Askar is a bard.
But he never composed poetry or sang music, and he didn't even own a musical instrument. He carried a straight-edged sword on his back, and only an old big book he carried with him could prove that he was a bard.
Chiron wants to be a knight.
So he learned the sword from the first knight from decades ago. He started to learn swordsmanship at the age of ten. By the age of twenty, he was stronger with bare hands.
Later they traveled together.
Too fast? In fact, it was Chiron's teacher who asked Askar to take Chiron on a trip.
Why? Because Chiron's teacher and Aska are good friends.
Did I mention that the First Knight also traveled with Askar?