Eric
Sir Jax Brightwater
Zahrada Palace, Astoria

Jax bowed again.

"Your majesty, I've allowed myself to be disgusting in your presence for too long. Please, allow me the night to bathe and eat so I may be presentable for you tomorrow." Jax straightened again a moment before the guard that was sent to prepare him a room grabbed his elbow and began pulling.

Jax hadn't had a proper bath in what felt like months, but in reality it was closer to years. The bath houses he frequented were good for washing grime after a long day on watch, but everyone knew they were nothing but glorified whore houses. When Jax entered this bath he was enveloped by the smells of the bathing salts. The large stone tub was surrounded by scented candles that perfumed the air and intoxicated his nostrils. He undressed quickly and practically dove into the heated water. It was scalding at first, but Jax acclimatized quickly, feeling the cold in his bones melting quickly away like the dirt on his skin. A selection of soaps was brought to him, and not knowing where to begin he chose one at random, a sandalwood concoction mixed with juniper.

To say the least Jax was being pampered and he wasn't at all used to it. He was having food brought and water refilled, he was even brought a new pair of clothes and a razor to trim his beard.

*Is this the new life for Brightwater?* He thought to himself as he ate smoked boar and drank honeyed wine.

*Is this an improvement?* He continued to ponder this, as he fell asleep that night
Joseph
**
Anyanka Durkhan
Zahrada Palace, Astoria
**
The man wasn't subtle, and she smiled before granting his dismissal. She would retire for the night as well, but not before making sure someone was sent to inform Lord Cromwell that he'd gained a new recruit. In her message, she'd told him she'd be bringing the man first thing tomorrow morning to test his ability, and that she was hoping to finally see her new Head Knight take up a sword against him as well. 

No response came, but she wasn't surprised at that considering the hour. She could only hope she didn't have to re-explain herself or her intentions come dawn. 

The next morning came with no hassle, and Anya dressed modestly. It was a note she'd taken from Charity during her time there, finding spending her days among the knights were significantly more flattering when she was dressed in her jewel tones, but much more comfortable in boots and unboned dresses. Her hair was pinned high on her crown as she waited for Jax to join them in the training grounds. Robert had yet to show either, but Mikhail had surprised her in showing his face bright and early. 

"What are you doing here?" He questioned, surprised to see his mother standing in the center of the dusty training arena. 

"Waiting on a new recruit. I didn't expect you to be up this early." She commented, and the teenager shrugged a shoulder - his good one, before digging his boot into the ground. 

"I've got a lot of ground to make up for in terms of swordsmanship, I was hoping to catch Lord Cromwell early before anyone else did." He gave a small smile, hooking the wooden sword he's plucked from the rack behind his neck, draping his wrists over it. "Guess you beat me too it."
Edward
Lord Robert Cromwell
Zahrada, Astoria


A yawn escaped him as he briskly walked to the training yard, followed by a couple of retainers who were going to assist him in the assessment of Sir Brightwater. "Everything was setup right?" Robert asked, making sure no one forgot anything. He was going to be pissed if he got out there and none of the equipment was brought out. 

"Aye m'lord, we moved the locked boxes out into the yard." The guy on the left said.

"And you have the key?"

"Of course I have it right here_" The one on the right patted a pocket and stopped walking. "Fuck."

Robert's footsteps stopped, he chewed the inside of his lip and refused to turn around. "Really Reginald? Fucking really?"

"I_I'll go get it!" He said before running off. 

Robert was quiet, unmoving, "You better go help him." Robert said, his voice cold with frustration.

Then, with the footsteps echoing in the distance, Robert finished the journey to find Anyanka and Mikhail both already there. "Good morning." Robert said, bowing politely, before continuing to walk to the locked boxes on the training yard ground and produced a master key, beginning to unlock them. It was by Robert's wishes that all training equipment was cleaned and locked up at the end of the training day. He didn't want anything stolen, they were also to be counted every morning before use and after use.

"I wasn't expecting you here so early, your grace." Robert said.
Joseph
**Anyanka Durkhan
Zahrada, Astoria**

"Did you think I'd miss the opportunity to see how an Astorian does against a North Shore soldier?" She asked, her brow raising at the question. He moved to the boxes full of equipment, and she followed suit, keeping a pace behind him as he worked the key into the locks one at a time. 

"And let the record show, I know nothing of his skills." She gave the warning, crossing her arms below her breasts as she looked to the entrance. "For all I know he's terrible, but," She shrugged. "Well, I didn't know first hand how well you'd do, and you seem to be doing fine. Maybe I have a good eye for knights?" It was a joke, but only partially. So far her record wasn't bad.
Eric
Jax Brightwater
Zahrada, Astoria

Jax awoke with a start, another night, another nightmare. He made a mental note to visit the apothecary about a few drops of nightshade to go with his night cap of he intended to begin resting fully.

He arose less than gracefully, his leather clothing washed and laying before his bed on a small table. He dressed quickly, finding the comfort his gear offered a welcome feeling in this alien world. Buckling his sword to his hip he set out to find his testing grounds.

After getting lost twice and finally succumbing to the burden of asking for directions, Jax found himself walking into the training grounds. To no surprise it seemed the Queen was already there and another man accompanied her.

Jax approached and kneeled.

"Apologies, Your Grace, I'm still struggling to find my way around Zahrada." He bowed his head, ignoring the urge to watch the young boy among the trio.
Joseph
**
Anyanka Durkhan 
Zahrada, Astoria **

As if on cue, Jax Brightwater headed into the training grounds. He moved to a knee before her, and she waved her hand upwards, urging him back to his feet. "No need for apologies." She insisted, her hand that had gestured for him to rise crossing towards Robert. 

"Sir Robert Cromwell, this is Jax Brightwater." The introduction was brief, as she figured it wasn't her place to explain what would be happening today. "He'll be in charge of assessing your training and filling any gaps he may find." As she spoke, Mikhail stepped forward, dropping the wooden sword to his side to rest against his leg. He knew the man, though he didn't know where from, but he kept quiet about it. 

"Feel free to use me as a sparring partner, Sir Cromwell." He offered, though the look Anya gave him made it clear that wouldn't be happening.
Edward
Sir Robert Cromwell
Zahrada, you know what country

Robert finished unlocking the boxes and laying out some equipment carefully. 

"I'm Robert Cromwell, Jax. A pleasure." He said calmly as the two men from earlier came back, out of breathe.

"M'lord..." He said nervously "We can't find the_ you found the key?" One of them said, surprised.

"I had it the whole time. One of you left it out. What did I say? Secure. Your. Shit." He glanced at Anyanka, "Apologies for language." He looked back the men, "Now count out this equipment. For your sake, better match the count from yesterday." He said before walking toward Jax. 

"Don't worry, it took me a week to learn my way around Zahrada. What would you say your skill level is, Jax?" Robert asked, rather nicely.
Eric
Jax Brightwater
Zahrada, Astoria

Jax, humble as ever, spoke quietly but with resolve.

"I served among King Ramsalot's Kingsguard for 3 years before the collapse, and have been known to hold my own against a Romanov sword, though admittedly I couldn't tell you which brother I ended up facing." Jax was getting nervous, not exactly sure what his test would entail.

He stood slowly, clasping his hands in front of him as he spoke, trying to be on his best behavior.
Edward
Robert Cromwell
Zahrada, Astoria

Robert smiled, "I see, well, I'm just gonna run you through a couple guys. Just to see where you're at, relax, if you need a moment to loosen up go ahead and take it while they're doing counts." Robert walked over to the other two to see how they're doing. He started separating some of the training gear.
Eric
Jax Brightwater
Zahrada, Astoria

Jax nodded and took a few steps back.

He drew his sword and spun it in his hands a few times to get used to the weight, but didn't make a move to begin warming up.

"I prefer to train with realism, so please, whenever they're ready." Jax gave a few more practice swings before sticking the point of his blade in the ground and folding his hands over the pommel.
Edward
Robert Cromwell
Zahrada, Astoria

Robert nodded and let the guys finish the counts, when everything was finished, Robert armed up and took a dull sword. Robert took an opposite spot roughly fifteen paces away from Jax and readied his posture. The man was older, and it had been sometime since Robert had actually really fought anyone. This would be an interesting test for Robb, the other two circled, observing footwork and posturing, and to act as safeties.
Eric
Jax Brightwater
Zahrada, Astoria

Jax eyed the men who circled him and raised an eyebrow.

"Am I to fight you alone, Lord Cromwell, or are these two going to join in as well?" Jax set his primary foot back before raising his sword in his right hand, a typical fencing style, before switching up and pulling the hilt back to beb grasped by both hands, his knees bending slightly.

Jax was experienced, but he hadn't fought anyone in a single duel for ages, and the common grunt on a battlefield wasn't exactly what he would call skilled practice.