Post by Fergus on Jul 14, 2019 16:39:38 GMT
January 13-Open to all Enchanted Suns-Training Thread
The early morning found King Fergus wide awake as he strolled through the training ground that was finally finished to his satisfaction. Clearing any of the trees in the forest had been out of the question out of respect for the great Prince, and the rest of the members of the army who called the forest home. However, there was still wide open-enough space at the edge of the forest, not far from Arendelle.
Weapon racks, replete with a large selection of the tools of war, stood nearby, and there were archery lists, practice dummies made of hard wood, hardened fields of clear ground for equestrian drills, everything he could think of for the army to train at. If there was a single flaw, it was that Fergus himself had little experience actually teaching others to be warriors. Oh, he could train them to fight, just as he'd trained Merida. It still made him proud to know she could fight almost as well as he could. While she lacked his experience, and sheer strength and stamina, she was plenty skilled, and easily the best archer in all of Scotland. His heart had nearly burst with pride the day she truly, unquestionably, surpassed his skill with the bow.
After all, his people were Scots. Being warriors was in their blood, a fact only further reinforced by the various raids and invasions they'd been forced to fight off, which, ironically, led them to putting aside their penchant for fighting each other, for the most part, and form into one kingdom. Still, since the various soldiers had all stepped up and volunteered to take part in this war, that had to mean they were eager enough. He could only hope they had warrior spirits strong enough to motivate them to excel.
Now that the training field was completed to his satisfaction, it could be put to good use, and he'd spread the word that he fully expected to see the Enchanted Suns, ranking members and cadets both, to make good use of it when they didn't have their regular duties to attend to. Now, all that remained to see was how well the Suns could motivate themselves without needing to be yelled at to get busy. He preferred not to have to resort to bellowing if he didn't have to, inclined as he was to a more laid back approach.
Several soldiers, mainly some of the Scots he'd brought with him from DunBroch, were already hard at practice, either sparring, or brushing up on their archery skills. Fergus himself was, at present, content to watch and wait, laying out a few weapons on a nearby table, together with his great sword. For a moment, his focus faded as he let fond memories of the times he'd spent sparring with Merida surface. She'd always looked forward to those sessions, just as much as he had. He briefly wondered if she'd found somebody else to spar with while she was away. Who knew? She may return one day with a man she'd chosen for herself, all on her own.
Or maybe she wouldn't. As much as he kept suggesting she find a suitable match (mostly at Elinor's insistence, though his beloved wife didn't push the issue nearly so much as before) he was perfectly fine with allowing her to choose for herself. But, privately, perhaps a bit selfishly, he wanted grandkids. If he had to wait until Hamish, Hubert, and Harris had grown, and were wed, then so be it. Beside that, they were still young enough for him to spoil them rotten, as he knew full well they were. But, all too soon, they'd be beyond that stage, and would begin to learn more responsibilities. And skill at arms.
"Mah wee lads, ah hope ye know why ah've gone and left ye at home," he muttered softly as his hand brushed the hilt of his sword, the symbol of his clan. He missed them dearly, and he missed his darling Elinor. Just as he missed Merida. Abruptly, his hand gripped his sword, and his expression darkened into a look of pure ferocity. All the more reason to put an end to the accursed Thorns that threatened him and his kin. If they dared show their faces in front of him, then he'd be taking some heads off.
His bloodthirsty thoughts faded some as he thought he heard somebody approaching, their footfalls sounding distinctly different from Scottish boots, and he was curious to see who it might be coming to make use of the training field.