"SPLASH!" Ozlo woke up, flailing around covered in water. "AHHH!"

"Ha, I got you boy. You need to work on defending yourself better and keep your head up. There's nothing interesting on the floor boy, I promise." Boyd stated.

"Huh?" Ozlo thought back on how he found himself in this situation. "I woke up, I crawled out of bed, I ate breakfast, started training with the CDF and then Boyd... Boyd hit me in the head!"

As Ozlo did his best to clear his mind Boyd gave him a worried look. "I didn't addle your brain too much eh son? Do I need to have the healers look at you?"

Feeling himself up and down Ozlo slowly shook his head. "No sir, I think I'm fine. Just a bit sore."

Boyd gave Ozlo a second glance and went down the line to find his next victim. Every so often he would stop, grab another initiate, and beat the ever-loving snot out of them before checking on them and moving on.

Only after every initiate looked considerably muddier, tired, and quite a bit more humbled, did their instructor take his place back at the front of the yard. "Ahem. You all frankly, need practice. Not a one of you could stand up to a small group of kobolds, let alone an uncommon variant of said beast. So let's go through things slowly, safely. Walk around, get to know each other, and then once you all know each others names and faces, will group training begin."

Boyd looked at the group expectantly and they finally seemed to take the hint, circling up and introducing each other. "I'm Ozlo. Nice to meet you."

Ozlo did his best to introduce himself politely, and as his master would put it, not speak too damn much. "You're a pretty big guy Ozlo, how old are you, eighteen, nineteen?" A small blonde man who introduced himself as Andrew said.

Ozlo sheepishly shook his head. "I'm only fifteen or so."

"Fifteen! Fifteen... Some guys get all the luck." A few of the other boys chuckled at Andrews exasperation. "Fifteen... I'm seventeen and counting and you're easily a foot taller than me. Some guys get all the luck. Did your parents feed you elixirs from the time you could walk or something?"

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"No." Ozlo plainly replied.

"No, no... I see... Must be genetics then, or a card. Was your father a big guy? Tall? Burly?" Andrew questioned Ozlo once again.

"Uh... Maybe?" Ozlo awkwardly tried to think back to his father, but nothing came to mind.

"Maybe? What do you mean maybe? Are you an orphan or- OW!" A taller, dark haired boy slapped Andrew on the back of his head. "Sorry about that, the only big thing on Andrew here is his mouth. You don't have to get into personal family details if it's awkward. Names John, what's yours?"

Ozlo, thankful not to have to explain to Andrew about his familial mishaps smiled at John. "I'm Ozlo, nice to meet you."

"Likewise, likewise. So Ozlo, what do you do during the day? Pardon my noticing, but you're clearly not some noble boy and you don't seem to work with any of us."

Ozlo looked at his clothes. "Noble? Me? Of course I don't look noble. Mother Patricia said I looked like a sewer rat in an urchins livery with the manners of a-"

Andrew, seemingly just realizing his social blunder pipes up. "Sorry... Didn't mean to pry, just curious."

"It's fine... I work at the Smithy" Ozlo responded.

"The smithy, that could explain your physique a bit, though your height is probably just good genetics. Are you an apprentice?"

"Yes, yes I am."

"Great, which Smithy would that be, the Johannsons or the Cutters?" Andrew inquired.

Thinking hard Ozlo thought to himself "I don't think that's what it says on the sign out front... And Burgin is Master Burgins last name right?"

A dark look suddenly covered Johns face. "Ozlo. Is your masters name Burgin?"

"Yep. That's masters name. Master Burgin" Ozlo calmly replied.

"I... I see. And what do you know about this master Burgin?" John slowly asked.

"Oh, well he's big, uh, broad really. He's good with his hands. Oh, he's got the Iron Hands card and he-"

Andrew interjected. "Burgin. As in Burgin the Butcher. As Burgin the Beater. As in Burgin the- AGH!"

Once again receiving a rap to the back of his head from John, Andrew interrupted. "Ahem. Ozlo. Your master he uh... He's known for being a bit... Harsh? Maybe that's not the right word. He's... He's strict. But you aren't stuck with him you know, if you want you c-"

Boyd pushes John to the ground in a clearly deliberate move. "John, you should stay steady on your feet there boy. Lest you trip again. Besides, it's time we disband our session and go about our merry ways. Everyone line up so you can receive your shards."

The conscripts all line up and receive their pay. "Psst, boy. Don't pay attention to those guys eh? They're just rumor-mongering like a couple of old harpies. As far as you're concerned Burgin is your master and that's the end of that. Understood?"

Uh, yes sir. Ozlo replied.

"That's a good lad. Now here, take your shards and head back to the smithy. I'm sure Burgin can put you to work."

Doing as Boyd suggested Ozlo meandered back to the smithy but he couldn't help but think. "What did they mean by Burgin the Butcher? Did Burgin cut meat before he was a smith?"