Chicken, Duck, Goose pt 2

The field was a symphony of clanking metals and the shouting of men. They swung their heavy swords at the enemy, striking them with the dull edge of their blades and defending themselves when the opponent retaliated.

Ulfstead had been coming here for a while now to practice, the scene never tiring to him who always had a secret appreciation for all things combat, weapons, and martial arts.

He studied the training grounds with intrigue, observing the various stances and techniques. Naturally, he understood absolutely nothing, but it sure seemed cool!

On the other hand, Lyfette observed from the side, occasionally trying to impress the older boy by making remarks that were actually clever and perceptive.

Since his scolding from his cousin brother the other day, the child's aim was to flatter and please.

Ulfstead asked Samel about Lyfette's behavior during this time and was mortified by the report. He had seen the outside of his window before, from above and from below. How could the child stupidly walk such a narrow ledge from such a height?

He wasn't a psychologist and was sure that this was not normal separation issues... It's understandable that Lyfette would be scared from seeing him faint, but still, Ulfstead didn't want the boy to think what he did was okay, so he scolded and chastised and berated until the sun was lowering in the sky and the time for the second prince to leave had come.

Sure enough, the second prince made a solemn vow to never climb through that window again. Key word, that.

Standing behind them, instructor Ales was surprised by his new pupil. The boy actually had insightful comments, Ales even found himself nodding his head from time to time. He didn't expect words such as, "The short man should have moved back half a step before dodging, that way he wouldn't have to duck so low." Or, "The ugly man has been toying with the man that looks like a donkey. He's probably going to tire him out before going for the kill."

The second prince was only four years old. The body could be trained to fight, but it was harder to teach the eyes to see movement and use it to predict the opponent's next move. The excitement in the ex-soldier's blood started to bubble. He might have just been given a genius.

As for Ulfstead, Ales had been teaching the eldest prince for some time now. And he didn't want to say it but... The eldest prince... probably should stick to reading books.

As for why he says this... well... let's save the explanation for later.

After half an hour of observation, Ales brought the boys back to the private training area designated for the two princes.

"Everything Your Highnesses saw on the fields takes years of training." Looking toward the disinterested second prince, he emphasized, "Dodging, recognizing your opponent's strategies, these might be easy to see as a bystander but..."

Woosh.

The sound of metal splicing the air sang in the boys' ears. "It will be different when you are in battle. A split second can determine your life or death."

The honed edge did not point to them - Ales wasn't stupid - but the close proximity was enough to take away any apathy lingering in the air.

The sword returned to the sheath; Ales voice a sudden boom. "Ten laps around the building. When you are done, we will begin."

With that, the man walked to the veranda, his prominent limp impairing not imposing his aura one bit.

~

Ah... Fuck a duck...

Ulfstead felt like he was dying a second time.

The little prince Lyfette didn't seem to be fairing any better, sweat was pouring from the round forehead, matting the identical silver hair. They were currently on their fifth - or was it sixth - lap.

His ears were stuffed with cotton and his legs were weighted by invisible chains. In an attempt to breathe in more air, his tongue lolled out like a dog. But, to reach his life goals to be a rugged man, he continued to put one heavy foot in front of the other.

Also, there was no way he could give up in front of his baby brother. What sort of signal would he be sending if he taught the child to easily admit defeat?

So, until he was practically stumbling like a drunk coming home from the bar, Ulfstead completed the ten laps and collapsed into the shape of a dying starfish at the feet of the instructor.

On the other hand... Prince Lyfette also was indeed out of breath, but less of a heaping mess than his brother. Even his time for recovery was two times faster.

Ales had been teaching His Highness, Prince Ulfstead, for weeks now and had yet to see any progress. Maybe the only good thing was that the child was diligent, completing the tasks he was given even if it nearly killed him. The perseverance was indeed touching before, but...

He looked to Prince Lyfette who already caught his breath, stood up, and went to wipe off his cousin brother's sweat. Then, he subconsciously compared the second prince to Ulfstead whose cheeks, neck, and eyes were as pink as flower petals.

Ales had to internally shake his head.

'He's still young. He will improve in the future.'

~~~

When the day ended, Ulfstead felt sore in places he never thought could be sore before.

With legs as solid as melted jello, he climbed up to the flight of stairs to the third floor. Joan and Heilin were the ones on duty today. Heilin generously offered to carry His Highness, but Ulfstead benevolently declined. He had been embarrassed enough today by being one up-ed by Lyfette in every way possible. Although he was proud of his 'son' for being so awesome, he felt ashamed as a 'father' for doing worse than a kid physically one year younger than him.

At the very least he could save his dignity by walking with his own two feet to his room so he could cry.

When they reached the final flight of stairs, Ulfstead wondered why he was reborn in a world where elevators and escalators didn't exist.

Finally reaching his room, he plopped onto a chaise lounger while servants bustled around preparing him a bath and pouring some warm water.

As everyone else was busy, Ulfstead began to drift, when a melodic tweet sounded from the window. In an instant, all those present resisted the urge to fall to their knees and worship. Their hands continued to busy themselves with their tasks while their minds revolved around the interactions happening on the other side of the room.

Craning his neck to the window, he saw the golden bird, he thoughtfully named Lennon, carrying its newest present. Ulfstead gingerly raised his hand for the bird to fly over.

Like a trained retriever, the tiny thing bounded through the air, wings twittering in joyous glee.

Apparently, this bird was the legendary eyes of God, rarely appearing in front of people. In the holy scriptures, the bird was portrayed as, "One who would watch from afar to convey the truth of the world to the heavens above."

Now that the legendary bird appeared on Ulfstead's window sill, willingly becoming something akin to a free-range pet, rumors started to spread that His Highness was blessed by the High Heavens.

Ulfstead didn't know if that was true. After all, these people also believed that the world was flat and the sun revolved around them.

Well, actually, he wasn't sure if that wasn't accurate anymore. Science could never explain how he suddenly reincarnated into a baby, so maybe things he used to know were all just theories of his past life.

Holding out his palm, Ulfstead felt his mood turn chipper. "What did you bring back this time?"

Obediently, the bird dropped the item into his hand. Ulfstead expected the bird to bring back another flower or twig. With Lennon still being a fledgling, it couldn't carry much weight without sinking mid flight. So, the Prince certainly didn't expect to feel a comparatively heavy object drop in his hand.

And he most certainly did not expect to see the heavy object being a familiar golden pendant.

Ulfstead, "..."

The golden bird, "Chirp! Chirp!"

Turning his head to Joan and Heilin who had been casually sipping the freshly brewed tea - a blend that Ulfstead had made last winter when the days were cold and tasteless water started to bore him - he asked, "Do you know what it's saying?"

Neither man could answer as they too were perplexed. Was God trying to tell His Majesty something? Did this mean it was time for His Highness to be consecrated by the Temple?

Unfortunately, no one present could answer these hard-hitting questions.

Anyways, Ulfstead gladly accepted the pendant. He heard that the doctor was fraudulent, a fake that used tricks to fool people. He managed to worm his way into the palace because of a minister that was 'saved' by him.

Not knowing the symbolism of the pendant, Ulfstead cunningly thought, "Maybe, I could melt the gold or sell it if ever a dire need arises."