We walked back home, where we listened to the violas of crickets, the caws of raven darting home, and half way through we heard an Oxen moo and mister Turner waving his straw hat.

****

When the darkness took the land and invited the stars when the sun ran to the hills. Lanterns, torches, laughter and ale and wall, protected us from the other things the night invites. Three coppex was given as a thanks to Turner when we set apart from baker street where we helped unload his sack filled cart.

My stomach and I couldn't help the smell and ask May for some bread when she gave the sacks we bought and butter to the old lady baker and her helpers in the bakery. I felt spoiled when we waited for almost half an hour for a small pie that May ordered. Even if I just wanted that newly baked bread she insisted on the pie. It was delicious. 0

“So how was you're day

She said when we reach?”ed home.

“Well, I got knocked out multiple times on first spar with Kath.”

She started the fire on the cooking stand while my flint grew thinner when giving life to the hearth again.

“Did you gave up!?”

Even when she was loud and strict with the amount of ale per mug, the bar was merry with more men and women. Veteran or recruit. Husband or wife, farm hand or merchant, they sang song that resonated inside my mind and everyone inside.

“What, no. I only got irritated that she told me to take a break.”

“Good, you can retreat, you can give some ground, but never ever give up, is that clear?”

“Yes, Ma'am.”

“Ha... Don't ever call me that again.”

It was the same every night. I've gotten used to the sleepless night and occasional renters with occasional interesting events.

“Still, not giving up is good thing but, it will only get you so far. You're my son, and to see you get beaten by a young—”

“Mom. Can you teach me the weakness of a resting guard tomorrow? Please, M-mom.”

“Of course, my dear.”

I have gotten used to this by now. The hardy bed, the pillow(but was just replaced yesterday by a better pillow), and the sheets(also new and better quality). To stare at darkness as if you're eyes are closed. Sure, there was moonlight that seeped through the holes of my window but almost all the time it was blocked clouds. Fortunately for me it was those kinds of nights. The moon bursted high and clear with moonlight that turned my whole room deep sea blue. That wasn't all though, I started to have these alone times as to recall what May thought me; from the barracks to value per mug, and some streets but never every street. I bet she's not teaching me very route so I couldn't head to church. Then comes the trippy part, at times like this I get dream like imaginations. Me, reenacting the past things I did on training, the mistakes, the awkward moves, and the knockouts. I was reliving them over and over again, as if I am watching my past hours in V.R. though I have never used a V.R. before. So I don't know how to describe these vivid recollections and noticing my mistakes. It was a great source of study and entertainment that only expires when my biological clock tells me that it was time for to wake up.

*Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!*

*Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!*

*Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!*

*Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!* *Tak!*

Holy fu...!

I jumped up and...

*Fwing!*

Goddammit Neil! That almost hit my head!!!