In an age when duels were the main means of defending personal honor and settling everyday disputes, the value of one's life could never be compared with one's honor. Luckily, Isabel Walton came to an era in which the Cold Weapon Age was still in place.

Although arquebuses, which are milestones in the history of firearms development and are the prototypes of modern rifles, have appeared in Italy, Germany, Spain and Portugal during this period, the armies of European countries still mainly use cold weapons. As for the prevalence of arquebuses in Asian countries during the same period, such as the Ming Empire and Japan, it is not convenient to repeat them here.

Isabelle's ability to survive the duel with the Edward Knight unscathed was fortunate to her family, and her life was protected by God. Sir Augustine, the head of the family and the head of the family's authority, intuitively believed that her victory was due only to her opportunism.

Guided by the central idea of defending her personal and the honor of the Walton family, and not allowing the slightest slander or slander against her and her family, Augustine Walton was determined to make Isabel fully learn and master the elite swordsmanship that originated from the 14th-century German classical swordsmanship Johannes Richardner. Because this master of swordsmanship more than 200 years ago taught the art of swordsmanship to students from all over Europe, not only in one-man combat in judicial duels or honor duels, but also on the battlefield.

Early in the morning of the ransom letter dictated by Sir Alex Ferguson and copied by Isabel to Darlington Castle, Augustine sent her to the training ground on the side of the house early. Augustine, dressed in cavalry armor, said to Isabel, who was also dressed in cavalry armor: "Son, how do you feel about the book by Josim Meyer that I showed you?" ”

Isabel used the wooden sword in her hand to move her muscles and bones, and said, "Well, Master Meyer's writing is very good. Although he had his own style of swordsmanship, he inherited the long sword swordsmanship of the German master Richard Nerr as a whole. ”

"Okay, we're still fighting with a long sword today."

"Sir, when do you think I've learned how to fight with a sword?"

"Until you are fully proficient in armoured sword fighting, not armor sword fighting, sword fighting, sword and shield fighting, dagger fighting, hand-to-hand combat, and horse fighting."

"Wow, cool! So, when can I practice my two-handed dagger? ”

"It can be practiced while fighting with a dagger."

Isabel nodded and said, "Sir, I think I'm going to learn hunting skills this week, right?" ”

Augustine calmly said: "Hunting techniques can be learned in the exercise of knightly squire duties. At other times, in addition to eating, sleeping, maintaining armor and weapons, and taking care of horses, you will need to strengthen your learning of long and short swords. ”

"So, what about my archery skills?"

"After Sunday Mass, you can practice with the other men in the castle."

As the two men faced each other and posed for their swords, Isabel asked, "Sir, I want to go to the county before the afternoon hunt begins." ”

Augustine shook his head helplessly, and had no choice but to say, "Whatever you want to do, make sure to return to the castle before the hunt begins." ”

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Isabel went to the market in Richmond County for one purpose, to find a trusted blacksmith to forge two short swords of her own. Two unique short swords that combine the advantages of left-handed shortsword, Roman shortsword and Viking sword.

Blacksmith Beard was introduced to Isabel by the bow maker Reese. Because Reese often had to go to Beard's blacksmith to make iron arrowheads, the two became very good friends and drinking buddies.

When Isabel rode Onyx to the blacksmith's shop, not far from Rees's house, Blacksmith Beard was sweating and sweating a piece of pig iron by the fire.

Dressed in armor and with two left-handed daggers at her waist, Isabel stood outside the door, watching the father and son at work. When the two of them finally stopped and picked up the kettle to drink, she gently applauded twice and said, "Not bad, not bad." I am the blacksmith who boasts of a charcoal fire and makes a common instrument; I also made the destroyer (Isaiah, 54:16). ”

Little Beard, who was holding the kettle, turned his face and quickly put the kettle down when he spotted the smiling Isabel. Stand there and respectfully say, "Good afternoon, Ms. Isabel." ”

As his name suggests, Beard, who had a big beard, turned his face and said with a smile, "I didn't expect Lady Isabel to be willing to run to a place like purgatory." ”

Isabelle, leaning against the door frame, smiled and said, "Good afternoon, Beard and little Beard." No, how can this be purgatory? As a well-known wealthy commoner family in the county, this is supposed to be the place to solve people's problems. ”

Little Beard, who was a year or two older than Isabel, said a little shyly at this time: "Thank you for the compliment, ma'am." Uh, ma'am, it's close to the fireplace, can I invite you to the living room if you like? ”

With her arms folded over her chest, Isabel lowered her arms and smiled as she walked into the blacksmith's shop: "Of course. ”

When he came to the living room at the back of the casting room, Beard invited Isabel to sit down and smiled and said, "Ma'am, I don't have any wine here from His Highness and the nobles, only ale. Want to have a drink? ”

Isabel picked up the jug and poured herself some ale and said, "Sometimes I like to drink ale. Did you know that His Majesty has always been fond of drinking the kingdom's own ale? ”

"Of course, His Majesty is English. Ma'am, I, as a friend of Reese, would like to thank you for your help to the Reese family. ”

"It's nothing. I pay him to work for me, so I need him to put his heart and soul into his work. So, I'm willing to help him and his family get through this winter. ”

"It seems that the Reese family really met good people. It's a pity that such good people were not born in civilian homes. ”

"What do you mean, Beard?"

"Oh, nothing. I mean, if my son wasn't engaged, he would have taken you. ”

"Are you kidding? Well, you must be kidding. ”

"Ma'am, I just spoke his mind for my son, you don't have to take it to heart. Besides, someone like you shouldn't have been just a commoner's daughter in the first place. ”

"Oh, thank you."

At that moment, little Beard walked in with a wine jug. After saluting Isabel, he said with some excitement: "Ma'am, this is the blackberry wine I made from the blackberries I picked before the end of this summer, and I want to give you a taste." ”

Isabel still had a certain affection for the shy boy she met for the first time, and said with a smile: "Thank you, little Beard." Well, I've been told that I can't pick blackberries after September 15th every year, do you know why? ”

When little Beard was about to speak, his father said coldly, "Son, go and work outside." Lady didn't come to me to drink your blackberry wine. ”

Isabel said anyway, "Well, little Beard, you can leave the wine." Perhaps, I'll take it back to Nottingham Castle for a taste. ”