Season 1 Chapter 1.2 & 1.3

"Why did you let the boys do this to my son?!" came a roaring voice. Gai woke with a startle and groaned as his injured body protested the sudden movement. He could barely see from his swollen eyes; he had taken quite the beating he assumed. The small, dimly lit room smelled of damp earth and old straw, the scent of their humble life.

"The boy is only weeks away from conscription and has not even learned to stand up for himself," Egbert was here as well, obviously getting an earful from Gai's father. The two men stood in the cramped space, their shadows flickering on the rough stone walls as the fire in the hearth struggled to stay alive. The chill of the night air seeped through the gaps in the wooden shutters, adding to the somber atmosphere.

"Lionel, it is better for him to learn this lesson now, where you can at least look after him for a while longer." Gai groaned once more as he stood from his rest, everything ached and simply did not want to move. He shuffled towards the voices that could still be heard, though more muted.

"Look at his face, Egbert! He'll be lucky if he doesn't lose an eye!" His father stood face to face with the guard captain, Egbert standing relaxed with his hand on his sword. The firelight cast an orange glow on their faces, highlighting the tension etched in Lionel's furrowed brow and the calm, stern expression of Egbert.

"Step back, Lionel, or you will spend a night in the brig. And who will look after your son then? Emille is long gone now." At the mention of Gai's mother, all the fight seemed to drain from his father. Without further words, Egbert turned and left the house, leaving Lionel to stand alone in the dim, flickering light.

"I'm sorry, father," Gai whispered. His father stirred and strode to his son, grabbing both his shoulders lightly. The cold air bit at Gai's exposed skin, and he shivered slightly under his father's touch.

"It is fine, son. Get your rest. Tomorrow I will have to start training you again," he spoke softly. He guided Gai back to the straw mattress that was his bed and gave a gentle kiss upon his brow. The mattress rustled as Gai settled into it, and the faint scent of dried herbs his father used for healing wafted up, mingling with the earthy aroma of the room. "I love you, son."

It was not long before Gai fell into a restless sleep, the sounds of the night filtering through the thin walls—distant howls of the village dogs, the rustle of leaves in the wind, and the occasional drip of water from the leaky roof.

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"Are you ready, son?" Lionel's voice echoed through the clearing, a small grove just outside Cemirini Village where the father and son trained. The morning sun filtered through the thick canopy of oak and pine, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, carrying with it the fresh, earthy scent of the woods.

Before Gai could respond, his father struck hard and fast with his wooden training sword. The whistle of the blade slicing through the air was sharp, and Gai was barely able to parry the blow, his shoulders still sore from the previous day's training. Sweat dripped down his forehead, mingling with the dirt on his brow. "Do not rely solely on your strength, you will exhaust more easily!" Lionel's voice was stern but encouraging.

Gai moved his buckler to parry another blow aimed at his head. The impact reverberated through his arm, but he managed to hold his ground. He thrust with his short wooden sword, certain he would make contact, but his father sidestepped effortlessly. Only a moment passed before the wind was knocked from Gai's lungs as Lionel sent him sprawling to the ground, disarmed in a single swift action.

"Good try, son, but you were not focused. Move your feet and try to be more aware of your opponent." Lionel extended a hand to help Gai up. The clearing was silent except for the sounds of their heavy breathing and the distant chirping of birds.

Hours passed as Lionel instructed Gai in various drills and exercises of swordcraft. The rhythmic clash of wooden swords echoed through the forest. Such was the day's routine; Gai was no longer allowed to roam freely throughout Cemirini Village. Instead, he would wake with the dawn and exercise with his father, eat a military ration for breakfast, and then train in swordcraft until the lunch ration. Even then, he would spend the afternoon sparring with his father to polish what he had learned. The two would then prepare dinner together, the scent of cooking meat and herbs filling their modest cottage, and discuss what they had learned.

"Father, I never knew you were skilled. What did you do in the army?" Gai asked one evening as they sat by the fireplace, the flickering flames casting warm light on their faces.

"I think you will find that out for yourself when you begin your national service, son. I have fought and survived many battles." Lionel's eyes held a distant look, as if recalling memories he would rather forget. Even through the weeks of training, Gai had never been able to gain any more information on his father's military career.

The training had not only benefitted Gai, who had become stronger and fitter. The same results were shown in his father, who had poured all his alcohol upon the dirt in the street the morning after Gai was beaten. His military physique had returned, and various scars were prominent on his torso, a testament to his survival. Lionel seemed melancholy, not the jovial man he had become these last few weeks.

"Gai, the day is yours tomorrow. Just be back by dusk, please. I will have a gift for you." Lionel's voice was gentle as he patted Gai on the shoulder, the flickering light of the fire reflecting in his eyes.