The guard laughs out loud at the halfling posing as child's request. "Well, m'boy, the best times are the boring ones. That's the only time you know the people of this good city are safe. But if you wish to be a guard, you must learn to fight and be willing to lay your life down for everyone else." The guard laughs again and pulls out a long, ordinary dagger and hands it to the Odo, virtually a short sword in the hands of the halfling. The guard shows the halfling the 5 basic parries. "You must not draw your weapon but in defense." The guard says very seriously. Several other guards have gathered in a loose circle to watch the boy and their captain. With the captain's words, several of the other guards nod their approval and some even say "yes." or some other agreement.
The captain then draws his sword and continues, "Are you ready to defend yourself... slowly now,... 1" The captain says, slowly swinging his sword to the halfling's "1" position, which Odo easily parries. "Good, 2" He says as he repeats his delecate attack to the "2" position and continues through the numbers, then switches them up a little.
"He's good." comments another guard from the circle as the captain calls out the "5" after a "3". Odo decides to mess up the guard... after all, he's not supposed to know how to fight. A round of laughter rings out as the captain stops his blade WELL away from the halfling.
"You jinxed him, Thomas!" Another guard says.
"That's enough for now, future guard of Enberton. After all, the other duty a guard is supposed to perform is keeping a look out from their post." The captain says with just enough emphesis on the second half of the sentence to make the guards scamper back totheir posts. The captain leans down to Odo. "Now, Promise me that you will not draw your weapon but in defense!" he says as he takes the knife from the halfling. As Odo nods, the captain smiles and hands him back the dagger. "The the weapon is yours, for a guard must be always ready to defend. Now, hurry on back to your mum." The captain says as he ruffles the halfling's hair.
"AYE!" Krueger's voice booms at the King's request and he taps the pummel of his great axe on the ground to emphesis his commitment.
"T'would be an honour, my King." Jaeden says with a flourish and a bow.
"Heh... sure... can I eat with you at dinner tonight?" Gemble replies, figuring the King would have the greatest of dinners.
"You will be my honored guests, all of you." King Promus replies, a smile breaking out on his weary face.