Sam blinked, caught between laughter and confusion.
"Master… that's him. Lucien Ashspire."
Swert's brow furrowed, gaze sharpening as he studied me.
His voice came firm.
"You are Lucien?"
I bowed quickly, forcing my voice steady.
"Yes, Master Swert."
His eyes narrowed further, as if testing the truth of me.
Then he exhaled, brushing a hand down his beard.
"By Ragnar the Great… what happened to our noble boy?"
'Noble boy.'
The words stung, but they carried no real malice.
My mouth twisted into a weak smile.
"The journey was long, Master."
He gave a short nod.
"I suppose it was. Still, you look worse than the beggars in the slums."
My lips twitched.
"So. You've finally decided to accept my offer. How noble of you."
I bowed again.
"I did. And I'm grateful for it. Thank you, Master."
Swert's gaze narrowed once more.
"It's good that you are here. But let's see if you have the skills to stay."
"I'll do my best."
Master Swert covered his nose and turned his attention to Sam.
"See to him. Take him to Iva for a room and food. Then to the baths. And for God's sake, find him clothes that don't stink."
Sam grinned.
"Yes, Master."
Swert's eyes drifted back to me, voice steady.
"Rest for today. From tomorrow onward, you will join the training. This is a chance I don't give everyone. Show me why I should teach you."
My throat tightened.
I nodded.
Without another word, Swert turned and walked back to the garden.
His figure vanished behind the closing door.
Thud.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Sam stretched his arms and grinned.
"Well. That went better than expected."
I nodded faintly.
"I hope so."
Clap.
He clapped once.
"Good. Let's get you settled. You'll need enough rest for tomorrow."
He crossed to the bar counter and knocked on a small wooden window.
"Iva! Which rooms are free?"
A woman's voice answered, muffled.
"A new arrival?"
"Yes. Came in today."
The square window slid open, and a woman's face appeared.
Her hair was tied under a hat, her face lined with age, her brown eyes sharp and skeptical.
"Bert hadn't told me."
"His name's Lucien."
She frowned before ducking away and muttering.
"Men... It's always the same. No warning, no word, and he expects me to do everything."
A moment later, she returned, holding out a key.
"First floor. Last door on the left."
Sam took it with a grin.
"Thanks, Iva. You're the best."
Her lips softened into a faint smile before she snapped the window shut.
"Go. I've got dinner to prepare."
Thud.
Sam chuckled, twirling the key around his finger as he walked back to me.
He leaned in, voice low.
"That's Iva, Master's wife. She runs this place as much as he does. Kind most days, but don't be fooled, slack off and she'll throw you on cleaning duty for weeks."
I followed him into the corridor.
"I'll try to stay out of trouble then."
He looked back lazily, smiling.
"You'd better."
We reached the last door.
Sam twisted the key, pushed it open, and held it for me.
He gave a small bow, voice dripping with mock respect.
"Your chambers, my lord."
My lips twitched at his performance, but I ignored it.
Theodora had trained me well.
'If I react, he wins.'
I stepped across the threshold.
The room was small.
A narrow bed against one wall.
A desk with a chair.
A wardrobe leaning in the corner.
'That's all...'
Sam's voice rang from beside me.
"This'll be yours. Not exactly noble comfort, but it's enough."
I smiled faintly, dropping my bag on the floor.
"It's fine. I didn't think it would be better."
No.
I thought it would be better.
'Wasn't Master Swert a renowned warrior? Why is his school so shabby and run-down?'
My mind raced.
'Don't tell me…was I tricked? Is it all a scam? No. It can't be. The knights said he was famous...'
Sam's voice cut through my doubts.
"Food's at six in the evening. Breakfast at five. Lunch at midday. Training starts after breakfast. Just show up tomorrow, and the rest will be explained."
I nodded, still unsettled.
He pointed at the door opposite mine.
"The bath. Shared by everyone on this floor, but empty right now since the others are still training. Go wash. Leave your door open, I'll bring clothes in a bit."
I bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
He waved, grinning.
"Don't thank me yet. See you in the morning."
He winked, then turned away, his steps fading down the corridor.
I waited a moment, watching his back vanish.
Then picked up my bag and set it on the desk.
I opened it and unpacked slowly.
There wasn't much.
My sword. A few letters. A worn book. My Whisper.
I laid them neatly on the desk, each in its place.
Dust clung to my fingers from the wood.
I wiped them off and sighed.
'I'll have to clean later.'
I turned and crossed to the bath, pushing the door open.
The scent hit me first.
Soap and damp stone.
On the left wall, steel faucets were lined above wooden buckets. Steam rose where hot water trickled from one.
A small pool sat in the corner, filled with warm water, its surface rippling faintly in the dim light. A rack and basket waited by the entrance.
I pulled off my filthy boots and carried them in.
The wet stone floor chilled my feet.
I set the boots aside by a bucket, stripped, and tossed my clothes on the floor.
At the faucets, I scrubbed until the grime of travel lifted from my skin.
Brown water ran into the buckets.
I lathered soap, ran it over my body, then scrubbed again until I felt clean.
Finally, I stepped into the pool.
Heat wrapped around me, sinking deep into my bones, and my muscles loosened.
For a moment, I just closed my eyes and breathed.
'At last… no more horses. No more ships. Just quiet.'