Winter 4987, 31 Ginmoth
"Are you sure about this?" Veon-Zih asked Shon as he walked in slow clanking circles while the others retrieved their swords for drills. It was the fourth day of Shon's new training method. He'd run the entire ten laps around the fortress in his half-plate, lagging behind by the end in a way he'd never done before.
Taking off his helm Shon held it at his side and lifted his other arm to try and expand his chest for more air, gasping out, "I need to work... my weakness... twice... as hard..." He was right, of course, but Shon continued, arching an eyebrow at his master now that he'd caught more of his breath, "You don't think I should?"
"I didn't say that," Veon-Zih shook his head, "I actually think it's a great idea, and I'm impressed you decided to do it on your own. I just want to make sure you're prepared for what it entails in the long run."
Glancing over his shoulder at the others -who were taking up their dill positions- Shon placed his helm back on his head, "I've already tried practicing more." But clearly, he didn't approve of his progress with that alone. He drew his sword, the pommel a snowy white.
Veon-Zih gestured to the formation and followed Shon to it, standing just out of reach as the Squire started his drills, continuing while Shon worked, "Why do you think you struggle so much with armor?"
Shon shot a glance at Veon-Zih at the stressed 'you' but answered, "I hate the lack of mobility and reduced speed. I think I struggle because I get frustrated with it, and that frustration makes me sloppy."
Veon-Zih fairly beamed in pride, "You know yourself well. You're not actually any less mobile than anyone else in armor. You just have more mobility without it, so you notice the difference keenly, same with speed, though I'm sure that will improve considerably as you grow stronger under the extra weight. Your real weakness in this is your frustration with yourself, your need to be better, faster, stronger." perfect...
All Shon could do was nod, so Veon-Zih returned it, then continued as he walked away, "Make sure you work closely with Smith Nangran. You'll need to have it adjusted regularly as your muscles grow to compensate..."
"Yes, Master," Shon called to Veon-Zih's back. The Monk waved over his shoulder.
Ryuuko fluttered down to land on Veon-Zih's head as he approached the Weaponmaster in the middle of his own drills, with the ax today. "Your boy is an anomaly, old man," Danaus commented as he worked, "I've never had a Squire so dedicated."
"He has a dream," Veon-Zih explained, reaching up to pet the pseudodragon familiar and wondering if Shon would ever direct his considerable focus to that part of his self-mastery as well.
Danaus stood straight, resting his ax on his shoulder and turning to watch the boys at large, "I think the girl lit a fire in him too." he shot Veon-Zih a sideways glance out of the corner of his eye, "The Paladins aren't much different from your Monastery on some things, but in his case, I think she is less a distraction and more a driving force."
"Maybe," Veon-Zih conceded, then shook his head, "He's going to be miserable for months. Make sure you don't go easy on him."
The Weaponmaster let out one of his barking laughs, "Not a chance, old man. If anything, this shows me he can handle even more of a beating than before." his eyes twinkled with mischief. Still, when he spoke again, it was with a more serious tone, "I don't think Hengist has ever had a more capable Paladin outside his Chosen."
"Maybe." It was the only answer Veon-Zih could give.
***
