The Commander led me out of the dark cell and back through the wooden door. My former gaoler was still there and he stood suddenly to salute the Commander with a fist to his chest when he saw us emerging. The Commander acknowledged the man with a nod before handing over the torch and leading me out of the building. With a great sigh of relief I left that building-- I hoped never to see the inside of it again!
Stepping out into the courtyard I could see that a large part of the day had passed. It had been high morning when I was dragged into the gaol, but now it appeared to be late afternoon. My eyes stung at the sudden brightness. I followed the Commander as he walked with a confident gait towards the keep-proper. There were still soldiers in the courtyard, but they did not laugh at me now. Instead they saluted the Commander with a fist to the chest and wore serious faces when they saw him pass by. Something the Commander had said to me back in the gaol suddenly struck me.
"My lord, are all of these soldiers German noblemen like you?" I asked. He laughed a little and turned to look at me.
"No, Tanas. These men are common, and they come from many lands- not just from within the Empire."
"But sir, I thought you said a man must be a German nobleman to be a part of your order?"
"And so it is, yes. These men are foot soldiers in the employ of my Order, but they are not members. They are paid a salarum for their service, and while they serve us they wear our colors."
"Is your aide, von Richten, a nobleman?"
"Yes he is. He is a younger brother to the Baron von Dermbach, from the lands of Thuringia. Now that you are my squire it would be more proper for you to address him henceforth by his rank in my Order, which is that of Vice-Commander."
"What of the horsed knights who rode into Klatovi with you, sir? Are they members of your order or paid soldiers?"
"They are Knights of the Teutonic Order, Tanas, and all noblemen. You are to address them as 'my lord' or 'sir' at all times, do you understand?"
"Of course, my lord."
"Good. Now let's get you settled into your new quarters before the dinner hour." He said this just as we arrived at the large fortified oaken doors of the keep. Both soldiers keeping watch at the doors saluted the Commander before the one on the left opened the great doors to allow us entry. Unsure of myself, I followed the Commander inside.
Inside it was dark and cool. There were no windows that I could see. We seemed to be in a broad hallway that extended away from us by roughly thirty feet, ending with at large stone stairway. Each side of the hallway had a pair of heavy, arched, reinforced wooden doors which were closed. Above us was a wooden ceiling held aloft by heavy wooden beams. I craned my neck to marvel at its height-- it must have been at least three times higher than the ceiling of the smithy! The Commander began walking toward the staircase and again I followed his lead.
"In these rooms are kept meat, grain, drink, and other food stores for the kitchens," he said, motioning to the doors on the left as we passed by. Then motioning to the doors on the right, "And in these rooms are kept the arms and armaments of the knights and their chargers." I was reminded of the image of the mail coats of the knights glinting in the sun on the day they entered Klatovi, and of their spears with the merry pennants attached. Reaching the staircase, but pausing suddenly, he pointed off to the right. There I could see an archway leading to a hall which turned back to the right. "Beyond that door the kitchens can be found. And beyond there," he said, now pointing to the left where there was a similar arch, "leads to the chapel." Having told me this he then led me up the stone staircase.
The stairs turned twice on their upward climb, and when we reached the next landing the Commander led me through a double archway into a room of such immense size I could hardly believe my own eyes. I stopped and gasped, my mouth open, my eyes wide.
"I'll wager you've never before been in any room so large in your young life, Tanas," the Commander teased.
"No sir. I would never have believed this possible. If someone had told me of this room just one hour ago I would have called him a liar!" The Commander laughed.
I wandered into the room, craning my neck this way and that to see all of the wonders this room possessed. The room occupied the entire width and breadth of the keep's tower-- a fair forty or more feet in either direction. Running in rows down either side of the room were large carved wooden beams which I assumed supported the floor above. Smooth oak boards made up the floor. Built into the east and west walls were two enormous hearths. Three of the walls were lined with arched windows, their shutters open to allow the daylight and the summer breeze entry. Everywhere the walls were hung with large cloth hangings of some type, woven with images of men in battles, and of peasants in the fields, and all manner of other scenes. The ceiling was even higher than the one downstairs-- five men could have stood on each other's shoulders and still the highest man could not have touched the oaken beams which crossed the room. Long tables with benches occupied a good part of the area. On the farthest wall opposite the stairwell stood a raised area with a large carved wooden chair.
"This is the great hall of the keep," he told me. "This is where Vytautus and his household dined each meal, and where we now do so as well." He followed me into the room. I made my way slowly to the great chair on the opposite side. It was carved with the images of boars, stags, and other beasts. The Commander came up behind me.
"From here is where I govern the town of Klatovi and the outlying lands in the name of my Order. I arbitrate and pass judgment from this seat." He moved closer again behind me. I could not feel him but could sense he was close. Then he spoke softly to me, his voice just behind my right ear. "Would you like to sit in the chair, Tanas?" A shiver went down my spine.
"I don't think it would be proper for a boy such as me to sit in such a chair, my lord." He did not reply. He was still for a moment before pulling away, walking back towards the archways and the stairs.
"Come, Tanas, there is more for you to see before we reach your quarters."
We again climbed the stairs, and this time they turned four times before we reached the next landing. Here the stairs came to an end. We were looking down a narrow hallway which apparently ran the length of the tower. There was a window in the wall on the opposite side. Halfway down the hallway there was another hallway running perpendicular to the first. The two hallways formed a cross, cutting this floor of the keep into four separate large rooms. Each room was accessed by a thick wooden door, though these doors were not reinforced as were the ones on the ground floor. The ceiling was not particularly high on this floor, either. The Commander led me to the center where the two hallways met.
"Here are found on the left the Vice-Commander's sleeping quarters and a room of meeting and strategy. On the right are the treasury and a dormitory where the knights sleep," he explained, pointing to each room respectively. "You are not permitted access to these rooms, Tanas, with the exception of the room of meeting, but only when you are accompanied by me. Do you understand?
"Yes sir. Sir, where do the soldiers sleep?"
"They do not stay in the tower. There is a barracks on the east side of the keep where they are housed. There is yet more to see. Follow me," he said, leading me down the second hallway. At the end of this hallway was another archway. On the other side of this archway was the base of a small circular stair. I found climbing this circulating stair to be rather interesting. The men who built such a thing must have been exceptionally clever! This stairwell was attached to the outside of the tower, and I knew once we had started climbing that it was housed entirely in the tower's only turret. The turret, along with the rest of the tower, was visible anywhere in town (and indeed for some distance in the countryside as well) and for many years I had looked from the ground and wondered just what was in that turret. Now I knew!
We soon reached a landing, though the stair continued to circle upwards. The Commander paused for a moment.
"On this floor are my quarters," he spoke. "As my squire you will naturally be housed with me. But there is something else I would yet show you first, and which I think you will enjoy. Follow me." He continued climbing the circular stair and I dutifully followed.
Soon we reached a wooden doorway where the stair seemed to end. The Commander opened the door and the late afternoon sunlight suddenly spilled into the stairwell. He turned to me then and took my hand in his-- it felt strong and steady. With a large smile upon his face he pulled me out onto a landing which was open to the sky, bounded on all four sides by a waist-high crenellated wall. Now we had gone as far as we could. We were at the very top of the tower, and to go any higher would be to climb into the kingdom of Heaven itself. I marveled greatly at the world then, shown to me in a way I could never before have possibly conceived.
Far below us was the town. For the first time I viewed it as a bird might. The people moving about on the streets seemed small and funny. I saw the houses and shops from the top down and I could make out the pattern of the intersecting streets and lanes. I thought I had known those streets so well, and yet now I saw their pattern as a sudden revelation. Beyond the walls of the town I could see fields and forest for a long way off. I could see the path of the Dubysa River stretching from one side of the horizon all the way to the other-- whole leagues of its course open to my view from just one vantage point. The sun was beginning to set beyond the hills far to the west. At that moment the wind blew through my hair and I suddenly felt as though I were an eagle soaring high above the country.
"My lord...." was all I could manage to articulate.
After several minutes I realized he was still holding my hand and I turned to him then. He smiled down at me. The sun was in his face, setting his fair blue eyes alight; his hair seemed spun of gold and light. The vast orange sky stretched out behind him into eternity, the evening stars just now becoming visible. In that moment I knew that, had he given his permission, the host of Heaven would descend from the sky to carry him off into the Blessed Realm. "My lord..." I repeated dumbly, a lump forming in my throat.
"I knew you would like it," he said. "Fortune has brought our arrival at the perfect moment."
"What is the name of Heaven in your own tongue, my lord?" I asked him. He looked at me funny, as though he thought the question oddly out of place. But of course he could not see what I could see; what I was seeing.
"It is 'Himmel,'" he answered after a moment.
"Himmel...," I quietly repeated. And then, "I shall never forget this moment, even beyond the end of my days."
"Come, Tanas, or we will be late for the evening meal," he spoke quietly. Still holding my hand he gently pulled me back towards the door of the darkened stairwell, back toward the land of shadow and mortal men.
We descended back down the staircase to the floor below which held the Commander's private quarters. On this floor the stairway let out into a broad hallway which formed an L shape around two sides of the tower. To the right at the end of the hall there was a small room blocked off with a heavy curtain. Inside was a stone seat with a hole in it and a lid covering the hole. (The Commander called it a privy. I was not sure what its purpose was.) Rounding the corner on the left we came to a large wooden door in the wall. This the Commander held open for me, allowing me to pass through before him.
Inside was a large room with several windows. The walls were covered with beams and white plaster with sconces hung intermittently. On one side there was a great wooden canopied bed, upon which laid a thick feather mattress and several over-large colorful wool blankets. At the foot of this bed and placed against walls nearby were several large chests carved simply in the Slavic fashion. At the opposite end of the room there was a hearth recessed into the wall and in front of it were placed several chairs around a large rectangular table. In a corner beside the hearth sat an extremely large wooden half-barrel of sorts, big enough for a man to sit down in comfortably. I could not begin to imagine for what purpose the Commander would need such a large barrel.
Knowing that we should be sharing these quarters I began to look around for a mat or a bit of straw where I would be sleeping. Not seeing anything of the like I began to wonder if perhaps I should sleep on the bare floor. He seemed to understand the purpose of my searching. He walked over to the canopied bed and, reaching underneath it, pulled out a smaller, lower bed. It had what looked to be a thin feather mattress and a woolen blanket lying on top.
"At night you will sleep here on the trundle bed," he spoke. "During the day you will roll it away beneath my own." Having said this he now left the trundle bed out for the time being. He walked over to one of the chests and opened its lid. "In here you will keep your possessions and clothing." At this he looked up at me with a sly look upon his face. He reached into the chest, pulling out a bag. "Hmm... what have we here?"
"My things!" I cried out, recognizing the bag at once. I half leapt over to him, attempting to peek into the bag while he held it, trying to confirm that it did indeed hold my belongings.
"I had it brought up when I was informed of your... arrival. I believe this belongs to you as well," he added, producing my knife from the chest. He held it out to me, but I was hesitant to take what had caused me such trouble earlier in the day. "Perhaps we shall leave it here in your chest for now," he said, seeming to sense my trepidation. I nodded in agreement.
"Let's see what else you have packed away in this bag," he spoke as he walked over to the bed and sat upon its edge. He reached into the bag and pulled out my old woolen blanket. He made a 'tsk-tsk' sound under his breath and shook his head. "It's a bit thin and has a few too many holes. Already we have better for you here." He pointed to the thick wool blanket already on my new bed. He set the old blanket aside and again reached into the bag, this time pulling out my wooden bowl, cup, spoon and pot in turn.
"Simple, serviceable, and humble-- you may keep these up in our quarters. You will not need them during meals in the great hall since others will be provided for you."
Once more he fished around in the bag and pulled out my small purse of coins. He tossed it lightly in his palm, causing the coins inside to jingle.
"You will not have need of this while you are in my service." He reached out to hand me the purse, which I took from him. "Put it safely away in your chest," he instructed. I did as he bade me.
He then pulled out my two boots from the bag. "I suspect, Tanas, that you may have outgrown these boots since the last spring frost. Come, set your foot down here upon the floor and we shall see." He set the right boot down on the floor and I stepped over to it. I placed my right foot beside the boot. We could both see that had I tried to put the boot on my toes would surely have burst through the tip. "We will go to the cobbler tomorrow and have a finer pair made for you."
"But sir, I could not afford another pair," I interjected.
"It is not a cost to be borne by you, Tanas. You are now my ward and it shall fall to me to outfit you," was his stern response. I felt uncomfortable that I should be an expense to him but I said nothing further on the subject lest he take offense.
Once more he reached into my bag, pulling out my breeches and tunic which I wore in the cooler months.
"Again it seems you have outgrown these, Tanas. But it is no matter since they are not appropriate attire for a squire of my household. I have some articles you may use while the tailor stitches up some new garments for you." At this he got up and went over to one of the other chests, opening it up and pulling out a white tunic and other items. He came back to where he had been sitting and laid the items out on the bed. There was a large white tunic, a length of cord, and a tabard which was dyed red and gray.
"Take off your tunic please, Tanas," he said. I quickly complied. For a brief moment I could feel his eye upon my bare torso. "Your time at the smithy has made you very well developed. It will be an advantage when we begin your training." I blushed despite myself. He handed me the white tunic he had pulled from the chest. "This is one of my own. Put it on."
I took the tunic from his hand and pulled it over my head. It was softer than my old tunic and much cleaner. The sleeves fell down past my hands and the hem came nearly to my knees. The Commander was a larger man than me.
"Here," he said, making me to lift my arms so he could roll up the sleeves for me. Then he picked up the tabard and pulled that, too, over my head. The tabard was red on the right side and grey on the left, and it had a black wolf in a rampant stance stitched onto both chest and back. I wondered about this to the Commander.
"Sir, why will I not wear the white and black cross? What device is this?"
"As I said earlier, Tanas," he replied, "you will not be squire to a Teutonic knight and you will not be subject to the rules of that Order. In any case it would not be permitted-- the Order does not allow its knights to retain squires. However when I joined the Order I did not renounce my title or position, and so I am still free to take on your tutelage in a more personal fashion. This is why you will wear the red and gray with the wolf; they are the colors and sign of my house. You are now a squire to the Saxon Count of Laubau, Tanas."
"I see," I answered. In truth I did not see. Not completely, anyhow. But I discerned that I was more closely aligned with him than I might otherwise have been. Knowing I wore his colors made my chest swell with pride. Anyone who saw me in that tabard would know I served this great man. I could not wait to proudly walk the streets in it! At last he finally affixed the length of cord about my waist, belting the tabard and tunic. He stepped back to admire me.
"You do me some honor in my colors, Tanas. You look born to the part," he complimented. Again I blushed. "Now that you are somewhat properly attired we should descend for the evening meal. Already I can hear from the din below that the others have begun their meal. Normally it would be your duty as my squire to stand and serve me at meals. For now this rule will be relaxed due to the communal fashion in which the knights of my Order dine. However I will expect you to sit by my side and fill my cup when needed."
"Yes sir. Of course, sir!" I thought this a great privilege rather than a chore. I was sorry that I would not be able to serve him; I should have liked to do so.
I kept my head held high, my back straight, and my eyes focused forward when we entered the great hall. I saw this as my first test in the service of the Commander. Normally I would feel embarrassed and a bit queasy in the stomach at being the center of attention, and in truth I did feel that way just then when so many eyes turned to me, but I was determined to show that the Count of Laubau's squire was no slouch! I was resolved that no dishonor should ever fall upon the Commander through me or my actions.
Most of the long tables and benches were occupied by the foot soldiers. When they set eyes upon me there was a fair bit boisterousness and cat-calling amongst them. Some even called out to me, and I'm sure had I only known German my cheeks would be burning. The Commander soon quieted them with a stern look and a movement of his hand. The knights, who sat at a single table at the back of the hall near the great wooden chair, were much more circumspect. Most turned to watch our entry, some seeming surprised, others uninterested. Vice-Commander von Richten, who was facing towards the doors, merely continued to eat his soup while watching our approach. His face was entirely neutral. The Commander took a seat on von Richten's left, and I sat on the Commander's left at the end of the table. Sitting opposite me was an agreeable-looking dark-haired knight who, after regarding me a few moments with mild interest, returned to eating his meal.
Upon the table were place settings for the Commander and I consisting of a wooden bowl, spoon, knife, and a goblet each. Also spread out along the length of the table were pots and bowls which contained primarily a soup (which was rather brothy and contained several types of chopped vegetables and chunks of beef) and stewed beets, and there were several loaves of bread as well. It was simple fare for these men I was sure, but much better than I was used to. The Commander struck up a conversation with the Vice-Commander almost immediately, but as it was in German I could not follow any of what they said. While he spoke the Commander began to reach for the food, casually serving himself. Also, without even looking my way, he grabbed a pitcher of wine which was in front of him and placed it in front of me. I understood this gesture and stood to pour the wine into his goblet. Having done that, I also filled my own goblet half way with the wine. At that point I noticed the knight across from me looking wistfully at the pitcher. Noticing me noticing him he smiled, gave a slight nod, and held out his empty cup. I returned his smile and filled his cup without complaint. The look of the knight filled me with a friendly feeling towards him. I also located a pitcher of water and used it to water down my wine. (I knew from past experiences at Drahomir's tavern that I could not tolerate much undiluted wine without becoming foolish and feeling ill the next day.) I followed the Commander's lead in serving myself my own meal.
Thus my evening meal I spent in silence, listening only to the unintelligible conversations being carried out beside and near me in German. Occasionally I would stand to refill the Commander's cup when I could see it was empty. I did not speak to anyone, including the Commander, and as far as I was aware he was the only man in the room who could speak the tongue of the Slavs with any fluency. Instead I sat and observed the actions and behaviors of the men in the room, watching their manner of familiarity with each other and how they comported themselves during the meal. I also spent much time observing the Commander and von Richten. (Well, mostly the Commander.) I could see they were friends, and though I could not understand it their conversation appeared warm and friendly. I wondered how long they had served together. Sometimes the Vice-Commander would look my way, but only occasionally and very briefly.
Having paced the consumption of my own meal with that of the Commander I was therefore finished when he and the Vice-Commander stood up and made to leave the hall. Most of the soldiers and many of the knights had already left. Some of the kitchen staff were already clearing tables at the far end of the hall. Having watched many of the men leave I knew that there was a basin of water near the doors where one could wash their hands and face clean of the meal if need be. This the Commander and his aide did, and I followed their example.
The two men walked abreast of each other up the stairs and I followed mutely behind. When we reached the upper floor they turned to face each other, presumably offering up their evening pleasantries before going their separate ways. I could hear the knights rustling and talking in their dormitory behind me, but the door was closed. Suddenly the Vice-Commander turned to me.
"Good night, Tanas," he said in his gravelly, heavily-accented voice. A smile was on his face.
"Good night, my lord," I replied with a bow of my head. At that he went into his apartment and I followed the Commander down the hallway and up the winding stairway to our own quarters.
"The Vice-Commander is fond of you, Tanas. He feels you have a great deal of potential, as do I," the Commander spoke once we were in our quarters and the door closed. This I found rather surprising considering the Vice-Commander had turned me out of my home that very morning. I said as much to the Commander.
"Now, Tanas, let us be fair. The Vice-Commander only did so upon my orders, and he was loath to do it. He asked several times for me to send another man for the job. But the Vice-Commander is a good man and I trusted that he would do the deed kindly and peacefully." I did not push the issue, not least because my prospects were now so much better than they had been at this hour on the previous day, and I had reason only to rejoice rather than to complain.
"Let's prepare ourselves for sleep now. We have many errands to run in the morning. Also we are far behind where we should be in relation to your education. Normally a boy would have spent six or eight years as a page in a noble household before becoming a squire. In that time you would have learnt much etiquette and begun your martial training. You have much ground to gain, Tanas. Therefore I will arrange for double lessons in arms and riding to begin tomorrow. It will be physically trying on you, but you're a strong boy and I know you will cope well."
"Yes sir. I will try as hard as I can, my lord. You won't have reason to be disappointed in me!" He smiled at me kindly and ruffled my hair with his hand.
"Lessons in etiquette, knightly behavior, and the daily duties of a squire will need to be learned on the fly, as it were. Here, we will begin with that now. Come and help me undress, Tanas." He moved towards the bed and sat down at this. I went over and kneeled before him as he began to pull at his boots. I pulled each boot off his large feet and sat them next to the chest at the foot of the bed. His belt he unhitched and set upon the top of the chest. The doublet which he had been wearing he pulled over his head and handed to me, instructing me to hang it from a peg in the wall. He stood to remove his breeches and hose and these I also hung on the wall. Thus he stood before me in just his underbreeches, which were made of simple white linen with a drawstring to secure them around the waist and which came down only to mid-thigh.
While the Commander turned down the blankets on his bed I took advantage of the unguarded moment to observe him. He had a magnificent body. He was tall, but unlike many overly tall men he was not skinny. He was very strongly built, the muscles in his arms bigger than my own. The skin on his back played over the muscles there like water over river stones. His waist was slender, but his chest and shoulders were broad. His thighs and even his calves were thick and well-muscled. Over his arms, legs, stomach and a little on his chest he had fine golden hairs. There was even a small bit that came up over the waist of his underbreeches in the small of his back, just above his buttocks. The sight of him put in me a sensation I had not felt before, and which I did not understand. I was short of breath.
Turning and seeing me standing there he spoke. "You too, Tanas. It would not be comfortable to sleep attired as you are." I moved over to my own wooden chest and removed the cord serving as my belt, the tabard, the tunic and my sandals. I left them all neatly folded on top of my chest. I did not have underbreeches and so I did not make to remove my breeches. Instead I went to my trundle bed and began to lie down.
"Don't be silly, Tanas. Remove those breeches. They look as though they haven't been washed in some time and they will only soil your bed."
"But sir, I don't have underbreeches," I responded, a little red-faced.
"We are both men here, Tanas. No need to be shy. Here, if it will make you more comfortable I will remove mine as well." He untied the string to his underbreeches and slid them down his muscled thighs, stepping out of them. Although I had seen many naked men down at the river, modesty at that moment struck me and bade me avert my eyes from the sight of the Commander's manhood. Dutifully, with my back to him, I removed my breeches and set them upon my chest before extinguishing the candle on the wall near me and leaping into my bed. I don't know why I felt so shy around the Commander. Always I felt his gaze keenly. It made me self-conscious, something that had never happened with any of the boys down by the river-- even when we had played our game of pleasuring ourselves.
The Commander blew out the only other lit candle in the room before making his way in shadow back to the bed. I had never slept in a real bed before and the sensation was amazingly comfortable! I pulled my blanket over me and laid down to sleep. I could hear the Commander moving about in his own larger bed, fluffing his pillows and getting comfortable. After a moment he was still. Then, in the darkness, he let out a sigh. I could tell he was close to me. He must have been laying near the edge of his own bed.
"Do you not have a pillow, Tanas? Here, take one of mine," he spoke suddenly. He must have been looking down upon me in the dark.
"Sir, thank you but I'm fine. I've never slept with a pillow before and I'm sure I don't need one."
"I insist, Tanas. Take the pillow." Suddenly something soft thumped me in the face. I took the offered pillow and placed it under my head. It felt odd, but it was very comfortable.
"Thank you, my lord. You have been so very kind to me this whole day. I don't know why I should have received such kindness and honors from you, but I promise I will repay you with faithful service and dedication to my training and studies." He did not reply to this but suddenly I felt his hand in my hair, lightly ruffling it in a kindly manner. He didn't pull it away.
"Go to sleep, Tanas." And so I did.
I was faintly aware that I was drooling when I slowly awoke and opened my eyes. For a brief moment I was confused about my surroundings before the events of the previous day came back to me. I could see through one of the unshuttered eastern windows that it was just past dawn. I was used to hearing a good deal of bustle along the street outside the smithy by this hour, but in the tower it was utterly silent. Silent that is, except for the sound of breathing behind me.
I quietly rolled over to face the Commander's bed. He was laying there on the edge near me. He was on his side with one arm crooked under his pillow and was sleeping soundly. I had always guessed the Commander to be a man of roughly 30 years, but in his sleep, with his heavy-lashed eyes closed, he seemed much younger. I took the opportunity to rake my gaze over him unfettered. Even his manhood was exposed, and now I looked my fill of it. It was large, larger than my own. Larger than any of the other boys' that I'd seen for that matter. It lay against his thigh, hooded and dormant, his large heavy sack hanging behind it. There was a fair bit of blond hair surrounding it which was slightly darker than the hair on his head. The sight of his manhood sent a thrill down my spine and I wished that I could touch it, though I knew that would be a violation of his trust in me. Instead I laid there and watched him sleep.
After some time when he did not stir I began to wonder if perhaps it was expected of me to wake him, or if maybe there were some chore I should be doing before he woke. But the Commander had not told me the night before of anything specific that I should do in the morning, so I laid and watched and waited. My bladder began to cause me discomfort and I looked around for a chamber pot but I did not see one. Did one have to go all the way down the tower and out the doors to relieve oneself? Eventually, perhaps a half hour after I woke myself, the Commander's breathing became more shallow and his eyes slowly opened to gaze upon me. I smiled at him and spoke.
"Good morning, my lord."
He returned my smile and stretched his limbs. "Good morning, Tanas. I hope you slept well. You have a busy day ahead of you."
"I have never slept better, my lord. I feel as though I slept upon a cloud! This is the first bed I have ever laid in."
"I'm glad you liked it," he replied with a grin. "You will never have to sleep on the floor again, Tanas." He stood up out of the bed and reached for his tunic. I got up and reached for my own. "Please go down to the kitchens and bring up something for us to eat, Tanas. I will begin to draw the bathwater."
"Yes sir." I didn't understand what he meant by drawing bathwater, but I did know where the kitchens were. So, after donning my tabard and sandals, I ran out the door, down the hall and descended the stairs. I passed the rooms of the Vice-Commander and the knights and descended the long stairs, nearly knocking over two knights along the way. (I made sure to give them a "my lords" and a bow as I passed.) I found the archway leading to the kitchens and followed the hall to the right.
The kitchens were a large affair and already there were a good number of staff bustling about preparing the morning meal. There were several large open hearths on either side of the walls with giant pots and spits set in them. Many bundles of dried herbs and other plants hung from hooks in the low ceilings. There were two exceptionally large heavy wooden tables in the middle of the room upon which a good number of people were busy chopping vegetables, plucking chickens, whisking unknown contents in bowls, and any number of other activities. I hadn't realized until then just how much effort must go into feeding over two hundred knights and soldiers three times daily.
Several of the kitchen staff I recognized by sight (though not by name) as local Slavs, but there were also some in the room whom I recognized as having been among the German travelers who arrived several days previous. One of these, a proud-looking woman who wore several keys on a chain about her waist, saw me and barked a question to me in German. Not knowing what she was asking I could only reply with my purpose.
"Please, madam, the Commander has instructed me to gather his breakfast for him and to deliver it to him in his quarters."
She eyed me momentarily with a look of disdain before calling out loudly, "Laima!" In response to this a Slav woman amongst the staff came forward. I recognized her face but had never known her name and had never had any words with her before.
"What is it that you require, Master Tanas?" Laima asked me. I blinked at being addressed as her social superior.
"The Commander has requested I deliver his breakfast to him in his quarters," I replied. Laima nodded, turned to the German woman and spoke to her in German. At this the woman barked out several more loud commands and several other staff began to scurry around, presumably preparing the Commander's meal.
"Mistress Rosalinde shall have the Commander's breakfast prepared momentarily, Master Tanas," spoke Laima again.
Unquestionably the kitchens were the domain of this Mistress Rosalinde, and she was clearly not a woman to cross lightly. Out of respect to her, and perhaps not a small amount of fear of her, I stayed near the doorway and did not attempt to move further into the kitchens. I stood there several long minutes until eventually I was presented by Laima with a tray which held a bowl of poached eggs, a plate of seasoned roast pork, a loaf of freshly baked bread, a flask of cider, one ripe summer pear, a few sprigs of mint and some cutlery. I thanked her and made my way back up the tower to the Commander's quarters, now encumbered with the tray and moving slowly.
When I arrived back in the Commander's quarters I found him kneeling in the large half-barrel in the corner of the room. The barrel was now nearly a quarter full of water and he was washing himself with a cloth and a bit of lye soap. "There you are," he said, turning as he heard me open the door. "I'd begun to wonder if you had gotten lost."
I crossed the room and placed the tray on the table near the hearth. I turned to face him. If it was possible he looked even more handsome when he was wet.
"Sir, where did you get the water from? That barrel was empty when I went downstairs, and I was gone only a short while!"
"I brought it up from the river, Tanas," he answered with a smile.
"But sir, that would have required many trips up and down the tower and out around the side of the keep-- how could you have done it so quickly?!"
"Would you believe I used magic?" he responded. I was shocked he would say so, and I crossed myself at the word. The Commander let out a loud burst of laughter. "Go look out the window," he instructed, pointing to the window just above the barrel. I walked over to the window and leaned out. Far below the Dubysa River lapped at the base of the tower.
"Surely you didn't fly down, my lord!" I said while still leaning out the window.
"Look to your right, Tanas," he explained from inside the room. I turned to look to my right. There, hanging upon a hook on the outside wall, was a bucket tied to a rope. The bucket was wet.
"A bucket!" I announced stupidly. He laughed at me again.
"Yes, a bucket. It took me only a few minutes to fill the bath with river water using it. I like to bath each morning if I can." He got out of the tub and dried himself with a linen towel which had been hanging on a peg in the wall. I wanted to watch him dry himself further, but I felt it was not polite to stare at him. Instead I turned to look out the window again. "What have you brought us for breakfast, my young squire?"
"Poached eggs, sir. And some pork and bread."
"Ah!" he exclaimed from behind me. "A fresh pear! Someone must have told Rosalinde how much I enjoy them!" I turned away from the window and moved back towards the table. He had already pulled a white linen doublet over himself and was happily biting into the pear. His blond hair seemed darker when it was wet. "Come, Tanas, let's share this meal."
While still chewing on mint leaves after finishing our meal I helped the Commander finish dressing and girdled him with his sword. He sat on the bed while I helped him to pull on his boots. By that time my bladder was quite full and I had to ask him where the chamber pot was being kept. He directed me back out into the hall to the privy, explaining its purpose. When I wondered how the privy could be emptied if it were built into the tower he explained how it was automatically flushed clean any time there was a rain. Like the circular stairway it seemed rather ingenious to me. Afterwards he led me out of the tower into the morning sunshine of the courtyard, turning to walk briskly in the direction of the stables.
"Before we begin your training, Tanas, we will need to go into town and outfit you properly. You will need the proper footwear for riding and clothing that fits you better and which won't impede your movements during your physical training. However it wouldn't be seemly for me to walk on foot through the streets of town, so I will ride on my charger. This is gives me a good opportunity to teach you how to saddle and bridle my horse. From this day forward the job will be yours, as well as feeding and grooming him."
He led me into the stables to a large stall which housed the horse I had seen him riding in town on previous occasions. It was a very large, very powerful black and white steed. The Commander brought out the saddle and bridle and carefully showed step by step how to properly saddle a horse. In truth I had done this before on occasion for Dalibor when he left for trips to Vladice, but the Commander's tack was much more complex than a simple peasant's gear. The Commander explained everything to me minutely and made me repeat it all back to him to be sure I had paid attention. A knight's horse is his life, he explained. A squire could cost his lord his life on the battlefield if he was careless while outfitting his steed. The idea that I could cause something like that to happen to the Commander filled me with dread, and I was exceptionally careful to memorize all that he told me. Once the horse was prepared I took its lead and led it out into the courtyard where the Commander mounted.
"Keep hold of the lead, Tanas. We shall go about our business in town with you leading me on my steed," he said.
"Yes sir!" I smiled.
In the streets we received many stares from the townsfolk. It seemed people could not believe their eyes. Yesterday they had known me as the dead blacksmith's slave boy. Today I was a servant to the Lord of the city! I walked onwards proudly, my chest stuck out so that everyone could see the mark of the Commander's house which I bore.
Our first stop was at the shop of Gedymin, the local cobbler. When he saw the Commander enter his shop he bowed low out of respect. When he saw me enter behind the Commander he had a look of absolute bewilderment on his face. Gedymin's shock not withstanding, he was more than happy to take a commission to craft two pairs of boots and a pair of sandals. The Commander also asked him to craft a proper military girdle for me. I was made to stand barefoot on a bit of parchment while Gedymin traced the outline of my feet, and then he measured me about the waist. When we left the shop Gedymin was several silver coins richer.
Our reception at the next shop was much the same. Here Remis the Tailor measured me in every conceivable way with a bit of cord-- about the neck, shoulders, chest, bicep, buttocks, thighs, calves, as well as measuring the length of my torso and legs. I felt like a dry dairy cow being measured up for slaughter. The Commander commissioned Remis to make me four linen tunics, a pair of linen doublets, four pairs of breeches (two linen and two leather), five pairs of hose, a lined woolen cape, a pair of leather riding gloves, a rondel (which he explained to me was a type of hat worn for formal events), a leather cap lined with fur for the winter months, and a duplicate of the tabard I now wore. Much of this the Commander specified should be dyed in his colors, red and gray. Remis' mouth was agape at the size of the order. Surely this was the sale of a lifetime for him. When we left his shop he had a good stack of silver coins in his hand and a wide grin upon his face.
We found that a small crowd had formed outside the shop. Word spreads quickly in Klatovi. I could see people I knew pointing to me and whispering to their neighbors. I was sure by nightfall there would be many wild rumors about me circulating about the town. I tried not to think about it. Instead I led the Commander on his horse through the town back to the keep. I couldn't help myself and took a roundabout way so that we might pass the smithy. There the two new German proprietors of the smithy were talking over each other loudly in German while that she-beast, Svitrigaila the carpenter's wife, was yelling at them.
"Nails!" She was shouting, banging her fist into her palm like a hammer. "I need nails, you worthless, God-forsaken German imbeciles!" It seemed the two men spoke only German and they could not understand her. I had never seen her look so angry before. I kept walking, passing by quickly with the Commander. It was all I could do to hold in my laughter.
"Will you miss it, Tanas?" the Commander suddenly asked from behind me.
"Never, sir. I'm very happy to be with you now," I replied without reservation.
Back at the keep we returned the Commander's steed to the stables before meeting up with von Richten in the courtyard.
"I have business which I need to attend to, Tanas," the Commander spoke. "I've already made arrangements with the Vice-Commander to begin your martial training. You're in good hands. I want you always to obey him as you would me. Understood?"
"Yes sir!" I replied excitedly. With that he turned and said a few words to the Vice-Commander in German before heading off in the direction of the tower. I turned to look at the Vice-Commander. He eyed me up and down for a moment.
"Come, Tanas," he spoke. I followed him around past the barracks. Here there was a quadrangle of sorts where some knights and even a few soldiers engaged in swordplay with wooden weapons. 'At last!' I thought to myself, 'I'll finally learn to be a swordsman!' However the Vice-Commander led me past the quadrangle without stopping.
He led me around the corner of a stone wall and brought me to a strange device planted in the ground. The device was made of wood. It had a base which was essentially a post stuck solidly into the ground. On the post were two levels of wooden arms spanning outwards. One circle of arms was about knee-high, the other about chest high. Hanging from one of the upper arms was a leather bag filled with sand. Here the Vice-Commander had me stand before the bag and he took several steps back. I wasn't sure what he wanted me to do.
"Tanas, hit," he said. He made a punching motion in the air with his fist. I understood that he wanted me to strike the leather bag.
Intending to make a good first impression with my athleticism, I pulled my fist back and struck the bag as forcefully as I could. The moment my fist hit the bag the arms of the device began to move like spokes on a wheel. I had not realized this would happen! The bag spun away from me, all four of the upper arms moving in rotation around the post. At the same time the lower arms also began to move in the opposite direction. In the blink an eye I was struck in the back and tripped at the knees. I was immediately sent flying to the ground. The wind was knocked out of me and my mouth was full of dirt. The Vice-Commander roared with laughter.
I pulled myself back up and he again instructed me to hit the device. This time, knowing what would be the effect, I was more careful. I struck the leather bag and this time I made to dodge out of the way of the moving arms. Unfortunately I was not fast enough and again I was quickly knocked to the ground.
"Off," he said when I had found my feet again, tugging at my tabard. I understood that he meant that I should have more freedom of movement without the awkward garments. I unbelted the cord about my waist and removed my tabard and tunic so that I was bare-chested, wearing just my breeches and sandals.
"Again!" barked the Vice-Commander. This time I gave more thought to the predictability of the movements of the device. When I struck the leather bag I made to duck and then to leap. I successfully dodged the first two arms, but I was too slow for the next two and was again knocked to the ground. The old man called for me to do it again, and again, and again. For quite some length of time I sparred with the leather bag and attempted to dodge the wooden arms. After a while I began to be more successful at remaining on my feet. The trick was to stay in motion and to anticipate each move of the machine. Slowly the purpose of the device in relation to my training became apparent. It was a devious machine, but effective.
Later the Vice-Commander led me back to the stables where he had me saddle up a chestnut mare. I remembered everything the Commander had showed me and when the Vice-Commander inspected my work he gave only a "hrmpf" which I interpreted as approval. He had me lead the mare out into the courtyard before ordering me to mount it. I had of course ridden a horse before and so I imagined that this part of my training would be easy. This did not hold to be true at all.
From the moment I landed in the saddle the Vice-Commander was barking his disapproval at me, using hand gestures to show me how he wished me to correct my technique. If I could not understand a gesture then he would come over and push me about until I was made to understand what he wanted. In circles in the courtyard he had me ride the mare while he stood in the center, observing and correcting. After some time I even began to associate some of his German words with the action he was requesting of me.
Again, as with the wooden device earlier, the Vice-Commander kept me at this for a considerable length of time. What had at first seemed exciting and enjoyable was now quickly becoming taxing and monotonous. My thighs were begining to tremble with over-exertion. My back acked as though I had a knife in it. It was now past mid-day and the sun had become hot. Sweat poured from every part of my body. Even the mare was sleek with exertion and after a while seemed to desire a respite as much as I did. We were both rescued by the return of the Commander.
"Well now, Tanas-- you look every bit the equestrian," he spoke after watching me for a few moments. "But I can see how trying this has been upon you. This should not be so difficult. Much of it is because you are top-heavy. While your arms and torso are exceptionally well-developed from your previous work, the development of your thighs and buttocks has been inadequate. They are a liability, and we must endeavor to bring them into the peak of performance that the top half of your person now enjoys. Therefore a great part of each day I will expect you to spend riding. This mare will be yours to use freely for as long as you and I remain here in Klatovi.
"Thank you, sir," I responded. At that moment I was so tired that I wished never to ride another horse in my life. However I was careful to keep that thought from showing in my voice or face. I wanted to the Commander to believe that I was willing to do as he told me even until I collapsed upon the ground. Truthfully I didn't feel too far away from that point just then.
"Return your mare to stables for now, Tanas. Unsaddle her, feed and water her, and be sure to brush her down. I have some business to discuss with the Vice-Commander for now. When you are finished come meet me in the great hall." With that he and the Vice-Commander wandered off back to the keep.
I dismounted and nearly lost my balance when my feet touched the ground. After so much time spent riding my feet seemed almost to have forgotten how to walk. It was an odd sensation. I took the mare by the lead and brought her back to her stall. There I removed her tack and was careful to hang each piece back upon the wall where it belonged. I foud a bucket near a large barrel full of water and I used it to carry water back to her stall. I had to fill her trough three times before she finished drinking. She had a sufficient amount of oats still in her bag from the morning and I felt it would not be necessary to refill it.
While she ate I used the bucket to rinse her down a few times with water and then brushed her for some time with a horse-hair brush I had found. I wanted to dump several buckets of water over my own head, but I didn't since I knew I would need to meet the Commander soon. Instead I made do with splashing my bare chest and neck with a few handfuls of water before putting my tunic and tabard back on.
The tower stairs were torture on my sore and burning thighs and buttocks, but somehow I survived climbing them to join the Commander in the great hall. It seemed I had missed the mid-day meal as the hall was empty but for him. He sat at the table of the knights. In front of him was a plate with some cuts of meat and green vegetables upon it, and also a cup and pitcher.
"Come and sit down," he called out. He motioned to the spot across the table from him. "I know how thirsty you must be. Here, I've had some fresh water and a meal prepared for you." He filled my cup full with one hand while he pushed the plate to me with the other. It was all the invitation I needed.
"Thank you, sir," I managed to get out before gulping down a whole cup of water in one go. He smiled at this and filled my cup again. Again I gulped it down quickly. "It's a hot day, isn't it, Tanas?" he asked while refilling my cup yet again.
"It's hot enough to melt the balls off a bull, sir," I replied, repeating a local saying. At this he laughed loud and long. It was such a handsome, contagious laugh. I began to chuckle myself.
"Aye, hot indeed!" he answered. I began to eat my lunch, happy that I had obviously pleased him.
He asked me how I felt my first morning of training had went, and I answered him between chewing and drinking. I felt it had gone well, but I was not sure what the Vice-Commander would say to the same question. He spoke to me then about riding, and offered some tips and techniques that he felt I should know. I asked him what was the name of the wooden device I had sparred with earlier in the day. He called it a quintain. I spoke to him of my attempts to stay on my feet against it. We bantered for a while. It was pleasant to speak with him so freely and to let the conversation wander, though it did not truly leave the events of the day. He promised that after I had finished my meal he would begin my training with swords. Hearing this I quickly wolfed down the last of my vegetables and finished what was in my cup.
"I'm ready when you are, sir!" I said eagerly.
"Very well, let's go."
Back down in the quadrangle off of the courtyard he and I were on our own, the knights and soldiers perhaps deciding it was too hot to continue their practice. The Commander picked up two practice swords made of wood and led me over to a stack of densely baled straw that was roughly in the shape of a man. Turning to me he held one sword out to me, the hilt pointing squarly at my chest.
"Take the sword, Tanas."
I reached out and took the sword by the hilt with my left hand.
"That was the first significant part of your sword training, Tanas. Do you often favor that hand?" he asked.
"Sir? I suppose so, sir. It's always been my hammer hand." I switched the wooden sword over to my right hand, but it somehow felt a little off. I switched it back to the left. Honestly I had never before given it much thought.
"I purposely held out the sword to you in a neutral manner so that I could determine which was your sword arm. A man will always reach out with his favored hand if he is not conscious of doing so, and that is the arm you should use for your swordplay. It's uncommon for a knight to fight with his left hand, but it offers up to you several advantages in battle which you will learn about over time.
"Now, there are three basic forms of attack with a sword-- the thrust, the strike, and the slash. The thrust is thus," he said, and using his sword stepped and thrust the point deep into the straw man.
"The strike thus," he said. This time he spread his feet and using both hands brought the flat side of the sword down to bear on the straw man in a clubbing fashion.
"And the slash thus," he added lastly, this time bringing the blade of the sword down on the straw man in a hacking motion.
"Each has its place in a fight. A thrust can be used when your opponent has over-extended himself, or has left a part of his person exposed. It is effective against both heavily and lightly armored targets.
"A strike can be used to disarm your opponent, or at setting him off balance. It lands with more force than the other two and can be very effective against the heavily armored.
"A slash is for wounding your opponent, and is most devastating against a lightly armored man such as an archer. Against a man in plated armor it will avail you little and you should resort to a strike or thrust instead. Now, give each a try."
He stood quietly and observed while I used my practice sword to thrust, strike and slash at the straw man in turn. It was simple enough.
"Good," he said when I was done. "There are of course many ways to deliver each attack. From overhead, underhanded, from the side, two handed, and so on. I will say more on that later.
"There are four stances, or 'wards,' from which one may strike or defend, or which you may entice your opponent to strike in a manner you desire." Here he used his sword to demonstrate the wards. The first was called "Long Point," and he demonstrated it as holding his sword to his right side between hip and shoulder, the end pointed up. There was also the "Ox," in which he drew his sword up above his right shoulder, the point aimed towards me; the "Plough," in which the sword was held near his right hip and aimed towards me; and finally the "Fool's Guard," in which the sword was pointed towards the ground between us. This last ward he explained was to entice your enemy into attacking on your own terms. He asked me to display each ward and I did so. He corrected me only a little with the proper position of my arms for each stance.
"From those wards one may attack, parry, deflect or dodge as may be required," he explained. "There are also five primary 'master strikes' which one may use against his opponent. There is the Zornhau, which is a strike from Long Point to the side of your opponents head. There is the Krumphau, which is a blow across your opponent from right to left. There is also the Schielhau, which is a deceptive blow to one part of your opponent while making him believe you are aiming for another. Then there is the Zwerchau, which is a horizontal strike that can be made from either side. And finally there is the Sheitelhau, which is an overhanded blow to your enemy. Are you retaining this, Tanas?"
"I think so, sir. I do not understand some of the words, but I understand your explanations of them I think." He must have seen the look of confusion on my face at the sudden intrusion of German into his explanations.
"I think it is better you learn the German words for these, Tanas. For now think of them as names to remember, as you might remember a man's name with his face."
The Commander proceeded to demonstrate each master strike before asking me to copy him. Then he had me practice each several times on the straw man. He seemed pleased, and went on to show me how to combine master strikes into a multi-attack. Eventually he also explained and demonstrated the basics of deflecting an opponent's blow with my blade, and of parrying. He had me practice these as he attacked me in slow motion in order that I might understand the mechanics.
"It is paramount to read your opponent's body language at all times. From it you will often derive which type of assault he plans to use on you next, and know in what manner you should attack or defend yourself. This is not specifically a skill which can be taught with words, but must be learned through example and experience through time and daily exercise.
"Now pick up your sword again, Tanas, and we shall go through the motions so that your body may memorize the movements."
Thus we spent the next several hours sparring, if that's what it could be called. There was no fast action with the swords, however. Instead it was all slow motions and stopping for explanations. Often I made mistakes, using one type of attack when another was called for, or holding my wards improperly. There was so much to remember! But he was never cross with me and explained all with calmness and civility. By the time the sun had become low on the horizon and the sky a bright orange I had begun to feel as though I were getting the hang of it all. It was at that point the Commander called an end to the day's lessons. The both of us had long since discarded our tunics and we were both very sweaty.
"Perhaps I should draw you a bath in your quarters, my lord?" I offered.
"No need, Tanas. The river is handy-- let's take a quick swim before dinner instead!"
He lead me around back to an outter side wall adjoining the tower. There was a small, fortified wooden gate there with two heavy iron bolts which secured it. He unbolted these and opened the gate. On the other side was a stretch of riverbank and a little dock for small boats, though there were no boats there at the moment. I had never known this dock existed. While the men and women of the town swam often in the river, we stayed to the east and west sides of the town. None ventured this close to the walls of the keep on the north side. Who would put themselves so close to Vytautus' reach? He was a cruel man and we kept our distance.
The Commander set down his tunic which he had been carrying and then sat upon the grass to remove his boots. I kneeled in front of him to assist. He gave a word of thanks for the help, then stood and removed his breeches and underbreeches while I also began to undress. Before I had even stepped out of my own breeches he gave me a wild grin and suddenly ran out to the dock, giving a loud whoop as he ran. When he reached the end of the dock he leapt into the air and landed with a giant splash into the river. He let out another loud whoop when he surfaced a moment later. I followed him more slowly, and when I reached the end of the dock I sat down carefully and eased myself slowly into the water, careful not to let go of the wooden planks. It was deep in this part of the river. The Commander let out a little laugh.
"Such a cautious boy, Tanas!" he teased.
"A foolish man leaps without looking, my lord," I retorted. He laughed merrily at that reply.
"Sometimes Life must be risked to be lived, young squire," he shot back with a grin.
He splashed about for a few moments while I clung to the dock. Then with an exasperated sigh (which so closely resembled those that Jeska was fond of offering up to me) he swam over and grabbed me about the waist, pulling me farther out into the river. I struggled for a few moments, panicking at the loss of control and safety.
"Relax!" he said sternly. "Relax. I will not let you go." I stopped struggling against him but I was extremely apprehensive at being so far out. "Can you not swim?" he asked.
"I can, sir, but the current is strong and it makes me nervous. I don't like not being able to touch the bottom!"
"I'm a strong swimmer-- I will not let you be taken away from me. Here, take hold of my hands."
I took his hands in mine.
"Now let the current pull your feet out from below you until you are floating on your back. Don't worry, I won't let go of you-- on my honor."
I did as he bade me. I was nervous, but he gave his word not to release me and I trusted him completely. Soon the current had pushed my body out horizontally so that I was floating on my back, feet pointing downstream while he held my hands above my head.
"Now relax, Tanas. Let go of your anxiety. Let the riverwater wash over your sore muscles. Focus on letting go of the tension in your body. Try not to think with your mind," he directed quietly.
I tried to do as he asked. I focused until I could make my muscles relax themselves. The riverwater felt very refreshing after such a long physical day. It was difficult to shut down my mind, but eventually I began to focus on the sound of the lapping water against the shore, and the songs of the nightingales singing in the treetops on the far side of the river. I looked up at the sky and it was a beautiful shade of light purple. The stars were begining to twinkle. The image of the Commander as he had looked on the top of the tower the previous evening came back to my mind's eye and a happy smile came to my face. I released a big sigh and much tension escaped out of my body with it. Suddenly I was no longer conscious of the passage of time and I was merely an extension of the flowing river.
After some time the Commander began to pull me back into himself, and I allowed my body to sink back down into the water until just my head and shoulders were above the water. I turned to him and saw that he looked as content as I felt.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"Time to head up, Tanas," he replied quietly.
We swam back to the shore and dressed without saying anything more. To have chattered would have spoiled the moment. That sense of peacefulness followed me up into the tower and lasted throughout the meal, even though there were several hundred other men in the room all talking loudly. Again when we made our way up to the Commander's quarters little was said. He sat on the bed and I kneeled before him, helping him to remove his boots once again. I hung his clothes up before undressing myself and climbing into bed.
I tried to lay awake for a while so that I could recall that happy moment in the river, but all too soon my mind drifted off and before I knew it I was asleep.
[continued]