The rest of the meal went by uneventfully. It was not until Chance got up to leave that he was approached by the First Sergeant he had spoken to earlier.

“Sir?” Chance nodded as he approached.

“I just heard. I apologize for getting you drug into this. Phillip has a short-temper and refuses to think that anything is his fault. If it was not for his father, I would have kicked him out of the army long ago. Speaking of his father, he is a minor noble of one of the towns reporting to the Governor here. The man thinks his son can do no wrong. Can you actually use that thing on your hip or do your skills only pertain to evaluation?”

“First Sergeant, I have been training since I was eleven under the King’s Captain in Mern. I am probably somewhat to blame for the issue as I antagonized him a bit when he came to my table.”

“Ok. Just be advised that his father will make your life difficult if you win and he will not let you hear the end of it if you lose. Like I said, sorry to get you caught up in this.” The First Sergeant apologized.

“If this is a duel, I get to set the criteria for the combat correct, as I was the one challenged?”

“Yes. That is correct.”

“Very well. We will do practice blades to yield or possible killing blow. Will you be the judge?”

“If you wish. Can I get your name to make the announcement in the morning?”

“It is Chance Smithe of Mern.”

“Very well then Chance. I will see you in the morning at an hour after sunrise.” The First Sergeant said to wish him a good evening as he turned and walked away.

Chance decided that they might as well head back to their rooms to see if the captain was back yet.

Do you think I should have antagonized him like that Alyssia?

I am not sure Chance, but his words did bother me as well. I also know that you do not like bullies, and that is what he seems to be from his actions and from what the First Sergeant says.

They continued discussing it as they walked towards the guest officer quarters. Chance though took the opportunity to maintain his focus on his surroundings and not get lost in the conversation. It was one of the things that the captain had been working with him and Alyssia on during their trip.

The captain had not returned to their rooms by the time they returned so they decided to take the opportunity to clean and straighten the contents of their bags that had not been sent off to be washed. It did not take long as a majority of the items that he had brought with him were clothes or blankets.

Once he was finished with that and the captain still had not returned he decided he might as well get some practice in before he went to bed.

Opening his pouch and using the words he had stored it with he pulled out his wooden practice weapons. With Alyssia still on his shoulder he made his way out the back of the guest quarters to the open practice area that was reserved for the guest officers. Although the sun had recently set and it was getting dark, the area appeared as well lit thanks to his eyesight improvement from the bonding.

Do you want to try to maintain your place on my shoulder or in my pouch while I do my exercises and go through my forms?

No, I think I would rather sit over there and watch. I am full and do not want to do much besides sit and relax. With that she launched herself from his shoulder and glided over and landed on a bench beside the door they had come out of.

Alright.

Chance decided he would rather not dirty up his tunic during his workout so he pulled it off and laid it on the bench next to Alyssia. Which she promptly decided looked more comfortable than sitting on the wood and climbed on top of it and settled into it. Laughing, he set his weapons down beside it.

Chance began with some basic calisthenics to warm up with and to loosen up his muscles before moving to the drills for his foot speed and his hand eye coordination. By the time he had completed the exercise portion of his workout he had a good sweat going on. Even though it was spring it was edging towards summer so the evenings were staying warm.

Alright then Little One, time to work on my forms. Chance thought as he moved over and picked up his practice sword and dagger. I think dual-wielding will be the best against Phillip. Meeting him with his own style and keeping the difference in reach even or edging to me.

You know better than me in that regard, none of my Ancestors’ bonded were swordsmen. Looking back, I don’t think any of them relied on any weapon other than their Ard.

Chance settled into the starting form that Captain Herrera had worked with him on. Taking a deep breath and centering himself. Whispering to himself, “Feel the blade, feel your opponent.” He began moving slowly and precisely into the various attack forms then flowing back into defensive ones. This part of the forms was purely by rote. He was working towards the change from a specific stance to a defensive one to being reflexive. This continued on with Chance repeating the steps and movements many times. Once he had done what he felt was enough, he changed it up and begin to improvise and see what movements worked well for him. Flowing from attack to attack or shifting from one defense to another, but still at a slow and measured pace. This continued on for a bit longer until Chance could not continue any longer. His arms and legs were shaking, he was gasping for air, and was dripping with sweat.

I remember laughing at the Captain the first time he had me move through the forms so slowly. “It will be a workout unlike anything you have experienced yet.” He had said. My thoughts were sure it is, moving a sword slowly around in different patterns, that is easy. He did not mention the fine control and power needed to move the sword so precisely without the benefit of momentum in aiding your swings. You have to control the full weight the entire time. Chance recalled as he walked over to the barrel of water that was sitting beside the door. Filling the bucket that was sitting beside the barrel, he proceeded to dump it over his head and shoulders.

He sat down beside Alyssia, are there any practices I can be doing to work on my Ard that you know of? He asked.

None that I would recommend for a new wielder without the use of a control circle. It is just too dangerous for you and for those around you. Especially with the raw amount of Ard you are capable of calling on.

Chagrined, Chance leaned back against the outside wall of the building. I guess we are done for the night then. I wonder when the captain will return from dinner with the Governor.

Gathering his gear with Alyssia still wrapped in his shirt, he headed back into the building and headed to their room to clean up and get ready for bed.

Captain Herrera returned to their quarters while Chance was cleaning up from his exercises. He had a worried look on his face as he entered the private living area that was shared between their rooms.

“Chance, is everything ok?” He asked as he glanced around the room. He finally focused on Alyssia, who had climbed on top of a cabinet in the corner of the room and could barely be seen.

“Yes sir. Everything is fine. I just finished up my exercises and sword forms and was getting ready for bed. Is everything ok with you? You look a bit nervous.”

“What all did you do this afternoon and evening besides your exercises?”, the captain asked.

“Well, Alyssia and I walked around the inner wall area. We stopped to watch two men dueling. It was really a poor show of skills to be honest and as I was about to walk away, a voice beside me asked what I thought about the sparring. I gave him an honest opinion, probably more honest than I should have. It turns out the voice belonged to the local First Sergeant and he felt the same way. He stepped into the middle of the match and began berating the two warriors and said it was so bad that a commoner thought they could see their flaws and pointed me out.”

“Then he told them they had extra sparring and drill for the foreseeable future until they could prove they would fight the correct way.” Chance added.

“Alyssia and I decided at that time it was probably best to make ourselves scarce, based on the looks the two me were giving us. So we made our way to the mess hall and sat down to eat. As we were finishing up, the younger of the two men came over and began yelling at me for bringing the First Sergeant into things. I told them that I had not, that he had asked my opinion and that I gave him my honest opinion. I then proceeded to tell him what he had been doing wrong.”

“Chance!” the captain admonished him. “You know better than to antagonize an angry man. It will lead to no good.”

“I know but his attitude got on my nerves and I just wanted to put him in his place. That did not work out as I thought it would though as he ended up challenging me to a duel.”

“Please tell me that you did not accept, please.” Captain Herrera muttered as he rubbed his temples.

“I was not going to turn him down and look like a coward or that I did not know what I was talking about.” Chance responded hotly.

“Calm down. I have some news from dinner as well and my dinner went just about as well as your dinner, except that mine did not end with a challenge for a duel.” The captain attempted to calm Chance down.

Letting out a deep breath and closing his eyes, Chance asked, “So what happened at your dinner?”

“My dinner was odd from the start,” Captain Herrera began.

He proceeded to tell Chance how the Governor had been polite but distant as they discussed mundane things. It was only when I told him the answer to his questions about our trip and where we came from and where we were headed that he gave me his full attention.

“I spoke of meeting the Traveler’s at the first Respite. This started him on a rant about how they were thieves and could not be trusted and that the Kingdom would be better off without them. I continued on, telling him of the attack on them by men dressed as King’s men. At this he flew off the handle, he called them liars and said that his commander had told him that the Travelers had attacked his men in the dead of night and that they barely made it back to the city with half their men. He went on to say that he was posting men to watch for them and that they would be dealt with the next time they came through his territory.”

“I reminded him of the Royal Edict that the Travelers were to have free passage and that they were not to be bothered and that all issues were to be taken up with the Crown and that the Crown would handle any disciple or punishment that was required.”

“He did not like that one bit but backed down somewhat from his bluster. It was at this point that a gentleman came in dressed in a full parade ground dress uniform that fit him like a potato sack. I knew that the captain-in-charge of the local regiment of the King’s troops was supposed to be an acquaintance of mine from the military academy.”

“I asked the Governor where the Captain was and he told me that he was in the dungeon on charges of insurrection and sedition to the Crown. This shocked me considerably as the man was as loyal to the King as the day is long.”

“I got quiet and began to look around at this point as the Governor and the new officer began talking about how some commoner had challenged the Governor’s nephew to a duel in the morning. This seemed to set the Governor off again, complaining about commoners and how they should learn their place. The rest of the time from that point forward I sat and watched and listened. I noticed that the guards, who should be the best of the troops here, were sloppy and their uniforms were not kept. There is something going on here Chance. I don’t know what it is but I am thinking that it might be best if we were to move out sooner rather than later.”

With the importance of the cargo in Chance’s satchel and the attempt that had already been made to get the crates back, they decided that it might be best for them to see about heading out that night if it was possible.

“Alyssia, can you disguise yourself and sneak out. Then once outside look to the gates and see about exiting the inner wall. We will also need to locate Noble and Hero and our tack as well. Chance and I will begin packing up things here.” The Captain asked.

“Sure thing.” Alyssia projected with her Ard.

Chance watched her move to the chimney and begin to climb up.

Ick. When was the last time they had a Sweep out here? This thing is filthy and almost blocked off. Alyssia complained.

As soon as he felt her excitement to be flying he turned to the captain. “She is out and will report back what she finds.”

“Alright then let’s get packed up.”

As Chance went into his room to begin gathering things together he realized that his clothing that he had sent out to be cleaned had not made it back yet.

He stuck his head out of his room and hollered at the captain. “Has your cleaning come back yet? Mine has not. We can’t leave without some of that gear as it was all of my bedding and Hero’s saddle blanket”

“Dang it! You are right. My cleaning is not back yet either.” The captain responded.

Chance? The gates are all closed and heavily guarded. At least five men on each gate and another two men above the gates with bows. Alyssia told him through their bond.

There are also two men observing your quarters, I think. They keeping walking back and forth across the front of the building across the way but their focus is on your building not any of the approaches to the one they are guarding.

“Captain.” Chance called out as she relayed the information to him.

“Yes.”

“Alyssia says the gates have seven men guarding them and are closed and that there appears to be two men watching this building.” Chance told him.

“What is going on Chance? None of this is normal behavior. We might as well settle in for a good night’s rest then, as it appears that we are not going anywhere tonight. Call Alyssia back.”

“Do you think we should bar the doors?” Chance asked.

“That is probably a good idea.” We can always make up an excuse if need be.

After Alyssia came back down the chimney, he wished the captain goodnight and took her to his room to let her get cleaned up and to head to bed.