Hans reports to one of his senior crewmen for fencing and shooting instructions, and gets to work. Over the course of the next few months, he learns the art of swashbuckling, passing on each lesson he receives to Elizabeth in turn. Growing rapidly in skill thanks to his desire to understand everything for Elizabeth's sake, the day he turns eleven, he is already well on his way to be allowed into the thick of things. Beside skill, he also develops a better physical fitness, growing harder, more calloused, and muscular as the months fly by.<br/><br/>Finally, after a year, the time arrives for his proving. With pistol and dagger he was to form the rearguard of swashbucklers, hanging by the rigging on the far side of the boarding party. With armed resistance came big risk, but now may also be the time to find weapons for Elizabeth to use. Luckily, the cannon exchange had been short, so escape was always an option if things went sour. Just as the hooks fastened on the enemy ship, Hans hangs in the rigging, ready to provide cover for his crew mates as they boarded the enemy ship. If such a small ship resisted, the cargo had to be valuable. A single share might be enough to gain all the guns and swords they would ever need. Thinking these thoughts, Hans took aim at the other deck.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Just you wait, Elizabeth. From today, you will go armed.</span><br/><br/>As the ships made contact, Hans roars with the rest of the crew, and battle is joined.