The Darkest of Truths

Chapter 11

The tavern that Olenna brought me to for lunch served the best meat pies I had ever tasted. I had gotten so used to the dried out meats that we usually got at the Dustlands that I had forgotten how juicy and tender fresh meat tasted. It killed me that my stomach, which was used to much smaller portions, could barely fit half of the pie. Otherwise, I would've licked the plate clean.

Although the tavern owner, a hearty round older gentleman, reassured me that anything that doesn't get eaten is either given to his dog or used for compost. He also told me that I could come back to try the pies as many times as I'd like until my stomach adjusts.

I liked this man.

Olenna almost had to drag me out of the tavern in order to continue the tour. She then proceeded to show me the market square and then the stables. She did have to drag me away from the horses as well as the cats who were using the stables as a place to nap. The stable workers found this quite funny.

We eventually made our way to the training grounds where we found Captain Warrick yelling at a group of soldiers who were sparring with each other. We both leaned against the wooden fencing and watched with interest and listened to the clanging of steel against steel as the men practised their swordplay.

"Straighten up! Widen your stance! Relax your grip! We're not playing with wooden swords anymore boys this is the real thing, act like it!" Captain Warrick yelled out with a voice that could shake the earth as he walked by each of the pairs. All of them responded with a loud, 'yes Captain' in response.

Even before the commands, their forms were excellent and the young soldiers appeared to be quite disciplined. Their movements were smooth and precise and they did well in anticipating their partners actions.

"They're not bad," I commented.

Olenna nodded in agreement.

I straighten, preparing to move on. "They should be ready for a proper fight within the next few months."

I turned to leave, thinking that Olenna would follow but I quickly stopped when I realised how quiet it was suddenly.

Too quiet.

I turned back and sure enough Captain Warrick was standing right by the fence, glaring down at me with a piercing gaze.

His height and stature reminded me of Lorian, I wondered if he was as stupidly loyal as him too.

"You have something to say about my men?" he growled.

I peeked behind him and looked at the 'men', each one looked as though they weren't much older than Colin.

Not boys, but certainly not men either. Not yet at least.

I looked back at the snarling bear man in front of me and nodded, "they're good considering their age but they've still got some ways to go. I have no doubt that they'll get there. One day."

Captain Warrick did not like that answer.

"These men are the future of the Royal guard. As their Captain it is my duty to train them until I believe they are ready, not you!"

I glanced over at the young soldiers again.

Future of the Royal guard huh?

"I don't doubt your ability to train them but as a Captain I'm sure you could agree that training only gets you so far. Proper experience is the best training they'll ever get and they're not going to get that from sparring with their comrades."

Warrick's eyebrow twitched, "and why do you say that?"

I made sure that our eyes were locked before I spoke again, "because they don't want to kill each other. Honestly, it's the only reason you're still alive."