The Ashdown sons had every luxury their father could acquire, they had tutors and philosophers at the behest of their mother, and instructors to teach them how to ride, and count. They had land on which to roam, ride and hunt, and the elder brother did all these things from an early age. Laurentius was his shadow, riding alongside him over hill and dale, seeking fox and pheasant that his brother might slay it with an arrow.
They came to be known by Sir Ashdown's contingent of fighting men, and gained many uncles within their ranks whom taught the boys to bear arms, and hold shields, how to stand, how to move. The Ashdown sons took to martial life easily, much to the dismay of their mother. Yet she was proud, for they were bright and cunning both, the eldest with great charm and warmth, the younger with thoughtful patience. They worked so well together that it was rare to see them separate.
As the Ashdown boys grew nearer the age of adulthood they were watched keenly by the agents of the Lords that kept the land, and plans were drawn for them in secret, plans meant to be enacted when the time was right.
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