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dawn.’
    Raising his fist menacingly at the couple, he slowly turned on his heel and shuffled down the passageway muttering to himself, ‘No escape, no escape!’
    The two guards then took up their positions just inside the passageway. Rom and Aela both looked at each other. Aela was the first to break the silence. ‘What are we going to do Rom? How are we going to escape this place? What is Eena talking about, you being a great warrior, and I am to learn about spiritual matters? I don’t like it at all.’ complained Aela.
    â€˜Well, we are still alive and tomorrow is another day.’ stated Rom evenly. ‘All I can think of is going to sleep.’ replied Rom.
    Without another word, he walked towards the pile of furs, carefully placed his spear on the ground, lowered his torso onto the furs and was soon fast asleep. Aela followed Rom’s example, sinking her body into the soft warm skins and she also drifted into a deep sleep.
    At dawn a woman brought food for the two to eat, which they devoured with alacrity having eaten nothing since the previous day. Aela went to the spring to wash herself and was soon absorbed in her task delighting in the freshness of the water. She failed to see the look of admiration on Rom’s face, as she slowly dressed herself. Rom hurriedly looked away, as he finished his washing and then dressed very quickly with a perplexed look on his face.
    Footsteps were heard coming from one of the side passages, and in shuffled Croan, ‘You two follow me now. Eena wants to see you both this second,’ glowered Croan.
    Without a word Aela and Rom followed Croan into the passageway and they were soon standing before Eena. ‘Welcome to you both. I hope you slept well last night.’ and then without waiting for a reply she went on to say, ‘Ardu, take Rom away to start his training immediately, whilst I begin tutoring Aela.’
    Ardu gave Eena a salute, beckoned for Rom to follow him and they disappeared down a side tunnel. Very soon the two men emerged into bright sunshine and Ardu turned towards Rom, ‘Can you wield a sword?’
    â€˜No’ replied Rom, ‘But I know how to use the spear!’
    Rom began to twirl his hand above his head as if to emphasise his point. Ardu replied, ‘Well we shall soon change that,’ and with a lighting lunge forward, Ardu threw a sword in the air, which was deftly caught by Rom with one out-stretched hand.
    Ardu gave a hearty laugh saying ‘Let the lesson begin.’
    Soon both men were locked in combat, thrusting and parrying with their swords. There was the sound of metal clashing with metal and sparks flying off whenever the swords met.
    Later that day Aela and Rom saw each other again back in the cave. Rom was secretly very pleased with himself, as he realised he was learning to master the sword very quickly and Ardu was most impressed with his progress.
    â€˜How was your day Aela?’ asked Rom.
    â€˜Oh it was all right, but I didn’t learn anything new from Eena,’ sighed Aela.
    â€˜I knew you had visionary powers, Aela, but I don’t know what they mean,’ replied Rom. ‘Especially after you predicted my father’s death in battle so accurately.’
    â€˜I am so sorry Rom about my prediction. I was very upset when it happened. I was very frightened when I had dreamt of your father’s death and the sorrow and agony it caused you and your family. I vowed that I wouldn’t tell anyone of my dreams ever again.’
    â€˜I don’t blame you Aela. We were both very young at the time. Life was very hard for my mother and she died of a broken heart soon afterwards.’
    Rom looked very sad resting his head in his hands. Aela knelt in front of Rom taking his hands into hers, ‘Rom I hope we can always be friends.’
    Rom looked straight into Aela’s eyes, ‘We shall be true friends forever. I swear to you on the memory of my father