27 Floating in the centre of the river

I hurried back to the manor. I needed to speak with father and get his approval to go off campus for a while. I wanted to learn her ways, but more importantly, I wanted to spend time getting to know her and her philosophy.  Whatever it was, she lived life far more freely than I did, physically, yes, that's obvious, but mentally too. What was it that gave her that inner strength and how could I not only develop it in myself but also my men. They had to be loyal, well trained but level headed in battle. She gave the impression of being all of these qualities and more.
She had a level of clear thinking which over-rode emotion; a natural response to danger and a strategic knowledge of attack and defense.
This I talked to my father about, leaving out the part I wished to spend time with her. 
My brother had come up from the forge to bring the latest weaponry and on hearing our conversation, laughed.
"I wondered what had happened to her." My father looked at him quizzically, "She came and worked in the forge for a while. She has a good grounding in smithing and worked a knife well. I suspect she's using it now." He threw back his head and laughed, "she put the apprentices to shame at the fire. She could hold an even temperature far better than them and could wield the hammer more evenly too. Her work was of a high standard, but for some reason she just stopped coming. Often wondered where she went and why she left so suddenly. She had a wolf with her from what I remember. Nice old thing, they were inseparable."
"Oh," I replied, "when I saw her there was no wolf and she didn't mention one. Wonder if it left?"
"More likely it died. It was an old wolf and was living its last few years with her. She kept it safe, fed it and it was company i suppose. Don't know the whole story but they'd been together for some time." He looked at me and slapping me on the back , "You want to learn her way of living? I warn you its tough. She was often very hungry and always on her toes. She is quite something. Not one you could tame."
"I wouldn't want to,"I exclaimed, "its the last thing on my mind. I just want to learn from her and she seems generous in her willingness to teach me."
"Well, brother, if this is what you think will toughen you up a bit then go for it, as long as father gives his blessing?" He looked at father who was deep in thought, "You need to toughen up if you anticipate leading troops into battle. You're still  too soft  and would crumble at the first strategic point!" 
My father looked at my brother, "you think it would help Hao?"
"Well it can't do any harm. He's too much the pampered pooch. Send him off. Toughen him up, I say" and slapping me on my back so hard I almost fell over, he turned and made his way to the armory. 

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