"Trauin Venrel! Step forward!" The harsh voice shouted as I nervously clutched my wooden sword.
Drops of drying blood mixed with the sand of the sparring ring as my opponent paced slowly, calmly even watching the faces of the gathered crowd.
"Tell me how the last recruit messed up Venrel." Said the pacing Yotunn, he was a huge man, easily seven feet tall and a terrifying opponent even unarmed as he was.
I glanced around the circle of hard and eager faces before answering. "He should have dodged or tried to stay out of your reach sir."
The Yotunn motioned for me to continue, obviously not yet satisfied with my answer.
"He moved too slow and gave you room to attack him from any angle. He also stood still without trying to get away which left himself open to an overhand strike."
"I'll take that." The training master said. "Now let's see if you can do better." He continued grufly before settling into a fighting stance, his empty hands open and ready as I nervously raised my wooden practice sword.
The sparring match was short and brutal. As I lunged forward in a low strike at his knees, the training master deftly caught my arm and twisted it behind me forcing me off balance. As soon as I stepped back another blow knocked the hilt from my hand sending the wooden blade skittering across the sandy ground.
He released me with a hard shove that sent me sprawling in the dirt beside the wooden sword. Grabbing it quickly, I turned to face the training master only to recieve a hard kick to the side that left me gasping for breath.
"Next! Venrel you are dismissed." The huge man called out as I gingerly stood, hand pressed to my aching ribs and made my way over to the bench where two mages of light sat.
One stood and reached out a hand that flared with blue light that arced into my aching side.
"They're brused but not cracked. You'll be fine, He'll tell you your fate." The robed mage said curtly.
I nodded and trudged off towards the guard captain's office, making my way through the hewn stone corridors of the dwarven fort.
Reaching a solid door of wood and iron, I waited while the captain's adjunct relayed my request.
"I don't know why they call them recruits here. We had no less than four enchanters come in from one squad who weren't even good enough to make an apprentice yet!" Said Captain Tannis as she fiddled idly with her quill. "You swords and spears are even more inept. Nearly 70% of you fail to make the first round of cuts."
I stood motionless as the guard captain ranted at the dismal performance.
With a sigh she continued "Venrel, if Master Aerus says you've been dismissed then you've been dismissed. This is the guard core of Khatharb, not some provincial rabble dressed up as militia. We have held these walls for seven hundred years, even as the combined armies broke under the Yotunn heel. We do this by selecting the best. I'm sorry, but you are released from your oath. Effective immediately you are no longer a recruit in the Kathain Guard Core, you have one hour to retrieve your belongings and leave the premisies."
I saluted Captain Tannis and turned to quickly leave the small office, hoping no one would see through the mask of calm I now wore.
Making my way back towards the still empty barracks I began to throw my few possetions into the satchel I arrived here with.
In went a few pieces of worn leather armor, my fighting knife, some nearly ragged clothes, and a small journal.
Tying the small coinpurse to my belt, I felt the meager weight of the few coins I had to my name. Barely enough to last a week I'd have to do something to earn some coin.
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A Dwarven man with a massive warhammer nodded to me as I left the Guard Core compound, turning onto the bustling market street as I made my way towards one of the eastern gates and the slums that lay outside the walls. The sun was setting and people were beginning to gather in their taverns and shops before closing up shop for the night. A large group of dwarves walked past on their way home from work or shopping in the markets while others milled about buying and selling all sorts of things from vegetables to weapons. A few of the massive Yotunn could be seen making their way through the crowd. Though not exactly a common sight outside the large cities, they didn't turm many heads except for a group of Trow traders who whispered in hushed tones and pointed, though in fear or interest I didn't know.
Ignoring the bustle of the crowd, I was lost in though as I made my way down familiar streets towards the looming wall in the distance.
Wide enough that horsemen could ride three abreast atop the stone construction it was to many more a feature of the landscape than an artificial structure. Hewn blocks of mottled brown stone pulled from long forgotten quarries aeons ago. The oldest ledgends told of a city once magnificent, then laid waste by time and decay only to rise again like a pheonix to greatness once more.
The group of guards at the middle gatehouse broke me out of my thoughts as they shouted for me and others to hurry. The massive ironwork gates slowly began to descend.
Hurrying towards the outer gate, I made it past the stone edifice with time enough as it was only half lowered. I shook my head at the frantic caravan of Trow, most likely from Caltreth to the east.
One of the other recruits, a dark elf himself had complained endlessly of how little we other races cared for the idea of '24 hour service', an abhorrent idea to the once solely nocturnal Trow.
Stopping to listen to the loudly complaining caravan master as he began to argue with the guards about how they'd have no problem letting them into the port had they taken the sea route and came up the Munz river to this "Shit hole city made by stinking dirty Dwarves."
To which the guard replied. "You're welcome to walk your soot stained knife-eared ass back to Caldeth and charter a ship if you want, but this gate won't open an inch till sunrise."
Chuckling as I walked down a twisting alley and away from the now heated argument, I retraced familliar maze like streets towards the rickety wooden tenament where I had shared a room with a handful of others only a few weeks before.
Stepping inside the gloomy interior just as a light rain began to fall, a warm voice called out to me.
"If you're here about a-." On seeing me, his face softened into a toothy grin. "Oh it's you Trauin, sorry the guard gig didn't work out. Made it longer than I did at least, Aerus is still a mean bastard isn't he?" The older man said with a soft laugh.
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"Yeah, kicked me while I was down then they tossed me out on my ass without a second thought." I replied, putting a hand to my side.
"You mean that literally dont you?" He asked, and I nodded in reply. Lifting my tunic to show the still darkening bruise that was a parting gift from the Yotunn.
"Shit, here put some of this on it." He said, rumaging around in a drawer for a glass bottle.
The green sludge clung to the sides of the flask as I uncorked it and spread a dolop of the foul smelling ointment on the bruise.
Passing it back, the man sighed and took a minuite before shaking his head. "Haven't filled your bunk yet, rate is the same as before. Sorry but I can't wave the first week. Wish I could, but honestly I need every coin I can get. That bastard Saren is still hounding me for last month's payment."
"Don't sweat it Ailur, you know anyone who's got work?" I replied hopefully.
"Well there's someone you might be able to talk to if you're quick."
"Who?"
He glanced down at the stained bandages wrapped around his left arm, a grim look crossing his features.
"Maegor needs a new bouncer, stop by his place tomorrow. There was a pretty big brawl a few nights ago, some Yotunn choked out Ferin and broke his leg before the Guard got their asses down there."
"I'll think about it." I said, still fresh memories of the training fight welling to the surface. "Here's the fee for this week." I continued, fishing out a few ornately carved marble coins from the pouch on my belt.
"Have a good night kid. And by the way, Selus has been in the dumps since you left, don't let her know I told you though." He said with a smile.
I gave him a thumbs up as I headed up the creaking stairs to a room on the fourth floor, and fitting my worn iron key into the lock it clicked softly as the door opened.
Four heads turned to stare at me before one voice broke the silence. "Holy shit you're back! What happened man?" Said a young man with straw blond hair and brown eyes that peered over his spectacles.
"A little roughhousing with an angry Yotunn, Nothing too serious just bruises here and there." I answered with a grin, looking around at all of them as they stood around a small table playing dice. "Nah, I got kicked out of training. Got my ass handed to me by Master Aerus in the ring, got the axe from the Captain herself so I guess I'm back where I started." I continued.
"Well shit, pull up a chair. I promise not to use the loaded set." The blonde half-elf said as he deftly swapped out the dice.
"What the hell Gart!" Nearly shouted a woman dressed in simple leather armor, throwing up her hands in annoyance.
"You don't have to yell Sel, just relax I wouldn't do it if we actually had some coin riding on the throw. I wanna get the swap down before the next big caravan comes through."
Selus just grumbled to herself as she tossed the dice cup at Gart.
"Glad to see you all haven't changed much." I said smiling, the stress and uncertianty for the future melted away.
"Oh hey, welcome back Trau. Mind smacking those two for me?" Said a large man reclining on one of the lower bunks, his right leg bound with stained bandages and a splint.
"Says the wannabe healer who can't fix his own leg after a little bar fight." Replied Gart with a wry smile.
Chuckling and shaking my head, I looked over at Ferin again. "Aerus was bad enough sober, can't immagine fighting a hammered Yotunn. How long till that heals up?"
"Not sure, couple weeks at least if I keep channeling. Ailur helped set the bone, hurt like hell, but I'll manage."
"Don't let him pull that tough guy crap on you Trau, Fer cried like a bitch the whole time." Said a girl with the same dark complexion and pointed ears as Ferin, she was trying to keep a few small pebbles floating in the air as she directed the weak delicate strands of mana.
"Left.. Left.. They're getting too low.." Said Ferin with a laugh as he broke his sister's concentration, the small stones clattering to the floor.
"You're such an ass Fer." Grumbled Falun as she started tossing the pebbles at the half Yotunn.
"Ok guys, give it a rest will you?" I said at their antics. "I've had a hell of a day, tomorrow we all can go into the city and get drunk if you want, but right now I'm going to sleep." I continued, pulling off my boots and falling back onto the thin mattress of straw that covered the bunk's rough planks.
The rest began to turn in as well as the last rays of sunlight filtered through hazy smoke from countless forges just inside Khatharb's walls. I slowly drifted off to sleep, once more surrounded by friends.
----------
Dawn came far too early as I rolled off the bunk, searching for my boots in the pre-dawn gloom.
Stretching, I made my way over to the window of oiled wax paper and pushed it up to unlatch the shutters.
Smells from the slum outside came in on the light breeze.
"Fuck it's cold, what the hell are you doing up so early." Sel grumbledfrom her bunk as she pulled the rough woll blanket tighter around herself.
"Habit I guess." I replied with a shrug. "Ailur's probably got the stove going by now, wanna come chat for a bit?"
"Gimme a bit and I'll be down." She replied with a sigh. "Doubt I could get back to sleep anyway."
"I could, so keep it down will ya?" Interjected Ferin yawning.
Nodding, I quietly stepped out of the small room, the door latched shut with an audible click and I went downstairs to the common room where Ailur was feeding small bits of kindling into the large iron wood stove that sat in the center of the room.
"You're up early." He said noticing me. "Can you bring in some more firewood from out back?"
"Sure thing." I replied, slipping my boots onto my feet before walking through the backdoor.
It felt good to stretch my legs again as the cool morning air washed over my skin. The night sky had been cloudy, but dawn had broken through as smoke mingled with the last whisps of clouds from the nights storm.
Grabbing an armfull of wood, I went back inside and set it by the stove. Ailur had just finished adding a few logs when I returned, throwing me a half grinning smirk and sitting back on his stool.
"So what happened?" He asked curiously.
"With the crew, or with the Guard?" I replied.
"Both if you like."
I shrugged, tossing him a sidelong look. "Took all kinds of shit then got booted off." I answered honestly, shrugging once more as he stared at me intently. "I'm honestly kinda glad to be back, dealing with the devil I know and all that..." I trailed off, worries for the future once more welling to the surface.
"I don't think I'm cut out to be a fighter, every time I was in the sparring ring I was always on the back foot. Can't exactly see myself taking Fen's place as a bouncer while he heals up."
"Not everyone can be." The older man said. "Why I settled here instead of going on with the group I was with. Adventuring isn't for everyone. Hell, most can't hack it. I'd have to guess 3 jobs is the average life expectancy, but everyone want's to be a hero." Ailur continued, shaking his head.
"All I'm saying is just be careful Traulin. Things look to be heating up again, those forges aren't churning out pots and plows you know,"
"Yeah, I know Ailur. I don;t plan on doing anything stupid. Well, not anything too bad." I replied with a cheesy grin, making the older man chuckle. "I like it here, I don't see the need to go off in search of glory and riches. I’ll probably just try to get a position at one of the forges or maybe the docks.”
“Good, also I was thinking that-” Ailur cut off abuptly, glancing up towards the stairs. “Well, we can talk about that later. Got some stuff I should see to.” he said as he stood up, giving me a smile and a nod before heading towards his office.
“What was that all about?” Sel asked, stifling a yawn as she trudged down the last flight of stairs.
“I uhh, I was just telling Ailur how I don’t see myself as much of a fighter. Honestly I was pretty hopeless in the sparring ring, swords, daggers, fists, or staffs. Didn’t matter what I used, I lost every single round.” I said with a shrug.
“Yeah, you just don’t have the skills of a real fighter.” She said flexing her muscles and taking on a brawlers stance.
I laughed and walked over to where she stood. “Thank’s Sel, glad to know I can always rely on you to kick me while I’m down.”
“Hey, someone’s gotta do it. I was just getting a bit jealous of that Yotunn trainer.” She replied with a goofy grin.
“Man, I never saw you as the jealous type of girl. Guess I should be a bit more careful in the future.” I teased.
Sel threw her arms up and walked past, tapping a fist on my still bruised side and making me wince slightly. “You’ll just have to buy me breakfast as an apology.” She said over her shoulder, already stepping out into the alley.
Grumbling quietly to myself, I followed after her.