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Meanwhile, Naomi wasn't getting much sleep. Her twins needed to be fed every three hours or so, day and night.  And it took almost an hour to feed, change, and put just one back to bed.   And no sooner was she done feeding one, but then the other wanted something too....  
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Another exercise for Medieval knights to build up strength and endurance, was to chop wood, again in full armour.  After suiting up, Baron headed over to the wood lot with Jude...  "I know you've done this many times in the past..."  "...and the goal is to try and fill this cart as many times as you can in one day."  "No problem."  "Fine. But you haven't done this for a while. So don't overdo trying to prove something."  So Baron set to work...  He actually used to enjoy chopping wood, although it would be a lot easier without the armour.   Then he'd load the cart with the split wood...   ...and it wasn't long before he had filled it....  So, he took a little lunch break....    He eyed the piles of logs....'Well, it's not going to do itself,' he thought, 'so I better get back to it.'   A few days later, Baron had to return to training camp.  "I hate to leave you alone again so soon. But I have to go.""  "It's alright. Narae comes and helps me out sometimes, when she's not too busy."  "And the babies do sleep most of the time."  "At least between their feedings."  "I'll be fine."  And she watched him ride off.... 
When Baron got home after his first week at training camp, he was aching everywhere...  Naomi gently massaged his aching shoulders....  "How does that feel?" 
"It feels amazing."  Another strength building exercise for Medieval knights was to try and move huge rocks, while in full armour.  They'd have to use all their strength to try and push over huge boulders in the quarry....  They also had to lift and throw the biggest rocks they could carry...   It was extremely strenuous work....and they'd have to be careful not to overdo....  The following day, back at camp, Baron needed something a little less taxing, like practicing his archery skills...   Lawrence had come again, to check on Baron's progress....   Jude was impressed....  when Baron hit the bull's-eye every time....  "He clearly still has all his archery skills..."    Lawrence went over to congratulate him...   "Well done!"   "You're still as good a shot as ever."  One of the training exercises for a Medieval knight to build up strength and endurance, was running - in full armour. It was heavy and unwieldy, but that was the whole point.  The goal was to eventually be able to run around the entire city wall with ease.   But since it had been a very long time since Baron had actually done anything like that, Rex came along to spot him, and brought his horse along should Baron not be able go on any further, and need to stop.  They'd only made it halfway around the city walls, when Rex became concerned....  Baron was looking rather winded....  "I think that's enough for today." commented Rex. "You need to build up your stamina slowly. We'll try again in a few days, and see how far you get next time."  Baron was disappointed that he hadn't made it as far as he had hoped, but knew that he needed to ease into some of his training exercises, and that this was enough for today.
As a fully seasoned knight he used to be able to leap onto his horse while in full armour, but that wasn't going to happen today either. Still, he managed to get up.  He hadn't realized just how out of shape he was...  ...but was thankful for his patient friend.  ...knowing that this was just the very beginning....  ..and it was going to take some time to regain his strength, one day at a time.  All the knights were required to attend training camp regularly every month, to keep up their strength and fighting skills.  It was run by Jude, head of the King's Special Forces Team.... and knights from neighbouring kingdoms were also welcome to attend...  It had been quite some time since Baron had been able to attend. It had taken many months for him to recover from all his injuries from the attack last winter. So, he was going to start out with some light swordsmanship with Rex...  Rex was very accommodating. "We'll start out slow for a while, to get you used to it again."   Lawrence had come to watch, to see how Baron was doing....    Lawrence wanted to hear Jude's opinion. on Baron's progress.  "I don't think I need this shield."  "Okay, if you think you're ready."  "Yes, I'm ready."       "He's doing really well, considering what he's been through." commented Jude. "He hasn't lost his swordsmanship skills."  "But he's going to need some major strength and endurance training to get back to where he was before.."  It had been many months since Baron had been victim of a vicious attack, and he had recovered enough that it was finally time to start training to regain his full strength as a knight of the realm.  He got up quietly and got dressed, trying not to disturb Naomi, knowing she'd been up many times during the night...  But she was a light sleeper. "I hope you have a good day."  "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you."  And he bent down to kiss her good-bye  "Take it easy today," she whispered. "It's just your first day back to training."  "I will. And you try take it easy as well. Get as much rest as you can while the babies sleep."  "I'll be back in a few days."  Many noble women in Medieval times chose to use a wet nurse, but Naomi didn't like the idea and wanted to try and feed her twins herself.  She kept their cradle close beside her bed so it would be easier to just pick one up when they were hungry in the night...  ...and take them into her bed with her.....   But as soon as one was finished, the other would wake up....  ..so she wasn't getting much sleep...  |
AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes. Archives
December 2025
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