Getting back into the normal swing of things wasn't a smooth transition, at least for Kestrel. He no longer had an apprentice to worry about or teach, and along with the news of his brother have been captured during the battle as well...well, the news hit him hard. Regular gladiator duties no longer felt worth it. More often than not, the caracal would find himself laying in the shade of a rock, listening to the wind rustle the tussocks by the lake or the long blades of grass on the plains.
Finally, he found a way to busy himself, taking his thoughts off those he had lost and those he had failed to protect. His friend Spurius, the blacksmith, allowed him to help out from time to time. As the days passed, Kestrel found himself helping there more and more, and gradually leaving his regular duties behind. He may not have ever had any experience with fire and hot metal, but at least some work in the forge did not demand such skillful knowledge.

#KestrelOLR