You leave in twenty four hours. Talaan here will guide you through the outlying woodland and cover your insertion. After that you will be on your own. I suggest that both of you get some rest. Dismiss'.
Eschin and the Captain stood to their feet and saluted before turning stiffly around and leaving the office.
The captain hurredly parted company in search of a warm bath and strong drink. Eshcin was left to walk the mile back to his quarters in something of a daze.
It was time to put on the swords once more. Brushing aside enquiries from the family, he retired to his rooms and began his preparations for the field again.
Squatting by the bed, he reached into the darkness underneath untill his questing fingers met the fine wood of his weapons case.
Dragging the six foot box clear, he placed it atop the bed ,running a cloth over it's surface before carefully undoing the three brass catches. The well oiled hinges made no sound as he lifted the lid and the aromas of oiled steel and silk rose to greet him. Unwrapping the swords always stirred the old excitement in his blood. Ebony sheathes were eased out of another compartment of the case and the two and a half foot blades slid home with a dull click.
As always, his mind swam back to the early days of his training with Galaan all those many years ago.
"Galaan has said that you are to be trained at the sword", his mother had announced one morning. Eschin had been around ten years old and the comment had surprised him as he had been having lessons with his fathers friend for around two years already.
He stood whilst his mother fussed over him, brushing crumbs from his tunic. They tumbled to the ground, looking like fairy dust in the early morning sunlight which streamed through the balcony door.
His mother was elegant as ever in a long red velvet gown. Her perfect hair flowed past slim shoulders and was twined around with rare silks and wildflowers.
From the halls balcony, it was posable to survay almost all of the Eschin lands. The nearby towns and villages nestling between rolling green hills. The many people that looked to the family for support and protection.
Within this little world he had known his place in life. It was his home and he wanted no other.
" I already have training at arms with the captain of the guard", he reminded his mother. " Galaan teaches me dancing and heraldry and the lute".
Being a normal aristocratic child, Sozo had been expected to train in all aspects of a the noble life before following his father into the responsibilities encumbant upon landed gentry.
"Galaan feels that you may prove apt to be instructed in the blade" his mother continued, as if having not heard his previous comments. " He has trained no one for many years it is no light thing to be offered instruction by such a master"
Sozo frowned, "was father not trained then?".
" Your father did not prove apt, despite being of part elven blood. , nevertheless, Galaan has been studying your reactions and abilities during his other classes with you and says that you show promise".
"What of my other studies?", he had asked.
" You will cease to report to the master of arms for your training and will instead go to Galaan at his woodland lodge. You wil be required to train each morning from the hour of five until seven. This will leave enough time for you to compleate your other studies. There will likely need to be extra time put aside as your studies continue if you are to master the techniques that Galaan will show you".
The young Sozo's heart had sunk. He had been hoping to spend the summer hunting and fishing and running with the other children of his age but it seemed that this would be impossable.
The future stretched out ahead of him as an endless round of cold mornings and long evenings, having to practice who knew what excersises whilst his friends had all the fun.
" Must I attend the practice", he asked. His mother held his eye and spolke sharply for the first time that morning.
" You are the son of your noble father and you will obey the word of his mouth as must we all. Do not fail to attend Galaan or I will be sure to hear of it. Any excersices he gives you will seem to you a mercy compared with my displeasure".
The hall echoed with her voice but the moment passed and she sighed and gently stroked his unkempt hair.
" Oh small boy, how quickly you do grow up". He had smiled and kissed her forehead before making the most of his last day without extra tutoring.
