Gelehrter woke with a start. Dawn had approached from beyond the massive walls in the distance, reaching down from the land to bless the denizens with its delightful touch.

The page heard the sound of bells in the distance and the clanging of steel. He turned to his master, who was already awake and staring out of the nearby window.

“We should start a training session soon. I believe Eisener wanted to see us.” Stolzer glanced over his shoulder. “He called this 'research'. We should get moving, he doesn't use that term often.”

The page heard the door to the forge open and shut. In a few moments the master smith and his apprentice met him with tired eyes.

“Come, mime. I do not have all morning and neither do you.” He motioned for them to head out the back door. Gelehrter nodded and followed his master out into an open yard. The yard had seen much use, as the dummies and the practice equipment there seemed well maintained. Several dummies and spaces were marked for dueling and practicing with a lance.

Ana reached for a sheathed short sword. She nodded to the page and extended it out to him. He caught her gaze, a bright pair of shining emeralds. The sword she held was kept in a beautifully crafted scabbard of crimson leather. Brass had been fastened to the tip and near the hand guard. A strap had been tied to the sides—Gelehrter took the weapon from her and turned away shyly.

Eisener scoffed.

“Lets get started, lad.” Stolzer motioned for him to face him. “Now, remember how duels begin?”

“Uh...” Gelehrter approached his master, shaking his head.

“First...” He bowed to the page.

The page returned the bow.

“Then...a prayer.” The knight pressed his hands together. “'O, Lord, bless this conflict. Ensure no harm comes to those who uphold your holy word. May the victor grant wisdom to the living.'”

Stolzer and Gelehrter both drew their weapons. The page lunged forward for a thrust and his blade was turned aside with a deft parry. Gelehrter was struck on his shield arm and Stolzer whirled about.

“Keep your weapon close to you. Ensure I can't read your movements.” The knight slapped him again with the blunt of his weapon. Gelehrter held his short sword in both hands, attempting to read his master's movements. His eyes focused onto his shoulders, but when his master lunged, his body couldn't react. He barely dodged another blunted blow and narrowly his blade deflected another.

Going easy on him, I see they've certainly been training. Eisener stroked his beard in contemplation. But the lad has a long way to go.

Ana bit her lip in anticipation and winced as he was struck again. The blows seemed to be soft.

“M-Master?” Gelehrter grimaced and clutched his side. “You're holding back on me.”

“You saw my foes last night. If I give you my full swing, we wouldn't be training for awhile.” Stolzer answered matter-of-factually. He lunged and missed his page's arm purposefully to tap his sword arm with the tip.

“Boy—listen well. Your master there is a killer, well versed in the language of death. Take what you learn from him to heart. For now, you are small, but as you grow, his blows will not be so gentle.” The master smith crossed his arms and fixed his gaze onto the page. “So far, I have seen naught of your skill. You blindly swing. The weapon is trying to speak through you and he is trying to teach you the words. Listen well, for there will come a time when your master will be unable to protect even you.”

Gelehrter growled under his breath. He swung wide, nearly losing his balance. Quickly he unfastened the scabbard from his side and blocked an incoming blunted blow. A flurry of blows only met air and he took another blow square in the center of his back.

Incapacitating or killing areas. His thoughts betrayed him and he felt more stinging pain. Master fights me as if I were an enemy, though we are training.

Bells from the Citadel chimed distracted his master for an instant. He held his hand out to stop the boy mid-swing. He frowned and turned to Eisener.

“Those are Council bells. We have to hurry to the Citadel.” Stolzer sheathed his blade and turned to his page. “Or rather...I have to. I'm afraid I am not allowed to bring my page to the meeting with me.”

Eisener grunted. “Too weak for smith's work. He will remain here and practice.”

The knight matted his fair hair and knelt in front of him. His page had been struck many times during their duel—his forearms, the top of his hand, the center of his back, his shield and sword arm, and his right cheek. “You did well.”

Gelehrter beamed.

Stolzer strode past Ana and whispered something in the master smith's ear. The old man nodded and shook his head.

Ana strode over to him and held out her hand. “I need my weapon back.”

Eisener then raised his eyebrow.

“W-What?”

“You borrowed it. I made it, so its mine.” She defiantly motioned again. “You may have it when you can beat your master!”

Gelehrter sighed and sheathed the short sword. He handed it over to her reluctantly.

Girl after my own heart. Eisener attempted to contain his happiness and followed Stolzer back into the smithy.

“You'll probably be sent to the front lines for a time, you know.” The master smith grimaced.

“Aye, I will let you know when I know something. He'll be coming with me then.”

Eisener crossed his arms and motioned for him to follow him once more. He reached underneath the forge, retrieving a completed piece. The longsword shone brilliantly in the morning light pouring through the windows. Runes were etched along the edge, the hilt and guard seeming to be woven like ivy. Eisener sheathed the blade and held it aloft for the knight.

“That rusted hunk of steel needs to be repaired.” The master smith's lie was too heavy to be ignored.

“I can't accept this.” Stolzer looked away.

“Your master wanted you to have this when you were ready.”

“Our master, you mean.”

“Take it.”

“I cannot.”

“You will take it.”

“No, I can't.”

“Take—the—damn--sword--Stolzer.” Eisener forced the weapon into his hands. “I can't keep this forever and I have no use for it.”

Stolzer sighed and returned his old broadsword. The guard had been cracked and from the last fight, it had chipped in several places.

“You fight like you're afraid to kill. You can't teach him if you're afraid to break him, you know this.” He pulled on a switch for the bellows, life returning to the forge. “Hurry, or she will come for you.”

“Will you train him?”

“That is not my place. I have a business to keep and so do you.” Eisener rested his paws on the nearby anvil after he placed a length of steel into the blaze. “I have the art and you have the art of war. Let's both keep to our calling.”

“Aye...you're right. I'll return shortly, keep him safe, old friend.” Stolzer headed for the door and heard the familiar ringing of the hammer.