"Yes, I did, but I was in the guard. I'm not in the guard any longer, or I won't be once they find a new captain."

"But you can still teach me how to fight." Lek said.

"All of my guard equipment was destroyed or taken in the raid. All the weapons and training equipment."

"That doesn't mean there isn't anything you cam teach me." Lek said.

"I just think you would learn more training with Wulfsen's men, that's all."

"But they will take years to teach me." Lek said. "I want to learn now."

"Learn well, work hard. I know you can apply yourself in such a manner that you will have it mastered in no time."

"You still can teach me faster." Lek stated.

"When I speak to Wulfsen about the land for my farm, I will ask if I can have some supplies to train you."

"Good." Lek said. "I want a sword and a dagger."

"I will see what I can do."

"Maybe something with a jagged blade." Lek added.

Shawn arched an eyebrow. "We'll see. You might have to settle for what Wulfsen can spare."

"A jagged blade would be scarier, wouldn't it?" Lek asked. "It's hard to be scary when you have violet eyes."

"Oh I don't know. Your mother has given me some looks over the years that made me shake in my boots," Shawn replied.

"I want to scare bad guys, not you." Lek said.

"What I meant was that you could look menacing if you perfect that look."

"You're saying I should look more like my mother?" Lek asked incredulously.

"No, I'm saying to master that look she gets when she is angry and feeling mean." Shawn was despairing that the lad could learn to fight from him or Wulfsen.

"Should I get Mama mad at me so I can study her look?" Lek asked doubtfully.

Shawn sighed. "Never mind, Lek."

"Maybe I need a scar." Lek said.

Shawn simply stared. "I think it's better if you learn with Wulfsen's men."

"They all have scars..." Lek said.

"That they didn't get intentionally and probably wish they didn't have them."