by J Silverado
– Calm down. It's terrible what happened to those people, but we can not deviate from our mission. How will we know which group of demons kill them? Where seek? And if the horde is too big for us? – The group is silent again, pondering the words of Galaniel. – I know I sound biased, since we will rescue my wife, but my opinion would be the same if we were rescuing other. – Do not worry, Gala, we know this – Pelokir reaffirms the trust of the group to the leader.
– No one has ever come to the slot and got back to tell the story. If we can, we have achieved much more the enemy than eliminate a random bunch - Codaino complements. – Yeah, maybe so, those mindless of the High Council resolved to attack, rather than just defend – Rion complains, drinking another cup of wine.
After the outburst of the warriors, the voltage decreases and lighter matters are handled. Travel-weary and burial, they solve sleep early and due to what happened to the tavern, Galaniel solves institute double and no fire watch. Rion and Codaino take the first watch for in two hours be rendered by Galaniel and Hrothgar, getting last Relfer and Pelokir. – I hope we do not have more surprises – Codaino comments, while forcing his eyes peering into the night.
Castes
When they leave the arena and come in their quarters, the fatigue of the dispute dominates the entire group. Upon entering the bedroom, they realize that their eliminated companions, as well as their belongings are no longer there.
A certain malaise is in the air. – Where have they gone? – Inara questions. – Tregor, who had just entered, replies: – they are on the way to home. They will pass a time with their families and then return to try again. There is no reason to be upset, people. You made it! Enjoy the final moment. Tomorrow will be a very important day for you. So, rest a few hours and when the sun goes down, pack you and come to the party, after all you are the guests of honor, you will not want to be late.
With those words the group slightly improves the mood and each prepares to rest. Pelokir was already lying on his bed. – Do not be greasy, Pelokir. Go to sleep without showering after a fight? – Nirmiriel needles. – But I do not sweated a lot! I am pretty clean - answers Pelokir smiling. – Yuck – says Inara. – Okay, okay – he said getting up. With blogging, the group finally amazes sadness and after bathed, they all sleep a few hours, until the sun hides and Tregor enters the bedroom making noise and waking everyone. – Let's staff, you will fix that today all eyes will be on you.
Slowly, they get up, they mumble and feel achy afternoon effort. The women are already beginning to choose their best clothes, an endless combination of parts and props. For men, the choice is much easier, since the number of parts and combinations are much smaller, and the patience to choose them.
Just over an hour later, they all are ready and refer to the location of the party, led by their instructor. Upon arriving at the Great Hall, where the major events occur, they see that it was packed. After all, in times of war, this was practically the only event in which everyone could get distracted and forget some of the hardships of life.
The Great Hall, as its name implies, was huge and could fit easily over a thousand people, still with room for tables and chairs for a good part of the quota. Rectangular and with good high ceilings, over six feet, decorated with stained glass, runes and finely crafted heraldic designs, it was certainly a pleasure to admire its beauty.
On the north side, it is a stage with two stairs at their ends and, before it, separated by a few feet, two rows of chairs, together arm to arm, with ten seats in each, well crafted, with upholstered in black leather tacked on the back, arms and seat.
Behind every chair there were designs in low relief of the Citadel with the symbol of each variety surrounding the four corners. The trainees and their trainers had arrived and were waiting in an ante-room, whose door is left of the stage and when all invited authorities: the High Council; the four judges; Elvor; Mayor Kolpor and the Ancient Ank-Oq, were properly in place, the music, which was played by the small orchestra of the Citadel stopped and all fell silent and looked at the stage.
The acoustics of the hall was excellent and was prepared for what was said on stage would be heard in every corner of the place. The old man stood up and, turning to the center stage, began his speech: - the last two days were very difficult for a group of forty young people.
After much preparation, they faced many adversities and only half managed to overcome them all. - Raising the left arm toward the door of the anteroom, gave the signal for the groups to enter. As soon as the first member appeared at the door, the whole room began to applaud.
The red group entered, followed by the green, then the blue and finally the yellow. They sat in the row of chairs in the same order and when the last member sat, the old man raised his hands for silence and continued: – congratulations, my young! Today you complete a stage in their lives and a new presents. You will leave your homes and families to prepare to defend our people, you will undergo new trials and then... You will face the war.
Taking a break so that his words gain more weight and then he continues: – but you are not there yet. Today you are honored for all your hard work and dedication to be here and as proof of this achievement you will receive your first medal: a group medal! Use them with courage and honor! – The crowd repeats the old man – Courage and honor!
Then, the instructor of the red group signals to his pupils that stands up and walks to the stage, up the left stairs. When they are on stage, the members of the High Council rise and, taking the red sapphire medals, they place them on the members of the group, congratulating them.
The group turns to the crowd and all bow them in compliance, and cheered. Immediately thereafter, they descend the stairs right of returning to their seats. The same procedure is done by the green group, receiving medals of the judges. Then it is the turn of the blue group up the stairs: Pelokir, Inara, Meneol, Nirmiriel and finally Galaniel. Ank-Oq is who comes to deliver small hexagonal pins, the Citadel format, gold-plated, with a blue sapphire following form, covering almost the entire surface, shakes hands with each and congratulates until he reaches Galaniel: – Congratulations! – Thank you, sir. – I knew your father – he looks with surprise – and your grandfather too. When you want to come talk to me. – Still surprised, Galaniel just nods in affirmation. It was necessary Nirmiriel giving him a nudge in the ribs so he knew he needed to turn to greet the guests. He turns away and the group bends, receiving applause.
After descending, it is the turn of the yellow group that receives the sapphires of the mayor of Kolpor. When everyone is seated again, the old man took the floor again: – it is the sincere wish of this bench that you have the same success in this new stage, as you had in previous. Now go and enjoy your party. – The groups arise from celebrating chairs and join the other guests. With the closed ceremony, from now on, it was just celebration. The night passes quietly, fraternizing with all washed down with lots of food and drink and the beautiful music of the Citadel orchestra.
The next day begins lazy. Yesterday's party was till morning, and at noon, it will be the ceremony of the choice of varieties. By midmorning, the group wakes up and begins to prepare for the event, this time without colorful clothes the groups, since all received white clothes. Only pins demonstrate to which they belonged. The ceremony, this time, is more reserved, with the presence of a member of the High Council of Ank-Oq elder and coaches. The hall of arms, first building to be made, is in southern Citadel corner. Carved into the rock, its outer wall is filled with runes and symbols of power, there is no known force that can destroy it. Even Balkatar who led an attack with his horde, when the Citadel was still being built, tried it unsuccessfully. It was five feet wide by three high, just counting the face worked, as the rock still followed in height and width for a few more meters. It had four doors, each with the symbol of a caste, made of the same stone the rest of the room, no handle or lock. Among the four doors had only a square opening with a dividing horizontally amalg bar.
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sp; On the left side of every door there was a design in low relief of a left hand, as well as after the last door, a right. When all the ring victorious arrived, Ank-Oq began the ceremony. – Welcome! The great moment came for you. This is the hall of weapons, it is contained the best weapons made by our blacksmiths and imbued with great powers. Only those who win the Molodok are entitled to have a variety and to choose their weapon. – The old man paused to catch his breath and continues: – each door leads to a room with specific weapons of that caste. A selection will be made through the union of magic and divine inspiration contained in the hall, and my assessment and your coach. Both we put our hands, the coach on the left and I on the right at the gates and the participant will handle with his left hand, palm down, amalgam bar in the central square, and the push inside until you reach your elbow. When ready, the bar will rotate counter-clockwise until it is vertical, then the symbol of a new breed in your forearm will be recorded. When removing the arm, the corresponding door will open and the participant shall to choose your weapon. The choice is of you, but the gun must accept it, the selection is on both sides. Remember what I said at the beginning of Molodok: all castes are important and the balance between them is crucial.
Thus, closed, tired, the process of the explanation. Taking the floor, the representative of the High Council speaks: – before we start, it is always, in every class, choose those who have exercised leadership roles in their groups. The choice will be made by each coach and the chosen will be awarded a second medal, a leader in combat. – He opens a small wooden box crafted, containing four identical brooches, diamond-shaped, all made in amalgam with the symbols of the four castes, engraved in bas-relief, one at each end. – With Xiant word, coach of the red group for scoring defended their flag, facing the attack of two groups simultaneously Bretar.
The participant approached of his coach and to have the medal given to breast, receives a round of applause. Then it was Albeok, from green group: – for leading the attack without dismantle your flag, Fuetra. – She receives her medal. Now had come the turn of the blue group, Meneol could not contain him, as Tregor had chosen to lead and he had made the first attack.
For leading his exemplary group – starts Tregor while Meneol swells further chest – when the despair tooks his group and still had managed to conquer the flag of an opponent group, Galaniel. – Meneol expires astonished, undoing the smile on his face – Bb-but... – So he shut up looking disguise hatred burning his bowels.
Galaniel were applauded not only by the authorities and his group, but also by all the others, as the group entered the ring discredited, fewer and, yet so, managed to overcome. Galaniel approaches Tregor that in fixing the medal and shake his hand, proud talks: - Congratulations, I knew that in you is a leader. – Thank you, sir – Galaniel replied, still surprised. Finally, Orzan speaks: – for having managed to complete the stage, even much smaller and protect his partner, Volzar. – He receives his medal and back with his group.
- Now, it's the time we all waited. We will call them in alphabetical order – Ank-Oq speaks. – Coaches, assume you positions – he concludes, walking after the last door on the right, while the coaches to before first. – As your name is spoken, go to the hall and proceed as explained – the representative of the High Council says to the group, with the list of people in his hand. – Abarion! – he calls the first.
The boy who fought in the green group stands up visibly nervous, and walks toward the center of the wall of the hall, looking for coaches, for the elderly and the High Council member.
Upon arriving in front of the central square, the old man puts his right hand where indicated, as well as the coach of the green group makes the left. Then the boy safe the timber of amalgam with his left arm, pushes it in and, after a sigh, turn it.
It was common knowledge that the mark on the forearm was made with the red-hot metal and to demonstrate courage, the participant should endure the pain in silence, but it was not the case with the young beginner, who issued a loud cry, startling everyone. Representatives sought to disguise the uncomfortable situation, but the confuse talk and the laughter of the other participants were heard in loud and clear.
When the boy returns the timber to the horizontal and pull it, putting it in the initial position, the mark of biota is on his forearm and a stone dragging sound is heard by all and the door that opens. Visibly disappointed, the young man who wanted to be Mentale, enters through the open door, taking a few minutes. When he exits, raising hands, he shows everyone a ring on each finger and the marks on his arm. A round of applause is granted and he returns to his seat.
The counselor calls the next and the process repeats until comes the turn of Galaniel first blue group to be called. He walks to the center of the room. Tregor and Ank-Oq place their hands. – Forwards. That you will be forwards – he asks quietly. – Then he pushes the timber, rotating it then. The pain is very strong, but he can bear no moan, just a deep breath.
When he takes his arm and sees the mark of the guardians, with the door opening immediately, he grieves, lowering his head and all other participants fall into laughter. One of laughing louder is Meneol. Galaniel raises his head and sees Ank-Oq looking him in the eyes. He walks with a straight face to the last door, the closest to the old man and when he will enter, Ank-Oq says: – do not saddened, each of us has a destiny, just wondering if you implement yours – and hitting the hand on the right shoulder of the now guardian, he shakes his head indicating him to enter.
Galaniel enters the hall, stretching down a long corridor, lit by mirrors strategically attached to the walls to capture the sunlight and spread it in the room. Towards the end, a great room presents itself ante the eyes and in it there are several shelves with various shields, helmets, chest, and several other pieces of heavy armor, plus some defensive spears, very long stem and small blade, suitable for prevent the advance of troops.
Galaniel approached one of the spears, after all it was one of the few weapons that could strike, but when he tried to catch it, however much he forces to do, he could not move it. – What hell is that? – he exclaimed, tried the following, the other and the result was the same. Then he remembered the words of the old man: – the choice is of both parties. – So he was trying shells, some he even managed to catch, but there were either too small, too large, heavy and even ugly.
He was already in the room for a long time and started to worry about people waiting for him outside. - What the hell, I'll be guardian lifelong and it will it be do not have a gun or to provide? – Then he saw a glimpse of what seemed a flash behind the shelves in the opposite corner where he was.
Curious, he went there and then saw a pile of shells. - These should be already used previously collected on the battlefield. Wastes which are not on shelves. - He fumbled them with arms and when he was already turning to look elsewhere, he felt a slight shock at his fingertips. He turned back to the pile and was making room between the old shells, until the cell background, he found a shell color of old gold, with dragons on the face and a purple stone in the middle.
The shield seemed very heavy, it was very thick, but when caught and placed on the arm, he was surprised how light it was. – Well, at least it's beautiful, it looks sturdy and is light – he thought, tapping the edge on one of the shelves, which shook with the impact. – But you are here in this cell, it is probably spoiled, its magic must have been exhausted. – Then, tried to get it from the arm, but the shield was not moving. – Damn, now danced! – He thought and trying to rely on a shelf, he pushed, pulled and nothing ... – Yeah ... I think the "choice" was made ... – he resigned walked out of the hall.
When he showed the shield to all, he received the applause... mixed with laughter and teasing ... Once sat down, tried again to remove the shield from arm, which came out easily. – Oh, miserable... – He showed a resigned smile and proceeded to examine his new weapon. The ceremony took its course and at the end, as at sunset, the count for each caste out seven forwards, seve
n Mentalese, four biota and only two guardians.
Halfway There
New day. The travel routine has entered the blood of all. Breakfast, morning cleanliness, dismantle the camp and the preparation for travel, all are made quickly and without anyone needing help. An hour after the sun emerges from behind the mountain range, the group is already in motion. – Stay tuned. From now on we are in enemy territory – Galaniel recommends.
The group follows in pairs, watching every rock, tree and cloud they encounter. They ride faster than in previous days, they try to talk as little as possible and, when they do it, they speak the half step. The landscape begins to change quickly, as they enter the land of Kulkaram. Green gives way to gray and black. The animals that were seen in the distance, disappeared.
The heaven, before a deep indigo, now gradually passed into a crimson claim. Green smoke puddles began to appear in spaces and the putrid smell of sulfur was becoming increasingly present.
Later that day, all the fauna and flora had changed to an unhealthy version of themselves. Only reptiles, carrion birds and insects represented the first, while the second was composed of ponds, silt, carnivorous and poisonous plants. Even the land that was taken the road had changed before a brownish, now was blackened as if it had been burned.
The group camped between two high and wide rocks that were pressed against the foot of the mountain range. Cross the road, the rocks served as an excellent protection, leaving only one direction to be monitored, beyond the sky...
This time Relfer and Pelokir made the first round, so then they could rest more in the last part of the night. – Very strange – Rion speaks looking at the dark sky pitch. – What? – Galaniel asks. – Look at this silence. We spent the day in the land of the enemy and not even seen a ghost. There is something rotten in the air – Pelokir ranswers then, without losing the opportunity to lead. – It is sulfur, you mule! – The tempers are renewed and wakefulness is made again on a night that goes by without problems.