M:   Rowen watched Derogan chuckle some more before nodding, "sure, considering we both fought the head of insurgents I guess this will determine who is the best at spear fighting.

He stood from his chair but first called for a wet towel so Saxon could wash his face.

"You're going to lose Celtica," Derogan taunted, "Rowen is the best of the best."

"Or Celtica will win and Saxon can get his revenge on him," Mandara pointed out.

N:   "Maybe I will win, maybe not," shrugged Celtica, although she wanted to win internally, "but it just means that Saxon is in last place."

"Hey," the entity called out, wiping his face from the towel that was just given to him, "with a bit more practice, I could have mastered how to use a Tamordo." When he removed the towel, the ink didn't fully wash off. He was able to get most of it off; however, the mustache that he gained stretched down to form a circular beard around his mouth.

"Not until you master how to wash your face," the Celt laughed, causing the entity to quickly hide his face behind the towel and continue to clean it. When she asked what a Tamordo was, Anglo explained, making her slightly worry, "well I better make sure I don't stab myself during the duel then."

She looked down at her dress and asked, "Is there a place where I could get properly dressed? I have been able to fight in a dress, but it doesn't exactly help."

M:   "Yes, we keep special clothes in the armory for use in training which are comfortable enough to fight in and have a chainmail lining to protect from accidental injury," Rowen explained as he led the way, "and if we really want to make this interesting then you can use a traditional spear if prefer, to learn to use a Tamordo you got to learn to use a spear first."

The group walked out to the training ground and were surprised to see Mandoria there with three young knights.

"Well good morning everyone," he said, "funny seeing you all out here, I was just checking over some new recruits, what might you be up to?"

N:   "Sir Rowen is going to duel Lady Celtica," Johann quickly answered before glancing back at Saxon and pointing out, "You still have a bit of ink on your face. I think it's the random snake we drew." The entity's face showed a spark of fear before returning to his 'why did this happen to me' face and began to rub the snake off.

Meanwhile at the armory, Celtica found the clothes Rowen was referring to and put them on, amazed at the comfort they provided. "Wow," she muttered as she walked back towards the group, "this is amazing." She went to Rowen and said, "let's start with a friendly duel with spears, then go forward from there."

"I hope that Celtica doesn't get too injured," worried Anglo, but the entity saw a different point of view.

"She better win. It would be such a shame for the captain of the Mandorian army to lose in front of the new recruits."

"Don't be such a sore loser," lightly chuckled the winged country, "I think when you lost your mustache, you lost some of your sportsmanship."

M: "Mustaches and snakes, what did I miss this time," Mandoria asked while chuckling.

"Saxon made the bad decision to fall asleep at the table while we were all eating," Mandara explained, "so Johann and I did the only responsible thing and drew on his face with one of your inkwells."

Mandoria laughed and one of the recruits who knew English laughed too, "that's my boy," the king praised Mandara, rubbing his head.

"And now you know where the princes get their troublemaking nature from," Rowen said as he was walking up to everyone, he and another knight were carrying two normal spears and two Tamordos, "so these are Tamordos, the signature weapons of knights and patrol guards, have a feel so you know what you're going up against."

N: Celtica took one of the Tamordos and balanced it in her hand, twirling it around as she tested its weight. "This has a good weight to it," she commented before stepping back and spinning it around without hitting anyone, "the blades at the ends do make it easier to spin it."

She used her other hand to stop it spinning and looked down at the staff, "I think I'm alright with this. It obviously doesn't have the same feel as a normal spear, but I will just transfer my skills to this," she glanced up to Rowen, "however, I'm certain that you have some tricks up your sleeve."

M:   Rowen flashed her a challenging smile, "you have no idea, but first I want to get a feel of your skill with a normal spear."

He took her Tamordo and handed both to the knight that was with him, swapping them with two one-bladed spears. A few of the knights that were out training saw what was happening and came over to watch, so the two fighters were surrounded by a ring of spectators.

"Nice that we get an audience," Rowen said as he handed Celtica her spear, "just makes it more humiliating for the loser."

N: "Let the best fighter win," she smirked as she held her spear. Passing it from one hand to the other, the combatants took a couple of steps away as they got ready. Both hands firm on the spear, she got into her fighting stance as she pointed the spear at the captain.

After a moment, Celtica initiated the fight, lunging forwards and swinging at his spear, trying to knock him off balance, but was surprised at the counter. Not letting this deter her, she continued as she pushed him back, learning his defense and offense. As a way to not use up too much energy, she weaved every swing one after the other, using the momentum from the previous one to help with the next.

M:   Rowen was also surprised by Celtica's skill and fighting style, he hadn't fought against a style like her's so he would need to get creative. He noticed that she was using the momentum of the swings to power her attacks, so he would hit her spear and stop it before it could build up that movement.

He tried to sweep her legs a few times but she would jump out of the way and leave him vulnerable to attack, for now, he would play on the defensive to further study her tactics and try to find a weakness.

N:   Celtica grumbled when Rowen stopped her spear, so she used the butt of the spear to push him into the crowd. Gaining enough distance, she pulled the shaft close to her chest, and slowly circled him as she planned her next move. The blade aimed at the captain, without any warning, she charged right at him.

When she was only a step away from him, she spun around, using the momentum from the run-up, and slammed down hard on the other's spear. She then followed through by twirling around and swiping at his legs.

M:   Rowen was caught completely by surprise and just barely managed to jump out of the way, but unfortunately when he landed he slipped on the wet grass and fell on his back.

He tried to quickly get up but Celtica forced him back down by pushing her spear against his. He was shocked at the amount of strength she had and he could barely hold on.

His survival instincts kicked in and he brought both feet under her stomach and kicked out as hard as he could, propelling her back quite a ways.

N:   Celtica flew a bit and landed with a thump on her back, the air temporarily knocked out of her. As she caught her breath, she watched as Rowen came at her, so she quickly rolled off to the side and got up, holding her guard high as she glanced at his spear.

They kept going back and forth, both of them growing tired from keeping it up for a long time, but no one backed down. When she saw that Rowen stayed in a defense position, she kept on provoking him by constantly jabbing at him, hoping that he would switch to the offensive.

M:   Rowen was tiring, he was panting and his movements were getting sloppy, which made the brothers nervous, they really wanted him to win. Derogan knew that things could get dangerous now that the two were getting tired, they could make mistakes that could prove deadly.

"Maybe we should stop them," he said to the adults, "they're getting tired and they could start making mistakes."

N:   "Maybe we should," replied Anglo, who was also worried for the pair, so he took a step forward before being stopped by Saxon.

"No way," the entity smirked, "things are just getting interesting."

Celtica, tired from keeping this up, had her guard lower than usual, leaving herself exposed and vulnerable. Rowen took the opportunity to strike, but she swiftly stepped aside and raised her spear. Wanting this to end quickly, she used her shaft to ram the other's spear in front of her into the ground and then thrust her blade into his spear.

Pulling her spear up, she dislodged the spear from the ground and out of the captain's grasp, and using the weapon which somewhat resembled a scythe, swiped his feet, knocking him down.

Rushing up to him to make sure he wouldn't get up, she removed his spear from hers and pointed both of them at the captain. "Surrender," she ordered, "so this will end."

M:   Rowen raised his hands in surrender, "alright, you got me," was all he said.

Everyone watching applauded at the incredible spar, the brothers were just glad it was over and no one got seriously hurt, or so they thought.

Celtica held out her hand to help Rowen up, but when he grabbed it and tried to stand up he yelped in pain and went back down to one knee, gripping his right side, when he pulled his hand back there was blood and a lot of it.

N:   Celtica instantly let go and knelt next to him, her mind racing as she was too tired to think clearly. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she muttered as she tried to futilely block the wound, "I shouldn't have done this; I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

England reacted quickly and ran forward towards them, and seeing the extent of the injury, called out, "someone quickly bring a doctor. Rowen needs it now!"

While everyone was busy, Johann stood where he was in shock, unable to move as he saw Rowen bleeding in front of him. He zoned out as the voices around him slowly muffled and blurred into one whole noise, his eyes focused only on the captain.

M:   "I'm fine, i-it's just a scratch," Rowen insisted, though the pool of blood disputed his claim.

"It is not Rowen," Mandoria said firmly, "we need to get you to the infirmary, you can't play off wounds anymore, you have a little one to think about now."

Rowen turned to Johann when his king said that, seeing the shocked look in his eyes made him feel horrible that he had to watch that.

"Ok, let's go then," he said, taking Mandoria's hand and trying again to stand. It took a lot of willpower to fight the pain but he was able to stand and started limping away with everyone towards the infirmary.

"He'll be ok Johann," Mandara reassured the boy when the adults left," he's been hurt before, he'll make it fine."

N:   Johann only looked at Mandara, his face slightly relaxed from the reassurance, but remained silent as he trudged in the direction the adults went. His body went on autopilot as he made his way towards the infirmary, his mind blank as he walked up to the door.

He heard people talking inside, and he couldn't bring himself to enter, so he sat just outside the door, hugging his legs as he waited.

M:   Mandara and Derogan were concerned for Johann so they went with him, when they saw their friend sitting next to the infirmary door they sat down with him to keep him company.

They waited for a while, they could hear Celtica, England, and Rowen talking but they couldn't hear what was being discussed, but Mandara did hear some laughter at one point so that made him feel better.

After a while more, the door opened and the adults exited, Rowen had bandages wrapped around his lower torso but otherwise was in good spirits.

He saw the kids stand up from their spot and smiled reassuringly, "it's okay guys, I'm fine, it was just a flesh wound."

N:   Johann nodded and quietly mumbled, "ok," before falling back silent, looking down at his feet as he fidgeted a little.

Confused, England asked if the boy was fine, and for a while he didn't answer, finding the floor particularly interesting. "Him being injured reminded me of Vater," he whispered under his breath, "when they took him away." Once he spoke, he made his way to the captain and hugged him, careful not to put any strain on his wound.

M:   "Oh Johann," Rowen said softly as he rubbed the boy's back comfortingly, "I'm sorry that I scared you and I can't imagine how hard it was to see me be hurt and be reminded of your father, know that I won't be taken away, I'm here for you and I will never leave you alone again, I would walk through the five realms of Jastrum for you, Johann."

He pulled the child in closer and hugged him tightly, rocking back and forth slightly to comfort him. Mandara also joined the hug but Derogan stayed back, and Edel, who was there the whole time but had been quiet, nuzzled in and gave Johann some face licks.

N:   Johann scrunched up his face, a smile forming as he received the face licks. "I know you won't," he said, "but it still hurts." After a minute, Johann let go, feeling better than a moment ago, and he walked up to the dragon and scratched his scales.

"I know you care for me," he chuckled, "and I don't mind the face licks, but," he glanced at England, "you adopted him, not me."

"What?" Saxon and Anglo said in unison, both equally confused as to how their son was adopted by a dragon. Celtica, on the other hand, laughed when she saw their reaction. The fathers looked at their son for an explanation, who only shrugged and gave an awkward smile.

"Back in Dewhurst," the boy explained, "Edel sat on Sir England and covered him with his wings, practically treating him as his own child. Later on, we think that Sir Rowen's horse, Star Dust, also adopted England too."

The fathers glanced at the dragon with this newfound revelation, to which Saxon snickered, "Looks like you got competition for the position of the winged parent, Anglo." The winged country only rolled his eyes and laughed lightly.