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[hider=An Orphanage and a pile of sticks...]
Aimlenn, the capital of Thaln.

It came as no surprise to Serenity that a city overseen by the royals would have an expansive network of slums, where the destitute flocked for alms and cheap rent. A miserable place, where buildings were built with no eye for design, where roads narrowed into streets narrowed into alleyways, the capillaries to the arteries of the great city. Shadows possessed eyes, haunted by what they had survived to reach here.

Some were veterans of the civil war. Others had lost their property to weighty debts. More had simply been born to it, could never climb out of it. And overall, it pointed to one thing.

The inability for the state to provide for the destitute.

She tread through puddles, when it had not rained for weeks. She tread over mud, when the surrounding streets were carved of stone. She wore black boots and clothing she would not miss, her arming sword hanging from her belt. Her flaxen hair, brilliant even in the long shadows drawn by tall apartments.

Matching the gaze of any who stared at her until they turned away.

Serenity came from wealth, but she wasn’t here to offer charity. It was simply a reminder, of what she swore upon sword and shield, amongst graves and symbols.

One place, however, did give her pause.

An orphanage wasn’t a rare sight either. Funded by the Mayonite church, they offered a place for children with nowhere else to go to grow, at least until local gangs pulled them into their fold. The interior of such places were often as barren as their exterior surroundings, anything of monetary value having been stripped away by trespassers or stored away to not tempt trespassers. Toddlers with distended bellies. Girls with flint-eyed glares. Nuns, always at the boiling point of stress and faith.

Certainly, not another Knight of the Iron Rose.

[b]“Fionn.”[/b] Ten steps to cross the street into a courtyard choked by weeds. [b]“Thought you were from Velt.”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”I am!”[/color]

For a moment he didn’t look up, focusing instead on the staff that he was just finishing carving. After he was satisfied enough with its current shape he tossed it atop a pile of its mates next to him, finally lifting his eyes to meet Serenity. He wasn’t particularly surprised to see that she wasn’t wearing the finer clothes that others of her background might, even walking through the back streets of Aimlenn—she never much struck him as the type given to such a need to show off. Though her presence alone did defy any quick explanation he could imagine.

[color=#008b8b]”Something happening back at the keep?”[/color]

[b]“Yes. Lein lost to Rui on the fields, and they’re getting married tomorrow. He wants you as his best man.”[/b]

It was total bullshit, but Serenity, schooled in the noble art of putting on a perfectly genuine, perfectly undisturbed face, delivered bullshit with an unperturbed face. She stepped closer, picking one of the staves up. On the smaller side, to be certain, but the finish was smooth enough that one wouldn’t get a fistful of splinters afterwards.

[b]“Didn’t expect you'd be…doing whatever you’re doing in this orphanage, if you didn’t have a previous tie.”[/b] Fionn never struck her as the religious sort either. Not when those more overtly faithful than he remained in Candaeln, sharpening their blades religiously. [b]“What’s the story?”[/b]

Looking back down, he reached over to grab another of the coppiced shoots he was carving, holding it between his feet and stripping bark with his knife. [color=#008b8b]”Charity’s a virtue, isn’t it?”[/color] he mused, turning it slightly and continuing. [color=#008b8b]”Sometimes it makes as much sense to give time as coin.”[/color] Time that, perhaps, could’ve been better spent removing the weeds rather than harvesting a copse to carve staves, though both needed done. [color=#008b8b]”I’ve got some rushes of rough horsetail there, if you want to take a few from the pile and smooth them out more.”[/color]

He paused to turn the coppice again, ready to slice off another long strip of bark.

[color=#008b8b]”Sure hope the wedding isn’t tonight. Would be shameful to miss it, like. Especially if I’m the best man.”[/color]

[b]“Well, if it comes to it, I’m sure Nico can grow a beard.”[/b] She obliged the older man’s request though, wrist crackling as she rolled her fingers before she got down to it. [b]“You didn’t answer my question though. Places like these are tucked away. If a knight asked, they’d be pointed somewhere more palatable. So.”[/b]

Scraping away the surface, scattering wood dust to the wind.

[b]“What’s the story here?”[/b]

With a last bit of scraping and peeling, the newest staff was added to the finishing pile, and another coppice grabbed. By the end of it he’d have far more than he’d likely need, though it was always best to account for those that would break, get lost, or anything similar. [color=#008b8b]”Why’s there have to be a story, eh?”[/color] he asked back, shooting Serenity a glance. [color=#008b8b]”I’m no orphan—not as far as I know—but I haven’t always been a knight, either. I know places like this exist, I know kids in some of them, and I know I’ve [i]caused[/i] kids to get sent to them. Short of figuring out a way to get more money coming in or to spur on a massive drive to adopt, I might as well make sure the kids know a bit of how to defend themselves.”[/color]

Strips peeled away with the aid of his knife, getting added to the growing pile of future-tinder next to him. Hopefully it wouldn’t be used to start any less-than-legal fires. [color=#008b8b]”Course, I could ask you the same question. What’s got a born-and-raised noble like you wandering around out here?”[/color]

[b]“Better to learn a trade than to learn to break bone.”[/b] Though Serenity supposed such things weren’t mutually exclusive for a former mercenary. Violence was its own trade, and considered darkly, it was simply of the military to make sure that orphans were the problem of the [i]enemy[/i].

Didn’t work out so well in civil war, certainly.

[b]“It’s the obligation of the nobility to understand the state of their people.”[/b] Serenity still held in her hands the final staff she had cleaned up. Still too small to be anything more than a stick, but stick-fighting was a gentlemanly enough martial art that she hadn’t neglected training for it either. [b]“[i]We[/i] were born privileged, granted innumerable advantages, after all. Rather than raising the roof, we ought to raise the floor.”[/b]

It made a good enough sound as she gave it a swing or two. Then, as if thinking of something, she turned towards Fionn once more.

[b]“You didn’t tell the orphans you were a knight, did you?”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Would it matter much if I had?”[/color]

[b]“Yes.”[/b] She rolled her eyes. [b]“And don’t answer questions with more questions.”[/b]

Fionn grinned back at her, setting aside his knife and picking up a handful of the scouring rushes himself. [color=#008b8b]”Maybe I’m just doing what you born-and-raised nobles ought to do, [i]raising the floor.[/i] A lot of the kids here are already apprenticed to various trades, but almost none know anything about how to [i]keep[/i] the bit of coin they get from what they do, or they don’t yet get enough exercise. This one’s doing better than others at keeping them fed, at least, and they’re starting to pick up enough books to teach the kids how to read. [i]I’m[/i] stepping in to help the kids stay strong, defend themselves and what they have, and make sure they aren’t completely out of their element if things turn for the worse again and they find themselves stuck having to fight for the crown.”[/color]

Thus the pile of coppice he was carving into light, sturdy, short staffs for them to train with. There was no telling for Serenity whether or not he’d already taught them some measure of pugilism and wrestling, or if they’d just picked it up on their own—but training with the batons would help them incorporate the basics of all sorts of other weapons they might ever be tasked to take up, or at least help even the field who weren’t as adept at the hand-to-hand stuff.

[color=#008b8b]”While we’re talking questions, though, you still haven’t given much of an answer to mine. [i]Understanding the state of the people?[/i] You’re not some silly child with their nose too buried in books and banquets to look out a window and recognize what’s going on. Doesn’t seem like they ever gave you the [i]chance[/i] to be that kid. What’re you after?”[/color]

He still didn’t answer the question, and at this point, Serenity just decided to ask one of the church nuns about it afterwards. Who knows. Maybe one of the kids would call him by some obvious identifier too, like ‘Stalwart Ball Knight’. That would make things clear enough.

The response came easily enough too, for the lioness. She opened her mouth, breath drawn already.

Then she closed it, thought it over. This wasn’t Candaeln, nor was Fionn a blue-blooded knight. She didn’t need to speak in a way that inspired either, in the way that she had to so Gerard had a mindset to aspire towards. And regardless, the sword around her hip wasn’t the sword of a knight.

[b]“Aimlenn’s not my city, but it’s nevertheless the capital city of Thaln, where the centre-most institutions of the nation are concentrated. And it’s one thing to know, broadly, that such slums exist. It’s another thing to experience, physically, what the situation is for the poorest people of this [i]great[/i] city.”[/b] Hm. Old habits were hard to suppress, after all. [b]“We are shield and sword, but that doesn’t mean we’re excused from looking.”[/b]

Her lips quirked.

[b]“Can you work out the rest?”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Maybe, maybe not. I’m a bit simple for what you’re talking about, I suppose. What’s your plan now that you’ve [i]experienced[/i] it, then?”[/color] The finished staff was tossed over to start its own pile, and another grabbed for smoothing out. [color=#008b8b]”Back to business as usual? Inspired to your own acts of charity, outside your service to the Roses?”[/color]

[b]“If charity was what this inspired, any noble could point to their tithes and claim they’re doing the same.”[/b] Quiet place, this orphanage. She figured there’d be brats scampering over by now, even with a nun holding the leash. [b]“But what I want is a change in policy.”[/b]

Of course, Aimlenn was not her city. Yet. And she did not have true political power. Yet.

[b]“Which will take time, but certainly feels more achievable, considering my circumstances, than slicing a dummy in half from a hundred paces away whilst wielding a sword with an imaginary arm.”[/b]

Fionn couldn’t help but laugh at that last comment. Their most recent visitors had their fair share of tricks to work with, sure, but the claim that Rui’s abilities [i]weren’t[/i] magical in nature was one that rang utterly hollow in his ears. [color=#008b8b]”Well, now, that one’s simple, isn’t it? Just have to sacrifice one of your arms to dragonfire. Easy as pie.”[/color]

Thinking of...

[color=#008b8b]”It’s about time to eat, isn’t it? The kids will be heading back this way soon. Ought to store all these up and I can finish smoothing them out over the next couple of days.”[/color]

[b]“Leaving the staves for later then?”[/b] Serenity shrugged. [b]“Pity. I’d stuck around this long just to see what sorta training you’d make the kids do, considering the activities you’d invent for Gerard.”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Getting them made now, sticking them in a shed to store. Not teaching how to use them until the beginning of next week. You’re free to come and see, if you’d like.”[/color]

[b]“Sure.”[/b]

Serenity’s hands swept back, readjusting her ponytail into a tidy bun.

[b]“You’d need a partner to demonstrate techniques with anyhow, and I’m sure the kiddos would enjoy some entertainment.”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Fun to see how our styles compare, at least,”[/color] he replied. [color=#008b8b]”No shield for you with this, though, so best make sure you haven’t gotten too rusty working without one. Shed’s behind the orphanage—grab an armful and follow me.”[/color] Without waiting for any reply to his little jab, he reached down, gathering up a number of the staffs and starting to stride through the yard.

[color=#008b8b]”Any plans for dinner, or are you just heading back to the keep?”[/color]

[b]“My faith is my shield,”[/b] Serenity replied, picking the bundle up from the ground and following after. [b]“And I’ve dinner with Gerard after this. Figure I better wash my boots before then though.”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Planning to give him more dancing lessons, too, or was that just a one-off before the ball?”[/color] Fionn glanced back, one eyebrow raised at Serenity’s mentioned plan. [color=#008b8b]”Sounds like I’m not the only one inventing activities for him.”[/color]

[b]“We’re knights, not swordsmen.”[/b] Her steps gained a particular rhythm, an aristocratic grace. [b]“The battlefield won’t be the only place where we’re expected to perform.”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Just so long as you’re being good to him. I’d hate to have to put myself between you.”[/color]

She fixed him with an offended look. [b]“Fionn, please. I know full well how to treat a lady.”[/b]

Fionn chuckled again, pushing open the door to the shed with one foot. It was almost completely empty, any tools hung up along the walls. Mumbling a few short words under his breath he held up one of the finished staffs, a light glowing at its tip so that they could see in the windowless space. Then, as soon as he was sure he wouldn’t trip on anything that hadn’t been put up properly, he unceremoniously dumped his armful in the back, stepping aside so that Serenity could do the same.

[color=#008b8b]”Well, anything that gets him to relax, I suppose,”[/color] he mused after a moment. [color=#008b8b]”I’m still trying to make sure he doesn’t throw his life away while we’re out and about. The more help I can enlist for that, the better.”[/color]

Serenity placed her bundle down more carefully, ensuring that it didn’t spill over all messily. [b]“What’s his deal anyhow? A merc who doesn’t value his life is a rare thing, considering the nature of the profession.”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Just how they trained him, I think. Pull him in as an impressionable kid, teach him constant offence, neglect defence, make sure he feels like he’s doing something great and good throwing him in with the...what do they call it...[i]verlorene Haufen.[/i] He lived a lot longer than most do in his situation, a testament to same natural skill, but between what they taught him to do, the money he got volunteering to be in the furthest front all the time, and whatever everything he’s seen did to him, I’m not surprised we’ve got as much to make him un-learn as we do.”[/color]

She could see that. Brash and reckless, training himself to charge forth with wild abandon. The sort to skewer himself on a spear formation in order to smash the skull of the enemy commander. [b]“Taught like a Reonite Paladin, without an understanding of the sanctity of the life that one was staking.”[/b] Serenity shook her head, then nudged Fionn’s arm. [b]“Well, he’d certainly benefit more from learning how to use a shield then, rather than following the path of a two-hander.”[/b]

Fionn’s eyes narrowed, almost imperceptibly, at Serenity’s jab. [color=#008b8b]”A shield is a weapon like any other,”[/color] he replied stiffly—any indignance [i]mostly[/i] an act. [color=#008b8b]”Something he knows [i]too[/i] well to trust that [i]that[/i] might curb his poorly-directed instincts. No, I think we’re on the right track now. Better to keep him with what he’s best at.”[/color]

And lest she think his reply too serious, he nudged back. [color=#008b8b][i]”You,[/i] meanwhile, ought to pick up a different shield. Yours is alright from horseback, or fighting in a formation...neither of which we’ve done much of. Ought to pick up a buckler or a targe instead, something a bit more handy and active.”[/color]

[b]“But how would I shield a fair maiden from a rain of arrows with a shield the size of a dinner plate?”[/b] If Serenity noticed the hint of something raw beneath Fionn’s response, she didn’t react to it. [b]“It’s simply out of the question!”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”Fair is up for debate, but I’d be surprised if he’s a maiden.”[/color]

[b]“Everyone’s a maiden, if you’re enough of a knight.”[/b]

Fionn turned to look, another raised eyebrow, though [i]that[/i] particular joke passed without comment. [color=#008b8b]”Well, I’m glad you’re going out and enjoying yourself, at least,”[/color] he said after another moment, before gesturing back outside the shed, tossing his no-longer glowing staff down atop the rest. [color=#008b8b]”Gives a bit less to worry about with you, leaves me a bit more time to focus in on the other two.”[/color]

Not that he [i]wouldn’t[/i] worry, of course, but at least it wouldn’t be as much.

[color=#008b8b]”Now, if you intend to wash your boots before dinner, you ought to head out. I don’t want to keep you from your fair maiden.”[/color]

[b]“Plenty of others to keep your eyes on, Fionn.”[/b] Serenity waved, setting off. [b]“These days, I’d say: ‘don’t blink when it comes to Lein’.”[/b]

[color=#008b8b]”What’s he going to do, ask me to loosen his laces again?”[/color]
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