The Hammer's Forge
This seems like the place the two old men described in the last town, thought Kell as he looked up at the White Tower. He saw the guard at the gate notice him and decided that it was all or nothing now. If he wanted to stand a chance of survival he would have to prove himself or die trying. He shifted the Mighty Warhammer, that he had crafted himself back at his forge in Saldea, to a more comfortable spot across his back. The memory of seeing his forge burn to the ground brought fresh resolve to his will and he started toward the guard. He was still rather young but broadly built and loomed over the gate guard with ease. He had no doubt the guard was a capable fighter and hopefully one day, he thought, he would be even better. He greeted the guard, "My name is Kell Ayloud. I am a blacksmith from Saldea and I wish to be trained as a Warder. Shrugging, the guard motioned him inside and murmured under his breath as Kell walked by "Your Funeral, Youngster."
Richard saw the young man stride through the yards looking lost. It wasn't enough to distract him from the lesson he was giving on The Void, but in the void it was enough to catch his attention.
"And that his how you get yourself into the Void," he said, rising and releasing it. "This will be something that becomes automatic when you draw your sword, but for now, it will take some work. Start practicing."
Nodding to a Master Gaiden to watch the students he started toward the young man who had strayed close to the Training Yard and was eyeing the people sparring. Richard's greying red topknot bobbed a bit as he clossed in on the lad. They did seem to be wandering in quite a bit lately.
"You," he said, loudly enough to e heard, but not enough to be overly intimidating, "You seem a bit lost lad. Might I ask who you're looking for?"
At 6'5" Richard easily stood taller then the man, and with the deadly grace one had with being a Warder, it was easy to see the difference in the two men by the way they carried themselves alone.
Re: The Hammer's Forge
Kell heard the booming voice and saw the mountain of a man walking toward him with the stride of absolute confidence. At first, he didn't know what to say or what he had gotten himself into, but then he swallowed and said in the manliest voice he could muster, "I wish to be a Warder, Sir!" He awaited the giant's reply not knowing if he would be accepted or laughed at.
Re: The Hammer's Forge
Richard didn't smile, he didn't laugh, he didn't do anything to give the man a single reason to know anything. He motioned to the young man and started toward his office. It wasn't common for a man of this age to find his way here, but they needed every man they could get.
Motioning for him to close the door, he sat down in the heavily cushioned chair. He looked the young man ovre once more before he started his questions.
"What brings a man of your age here? I can tell by the way you carry yourself that you are a man and not some boy who has found his way to the Tower. You will lose alot of your pride in this training, but hopefully earn more."
Richard wasn't sure if this man could do it. He would have to swallow alot of his pride. Being beaten by men five years younger then you was always hard to swallow. Being treated like that was even harder.
Re: The Hammer's Forge
Kell wasn't afraid, but he had to admit to himself that he was a bit nervous. He felt like the time his master and adopted father entrusted him with his first job as a blacksmith. He wanted it to be perfect and like then he wanted to be perfect. "My name is Kell Ayloud, sir. I was a blacksmith in Saldea until i was doublecrossed by a wealthy merchant. He burned my forge and tried to kill me. Even now I run from them, but I can't run forever, sir. Eventually i'll have to make a stand. I have nothing else than what I wear. The fire claimed most of my possesions. All i have left are some of my tools and this warhammer. It was the last thing i crafted in that forge." Said Kell. His adopted father always told him that the truth was the best response to any question. So he stood before the man and tried his best to stand tall.
Re: The Hammer's Forge
Richard nodded and closed his eyes as he was thinking. He needed men but taking just anone was never the Warder's policy and he wasn't about to change that just because the Tower had fallen on hard times. It was hard to turn down a man though,but he had to make sure this guy wouldn't be the equivalant of hiering a mercenary.
"Well Kell," Richard finally said, snapping his eyes back open. "I have more then enough room in my training barracks for men who wish to train, but I don't have room in my ranks for men who aren't willing to do everything it takes to be a Warder. If it is simply protection you need, I can promise you that the White Tower will afford that to you, but unless you can convince me you're seriouse about being a Warder and upholding the traditions we hold here, I'm going to have to send you to the White Tower for protection. I'm sure you can hang around the training yard and pick up the few tips you need to survive."
Richard stood up. He knew this would be the true test. If the young man really wanted to be a Warder, he would object. If he just wanted to be safe and learn a few things about protecting himself, he would take Richard's advice and just go about his business.
Re: The Hammer's Forge
Kell moved to position himself by the door. "Sir! I DO become a Warder. I'm not asking for something free. I have no purpose in life anymore. I am a Blacksmith without a forge! I have no money. I have no possesions but this hammer and a few tools. I do not put my tail between my legs and run! I will become a Warder or...die trying." He said trying to remain calm. He looked to his warhammer and stated calmly, "This is all i am now and my road will either end or begin here."
The choice is made
Richard grinned a wolfish smile and then started toward the door. He hadn't seen that much blunt truth for a long time at the Tower. It was rather refreshing.
"Very well recruit. Get your gear to your room. You said you used to be a smith, so I don't think you'll have to worry about the sword sharpening class you missed the other day. I'll have you issued a sword and you will leave that hammer here. It will be returned to you after a point I deem it correct."
Richard opened the door and nodded to the young man.
"Don't take too much of the harshwords to heart," Richard offered before going stone faced, "Life here is never easy for a recruit."
RE: The choice is made
Kell held up his Warhammer and looked at it as if he would never see it again, but reluctantly set it on the instructor's desk. He turned to the instructor with new vigor and asked, "When do I start?"
To Arms!
Richard smiled inwardly at the young mans enthusiasm, but kept his expression stoned. He was now dealing with a recruit, not a lost blacksmith. He always had enjoyed this part of the job.
"Tomorrow morning with the sun rise. You will be given your room, a training blade, and a meal tonight. After that, is when you will understand why the Wader's are the best."
Richard couldn't bring himself to snap on the poor man yet, but he would soon enough. Tommorrow was the first day of forms, so it would be interesting to see how the recruits did. He'd already washed out five of this cycle and he could see half a dozen others who were almost ready to fold.
Only the best would stay.
(OoC: You can RP getting your room and such, meeting other recruits, etc. I'll be opening the official training thread when I'm not running off a night shift.)
Re: To Arms!
Kell followed the instructor's directions to the barracks, but took his time to admire the White Tower. He arrived at the barracks and was given his sword and a bunk. The sword was worthless at the very best. He had made better when he was ten years old. He sat down on his bunk and pulled out the few tools he had remaining. He managed to tighten the hilt a little and oil the scabbard so that it would slide out easily. He then began the long and tiring task of sharpening the dullest sword he had ever seen. three hours later and ten cuts he tought he had made enough improvements to the sword to make it presentable.
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