When you begin anew

Liam was quickly cleaned up and wrapped in a blanket, then handed to his mother as she continued lying on the bed slowly but surely catching her breath.

"They are so beautiful," She said as she held them both. "Is my husband here? He would want to see them."

"Milady he has yet to return from his hunt but as soon as he does I am sure he will rush straight here to see them, and you!" The nurse replied happily. "I will finish cleaning up, you enjoy your time with Liam and Aleria."

Liam tried his best to wiggle out of his bindings but realized soon after that he had no strength in his body and gave in to sleep.

----------------------------------------------6 years Later--------------------------------------------------

"Your son has grown so quickly Angelica, even my own son couldn't match him in his studies!"

"Your son is already proficient in several languages Kiana, I'm not sure anyone can compare to that." Angelica replied politely.

"Yes but you must remember, my Lawrence is already sixteen. Liam is not even half his age and yet he knows so much that his teacher is running short on materials." She replied chuckling softly. "On top of that..." She trailed off as she glance towards the range below. Liam was knocking an arrow and staring down range with an intense determination in his gaze. He began walking along the line and fired arrows towards targets set up. There were six targets, each were meant to be targeted by individual marksmen but Erik fired an arrow at each target as he walked. When he came to the end he hung up his bow and stood staring at the product of his work.

"He really has high standards for himself doesn't he," Kiana commented as Liam shook his head in disapproval. The arrows had mostly hit the targets, two were lying in the dirt just short and the remainder had embedded themselves around the targets at random. "I don't know many archers who could do that in my current garrison and he's disappointed in himself at the age of six. It's almost laughable" She giggled. As they saw Liam's silver headed form move to retrieve the arrows they heard bugles begin sounding from the gate.

"That would be our husbands back from their hunt, shall we go meet them?" Angelica queried

"It looks like Erik is already headed that way," Kiana commented. "So we may as well follow."

Liam immediately ran to the front of their home as the hunting party approached. As they rounded the corner Liam raised his hand in greeting.

"Father, Lawrence, how did your hunt go?" He shouted cheerily.

"Quite well Boy, it wasn't as successful as previous hunts but we did manage to get a few," He said as he gestured towards the soldiers taking several deer and a boar towards the kitchens.

"It was so much fun!" Lawrence exploded. "You simply have to come with us next time Liam, you're missing out!"

"Liam isn't old enough yet, and isn't nearly good enough with that bow of his!" Angelica spouted from the doorway. "I will not have him getting hurt because you want him to have 'fun'."

"I am getting better though mother, maybe next year Lawrence!" Liam said with a half smile. "In the meantime you'll just have to tell me all about it!"

"That's not as fun, but I guess it's the best we can do." Lawrence responded sorrowfully.

"Whatever, you wanna go practice?" Liam said breaking the tension in the air, "We can see if you can finally beat me!"

"Mhmm, and when was the last time you won?" Lawrence asked with a sly smile, "If I recall correctly it was... Hey-hey get back here!" He shouted as he noticed Liam already bolting towards the sparring field.

The sparring field was a large open area surrounded by low fence where training dummies could be maneuvered into place to assist with training. Currently, as there was no training session underway, the field was empty. Liam grabbed his wooden short sword that his father gifted him and took several practice swings, cutting through the fall air swiftly and with an ease that came with the hours of practice that he put in on a daily basis. Lawrence took the sword that was hanging from his waist and leaned it against the fence. There were several training swords setup around the fence-line so he strolled to each and tested the weight and balance to find the one he would be using. It didn't take him long to find a small short sword that fit him well. He approached Liam slowly, sword held out in front of him ready to react to the slightest movement. Liam waited, standing completely still sword held down by his side, eyes fixed upon his opponent with a tense determination.

"Are you two at it again?" A voice boomed from the entrance to the field. "I've told you many times to let me know if you are going to do any training Liam!" Liam's father called as he entered the field still clad in his leather hunting armor. He took the massive greatsword that he had sheathed on his back off and leaned it up against the fence. "This is hardly a fair fight between you two, shouldn't you be given a handicap son?"

"If you've seen Liam fight you'd know he doesn't need one, Lord Silva" Lawrence said as he turned to look towards Liam's father, a mistake he shouldn't have made. A resounding crack could be heard as Lawrence dropped the practice sword he had been wielding, holding his right wrist and wincing in pain.

"Never get distracted with an opponent in front of you," Liam grinned childishly, "you taught me that one Lawrence." He lowered his blade back to the location it was sitting before at his side point facing the ground at Lawrence's feet.

"You cocky little!" Lawrence growled as he grabbed his blade and swung it heavily towards Liam's shoulder. Liam leaned back and whipped his own practice sword around to connect with Lawrence's and deflect it ever so slightly away from his minuscule frame and causing his opponent to stagger as he regained his control over his weapon.

"Very nice son, use his own power against him," called Lord Silva from nearby. Meanwhile murmurings could be heard as people starting crowding around the outside of the training field. It was a hobby of many of the residents of Castle Croudmoore to watch the knights and soldiers practice so whenever the field was being used word spread quite quickly. Add the fact that it was the lords' own son and the excitement exponentially increased.

"Oh good heavens are they at it again?" Remarked Kiana as the two mothers turned the corner from the main street, "I wonder if Liam will finally gain the upper hand today..."

"Knowing my brother he will probably get his arse handed to him again.." A soft voice commented behind them.

"Lady Aleria, Language!!" Gasped Kiana with a hand attempting to cover a slight grin that she couldn't keep from spreading over her face.

"Now, now Miss Aleria you know better than that. A Lady must conduct herself with grace!" Angelica said with a flourish of her wrist.

"I know that mother. You remind me constantly," Aleria said rolling her eyes, "I'd much rather be having another archery lesson with brother!"

"You know that's not ladylike," Her mother said with a slightly disappointing look on her face, "you'll never find a nice man like that!"

"So be it." Aleria shrugged in response, which earned her a swift thump over the head from her mother. "Heyyy," She pouted, "at least I'm being honest!"

"Just watch your brother, he seems to be doing better than usual." Angelica remarked as Lawrence was once again disarmed, cause by Liam running the blade of his sword down the length of his opponents' and smacking Lawrence's knuckles sharply.

"OOWW that hurts!!" He whined as he reached for the practice sword once again. "I'll get you back for that one." He growled as he swung the blade back into position, a small glint of enjoyment sparking in his eyes.

"Come on then," Liam retorted swinging the blade back down to his side, "I don't have all day." He immediately responded to Lawrence's next swing by taking another light step backwards and rather than parrying like before he used his movement to make things more difficult for his opponent. As the blade swung from his left to his right he followed it making Lawrence turn his body to follow, which caused him to require more energy to stop the blades trajectory in order to follow up or defend. Liam took advantage of this and swung a quick slash at his undefended shoulder. Lawrence's response was quick as he ducked his shoulder utilizing the momentum of his sword to carry him out of the way of the ensuing strike and allowing himself to recover.

"Ohhhohhohh very close there," Lord Silva's booming laugh echoed across the field, "You both are going to be exceptional warriors in the future." He said standing between them. "For now though, try not to injure yourselves, Liam that swing could have broken his shoulder, and Lawrence that roundhouse could have done serious damage. Please remember, you may be sparring but at the end of the day, you are still friends!"

"My Lord!" A voice rang from just outside the ring. "A message for you." They all turned to see a soldier leading a horse carrying a man who was slumped over. Looking as if he was barely managing to stay on his mount.

"Angelica, Kiana, take the children inside, now!" The lords voice turned cold and commanding as he strode towards the gate.