It was the same thing over and over again... Training, learning followed by even more training and learning.
He started in the morning with physical training. He had to be in peak condition. If your opponent was faster than you, you were dead. He then studied from various books; languages, various poisons and antidotes, history and politics. All this was needed for his new vocation. He had not known how to read till then. He struggled at first, but pushed himself hard to learn, and to learn fast. Gold and his new master then trained with various weapons; pole arms, knives, swords, spears, bows... Anything and everything.
This continued on for several years. When Gold reached the age of twenty years, everything changed.
They were going through their usual routine, and during their weapons training, some 'visitors' came. His master had warned him about the dangers of the Soliders of Harad. They came. They swept over the city and pulled anyone and everyone they could into their ranks with their cold, iron fist. They came for him...
A loud, obtrusive banging came from the other side of the door. the master smiles slyly and says, "[H] They are just on time..." He pauses their training to go answer the door.
Gold freezes as he catches sight of shining bronze armor and crimson fabric. Panic rises in his throat. He backup and presses against the wall, terrified. The voices rose and fell with normal conversation. His master steps aside to let the soldiers enter. Gold could feel their cold eyes on him.
The soldiers advance forward towards him. His first instinct told him to fight... And that he did. He raised the slender short sword he had in his hand up against his armored foes. His mind was racing, his heart thumping. He knew that their heavy armor made them heavy and slow... Though he lacked the protection that the armor offered, he was fast... very fast. He could weave in and out of their blows, slipping his blade in between their armor. He knew that he would have to face his master if he managed to subdue the soldiers. He grimaces, not wanting to think about that.
The first soldier raises his spear and lunges forward, the tip aimed at Gold's chest. The soldier and Gold had both anticipated a fight; as to who was more prepared, that was unknown. Gold, though, was ready. He saw his armor move and the spear come towards him. He grins ever so slightly and drops to the floor. He rolls away from the spear wielders range and hopped up to his feet. The second armored foe came towards him, mimicking his partners moves. Gold was pinned between two spear wielding soldiers and the wall. His master was standing behind the metal wall of men, grinning like a snake.
Gold was overcome by anger. He spat out a curse and dropped to the floor again, this time rolling towards the soldier who lunged at him. He hopped quickly to his feet. He aimed his sword, straight and true, for the soldier's exposed and vulnerable throat. The man gasps and gurgles as the life quickly slips from his body. He clatters lifelessly to the floor. Just as the soldier fell, Gold let out a cry of pain. He glanced down to see his clothes slowly starting to turn crimson. It took him a few moments to realize that the other soldier has stabbed him with the spear.
A small gasp tumbles forth from his lips. He begins to crumple towards the floor. He casts a look of betrayal at his master, who just stood there laughing, as if he was a jester performing for a court.
The remaining soldier grabbed Gold by his collar just as he passed out, dragging the young man off into the night. Just before he leaves though, the soldier tosses the master a small pouch filled with coins.
The master snatches the pouch out of the air and opens it, counting his profits with greedy eyes. Satisfied, he quickly pockets it and smirks at the soldier, "[H] Pleasure doing business with you..." The soldier nods with a smirk before turning into the night, harshly dragging the young man behind him.
