Ch. 5 Two Heads, May not be Better than One

Freshly made food was not a common commodity for those on the road, especially for mercenaries. Every warm meal that they ever get to eat was always a blessing and a boost to morale. Food is an essential commodity for bands, platoons, armies. With enough food, soldiers will have the energy to fight. With good food, soldiers will have the morale to fight a good fight. Now though, for our newly recruited professors, the fight is on a different battlefield.

"So Professor Eisner how do you like the monastery thus far?" inquired the old man sitting in front of the twins. The man, Professor Hanneman, was readying his handkerchief into a makeshift bib as he was about to enjoy a plate of scrumptious fried pheasant. The age-restricted woman next to him, another called Manuela, was already enjoying her scrumptious meat pie without a care. It was baffling how a woman so slim could eat a heaping pie by herself. Professor Hanneman didn't hide his disgust for his co-teacher.

"It's boring around here isn't it Professor? Always so calm and peaceful, I don't really mind it but a woman could use a bit of action every now and then, don't you agree?" the ex-songstress chattered, giving off a seductive wink to Bereto.

"Oh hush Manuela, don't you have any common decency? You're a teacher here and after a long time you have a new woman peer, I think it's high time you behave in a befitting manner," chided Hanneman while cutting the breast of his pheasant.

Manuela rolled her eyes, "And here we have someone who hasn't seen any action in a long time, if ever."

Hanneman sighed as he stuffed his mouth with a piece of meat. After swallowing he turned to the twins, "forgive my colleague Professors, it might be best that you get used to her demeanor," his face lit up to bring forth a new topic to the table, "and how was your first classes? The students are precious aren't they?"

The twins looked at each other, expecting the other to answer first. Beresu gave in to her twin's request and, with a flat tone, said, "the monastery is a very good keep, it will do well in case of a siege, I quite like it here."

The two seniors raised an eyebrow at her statement. They didn't expect her answer to be so practical to say the least. Though if the new recruits were comfortable, however their comfort standards are, then all is good.

"The students were very cooperative. I've never taught anyone before, It was an important experience."

"Oh, do pray tell what your first lesson was," Hanneman inquired, trying to assess his rival's abilities for future reference. Though he acts like a nice senior citizen, Hanneman was a competitive man when it comes to academics.

"I had an interest in a book called 'Nature of Warfare' and based my coming lessons upon what I've learned on the field and that book."

Bereto's eyes shot wide. He was baffled as to why he didn't think about teaching from a book, instead he just came to the class and winged it. Though the class was fun and the student's enjoyed it he never thought that the students would understand it whole. What if, god forbid Bereto thought, the students did not like fishing. The worst thing ahead that Bereto could think of now is the fact that he had to answer Hanneman's question as well.

"I've read that book before, it was quite boring truth be told, I like teaching the students my own way," Manuela said, twirling a spoon at Berusu's direction.

Hanneman shook his head, "no, no, no, Manuela, you have to set a standard as to what you teach to our students, else the students will have knowledge that they can't string together and that is disastrous. I have never read that book before, you might have a good eye on books Professor. How was your class Professor?"

Bereto thought of a way to say what he was going to say in a better manner. But after some thought he didn't really mind. He winged it back then, he'll wing it now too.

With pride and a firm belief that he has taught well Bereto spoke, "I thought the students about the philosophy of fishing."

Manuela almost let out a chuckle. It was evident that she did not expect such an answer, though she was quite amused at the Professor's unique stance. Hanneman on the other hand could not fathom what he had heard. He only wished that there was a deeper meaning into teaching the students about fishing, and there was. Bereto wanted to share his delight of fishing with his students.

"I-I see, that is quite interesting. I hope the students enjoyed their lessons," Hanneman politely tried not to judge his peer.

Berusu's eyes lit up as she heard the word fishing. She looked at her brother with an awe-inspired stare. She was absolutely amazed about her brother's 'talent' in picking 'fascinating' lessons.

"Why didn't I think of that," Berusu uttered, lightly hitting her head in an attempt to procure a better lesson for her next class, one that would be held in a high esteem much like her brother's. Bereto was surprised at his twin's reaction. Maybe his lesson was not that far from good.

"That's cute, it seems you two have much in common," Manuela joked. So they continued their meal with a bit of chatter here and there, though it was more of a quarrel between Hanneman and Manuela. The twins only ate their well-deserved fresh meal of the day, Grilled Herring and a glass of Albinean Berries Juice.