Bernie and Griselda were still fast asleep when a sharp, unfamiliar sound, unlike anything they'd ever heard, pierced through the silence and woke them. As they lay there in bed, confused and alarmed, someone banged furiously on the door.
"Bernie, Griselda, get up!"
It was a woman's voice, sharp and commanding, like the drawn edge of a blade.
Bernie didn't dare dawdle. He muttered a curse and jumped out of bed, hurriedly throwing on his clothes and shoes. Before he could even reach the door, it was kicked open with a loud bang.
The latch snapped in two with a cracking sound as the door was smashed inward.
"Up. Morning drills," said a young woman standing at the doorway. She was dressed in bronze-colored armor that hugged her athletic frame, standing tall and poised like a warrior. Two towering soldiers flanked her, both holding torches and eyeing Bernie and Griselda like wolves eyeing sheep.
It was still pitch-black outside.
Bernie froze for a moment, startled, then shouted, "Griselda, get up!" But before he could finish, Griselda had already sprung to her feet behind him, her imposing figure even more muscular than the two soldiers at the door.
The girl at the door had a cold, stern face. She looked at them as if they were enemies. Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and started walking, speaking quickly and without emotion:
"I am Julie Clegane. From today forward, I'm in charge of your training. You two are personal attendants to Ser Gregor and Lady Jeyne, which means close-quarters sword combat will be your primary training focus. First: speed. Second: strength. Third: offensive and defensive sword techniques. Today, we start with speed, followed by strength, and then the basic fundamentals, grip, parrying, and thrusts. Listen carefully, I only say everything once."
Bernie and Griselda hurried after her, with the two torch-bearing soldiers close behind, their eyes like daggers boring into Bernie's back. He felt a chill crawl down his spine.
"When the army whistle blew this morning, you failed to open your door within ten heartbeats. This month's pay will be docked." Julie's voice was cold and without mercy.
Bernie, who had been tiptoeing around her wrath, suddenly exploded in frustration. "What the hell, " he started to shout, but immediately sensed danger. He could hear the two guards behind him gripping the hilts of their swords. He quickly changed his tone. "Ah, yes, ma'am," he muttered, his voice low and submissive.
Bernie was gifted in mimicry, capable of imitating all kinds of voices. His ability to discern subtle sounds was a rare and remarkable talent.
Griselda said nothing, but she made a mental note: that piercing, sharp sound from earlier, it had been the army whistle. No one had told them in advance. But it didn't matter now. She remembered. Tomorrow, she won't make the same mistake again.
Julie led them to the main training ground. The sky was beginning to brighten. Hundreds were already there: some marching in formation, others running laps, still more practicing slashes or drills. Farther away, soldiers trained in horsemanship and spear-throwing.
They were clearly late.
Bernie glanced around, he estimated about three hundred people were already training in the massive square.
Damn it, he cursed inwardly. Getting up this early to train is hell. I've gotta find a way to sneak out of this.
"Lady Julie," Bernie said nervously.
"Speak!" she snapped, not even slowing her pace. She walked briskly, her back straight, radiating an air of unyielding authority.
"I… I'm not a foot soldier or cavalryman under Ser Gregor. I'm his wine steward. I pour drinks, hand him things, keep him entertained, clean his armor, polish his sword… I mean, I'm not a fighter… I'm an internal affairs assistant. I don't really need to train, right?"
Julie stopped and spun around, barking: "Bernie, guard!"
"Yes, ma'am!" he said instinctively.
In truth, Julie hadn't been knighted by her father Gregor yet, so she technically wasn't a "lady."
"Training you in swordsmanship is so you can protect yourself. Do you honestly think Ser Gregor needs you to protect him?"
Bernie's jaw dropped.
So that was it. Ser Gregor wasn't training him because he needed help, he just didn't want Bernie to drag anyone else down.
Bernie tasted bitterness on his tongue.
To Gregor and his beastly men, Bernie was weak. Training him was simply a way to keep him from being a total liability, so they wouldn't have to protect him when the killing started.
He had thought he was being trained to protect Ser Gregor. But now he realized how laughable that idea was. He'd been completely, ridiculously wrong.
Griselda spoke hesitantly. "L-Lady Julie…"
"Speak!" Julie barked, frowning. She was visibly irritated by Griselda's timid demeanor. For someone taller and stronger than most men, Griselda had less courage than a child.
"Then… what about me? Is it also so I can…"
"Griselda, your training is to prepare you to protect Lady Jeyne. You're her chief handmaid, personally chosen by Ser Gregor. Her safety is your responsibility. Do you understand?"
Griselda's mouth fell open, her heart filled with panic. She'd been mistreated her whole life, never able to protect even herself. Now she was supposed to protect Lady Jeyne?
"I can't," she said in fear. The idea that she might endanger Lady Jeyne through her own incompetence was unbearable.
"You can! I trust Ser Gregor's judgment," Julie said firmly.
"No!"
Julie turned and continued walking. Behind her, the two soldiers extinguished their torches. The eastern sky was beginning to lighten, and the vast training ground, capable of accommodating thousands, was becoming more visible.
Even with hundreds present, it still felt empty. The space was simply too massive to be filled by so few.
Griselda stood frozen in place, her thoughts a roaring mess.
Lady Jeyne needs me to protect her? That's impossible. Someone truly strong, someone like Lady Julie, should be doing that. Not me.
Julie suddenly stopped and turned. "Griselda! Why aren't you moving?"
"I can't! I need to speak to Ser Gregor!" Griselda said resolutely.
Julie's expression grew icy. "Rolph, give her a training sword. She doesn't need speed or strength training. What she needs is to awaken the blood and courage of a true Clegane. Spar with her."
"But Lady Julie, she doesn't even know how to hold a sword, "
"Give her the sword and knock her down. When she stands, knock her down again," Julie ordered, her tone leaving no room for debate.
"Yes, Lady Julie," Rolph replied, a flash of menace in his eyes.
Bernie felt a jolt of fear. His legs went weak.
Rolph tossed the training sword to Griselda. It hit her arm and clattered to the ground.
"Pick it up, you stupid cow!" Rolph barked. He took up a fighting stance, sword in both hands, body turned sideways, front foot light and rear foot firm. The tip of his sword pointed straight at the bewildered Griselda.
Griselda waved her hands helplessly. "No, no, no, I can't, " She wasn't refusing training. She just couldn't bear the thought of being responsible for Lady Jeyne's safety. She was terrified of failing.
"Knock her down! Make her want to pick up the sword!" Julie ordered. "I want to see her angry."
"Yes, Lady Julie."
Rolph advanced and slashed. Griselda flinched and raised her hands instinctively, but she was too slow. The training sword grazed her right cheek, slicing a shallow wound that immediately began to bleed.
"If she won't fight back, kill her," Julie said coldly.
"Yes, Lady Julie," Rolph replied, his expression merciless.
A flicker of killing intent passed over his face.
"Hurry, pick up the sword! Griselda, Gris, pick it up! He really will kill you!" Bernie shouted in panic.
⚔────────
Visit my Patreon for more: patreon.com/vynthor
Extra Content Already Available:
The Mountain of Ice and Fire (GOT) – 56 advanced chapters!
Naruto: I Am Nara Shikamaru – 30 advanced chapters!
One Piece: Summoner of the 3D Zone – 38 advanced chapters!
Naruto: Wandering with Beauties – 38 advanced chapters!
That's a total of 224 chapters ahead of public updates!
With your support, I release 10 chapters per fanfics every week, keeping the stories alive and growing.
Thank you so much for being part of this journey!