The following day was gray and cold. The winter winds had blown in fully overnight, and the warm seas off the coast could only hold out so long. Winter had announced its return to the Starstone.

Enzo looked out the windows of his room at the inn. The peaks of tall mountains were visible beyond the dense forest that made up the northern frontier. Still gray for now, he was sure they’d be covered in snow before long. He turned from the dim light of the early morning and looked back around his room.

Not much to pack up, I’ll throw things together and head out. Bright and early for the meeting sets a good impression, right?

He descended the stairs and left the inn, thanking Olena on the way out. The guard’s training circle was nearby, built into a makeshift courtyard in front of the barracks that hugged the wall near the main gate. Enzo dropped his pack off at Tobias’s shop then walked over to the training circle.

Oskar stood near a grizzled veteran, observing two other guards fight in the ring. Enzo approached the men, joining them as they watched the sparring match.

“Samuel’s got no chance against the captain,” the veteran said to Oskar. “I know he’s got a young one at home, but his form has slipped and he hasn’t kept up with his training. You can tell in his stance.”

Oskar nodded along in agreement. “I’d say he’s got another round in him before Gunnar gets tired of beating him into the dirt.” He nodded over to Enzo.

“This is Enzo, he’s a hunter looking to settle down here for at least the winter,” said Oskar. “Enzo, Flynn. He helped put together the walls here, knows this place like the back of his hands. In the ring is Samuel, getting pummeled and Gunnar, our captain, doing the pummeling.”

“Good to meet you,” Enzo replied, extending a hand to Flynn. The older man firmly grasped it. The veteran was easily fifty, but held the strength of a man who’d spent his life training. His movements were assured, and his grip was strong. Guess Tobias isn’t the only old man who refuses to retire around here.

“Looking lean there kid, but we’ll toughen you up. Where’s your weapon?” asked Flynn gruffly.

Enzo started to answer, but a loud grunt turned their attention. A small cloud of dust washed over Samuel on the ground, his sword now in the dirt. Gunnar stood over him, his sword pointed down at the man’s chest. After a moment, the captain spoke.

“Your form is lazy, and your strikes are weak. You’ll be out here every morning all winter until I see some improvement,” Gunnar stated, loud enough for the other onlookers to hear. He sheathed his sword and helped the younger man up. “Go clean up and get ready for duty.”

Samuel dusted himself off and gathered his sword before trudging off to the barracks. Gunnar turned to the small group of onlookers and approached them.

“So this is the guy you were telling me about Oskar?” Gunnar asked as he strode over. The man exuded confidence and command. In his mid thirties, he was still in his prime physically, but with the experience to back it up. He looked Enzo over. “Flynn is right, he’s scrawny.”

“Well, he’ll be apprenticing with Tobias,” Oskar explained. “He’ll have plenty of opportunities to bulk up. He asked me about learning how to fight as well, and I mentioned we have some room in the barracks. Figured we could use another good man, even if he doesn’t end up joining the guard rotation.”

Gunnar rubbed his chin as he thought. “It’s not a bad idea,” he said eventually. “What weapon do you use? Sword and bow I’m guessing.”

“I’ve got some practice with a bow, I can hit where I’m aiming more often than I miss,” Enzo replied. “My gear was all destroyed by the dragon though, so Tobias is going to teach me how to forge a new weapon. I was thinking about trying something other than a sword, do you have any suggestions?”

“First, we’ll need to see what you can do. I actually agree with choosing something different. Spending most of your time swinging a hammer will lead to strange ticks in your swordsmanship,” Gunnar said as he turned and paced back into the barracks. He returned with a few different options; among them a heavy-looking hammer that caught Enzo’s eye.

The hammer’s handle was about as long as his arm. It looked like it was intended to be used with two hands, but could be extremely powerful if the wielder had the strength to use it one handed. The head was basic, a rectangular block with one side flattened for crushing blows and the other end tapered off to pierce through armor. Gunnar caught his look, and handed the hammer to Enzo.

“Interesting choice,” the captain said as he laid down the other arms and stepped into the circle. “We’ll test out your marksmanship later. For now, show me what you can do with that.”

Gunnar drew his dulled sword and picked up a square shield in his left hand. Hits from the sword would hurt, but wouldn’t cause lasting damage. Feeling the weight of a strike was important when training a new guard and Gunnar had no intention of going easy on the kid.

Enzo carried the heavy hammer to the circle. He attempted to carry it with one hand and found that he could, but he couldn’t lift the head much higher than his waist. Before stepping in, he closed his eyes and imagined how he could use it.

Something this heavy will be slow. I can’t expect to parry much with it, I’ll need to be quick and dodge his attacks. Overhead swings and uppercuts will be powerful but telegraphed. Maybe I can get behind him, or get him off balance.

He opened his eyes and stepped into the ring.

“You ready kid?” asked Gunnar. “You seemed like you dozed off for a minute.”

“Just picturing how the weapon might work,” replied Enzo. “I’m ready when you are.” He set his feet shoulder width apart and held the hammer in both hands, the head of the weapon rested on his right shoulder.

Gunnar nodded and took up a stance opposite him, waiting for the kid to make the first move.