different.’ Ceet stretched, muttering contentedly. ‘Now all that’s missing is a bit of exercise.’
‘There’s a solution for that too.’ Einar also stretched, but at the same time breathed a slight sigh of relief, having found the perfect excuse to go and check whether all was quiet in the harbour. He hoped that nothing had happened during the night, and that the presence of one of the jarl’s sons would keep things that way. At least until his father got up, which might not happen all that quickly. ‘We can take a bit of a walk around Stairon, and then I’ll show you where I usually train,’ he added, rising from his seat.
‘Hmmm… Good idea.’ Tahon rose from the table and immediately headed for the door. ‘Let’s go!’ he exclaimed with renewed energy, setting off with verve.
‘Hm? What about the sword?’ Einar stopped halfway, turning towards the passage leading deeper into the house.
‘Sword?’, the beastman tilted his head and twitched his ears. He seemed genuinely surprised. ‘I thought it was safe here.’
‘Well, it is safe,’ Einar replied, now the one looking surprised. ‘But you’re a warrior, so…’ The lad waved his hands about, not wanting to say anything that might be taken the wrong way.
‘Hmmm… Aaaa…’ It looked as though the knight had remembered something important. ‘Your law… Hmmm… Custom!’ he blurted out, pleased with himself for having found the right word.
‘Yes, the right to carry a weapon.’ Einar nodded in agreement. ‘Don’t you respect that in the Empire?’ He’d never delved into the traditions of the north and was mainly familiar with the culture of the Ytrens and the customs of the merchants who occasionally visited the settlement. In truth, he knew little more about the XuinDo Empire than its political structure, the organisation of its legions, and everything to do with trade. For a future warrior, this knowledge was sufficient, and he’d never taken an interest in other cultures of his own accord.
‘Hmmm… I’ve already forgotten what Alrik was saying,’ Ceet muttered. ‘In the Empire, weapons are carried solely for defence,
