Jess Mahler

@jessmahler

Jess writes queer fantasy with aromantic, neurodivergent, and generally 'weird' characters. PFP is head, shoulders, and part of the wings of a gryphon

209 Siguiendo842 Seguidores1356 Publicaciones

Website Bluesky

lesbian

¿Es tu perfil?Reclámalo y jessmahler.dirty.social es tuyo.Reclamar perfil

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· 28d

#WIPSnips July 16 -- rush Reimund gets the first look at his new quarters. This snippet is from Bound by His Oath, a lost colony sci-fi romance, now 25% off on Smashwords www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...

The lord’s quarters were smaller than those of a proper castle. But what the modernized burg lacked in size, it more than made up for in comfort. Or at least that’s how it seemed to Reimund as he sat on the first bed he had seen in weeks. His fingers traced the design of the quilted blanket that covered the bed as he stared about the room trying to take it all in.

The colors of the quilt were reflected in the hangings that lined the walls of the room, blocking the drafts that any building this size had. The floor was, presumably, stone like the rest of the burg, but no one could have seen the stone under the layers of woven rushes covered by a thick carpet. The bed was made of dark wood, covered with simple but skilled carvings. The bed hangings were double layered, the outer layer thick with embroidery, the inner layer a light undyed cloth that would let sunlight through in the summer months.

Reimund’s dazed eyes had seen little of the outer room of the suite, but he suspected it was just as finely appointed.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 12

#WIPSnips Jully 11 -- attack Reimund isn't in a good situation here...

The fight was chaos and confusion. Reimund had heard that the Anglish were deadly fighters in their beloved mountains, but he’d never imagined anything like this close ranged whirling combat.

The first attack had taken out a full tenth of his men. Outnumbered, unable to retreat… he was down at least another tenth, probably more.

Shamed, but seeing no other answer save dying, he stepped back from the front line and pulled the battle horn from his belt. The solemn call for surrender rang across the battlefield.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 9

#WIPSnips July 9 -- keep Mildthryth's people won the battle, but the work isn't done.

Wigmar would take the leader to her solar. Her mother would get the hale prisoners and those with minor wounds into the old barracks. They could tend each other. Mildthryth set to organizing care of her own wounded and the badly wounded prisoners. They were not yet so stricken that they would ignore the Ancestors’ command to tend all enemy wounded as best one could.

When Wigmar led the leader through the great hall, Mildthryth was threading a needle to sew up a man’s arm. Behind her, her housekeeper was preparing to remove an arrow from a man’s thigh.

Dark take it, she needed to be dealing with the leader, but the wounded couldn’t wait. She chuckled with dark humor. The Conqueror had no idea how closely her wishes aligned with his. She dearly wished a husband she could share her duties with. A keep wasn’t meant to run by one person alone.

Pushing the familiar thoughts aside, she pinched the man’s flesh together, ignoring his muffled cry, and started stitching.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 8

#WriterShareWednesday July 8 There are many historical romance novels where the feisty heroine is forced into marriage with the alpha male hero. In a distant future, this story is playing out again -- with one minor difference. $2.24 on Smashwords www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...

Image is split in half. Left side says “Seven strangers. One chance to make a family.” Dark blue text on yellow background, surrounded by dark blur border. Right side is a book cover. Central image is a seedling growing out of a small pile of dirt, surrounded by a golden oval. Text: “Planting Life in a Dying City” “Jess Mahler”. Background is a faded image of an ancient city.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 6

Planting Life in a Dying City is a chosen-family fantasy set in an bronze age world. Including polyamory, agender societies, challenging the status quo, trauma recovery, elder characters, autistic characters, and second chances. Now 25% off on Smashwords: www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 5

#WIPSnips July 5 -- Bench This one comes from fairly late in the story, so maybe skip if you don't want spoilers. (Don't think there are any big spoilers in here, but just in case.)

Twice Mildthryth nearly turned away. Her mother would laugh to see her. Her grandfather cringe. A daughter of Dragma, hesitating! But some things were more intimidating than a charge of Nornish calvary.
Finally, laughing at herself, she raised her hand and knocked.
Sir Damian answered the door to the knights’ quarters. “My lady?”
“I wish to speak with Sir John.”
The quiet knight stepped back from the door, allowing her entry.
Sir John was seated on a bench, mending a torn strap on his armor. He looked up as she entered and grimaced. “My lady witch.”
“John,” Sir Damian chided.
“No,” Mildthryth said. “That is precisely why it is Sir John I wish to speak with. He will tell me his truth where my husband and Sir Hereweald will give me courtly faces and you, Sir Damian, hide behind dignified silence.”
Sir John laughed. “You are right there, my lady witch.” He took a deep breath and let it out with a hiss. “So which of my lord’s secrets do you come to me for?”
Mildthryth smiled. “Actually, Sir John, I’m here for your secrets.”
He stilled and set down his work. “I have no secrets. As you rightly note, my lady, I am an open scroll.”
Something in that sent warning notes down Mildthryth’s spine, but she didn’t let the hint of threat deter her. “I suspect you have many secrets, Sir John, but I think the one I am after today, you scarce consider a secret.
“Why do you hate me, Sir John? Why do you call me witch and burn with anger to see my husband kneel to me?”

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 5

#FantasyIndiesJuly 4 -- Saturday Snippet I shared Mildthryth's intro yesterday for a different hashtag. So today you can have Reimund's intro.

Reimund Swiđhun watched with mixed feelings as his men put the fields to torch. The field belonged to the lands of the Lord of Rúna, but for six years there had been no lord. The last lord had died, leaving only a daughter who refused all suitors and insisted, against all right and nature, to hold the land in her own right.

One of the men at arms left off burning the fields to chase after a serf, slower to flee than his fellows. Reimund whistled and called him off. The thick smoke rising from the stands of wheat meant empty bellies and lost livestock over the winter to come. That would be bad enough, but to kill the peasants as well? No. The king had promised the lordship of Runa to any man who could force Mildthryth into marriage. Reimund planned to be that man. He had no desire to rule over a land gone barren because there was no one to work the fields.

He looked up at the castle high on the hill above. It wasn’t really a castle, just a rough attempt at making a proper fortress out of one of the old Anglish burgs. Mixed wood and stone, with an earthen wall set with stakes surrounding it. Even with his small force, he thought he could overwhelm it. Probably.

But others had thought so before. Reimund knew of at least three others Lady Mildthryth had managed to overcome or repel. So he would be wiser.

Your fields burn, lady, he thought to himself, Soon you will have nothing to feed yourself or your people. Then we will see how stubborn you are.

Even as Reimund thought this, the gate set into the earth wall opened and warriors lightly armed in the Anglish fashion poured through. They moved faster than Reimund had planned for, but he judged his men had enough time for an orderly retreat.

Reimund blew his horn twice, summoning his men back. They had done what they came to do. Now it was time to leave and disappear into the surrounding forests.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 3

#AwesomeCharacters June 3 Mildthryth doesn't say anything during her first introduction (snippet below). Her first actual line is: “You shouldn’t have gone out yourself, Wigmar.”

Lady Mildthryth Rúna was in the weaving room. Again. Short, pale fingers flashing as they sent the shuttle of undyed wool thread back and force across the loom. By the end of the day she would have another bandage to add to the ever-shrinking pile in the still room.

Her mother, the lady dowager, worked beside her. The rest of the room was filled with every woman who wasn’t sleeping or too fumble-fingered to work a loom.

Once the room had been full of laughter. The weavers teased each other as they turned out fine linen and plush, took turns working on tapestry. No longer.

They wove in shifts now, running through a month’s worth of wool in a week. In the surrounding villages, old maids and young girls were spinning their fingers bloody to supply the ladies of the burg with thread for their weaving.

Marcel the Conqueror would not abide the ‘blasphemy’ of a woman holding lands in her own right but by the terms of his own conquest he could not deny her her inheritance. Six months age since ago he had withdrawn his protection, promising a boon to the lord who could force her into marriage and ‘win’ her lands.

As far as Mildthryth was concerned, the Nornish idea of courtship had left much to be desired. So far, she had been able to send her erstwhile suitors packing.

So far.

From the walls, a horn rang out, calling her warriors once more to battle.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 3

#QueerPrompts July 3 This month I'm answering questions about Bound by His Oath, a lost colony sf with a gender-flipped take on some popular historical romance tropes. Also this month, Bound is 25% off on Smashwords Check it out now for a fun weekend read. www.smashwords.com/books/view/1...

Text and book cover on green background. On the left it reads: Remind thinks he has it made. Mildthryth isn't having any of it. On the right is book cover, grey text on dark green background. "Bound by his Oath by Jess Mahler" The 'O' in 'Oath' is oversized. Inside it is a knight wearing chainmail, looking away from the viewer with head bowed and holding a reversed sword. Behind him is a sunset.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jul 2

#WIPSnips July 2 -- knock Bad situation all around here... Snippet from Bound by His Oath

Almost before he stopped speaking, John yelled, “Witch!”

Reimund whirled around to see John, with his blade out, advancing on Lady Mildthryth.

“No!” He threw himself at John, knocking his friend to the ground and the sword from his hand. Somehow, Reimund kept his own feet. Terrified of what he would need to do, Reimund drew his own sword. By the time John found his feet, Reimund’s blade was at his throat. “Stand down, Sir John.”

“She’s bewitched you, Reimund, can’t you see?”

“By the Ancestors and your oath, stand down.”

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jun 22

#WIPSnips June 22 -- draw Iberto's hunt for the new Sun-Called is off to a rough start.

Iberto hesitated for a time but decided the best option was to walk up and introduce himself. The woman spoke freely with so many, it would be an easy way to get close to her.

And so it seemed at first, but the closer he got, the more people fell away, the crowd thinning out until no one stood between himself and his target.

The hunt was up in his blood and he kept his steps slow to not seem a threat. Perhaps that had been a mistake, or perhaps there was something else. But her eyes went wide as she saw him approach and when he was still a dozen paces away she took off running.

He cursed and gave chase. The remaining crowd yelled and cursed as they dashed through. Too many people, too much attention. That he ran after her alone was enough to draw unwanted gaze, if he caught her in view of the crowd... No, not worth it. They could not risk rumors reaching the monks of what he did so soon.

So, still in sight of the crowd, he stopped chasing, muttered a comment about being 'owed' something unspecified -- there would be a dozen versions before dawn -- and hurried out of sight.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jun 15

#WIPSnips June 14 -- project Going with 'projecting', the verb. The Balance-Called needs to make emself heard.

“I offer this balance, then,” the Balance-Called said, projecting as best ey could to be heard over the renewed arguments. “The goddes face a difficult time and do not need those who seek them for prestige or glory.” A few of the faces in the back flushed or looked away. “But you here were willing to face the Hunt-Called for a chance to serve your godde. That is a good start. Go, then, to the temple. Do not wait for the Hunt-Called to seek you out but, if you truly wish to serve, journey yourselves to him.” Ey turned to the mayor and council. “And let none here shame those who choose to stay or impede those who choose to go. Be proud, if you can, for your children and fellows who make the difficult choice to leave and be glad, if you must, that their willingness to do so means you will not need to see the Hunt-Called come here to find them.”

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jun 12

#WeeknightWriters #A3 We were visited by the cat distribution network! This little guy literaly tried to climb in our window. We've done everything we can to find out if someone is missing him, can't find anything, so we get to keep him.

Kitten (white with grey points) lying down on a black sheet. A hand rests on the sheet behind his head.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jun 9

#WIPSnips June 9 -- warmth Hannu and the BalanceC-alled discuss Iberto

"Balance-Called," the Green-Called nodded. "You are... one of the new Called? Are you... well?"

Ey smiled. "I am. Very well," then eir brow creased. "You are concerned for me?"

Hannu made an indecisive gesture. "I am sure the Scaled One who Keeps Balance has made you happy here, but if you were brought here by the Called of the Great Goddess... yes, I am concerned for you."

The Balance-Called nodded. "He is indeed the one who sought me out. May I know why this concerns you?" Ey ran a hand lightly over the ground-cover, enjoying the warmth of the sun.

"Because he has harmed others he has brought." Hannu shuddered, remembering the look on the Sun-Called's face. "Iberto can be... a pleasant companion, with good humor and quick wit. We were... friends for a time. But when I left here, I feared his goddess' darkness was infecting him."

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jun 7

#WIPSnips June 7 -- guide

Another voice interrupted them, Amir’s smooth baritone. "Iberto told me once that that is why it was so important he gather more called," He squatted a little to the side in front of them. "I hope I am not intruding, but I was told I needed time away from my books."
"Be welcome, Amir." Kira's mouth twitched into a half-smile. "It may be that more eyes are needed to shed the shadows of the problem."
"I see I was not the only one guided to a sunny spot," Hannu called from the shadow of a tree. She stood at the end of a nearby path and waved sheepishly. "The Green sends greetings," she said, approaching with a crooked smile of her own. "Am I right that you didn't just happen to all be here now?"
Amir nodded. "It seems we were led here." He stood again and leaned against a nearby boulder, arms crossed. "There is a problem to be solved if I understand correctly."
"/The/ problem, I think," Kira said. "Maybe it's time all of us start putting our heads together."
Hannu nodded. "I'll join you three, then." She sat in the shadow of a cluster of bushes. "It is time for a better plan than I have managed."

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jun 2

#WIPSnips June 2 -- ready The travelers are setting out

It took nearly a week for the four who would travel to be ready. Time to make plans, gather supplies without arousing suspicion, and most important time for Iberto and Kira to devise a distraction so the monks would hopefully not notice their leaving. They couldn't keep their doings completely secret, and several of the other Called had learned part or all of their plans. But whatever their thoughts on the matter, none -- not even the former monk -- had revealed them.

The small group set out early in the morning, before the sun had crossed the horizon. The monks guarding the gates had been called away by a cry of “Fire!” from within the temple. It wasn't a true fire, but it would take time for the smoking urns to be found and put out, time Iberto's friends used to slip out and begin their journey.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· Jun 1

#WIPSnips June 1 - Loss Iberto and the Balance-Called discussing the challange they face.

Iberto hummed thoughtfully and sipped at his soup. “I have thought on this. There was a full temple of Called and priests when the monks began their attack. Bringing in new Called buys time for the goddes — so long as they have Called they do not fade. And they cannot stop me from bringing new Called. Not with the blessings the Great Goddess gives me. So long as I hunt, they cannot win.”

“Stalemate, you are saying. You have turned the goddes loss into a stalemate.”

“Just so. To turn stalemate into victory? That is more than I can do alone.”

“Then,” the Balance-Called lifted eir drink in a toast to Iberto, “it is just as well you do not have to.”

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 31

#SundaySnips May 12 -- success Iberto is not always the pessimist... just, sometimes.

For two weeks, a slow but steady flow of hopefuls appeared. From them came two new Called and a half dozen priests. For the first time in years, there were more goddes with Called than without. The new Called had mostly gone to serve popular goddes who had only recently lost their previous Called and begun to fade. Iberto feared still for the less known and followed goddes. The ones who, like the Great Goddess and Asher Chancemaker, had been vilified by the monks for generations and had few, if any, followers left -- and none that would willingly come to the temple.

But they had some time, yet, and any success was to be celebrated.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 31

#WIPSnips May 31 -- room Iberto is learning to hunt in the dream realm

If the strongest goddes were those loved by many, what were the weakest goddes?

The trail did not appear this time, but as he traveled the temple he began to catch hints of it, a non-existent scent, a shadow that faded if he looked at it full on.

He didn't know how long it took him to see it clearly, but eventually, he did. Following the trail through the temple took him to many small abandoned rooms with statue-goddes. Most of them watched him with bleak eyes or sat with their backs to the door. But several saluted him or murmured greetings. One, who the trail told him was weakest of those he had seen, still opened his eyes--eyes which froze Iberto even in this strange unbodied form.

"So..." the voice was little more than a croak. "She will throw the dice one last time."

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 29

#WIPSnips May 29 Kira has learned something and doesn't like it.

Near incandescent with rage now, she had no outlet for it. Not knowing what else to do, she near-ran for the gardens tended by the Green, which were usually empty this time of night. When she reached that nearly-private space she allowed herself to vent her feelings in a scream. She screamed and screamed and screamed. When she finally fell silent and looked up, Iberto stood near, watching her. And the Balance-Called, and several other Called.

Iberto kept his distance as the various Called carefully approached her, offered touch and reassurance and what comfort they could. But it was Iberto Kira couldn't look away from.

“This,” she finally said, “this is why you took me.”

Iberto hesitated. “I do not know what you learned to anger you so — but that anger? That need to destroy? Yes. I will do whatever I can, become whatever I must, to overcome the monks and restore the goddes. No matter what the cost.”

“Then I am with you,” Kira heard herself say. “I do not – can not – forgive you, but I understand and will stand with you. No matter the cost.”

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 29

#WeeknightWriters A6 I've got a short story that is a reimagining of Beauty and the Beast coming out in June. It's from the Beast's point of view and has FLR/femdom overtones while staying largely vanilla. No link yet, but keep an eye out for updates!

Everything in shades of blue. A man’s face, slightly scruffy with neatly combed hair looks out at the viewer from the left side of the image. Text "Jess Mahler" and "Beauty And"

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 26

#WIPSnips May 26 -- meet Longer snippet than usual today. Iberto explains the final hunt to Kira, the new Sun-Called

"By the Sun! I finally give up on hunting you down, and now I find you?"

Iberto stretched and stood. He'd known she was looking for him, of course. How could he not? But he had not been ready to face her. "Did not the holy sun tell you? Only my goddess may hunt me. It is one of the gifts she gives me as her Called."

She shook her head. "That makes no sense. Even I can tell the Great Goddess loves you. How can she hunt you?"

A soft smile crept across his face. "As I love her. How else? But she hunts me, and will hunt me, because we both wish it. Every day we hunt each other in play and learning. And one day," his smile widened and he closed his eyes, "One day she will hunt me in truth. It will be my final hunt, and it will be glorious and joyful."

When he opened his eyes again he saw her staring at him in something between pity and horror. "You are insane."

Iberto shrugged, easily hiding the sting of her words. "The man I once was would agree with you. Though I have worshiped the goddess my entire life, I had never, before meeting her, thought the final hunt would be quite so... literal.

"But I am not the man I was. I am her Called, who is no longer quite human. Less in some ways, more in others. As it should be."

"And you just... accept that?" she asked.

He waved towards the dining hall and they started walking together, almost companionably. "I was a dead man, until a chance turn and a voice in the dark gave me my life back. Should I complain because the gift was not exactly how I would wish it?

"But no, I am /hers/, I would not have it otherwise."

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 25

#WIPSnips May 25 -- rain holy travelers arriving at a small town

The Balance-Called urged her mule forward to stand beside Kira. “I am the Called of the Scaled One who Keeps Balance. This is Kira, the Called of Han the Sun. With us are Hannu, the Called of the Green, and Amir, who is priest of the Great Goddess and travels with us for our protection.

“You are?”

The mayor, who had paled at Amir’s introduction, now looked abashed. “Forgive my rudeness, esteemed. I am Vencelaus Carrol, the mayor of Whiteford. These,” she gestured to those who stood with her, “are the town council,” one by one she named them and then gestured to a finale person, “and Myat heads those who tend the temple, since there are no monks assigned to us.

“These,” Vencelaus waved to the other group, “are some of the town youngsters who have too much interest in things not their business, and insisted on being here when you arrived.”

At least one of those 'youngsters' looked to be of an age with the mayor herself, but though they grumbled, none of the 'youngsters' argued this time.

“I see. And,” the Balance-Called made a show of shoving wet hair out of eir face, “is there a place out of the rain where we can sit and talk?”

“Of course,” Myat stepped forward. “If it please you, I have prepared the temple for your visit, esteemed, and the innkeeper promised to send food when you send word.”

“Thank you,” Kira said, “that sounds perfect.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 24

#AwesomeCharacters May 24 I usually answer these questions about Iberto, but I would LOVE to have a Great Goddess plushie. It would be so cute!

The Great Goddess in cat-form, a fantasy version of a sabertoothed cat, dark grey with black markings, tufted ears and tail. Quote text reads:"Iti done. By blood and prayer, the great altar has been consecrated and I have claimed my priest."

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 24

#WIPSnips May 24 -- pride I have occasionally referred to Iberto as a villian protagonist. This kind of thing is why.

Alright, in hindsight, presenting a potential called as a bound captive to a god who was all about freedom to go anywhere was not Iberto's best idea. Iberto still didn't see what else he could have done, but he figured he could ask Han and the new Called -- sometime when they weren't quite so angry.

Ah, the new Called had grabbed up a statue and was brandishing it at him. Time for a hasty retreat.

With a laugh, Iberto dodged the new Called's attack and slipped out into the hallway. Let them sort out what they would do for themselves. Iberto hoped the new Called would not choose to leave, that Han would not let pride prevent him from making the Call. They would do well together.

But that was not Iberto's decision to make. He had his own tasks.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 20

#WIPSnips May 20 -- disappoint(ment) Iberto meets his goddess for the first time.

"Did you mean it?"
He clapped a hand over his mouth to keep from yelling and spun around. What he thought had been a statue was moving. Coming toward him.
"Did you mean your prayer?" the chill voice demanded
"What? I…"
"Ah… You didn't." the stranger sighed with disappointment and turned away.
"I used to," his voice startled himself.
The figure stopped. "Used to?"
"Yes, I… tried. I looked for her -- the Goddess. But I never found her, after-- and… and I stopped." What was he saying? Why was he saying it? Why was he wasting his time talking when he should be running?
"Ah." The chill voice was full of satisfaction now. "Let me hear it again, boy. Mean it this time."
"I…"
Voices from the next room, angry voices.
"Now, boy."

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 19

#MayWorldbuilders 19 Iberto will never get married, his bond with his goddess is the center of his life and replaces/displaces any romantic (or sexual) relationship in his life. As a general thing, Iberto has a positive view of sex and romance. It's just not for him anymore.

"Yes, Great Goddess," he said, rolling away as she turned on the couch and sought to pin him. They grappled for a short time before she inevitably got the upper hand.

It wasn't sexual, this feeling of being held, cradled, and treasured. It wasn't the protection and reliant trust of parent and child. But it was like those. The feel of her arms, the scent of her, the sound of her breathing, all combined to tell him he was /safe/ and /treasured/ and /home/.

It was love, in a form he had never imagined.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 19

#WIPSnips May 19 -- brother Iberto has a new brother

The goddess transformed before them back into a living statue. Instead of pinning Amir, she held out a hand to him. "Take my hand, my prey, and be mine forever."

Amir did not allow the fear of whatever lies he'd been taught to dissuade him. He reached out and took the Great Goddess's hand, allowing her to pull him to his feet. "You call me prey. What does that mean?"

The goddess smiled. "You are whom I seek. Hunter and prey. Just as you hunt the answers you desire, I hunt the answers concerning you. You are my prey."

Iberto smiled and took Amir's other hand. "It means you are her priest, the first such in generations. Welcome, brother."

Amir gaped at him, and the goddess laughed, sharing her pleasure with them both. "Come, mine, we will talk in comfort."

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 18

#WIPSnips May 18 -- forest Just too Called having a chat in a garden. Nothing major, right?

Iberto spent a summer afternoon lazing in the gardens with Hannu, called of the Green. She shared with him knowledge of the plants she tended and her frustrations with being restricted to the temple grounds. "The Green's power isn't meant for gardens," she told him as she strengthened the roots of a young sapling. "The Green is meant to spread over the whole of the land, forest and marsh and plain."

"Why are you trapped here," he asked, curious. "Is this something else those blasted monks have done?"

"No, just... the Green -- none of the goddes -- are powerful enough any more to manifest outside the temple."

Frowning, he rolled over onto his back. Was he, too, trapped in the temple then? That... didn't sound right somehow.

Jess Mahler@jessmahler· May 17

#WIPSnips May 17 -- three A look at some of Iberto's early training.