"Get up kid, I've been told that we are to head to Doctor Linden's tent after you break your fast."
Alexander felt groggy waking up to the sound of someone talking to him. Opening his eyes he saw that it was Kristof. He had almost forgotten that Kristof had accepted the job offer as his valet guard. He quickly got out of bed and dressed before heading out into the common area of the tent. There was already a plate of food on the dining table and Kristof was standing by the table waiting.
"Thank you sir for waking me. Are you sure you really want to be my guard? Isn't it demeaning for you to have to help me a fourteen year old kid?"
"Bahaha, nah, it is very much a better job as I said to Lady Firestorm yesterday. And you know I didn't want you to call me sir before, and especially now that I am serving you. You could technically me whatever, but I would prefer Kristof."
"Heh, sorry about that Kristof. I think it is going to take a very long time before I get used to my new life. I assume you have already eaten since there is only food for one on the table? And please sit down, it would feel awkward being the only seated person."
Alexander headed to the table and sat down, waiting for Kristof to join him before starting to eat.
"You mentioned last night that you don't really know much but soldiering. But since you were a staff sergeant do you also know how to read and write? And we should be speaking as much Lareen as possible, I want to master the language sooner rather than later."
"Well, I did learn to read and write when growing up. I wasn't the best at it at the time. But after being promoted to sergeant I started to help the Lieutenant I was under with different tasks. So I would think I am starting to be quite good at it. And you are indeed correct about Lareen, I will try to only speak to you in it from now on."
Alexander nodded at Kristof and continued eating. Once he finished they headed for Doctor Lindens tent. They found him sitting at his desk writing on some papers when they arrived. However he didn't seem to be too busy as he looked up at them almost immediately.
"Good morning Alexander, and to you too Kristof. How are you doing today Alexander? I can see the swelling is basically gone, only bruising around your left eye left. Should hopefully be gone in a day or two."
"Good morning Doctor Linden, I am doing quite well today. I am glad to hear that it will be gone that quickly. So what is the plan for the day?"
"We will be doing some rounds with the wounded Miran soldiers today. Even if you have Kristof with you, I think we should avoid the Verenden soldiers. So grab the writing gear and lets head out."
Alexander grabbed the gear from yesterday and followed Doctor Linden. They made their way further away from the centre of the camp. It seemed like the wounded Miran men rested just besides the doctors tents. They spent about four hours walking to the different tents. Alexander taking notes the entire time. At some points Doctor Linden even had him help with some of the patients. It was mostly simple stuff such as applying some ointment or reapplying a bandage.
Once they had complete the rounds they returned to Doctor Linden's tent. There they resumed with the reading and writing exercises. Kristof also joined in, providing some additional help to Alexander. They also spent some time practising Lareen conversation.
The day ended rather quickly. Nothing special had happened for once. Making it seem almost dull. But not having to be in any new pain was better than excitment. At least for the time being. After so much happening quickly a dull day of almost menial tasks was great.
When they returned to Alice's tent for the evening she joined Alexander and Kristof for the evening meal. For the most part the conversation was about how Alexander's day had been. Alice seemed to be rather happy with it not being anything special.
"Tomorrow afternoon will be the day you leave for Bryn Alexander. Once there you will be met by my two sons and my daughter Elisabeth. You will meet them at my estate in Bryn. Then you will be completing the adoption process before heading to my home of Nirdal. There you will be spending about a month, give or take, so that we can ensure you are at a sufficient level in Lareen to start your schooling."
"I thought it would be a bit longer before you could send me off? And it sounds like I won't get much time before starting school?"
"With what happened to you yesterday, I decided to hurry up the process of having you sent to Bryn. I would feel much better knowing that you wouldn't be in danger here. I also think it is about time you head to sleep, you should try to get up early tomorrow to get in some last minute studying with Doctor Linden. You won't have to go to his tent, as I have asked him to just teach you here tomorrow."
Alexander nodded at this and bid Alice and Kristof good night before heading to his room. He wasn't too tired, but understood that trying to sleep early would let him be more awake tomorrow. So he listened to Alice and went into bed immediately. Though sleep wasn't the easiest to achieve earlier than usual, but with counting sheep again he did manage to fall asleep.
The next day Alexander woke by himself. It wasn't until just after he had gotten dressed that Kristof walked into his room.
"Good morning kid, the food has already been delivered to the table. Doctor Linden should be here shortly."
"Good morning si… Kristof."
Alexander felt somewhat awkward almost calling Kristof sir again. Kristof just chuckled lightly at that before heading back to the common area. Alexander followed just behind him, making his way quickly to the dining table. It seemed like Kristof would join him this morning seeing two plates on the table. They both sat down and started eating. Whilst they were eating Doctor Linden arrived.
"Good morning to both of you, seems like this will be our last day together. Though I can imagine we will meet again in the future. Once you finish your food we will get to studying again."
"Mmph, gowd Mowning Doctog Lindew."
Alexander quickly swallowed the food he was eating.
"Sorry, I will try to finish quickly so we can get started."
He resumed eating, trying to finish the plate at a quicker pace than before. There wasn't too much food left so it didn't take him too long. Once he finished he rose and walked over to the desk, joining Doctor Linden. They then resumed the studying they had been doing. His improvements in reading, writing and speaking Lareen was shocking. It was far from what one would expect out of someone who couldn't read or write any other language. Even if they were a genius.
Of course Alexander knew that the reason he was improving at such a pace was because of his previous life. Having lived before and learned other languages, in addition to knowing how to read and write, was a massive help.
They continued studying until midday when Alice returned to the tent.
"Let us have some food before you get ready to leave Alexander. Niklas and Kristof, please do join us. I know you don't have much at all, but please take one or two of my books and some writing gear. That way you can do some self-study with help from Kristof on the journey. It shouldn't take more than a week from here to Bryn with carriage, but it will most likely be a boring trip."
Whilst Alice was speaking a pair of servants came into the tent carrying four plates of food. They placed the food on the dining table before taking their leave. All four of them moved to the dining table and sat down. Whilst they were eating there wasn't too much conversation.
Once they finished Alexander grabbed two of the books he found in Alice's trunk. He wasn't entirely sure but one of them seemed to be on military strategy whilst the other was about finances. Not the most exciting reading material but he wasn't reading for joy at the moment. After grabbing the books and some writing gear he joined the others outside the tent.
There a four-wheel carriage stood drawn by two horses. Both in front and behind was a squad of cavalry carrying rifles and swords.
"Captain Imran here will be providing the escort, he and his men are part of my household guard. I wouldn't expect anything to happen, nor should there be any dangers on the roads inside Miran. But since you will be officially become a noble by the end of the journey it does require that you travel as one. He will also be in charge of the journey itself. You don't need to worry about his opinion about you, he has served me long enough that I trust him."
Alice introduced a man wearing a captains insignia. His uniform was a extravagant dress uniform, quite different from what he had seen worn by the soldiers around the camp. Captain Imran saluted Alexander and gave him a friendly smile. He seemed to be around 1.85 and had short brown hair. His face was clean shaven and he appeared to have hazel brown eyes.
Kristof walked up to the carriage door and opened it, indicating for Alexander to make his way inside. Once he had gotten in Kristof joined him.
"I will see you again once the war has ended Alexander, have a good journey and please give my regards to my children, especially Elisabeth."
As Alice finished speaking the carriage and cavalry started moving. She waved at them as they departed. It was time for the journey towards a new life. A new home. And a new family.