A Gentleman's Sport|Skyheort, Talen'sul

[Kender Bard]

Cobalt had made certain that his arrival would not come as a surprise, having sent a short letter to Lady Fell's house informing her of his intent to make a social call. He'd considered bringing his wife or son with him but discarded the idea; this wasn't going to be too social and quite likely brief.

He knocked at her door and tried to anticipate how the upcoming conversation would go.

[Darastrix]

Cobalt was met at the door by a servant, who showed him to the drawing room where the mistress of the house was at present. "Lord Cobalt Furinko," she announced, withdrawing discretely as Jane rose to receive him.

Since her husband's death, Jane had scarcely been seen at social functions, even once she'd finally taken off her veil of mourning. Her days were kept busy with overseeing both her household and William's business, the latter of which she would be able to relinquish in a few more years, once Tristan was old enough to take his proper place as Lord Fell. And if he were to marry young, she could give up her duties of the former to his wife.

"Lord Cobalt," Jane greeted with a curtsy, graceful despite the paleness of her complexion. "It is a pleasure to see you."

[Kender Bard]

Cobalt looked Jane over with an expression of some concern but he was too polite to inquire after her health so bluntly. He would try to discreetly work it into the discussion. "A pleasure to see you as well, Lady Fell. I hope you don't mind the rather sudden visit. Since my wife found out, she has been reminding me to invite you in kind to our estate. Consider the invitation given; we would both enjoy your presence for an afternoon or a dinner."

[Darastrix]

"I would be pleased to join you one afternoon," Jane replied with a faint smile. "I have no fixed engagements. Please, won't you sit down?" She took her own seat and went on. "I don't mind your visiting at all, though I admit some curiosity as to your purpose for calling."

[Kender Bard]

"Well I wasn't going to cut directly to the matter," Cobalt admitted as he took a seat. "But since you bring it up... My son turned eight recently and is now just about the right age to begin rudimentary sword lessons. Nothing too stressful or dangerous, just the very basics. How to hold a weapon, how to move. He's really quite excited. Then it occurred to me that your son Tristan was of a similar age to Bryant and I was wondering if you'd like me to teach him alongside my own son. See if he likes it or takes to it."

[Darastrix]

"I hadn't given much thought to having Tristan schooled in swordplay," Jane admitted. "Not since...not since William died. He would have started Tristan's lessons last spring. But I don't know. I remember when Zira was a child, he seemed to dislike it so much."

[Kender Bard]

"Well, brothers can be vastly different at times in terms of tastes," Cobalt pointed out. "I'm not suggesting you press the boy into a long term commitment. Allow him to join Bryant in a couple of sessions to see if he'd be interested in pursuing it further; that is all I ask."

[Darastrix]

After a moment of quiet consideration, Jane nodded. "Very well. It would be a good way for him to become better-acquainted with your son as well." And William would likely have wanted Tristan to be taught.

[Kender Bard]

Cobalt grinned, pleased. "I agree, that would be the other reason for my proposition. Bryant has become acquainted with some of the upperclass merchant children his age, of course, and I'm certain he'll get along well with my brother-in-law's son when they're both older, but I really hope that our sons can strike up a nice friendship together. Now, when would be convenient for you? I can begin training any time and Bryant's tutoring schedule can be shifted around to accommodating that fact."

[Darastrix]

"Tristan has a couple of hours of free time in the early afternoon," Jane told him. "About an hour after lunch." It didn't much matter what her own schedule was; she knew nothing of weaponry and there would be little point to her being present.

[Kender Bard]

"Then please, send him to my home at that time," Cobalt told her. "I will have my courtyard prepared for lessons and he and Bryant can begin their work. If he takes a liking to the lessons, then when he is older and more experienced, I'll also offer to permit him training alongside the squires and young knights. But that's years down the road and he may show to disfavor the sport."

[Darastrix]

"Very well," Jane murmured, nodding, though with some reluctance. She wasn't particularly eager to see her youngest learning to wield a sword, but at least he wouldn't have to know weaponswork for a living. She hoped. If Tristan were to decide that he wanted to.... Well, best to not dwell on it. That would be years from now as well. And he might even go the opposite of Zira; he might enjoy himself at first and tire of it later on.

[Kender Bard]

"Excellent," Cobalt answered and settled down to a little bit more of the polite chit chat while his mind considered his future training.

---

At the appointed day and time, when Tristan was escorted to the Furinko manor, the young man was shown to the spacious courtyard by a servant. Though Cobalt wasn't in sight, his son was.

Bryant took mostly after his father in terms of looks; the same brown hair (albeit he tied his off into a tiny little ponytail), the same dark blue eyes. But he had a softness to his face that looked a little more like his mother. He was scuffing the ground with a shoe, looking bored.

[Darastrix]

Tristan sighed to himself as he entered the courtyard, flipping his long, blond ponytail back over his shoulder. He wasn't really sure whether he wanted to learn swordplay--as a hobby, anyway. He'd learn to defend himself regardless of his enjoyment of the process, but this.... This was all wrong. Lord Furinko wasn't his father. He knew that his father was gone and that it was impossible for him to be the one to teach him now, but somehow, the idea of learning to wield a sword from someone else just rankled.

He made his way over to Bryant and gave a small bow. "Good afternoon," he murmured. "Mother said I was going to train with you."

[Kender Bard]

Bryant grinned at Tristan. He bowed back as well, but it was just a quick bob to emulate Tristan. "Hi!" he enthused. "I mean, uh, welcome! And you're right. I'm Bryant, but you probably know that already." He leaned forward a bit and lowered his voice. "To be honest, I'm kind of glad you're here. Father can be, uh, intense. Not that he's harsh or anything but, well, it'll be nice to be the only person he's focusing on for once."

"Ah, hello Tristan," Cobalt called out in greeting as he strolled into the courtyard carrying some wooden swords. Two were obviously meant for the boys--they were sized more appropriate for children their age. His was a thicker, heavy looking longsword. Are you two ready to begin?"