Galhar and Able leaned against the battlements of Dhorak Keep, elbows firmly set on the rough-hewn stone. The setting sun hung low and red in the sky, casting long shadows. Their gaze was directed towards the damaged village, being rebuilt by the survivors, with volunteered assistance from Dhorakian soldiers. Training had been rough the last couple of days. They were seasoned men, both, Galhar more than Able, and avoided any soreness, excepting bruises. The newer recruits, though, were still somewhat sore from their first lessons.
Despite the nearing winter, neither man nor lad wore long-sleeved tunics. Their only armor were leather and cloth gambeson and breeches, hanging to their knees, and belted at the waist. The breeches tucked into their boots, both of cured leather, and the later with thick soles. Alacathenna leaned against the battlements alongside Galhar, the gems set into the cross guard and pommel refracted the orange-tinted light slightly, cascading small rainbows over the gray wall. Able's short bow leaned beside him, unstrung. Twenty-five flights protruded from a quiver, slung across his back, and above the lad's right shoulder. At his belt hung a long-bladed dagger.
"Damned bandits." Galhar muttered, remembering the deep wounds he had received across his body.
"It's all getting back into the swing of normal life, at least."
"At least."
"You hardly seem convinced."
"That Archon chap..."
"You think he will return?"
"No, I know he will return." Galhar replied, straightening, and reaching for the scabbarded blade at his side.
"Doubtful, his bandits got quite a beating, as did he."
"That makes little difference, he will find more." Galhar replied, rolling his shoulders, and turning for the stairs. Able followed.
"It will take him time to find and train them. Dhorak is getting new recruits every day, and they are receiving the best training this side of Calradia."
"True." Galhar seemed somewhat appeased, as he mounted the stairs, descending from the Keep's high walls.
"When - if Archon returns, he will find a fully-manned keep. It won't be quite so easy to storm." The pair were halfway down the wall, and stood off the the side of the steps to allow two armored men passage, some of the newer recruits.
"Take into consideration the fact that Archon will have trained his men, as well. If - when it comes to blows again, the man will have a true army at his back, not a rabble of ill-equipped, ill-trained, men."
"You speak truth."
"I know." Galhar said as the pair stepped from the stairs, and turned towards the keep.