"Hey look!" One of the recruits pointed towards something. "Oh?" "Hmm..." "Whoa..." The recruits remarked. 'So noisy... What are the recruits fussing over this time?' Darius thought to himself. "Hmph?" He glanced up to see a regal ornate carriage travelling from the gate and downwards the road. It moved slowly, as it was surrounded by rows of knights on its sides and on the carriage's rear. The people who were lined up from the outside trying to enter the kingdom and those who were clamoring in the streets within all gazed upon the display. The carriage was colored an ornate red, and was covered in intricate golden trimmings and design all over the carriage's body. It was encrusted by jewels of different colors and sizes, all of which sparkled and gleamed in the sunlight. It was like a vivid rainbow had descended from the skies and had made landfall on the dusty dirt road.

Two immaculately brushed and spotless white horses led the carriage forward, clopping at a slow and steady pace. 'Well, that's quite a sight alright. No wonder they're all marvelling at it.' Darius remarked to himself. "Now that, that's quite something to have! Your own fancy carriage, plus your own guards to protect you! Maybe even your own castle, there you can have the best food, the best clothes... How rich do you need to be to have that kind of stuff!" Sethan exclaimed. "I don't think even if we become the highest rank of knights we'll be able to afford all of that luxury..." Said Asralyn. "Its too bad that the horses and the carriage have to go through all of this dust, they'll be covered in dirt in no time in this road..." Said Sethan.

"If they're that rich, they probably have people that clean the carriage and the horses and make them look good as new." Asralyn answered. "Maybe that's what we should do instead, if the people paying are rich then maybe we should just..." "You'd be better off training for the knights instead, it would be more likely for you to get accepted here than to be the kingdom's most decorated cleaners and horse... caretakers? Yeah, while there's lots of knights around the kingdom there's going to be only a select few who do this kind of stuff." Metas remarked. 'Either that... Or they're underpaid workers or slaves. Not something I want them to be dreaming to be...' Metas thought to himself.

The coachman sat in front of the carriage was dressed warmly, with an expensive long coat and top hat which appeared to be quite costly in appearance. He lifted his top hat and wiped his brow off sweat, before drinking from a canteen of his own. Some of the knights walking nearby the carriage wiped off sweat from their foreheads as well. "Going this slow under the hot sun must be hard for these people..." Said Asralyn. "Oh... of course. It... must be tough on them to be walking all this way to... Where are they even going? It's going to be a while before they reach the next town..." Sethan remarked, concerned. "Where they're going I'm not sure, but we might be able to know where they're headed based on who they are... Personal protection from the knights, as well as that luxurious of a carriage would probably warrant them being a royal, or a nobleman of high standing." Metas replied.

As the carriage moved further down the road, the door swung open and a finely dressed young girl emerged carrying a spotless glimmering silver tray emerged. "Attention everyone!" She announced towards the knights guarding her carriage. "Or noble... girl? Noble woman..." Metas added as they saw the girl peek out from the carriage door. She was wearing an elegant frilly dress, with the colors of vermillion and gold being the most prominent in the apparel. Her dress was long and extended all the way to her ankles, and her long sleeves and her skirt ended in gold-colored trimmings. Her clothes were made from the finest silk material, which was both expensive and delicate to the touch. Her eyes matched the color of her hair, amber. And her hair was tied in a bun, and it was held in place by an opulent comb going downwards into her it. It appeared to be pristine and untouched, and it looked to be comprised of porcelain. It was small and had long narrow teeth, a design of a rose connected to a stem was intricately carved into it. The design was given color by gold and jewels encrusted into it, and was an immediate drawer of attention to onlookers. She also wore thin white silk gloves, which were soft and delicate, and were almost see-through. They extended to her wrists and an interwoven flame pattern was laced onto the end of the glove.

"Young mistress Carmilla, you mustn't! It's dangerous for you to exit the carriage!" A mustached man in a well-tailored suit said across from her. "Mister Watercress, not to worry. This is why all of these knights are here, is it not? And would anyone be foolish enough to try and attack the carriage this close to the castle gate? With the kingdom's force of knights just nearby?" She asked the butler. "Well... we must consider the possibility... There's always a chance of danger..." Mister Watercress replied. "And that is why I have not exited the carriage, nor do I plan on having the door wide open for long; in which it will only take longer because of your intervention..." The girl remarked. "Apologies mistress, forgive my intrusion." The butler replied. "No, no... You were simply concerned and doing your duty." said Carmilla.

The coachman in front halted the horses, and one of the knights walked up to the carriage in response to the girl's query. "What is it mistress, have you forgotten something? Shall we turn the carriage back around?" The coachman asked, as he leaned out of his seat towards Carmilla. "No need to halt the carriage, I have not forgotten anything this time. In fact, you should speed up in order for us to get to our destination faster. I only wish to talk to the captain and his men." She remarked. "Understood ma'am." The coachman replied.

Marching towards the direction of the carriage, the recruits looked towards it as it was preferable to staring into the sun or into the barren dirt road ahead. "Must be good to be that rich, huh... You don't have to work hard, you get all that you need, all that you want... And you're basically set for life!" Lert exclaimed. "It isn't always good to get everything you want all the time..." Endro answered. "Well... I'd rather that than this..." said Lert.

Metas, Sethan and Asralyn were admiring the display. "Hmph... Somehow I don't feel right about this. I mean she's not much older than me, I don't think she's older than you, brother... But she has all of this stuff and all these people are working for her and she can make this whole parade of guards to stop and start as she pleases, hmph..." Asralyn pouted, her speech increasing in speed until it was akin to incomprehensible mumbling.

One of the knight guards walked up to the carriage, whom had bushy eyebrows and a thick mustache, removed and lowered his helmet as he approached Carmilla. "I... kind of feel bad for them, instead of guarding the city, fighting in the battlefield or doing something meaningful, these knights are stuck out here doing errands and guarding some spoiled brat..." One of the recruits muttered. "I guess if I was a knight, I'd like to do something that will be actually do good for the kingdom and the people..." said Sethan.

"Though I don't really mind working hard for a cute girl like her..." A recruit exclaimed. "In fact, If I become a knight, I'd prefer something like this instead of walking around the city or fighting on the battlefield." Another remarked. "Hmph, based on what we go through in training everyday, you two won't last an hour walking around in this heat." said Ash. "Well, there's enough time in between now and becoming a knight that I can become stronger... And why don't these guys have horses anyway? I don't know much, but that doesn't seem like the best idea if you're going a long distance away..." One of the recruits responded. 'Hmm!' Metas exclaimed to himself. "Brother, is anything wrong?" Sethan asked him. "No, it's nothing." Metas replied.

The recruits then continued their chatter. "Ash, maybe you're just jealous that she's prettier than you." Another recruit remarked. "Ooohhh..." Some of the recruits remarked. "Hmmp..." Ashley exclaimed looking downwards, flustered. "Hmm?" Victoria remarked, looking back towards Ashley. "Such a ludicrous accusation! Us trainee knights have no concern except improving our strength, and making ourselves ready for service of the kingdom. As such, your words have no weight against us. And while you all dream about frivolous extravagance, our gaze remains single-minded and focused." Victoria exclaimed, and was met by more quiet mutterings amongst the crowd. She then put her hand on Ashley's shoulder and whispered: "And if you become a knight and rise through the ranks, you won't be worrying about the others gossiping, and you can afford more freedoms. But only if, you can get through this." She remarked. "Now don't you dare dissapoint me!" Victoria exclaimed, giving Ashley a hard pat on the back. "Right!" Ashley answered, invigorated.

"Young mistress, is there anything me or my knights can do for you?" The knight asked. "Here!" She remarked, holding the tray she was holding forward. On it was an intricately designed teapot, a small stack of teacups, and a plate with a large round tart on it. It was exquisite, and expertly made, and consisted of a baked base with a custard filling and topped with an array of bright red-orange berries. "No mistress, we possibly couldn't! We... already tried to refuse your offer last time. We can't possibly accept more from you again!" The captain answered. "Yes, last time. I remember I didn't bring enough, so..." Carmilla handed the captain the tray and then went back inside the carriage to reach for more. "Ah, so that is why you packed extra of the tea and pastries. I was beginning to worry about your health if you suddenly undertook such a large appetite." Mr. Watercress remarked.

"Pass that tray around, and... Here's some more." Carmilla then reached for more wooden boxes filled with the sweet confectionery, two more teapots, and another stack of teacups. "I... apologize, that I was unable to bring more tea because they were too difficult to transport already prepared, but fret not... I'll make sure you all go home with the finest boxes of the kingdom's prized tea leaves. Though, it won't be the same as the ones brewed by Lodeleth's most skilled flame-brewers." She remarked. "Mistress... This is..." The captain remarked, as he passed along the goods to the other slow-marching knights. "Please... This is the least I can do! After a long day out here in the sun and the rain, this isn't anything much." Carmilla remarked magisterially.

"But these tarts, they're..." One of the knights remarked as he examined it in disbelief. "Yes, they're flameberries. Finely picked by the finest er... berry pickers. They go well with custard as you see." Carmilla replied. "And I also apologize for the tea, it has gone a bit warm and its best served hot... Mister Watercress, if you would." Carmilla said, passing one of the teapots to her butler. Mr. Watercress then clapped his hands twice and a small flame formed above his hands. "No, no mistress. We knights can handle it." Said the captain, gesturing for the teapot. "Oh, alright then." She remarked, reaching for the teapot and handing over to the captain.

The captain then stretched his palm open and a flame formed under the teapot as he held it. The other knights also began heating up their tea and tart with their own flame. "But... they're expensive! For us lowly knights to eat them..." The knight remarked. "I'll take care of it! It's already been compensated by my family's resources after all." She exclaimed. "But..." "If you aren't going to eat it, then..." The next knight then took the plate. "Wait, I..."

As the other knights marched, they began to pass along the tart plate with them getting a slice each. They also passed along the teapot and teacups, with them passing them along and pouring them with reverie, as if they were handling a religious artifact. They each took a slice and a sip for themselves, and delighted in the delicacies that were only once reserved for nobles. "This quality..." "It's good!" "This is great!" "This is nothing like I've ever tasted before!" Some of the knights cried out, but most were too busy stuffing their mouths to speak. Those who were not too fond of the taste still kept eating as it was an opportunity they shan't squander and they were not letting it pass.

"You better get a piece before it runs out." Siegmund exclaimed to the young knight. "Huh? Sir!" He exclaimed, turning and saluting towards his senior. "Sir!" "Sir." "Sir Siegmund!" The other knights saluted as he passed by. "Ah yes, Knight Siegmund! I remember you from..." Carmilla repeatedly snapped her fingers as she tried to recollect a memory. "The assembly." Siegmund answered. "The assembly! Yes, thank you for helping me recall. How goes the campaign? I didn't expect to see you here in the city." Carmilla replied. "Well, I'm only here on momentarily leave, and on the reason of overseeing the trainees and well... some administrative matters that are too mundane and lengthy to list down." Siegmund remarked. "I see. How goes it in the field, if you don't mind me asking?" Carmilla asked.

"I don't mind. It's... Advancing. We think it might extend for a longer period of time, but we hope a decisive victory might lead us to a successful defense and repelling of the invaders." Said Siegmund. 'Hmm... The war with the Reshans is going to continue for a longer period of time, huh? This explains the lack of horses of the knights guarding me here... And with what my people say, they've even resorted to buying off horses en masse from farms and ordering the citizens to give up a horse as a new form of tax.' Carmilla thought deeply.

"Mistress is there anything the matter?" Mr. Watercress asked her. "No, I was just thinking about how uncomfortable these knights must be out here in the sun. Can't we just get a few of these knights and get them in the carriage?" She asked. 'If only that were possible...' 'Mistress... You are too kind...' 'Maybe then I can spend just a day with my children...' Such thoughts circulated within the men and women guarding the carriage, alas they all knew such an occurrence was unlikely. "Mistress, that is a highly unsafe decision. Bandits or brigands might surprise and overwhelm the carriage, your safety will be at risk." Mr. Watercress remarked. "And the order has already been issued by our superiors, and so disobeying them is tantamount to desertion. Forgive us mistress, and please understand our position." The captain remarked. 'And that's that.' 'I... thought that would happen.' 'I knew that wasn't possible...' The knights all thought as they sighed amongst themselves.

"No, it is I who should be sorry. If it wasn't for me, then you would not be undertaking such a toilsome task right now." Carmilla replied. "No, no mistress. You are already too kind!" "The tart and tea you gave us is already enough to carry us through the whole way!" "Not to worry young mistress, we knights of Lodeleth are tougher than you think! We can brave tougher challenges than this!" "We've trained hard and went through harder! This is no sweat for us!" "Yeah!" And more such cheers and yells erupted among the knights. "It's good to see you all in high spirits. If that is the case then I suppose I can rest easy." said Carmilla. "Not to worry mistress, me and my knights shall keep you safe no matter the heat." said the captain.

The noble girl began to go back into the carriage but remembered Siegmund. "Ah, I almost forgot. Fare thee well to you Sir Siegmund!" She remarked. "And to you as well Mistress Carmilla!" The knight said, bowing. "And to you as well, Sir Darius! I deign not to forget a name!" She said to Darius who was keeping distance. "Mistress." Darius merely slowly and politely bowed in response. "Farewell to you also, trainee knights! I wish you good luck in your training!" Carmilla waved towards the trainees before going back inside the carriage.

Seeing her, many of the recruits clenched their fists ad they felt invigorated and inspired by the display. "I'm going to train hard and become the best knight there is!" One of the recruits exclaimed. "I'll train harder than I've ever trained before!" Another remarked. "Yeah! Yeah!" Said another still. "Well, I guess that's all that it takes..." Endro remarked. "Maybe... I can become a great knight after all!" Lert exclaimed. "You too?" said Endro. 'Hmph, they're all so simple minded... It's like anything and everything could sway their emotions...' Thought Victoria. "These simpletons-" Victoria said as she turned towards Ashley but then saw the latter shared the excitement the others had, her eyes wide and her gaze distracted. "Huh? Did you say something?" Ashley asked. "I said nothing... Though, its just that I'm certain the motivation the others feel won't last long at training..." Victoria answered.

Through all this Liam remained silent but observed intently, unbothered even with the load he was carrying. Metas had a barely perceptible smile as he looked upon the other recruits. His sister smiled towards the carriage as it passed by. "She's... Nice and pretty but... she's in there and we're out here. Really must be nice to be born a noble or royalty... But there's nothing we can do about it now, except just to work harder instead..." Said Asralyn. "Hmm..." Metas remarked in response. Sethan looked towards the passing carriage with an uncertain expression. "So, what do you think of her? Does it seem like she's being placed on a high pedestal even though she isn't doing anything?" He asked his siblings. "Um... I don't know..." Said Sethan. "Uh... Maybe?" Asralyn remarked.

"Well, you're not wrong for thinking that. Since, being born and raised into nobility means you can rise through the ranks and live a life of luxury without doing much except following the rules and standards of their family, and even others don't do that much. But some nobles can have a large power and influence over the politics and the people of the kingdom. Their decisions can affect a lot of people's lives, and they're highly regarded by many because of it." Metas remarked. "So that many guards, and her going out of the city... She must be on some important business then." said Sethan. "Or going on a faraway vacation somewhere..." Asralyn mused. "And because this road leads to the same direction, she must also be heading to the same place as that other royal carriage!" Sethan exclaimed.

"Maybe all the rich people are going to vacation to the same place!" said Asralyn. "Well... It's not entirely implausible..." said Metas. "Wow you know a lot about this stuff, brother." said Sethan. "It's important to know a thing or two about the kingdom you live in even if it might not seem that important but it might come in handy some day." Metas remarked. "That's... good to know." said Sethan. Metas then began to dive deep into thought.

'Two members of the higher class are going to the same place... Not that it has anything to with us, but... If it concerns the war, then... I hope it ends before we become knights. Though... unlikely. But wouldn't they send the top generals or maybe the king if its too important? No, they might have stayed in the city and only delegated orders to them because its more important for the top to stay in the capital. But in that case, it could be another different, important matter.' Metas looked down towards the ground as he walked, deeply immersed in thinking. "Brother, is there anything on your mind?" Sethan asked. "It's nothing, let's get to training." Metas answered.

From afar, Siegmund observed the recruits and looked towards Metas. "Hmm..." He remarked, narrowing his eyes. The recruits then turned at a fork in the road, going right instead of down the road towards the city. They were still beaming with excitement and invigorated with inspiration, but Darius walked closer to them and began to talk: "Well now, considering that you all are feeling excited, I expect you all to be eager for the upcoming hellish training that we'll be having?" He remarked.

"Uh..." Oh." "Um..." "Er..." The recruits said uneasily amongst themselves. "I am!" A voice cried out. "Hmm... Who was that?" Darius remarked with a smile, interested. He walked over towards where he heard the recruit from. "It was me, sir!" Endro exclaimed. "Forward, recruit! State your name!" said Darius. "Endro, sir!" He saluted and spoke with conviction, though he was uneasy. "Ah I remember you, recruit. You were the one who stirred up that mess earlier. Good to see that you've learned quickly during your brief time locked up. If you continued to act up and make trouble for us and the other recruits... Appropriate action would have been necessary." Darius remarked, walking forward and patting Endro on the shoulder.

"I expect great things from you, recruit. From all of you." Darius said, as he walked back to the front. Endro then went back to the line as the recruits continued forward. The other recruits, as they usually did, began to speak amongst themselves. "So he's the one who caused all of that trouble earlier..." "Really? I thought he was gone. They should've kicked him out because of what he did." "He really shouldn't be allowed to be here! He'll just cause more trouble like always!" "He's dangerous staying here..." "He doesn't belong here if he isn't taking this seriously..." "Does he just want to show off? People like him are all talk..." The recruits remarked.

"Hmph..." Endro clenched his fists tightly and looked down towards the ground. "You alright?" Lert asked him. Endro sighed. "They're... right." He remarked. "You... don't have to listen to them." Lert replied. "Don't... Don't talk to me. I... can handle things on my own now..." Endro said, turning away. Lert reached his hand forward, but put it down to his side. "Hmm..." Metas remarked, observing. "Here comes more training..." said Sethan. "When we get back... I'm going to have to sleep all day again... How do they expect us to go everyday like this?" Asralyn remarked. "Well, some don't." Sethan replied. "Do you mean some people don't expect us to continue, or that some of us won't be able to continue?" Asralyn asked. "Well... both." Sethan remarked. "You two, get ready." Metas remarked.

As the recruits walked down the path towards the next training area, there was a deathly silence that permeated the air. Only Victoria who was in front of the group, Siegmund who was ever-jovial, and Darius who had a smug smirk were the ones who seemed to show positive emotion. They went down a dirt path, in the middle of a clearing of trees, that led to a large open riverbank. The area was free of trees, having been cleared years ago by Lodelethians by burning them away. The grounds are covered with slashes and burn marks, ranging from years ago to merely days old. They emerged from the cover of the trees, and many of the recruits shielded their eyes from the fierce shower of sunlight that washed over them.

The recruits carrying the training weapons put them down, as they did several times across the journey in order to drink from their canteens. Some wiped sweat off their brows, others chugged down water from their now warm canteens, but Victoria had her arms raised wide basking in the sun. "Hmph, if only all that sunlight would make you seem a bit less gloomy in appearance." Ashley remarked. "Now, now. You're starting to sound like the others. But, that's quite alright for me. Even if I spend day after day in training and my skin remains pale as it is, if it serves to frighten the new recruits, then its fine." Victoria remarked. "Still, I wonder why your skin doesn't get any darker in the sun..." Ashley mused. "That's not that important right now, training is at hand..." Victoria replied. "Right." Ashley answered. Darius stopped and turned towards the recruits, and they finally stopped their march. "Recruits!" He exclaimed.

The recruits all turned towards Darius and saluted, with them trying to stay as still and rigid as possible though this was more difficult to those carrying the training weapons.. "Those with the weapons, put them there to the side. To the others, lines!" He remarked, and the recruits formed rows of horizontal lines in formation. 'Training's starting... Us standing here is the most rest we're going to get before it starts. Earlier was only supposed to be exercise, but now comes the hard part...' Sethan thought to himself. 'I need to do just as brother told us to. Stand straight, keep my ankles and my feet planted to the ground. I need to breath deeply... and calmly... keep my knees straight, but not to buckle them... I'm itchy. Try not to move to much...' Sethan thought. He turned his head slightly to the left, looking towards Asralyn who looked back towards him and was trying to stand perfectly still as the rays of the sun was beating down onto her.

Sethan turned his head the other way towards Metas who gestured to look back straight ahead. As Sethan turned forward once more, he almost jumped into the air as his eyes met Darius who was standing in front of the recruits and watching intently. Darius scanned and turned from left to right, and then walked around the formation of recruits. Siegmund walked to him and marvelled at the discipline of the trainees. "Hmm, they seem to be quite well-behaved. Are they like this usually, or only when an observer is present?" Siegmund remarked. "Heh, do you think they're only disciplined when somebody else is around?" Darius exclaimed. "I jest, I jest. But, they're unusually ruly for children their age..." Said Siegmund.

"Well, they're certainly better behaved than our fellow recruits when we enlisted!" Darius remarked with a chuckle. "Indeed, it's interesting to see that those who are a bit older are more likely to be truant or questoning of authority." said Siegmund. "The difference is, many of them grew up in orphanages or are sent here as children. Most of us then already lived full lives before we got enlisted." Said Darius. "But, I pity the children. For them to undergo an ordeal like this at their age... For us it was difficult even as adults." Siegmund exclaimed. "Pah, they're lucky they get training and discipline early in their lives. So they don't turn out like some of the guys that got kicked out or didn't last a day in training. And that they don't become like those who bought their way to the top of the ranks and serve as cushy guards inside the city only to fold the moment they enter a battlefield." said Darius.

"Do you remember when Alfred was late for attention, and the instructor chewed him out? He towered over him, but the old man made him seem like a small child!" Siegmund said, before laughing heartily. "It's almost hard to believe that a softie like him is now the kingdom's personal royal guard." Darius remarked. "Time really flies, huh." Said Siegmund."We all went through a lot to get to our positions. I'm retired, but only after decades of service. And you're one of the kingdoms premiere captains now." Darius remarked. "And now, its time for the new generation to take over. Which reminds me, I need not take up more of your time." Siegmund remarked.

"The recruits... They'll need the training. You and I know that from experience." Said Darius. "Well under your care, they'll surely become tough and sturdy warriors. Though, that is if they make it past your training..." Siegmund said smiling, walking past Darius. "Hmph." He snickered in response. Darius walked to the front of the recruits, unphased by the harsh sunlight, and stood firm. "Re-cruits! And... March! 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 2..." He commanded, as he walked to the shade. The recruits marched in tandem to his count, their boots stamping on the hard ground almost in perfect sync. Darius walked around the recruits, studying if they kept up their marching to the rhythm. Some of the younger and frailer recruits began to pant and heave in combination of the harsh sun and the extensive repetitive action they were undertaking. It was only a brief time for Darius and Siegmund, but it felt like a droning eternity for the trainees.

Darius watched attentively as some recruits began to struggle and falter, still keeping up with the rhythm of the march though the strain they experienced grew and grew. "And cease!" Darius exclaimed. The recruits abruptly stopped their march, many immediately fell seated to the ground, and many more panted heavily with their hands on their knees or wiping away the sweat from their foreheads. Those who didn't already have empty canteens, downed them, leaving water dribbling from their chins onto the ground below.

Metas took a small sip of his canteen and looked toward Sethan and Asralyn who were chugging down their own canteens. He put a hand on his younger siblings' shoulders, which made Sethan lower his canteen. "I know, we shouldn't drink too much..." He remarked. "But its hot outside, and I'm still thirsty and... getting some more water is a hassle." Said Asralyn, lowering her canteen. She looked near towards the riverbank which a long row of large iron pots raised above old and burnt out stacks of chopped wood which now resembled white crumbling soil. The pots were burnt black and there were wooden buckets placed nearby the pots.

"All the more reason to save your water." Metas replied. "I... guess so..." Asralyn remarked. "If you drink too much water, you're body fills up quickly with water and it's going to want to release all that water because your body can't hold it all." Metas remarked. "And the only time we can pee is before, after or if you're going to do it during training, you're going to have to go back or run to the forest and Darius is going to chew us out. Got it." said Sethan. "Well... I drank some water on the way here, so... Even if I want to drink more, I kinda can't..." Said Asralyn, tipping over her empty canteen, a single drop falling and quickly evaporating on the hot ground.

Metas held his water canteen towards her. "Here." Asralyn reached for it, but Metas pulled his hand back. "Just a sip." He remarked. "Just a sip." She answered. Asralyn took his water canteen and took a small sip before lowering her hand. Metas reached for it, but Asralyn pulled the canteen back and took another sip. "Now I'm done." She said as she handed it back to her older brother. "Hmph." Metas said as he retrieved it. He put on a stern face as he turned away but as he glanced towards Asralyn, he saw her concerned and downcast expression. Metas ruffled her hair as he looked around to observe the others.

Many of them only took few gulps of their water, though some could not resist the temptation to slake their thirst and guzzled more than necessary. Few like Ashley and Victoria only took a small sip, only enough to prevent their mouths and throats from being dry. Fewer still like Liam, did not take any sips. Whether by somehow having finished all of their water, forgetting to bring their canteen, or Liam who elected not to drink even though he carried a full container of water. A single bead of sweat ran down his face as he appeared unperturbed and relaxed as if he did not go through any physical activity at all.

"Recruits! Enough dilly-dallying! Up, up! Go, go!" Darius remarked. With his order, the recruits ceased their momentary break and all began to jog around the training ground. "Faster! Run, run!" He exclaimed, there wasn't any required speed on how fast the recruits were running, though Darius yelled "encouragement" at the slower recruits that were lagging behind or not giving their all into running. "Go! How are you going to make it charging forward in the battlefield? You won't even make it past half a field out there! Come on, you're running without armor here, you'd be as slow a snail if you're moving this slow now." His voice boomed.

As the recruits ran, Siegmund watched them and turned to follow them as they ran in a circle around the grounds. "Hmm..." He remarked. He watched the movements of the various recruits and could observe a great deal from how they moved. Many of the younger trainees simply rushed forward and gave their all into running without care for conserving their energy or breathing properly whilst moving. They flailed about and ran forward hurriedly and they reached the front of the pack in short time but as a result they ran out of stamina quicker than usual. 'The younger ones are giving their all into running forward and though that certainly makes them move quickly, it also makes them tire quickly as well. Not a bad strategy for getting from one place to another swiftly, but speed is not everything in the battlefield. If you rush headlong without a plan, you'd be tired before any fighting even begins...' Thought Siegmund.

Some recruits like Lert, Sethan and Asralyn moved more optimally, opting to jog instead of sprinting to reserve their energy. Either by practice, experience and understanding, or by tutelage, they have somehow improved their technique and form. With a straighter posture, heads held high, and arms still swinging, but not wildly flailing like the younger trainees, they fared better than many. "Haa... Haa... This is punishing..." Endro said to himself as he sprinted forward towards the front, lagging towards the back, but rushing forward once more. "Hey. Hey!" Lert whispered towards him as Endro overtook him but slowed down due to fatigue. "What? I told you I didn't need your help." He replied. "You don't have to run that fast, you're only going to tire yourself out." Lert remarked. "Slow down? And be like the ones at the back that get yelled at for being too slow?" Endro answered. "You don't have to move so slow as to be in the back, you just have to be moving at a steady pace at the middle." Lert said, as Endro continued to rush forward and lag behind.

Endro observed that though Lert was not as fast as some other recruits and was panting, he appeared to have a more refined technique as he moved, at least compared to the others. "I'm... Listening." Endro said reluctantly. "Don't just run as fast as possible, and breathe as you step, run with a rhythm, and try to land on the ground on the middle of your feet. It should make you trip up less often." Said Lert. Endro tried to heed the other boy's advice as best as possible: slowing himself down to a stable speed, matching his steps with his breathing, and landing on his feet properly. He soon ran at a constant pace that matched Lert's, and did not lag any further. He then looked at the other trainees who were faring better such as Metas, Liam, Ashley and Victoria.

"And one more thing-" Lert said, before Endro cut him off. "My arms, I know. By looking at the others... Their arms aren't waving around too much... Their backs are straight and they're looking forward. Some of them are running like we were all marching earlier, following the 1-2 count. We should stop talking, we're only wasting our breath." He remarked. Lert didn't speak another word, but he simply smiled and continued running forward. 'Hmm... That boy quickly adapted and refined his running technique. Impressive that he learned and changed it that fast. Though, there are ones who are clearly above the rest.' Siegmund thought, as he rubbed his chin. He looked towards the front of the pack, where Liam and Victoria were leading ahead.

Liam was moving quicker than the rest, though he did not appear to be rushing and was moving at a comfortable pace. Victoria who was right behind him, appeared to be barely struggling. She even appeared to be slowing down to let Liam be ahead of the others, similar to what she did in training earlier. Just behind them ran a group that included Ashley and some of her friends, and consisted of some of the elder trainees. Behind them was a larger group where Metas, Sethan and Asralyn where. Behind them were Endro and Lert and where the slower third of the recruits were. Metas was purposefully behind as he took care of his siblings, and was watching them carefully ensuring that they don't lag behind or trip.

"Come on Lyn, remember... What brother told us." Sethan remarked. "Yeah! It's just tough.... Just running here... And remembering all this stuf too..." Said Asralyn, in breathing gasps. "Just remember: Raise your shoulder, lift your head and chest, and-" "Don't cross my arms in front of me, land on the middle of my feet and... and..." "Time your breathing to your steps." Metas finished Sethan and Asralyn's statement. "Follow a rhythm. Just like we practiced. One, Two..." "One, two, one, two. I remember, just like you told me." Asralyn said confidently. Metas smiled, and gently patted her shoulder before speeding further to go slightly past them.

"Go, go! Come on guys, let's go! Let's keep it moving!" Ashley remarked towards the others. "I... can still go!" "Yeah!" "Let's go!" The recruits exclaimed, as she rallied them on. One of the recruits was beginning to struggle. "My legs... I'm getting tired... Ah!" Ashley quickly turned around to see a trainee trip. "I have you!" She exclaimed, as she quickly stopped in her tracks and sprinted backwards. Ashley caught the recruit and then helped to continue running before running forward herself.

"Recruit what are you doing! Running backwards in the battlefield, are you fleeing from the enemy?" Darius yelled loudly. "I just can't leave anyone behind, sir!" Ashley responded loudly. The knight instructor stepped forward, but his advance was blocked by Siegmund's raised hand. "No. She... Emulated the true essence of the knight just then. Something like that means even more than being the strongest or the fastest in the battlefield. It should be celebrated, not disparaged." He remarked. "Hmph. As you wish." Darius grunted. Victoria turned around, raised her hands, and snapped her fingers twice towards Ashley.

Seeing this, a smirk formed on Darius' face. Ashley sped up and ran forward, huffing and puffing until she reached Victoria at the front, who elected not to slow down at all. "Ashley." "What... Is it? Did I something wrong?" Ashley asked. "You... accomodated one of the weaklings back there." Victoria answered. "And?" Ashley said, defiant. "Fine work." Said Victoria, putting up a thumbs up. "Eh?" Ashley exclaimed, confused. "In our prospective line of duty, we are expected to be a part of a whole, a cog in a wheel. In short, no matter how impressive the individual is, we knights are ultimately a group. We are responsible for others, and looking after the other knights. Making up for the weaknesses of others is our task." Victoria answered. "Well, I'm going back now. So..." said Ashley. "As you were. Back to your assistance of the others." Said Victoria, as Ashley ran back to the others.

'But I'd rather you cast off these weaklings, for they will only hold you back. For one to truly excel, you shan't offer up a piece of yourself to others. But if others offer themselves as kindling to your flame, then you will burn brighter above everyone else...' Thought Victoria. She turned to see Liam who had watched the earlier interaction. "What is it?" She asked. "It's nothing. Focus on the path ahead." He remarked. Victoria only grinned, and faced forward. Observing from afar, Siegmund noted the clear affirmation that Victoria gave Ashley.

"See, even your pupil realizes the true value of knighthood." Siegmund guffawed, much to Darius' chagrin. Darius moved forward and then called out towards the trainees. "Come on! Ten more laps, move!" He exclaimed. "Ehh?" "Wait, what?" "Isn't that three more laps than last time?" Some of the recruits who could still speak whined. "And? How are you all going to improve if we only do the same thing every day! My job here is to make you all stronger, faster! Not comfortable! Go, go!" Darius remarked. "I... can't go on any further." "I'm tired!" "My... legs!" The recruits at the rear began to stop and fell seated one after the other, and Darius strode forward towards them. "Recruits! What are you doing? Get up! Do you think knights can just stop and rest in the middle of battle? Are you slacking off, or is it desertion?" He exclaimed. "Sir, we... can't go any more." "We're tired!" The other recruits were too tired to speak and were tiredly panting.

"Tired? You've pulled these same stunts before. Day after day... You're not long in the knights if you're all like this! Do you not take this seriously? If you aren't going to give it you're all, then go back home!" Darius remarked. "Sir Darius! If you will." Siegmund exclaimed, as he walked towards Darius and the recruits. "Hmph... What is it this time, Siegmund?" The knight instructor asked. The recruits who were still running watched as Siegmund walked up to the seated trainees and Darius.

As the recruits passed by, Ashley looked back worriedly towards the ones who were left behind. "Recruits, it is quite alright. You may rest now." Siegmund remarked. "I'm talking about the children seated here, not the others; I apologize to all of you who are still going." He exclaimed to the others, with a hearty laugh. "Mister Knight, we're not lying, we really can't go on!" "We really want to, and we don't want to go home... But we can't!" "It's so hot, and we're so thirsty!" The recruits exclaimed. "If you have enough breath to complain, you can still run! And if you're thirsty, go to the next part of training and start a fire and get some water to boil!" Darius said to the recruits.

"Nonsense, nonsense, Sir Darius." Siegmund remarked, before searching through the packs strapped to himself and then retrieving some water containers from his person. "Here. I have some extra waters with me that I bring along since it really is so hot outside. Don't worry, I haven't sipped any yet so you're free to do so." Siegmund said, bending down and happily handing water sacks to the recruits. "I don't have enough for each of you, so you'll have to share. I apologize." He added. "No, no sir." "This is good enough!" "Thank you so much, Sir Siegmund!" And all the other recruits were busy chugging down the sacks of water.

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"Wait a minute, maybe not that one." Siegmund said as he snatched one of the sacks before a recruit drank it. "This stuff's a little more hard hitting than water." The knight remarked with a smile. "Do you... think them to be mere babes? Infants? They are meant to be knights, hardened warriors on the battlefield! And you treat them like, like..." Darius was at a loss for words in his indignation. "Like children. Like they actually are." Siegmund answered. "A word, Sir Siegmund." Darius said, with quiet fury. Siegmund stood up straight and pulled Darius away a short distance away for a conversation. "Have you any-" "Trust me on this." Siegmund whispered to Darius. "Trust you... Hmph." He answered. "So you're listening? Let me work... And I'll get these recruits up and running." Siegmund answered. "Alright. I'm watching." Darius said, with his arms crossed.

'I always thought he was a bit of a goody two-shoes, but he won't be able to go as high as he is in the knights if he was as just as he seems... I don't always know what's going on inside his head...' He thought. Siegmund walked back towards the seated recruits, Victoria and the other trainees still running passed them. "Keep running recruits, no gawking!" Darius exclaimed, the tone of his voice startling the recruits. But Ashley could not help but worriedly look back towards the younger ones left behind. "Is there anything wrong, Ash?" One of her friends asked. "The others... It's almost everyday that they're getting told off like this. They can't help it. They're going... Going to get punished with more laps around and they'll be too tired for the fire-starting and the next parts of training." Ashley said, worriedly.

"Maybe... They should just go home. Because if the training is too hard on them, staying here is just going to be bad for them..." Her friend replied. Metas, Sethan, and Asralyn overheard. "But some of us... Don't have any homes to go back to. Some of the others the knights picked up from the streets, some of us are only going to end up back in orphanage after orphanage... Quitting isn't a choice..." Sethan remarked. "Then... there's nothing they can do..." Said Asralyn.

'They're... going to have to endure this day after day. Week after week... Until they've pushed so hard that they can go beyond; and all that pressure forces them to be stronger and faster... But more likely, they'll get fed up and collapse. They'll lash out and get punished, or be dejected and forced to go back home, or be forced into an orphanage or worse, pushed into the street. Some of the others, they don't want to go so they'll clam up. They'll be a sponge and soak up all that punishment. Even if they last long enough to become knights... They'll be changed for the worse.' Thought Metas. "There's nothing we can do about them now..." Said Metas.

"It's scary to think that if we didn't have you and it was only me and Lyn here, we might have ended up like them." Sethan remarked. After a short period of silence, Asralyn tried to change the subject. "I'm... getting tired again. Soon, a lot of us will be on the ground and tired like them. I'm worried that Sir Darius will chew us out too. He looks like in a worse mood today..." She remarked. "Don't worry, Lyn. He probably doesn't expect most of us to run all these laps. He's only like that for the recruits who drop first. Probably. Only a few will go the distance to his demands." Metas reassured her. "Well, hopefully." Asralyn answered.

"Maybe you can. Go the distance I mean." Said Sethan. "I don't see why I need to. I'll only tire myself out. When most of the others drop off, I will too. Besides, I'm not going to leave you two behind." Metas said warmly. His two siblings smiled in response. Ashley was still concerned about the other recruits and looked back frequently towards them. "Ash, I... can't keep running. Hah... Hah... It's going to be like last time, I can't make it!" A recruit remarked. "You can do it, just focus on continuing running, you don't need to be running fast, you just need to keep going!" Ashley exclaimed.

"If they can't continue, then they should just stop running. Forcing someone who isn't able or isn't willing to push forward, is a cruel thing. It is admirable and can lead to good results, but pushing yourself too hard can end in failure. But... It's up to you to choose!" Victoria exclaimed from the front, her voice reaching far behind her. "I... don't know if I can continue, but I will!" The recruit exclaimed. "Hah, that's the spirit! Now push yourself to burn harder, like a flame that flashes brighter though it is closer to burning out." Victoria said to herself. Liam observed Victoria's statement silently.

Meanwhile, Siegmund spoke to the recruits who finished drinking water as the other recruits passed by. "So, are you kids good? Are you all right?" He remarked. "Yeah!" "Yes." "I'm... better." "Alright, I guess." "I'm okay." "Yes, Sir!" "Yes, Mister Siegmund!" The recruits remarked one after the other. "Now that you've gotten some refreshment for your thirst and a bit of rest... What say you children get up and get going?" Siegmund asked. "Um..." "Well..." "Uh..." The recruits did not. "Hmm... How do I put this..." The knight thought, before leaning down towards the recruits. "You kids, you... don't want to go home, right? You want to become big and strong, and become knights, right?" Siegmund asked, reassuringly.

"We... have no choice." "Some of us have been here longer than we've been outside." "I don't want to go back out there..." "Training is hard, but at least I have a bed, and I have food for me everyday..." "Going to be a knight is all that I have left and I can't go back to my parents... They'll be mad!" Siegmund then rubbed his chin exaggeratedly. "Well, I'm afraid then that we can't do anything about that. All that we can do now is to make all of you stronger." He remarked. Siegmund then turned towards Darius who snickered.

"That's... what he wants to do too, but he's just acting mean. He's doing that because he wants to push you, push you harder than ever before. Because things are going to be really hard from now on. And the only way for you guys to get through it, is to be prepared and to be strong like a... Like a..." "Like a dragon!" One of the recruits finished Siegmund's sentence. "Hmm... That's a good comparison... Where did you hear that from?" He remarked. "My... Mom and Dad! I learned that a long time ago, our kingdom used to have big and strong dragons that protected us all. The dragons went away, but the king says that their power is passed through the people!" One recruit exclaimed. "That's right! Good of you to be well aware of our kingdom's history! Truly it's hard to believe that things like dragons used to be in our kingdom, but its not that unbelievable because of this..." Siegmund then opened his palm, and a small flame appeared atop it.

The running recruits passed by them once again some of them looking towards the knight's flame, and Siegmund then turned towards them. "Recruits! Can you halt momentarily? I have something important to show you all!" The knight exclaimed. "Huh?" "Hmm..." The recruits then stopped their movement and turned towards Siegmund, many of whom were confused. "Siegmund..." Darius remarked. "Relax Darius, they'll be up and finish all of their running laps soon." Siegmund said towards Darius. "As I was saying, behold our flame." The knight exclaimed, the flame was perfectly stable and did not waver. It was a flame more brilliant than any fireplace they've ever seen, and the flames that the young recruits could conjure paled in comparison.

"Ooh..." "Wow..." "Cool..." "Hah... Hah... At least we have some time to rest..." Many of the recruits were tired, but some were distracted enough to admire Siegmund's flame. "I wish I could get that kind of flame someday..." Sethan remarked. "Hmm..." Metas remarked. Siegmund then continued speaking. "Come closer children, quickly." Siegmund knelt on one knee and the other recruits came closer, some of the younger ones even sat next to the flame. Though it intensified the heat, they were enamored by it.

"Don't get too close to it, our flame is a tool. It can be dangerous thing, but in the right hands, our hands; it can be a thing to protect and help our people." Said Siegmund. He then clasped his hands together to put out the flame. "Aww..." Sethan exclaimed. "Our flame is the proof our lineage, our kingdom's people have been graced with the blessing of the dragon, a power that people from other kingdom's don't have. Now that the dragons are gone from the kingdom, the only thing left to protect it is the kingdom's knights. The power of the dragons are passed down now, to all of you. Many of you have already unlocked your flame, many of you have not; But all of you are now responsible for our kingdom's future!" Siegmund remarked.

'Hmph. He made the children listen to him. Most of them anyway. That's the difference between being a soldier and a leader...' Darius thought. 'I'm curious about this man. He's quite an accomplished knight and captain... And in his choice of pupils that he handpicked...' Victoria thought as he looked towards Metas and Liam. 'This could rally the other recruits, but... The truth is rarely so simple as that...' Thought Liam. Siegmund then stood back up and dusted himself off. He held his hand out to the seated recruits, and then helped them each up to their feet. They were transfixed and listened to his every word, he exuded with a charisma that could make a regular person listen to the most mundane thing.

"Now, it's time to continue running!" He exclaimed to them. "Uh..." "Aww..." "Um..." The recruits did not want to. 'Heh. Now he's lost them.' Darius thought with a smile. "Fear not recruits! For I will be running alongside you!" Siegmund exclaimed. 'What?' Darius was befuddled. "Huh?" "What is he saying..." The recruits were also confused. 'Well, if this works, it'll get the others running again... But if it doesn't...' Thought Metas. 'He's going to make a fool of himself... At this point, he's no worse than the recruits...' Darius thought. "Are you really going to?" Endro asked, skeptical. "Indeed, young man!" Siegmund remarked, beginning to jog in place. "Hup, hup, hup, hup." He remarked with each step.

"Come on, recruits! Up, up, up!" Siegmund said as he jogged to the front of the line of recruits and jogged in place waiting for them to get up. "Re-" "Recruits! Observe me, observe my form! You, you want to become a knight, right?" Siegmund cut off Darius and pointed to a random recruit. "Uh, yes sir!" They remarked. "Stand recruit, stand with me!" Siegmund exclaimed. "Uh, alright!" The recruit quickly stood up. "Run, run! Run with me!" "Okay!" With Siegmund's request, the recruit began to jog as well. The knight walked beside the recruit, and observed his form. "Straighten your back like this, and your arms like this... Breath like this, and..." Siegmund remarked and corrected their running form. "Better, right?" He remarked. "Uh, I think?" The recruit answered. "Alright, children! Up, follow me! Let's go!" Siegmund said, running forward.

The recruit that was already up ran forward, and most shrugged and ran after him. The others saw Darius' silent glare and went up and running. The runners fell into place exactly as the positions they had earlier, with Liam and Victoria leading. "Good, just straighten your back. Lower your arms a bit. Yes, that's the way. Widen your stride a little; that's too much, now that's just right..." Siegmund went and ran backwards towards the other recruits, and helped them with their running form. "Liam, looking well! Er... Victoria, great form as well!" He remarked towards the two front-runners.

"As always, I am!" Victoria exclaimed, whilst Liam only looked backwards and nodded. "Metas... Looking after your siblings, I see!" Siegmund remarked. Metas looked towards him and nodded. "Hi, Sir Siegmund!" "Hi!" His siblings exclaimed. The grumblings from the other recruits continued but did not linger due to their exhaustion. "Huff, puff, huff, puff..." Siegmund remarked, as he ran. His armor clinked and clanked as he ran, and he huffed and puffed in visible exhaustion. "Are you alright, Sir Siegmund? You look like you're going to give up before the others will." Victoria asked. "I'm quite alright, though I'm thankful for your concern." Said Siegmund, huffing and puffing with each step and could only keep up with the recruits at the middle of the group.

The recruits then continued better than they would have, but they predictably began to drop off after a few laps. "Sorry, Mister Siegmund... I... Can't do it anymore." "Me too. I'm... tired." "Good attempts recruits, I know you tried your best!" Siegmund exclaimed. "I'm... dropping off..." Said Lert. "Alright then, guess I'll stop running too." Endro remarked. "Don't! You... You said you were going to become a great knight right? Then don't give up! Keep going!" Lert answered.

Endro slowed down, but did not stop. 'I... I'm tired. But... I can still keep going. I... want to rest, but... I'm not as tired as them. I can give up now and it won't be a problem, but... I can't accept giving up when I can still go on!' He thought. "Then..." Endro remarked to himself. 'The others are trying not to get too tired... Then they're focusing on endurance. And in these last few laps, they're not going to push themselves to their fullest. And the others in front are confident in their placement...' Endro then started to slowly increase in his speed as Lert and some of the other recruits began to fall behind. Near the front, others began to tire as well. Some of them dropped to the ground, though only few were that exhausted. Most of those who stopped, ran to the side and got out of the way of the recruits still running.

"Ash, I'm out." "Yeah, me too." They ran out of the way of the other recruits. "Alright, great job guys!" Ashley exclaimed, briefly turning around and running backwards to greet them. Sethan and Asralyn began to slow down, with them inclined to finally stop. "Sir Siegmund helped me a little, but I think I can't go on running anymore now." Sethan remarked. "Can we... Hah... Rest now? I'm... Going to fall..." said Asralyn. Metas looked towards his siblings and saw that they have truly tried their hardest and said: "Right, let's rest." "Hmm?" Sethan exclaimed.

The three siblings stared in slight bemusement as Endro was slowly gaining past them. "Huh, he was serious. Looks like he's going to try to go to the front..." Sethan remarked. Metas watched quietly as Endro ran forward with a serious and single-minded determination, breathing in a focused manner. The three watched him as he slowly passed recruit after recruit without slowing down. "Guys... Can... we... stop now?" Asralyn exclaimed, exhaustedly. "Oh, right." Sethan remarked, slowing down and assisting Asralyn as they went out of the line. But Metas continued running, still continuing in his observation of Endro's shift and progress forward.

Ashley looked back to see how much of her friends still remained, and to cheer on those that still remained. She saw Endro running forward and advancing, and was surprised by it. 'It's him who caused that ruckus this morning. So he's being serious about being a knight. I wonder what had him changed so quickly. And... he was crying earlier. No doubt he was dealing with something... All kids who act like that are dealing with something, or just have something wrong with them...' Ashley thought. "Come on guys, you can still do it!" She remarked. "I... can still..." The recruit who forced themselves to continue said, before stumbling with an empty look in their eyes. "Hey, hey. Hey!" Ashley exclaimed, sprinting towards the recruit to catch them before they fell.

Endro passed the recruit and he was surprised as they fell. 'They're... falling. I need to catch them, but why should I be the one that... I need to, but I can't stop and... She's going to catch them, so I can...' He passed forward without a second glance. "Wha- Hey!" Ashley said to Endro, as she sped past him and shot her hand forward as the fainting recruit fell backward. "Hnng!" She exclaimed as she yanked the recruit backward and lifted them up onto her shoulder. Ashley turned forward to see Victoria looking back towards them. Her eyes pointed low to the floor and she flicked her head away in disapproval.

Ashley knew even from that distance, that Victoria was disappointed and wanted for the recruit to be left behind instead of attended to. As she slung the recruit's arm over her shoulder, Ashley looked forward and tried to move but was hampered by the limp and almost unconscious body of the recruit. "Wake up, hey! Are you alright? Hey, somebody!" She remarked. 'I'm... not going to be left behind! I... Somebody please, help... I want to go on, but I'm not going to throw somebody away to the wayside...' Ashley then quickly stumbled forward carrying the recruit but made little headway forward.

The other recruits passed by without attending to the two as they were either too focused on continuing forward, or fearing reprimand from Sir Darius, who disliked recruits assisting each other and lagging behind because of it. "Recruit! What are you doing? Lagging behind like that, you're going to get yourself killed in battle! You should have just left them behind; Instead of the kingdom losing one weak soldier, you're ridding it of another good soldier!" Darius exclaimed, striding towards Ashley. 'Oh shoot, what am I going to do? I... don't want to leave them behind, but I can't get left behind myself! I don't want to get scolded again... And if I take too long, I'm not going to catch up...' She thought. Suddenly, Siegmund rushed with a speed that made the leaves from the ground fly up into the air.

"Recruit, hand them over to me." He remarked, his speed made those in front turn towards him in surprise. "Hmph." But Victoria sneered as Siegmund carried the recruit away. "I'll take care of them, you can continue forward." He remarked. "Whoa, he really can run." "I never expected an old man like him to run that fast!" "I barely even saw him, it was like a blur!" "Is that what a fully fledged knight can do? Run that fast in armor?" Lert remarked, seated down and resting in the shade.

From behind, Metas who was slowing down in his running speed, sighed in relief. 'Whew, I was worried I almost had to step in there...' He started to speed up for a moment, but slowed back down as Siegmund handled the situation. Siegmund searched his packs and his belongings but found that all of his water containers were empty. "You, recruit. Fill up this container of water from the river, quickly!" Siegmund exclaimed. "Oh, okay!" One of the resting recruits grabbed the container and ran to the river whilst Siegmund carried the unconscious recruit to the shade. "Siegmund." said Darius. "What is it? Are you going to chastize me for taking care of a recruit?" The knight remarked in response. "That recruit overestimated their limits, its their fault that they're in the state they're in now." Said Darius.

"But you were the one pushing them to this extreme." Siegmund said, calmly. "I push them to the fullest, so that they become their greatest. It is the soldier's duty to know their limits and push them, but not for them to overestimate themselves." Darius replied. "Are you wishing that I not assist this recruit? That I simply leave them in the sun, face down and out cold?" Siegmund answered, as a recruit handed him his canteen. "I did not say that specifically. It's just... rather unbecoming." Darius remarked. "If you have no complaints, and if you wish not to interfere then I suggest going back to watch the other recruits." Siegmund remarked, gently trickling water onto the recruit's face.

"Hmph." Darius exclaimed. As Darius walked away, the unconscious recruit was slowly stirring awake. "Water..." They remarked. Siegmund then slowly trickled water into the recruit's mouth and leaned them onto a nearby tree. He then put away his water canteen. "Recruit, I need some help. And... fan them like this..." Siegmund remarked to a recruit. Ashley ran backwards still, as she could not focus on running forward until she knew the recruit was alright. 'Good, it looks like they're okay. But... I don't know if I can catch up. I guess I can still try-' She turned around quickly, but tripped on a nearby tree root that she did not notice. 'Ah, I fell. I must have not noticed something on the ground. It's my fault, I wasn't paying attention. Now I won't be able to catch up; not that I was going to to begin with... I deserve it, maybe I shouldn't have helped so many, no... I shouldn't have done more than I could handle...' Her thoughts flashed in quick succession as she fell.

Siegmund quickly turned his head, but he was too far away. All of a sudden, she felt the swift and tight grasp of someone who quickly held onto her arm. "Victoria? No, who-" As she was pulled back to her feet, Ashley saw who aided her. "Metas?" She remarked, confused. Metas huffed and puffed, a trail of dust kicked up in his wake as he dashed quickly in a short time. "Are... you... alright?" He asked, showing greater exhaustion compared to his calmer demeanour earlier. "What- Brother's over there? He was just here? I just closed my eyes for a short while and..." Asralyn remarked, in disbelief. "He... just went there that fast. I didn't expect that he could do something like that, woah..." Said Sethan, with eyes sparkling with awe.

"Uh, yeah. I'm fine now. But, I... need to catch up with them. And... I'm not going to be fast enough!" Ashley answered Metas. The small number of recruits still left running were rapidly approaching and almost caught up from where she was standing. "Even if I run now, I won't be able to... What can I do to... Whoa-" She exclaimed, as Metas took off holding her hand and made her run along with him. "Well, all you can do now... Is run." He answered. "Oh, okay!" Ashley followed along as they rushed forward hand-in-hand, but she halted once she snapped into realization. "Wait, wait! Is this even allowed? And I'm getting tired and, I don't want to drag you along and tire you out for my sake too..." She said, hastily. "Well, if you don't want to, it's fine. But don't worry about me helping you, I'm the one dragging you along after all..." Metas remarked, with a slight smile.

"If you insist then." Ashley then bolted forward. "Hmph!" Metas exclaimed, as he was quickly pulled forward though he acclimated just as fast to the speed they ran. 'I ran a second before he did, but he's adjusted and now he's moving faster than me. Maybe... Maybe I'll make it after all. But all this time, he was staying back there; taking care of his two siblings, of course but... He's only barely breaking a sweat after all that and... He still might be faster than...' Ashley thought as they curved around the corner. "Ooh... Ash is holding hands..." "Look who's getting some extra help there..." Some of the recruits called out.

"You guys talk a lot while you all are sitting down there, and we're still running up here!" Ashley exclaimed confidently through her huffing and puffing. "Ha, ha..." "Heh!" "Well, you got a point there." The recruits remarked in reply. "I was going to say leave them be, but that answer's good too." Said Metas. "Well, I wasn't going to let them off easy." said Ashley.

But for the other recruits, they did not choose to express themselves in playful remarks, instead in hushed gossip and whispers. "Is she running with who I think she's running with?" "Are they together, how long has it been?" "Sticking around that guy, its trouble. He's probably a creep." "Yeah, even if he isn't. It's not good to be with someone like that, it's unlucky." They whispered. Ashley could not hear their words, but saw them whispering to one another, with their hands covering their mouths as they spoke veiledly, staring at them and pointing towards them. She could not utter a rebuttal against those recruits this time.

"It's a bold decision to be making friends in the middle of training, though it's not something I expect from you. I don't know how whether to be dissapointed; I had the impression that you weren't the kind to give yourself an unfair advantage, or to be impressed at your resourcefulness." Victoria exclaimed. "Hmph." Metas remarked, he was unappreciative of the comment but did not want to cause any further trouble. "I-" Ashley exclaimed, with her head lowering. She then began to slow her pace. "Come on, we're close to catching up. Can you not continue?" Metas asked. "No, it's just... I can do it alone now, so..." She remarked. "I get it, the others are saying things... And besides, you can do well enough now. Go." Metas said, as he let go of her hand.

'I should get back to Sethan and Asralyn, we'll need to prepare for the next part of training...' He thought as he turned his back towards Ashley. "Hmph!" Metas exclaimed as he was grabbed by the shoulder and pulled forward. "But I'm not going without you!" She remarked. "What? I thought you didn't..." "I know what I said, but its not that I need your help. It's just that you could go so far and for you not to... It's selfish but it doesn't sit right with me; You helped me and you don't get to go..." Ashley exclaimed, almost stumbling over her words. "Tch, what a pain." He remarked, patting her on the back and then running forward.

"Wait, did you just agree?" Ashley said as she quickly ran after him. He took off with such speed that she struggled to catch up with him immediately. "I did. Also, some people have a reason in refusing to go the distance. You'll make some people unhappy if you don't respect that." Said Metas. "I'll... try to keep that in mind." She answered, slightly shyly. At the front, another recruit started to lag behind. They stopped momentarily to catch their breath, but found themselves kneeling down in exhaustion.

Only a few of the recruits were left now, and there were more-or-less two laps remaining for the recruits to run. Victoria looked back at the remaining recruits to examine her competition. 'Hmm... There's more competition than usual today... Amusing. I wonder what changed. There's that Metas... He's shown signs of potential, he always stops before he exerts any real effort. It's infuriating, he's being held back by those siblings of his... How useless and pathetic some of the others might be, they're giving it their all; how lacking their potential may be, they'll likely make loyal and vigorous fodder and footsoldiers. His attitude... It's insulting to those who wish to become true knights.' Victoria remarked, looking back towards him and gritting her teeth. She neared the same tree root where Ashley tripped upon and simply leapt to avoid it, having memorized where it was.

'And that other one... Can't even remember his name. The one from earlier. Is it impulsivity or stupidity that drives him? No matter, his physical limitations will catch up to him in no time. Unless... His shift in behavior is something to note. People can be surprising in unusual ways...' She thought. The recruits saw the last remaining runners and started to pick favorites. "Hmm... There's more people than usual. Usually only Victoria and Liam are the ones left..." "Even Ashley would have stopped by now..." "Don't know who to root for, Victoria will probably outlast them anyway..." "Maybe Liam can finish the final lap in the first place instead of her this time. I'd rather have him over her..." Another recruit remarked. The conversation grew and grew among the recruits.

"Why him? He's just quiet and hangs near her all the time." One more recruit answered. "That's what makes him cool! And it helps that he's one of the tallest and strongest out of all of us..." "Tall and quiet, that's just Metas too. Why don't you just choose him?" The conversation was progressing and growing amongst the recruits. "Because you know... Because its him! Who would root for him!" The recruit fired back. "Go brother! You can do it!" Sethan exclaimed. "Well... Of course, he's going to root for his brother." The recruit remarked in response.

Asralyn looked at Metas, and saw him in a newer light. "Brother... He's keeping up with the rest of them. I knew he was holding back but..." She thought to herself. She looked towards the other recruits who were disparaging her brother, and was somewhat ashamed of being siblings with someone who would cause her and Sethan to become outcasts among the recruits. And so she was afraid to cheer her brother on at first, but then... "Brother. Go brother! Go! You can do it! Come on!" She cheered.

Near the trees, Darius walked into the shade towards Siegmund who was still watching over the unconscious recruit. "Hmph. If the recruits have time to bicker and chatter amongst themselves, they should be preparing and doing their next training instead. But... something interesting is happening... There's more recruits here than usual." Darius remarked. "Really?" Siegmund asked. "Usually, only Victoria and Liam are left. Metas I knew could be capable, but he's not shown it. And the other one... They could grow to be hardy warriors on the battlefield with enough training..." Darius remarked. "These children can all grow to be the ones who'll serve and protect the kingdom." Said Siegmund. 'And crush our enemies...' Thought Darius. "Well, I suppose I can let this slide for today. But too many leniences in one day can make them used to peacefulness and complacency. Not unlike our knights during peacetime..." He remarked. "Well, that's plenty leniency coming from you." Said Siegmund.

As the last lap approached, the cheering of the recruits intensified. "Come on Ash, I'm still rooting for you!" "Me too! You can go past these other losers!" Victoria sported a sharp glare towards the recruit, who retreated in response. "Go Victoria, I bet my dinner on you, don't go behind now!" "Liam, don't let Victoria win!" "Ash, I still believe in you!" "Come on, Ash!" But one recruit cheered on the one who was the last in the pack, and the one believed in the least by the other recruits. "Endro, come on. You... You can do it!" Lert cried out. The voices of the recruits reached the ones remaning running in different ways.

"Tsk." Endro remarked. 'I... can do it? I don't need nonsense like that because... I'm still behind. It doesn't matter if I can, its either I will... Or I won't! I... need to. I just need to!' He thought, as he continued to push himself harder. "Come on brother!" "You can do it brother!" Sethan and Asralyn exclaimed. "Hmph." Metas exclaimed, with the smallest of smirks on his face. 'Well, it is nice to be cheered for by them because of this... But I've now opened and gone down a path I can never go back from... Obligations where there weren't before. Siegmund will probably be pleased because of this... This brings trouble but, I'll have to see this one through for now...' Metas thought.

"When I first saw you bring Metas and the other two, I was baffled. You used your high ranking to force these three through the selection process; and they weren't the children of nobles, though those are usually immediately knighted in title only, and sent away somewhere away from the fighting. And those selected by us knights, are the ones who showed particular ability. And aside from one incident... Well, I only thought you brought three problem children from some filthy nook in the slums somewhere because you took pity on them. But..." Darius remarked. "I told you, they have promise." Said Siegmund. "Well, if he shows more, maybe the other two have potential in them... But, this part of training is coming to a close and the result on who will be the victor between them all." Darius exclaimed.

Ashley mentally counted with her fingers on the number of laps remaining. 'This... should be the last one... I've never made it this far... And usually I'll be too tired to move right now. It seems like I've gotten a burst of energy like never before... No doubt I'll feel this later, and I'll probably be tired for the next parts of training but... Right now all I want is to move forward... To catch up to her, to show her that you can be strong without pushing everybody else away!' She thought.

Liam was the one leading, with Victoria appearing to be slightly behind beside him. Though he did not appear to be struggling or running to compete, simply going forward at his own pace to the point of seeming like an outsider due to the calm he displayed in carrying himself. 'The others are cheering, some for me... Some for the others. There's quite a few of us today. They're trying harder... Good for them though Victoria will probably outlast them and become first to finish. Or she'll allow me to be the one who leads. Not sure what she's thinking all the time. Though, it doesn't concern me.' Thought Liam.

Victoria looked towards him and then back towards the others. 'Heh, the last lap is about to be finished. But the others are still standing. Liam will likely be ahead of them, and I can choose to be ahead of him, but he's not interested in winning either way. Shame. Natural talent and ability is nothing without the proper drive and ambition to fuel that flame... And him. That troublemaker from earlier. Does he think he can just all of a sudden butt in into the top with us? Being here is not just something one does, it is something that one struggles through, endures through. And his actions earlier today tell that it is not something that he deserves, to be at the top. I won't let him. Not that he could beat me, but still... And that Metas, he should have taken this chance earlier... Not just hiding away in the corner tending to his lesser siblings. The fact that he is being spurned by the others should not deter him from him rising up rather, he should become powerful enough so that he can instill fear and compliance from those around him...' Victoria started to pick up speed.

"Hmm? Shouldn't it be over?" One of the other recruits remarked. "Is there still another lap? I remember Sir Darius saying that there were only..." "Victoria's still going? Is she confused or something?" "She's never confused, there has to be a reason..." Victoria smirked as she used her acute senses to ascertain the growing confusion. 'I've started the challenge, now that's left for them to do is to accept it or be gullible enough to follow after me...' She thought. Liam did not stop and kept going. 'Good, he's not backing down. Now for the others to follow suit.' Victoria remarked to herself. Metas in third place, slowed down slightly as he saw Ashley speeding up towards him with a concerned expression. "She's not slowing down, it should be over already." She remarked towards him. "Yeah. It looks like she's looking to wear us down. But we don't have to accept her challenge, we've reached what was instructed of us." Metas replied.

"But giving up after she challenged us... I want to overtake her and stick it to her." Ashley said, determined. "Hmph, if you're that confident you must still have a lot of energy to keep going." Metas answered. "Yeah! But, if we... want a better chance of beating her, we... better keep going together." Ashley exclaimed, pausing with breaths in between. 'I... don't think I can keep on going for a few more laps... Even if its not me, somebody except Liam needs to beat her. For her sake...' Ashley thought to herself. "Haah... Hah... What now... I... need to keep going..." Endro remarked, as he slowed down.

"He's out! Four left, there's only four left!" "Come on Ashley, I'm still rooting for you!" "Go Liam, show these losers who's the best!" "Go brother, you can do it!" "Victoria don't let them win!" The other recruits cheered loudly. 'No, I'm... not done! I can still...' Endro thought tiredly, looking around to see that the recruits had written him off and were no longer paying attention to him. 'They all think I'm done... I...' He looked all around, but he only saw one cheering for him. 'Lert. I.. can't go on. I... I'm still too weak. I... need to get stronger.' Endro remarked as he fell to his knees in exhaustion. "Well, valiant effort for what its worth. But... what of your pupil extending the training without your permission..." Siegmund remarked, watching nearby.

"The boy has potential yet... We only have to stoke the fires of his yearning and his flame will grow still..." Darius said, looking towards Endro who had his hand outstretched towards the recruits still running. "As for Victoria, I'll have to reprimand her later. Now... I have to commend her ambition, she's fond of testing the other recruits. Though I'm not opposed to that." Darius remarked.

'Maybe I'll give it two or three more laps before I stop. Can't keep this up forever. Not tired, but... I may not overwhelmingly crush the others in the next parts of training like I usually do if I keep this up too long. And besides... One down and two to go.' Victoria thought as she looked towards Ashley and Metas. 'Hmph, she's getting tired...' Metas remarked to himself. "It feels like... we can actually catch up to her!" Ashley exclaimed. "But it seems like she might be conserving her energy for the next parts of training. If we aren't careful, we'll be too tired for the next parts of training as well." Metas exclaimed. "We can use that to our advantage! If she's not going to give it her all... Then just this once, we can use that to beat her!" Ashley answered.

'But its not like she can't speed up and overtake us if we suddenly rush past her, nor can we keep up running full speed so much so that we'll be too tired in no time and she can catch up. But she is expecting us to give up soon, and is underestimating us. So how...' Metas thought. He turned towards Ashley. "If... its a matter of endurance, she'll definitely get the better of us. Even if we go past her, it won't be long before she catches up." He remarked. "So... what do we do?" She answered, feeling slightly hopeless. "But she is still underestimating us... So I have a plan. It depends on what happens next, and what our instructors will do but if it works, we'll be able to 'beat' her, in a way." Said Metas.

Victoria turned and saw Metas and Ashley whispering to each other. 'Hmph. Gossiping to each other in the middle of training. They truly have no focus or respect. And now that they're doing that, must mean that they've given up as well. Tsk, tsk, tsk.' She thought as she ran. "Ahem! Recruits, for the sake of not taking too long... This training ends when the recruits still running... Reach this point!" Darius exclaimed, sticking a wooden spear into the ground from the supplies brought earlier. He then stuck walked a short distance parallel and stuck another into the ground, and then tied a loose rope around both spears and connected the gap between them. The tie was so loose, that it could be blown away by a gust of wind. The distance of the finish line and where the recruits were, was currently half a lap.

"Sir Darius placed a finish line!" "Oh, its going to be over soon!" "Finally, its been taking too long..." "Come on Liam, its only a short distance away, you can go past Victoria!" "The finish line is close, I don't think Ashley can catch up anymore..." "You guys can still do it! Whoever it is, you can still beat Victoria!" "I'm so excited to see the winner!" "Anything that gives us a break from training is good for me..." The recruits remarked among themselves as the conclusion of the contest drew near.

'It's been a while since Sir Darius forced us to stop because we were taking too long. Mostly because they didn't bother to go past what was instructed, or because I always beat everybody else... Well then, I better do the same here. Not that the competition is particularly fierce... Though certainly Sir Darius will be cross with me for taking up this much time, I'll have to apologize. But that's a concern for later. Now... Its time for me to win again.' Victoria thought, confidently. Metas and Ashley's covert discussion ended as they drew nearer and nearer to the finish line. Ashley let out loud gasps of air as she slowed down, panting and out of breath. Metas did so as well, showing signs of exhaustion as he slowed to a halt. "Ashley's tired, she's done!" "No, come on guys, you can keep going!" Some of the recruits cried out.

"Brother..." Sethan remarked. He then looked at Asralyn who was transfixed, still silently hoping that her brother could make it through. 'Heh, looks like they've ran out of steam...' Victoria looked behind her and she saw Liam who stopped running, though not out of exhaustion. He turned towards Darius and the 'finish line' that he set up, and then towards Metas and Ashley, then towards the remaining recruits. "Come on Liam!" "Why did he stop?" "And now it's done..." "Go, go!" The recruits exclaimed in frustration. 'And he's given up too. Does he not want a repeat of what happened earlier? Well, no matter. Its just time for me to claim my rightful place at the top.' Victoria thought gleefuly as she slowed her pace. She faced forward and went towards the finish line, and the loud cries of the other recruits, desperate for the others to go on, began to die down. As Ashley and Metas saw Liam walking back towards the other recruits, the former looked towards Metas and nodded.

But as he prepared to break into a sprint, he saw that Ashley still had her hands on her knees and was actually visibly exhausted. "Go. I... can't go any further. Go!" Ashley said, frustrated by her powerlessness but wanting him to continue forward. Metas nodded, turned forward and then bolted. Facing forward, Victoria basked in her own thoughts and in self-satisfaction as the goal drew closer towards her. 'How desperate are their pleas for the others to continue. For any of them to even attempt to beat me. Cheering those who have already given up, in vain.' She exclaimed to herself. "Hmm?" Liam remarked, as Metas breezed past him.

Victoria neared the goal, but was distracted by her own self-indulgent thoughts that she did not think to look back. 'Ah, their cries of desperation are sweet. To know how much they desire someone to go past me, but for no one to be able to do so. It's great! Truly delightful. But they should save their breaths for the next part of training, not keep uselessly shouting like poor peasantry at the market or wild animals. Really, they should be getting quiet now-' She thought, feeling annoyed as she turned her head around to see Metas run past her. Her gaze followed him as he sped forward, and she was in such disbelief that she was momentarily stunned.

"You!" Victoria exclaimed as she ran full speed, Metas having a slight lead on her. "Come on Metas!" "Go, man. Beat her!" "Come on!" "You're so close, beat her!" "Victoria! Put him away!" "Yeah, don't let him win!" Many recruits had been loudly cheering Metas on as Victoria was not paying attention. "Go, brother!" Sethan cheered. "Brother..." Asralyn remarked, her eyes sparkling with hope. 'I wanted to do it myself, but I can't. So... Somebody needs to. For her sake...' Ashley thought. "You can do it Metas! You can beat her!" She exclaimed.

Metas only had a moment's lead on Victoria who rapidly caught up towards him, but the finish line might just be close enough for her to not be able to. "Hmph..." Metas exclaimed, as his breath seeped through his closed mouth. He gritted his teeth as he put all of his strength, and his energy not only into his legs, but into his entire body as he pushed himself forward. The finish line was only a few meters away, and both competitors instinctively outstretched their hands towards it. Being larger and taller, Metas' reach was longer than Victoria's.

"Huff..." Victoria also exerted herself greatly, pushing herself harder than she ever did earlier. The recruits became greatly raucous as they inched near the finish line, their cheers growing louder and louder as anticipation for who would win rose. As victory was in arm's reach, both competitors stomped hard on the ground at once. Winning would be decided with one last stride, and both thought it would be wise to leap forward to go the distance quicker. As Metas and Victoria jumped forward together, she turned towards him.

Metas noticed, and Victoria grinned as she looked him in the eye. She then threw her hands behind her back and plumes of flame erupted from them. One moment their gazes met, the next moment, Metas could only see a trail of flame. He turned forward to see the rope flying in the wind, Victoria having blasted herself forward past the finish line. The loud boom and bright flash of her flame, rendered all of the recruits silent as Victoria stood victorious. "You're good. Really good. And that was a good attempt, but... You lack something a little more..." She said, as she sparked a small flame in front of him. "Well, that's finished." said Darius. Siegmund was silent as he observed Metas.

Metas' expression was muted. He didn't appear to show sadness or anger, and he merely walked away calmly. "Well then, time for the next part of training! Hope you didn't get too used to resting!" Victoria exclaimed towards the other recruits. "Yeah!" "We knew you would win!" "You showed him!" The silence was broken by the recruits now cheering for Victoria. Endro had walked back up to the recruits, joining into the many, and he assimilated back into them without only one paying him any notice. "Good job. Hey, you were close!" Lert said to him. "Hmph, I was far from ever being close. And even if I was... That, would have happened to me. And my flame's worth squat other than for scaring people or going out of control." Endro said, clenching his fist.

"But you made it farther past me! And everyone else! A little more, and you could have done it! And your flame, you can still train to make it better. You can beat her and be a great knight, all it takes is-" "I said I wasn't close! I can't! I never will! Leave me alone, will you!" Endro exclaimed, grabbing the scuff of Lert's shirt. "Or what?" said Lert. "Just... go away." Endro said as he pushed Lert away and walked off. Lert stood his ground but felt saddened as he watched Endro walk away.

Metas walked to Sethan and Asralyn who were watching from a distance. "Well, I tried, but..." He remarked dismissively, as he dusted his pants off. "You were..." "Yeah, you were..." "Unbelievable!" "Awesome!" Metas was surprised by his siblings' expression. "Hmm?" He remarked. "It... was nothing." Said Metas. "Nothing? I knew you were strong and fast but I didn't know you were one of the best runners in the recruits!" Sethan exclaimed. "I thought you got tired as fast as us, but now I know that you can go for so much more!" said Asralyn. "If you can do that, you'll be a great knight for sure! And if you can do it... Maybe we can!" said Sethan. "Too bad you don't have a flame. If you had it, you could be one of the best here!" Asralyn exclaimed.

"That's reaching too much. All I did was run a little faster than you guys..." Metas said, as he scratched the back of his head. "No, you were incredible." Ashley said, standing behind Metas. He turned around. "You... did what most of us couldn't do for a very long time. You almost beat her. That's... Something to be proud of." Ashley said, reassuringly. "I... guess so." Said Metas.