Only after everyone finished their tests did Sigmar properly explain the meaning behind the ‘colours’ or quality of the affinities. Apparently comparable to the colours of a flame, the quality ranged from Red, Orange, Yellow, Blue and Violet, in that order. While three of their group of teens had gotten Blue, only about a dozen got Yellow, with most having Orange. Only three people had Red. There was only one with Violet.
“Affinity, however, is not the most important thing for a Centurion.” Sigmar stated, his grip still tight on his spear as he spoke down to the kids from the altar. “Affinity only determines what qualities you best attune to. A fire affinity doesn’t necessarily mean fire, but could also be explosiveness.”
“The most important thing, however, is discipline.” Sigmar looked over the young teens, prompting a shake of his head. With a quiet sigh, he lifted his spear, pointed at the hallway on the left, and then began to lead the candidates that way.
Ryke hurried behind, throwing the thought of his affinity behind him as new parts of the Ludus entered his perspective. The materials were all the same, but the distinct smell of iron and sand were now replaced with different stenches of filth and grime. Sweat permeated the air, forcing many other candidates into covering their noses as they descended into the firelit halls.
“This is the Residence Wing of the Ludus. Down the hall is the canteen, and opposite that is where beasts are kept. Every other door leads to a room. If it’s unlocked, grab the key inside and it’s yours.” Sigmar explained, his stride never slowing down. “I will be giving you thirty minutes to find your own room. I’ll be waiting in front of the canteen.”
Ryke immediately looked for Lycus within the crowd, before the duo began looking for their rooms, preferably somewhere near the canteen and beast pen; whatever the latter entailed. They found a pair of rooms nearby fairly quickly, but another teen seemed to get to one of the rooms just as they did, forcing the two to instead be across the hallway from each other.
Arriving in front of Sigmar with only a few minutes to spare, the two waited patiently until thirty minutes had passed. The older man took a quick look for any stragglers, noted what faces weren’t present, and then led them into the canteen. Not allowing the trainees to waste any time in awe, he quickly broke into explanation, slightly uncomfortable with the immense curiosity with which Ryke stared at him.
The canteen was run by its one cook, Lamse, a rather lean looking young man who seemed to radiate cheer. Every morning at dawn he’d prepare breakfast for all the candidates, and he’d do so for Lunch at high noon and dinner at dusk. Trainees were allowed to eat as much as they could, forcing everyone to be on time lest they not get a good portion. The room could easily fit a couple hundred people.
“Similarly, this is where the food for beasts is received. For convenience sake, that is why the pen is across the hall.” Sigmar spoke coldly, leading the youths back out the canteen and towards the pen. Once back in the hallway, Ryke noted the disapproving expression on the old warrior's face when he saw the stragglers who finally made it.
Being led into the beast pen, the foul odour was strengthened incredibly. On the other side of the thin stone doors was what Ryke would call a forest more so than a pen. Tall trees and saplings littered the walls and a clearing the size of the canteen stood in the middle of the room. He heard the calls of a few critters he recognized, rats, ravens, cats and dogs hidden away in the forest.
A few calls he didn’t recognize though filled him with interest, coming from a few beasts that tucked themselves away within the small forest, their figures hidden in the shade. Ryke would swear he even saw a few peeking at their group with a similar curiosity.
“You will be taking a beast from here to raise. Any questions?” Sigmar peered over the few youths, gesturing lazily towards the myriad animals within the courtyard.One youth raised his hand warily, his gaze lingering on what Ryke guessed was a rather large creature hiding away.
“Speak.”
“How will we get them to listen to us.. ?”
“By raising them well.”
A few of the youth looked at each other with confusion. The one who asked the question kept looking at Sigmar, as if pleading for a better answer, but none came.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
“Disperse. You have an hour to bring an animal to me and claim it.”
Ryke left his friend in the dust once he knew he could explore the courtyard, immediately dashing towards the small forest around them. Some critters practically screamed out at the unstoppable force making its way into their peaceful home. He wasn’t the only one, though. Many candidates rushed in between the trees looking for whichever animal suited their needs, or aesthetic, best. Ryke saw some make friends with Snabbits, another grab a bird right out of its nest, and another boy apparently whispering to a stygian serpent with scales like dull steel.
Lycus was off seemingly trying to bewitch a small cat, while Ryke spent the first thirty or so minutes simply wandering, making a mental note of every animal he could find. Wondering how some could fly, how some were best at digging and some had claws made just for climbing rocks and trees. Only when the smell from his affinity test appeared did he stop, turning towards a small tree covered in moss.
At its base was a small statue of a creature, curled up and covered in moss as it rested against the roots. Empty eye sockets and joints that looked like marbles, the statue looked incredibly lifelike. Unknown to him where the urge came from, Ryke crouched down and placed his hand gently atop the fox-like creature's head.
A few moments passed when the stone statue suddenly moved, the rocky surface of its head shifting as it blinked. The moss previously resting on its back had lifted up and begun swaying behind it like a tail, and the ears that were once attached now hovered about an inch above. The boy’s eyes barely had the time to widen in fright when he felt a heavy hand fall on his shoulder.
“You woke up a Taura. Lucky.” Sigmar teased, pulling the boy to his feet. “Not many notice them, let alone wake ‘em.”
The fox-like creature stretched, the feat itself confusing Ryke, and then stood up and looked at them. The eye sockets still appeared empty, but the boy had a vague feeling something was there, he just couldn’t see it. Burying his confusion, he looked up to Sigmar. “What’s a Taura?”
“Your new pet. Let’s go.”
“Wait, what do you mean my new- hey!” Ryke cried out, suddenly lifted up by the older warrior, who decided to carry him back to the middle clearing. The Taura followed behind quietly, its gaze lingering on the two humans in front of it.
Being set down just hard enough to feel like it wasn't gentle, the youth glanced around at those gathered around him. Lycus apparently succeeded, carrying a small cat with caramel fur and ash stripes; a creature vastly different from what Ryke expected. Despite their efforts, only a few boys and girls remained on the hunt for a creature. As he rallied everyone back to the open clearing, Sigmar briefly looked over them all before speaking.
“These animals will be with you for your stay here. They will be your partners, your support, until we deem you ready or unfit to remain. As such, take good care of them.”
Lycus raised his hand shyly, not daring to look the older man in the eyes. Only after a nod of approval did he actually speak. “How do we take care of them.. ?” He trailed off, running out of the courage to speak. Fortunately, considering Ryke had the same question, Sigmar answered succinctly.
“Food and water will be handled by the Ludus. They can receive meals every day, the same time as you. What you really need to worry about is fostering a good bond. Animal ain’t much help if it leaves you for dead, is it?”
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With a wry smile and a stone fox in his arms, Ryke shut the door behind him, taking in his new dorm and all its glory. It was surprisingly lavish, with hardwood floors and furniture all made from a type of desert ironwood. The bedframe was a lump of stone, carved to hold a thin mattress; which collectively came together to be a twin bed. The only issue however was its size, barely eight feet wide and twelve feet long. It was big enough to hold some equipment, some supplies, and maybe a pet.
The pet in question being the Taura. A rather lithe creature whose existence itself boggled him. It had followed him without a word ever since he woke it up and didn’t seem to listen to a thing he said. Not a single command or a single question. It did, however, enjoy being close to him. It was hard for Ryke to admit he kinda thought the thing was cute, too. It wasn’t quite the cute and cuddly type, and it was rather eye catching but the creature appealed to him anyway. Maybe it was his youthful need to stand out.
No matter the reason, it remained that he had to name the Taura at some point. Sooner rather than later, considering Sigmar’s whole speech on bonds. That, and he said anyone who didn’t have a name for their beast by the next day would get a lashing on the altar. Considering he also mentioned training proper would start the next day, no one really needed any extra motivation to come up with a name, Ryke included.
“How about- Fromir?”
The Taura in his arms looked up at him, its empty eye sockets devoid of life even as its moss tail swayed back and forth, the stone ears hovering at a slight angle. As expressionless as the creature is, the boy would swear on his life that it seemed happy to have a name. Ryke was rather confused about how Fromir functioned at all, but that didn’t stop him from somehow thinking it was adorable.
He wasn’t entirely proud to admit that, for the next half hour, he did his best to find out where and how the Taura enjoyed being pet. The ears hovered slightly above the head, so that didn’t work. Scratching didn’t appear to do anything at all, but the beast did seem to like having its head pat.
When Ryke finally had the chance to relax with Fromir sitting in his lap, he was struck by the same bad feeling. The one that made his chest tighten. He felt it was hard to breathe as the memories of this morning, before all the hustle and bustle of the Ludus took over. The way his father looked at him while the doors closed, the serious lessons he received.
What happened?