[ Gaunt gives her a smile, but there is a trace of sadness to it. ]
Prior to our recent garrison assignment, my regiment has spent 11 years primarily stationed on the front lines, moving from one combat zone or another. While we did have some time in transit... no, I have never had what you called a vacation. Even in Balhaut, where we were held over as reserves, we had to keep training and undertake garrison duties.
[ Gaunt smiles a little. ] That being said, I'm a bit ah... heavier than I was due to spending too much time in the officer's club with Commissar Blenner, a friend of mine from Schola Progenium. He is something of an indulgent fellow, and I probably had a few too many cakes and glasses of amasec. Still, I have found that I can put myself on quite a strict regimen here... [ Gaunt pats the hilt of his power sword. ]
About the only thing I miss are sparring servitors, just performing training forms is not nearly as testing a workout.