Ten Thousand Year War

When Michael slipped past Gabriel’s guard Steven, the Arms Master, screamed "Parry, you mother lovin’ son of a pig!" just as Michael smacked Gabriel in the side of the head with the wooden practice sword. Michael steadied Gabriel as he swooned, almost losing consciousness.

As Steven shook his head in disappointment he didn’t notice the large man who quietly walked up behind him.

"Steven, how goes the adjustment training, my old friend?"

Steven jumped in surprise and then sighed. "Well enough my Lord, but they need time to adjust to the new manipulations. They are incredibly fast." He paused for a moment, thinking. "But because of their speed they have lost fine motor control and tend to overbalance." Steven turned to look at Magnus. "As well, Gabriel has skipped the past three practices. The only way I got him to this one was to tell Michael to remind him that without training he could hurt himself and others and that he wouldn't be able to play any music instruments without fine motor control training."

Steven looked out over the training ground again at Magnus’s three boys; Michael, Arthur and Gabriel. Michael and Arthur were trying to wrestle and failing miserably, but Gabriel was standing apart, laughing at his two brothers.

"He just doesn’t have any interest in anything physical, whether it’s fighting or sports. He just wants to play his damn instruments all day!" Steven turned back to Magnus, pleading. "My Lord, if you want him to come to practices, you must talk to him. He’ll only listen to you."

Magnus Paen'Dragaan, Lord of the Five Isle's and Master of the Paen'Dragaan Estates, sighed. Gabriel, as the youngest child, was often spoiled by all members of the large Estate, himself included. He turned to Steve. "The boys will be at every practice," he looked over at Gabriel "all three of them." he emphasized. "They will need all the training they can get."

"My Lord?" Steven asked quizzically.

"Chancellor Lyon has called me to Akaari. I am to leave within two days. I just have to leave instructions with a few people. Chamberlain Thomas can take care of the Estates. Who else?" he mused out loud to himself. "Well, I have taught Michael enough for him to oversee the production and everyday issues of the Five Isle’s. He should be okay, but just in case I will talk to Counselor Edmund. He can steer Michael away from any bad or big decisions until I get back. I will be taking Arthur and Gabriel with me. Daved wanted them to come. I want you to step up training of the new soldiers and recruit as many new ones as you can." Magnus looked off into the horizon, a grim, puzzled look on his face. "I have a feeling we will need all the trained soldiers we can get in the future.

Magnus turned to leave and started walking, but stopped and spoke over his shoulder. "Send the three boys up to my study after their shower. I will talk to you later about possible promotions among the soldiers. Come to my study after you see the boys come out. Thank you." And with that Magnus walked to his horse to ride back to the Estate, thinking dark and troubled thoughts.

After his Lord walked away Steven turned away and shrugged. He only had to follow the Lords orders, not understand or even agree with them. He looked over at the boys. "Line up!" he barked at them.