Recruitment. (XXX)
Chapter XXX
Recruitment. (XXX) "Nuu dun go Tevrian! They ares bads..." Korvi whined out to Tevrian, teary eyed. Tevrian sighed, looking to Korvi but doesn't respond to her. "Are you certain about this Tevrian? It's no light thing and a full commitment at that..." Laurick said with a firm tone yet with a sad expression as he looked directly into his son's eyes, his son whom was no longer a boy, but a young adult at the age of sixteen. "Yes father, I know. Please take care of Korvi while I am gone." A small pack was resting by Tevrian's feet, supplies to last him until Taelna. Korvi sniffled. Why wouldn't he answer her? She didn't know... it was making her very sad inside. Tevrian shifted around a little, feeling uneasy for a moment... ~Why is it as of late that I have been feeling Korvi's sorrow as if it were my own? Grah, I best say bye to my dragon...~ He thought as he looked to her. "I promise I'll be back soon to spend lots of time with you, okay Korvi? You be a good girl for father." Kneeling down, Tevrian wrapped his arms around Korvi's neck, hugging her tight before standing up to hug his father. "Azuren guide you my son, we will await your return. Be safe." Letting go of his dad, Tevrian picked up his bag. "Also, here." Laurick spoke as he handed Tevrian a small pouch that contained ten silver coins. Smiling, Tevrian nodded and turned to depart. "Farewell, Father, Korvi." And with that he was off without another word. *** The journey to Taelna has only taken Tevrian five dawns, only exceeding such time because he needed to eat, sleep and rest, but by the fifth dawn, the walls of Taelna were before him. Merchants and traders entered and excited the gates, the guards watching like hawks. "Uh, excuse me, would you happen to know where in the city is the recruitment for the Valblades?" Tevrian asked to a guard at the gate. The guard looked him over lazily before responding, "Ah, ye be wantin' ta talk to Jarshal lad, he's the High-Commander, but wot are ya seekin em 'elite' soldiers for?" The guard rolled his eyes while saying elite in a sarcastic mocked tone. "I wish to join them." Tevrian stated obviously. With an annoyed scowl the guard spoke hastely. "Just go North-East to the barracks, big buildin', ya can't miss it. Now move along kid." Giving the soldier a nod, Tevrian continued through the gate. As he walked, he couldn't help but rub at his left arm. It felt ichy and tingly as undernethe was the marking Korvi gave him by accident two years ago. Over those two years, the scar started to fill a color of cyan blue, making his old wound seem more like a flesh tattoo of art, a clawed symboled marking. Despite also being far from Dela, Tevrian felt a lingering sadness that wasn't just his. It dawned upon him not long ago that he and Korvi were... bonded and bound in some way now. ~The price for owning a dragon I suppose. ~ He thought with a shrug as he walked.
"Next." The line moved up slowly. Tevrian examined the people ahead of him while waiting in line. There were two others ahead of him. The wait brought an exciting anxious thrill to Tevrian, as here he was, in the recruitment line! It was only a matter of short time before he was at the front. "Name." Jarshal asked in statement without looking up from the parchment. "Tevrian, sir, age sixteen cycles, from Dela!" Tevrian couldn't hold back his excitement any longer, having answered the three formal questions in one say, knowing them by hearing from those who were infront before him. Stopping his writing, Jarshal looked up to Tevrian, almost in disbelief. "What are you doing here..?" He tries to ask casual and formal despite the surprisement shown. "I'm here to join the Valblades!" Tevrian spoke with well known excitement in his voice. Standing up suddenly, Jarshal looked at the nearest Valblade soldier who was idly talking to a small group, before commanding at him, "Zal, take position here for me with recruitment while I deal with this one here." The soldier blinked in surprised before asking while pointing to himself, "M..me..?" Scowling annoyed, Jarshal nodded. "Yes, You." Zal then nodded and saluted, stepping forward towards the recruitment table. "Come with me." Jarshal spoke lowly to Tevrian. Nodding, Tevrian stepped out of the line to follow. They didn't go too far as Jarshal's presence was mandatory here, but enough of a distance to speak quietly and privately. "You... your that boy that got Korvia in Seleran eight cycles ago, are you not?" Tevrian nodded his head, looking directly to Jarshal. "Yes sir, that was me." Memories flashed through Jarshal's mind of the dawn he agreed to sell Korvi for seven silver in Dela to Laurick, and here now was the boy that got to own her... wishing to join the force he led. To be part of the damned curse. Tevrian has certainly grown and aged since Jarshal last saw him as a boy; while he himself looked exactly the same, never to age. ~Has it truly been eight cycles already..?~ He thought while overlooking Tevrian. "May I ask, how is s he doing? Has she grown? Is she eating proper?" Tevrian blinked a bit surprised, having not expected to be questioned about Korvi, though answers nevertheless; "Yes she has grown much in size, and I have had to spend good time hunting to feed her so I believe she is eating well." He pauses a moment before asking, "So, do I get to be a Valblade soldier recruit now?" Jarshal bit his lip, trying to think of a way to voice his thoughts... He couldn't let Tevrian join, as Tevrian didn't know the full truth about the Valblades like he knew. They weren't glorious heroes as the stories claimed... Little to none knew the real truth. "Tevrian, listen... The Valblades are not as great as you think. Go home, live easy and at peace. Spend some time with Korvi, you have and own a dra--" "Hail, commander! What is going on here?" Carshan spoke while approaching, wearing his armor while carrying his helmet to his side. Both Jarshal and Tevrian turned to look at Carshan, curiousity and awe filled Tevrian as he noticed the gold left eye. "I just wanted to join the Valblades... But it seems I am not able to." Tevrian spoke with a low, sullen tone. "Oh? And why is that?" Carshan asked while looking to Jarshal. "Because I said so. He's sixteen cycles which I don't approve old enough, nor do I wish to train him as a recruit." Laughing, Carshan retorted, "Too young?! Hahaha that's a good one, coming from you, whom was recruited being on his tenth cycle! Not wishing to train him hrm? Well, seeing how I got so blasted little to do, I think that I MYSELF will recruit and train him!" Jarshal tensed, his expression angered as he glared hard at Carshan, remarking bitterly, "I do not think that is wise..." Carshan smirked, as he seemed to enjoy Jarshal's angered expression, speaking casual and sly, "Why not? You DO know that I have power and say in recruiting, and I don't see much wrong with this one; he's fit and willing, aye?" Tevrian didn't respond right away after being addressed as Carshan turned his attention to him. He has been silent as the two Valblade leaders disputed, not realizing right away that he was being pulled into it. Looking between Jarshal and Carshan, it dawned upon him that he will be picking sides... He could go home as Jarshal advised, or to join with Carshan and become a Valblade... But, if he turned back now, then his whole venture here would have been for nothing. "Yeah, I am." Carshan nodded and smirked. "Then that settles it, I personally will take him in recruitment." Jarshal gritted his teeth, wanting to outburst against Carshan, but he couldn't, as Carshan was right; as a Legate in rank, he did have equal say in recruiting others, despite his own disapproval. "Fine, he's all yours." Jarshal spoke in a low tone. "Neruza take you, Carshan..." He mumbled lowly as he walked past Carshan. Ignoring Jarshal's words, Carshan moved to Tevrian, before giving him a pat on the back. "Well, now with that over, I formally welcome you as a Valblade recruit!" It was all so much for Tevrian, as finally he is part of the Valblades! Looking up to Carshan, he met gazes with the gold eye and normal eye, suddenly asking; "Were you...born with that eye?" Chuckling lightly, Carshan shook his head. "Nay. I've... earned it by killing a powerful noble blooded dragon, and its blood got in my eye when I slain the monsterous bitch. Now, come along recruit, it's time we started your training..."