The Templar Outcast
#1 of The Templar Outcast
Headaches, always seem to come at the worse time, not to mention heat stroke, by god's very name I hate being a squirrel. My grey and white fur too thick to cool me at all in these thick white robes, with a red cross on the front. But then again if I were to open my mouth I'd just get hit , this is of course a test and you must stay silent.
I currently sit in a room, not very big mind you, packed with young furs, bent over desks and writing on papers, looking down at mine I sigh lightly, not loud enough for the badger in the front wearing Black robes with the same red cross on the front. Looking over the test questions that I've already answered. What's the best way to deal with a vampire? Give details! I'd had to ask for three extra sheets of paper to answer all these questions, similar to this one only dealing with different entities every time. Mostly Ghouls, those are the big issue out here.
I look back up to the clock, which just now ticked past the twelve, finally noon, my paw shoots up and the badger's head cocks up, "Just leave Mister DeVinney", I pick up my test and head to the front of the room, getting glares from the others for being the star yet again, I couldn't help it, my father was the Head Templar, I had to impress him. It's harder for me then them, he expects more cause I'm to take his place when he passes, that's if I survive training. I'm a good study but when it comes to fighting I'm a bit clumsy. The styles and techniques the Templar's teach and use are too precise and fluent, I'm more of a make it up as you go along guy.
Setting my test on Templar Damien's desk I head out the room to see another much older brown and white squirrel standing there smiling, "Well now, that's my boy, figured you'd be out right at noon" I return the smile, " Hello father, I have become a bit predictable haven't I?" He nods, "Come now, I would like you to take lunch with me today" I blink and nod, he rarely asks anyone to have any meal with him and being his child is no exception. Nevertheless, I follow when he walks down the corridor.
We walk mostly in silence, heading down the arched stone corridor and turning into another. The compound was a large castle, set deep into a dark woods yet surrounded by a large field, neither of which I'd ever been in, I've only been out into the center courtyard to get outside and exercise. Heading down another corridor, getting smaller then heading up a staircase my eyes fall on my Father, he wore armor, over his armor the white sleeves robe with a red cross, his helmet fitted into a crown like feature to show his status , although his bushy brown tail swung up his back, his brown arms also free from his armor. I once wondered why he was of different species of squirrel then I and he had assured me that I took after my mother, whom I have never met. I didn't question him, he is my father, he is our leader, and he is very wise.
We soon reached a large oak door, he opens this easily with one paw and steps inside, moving himself over to his large chair behind a heavy looking oak desk and sitting down, gesturing to the chair in front of the desk which I sat at. Although large, the desk, chair, and door were all mostly plain, as was the templar way, you have what discerns your rank and nothing more. He sat for a moment before speaking, "You know some would say I hang myself proudly, to try and knock me from my rank by saying I'm a sinner. However they are not wrong in the fact that I have pride, they are wrong in what I've pride in", I sat silently, quiet amazed that he would admit that he's committed such a sin. "But may god forgive me I do have pride in you my boy", I opened my mouth and closed it, caught off guard at his open show of respect. "You are the top of your class, you are, although not perfect, one of the best warriors, and inventive in your own ways without being separated from the righteous path, you are an excellent apprentice and you show it everyday, the council is even talking on letting you take the Test of Passing early, have you heard talk of this?", I nodded, "Everyone seems to have heard of it, seems to be a surety" "It is, there is only one thing that worries me" "May I ask what that is Father?" "Yes you may, the one thing that worries me is you do not have your blade yet" "I'm still too young to own a real blade, but I've used plenty in training" "Ah yes I know you have but what you bring into the Test is only what you have not what you've trained with and because you are taking it so early you do not have a weapon or armor" I nodded to show I understood that, "But I've spoken on your behalf and it's decided that you may own one now and I've just the one", He stands and I do the same to show respect, he then walks to a sword rack, two swords lay on the rack, his current blade, a large two handed silver sword, silver to deal with the supernatural enemies that our branch of the Templar order deals with, and a smaller blade he used during his Test, this one he picked up and walked back to me and offered it up to me, "I've decided that I wish to pass my first blade down to you", I looked over the simple brown sheath, with the silver handle wrapped with brown leather at the end of it. I take the blade as it was offered, one paw gripping the sheath the other the blade's handle, my father drops his paws and sits back down however I hardly notice as I bring the blade closer and look it over, however with little to look at most of the amazement came from it being passed down from a great Templar such as him, he now wore a smile as he watched me.
"You may leave now, take the day to rest yourself, the final decision on your test is tomorrow and you should be at your best", I nodded to him, "Yes father, thank you so much", he nodded and looked towards some papers that sat at his desk before I took my leave. Heading back down the stairs case to the corridor, now very active as other furs padded by, most glancing at me, now carrying a blade at my side and being only sixteen and by tradition, not yet permitted to own my own however by special circumstance, having my Father's first blade firmly held in my paw. Heading down the corridor I take another turn, the black robes change to white as I enter the Apprentice's Quarters, this area was just many smaller corridors with small room on the sides of them, each door number to keep from confusion, I headed to number twenty-six, opening the door and stepping inside. My room contained a bed, with white sheets and pillow, a red blanket over that, a simple wooden desk with drawers, not sure what wood but it was not of the harden oak my father had, a chair made of the same, and a cross set apon the wall at the head of my bed. What I didn't have in there which I relieved I now had was a rack, set on the wall which must've been put in while I was away. Setting the sword on it, I realized it fit perfectly. "He must've been planning this" I spoke to myself before letting a small smile spread on my lips and looked out my window, sun still high, I'd never sleep now however laying down wouldn't hurt. Before hand however I got to my knees at the end of my bed, facing the cross, closing my eyes and clasping my paws together, "Oh lord, thanks for blessing me with my wonderful life, and guiding me through my many trails and I ask that you guide me through the many to come, Amen", After prayer I opened my eyes and stood, laying on the bed and looking at the ceiling. Closing my eyes again just thinking on the events of the day, falling asleep against my own will.