Chronicles of the Blackblade 08
Chapter 8 – Induction
The three girls arrived in the courtyard smiling happily, they had caught up with Mara and Rose had playfully shown the girl what she thought of her idea. The courtyard was still partially empty, newer students were arriving in dribs and drabs, some singularly, others in groups of one or two people.
Many of the trainers and tutors had already arrived; they stood waiting; gossiping to each other, some mixing with the students, others keeping to themselves.
The day was nice; the early morning breeze brought smells from the town, and the morning sun warmed those beneath it.
Zela looked around, a few of the faces she recognized from yesterdays race, and from the evening meal in the hall
“Ahhhh!” Mara suddenly shrieked; causing Rose and Zela to jump at the unexpected outburst, they turned to see her waving her hand around, madly pointing in the general direction of a young girl approaching, “Who’s that?” asked Zela; just as Mara’s hand closed around her wrist, Zela was nearly pulled off her feet as Mara started running towards the unknown girl, and Zela had to struggle to keep her footing at the sudden bout of movement; leaving Rose standing there confused as to what’s going on.
“That’s Cindy, she’s the girl who healed me after the big warrior caught me after that wind spell, she’s soooo cool, she’s really tall – I mean really really tall, she’s like twice as big as me and I had to look up just to see her face, and she’s the one who healed me, and oh my gosh shes soo cool cmon!” Mara gushed as she ran full speed towards her, all the while Zela struggled to keep her self from falling over, and to keep her arm attached to her shoulder.
“Hi there Cindy, thisismyfriendZela, she’s really cool and she knows magic and-“ Mara gushed again but Zela interrupted her. “Hi there, I’m Zelana Argala, one of Mara’s -” she looked at the small girl happily fidgeting next to her, “ - friends” “Pleased to meet you Zelana, I’m Synti Lumimantteli.”
Zela took a moment to regard the girl, she was rather tall for her age; her long reddish hair accentuated her almond shaped brown eyes. Her facial features marked her as a foreigner to these lands. She wore an old monk robe’s that revealed parts of her lower legs, obviously they were made for someone younger or shorter then herself, but the condition of the robes lead Zela to believe that the craftsman’s who made them was skilled.
“See! See! I told you Cindy’s really tall, and her hairs really long an-“ Mara began “Lumimantteli you said? I think I’ve heard that name somewhere before…” Zela pondered out loud; while absently massaging her shoulder, “Possibly, It’s quite a large clan, many tribes of people were joined to create it.” Synti replied; her voice dropping in volume as she turned her head to the side, she obviously didn’t want to talk about herself, so Zela decided to let the subject drop. “Ahh well, its not importan-“ Zela began, “Oh look!!” interrupted Mara, “That’s her! That’s the girl over there!” she rapidly grabbed Zela’s wrist, and again took off at high speed towards the three approaching people, leaving Synti standing there wondering what exactly just happened, and Zela again fighting to keep her arm connected to her shoulder.
As they arrived in front of the three people, Mara suddenly stopped; causing Zela to stumble in front of her while she regained her balance; the three stood looking at her.
The first on the left was male; he stood fairly tall and quite burly, a mean look about him gave the impression of someone not to be taken lightly, but the smile his face currently held spoke of a softer, kinder side. He wore a simple brown tunic and brown leggings.
The first on the right was female, she stood at medium height; and was slightly toned. Her shoulder brown hair was pulled back behind her in a pony tail, the tones on her face were currently set into a broad grin at the scene in front of her. She wore a pair of leather boots, a medium length pair of leggings and a short-sleeved v-neck top.
The middle was female, shorter then the other two she appeared to be the common link between the three; her mouth was set in a half laugh at something that had just passed between them, her long waist length brown hair was let loose behind her, the wind gently making it sway from side to side, her face had a look of maturity about it, while still looking young and cute. She wore robes that marked her as a priest - cream with a brown collar, cuff’s and hem.
“Hi there” Zela began with a slight wave, “Um, sorry to bother you but Mara here seems to know you.” Dawn took a moment to regard the small girl, then replied. “No; I don’t believe I do, but I do know you. How are you feeling?” “Oh? Yes I’m fine, thank you for asking.” “Yeah, that was a real nasty stunt you pulled there.” Gonzo said, grinning at her “Oh, and Dawn here is the one that healed you before they took you to the infirmary.” “Oh really? Thank you for your help then” “That’s not necessary, I’m always happy to help those in need.” Dawn replied “I haven’t introduced myself yet, I’m Zelana Argala and the midget hiding behind me is Mara.” “Hello.” Mara gave a brief wave while still standing behind Zela. “I’m Dawn Celesta, A pleasure to meet you.” “Gonzo Salvato, welcome to Kyndale” “I’m Minus Lockheart” “Students!” a voice yelled above the general conversation going on around the courtyard, “Can you all gather around and give me your full attention.”
Zela and Mara waved goodbye to Dawn, Gonzo and Minus and quickly attempted to find Rose within the rapidly thickening mob.
The hour that followed consisted of the students getting told what would be required of them for the first few months, they were split into groups; with each group getting the same assortment of tasks assigned to them. Each group were assigned a senior student or teacher to be their leader – or at least pretend to, until the numbers were cut down to a more manageable size.
Zela took note that each group seemed to follow a grouping code; in that there were a broad range of bodily builds.
As each group were lead away by their respective “leaders”, Zela’s feeling of doom that had began while being told about their so called “duties”; grew to a respectable size when Mara was added to her group, and now - as it finally set in; she realized it.
Zela absently mumbled to herself “What’s the best way to get slaves, in a country that does not accept slavery?” she already knew the answer as her group entered the keep.
“We WHAT!” Rose exploded, threatening to take the man’s head off solely with the power of her voice.
Other members of her group stood around watching the scene unfold, some knew it was coming already, others who had no idea about it but still didn’t seem to mind – seeing it as part of the process, and other’s looking just as mad – just not as verbal as Rose was.
“Why should we do all of that! Didn’t we all come here to learn the skills required to become adventurers? Why should we have to clean floor’s and serve in the kitchen! That’s what peasants, maids and cooks are for!” Rose yelled.
The man in front of her stood there; quietly listening, with the look of someone who’s heard it all before and more. “How do you expect to become a adventurer when you can’t even do these simple jobs? Maybe we should take one of these – Peasants – and train them instead.” The man answered carefully, “Hrmph” Rose grumbled, turning away from the man, “This is nothing but slave labour.” “I agree” the man stated; at which Rose turned and looked at him again, “But I don’t make the rules. Apparently this kind of training is popular and good for building stamina - which most of the students this year seem to lack..” “So its only until we’re ready to proceed with the proper training then?” Rose asked “You could put it that way. Until you’ve proven you have what it takes to be an adventurer; and that you’ve got a talent to one.” “And if we haven’t?” The man shrugged before he set about getting everyone to introduce themselves.
---
Zela’s group leader was a previous student; he had already been at the academy for four years, a Mesmer by trade.
His current fashion included a pair of green trousers and deep green shirt, his hair neatly kept, Zela had already pinned him as a lazy, overconfident fool who loved the sound of his own voice.
She looked around the room while he rattled on, noticing the group that she was with; the majority being female, a few were paying attention; others seemed bored of the whole process; Mara was restless, she sat fidgeting in her chair. She wondered just how many of the people here would be fully accepted and trained up, just how many would drop out and return home in shame. For her, she didn’t have a choice, there was no rapid return home if things turned bad, the only way back to her home town would be under her own power, and she would be no exception to the rule.
She snapped out of her thinking as the group stood, seemed like the induction was over and it was time to start…
Whatever it was she was starting.
