Chapter No. 50 Dicipulus

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Mara smiled as she watched her ersatz knight-in-training ride around the practice field. She had petitioned Faul to fashion her student an armor harness much like hers but without the added thickness or unnecessary embellishments. What he fabricated had a minimalist warrior chic look, with a more ponderous pauldron over her left shoulder and a heavier, more flared coudière at her left elbow to help cushion a lance blow. Instead of a molded faceplate, Estard's helmet had a tapered snout to better protect her face, but it gave her a bird beak look.

"Don't let the lance lean too far to the left. When you make contact with the target, you'll unhorse yourself."

"This lance of yours is heavy," the rider yelled back in a high-pitched, stressed voice.

"Keep it in the hook of your breastplate until you're ready to use it."

The rider charged at a target, but failed to hit it, bumping into it with her shield instead. The weight attached to the training device swung around and struck the rider's back with the expected result.

Mara strode over to the fallen knight. "Your timing is off."

Estard struggled to stand, but the weight of her armor presented an obstacle. Mara offered her a hand.

"This knight business is not easy," Estard said, raising her visor. "Every muscle in my body hurts."

"The pain will pass," Mara said. "You need more work against the burden of weight."

Estard sighed. "Any more work and I will collapse from exhaustion."

"I want you to give that target another try. But, this time I want you to approach it much closer so that you don't have to lean the lance so far to the left."

"I doubt I can mount my horse again. My legs feel like they're made of lead."

Mara gestured to Estard's horse and it gamboled over to her. She grabbed its reins and offered a hand to Estard. "Here, I will help you."

Mara easily propelled Estard into the saddle and handed her the reins. A squire came forward with a new lance and Estard took it.

"Now remember what I told you," Mara said. "Approach the target much closer."

"I'll try," Estard said as she spurred the horse into motion.

Estard rode her horse at the target, lowering her lance at the last possible moment. She was closer this time and she held the lance steady enough to smack the target square.

She rode past and turned to ride back, yelling out her joy in an uncustomary manner.

"See," Mara said with a big grin. "I told you it would work."

"You are a good teacher, Mara."
Estard raised her visor and dismounted with Mara's help.

"One success does not a knight make," Mara said. "You need a lot of practice."

"I need a lot of rest before I collapse."

Mara gave her a nod. "We will stop for the day. I will treat you to a hot bath."

"I could sure use one. This practice at soldiering makes me sweat like a horse."

Mara motioned for her to proceed to their quarters. "In that case, let us proceed to our quarters."

Estard plodded along under the weight of her armor while Mara strolled along in hers with a perky gate. By the time they arrived at the stable, Estard was all in.

"Get your things off," Mara told her. "I will obtain hot water for your bath."

Estard collapsed onto a cot. "I'm not sure I can get out of my things."

Mara looked at her for a moment. "Sit there and rest. I will help you after I've got some water under a fire."

Estard answered her with a weak smile on an exhausted face.

Mara smiled as she carried a pot of hot water into the tent. "I see that you have removed your armor on your own."
"I couldn't stand it another moment," Estard said. "It weighs heavy on my poor weak bones." She flashed a apolagetic smile. "To be honest, I had some help removing this heavy suit." She gestured to the armor neatly hung on a wooden rack near the wall.

Mara poured the water into a wooden tub. "Weight is a necessary part of its protection. You will grow accustomed to it eventually."

"I await this eventuality," Estard said as she removed her heavy cotton shirt.

"Test the water with your hand," Mara said. "It feels all right to me, but you may find it offensive."

Estard did so. "A little hot, but it will sooth my aching body."

"Get in," Mara said. "I'll go get more water."

After Mara left, Estard began a slow, painful strip. She looked at the wooden tub and chuckled. Compared to her bath at the castle, this tub seemed more like a pot. She never dreamed that she would be living under primitive conditions like those endured by most of the subjects of the Empire. It provided her with a new perspective on life in the realm.

What she really marveled at was how her body had hardened from the heavy effort of her imprisonment and attempt to become a warrior. Her muscles were tight and her flesh taunt. She was more like a peasant woman now, instead of a pampered royal. It gave her a new feeling of power that she had never had before, but at what price.

As for the hot bath, it was the first pampering she had experienced in a long time. She deserved some pleasure after a long bout of suffering.

When she returned with more hot water, Mara was greeted with the sight of Estard settled comfortably into the tub. She poured another pot full of hot water into the tub right over Estard's head.

Estard squealed and rubbed a hand down her face to clear the water. The two women giggled and laughed.

"It's good that your mirth has not abandoned you," Mara said.

"Your good nature is contagious," Estard said.

"I'm glad. I was worried about you."

"What else can I do?" Estard sounded depressed. "My presence here has begotten bad feelings. Mirth is the only balm for my unfortunate malaise. They say that laughter is one gift that the gods bequeathed us humans out of pity for our miserable condition. I have seen much of this miserable life and laughter is the only salve for depression that I am aware of." Her serious face relaxed. She playfully tilted her head and flashed a grin. "You are a good friend, Mara."

Mara's face had a more serious flavor. "God bless you for your friendship."

"This god of yours would never bless me. I have committed most grievous sins."

"You are wrong," Mara said. "God forgives anyone who is willing to repent. Redemption is the fruit of the saving grace purchased by his suffering and death."

"My redemption will require much effort, Mara. Perhaps, it will require my own suffering and death."

A squire interrupted their discussion. He bowed and turned so as not to look. "I'm sorry to disturb you, my ladies, but I have some news that may interest you."

"We are all ears," Mara said, amusement bubbling in her voice. "And, look at us when you speak."

When the young boy turned, his eyes flashed with a hint of embarrassment mixed with curiosity as they flicked around to take in the unexpected but interesting sight of female skin. "We have obtained information that the Lady Tara has escaped to the Castle Vell. The Empire has dispatched an army to capture her. Lord Paladin will assemble our army on the morrow."

"Tell him we are most honored to join him," Mara said.

"Yes, my lady," he said, bowing and backing out of the tent so that he could feast his eyes for a moment longer.

"I don't like the sound of that," Estard said with concern boiling to the surface of her face.

"Another trap?" Mara said.

"Most likely. I know my brother. Deception is as normal to him as breathing. You must be careful."

"You'll be there to protect me," Mara said with a grin.

"Me? I can barely protect myself. I would be a liability on a battlefield."

"You underestimate yourself," Mara said. "You will be very helpful."

Estard smiled at her. "You are a blind optimist, Mara."

Mara splashed water in Estard's face and the two women resumed their mirthful play.