CN: Caning, child abuse
“Ideally, you won't need to use this,” says Fox as she inspects the sword “but there's always a chance that something goes wrong.”
She sheaths the sword and hands it over to the youth in front of her, who takes it with a nod and a small noise of assent. She's a tall, lithe woman, the rolled up sleeves of her tunic showing a criss-cross of scars all over. Her head is encased in a stylised fox helmet, padlocked to a heavy collar. The steel helmet covers most of her features, leaving only small slits for her eyes, and another for her mouth. In front of her stands a gangly teenager, maybe 15 summers old (she forgets, it's not important), wearing a similar helmet styled but of a Badger. The Badger is shivering slightly from the chill breeze coming through the castle windows which are open only a crack. The thin curtains are mostly drawn, allowing just enough light to dimly illuminate the threadbare study; it's a small concession she makes when it's just the two of them to maintain the Badger's focus, otherwise complaints begin to form of light-induced headaches.
“Use your words, Badger.” She chides.
“Oh uh, thank you, Teacher.” Badger mumbles quietly, briefly making eye contact through their helmet before looking back down to the sword, eyes drawn to the engraved lion on the otherwise plain hilt.
“Um what-”
“Speak up and look at me when you talk, boy.”
Wincing, Badger does so.
“Why are you giving me this? It's too small to be used by a Beast, and surely if they're compromised and I have to get out of it, what use is it going to be against another monster or Beast?”
The Fox chuckles at this.
“Against them? Probably as useful as a toothpick to mine a mountain. No Badger, you're not going to be using this on them. The only thing you will use this on, is your own Beast.”
The Badger stares, confused.
“You know that Beasts are mindless animals,” the Fox says, “barely capable of stringing together two thoughts on their own that aren't “Kill” or “Eat”. It's only with our help that they can be put to greater use, to serve His Majesty's orders, guard the realm from the gods, and assist the Royal Alchemists' research. This is our duty, and we elevate their soulless minds with purpose and guidance as they assist in our divine cause. As primitive as they are, they have been known to develop quirks of personality, or even to resist orders. A well trained Mind such as yourself should have no issues controlling your Beast, so long as you are strong of mind.”
Here she pauses a moment, as if to take stock of the Mind-in-Training in front of her.
“I hope you won't ever have to embarrass me like that, but if the unthinkable happens and you lose control, then this sword is to disable your Beast permanently.”
Badger has been staring through her head this whole time in an attempt to at least give the appearance of maintaining eye contact, but at hearing this the badger helmet looks down at the sword again, which suddenly seems heavier than before.
“Kill my Beast? But...but I thought they couldn't rebel? The Alchemists told me-”
“The Alchemists don't want to admit that their laborious creations are flawed,” the Fox explains “and the King doesn't wish to burden the populace with this knowledge either. After all, the power of the Beasts at the King's beck and call inspires hope and obedience in the common man, rather than doubt and discontent. The Beasts are not perfect; if they were then they would be King instead.”
She chuckles to herself at her own joke, which the Badger awkwardly copies after a second's pause.
“So, um, does this mean I get to train with the sword?” Badger asks, still inspecting it. “Because I'm not very good with the staves, the Princes and the other bastards always beat me-ow!”
There's a yelp and a muffled clang as Badger drops the sword to the thin rug on the stone floor, cane marks forming on Badger's knuckles.
“Must I remind you every time?” says Fox sternly, pointing at Badger's face with her willow cane. “The correct term is Wards. Crude language like that in the court might cost you more than your knuckles next time.”
“But the Princes get to call us that all the time!” Badger retorts angrily, regretting it instantly as Fox's cane strikes again.
“Don't speak back to your elder, boy! They are Princes, and you must remember that they are your betters. You are only a Ward of the King, you cannot get away with the same behaviour in the court!”
Badger's eyes water, trying not to to cry at Fox's rebuke and raised voice. While the helmet makes it difficult to tell her expression, Badger imagines it softens as she sighs.
“Please Badger, I'm doing this for your sake. We Wards cannot afford to breach protocol in the same way as the Princes do in or outside of the court. We must be vigilant and on our best behaviour at all times, as our presence is merely tolerated here; if you bring embarrassment to the royal family in any way with your words or behaviour, they will not hesitate to make an example of you.”
Badger begins to nod before thinking better of it and saying “Yes Teacher”, voice cracking only a little.
“Now, pick up your sword and follow me.” Fox says. “We will start training today to ensure your thrust can reach your Beast's heart.”
