The boy answered like one heartbeat after another. It surprised the stallions, and they raised their heads appreciatively, eyes catching each other from the corners of their sockets. They both grinned a wicked, moonlit grin.

"Very good," Maskan murmurs. "We'll train you," Madyrn breathes. The pair stride forward, closing in around either side of the colt, their shoulders just barely offering some of their weight upon the boy. There was much to be done and time was short. Though Aaron had plenty of growing left to do, its was best to prepared early, for the youths of these lands did not stay young long. Their family, their home, would not be peaceful forever, and he'd need to be prepared. They already knew that he knew that. It's why he ran in the dead of the night and why he whispered his heart's intentions to fiery steeds.

They breathed hot air on him, dancing around and away then back together again. They were pleased - someone worthy to train and watch grow. Someone worth their time and their sweat. They were barely reining back the urges to spar each other here and now, the energy burning just beneath their coats, bringing their blood to boil.

"Listen well, fledgling. We do not repeat ourselves." Orange eyes glistened, mischievous and bold under the silver watch of their lady luna. "Power will come with endurance. Speed will come with power. Endurance will come with speed." Maskan's voice came in a sing-song manner, his hooves beating the earth with each point to be made. "The edge has burned," Madyrn begins, a sadness tainting his words. "Go and help them clear the dead." Maskan finished. The brothers thump their shoulders together, peering down at Aaron with a heart-shaped face. "Push and shove against the fallen trees. Move until your muscles unwind and break, then keep moving so they must rebuild." "Don't come back until you're foamed with sweat and weak as a newborn. Only then will you grow."

They laughed a deep chested, but not unkind, laugh. They were pleased with themselves. It had been a while since they'd taught anyone. "But be careful," Madyrn warned with eyebrows arching high and voice rising with them. "The horny unicorns may not appreciate your... assistance. Be sly like a shadow." Maskan growled, "be confident like a flame" "Be ready to run." Not all wars need be waged. Aaron would be going into a dangerous land and he would not do well to make enemies by having a sharp tongue and anxious heels.

A warrior needed training in body, and mind. This, they hoped he'd learn of his own accorded, guided only by the objectives they provided. The mind cannot truly expand when it's aware it is supposed to. Not to mention young colts rarely want to practice such dull segments of training. So they would hide it from him, and let him learn first hoof.

The two of them broke away then suddenly, flying like raven's wings, dark and unknown into the night. They called back to their apprentice, voices loud and whooping against the night. "By the light of the moon, go and break yourself!"