Chapter 21: Back To The Present
Aleksi POV:
As I stared at the back of the children as they walked off chatting amongst themselves, I couldn't help but smile. The training we did today was a mainly for them to get in the groove of a more modern style of training. I had them do squats, planks and situps, of course I also included some of the environment in the training but I did not push them to hard in their training.
Looking around I couldn't help but enjoy the cool breeze hitting my face, causing rustling amongst the foliage. Relaxing my tensed body, I decided to head back home to get some lunch as my stomach was rumbling in hunger.
The town has had an upped presence of guards as of late, due to the presence of the Starks but it should become more lax and lenient once he leaves. It was getting boring having to be questioned every time I had to enter the town, even if it was for a good thing. It was slowly starting to get on my nerve, breathing slowly I tried to calm myself before I start a argument.
" Aleksi you can go in. We've done our search on you for today. " The guard pointed to inside as a way to tell me to enter.
Breathing a sigh of happiness, I couldn't believed they allowed me through instantly this time and at least 5 minutes of my time wasn't wasted checking my stuff. The town was expanding at a rapid rate, but our home remained remote and on a small trail, due to a lot of the land surrounding our home being owned by my father.
This meant the townsfolk couldn't work on it without his permission, so the road has remained gravel and dirt while the town was slowly getting paved stone on the main road that entered the square. The different shops had also been upgraded with new materials such as stone to strengthen the base of the building.
In my opinion, I believe it was coming out nicely. The town was developing to the point it was self sustainable, sure we may not be able to survive long winters and would need resources from the outside, but other than that we were doing well.
The streets were lively for the day, the markets bustling as usual, Carriages flowed in and out transporting goods or people to their destination. The walk through the streets caused occasional head aches due to the new ability of mine, extremely sensitive ears. It picked up chatters of the venders, " This here is 2 carrots for 10 coppers. " A vender muttered to his customer.
The voices filled my head with constant chatter, ' I really need a way to block out the noise, maybe focus on the birds or the wind. ' Heeding to my suggestion, I decided to focus on the wind and it blocked out the noises around and replaced it with a soothing gust of wind that filled my ears with calm.
' Alright i'll have to keep that in mind ' I nodded to myself as I strolled through the streets, as I had onto the gravel path I was nearing closer and closer to my home. Walking through the streets was always nice, even if it was busy. To see the houses that previously weren't there being built made a smile form on my face.
As I entered the dirt and gravel path that leads to our family home, I released a sigh and cut my focus off to the whistling of the wind. Focusing towards my home, I heard grunting and the swoosh of a sword with the occasional jeer from Robb.
A howl hit my ears and a sudden shift of my mass occurred causing me to fall on my ass, looking to the side I saw Anthony panting with a stick in his mouth. He nudged me with his mouth, footsteps could be heard ahead of me approaching at a rapid rate. To which my father appeared from the tree line with Robb not far behind swords in hand, " Well look who it is. " My father chuckled, " Why don't you get up, that surprised face doesn't suit you. "
" Aye, it sure doesn't fit on that face " Robb smirked as he held onto a claymore.
Hearing them I put my hand on the ground and pushed myself up, dusting myself off I patted Anthony on the head and stared back at Robb and my father, both were only of their eyes only reached my nose causing them to look up at me.
" Oh yeah, I forgot to say. " Robb suddenly spoke up, " Connin will be back with that swordsman from Essos. So you might have to get ready for him, read up on the weapons. "
" Aye, I'll have to. Would most likely choose a halberd. " I spoke rubbing my chin, " Yeah, I would probably picked a halberd. The sword would only be my last resort."
" Smart lad you got there Jakob, swords are truly horrid weapons. Takes too long to master in my opinion. " Robb shrugged his shoulders, " Although I guess I use a claymore, which is basically a big sword. "
" Right Robb, the halberd would be a good weapon, Good against armoured opponents. " My father spoke leaning on his sword, " Although, you yourself will need a good set of armour. Which you'll most likely find in Yharnam. "
" Aye, Yharnam has some good gear if you can get your hands on it. " Robb nodded his head
Looking at them speak away, I couldn't help but stare at Anthony who tilted his head towards me before barking and pointing his snout towards a stick. Looking towards it, I couldn't help but show a smile.
" Are you listening to us lad? " My father questioned
" Of course, but can't we leave this till later. " I voiced my opinion
" I guess we could. " My father agreed, " Alright Robb lets head back to our spar, you round cunt. "
" Hey, I'm not even fat. You ignorant fool! " Robb shouted back his own insult.
" Bah, whatever you say. " His voice and back faded into the forest as they spoke heading back to their training spot. Grabbing the stick, I aimed and threw it into the tree line.
" Fetch it boy! " I shouted towards my dog to which he immediately gave chase for the stick, disappearing amongst the thick bunch of trees.
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Jon Snow POV:
" Jon could you believe it! " I heard Robb shout from behind me, " He was massive, bigger than father! "
" I know, you don't need to keep telling me. " I replied back as me and Arya were fed up of his muttering on the subject.
The training that he had subjected us to was completely different to that of the soldiers at the castle and to be honest, I was grateful as I don't believe I could of ran a whole lap in full chainmail in my current condition. Although the training he subjected us still caused pain, as he made us throw punches at each others stomachs until one of us would yield, even giving us techniques for more brutal punches. 'The Liver punch was the scariest' , a shiver spread through my body.
The also strange exercises he showed also caused some soreness in my stomach and elbows, although that may of been due to the planking position and resting my elbows on sticks and small rocks. Even then it was painful, but we were able to push through and show him that we weren't a waste of time.
" Hey, we should get something to eat? " Arya voiced out with a hungered look, " Maybe we'll find father at the tavern. "
" He did say, he would most likely be there. " Robb replied causing me to simply nod along.
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Connin POV:
"So tell me," the Essos knight muttered, " This lad you speak of, was your stories true?"
The man leaned forward while i gripped the reins.
"Aye, everything I spoke of was true." I nodded my head, " especially the bear one, no matter how hard it is to believe."
The man chuckled hearing me, " a lad that has the strength to wrestle with a bear and win. " the man spoke as if a smile was forming on his face, "how old is the lad."
"15 , i believe." I spoke raising my hand onto my chin
A gasp came out of the man's mouth, " fifteen and he is already a monster." The man spoke with a sense of shock, "He may truly be g… .…..?", The man muttered words behind me that i was unable to hear
As the caravan moved forwards, a arrow suddenly hit the side of the carriage, this caused me to try to get the horses into a run.
The essosi knight also prepared himself, grabbing a pole hammer and equipping a well decorated helmet. His plate armour depicted a man on a cross with other intricacies that didn't seem of this world. However I decided not to inquire.
As we sped through the trail, the back end of the carriage suddenly flipped up, 'Damn, holes in these roads are going to kill me!'
The caravan flipped on its side, enter the carriage I grabbed my weapons and equipment and got ready, shield and spear in hand.
"You ready Ludwin?" I looked over to him as he donned his helm, he sent a quick nod before exiting the carriage. A volley of arrows were fired at him but dealt no damage due to his armour.
"IS THAT ALL YOU SCUM HAVE!!!" Ludwin shouted out in a mocking tone, " EVEN A TODDLER FIGHTS BETTER THAN YOU INFIDELS!!! "
The word infidels brought confusion on my face, however i thought nothing of it and believed it was a Essosi insult.
Exiting the carriage, I saw rows upon rows of bandits. Atleast 20, this brought a smile to my face. 'This is practically free money ' A blood thirsty grin flashed on my face
Looking over to Ludwin, I saw he was in prayer, " Oh, Almighty Lord grant me strength to fight this battle in your name, and return victorious amongst these infidels that have not felt your true light." Ludwin stared at the sky before looking at the bandits and prepared.
The bandits raised the arrows and fired a volley, Ludwin raised his arms wide while looking at the sky and i hid behind my shield.
As the arrows stopped coming, the bandits rushed at us. Preparing my self, I saw 2 bandits lose their heads to a single swing by Ludwin aswell as their bodies being sent into the trees.
I readied my spear and thrust it into the first that rushed at me, raised my shield to block another overhead strike. Retracting my spear, I sent another strike through the eyes of a bandit. A sinister laugh could be heard coming from Ludwin, " Oh how glorious, it is like sheep to their slaughter. Keep coming and I shall feast on your blood"
He sent another swing smashing the body of one man, that instantly folded upon impact. 'We still had 16 more to go ' I thought to myself, as I blocked the onslaught of attacks that came my way.
"We'll kill you bastards!!" a bandit from the back yelled out causing the bandits to roar in agreement.
"Then come and take my head you coward. " Ludwin retorted, " For I am Gods favoured, this world shall be cleansed of filth like you. "
The bandits increased the ferocity against us now, however we were holding well as 8 bandits were at our feet, " Is that all you bandits coward have! " I shouted pointing my spear towards them.
A hearty laugh came from Ludwin, " Would you look at this!" Ludwin bolstered loudly, " THE INFIDELS SHIVER BEFORE GODS FAVOURED AND CONNIN THE BRAVE! "
A sudden boom reverberated, echoing Ludwins voice. The bandits seeing this instantly started to flee with their tails between their legs.
"You really need to tell me who this god of yours is. " I spoke to him causing Ludwin to stare
" You wish to learn of Gods achievements?" Ludwin spoke with a shocked face as if he was surprised I asked such a question. However a bright smile formed on his face .
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Merry Christmas, have a good holiday!
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