“Keep running you noblin stomachs!” The drill sergeant yells at a group of humans jogging. Once they ran past us, I saw one of the humans staring at me. His dark bald head having sweat glisten on his head, and his beard dripping sweat. The stare isn’t disrespectful; however, it seems like he sees something in my soul that’s different. I silently cast detect sanction and I feel nothing. Even people that don’t worship Achul should still fit under some sort of sanction whether chaotic, neutral, or lawful. Don’t worry, he is not an enemy or someone that needs teaching. I shrug it off to my spell not working correctly, and head over to the captain's tent.
Once we enter, we see a stout dwarf bench pressing 500 pounds. He seems to not be struggling. Acknowledging us he set the weights to the side and greeted us. “So, you three are the recruits I’ve heard so much about. Especially your talents,” nodding at Aesir. He walks over to Qysik and they proceed to bump chests then have an arm-wrestling match without anything to wrest their arms on. The captain struggles at first, but after 45 seconds he pulls a win. They shook hands after and I could see Qysik’s disappointment. Chuckling and patting Qysik on the back states, “it’s fine you see those 500 pounds over there. That’s my warmup.” He turns back to the rest of us. “I should probably introduce myself. I am Captain Marquise of the seventh regiment of Achul. Unfortunately, we are seen as the lowest of the low, but we will disprove that on the battlefield. Won’t we Timothy?” I wonder how he already knows my name but goes along with it.
“Sir yes sir!” I yell.
Marquise explodes in laughter, “I was talking to my bodyguard Timothy. However, I appreciate the enthusiasm. That’s going to be hard to talk to one while the other is in the room.” I notice that there is a human with white armor in the room looking quite amused. Marquise turns to him. “You are now Little T,” turning to me he informs, “and you’re Big T.”
Aesir then asks Captain Marquise, “what do you want us to do Captain?”
He tells us to simply do whatever until tomorrow and we will start training then. I head over to the fight pits and join that session. They are using billhook polearms. I grab one, it’s about as long as my arm.
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Jumping in I see the human from earlier. Fight patiently he is fast, strong, and can last a while, however everyone makes a mistake eventually. I ready a pose that makes is look like I am using a longsword instead of a polearm. He stands with his knees bent legs out wide. He is resting his polearm under his arm put holding it with only one hand. Once we are told to begin, we circle around each other, I readjust my grip to be that of a bo. I swing toward the open hand, and a flash of red and flames appears knocking the head away and disintegrating the wooden pole. He then takes a stab, but before it pierces my chest, I slam my hands together and pull the hook back. Once the weapon is ripped out of his hands, I throw it behind me. I’m going to make this a hand-to-hand fight. He puts his hands up and takes a kickboxing stance. Seeing this I do the same but keep my feet in a straight line. I see his rear foot come up to kick, he’s even jumping I presume for a five-hundred-forty jump kick. I however caught his foot. Before I can sweep his leg, he gets his foot loose and tries to sweep my legs. Once his foot makes contact with my front leg it thuds. I chuckle, “you’re going to need more that. Nice try though.” Right before I finish, I spin towards my rear foot, and with the ball of my foot make contact with his jaw. I hear a crunch. Then another. Once I can see him again, I see his jaw is perfectly fine. You won’t be able to break his bones. He is grinning a blank grin. I go for the left jab trying to see if it will connect. He dodges. I keep trying probably throwing 7 punches. I eventually connected. I follow up with a right cross and it connects with his nose. Stepping forward with my right foot going to his flank, I bring my right hand to hammer strike his abs. Then using a move, I learned in a dark elves fight club called ‘The Kidneys Apocalypse’, then pivoting I spin on my right foot slamming my left fist into his back where his left kidney is.
He doubles over and medics arrive. Before they carry him off, he turns to me and congratulates me. “Nice fight, I hope to see more out of you.” His voice is deep and grave.
I look around and realize everyone is absolutely silent. Except for Aesir who is taking bets and handing out winnings. We make eye contact, and he chuckles throwing me forty coins.
After I exit the pit, I watch the following fights. I see that almost everyone ends up using longswords, tachis, or dual scimitars.
Once everyone clears out, I turn around to head to my tent, I put everything in it and fall asleep.
“Wake up Timothy,” I hear that voice again. Looking out of my tent I see the person from before. “Hello, we haven’t formally met I am Luk patron of Zineweiver, and I request a rematch.”