Nathan is sent to a School of Defence run by Master Robey, a former soldier, who teaches Sir Francis Walsingham’s agents to survive in the field:

    “This is where you learn to kill another man or be killed yourself.” Nathan grew cold as Robey circled him slowly. “I do not teach Sir Francis’ agents to fence like actors in the theatre. Nor do I teach them to fence in the elegant Spanish fashion, like young men do at Court, for the amusement of the ladies. I teach street-fighting, in the Italian style, for they have perfected the dirtiest form of brawling in Christendom. Be aware, boy, that there are no rules here. I teach you to survive and you will do that by whatever means possible – with the sword, the dagger, your fists or a broken piece of glass. Do you understand?”
    Nathan nodded. He was unable to speak - his tongue seemed to have stuck itself to the roof of his mouth.
    Robey came up very close and spoke softly. “This work is a dirty business, and if you value your life you will walk out of here now and never come back. No-one will think the worse of you.”