It was a cold frosty morning, it was so early that light barely shone outside, and lanterns from the tower outpost walls were easier to point out from afar than most things under the shadow of the large structure. Despite the exterior of the outpost looking like it was a cold rigid construction of bricks, the interior was decorated with things such as paintings, tables, and chests. There were different rooms and almost all of the people occupying the outpost were in the barracks. Most soldiers were still asleep in the barracks of the outpost but a few were up, either from waking up early or being up all night, and the only sounds that could be heard were the snores of soldiers and the crackle of the fire. In the corner of the barracks, two young men whispered amongst themselves.
"Today is the day for you, isn't it?" the question came from an adolescent male sitting on one of the beds in the corner of the room. "It'll be great to have one of Terrym's youngest knights back in action!" The young man's eyes seemed to light up with excitement as he spoke to a man a few years older than himself who had been sitting across from him in a chair next to another bed.
"I suppose so." Replied the young man. "I only was told to report over to Central Hall, I doubt it's anything too important though." As he stood up and tied his hair back he let out a sigh. "Central is almost eight hours from if we walk here so It'd be best if I left in a bit so I can get there during the afternoon." He then picked up his equipment from a chest labeled "Clay Kliff" in front of a bed and began to pack it in a sack. The young man eager to help began to pass items from the chest to the bearded man packing his equipment.
The young man suddenly loudly exclaimed "Doubt it's important? Clay, you're one of the only people who were able to walk away from a life sentence, and instead of blacklisting you from the military, they wait six months to personally send you a letter telling you to come to CENTRAL of all places? They obviously want you for something and I don't blame them, your reputation as a knight was special!" He passed Clay his buckler from his chest and handed it to him. Before he got a chance to continue his spiel he was interrupted by a wooden cup thrown at his head.
A figure walked through the doorway of the barracks. "Ewan, what the hell have I told you about speaking that loudly when people are trying to unwind?" The voice came from a taller slender man with short black hair. Unlike most of the soldiers in the outpost, he was completely awake and equipped with his uniform. The man looked at Clay and smirked. "It seems I didn't have to wake you at all, but that's a given considering blondie is here talking your ear off" The man shot a look of disdain towards the boy. He gestured his arm toward both of them "Let's head outdoors shall we?" Before leaving the room the youngest one of there, Ewan made sure to grab a coat as it was so early and cold frost was even on the grass.
The two nodded and proceeded to follow him outside. The man leading them was a soldier a few years Clay's senior named Kane. Despite his more slender and lanky appearance Kane among his peers was known to be harsh, berating, and a perfectionist giving him a reputation as a "hardass". But because of this among the outpost he is known to be reliable. Due to Ewan's age and the general peskiness that came with it along with Clay's reputation the three of them had become quite acquainted early on when Clay had arrived at the outpost. The only person in their little circle who had seen it as a friendship was Ewan, but among the three of them they each had a semblance of respect for one another. As they walked down through the halls of the outpost they eventually came to the entrance and stepped outside.
The cold air touched them gently as they all moved outside, there was luckily no breeze so it wasn't going to be a somewhat annoying trip like Clay anticipated. They stood outside for thirty seconds or so until the silence was eventually broken by Kane. "I couldn't help but overhear blondie's loudmouth ranting about how this trip has to be important. Hate to say but the kid is most likely right about this" He reached for his pocket on the side of his jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. "If it wasn't about anything important they wouldn't have told me to tag along in this letter they just dropped on me." Clay nodded.
When the order first came to Clay he had received it a month prior, so it was a bit of a surprise to Clay when Kane received a similar letter a week prior. He never let Clay view his letter directly but it had the official Terrym seal glowing on it as Clay's did. If Kane who was a trusted soldier was told to come too, then it most likely wasn't some sort of bait for Clay, but despite it all, he still felt off about it all.
Ewan somewhat shivering seemed to be shocked when Kane reiterated his involvement in the matter. "Even you got those orders? But you aren't even on the same level of prestige when it comes to Clay..." Ewan grinned as he finished that sentence.
"Not everything is about status or clout, you need to get that crap out of your head." Kane quickly but quietly snapped back. "I get you're only here because you're a damn 'genius', but don't think you're in any position to talk to me like that boy." Kane finished as he was now leering at the teen. "Anyway, the trip to central shouldn't be that bad but we won't know how long we'll have to stay there until we get there. That being said Ewan please stay away from my shit until I get back!"
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Ewan holding back a smile quickly exclaimed "It was only ONE time!" rubbing his arms through his coat he looked toward Clay "Besides I didn't find anything besides knives and blunt weapons, nothing relating to Imagery at all! If I knew it was going to be a waste of that much effort and time I would have rather walked to the central library!"
The two continued the back-and-forth banter between each other, Clay smiled at the two's bickering. As they went on he thought about the time he spent at the outpost. It wasn't easy for him at first but since being out of prison he came to genuinely enjoy the feeling of normalcy in his life even if it was only temporary. When he was first pardoned for his actions against the military he felt lost and like he only lived to be an example, but as time went on and the gained a sense of self, especially through the help of Ewan and Kane. Ewan was like the bratty brother he never had filled with potential and Kane kept him sharp both physically and mentally. Though many in the outpost agreed they'd always have a place for him he knew due to his situation, he probably would not come back for a long time. If this truly was it, it did sadden him a bit to have to go.
After their little petty argument was over Kane stepped over the Clay, each step making a crunching noise in the frosty grass. "We should start moving within the next thirty minutes or so, we want to show up at a good time to speak to the bigwigs over in Central. We also should have plenty of rations so this trip shouldn't be much of a problem aside from the eight-hour walk." Kane then started to walk back towards the outpost "Since we have some time I'll whip us up some tea." The man then entered back into the building. After a few minutes, Kane came back out with a tray and three cups, not too hot but hot enough to create steam amidst the cold air. They stood in silence while drinking. After finishing Kane placed the tray and cups at the foot of the entrance and turned toward Ewan "Anything you wanna say, kid?"
Ewan realizing what was being asked of him looked down a bit before looking at Clay with his bright blue eyes full of excitement "Mr. Clay... I just wanna say thank you for everything. I know I mentioned this a lot before but you're the reason I chose to become a soldier for the Knights. Seeing you fight alongside actual Knights despite not being able to use Imagery as well as the average person inspired me. It made me think of what I could be, Meeting you personally was one of the best things that could have happened to me and I hope everything goes well with your next objective!". Ewan then took his left arm and raised slightly up balling his hand and holding it below his chin performing the Terrym Knight salute.
Clay gave him a smile. "I'd like to thank you too, Ewan, you made things here for me a lot more lively, and seeing young ones like you do fill me with hope for the Knights and even the future of Terrym." Clay puts his hand on Ewan's head and ruffled his scraggly blonde hair. "Do you remember the promise I made you?"
As Clay's hand lifted Ewan's eyes then lit up. "How could I forget a promise from you? Especially something sick like that!" The young man's grin was so wide you could say he was smiling ear to ear. "You're gonna forg-" but before Ewan could finish his sentence he was cut off by Clay.
"Not quite. I didn't forget about that promise but I'm going to have to make another one with you. The next time we meet could be a month or even years from now, but I have no doubt that regardless of how much time has passed you will have shown growth. Next time we meet let's spar man-to-man. it'd be a shame to see you idolize me and not surpass me." Clay smiled as he said this to the ecstatic young soldier. "And as for your other promise make sure to check my chest in front of my bed once you go back inside." Clay then turned around and nodded to Kane "We should be on our way then." Clay grabbed his sack of belongings and began to walk, Kane following.
"Ey blondie! Don't forget to bring the tray and cups back to the mess hall!" Kane shouted while waving, as the two men made their way down the hill.
After some time Kane turned to Clay "Shit, I hate to admit it but you're a better man than I am, I wouldn't have given the twerp anything." Kane said nonchalantly as they walked into a foresty terrain.
Clay looked back to Kane with a somber expression "I feel you on that but the kid has potential and reminds me of someone I knew." Clay then exhaled, if that was the last time they'd see each other he would have no regrets. Slowly he began to smile as they continued through the area. He wasn't sure what was going to happen to him in the coming days but after seeing Ewan off was prepared.
At the top of the hill, Ewan sat in the cold watching them walk down the hill for minutes until his eyes could no longer make out their shape. Even though he wasn't sad he did shed a few tears as he was grateful for everything. After some time when the sun began to rise, Ewan picked up the trays and brought them to the mess hall, tossing the tray loosely down on the floor he then ran as fast as he could down to the barracks, not caring if he woke anyone up at the point the door slammed open as he sped to his corner of the room. Hastily he fidgets with the handle of Clay's chest until it opens. What was in the box left him in awe. What remained in the chest was a dagger on top of its sheath with a name engraved on the top side of the blade that read "Soldier's Vow". The young soldier picked it up and looked at his reflection on the blade. "I hope to meet your expectations, Clay."