearty as earlier but still laughing before answering, “Friedrick of course you would think that; however what is important is that we are on our first part of a long journey. The one that will make John and your futures fun and bright.” Deflected Master knowing full well his answer was not perfectly clear like drinking water, but he had answered truthfully and gave the answer needed.

Friedrick sighed and bowed his head in acceptance and defeat. Whether physically or in a mentally verbal battle neither child had ever beaten Master. even if Master always seemed to just be slightly better than them as if he was holding back every single time. Friedrick knew of course he seen Master let loose but only for 2.5 seconds, however that was enough for Friedrick to that if he was to beat him that physical prowess was off the table it would have to be mental gymnastics that be in favor of Friedrick at least that was believed at first now not so much however Friedrick was no quitter. So would take a chance when he saw an opening but had yet to win. One day Friedrick would keep telling himself one day.

Friedrick finally gave in after John finally woke up acting all nonchalant and just went along with the “kidnapping.” Friedrick refrained from screaming but had to ask the question on his mind since he accepted his last defeat. “Master where are we going?”

“Well originally we were going to Dunwich, however the training ground is gone now so we are going to Walton-on-the-Naze instead, specifically the All Saints Church.” Master said matter of factly. “Hopefully, things will go smoothly then we will keep going North bound till we come back south to London for the finals sometime next year.”

John quickly spoke up fearing Friedrick’s response to come; “Master, who won? And what do you mean Dunwich is gone.”

Master was almost caught off guard not on the first question but the second “for the first question I did. Second, Dunwich is not completely gone, just part of it. The ground was officially eroded into the Ocean, correction the North Sea.”

“Master, when did that happen?” John asked in complete bewilderment.

“How did I know you would ask that well naturally it has been eroding since the beginning of this isle. However specifically the last massive loss of land was assisted two years ago when Friedrick went on his training expedition.” Master kindly responded.

John was not sure what to say. He had family up in the Dunwich area not necessarily in Dunwich itself but it still made him a bit nervous however if something happened. He was sure his father would have said something by now. Suddenly he had an idea; “Master, if we are passing by the Dunwich area I have family near there we should be able to stay if we are close enough.”

“John, John, John don’t you think I have not already planned this out. I am not exactly sure where the next location is suppose to be however I have already sent parcels and requests ahead, and have already gotten responses from many including your family near Dunwich don’t worry Ronald and his son are fine.” Master stated to ease and attempt at comforting his oblivious student. “Also before anyone asks we have around 45 more hours to get to All Saints Church in Walton-on-the-Naze. Since we have to go around London at this time with other trials or tournaments to lead up to the main tournament.”

When it began to get dark on the first day, instead of stopping and letting the horses rest, Master slowed them down to a slow trot and hollered for Friedrick; “Oi, boy go fetch a couple of rabbits and prep a couple of to-go bags for the horses.” tossing a small stone at Friedrick.

Friedrick grabbed a couple of horse feed bags filled them with oats and pulled out a bottle of what appeared to be molasses and coated the top of each bag with it and then pulled out a bottle of honey and repeated coating the oat with it whilst humming a tune. When Friedrick finished he said in a sing song tone “spoon full of sugar. Hmm where’d that come from?” After pouring in the additives to the oats Friedrick chopped in a couple of carrots and began mixing each bag making horse meal bags into “To-Go” bags for horses. Once Friedrick was happy with the applied mix he switched bags making sure both were exactly as required then hopped off the cart stretched out jogged back up the cart grabbed both “To-Go” bags applied them to the horses looked up to Master said; “10 minutes the horses should be good to go 30 minutes till they finish the bags I should be back by then with cooked rabbits.”

Master turned to John cringed then said with finality; “tomorrow will be your turn on hunting, feeding, and even cooking as much as I hate to suffer through that; however once at the destination there is no guarantee that you and Friedrick will be able to stay together. I am not in control of the tournament nor will I know what choices you both will make once there though I do know I will assist you both in making the correct choices with the tournament.”

After twenty five minutes Friedrick was back as he said with 3 medium roasted rabbits. Master had Friedrick take off the feeding bags while Master set up a pole on the carriage and tied off the reins keeping the horses going in a “straight” line. Master finishing up his self-guiding system then called up Friedrick to have supper on the carriage. After all three finished the picnic on the self guided carriage Master looked to the boys; “Alright this is what we are going to do we will only be on this trek for another two days during that time we don’t have time for any sparring all we can do is exercising mainly cardio and stamina training. So during the day both of you will be running, morning and evening John will be hunting for meals Friedrick you will do dinner hunts when you hunt you will also be cooking so don’t lose track of the carriage. We are not stopping as you can tell right now hence the slow trek that the horses are doing right now.”

Next day as soon as the sun began to recede the darkness before even the dawn came. Master lovingly woke both boys up by literally kicking them from the carriage. Abruptly causing John and Friedrick to bounce multiple times. John finally coming to consciousness ran off to find breakfast for Master and his own personal hetero life-mate Friedrick an hour later John was coming back with two small wild pigs each one weighed around hundredpound and 3 quarters (112+3(28)=196lbs). Master and Friedrick turned to see John carrying two roasted medium pigs one over each shoulder. Both shuddered a little unconsciously hoping John would have learned after the last time when all three of them were fighting over an outhouse while dancing from one foot to the other, doing the please don’t shit their pants dance. Which, of course; John would not give up the outhouse. So when John showed up with the pigs the others unknowingly flinched however the aroma the pigs gave off was great in comparison to all previous attempts by John.

This time Master and Friedrick still got the shits but that was all they got no explosive diarrhea or vomiting. With this plan going on for two days with little sleep and lots of jogging, hunting and even cooking on the fly kept the boys busy. However none of them even wondered why a carriage ride took 50 hours when it actually should have taken 11 hours non-stop. Which Master was making the trip consisted of continuous movement.

After the second day Master, Friedrick, and John pulled into Walton-on-the-Naze and quickly pulled up to the All Saints Church. A man in what appeared to be a Brown robe but what was clearly chainmail being worn underneath the robes. That man in the brown robes was walking calmly out of the church and was heading toward the carriage.

“Master what took so long I got the letter telling me you were heading out three days ago. Seeing that you are on a carriage that should have only taken 11 hours.” said the man in brown robes. Friedrick gave Master a dirty look while John looked confused at what the man said.

Master ignored the looks from the boys and answered the man; “Ah Daniel, long time no see or was it just a year or two? I can’t remember however I needed to make sure these boys were ready for this tournament that you are hosting and hoping you might have a miniature tournament going on today.”

“Well of course I do. Now is this lil’ giant that John kid? Hmm, interesting. Interesting I see what you were talking about, let’s test him out.” Daniel said to Master ignoring most of what Master said and glanced toward Friedrick for a split second then back to John. “Alright, well knowing Master you two have barely gotten sleep which is good so let’s head over to the training area and see what you two can do. So Master, how has your new training school job going? I am glad to hear it.” Daniel just kept speaking not waiting for answers heck he was not even letting anyone answer he just kept talking.

Finally all four got to the training area. About 20+ people were running around the training grounds. These people were running around in full gear, helmets, chest plates, or chainmail weirdest of all lower body equipment. There were also about 10 people swinging training weapons, these people were also in full gear too. Though just like John and Friedrick these people were also swinging around real weapons just dulled. Afterall what was the point of swinging around something that was similar but not around the same specifications like weight, length, or balance.

“Okay, now John right? Right John I want you to spar against…. Um, hmm, ah yes how about someone large and two handed too. YES easy choice Spencer, Spencer come, come, I need you to try your hand with John. Yes, yes this should be good.” Daniel said quickly.

Spencer walked forward as the other nine people cleared the circle where they were practicing their swings. Master leaned over to where John was standing and grabbed him on the shoulder. Then said to John, “You should have no problem with him, however I want you to start off the match with his sword, then finish him off hand to hand. Unless that Spencer guy chooses not to use his weapon then just whip his ass in ten exchanges okay?”

John was stopped by Master, without looking toward Master, John listened to what he had to say and nodded at key points. As John was listening he stretched and as soon as he was released John checked where his sword was and rolled his shoulders and bounced toward the circle. Once in the circle John spoke to Spencer saying; “What are the rules, reward, and punishment?”

Spencer with a deep voice and look that only a dog could love; “I don’t choose, Daniel shall decide all.”

Daniel turned from Master and said quickly, “Yes, weapons are allowed, winner continues on to the next round, loser has to out run all of the squires or keep running through the night. Which for the loser thankfully has only been running for an hour.”

Spencer and John walked up to each other and bumped fists and said, “good luck.” to each other. Backed off by ten steps from each other. Spencer pulled out his sword from its sheath which was not even attached to his person, John did the same thing John’s sheath was on his waist. Spencer put his sword up in an upper guard, John put his sword in a cross guard toward the left. Spencer and John began to circle each other for several seconds, after about five laps. Spencer took a chance swinging down his sword towards John’s head. John didn’t even flinch John’s sword, barely even moving parried Spencer’s sword. John without even consciously thinking about it smacked Spencer across the face with the flat of his blade. Spencer was literally backhanded by John’s sword, Spencer's head turned over 90 degrees.

Spencer was knocked out before he hit the ground but as soon as his head bounced off the ground he woke up. Spencer as soon as he woke up tripped John. John realized what was about to happen and threw his sword causing it to impale into the ground nearly 2/3rds of the way. John prepared himself for the landing, closing to the ground. John was able grab onto Spencer and was able to put Spencer into an arm bar till he dislocated his arm and tore the muscles. Spencer surprisingly did not scream nor could anyone see any pain or discomfort in Spencer’s face.

Spencer said flat and unemotional; “Ouch that hurt.” Then picked John up still attached to his arm. John could almost hear the muscles creaking, John had however definitely heard multiple bones popping from the strain on that arm. Once Spencer got John off the ground again and John still hadn’t let go still Spencer twisted his wrist to grab at John’s head. When Spencer realized he couldn’t grab John’s head due to size Spencer swung his other hand straight toward John’s head. Clap! John’s bell was rung. Spencer had clapped John on both ears knocking John out. Needless to say John had let go, falling to the ground like a limp fish out like a blown light, till the ground kindly woke John up when it caught him. After the ground kindly caught John, he let out a grateful wheeze as he let out all the air from his lungs. This may have been what woke John up or maybe from the double tap John’s skull received while trying to refuse the ground’s courtesy.

Master turned to Daniel after catching up to him. “That boy can’t be average so you didn’t actually read my letters. That is good however you did catch the other part I was warning about. I don’t know why still but his innocence is still important to me. I do worry what will happen when that bubble breaks.”

Daniel looked slightly confused at Master; “Spencer is an average all these kids are average. However Spencer is mentally broken if that is what you are talking about he can not feel anything hence the reason why he is here. The “CHURCH” is exercising him right now in two months he will have had an accident during his exercise.”

Master was confused looking at Daniel, “What do you mean mentally broken?”

“Like I said, Spencer can’t feel anything emotionally or physically. Spencer has torn multiple muscles, he took multiple lacerations even almost lost a limb. This is what I mean also why I chose Spencer to go against John. We are still waiting for approval from the Orthodox Church and Church of England. I am very confident in getting their approval but patience as you know is still not my strength.”

While Master and Daniel were talking back and forth Spencer and John gave each other concussions multiple lacerations and even new facial modifications. Both boys were surprisingly equal in many ways, strength, height, weight, but not in the face Spencer had the butt chin. John had a chiselled chin without a butt crack. As John and Spencer exchanged blows. The one place John never swung at was that butt chin it disturbed John too much to put in words. Each time John was about to use his signature uppercut John imaged his fist getting stuck in that butt chin. It freaked John out; it did not help that a piece of tissue was stuck to Spencer’s chin. This is what Master deemed to be what caused the two boys to tie during the match.

After John and Spencer knocked each other out whilst still standing again. Spencer Uppercutted John lifting off the ground half an inch. As John punched Spencer in the temple, however Spencer was in the perfect stance that kept him up and increased the blow’s effectiveness. Daniel chuckled at the outcome, then called the match; “TIE, when they both wake up both get to run.” Daniel began laughing.