"Again."

You've heard that word a thousand times.

Step, hit, dodge, block, step, hit, block. Over and over, each session. You thought each time that you were perfect now, yet each time you heard 'again', and you had to try anew.

No doubt you take most after Aegon, you are strong and tall, like your father, but raw power is nothing without prowess to hone it - that's what the King says. Aegon takes your martial training very seriously, he has you training with the best of his Kingsguard, and he has you training with him.

Aegon still towers over you, but he is sure soon enough you'll be looking at him eye to eye. Good. The thought does make the King proud, yet he mustn't let feelings get in front of duty, not now, you still have a lot to learn. The King dodges your each thrust, blocks your each hit, he is faster, he is bigger, he is better, if he had a sword of true steel and you were not his child, you'd be dead by now.

And yet...

Today you got better.

One strike Aegon missed, finally, and the tip of your training sword hit the King in the jaw. You felt it. And your father did too. The fight was stopped, the Kingsguard suddenly looked nervous by the sight of the Dragon holding fingers to where your sword hit him. He isn't pained. If anything you could swear the look in your father's eye is almost pride.

With a gesture of the hand Aegon stopped the fight, commanded the Kingsguard at ease. You've hit him, it is progress. The King stabbed his sword into the dirt and walked up to you, his hand went to your shoulder. For a moment he just stands there, you know he's proud, he just won't admit it yet.

"You've learned." Your father finally breaks silence, patting your shoulder a time and again. "But you still have plenty to learn still."