The lieutenant stood back and nodded often as Rezkin spoke and adjusted his students’ motions and stances. To the lieutenant, it was obvious the young man knew what he was doing. In fact, he decided that some of his own men might benefit from the instruction. While recruits did learn basic techniques, the training period was short and left much to be desired. For the most part, most of the infantry simply learned enough not to drop their swords at the first sign of trouble. He eventually asked if a few of his men could join Rezkin in the lessons. Rezkin simply shrugged and nodded his assent. Who was he to stand in the way of men practicing their Skills?

By the time lunch was announced, Frisha and Tam were tired and sore. Frisha could not believe how exhausting the work was, and she had not even had the chance to hold a sword, yet! After a light lunch of fish and fruit, they broke from their training for an hour to allow the food to settle.

Rezkin examined the proffered blades and found them wanting. They were bulk quality, general issue—easy to rust, easy to break. It was what he had to work with, though, and it would suffice. For the remainder of the afternoon, Rezkin instructed his companions and a few of the younger recruits on their basic techniques.

At the end of the day, Rezkin and the other men hauled buckets of cool water out of the river and dumped them over their heads to rinse away the sweat. The cooks vacated the galley for a short while to allow Frisha to wash herself with river water in a small tub. That night, Rezkin lay down in the bunk closest to the door, while Tam insisted Frisha sleep in the bunk closest to the wall. Halfway through the night, though, Frisha ordered Tam to switch with her after the young man had already fallen out of his bunk three times. She argued that at least by the wall he would only have one direction to fall. Rezkin thought it must have been effective, because Tam did not fall out of his bunk for the rest of the night.

The next day was much the same as the previous day. At first, Tam and Frisha both complained quite loudly that they were too tired and sore to practice. Frisha was nearly incapable of lifting her arms high enough to comb her hair, much less hold a sword. Tam tried to be brave and push through the pain and fatigue, but it was apparent that he was miserable.

On the second night, Rezkin stayed on deck late to practice his own forms. There were no lanterns on the quarterdeck, so his practice was completely enclosed by the dark of night. He was used to night training, so it did not hinder him, and he did not have to worry over anyone getting a good look at his blades.