14 Chapter 14 - Training
[ Year 277 AC ]
Some years have passed since our training began, at the beginning I had to participate in the training with the Master of Weapons Jorel, but after a few months, I managed to free myself, proving that I was already capable enough, Jorel was surprised at first, but soon accepted the fact.
With their improved skills none of them presented much difficulty in learning, so after a few months, I started training each one in their strongest characteristics.
It is as Sun Tzu says:
'The true method, when you have men under you, consists in using the avaricious and the foolish, the wise and the brave, and in giving each the proper responsibility.'
Sigurd was the typical Viking from my previous life, I taught him some melee styles, the Glíma, a Scandinavian martial art, and the Sambo, a Soviet martial art, in weapons Sigurd preferred the use of a two-handed war axe, but with his improved strength he could use one-hand, and a gladius attached to his waist, his fighting method consisted basically in a brutal style, aimed at killing his enemy as fast as possible, walking through the Wolf Forest I found an amanita mushroom, that was used by the Berserkers, to have their uncontrollable fury, the Berserkers in battle field was a machine to grind, who dared to stand in their way was killed instantly, without knowing how they took his life, Sigurd accepted fortunately the mushroom after knowing of its effects, thanks to his improved body will not present side effects besides fatigue.
Sigurd let his red hair grow, he tied it up with braids, his height even with 10 years old was already 5' 11", his appearance was menacing, and the scars on his face and arms didn't improve the situation, his greenish eyes resembled tobernite, a green stone that can lead you to death by radiation.
Rhoslyn, had a sharp mind, especially involving numbers, so I taught her about math and economics, some manipulative arts, acting, and how to keep control of her emotions, Rhoslyn was like a Kalmia latifolia, very beautiful flower, but extremely lethal, her long blonde hair and beautiful green eyes is enchanting, She reminds me of the actress Nicola Peltz from my previous life, she had a preference for using hidden daggers, for unarmed combat I taught her Jeet Kune Do and Krav Maga, I confess that having the creator of a martial art teaching you personally is incredible, Bruce Lee in the Elysian Fields was almost unbeatable in hand-to-hand combat.
I have assigned Rhoslyn to take care of the future savings I will have, I know that in his hands, money is something we will never have to worry about.
Kevin, with his blond hair and blue eyes had become even more handsome, the bastard at first spent most of his time hitting on the womans of Winterfell, until I told him that I would make him a eunuch if he didn't follow the training correctly, after which he never gave me any more trouble, Kevin was extremely proficient in the use of long distance weapons, I taught him the use of the bow and throwing knives, and how to camouflage himself in various types of situations, he practically became Chris Kyle with a bow and arrow, at close range he learned Krav Maga and Taekwondo, his white weapon was a short sword.
Perseus followed the traditions of the knights, I believe that because he grew up in White Harbor and saw knights daily, he absorbed that for himself, I had in mind to create a new type of knights, the vast majority of the followers of the Old Gods denied becoming one, for, that is a tradition of the Andalos, his main weapon is a two handed sword and his secondary is a baselard sword, in hand to hand combat I taught him Bokator and Krav maga.
Astrid proved to be an exceptional warrior, she had great mastery in using a sword and shield, her blonde hair was tied back with a braid, her body became slender and muscular despite her age, she was identical to the actress Katheryn Winnick, of all the others she was the one who was most interested in fighting, she became lethal in an abnormal way, the only ones who beat her in combat are me and Sigurd, although Sigurd is close, I believe that in a few years she would surpass him, I taught her several martial arts from Silat to capoeira.
And lastly Eldric, after a few days together, I discovered he is a cranogman, he lived in the swamps before his family was murdered by Frey men, in his training I found an innate ability, he could sneak, camouflage and be almost unnoticeable, With this, I trained him in all the knowledge i had about assassination and espionage, his ninjutsu and Taijutsu were exceptional, I taught him acupuncture, and how to use it in combat, his weapons were a few blades hidden in his clothes.
For everyone I taught botany, especially about poisonous plants and fruits, against espionage, and first aid, everyone learned Japanese, I will use this language as a method of communication between us encrypted, after all for a person to understand without a base, several kanji, hiragana and katakana is extremely difficult.
'Time for them to bleed,' I thought.
"Stay here, I'm going to talk to my father." I said to them
Arriving at the door of my father's Solar, I knocked.
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"It's me dad" I said.
"Come in Art"
Entering the room, my father was sitting at his desk and in front of him, sitting in his chair was the new Maester of Winterfell, Maester Luwin.
I have been investigating the new Maester, but he has not shown any hint of malice and manipulation to us, maybe not everyone is involved.
"Good morning father, Maester Luwin"
"Good morning Art"
"Father, I come to tell you that I am leaving Winterfell for an indefinite time, it is time for my men and women to see death up close."
"I was afraid that this day would come, but you are right, it's no use knowing how to fight, but not having the courage to neutralize the threat ..., When do you intend to leave?" asked my father.
"Tomorrow morning.
"What do you have in mind?
"Hunting bandits all over the north, and father, I intend to put an end to banditry for good, if you know what I mean," I said.
"Right, I will warn the northern lords not to worry if some bandit corpses appear in their lands, take this, it is the profit part of this moon. "Said my father handing me a heavy bag of coins.
"Thank you."
"Not at all, and by the way have you told Lyanna you're leaving?"
"Oh, shit, wish me luck," I said.
"Good luck son," my father said with a smile.
"Goodbye Maester Luwin.
After leaving the manor house, I headed toward Lyanna's room, but after a few steps I bumped into her.
"Lya, I was looking for you."
"I was going to the courtyard after you and Astrid, she promised to teach me a new move," Lyanna said with a smile.
"Of course she was, every day you two are getting closer, it seems you like her more than me," I said with a pout.
"You know what's not true, I really like you, and stop pouting, it doesn't suit you!
"Tsk, everything looks good on me, I am the most beautiful of all the continents."
"You self-centered piece of shit "spoke Lyanna as she slapped my head.
"Spit it out, what did you want to talk to me about? "Lyanna asked.
"Oh right, I came to inform you that me and the other six are leaving Winterfell for an undetermined amount of time.
"What?, when?, I'm going with you!" Lyanna shouted at me.
"I'm going tomorrow morning, and no, you're not going!"
"How can you leave me alone here, You know I hate this Lady business, without you here, they'll force me to do these stupid things!"
"Lyanna, what have I taught you?" I asked.
"When entering a society, leave behind your own ideals, values and put on the mask best suited to the group you are in, Wise and intelligent people learn early that they can display conventional behaviors and ideas without having to believe them. "Lyanna replied lowering her head
.
"Correct, come, give me a hug.
After a long hug I let Lyanna go.
"Now go say goodbye to the others "I said.
"Right."
"By the way, where is Benjen? "I asked.
"That idiot must be training with Master Jorel "replied Lyanna
"Thank you Lya."
I went towards the training yard and there I saw Benjen training with Master Jorel.
"Master Jorel, can you give me a minute with Benjen? "I asked the man.
"Of course, my lord."
"What is it, Art?" asked Benjen.
"Tomorrow I'm leaving Winterfell, and I don't have a deadline to get back," I said.
"Oh, and where are you going?
"To hunt down some bandits "I said.
"Well, be careful brother" Benjen said.
"Thanks, next time I see you, I want to see how strong you've gotten, so don't let me down "I said.
"I won't, brother."
After saying goodbye to Benjen I went towards my men.
"ATTENTION!" I shouted.
In a matter of seconds, everyone was in a sitting position in front of me.
"Tomorrow we will leave Winterfell, it's time for you to mature, including me. "After all, no one knows that I have killed.
"Pack your things, and do what you have to do, tomorrow at sunrise I want all of you here, in the sacred grove," I said.
"Yes sir!" everyone said.
"Then go, dismissed.
One thing I put into their heads is that there are certain moments of fun and others of seriousness, I look for order, discipline and synchrony.
It is as George Washington says:
'Discipline is the soul of an army; it makes large the small contingents, provides success for the weak, and esteems all.'
At sunrise, I found all six already present in the sacred grove, they were all kneeling toward the Weirwood tree, probably praying, after everyone finished their prayers, I spoke:
"Are you ready?"
"Yes sir "they spoke.
"Then let's go, the horses are ready now."
Going to the stable, I saw everyone already gathered there, my father, Lyanna, Benjen, Maester Luwin and Old Nan.
"Art, we've come to say goodbye," said Lyanna.
"Of course you have, my dear sister is already missing my terribly" I said smiling.
"Shut up bastard, come, give me a hug "said Lyanna.
Giving Lyanna a hug, I hugged Benjen and my father.
"See you guys, take care of yourselves," I said.
"Goodbye Art, be careful" said my father.
"be careful my brother" said Benjen.
We all got on our horses and headed for the exit of Winterfell.
'Shit, I hate goodbyes.'
Stopping the horse a little way from the castle, I spoke to everyone.
'This is where our legacy begins, keep this date in your minds,' I spoke.
"Say something Nice, Arthur "Rhoslyn said.
"Yeah, what kind of fucking bullshit speech is that? Hahahaha "said Sigurd.
"Why don't you quote those 'Poems' of yours "said Astrid.
"Right, a poem, let me think of one."
"Oh, right, I know a nice one."
"It's like that"
"Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul."
