"Ozlo, get up boy." Ozlo bleerily looks around the room and finds himself staring into Burgins face.

"Ahh!" Ozlo scrambles to flee from his master in his confused state.

Burgin does his best to hide a smile before gesturing to the boy. "Didn't mean to scare you lad, but get up, get presentable, and join me for breakfast."

"Yes Master Burgin." Doing as he was told Ozlo wipes his face off with a wet rag and puts his work clothes on before heading downstairs to join Master Burgin.

"Master?" Ozlo hesitantly asks as he comes down the stairs.

"Just in time boy, come, have some breakfast and I'll explain a few things to you."

"Ok..." Sitting down Ozlo notices that there's someone else at the table for once. A tall, well built man with a receding hairline and scars running up and down his arms.

The stranger gives Ozlo a lopsided smile as he greets him. "Hello Ozlo, it's nice to meet you."

"Hello."

"Burgin here tells me you can follow orders and don't talk back. Is this true?"

"Yes sir."

Giving Ozlo a piercing stare, the still unnamed man asks Ozlo. "Good, good. Burgin here thinks that you would be a good candidate for my program. Would you like that?"

"Maybe..."

Chuckling to himself, the stranger leans back in his chair and takes a swig of his drink. "Good answer. I'm the head of the local guards and lead the citizen defense force. My name is John Boyd, but you'll call me sir. Understand?"

If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Yes... Yes sir."

John Boyd takes a deep breathe and stands up straight. "With the ongoing and prevalent threat of monster incursions this side of Turmina citizens need to be ever vigilant and prepared to defend themselves when, sadly, the guards are not available. Do you want to be eaten by a rogue Dire-Wolf? Can you defend yourself against a sneaky Slime? No? Then join the CITIZEN DEFENCE FORCE, or CDF as we like to be called. Because when moments matter, the guards are minutes away!"

Stunned by the speech, Ozlo isn't sure how to respond, thankfully Burgin chooses that moment to chime in. "Laying it on a bit thick there Boyd?"

A bit embarrassed, Boyd coughs into his fist. "Ah, yeah. I just rehearsed the whole speech and... Anyway. What matters here is your master thinks you're old enough and capable enough to learn some basic self-defence. And as an added bonus, all citizens who undergo the weekend training will receive two shards a day. Burgin here tells me that's about what you make in a week."

"Ok..."

"Ok as in you agree or ok as in, you understand? I don't have all day boy."

"Oh..."

Ozlo took a few moments to think, actually think about something for once and the decision was easy. Of course he would join. The more shards he got the smarter he became and the easier things were. After all, Mother Patricia had drilled into his head that smart people are in charge, and dumb oafs like him were destined for a hard life of labor.

"Yes... Yes sir. I'll join."

Clapping Ozlo on the back Boyd stands up and starts to heard towards the door. "Great, excellent. We meet Mondays and Fridays. Expect to get some exercise in boy, so eat a hardy breakfast and plenty of sleep."

"Yes sir."

"Burgin, I'll see you later. I have some other recruits to knock into shape and this one doesn't seem like he needs much direction at the moment."

"Aye Boyd, it's always good to see you."

Boyd stops at the door on his way out and looks at Burgin. "You know, if you would be willing to-"

"No." Burgin curtly replied.

Boyd deflates a bit but soon recovers his cheery demeanor. "Ahh... Fair enough. You have a nice day. And if you change your mind th-"

"I won't."

Trying again, Boyd said. "But if you do. You know where to find me."

Ozlo and Burgin finish their breakfast and begin their daily routine. Ozlo handing Burgin various tools and metals, and trying to stay out of the way. Burgin forging those various metals into shape and quenching them in oil or water when finished.

"Alright lad, we've had a long day and tomorrow will be eventful. Make sure you sleep well."

"Ok Master Burgin."

Ozlo heads upstairs, removes his clothes, wipes the grime from his body, and slips into a peaceful, rested sleep. "I hope I don't mess this up... Two shards just for a days work is amazing."