Vladimir found himself soon hard at work at the Monastery.
Each morning started with the same brisk morning exercise, he studied the Laws/Justice System of the NCS including resolving conflict and arrest powers, he learnt cross-bow use - which he had observed first hand in the raid on Ilya's bandits, and began his journey down the path of the fighting system called Sistema. Which he excelled at, and soon found that if he had not held himself back he would have been able to soundly defeat both his instructors. Also the riders constantly practised their horse riding including caring for horses, fighting from horses, he learnt how to treat battle wounds, and survival skills. After hours he trained separately with some new friends he had made, two brothers Maxim and Moshkin. They had mysteriously acquired what looked like an ancient set of kettle-bells - and taught Vladimir their use. The two interesting fellows were both out of the collectives. They promised to take Vladimir ice fishing and riding and to try their mothers cooking. Vladimir shared with them his stories of life outside the collectives, and promised to show them an Ovcharka - a dog of legends he had fought wolves with.. Inside he wondered how Recoil was fairing, adjusting, and he missed her.