Meanwhile Edian passed some water to the exhausted Lord Raizel. He, really was much worse than she was used to. Even unfit children were easier to train, "How tired are you?"
"I'm exhausted, how's my progress?" Raizel wanted to know if he'd improved even slightly.
...She admired Lord Raizel. She really did. He had a confidence even his brother couldn't match. "It's better than before." For one he could actually hold the xiphos so it were wouldn't be knocked out of his hand for that reason.
Raizel smiled, his training was paying off. Maybe he'd be able to master sword fighting in a week. "It's all thanks to you."
Sitting down beside him, she wondered how such a reclusive man was so... oblivious. "Were you not taught by anyone before?"
Raizel shook his head, "No, my Mother and my Brother deemed sword-fighting too dangerous. They didn't wish to see me get hurt, so I never really had the chance to train."
Oh? She knew Draconis cared for his brother but to this extent? "Then they're here now?" She certainly hoped so, Draconis was a good friend.
"No, the king summoned me, so I came here alone." Although thinking back, it might have been better for him to bring them along so it didn't take him a week to answer the summons.
"Oh." How disappointing. "Will they come anytime soon?"
"Yes, they will be coming for the official announcement of the sacrifice." Raizel told her, although they didn't know that he'd volunteered to go, just yet.
Oh finally! She needed someone to talk to who wasn't going to question her about her ancestry. "And you're close to her highness?" The girl needed more friends. Ones that didn't think shooting the sun was a challenge.
Raizel nodded, "Yes, we've been friends for a long time."
Edian's lips twitched into a small smile before going back to her usual impassive look. "And how much of it has had his majesty trying to set you both up?"
Raizel thought about it for a while, he couldn't remember a time when he'd spoken to Raskreia where the king wasn't somehow involved. "I don't know," he replied, a look of worry spreading across his face.
Sympathetically, Edian smiled at him. "Don't worry too much about it. If you don't view her romantically he won't force a marriage."
Raizel was even more worried, "I didn't know that was part of his intentions."
"Then what were you reacting to before?" Edian asked, a lot more confused now. Everyone could tell that was his majesty's intention, but he thought of something else?
"That we're only friends because of the king." He was a little saddened, maybe he and Raskreia weren't as close as he thought they were.
"Oh. Well if you talk to her more that should change. Send her letters." When he was gone that is. Hopefully the man didn't mistake her advice as something he should do when they were in the same building as each other.
Raizel nodded, "Thank you." He smiled, feeling better. He'd be sure to send Raskreia letters, although he wasn't sure what to write in them.
"If there is nothing else, do you think you can return to training?"
Raizel nodded, "Yes, I've rested long enough." He still had a long way to go and wanted to be ready.
She stood up to instruct him, going a bit easier this time. It wouldn't do for him to be unable to return after all, and she needed to get him into decent shape. Training all day required energy. "Hold the xiphos tighter, anyone can disarm you otherwise. "
Raizel tightened his grip, Lady Edian was a good teacher. "What next?" He asked.
"Continue the slashes I instructed you in. Ten sets. After that run another round and you can take a break."
Raizel nodded, balancing himself, then started slashing the air while Edian walked around and studied his form and movements. After he'd finished the exercises, he looked to Edian, "So, what did you think? Have I made any progress?" he asked, wondering how far his skill had developed.
"...Like before, better." There was always progress in the beginning. "Dusk is approaching so we will end things here, come here every day after da- breakfast."
"Very well, I'll see you after breakfast."
Edian called a servant to take Lord Raizel back to his room. Outside of the courtyard, Rozaria waited, foot tapping impatiently.
Raizel followed Rozaria out of the training yard. It was good that he'd be escorted to his room, he wasn't good with directions.
As Rozaria led Raizel to his room, she asked, "Her highness was curious whether you asked about Lady Edian's interests. Did you?" She honestly didn't think he did but hey, surprises were possible.
Raizel shook his head, "No, regretfully there wasn't much opportunity for conversation."
Never mind. She was right. "I will take you to your room first. Dinner is soon and his majesty requests your attendance so a bath will be drawn and a change of clothes have been prepared my lord."
"Thank you." He hoped a servant would be sent to collect him later, he didn't want to get lost on his way to dinner.
Once at his room, Rozaria stood outside. "I will guide you through the castle from now on under her highness' orders. Please hurry, dinner is soon."
That was great, he'd have an escort while he was staying here then. "Thank you. Your service is greatly appreciated."
She curtsied, and shooed him inside. They had no time for small talk, and a magician like her was only playing servant for fun, so there wasn't any real repercussion for lack of respect.
Raizel made sure to bathe and dress himself before Rozaria came to collect him for dinner. "Thank you for escorting me."
"It's my job." The one that didn't matter but that was negligible. Once again leading the way, the king greeted them as they entered the dining room.
"Raizel! Come, sit down."
Raizel nodded, taking a seat next to the him.
"I'm preparing everything for your journey. Clothes, rations, all of that. Is there anything you need or want?" Ashoka waved the servants out of the room, all the food was on the table already anyway.
"Thank you your majesty, I'm grateful for you taking care of everything. I don't need anything else."
Ah well, he'd just ask for whatever he thought important to be packed then. "How did the day go?"
"I trained with Lady Edian, I have made considerable progress but I have a long way to go." He explained the details of his day and the feedback he'd gotten from Edian.
"Considerable progress? That's good, and I expect even better the next few days. I'll have to send you off early so that practice is extremely important." Raizel wasn't eating so he replaced the empty plate in front of him with a full one.
Raizel nodded, "I'll be ready." He smiled, as he looked down at the food in front of him. It looked delicious.
"Are you sure you don't need to bring anything? Some magic tools? A staff? Maybe a bodyguard?" He started to pile his own plate with food, vegetables mostly.
Raizel was confused, why would he need all of those things? "I'm sure everything will be fine. There's no need to worry."
"You do remember you're going to confront a monster right? Ancient being of immeasurable power or something along those lines. I understand that he doesn't kill people but that doesn't mean he isn't dangerous."
Raizel nodded, "Yes, but that's what my sword training is for." He was sure he'd be ready when the time came to face whatever creature lived in that castle.
Was... Raizel going to abandon his magic entirely? Magicians weren't common, and those with such power like his were even rarer. "You can't forget to use your prior training in other fields as well."
Raizel nodded, "You don't have to worry, I've been keeping up with my studies on magic." Most days he didn't have much to do, except sit and work on it.
"How are your diplomatic skills?" That was a staple lesson that even he couldn't avoid.
"I believe them to be excellent." Raizel replied, he hadn't practised much, but he did communicate with others well, or so he thought.
Oh by the lady of the heavens, his cousin was dumb. And so very confident. Hopefully the monster would find that endearing like he did. "Focus on your lessons with Lady Edian then. She's a good mentor."
"Yes, she is. I will do my best."
And she was also someone his daughter spent a lot of time with. Often she would leave his company to train under her. "Did Raskreia train with you too?"
Raizel shook his head, "No, Lady Edian asked her to train in the courtyard so she could focus on my training."
"Ah. So that's why she was so huffy earlier." His daughter really adored her mentor.
"Huffy?" Raizel asked, surprised. He hadn't really noticed any change in her demeanour. Was she upset?
"Rozaria said she was more focused in training then usual. That usually happens when she's unhappy." It was absolutely adorable, and she was learning at the same time. His daughter was the best!
Raizel nodded, he would ask Edian what she liked when he next saw her for training.