“It depends on what he offers me,” he said after a pause and then continued walking away. “You’ll know my answer when I do.”

“You can’t leave, I have so much to learn from you!” His voice was becoming frantic and Tallen sighed as he stopped.

“Reid,” he said as he turned around. “Calm yourself. What’s to stop you from coming with me? Would I really just leave such a promising warrior behind? I would expect you would join me there if I was to leave.”

Reid shook his head, “If you left, I would have to stay here, somehow. Find someone else to train with I suppose.” He let go of Tallen and returned to the practice area.

Tallen watched him for a moment more before going back to the forge. Sometimes the boy was more trouble then expected.

~*~

“So you see, we really need you Lord Tallen,” the King said, eating Tallen’s stew as though it was a feast at the High Table.

Tallen watched him with approval, the previous King had made a very good decision in crowning this son, and at a good time as well, he’d make a great King, if he lived through the war. Tallen took a few more bites of his own bowl and a generous bite out of his bread. Reid was nibbling on his food as though he was quite sure it would come alive and start screaming at him.

“I see. You have your hands full with the new recruits and you only have two trainers. Then when they go off to battle, you want me to teach my forging. Hmm… and your offer is good, more money than I could do anything with, a place of my own in the country states, a larger forge, and three apprentices after the war is over. Complete protection while the war is underway at the castle itself and my own servant staff. What would I do with all that?” Tallen ate for a few moments as the King thought over his words and answered himself.

“You could do anything with it all Lord Tallen. My father worked very hard to bring peace between our two countries and I plan on bringing it back. That the treaty had lapsed and no one did anything to renew it was a terrible misstep on my father’s account, but I promise not to make that same mistake in the future. We need you Lord Tallen, we really do.” His earnest brown eyes bore into Tallen and he was struck by the openness there.

Tallen nodded and finished his stew, swiping the gravy up with his bread. “I accept,” he said, and Reid choked on his food, face going red and Tallen pounded him on the back a few times to clear his throat. “Better?” Tallen asked and Reid nodded his head, before shaking it.

“Yes sir, and no. Please excuse me,” he said softly as he bowed to the King and left the room.

Tallen turned back to the King. “So, let us discuss the details.”