Before We March
Posted: Tue Dec 24, 2019 6:16 pm
38th of Searing. 116
Rain fell in a gentle shower. Turning the training ground into a muck of wet sand. The wooden dummy standing before the man in drenched clothing. He had been standing out there for some time. Training, working and preparing for the test that was coming up. The descent into the Caverns that would prove that he was a man. And solidify the claim that he was a warrior. Excitement, joy and fear all rolled into one as the man stood, spear in hand. Chest rising and falling slowly as he tried to steady his breath.
Somewhere behind him a voice called out, ”I’ll give you one thing, Prince. You have heart. It’s raining, we can go train inside. Plenty of other things to work on. No need to catch a cold.” The Soldier leaned against the wall. Hiding from the rain in the doorway of a building.
A sigh escaped Rien’s lips as he lowered his spear. Turning it so that the butt was resting on the ground as he turned to look at the man. ”Rain won’t stop me. I need to be my best. Even in the gross conditions. I need to help others and I won’t be able to do that if I let some water break me. Go in. I’ll finish when I believe I’m ready.” He called. Waiting for a few minutes before bringing himself back into stance.
Feet spread to give him more control over his body. Focusing on the center point of the dummy as he held the shield up. Crying out in a yell as he thrust forward. Head of the spear jabbing into the dummy. Sliding and cutting slightly into the wood. Pulling back and repeating the motion again and again. Each strike landing slightly off center. Causing damage to the dummy but not enough to be considered lethal. Frustration settled on his face as he pulled back and struck again. This time landing dead center. Pulling the spear along the side of the shield he waited. The point aiming at the dummy as he began to move. Eyes locked as the squelching sound of the sand joined the tapping pattern of the rain.
”Wearing yourself out will not do you any good.” The soldier called again. Just watching at this point with little instruction. Rien shook his head, water flinging in every direction, as he continued to move. ”Neither will sitting on my arse.” He lived in his brothers and fathers shadow. Sure many in the city knew him or at least knew of him. Sure, he was a decent fighter in his own right. But that wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted to prove himself to be every bit of the warrior that he believed he was.
A swipe followed by a quick jab with the spear. Tip glancing then stabbing into the wooden dummy before rushing forward with the shield raised. Slamming into the dummy as he tried to push forward. The stand pushing against the wet stand that tried to hold it in place. The crumbling terrain gave way as the dummy fell to the ground. Slamming with a thud and flinging wet sand off to the side. ”Besides, are you not supposed to be training me? Not hiding from some water.”
The older soldier looked at the young man and shook his head. "You are right, Sir Prince. I am suppose to be training you. However, you coming down with something will now only hurt your chances of surviving the march. It will all but guarantee your death. So come, join me inside and I will train you."
A sigh escaped Rien's lips as he walked over to the soldier. "Fine, Valis. Show me what you have planned." He said with a smile. A flash in his eyes as he walked up the stairs. Slipping into the building and walking down the halls. Valis followed behind. The sounds of their chainmail joining together in a metallic chorus. ”Battle isn’t all force. You knowing your weapon is important. However tactics and strategy are what win battles. You claim that you want to protect your people. But what are you going to do? Run in face first. You will just die.”
”You need to learn. To prepare and understand that things aren’t always straight forward. Shamblers do not care. Their numbers seem endless. They will continue to come and come.” Valis continued. Sitting at a table with a game board set out and ready. The soldier motioned for the young man to take a seat. ”Their numbers are endless. Do you understand?”
Rien nodded looking at the board. Not really understanding what was going on with the lesson. ”Of course. It’s basic tactics. You do not throw your soldiers into the brink of death. But you also can not let the enemy pour into your streets. What do you expect me to-” He said. Being cut off as Valis raised his hand. Motioning to the board. It was set up much like chess, but instead of being even on both sides. One side had another set of pieces. ”Black is our people. White is the enemy. You see they outnumber you. So what do you do?” He asked as he slowly moved the pieces on both sides.
Eventually ending up with a few black pieces remaining but the board being cleared of white. ”You understand battle. People will die. There is no perfect plan. Can you accept that?” Valis said. Looking deep into Rien’s eyes.
Rien looked down at the board before looking back at Valis. ”But” He began to say before being cut off again. ”You do not understand yet. This will be your downfall. There is no but’s to this. It is something you have to accept. People die. It is the cycle of life. Regardless of how much you prepare for it. Something will happen. You may save everyone in one battle. But you will not save everyone in war. That will be it for lessons today.” Valis said. Standing up and giving the Prince a small bow before leaving.
Rien sat in the chair watching the soldier leave before a sigh escaped his lips. Face resting in his hands as he sat there for a moment. Standing to his feet and walking away from the chair. Making his way to the center of the chamber. He sat down quietly, crossing his legs over one another and took in a deep breath. He had seen his brother do this from time to time. A way to relax, to focus. He wasn’t sure but it seemed to help his brother. So it could help him. Letting the breath escape slowly. Casualties happened.
He knew that it was impossible to prevent all of them. But was it so wrong to want to? Was it wrong to want to protect everyone? He was not looking to be a hero. He only wanted his people… All people to thrive in Kalzasi. A feeling of unease and guilt grasped at his stomach. He closed his eyes tightly again. Trying to pull in his focus and push away the others.
He was not the leader. He was not his father and he would never be. In his father’s line his brother was next. His brother was loved by all. His brother spent time and bonded with Riven. The blank expression from his face turning sour as he thought of the other man. Pushing away again, he opened his eyes. The feeling of unease tearing at his gut. The sounds of rain falling from outside the building walls. He pulled in. Pulling his knees up to his chest as he let out a deep breath. Unable to focus, unable to just go through the task of the march like those before him. Unsure as to what it was that was holding him back. This mental block that was tearing at his core. Rising to his feet again, he grabbed his spear. Raising it up to stare down the shaft of the weapon. It had its imperfections. Chips and splinters in the shaft, most of which had been sanded down.
Choking up on the shaft, he inspected the tip. It wasn’t a fancy weapon but it was effective. Spears were often used by the common fighter because of the cheap design. He had picked it up when he was young. Before he began his training, he would watch the Sky Guards as they worked. They were efficient and deadly. With little flair and dramatic effect to go with their style. Everything they did had a purpose.
Everything had a purpose. Everyone had a purpose and he was just trying to find his. Lost in a sea of royal blood and honorable people. He did not long for the throne, nor a seat within a council. He wanted nothing more then to be considered equal. To be considered a warrior among his people and a good man. Lowering his weapon to his side, wings fluttered behind him as he head out. Back into the rain to continue his, self imposed, training.
Somewhere behind him a voice called out, ”I’ll give you one thing, Prince. You have heart. It’s raining, we can go train inside. Plenty of other things to work on. No need to catch a cold.” The Soldier leaned against the wall. Hiding from the rain in the doorway of a building.
A sigh escaped Rien’s lips as he lowered his spear. Turning it so that the butt was resting on the ground as he turned to look at the man. ”Rain won’t stop me. I need to be my best. Even in the gross conditions. I need to help others and I won’t be able to do that if I let some water break me. Go in. I’ll finish when I believe I’m ready.” He called. Waiting for a few minutes before bringing himself back into stance.
Feet spread to give him more control over his body. Focusing on the center point of the dummy as he held the shield up. Crying out in a yell as he thrust forward. Head of the spear jabbing into the dummy. Sliding and cutting slightly into the wood. Pulling back and repeating the motion again and again. Each strike landing slightly off center. Causing damage to the dummy but not enough to be considered lethal. Frustration settled on his face as he pulled back and struck again. This time landing dead center. Pulling the spear along the side of the shield he waited. The point aiming at the dummy as he began to move. Eyes locked as the squelching sound of the sand joined the tapping pattern of the rain.
”Wearing yourself out will not do you any good.” The soldier called again. Just watching at this point with little instruction. Rien shook his head, water flinging in every direction, as he continued to move. ”Neither will sitting on my arse.” He lived in his brothers and fathers shadow. Sure many in the city knew him or at least knew of him. Sure, he was a decent fighter in his own right. But that wasn’t good enough for him. He wanted to prove himself to be every bit of the warrior that he believed he was.
A swipe followed by a quick jab with the spear. Tip glancing then stabbing into the wooden dummy before rushing forward with the shield raised. Slamming into the dummy as he tried to push forward. The stand pushing against the wet stand that tried to hold it in place. The crumbling terrain gave way as the dummy fell to the ground. Slamming with a thud and flinging wet sand off to the side. ”Besides, are you not supposed to be training me? Not hiding from some water.”
The older soldier looked at the young man and shook his head. "You are right, Sir Prince. I am suppose to be training you. However, you coming down with something will now only hurt your chances of surviving the march. It will all but guarantee your death. So come, join me inside and I will train you."
A sigh escaped Rien's lips as he walked over to the soldier. "Fine, Valis. Show me what you have planned." He said with a smile. A flash in his eyes as he walked up the stairs. Slipping into the building and walking down the halls. Valis followed behind. The sounds of their chainmail joining together in a metallic chorus. ”Battle isn’t all force. You knowing your weapon is important. However tactics and strategy are what win battles. You claim that you want to protect your people. But what are you going to do? Run in face first. You will just die.”
”You need to learn. To prepare and understand that things aren’t always straight forward. Shamblers do not care. Their numbers seem endless. They will continue to come and come.” Valis continued. Sitting at a table with a game board set out and ready. The soldier motioned for the young man to take a seat. ”Their numbers are endless. Do you understand?”
Rien nodded looking at the board. Not really understanding what was going on with the lesson. ”Of course. It’s basic tactics. You do not throw your soldiers into the brink of death. But you also can not let the enemy pour into your streets. What do you expect me to-” He said. Being cut off as Valis raised his hand. Motioning to the board. It was set up much like chess, but instead of being even on both sides. One side had another set of pieces. ”Black is our people. White is the enemy. You see they outnumber you. So what do you do?” He asked as he slowly moved the pieces on both sides.
Eventually ending up with a few black pieces remaining but the board being cleared of white. ”You understand battle. People will die. There is no perfect plan. Can you accept that?” Valis said. Looking deep into Rien’s eyes.
Rien looked down at the board before looking back at Valis. ”But” He began to say before being cut off again. ”You do not understand yet. This will be your downfall. There is no but’s to this. It is something you have to accept. People die. It is the cycle of life. Regardless of how much you prepare for it. Something will happen. You may save everyone in one battle. But you will not save everyone in war. That will be it for lessons today.” Valis said. Standing up and giving the Prince a small bow before leaving.
Rien sat in the chair watching the soldier leave before a sigh escaped his lips. Face resting in his hands as he sat there for a moment. Standing to his feet and walking away from the chair. Making his way to the center of the chamber. He sat down quietly, crossing his legs over one another and took in a deep breath. He had seen his brother do this from time to time. A way to relax, to focus. He wasn’t sure but it seemed to help his brother. So it could help him. Letting the breath escape slowly. Casualties happened.
He knew that it was impossible to prevent all of them. But was it so wrong to want to? Was it wrong to want to protect everyone? He was not looking to be a hero. He only wanted his people… All people to thrive in Kalzasi. A feeling of unease and guilt grasped at his stomach. He closed his eyes tightly again. Trying to pull in his focus and push away the others.
He was not the leader. He was not his father and he would never be. In his father’s line his brother was next. His brother was loved by all. His brother spent time and bonded with Riven. The blank expression from his face turning sour as he thought of the other man. Pushing away again, he opened his eyes. The feeling of unease tearing at his gut. The sounds of rain falling from outside the building walls. He pulled in. Pulling his knees up to his chest as he let out a deep breath. Unable to focus, unable to just go through the task of the march like those before him. Unsure as to what it was that was holding him back. This mental block that was tearing at his core. Rising to his feet again, he grabbed his spear. Raising it up to stare down the shaft of the weapon. It had its imperfections. Chips and splinters in the shaft, most of which had been sanded down.
Choking up on the shaft, he inspected the tip. It wasn’t a fancy weapon but it was effective. Spears were often used by the common fighter because of the cheap design. He had picked it up when he was young. Before he began his training, he would watch the Sky Guards as they worked. They were efficient and deadly. With little flair and dramatic effect to go with their style. Everything they did had a purpose.
Everything had a purpose. Everyone had a purpose and he was just trying to find his. Lost in a sea of royal blood and honorable people. He did not long for the throne, nor a seat within a council. He wanted nothing more then to be considered equal. To be considered a warrior among his people and a good man. Lowering his weapon to his side, wings fluttered behind him as he head out. Back into the rain to continue his, self imposed, training.
