Mystic Land ♪♫♪
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LightningDragon
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- Gender: Literally just six cats of varying gender identities sharing a suit of human skin
- Location: Whitestone Keep
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LightningDragon
- MagiStream Donor
-
- Creatures • Trade
- Posts: 7873
- Joined: October 7th, 2010, 8:43:14 pm
- Gender: Literally just six cats of varying gender identities sharing a suit of human skin
- Location: Whitestone Keep
Re: Mystic Land ♪♫♪
Chapter Eight; Hidden
Scalar flopped face-first onto her bed in the barracks, stifling a groan. Everything hurt. She'd had no idea the army could be so strenuos. Every day lately, she'd been passing out after dinner, not even bothering to go take a shower like the male recruits.
Some days were simply miserable in the army. They drilled every day, even when it had rained and mud was reduced to the consistency of quicksand. Scalar had, at least, learned that she was ksilled with a longbow.
She heard the other recruits come back from their showers, joking around and shoving each other. She kept her face firmly planted in the pillow. The first time, she'd looked up, and the image of naked men was still burned in her mind.
Scalar resisted the urge to shudder as she heard the deep rumble of Tyro's voice. The young lad was from Lynex, a village that spawned strong, muscled people. Tyro enjoyed bullying those smaller and weaker than himself, including Scalar. He seemed to stop at his bunk, and she heaved a sigh of relief. Maybe she'd get some reprieve tonight.
The young girl had taken to locking her belongings in the heavy oak chest set at the bottom of her bed, making sure the golden lock was turned until it clicked. She'd learned this quickly, since Tyro and his lackeys enjoyed taking things from other recruits and destroying them. Before she had time to think any more, a deep, soft black wave engulfed her in sleep.
♠*♠*♠
Scalar forced herself awake well before dawn and unlocked her chest. She pulled out a new uniform for the day, the same dusky gold all first-year students had. She snatched a towel off of a rack, and made her way to the showers.
Thanfully, these were private. Each block was made of solid wood, with tall walls and an open roof. The doors stretched down to the ground, and there was a small shelf for those soldiers who were shy about their bodies and didn't want anyone seeing them nude. She set her uniform and dry towel on these, and pulled on the knob for the shower, standing gratefully in the stream of water that fell from the shower head.
Hot water might've felt better, but that would require getting a shower with the men. Scalar shook her head and pulled a small chunk of soap out of the rack that sat in the corner, setting to work tackling her sweat-stained body. In order to pass as a man, she'd have to forgo shaving, which irked her everytime she saw the strawberry-blond down on her legs.
Shaking her head, she scrubbed the soap in her hair, letting the scent of wood smoke surround her. She was grateful to whoever made scented soaps.
Shutting the water off as soon as she had rinsed her body of soap, she dried quickly and dressed. At least she got breakfast early, being awake so much sooner than almost everyone else.
Stepping out of the shower block, holding the damp towel and the dirty uniform in one hand, she glanced around in a good mood, letting a small smile touch her lips.
Until she felt a big hand close on the back of her shirt.
Scalar squeaked as she was hauled into the air and spun around, staring straight into Tyro's dark green eyes. "Boy!" he thundered. "You think you're too good to shower with the rest of us?"
Scalar had learned long before that protesting made no difference, so she clamped her mouth shut, not even groaning as Tyro's huge hand struck her cheek. Tasting blood, she spat it at his feet. He struck her again, and this time she spat right into his face, despite her knowledge that this would cause her an even worse beating.
♠*♠*♠
The armsmaster nudged the general sitting next to him. "General Gyllin, isn't that the recruit from Belarion?"
The general looked up, dark brown eyes furrowed in concentration. He spotted the young man soon enough - he was very slight, with strawberry blond hair and green eyes. "Why yes, it is. How many times has it been that he's come to practice with black eyes and split lips?"
Armsmaster Khisanth sighed. "Third time this week, sir."
Gyllin shook his huge head. "We'll have to drop him soon enough. I can't have anyone in the army if they're constantly going to get into scrapes. It's a shame, too - he's brilliant with strategies."
Khisanth pursed his lips. He'd noticed that some of the other recruits had also been in signs of beatings, most likely with Scalar. "Well, it's not the first time we've had a problem student," he grumbled, watching the young recruit with his dark, nearly black eyes.
Scalar flopped face-first onto her bed in the barracks, stifling a groan. Everything hurt. She'd had no idea the army could be so strenuos. Every day lately, she'd been passing out after dinner, not even bothering to go take a shower like the male recruits.
Some days were simply miserable in the army. They drilled every day, even when it had rained and mud was reduced to the consistency of quicksand. Scalar had, at least, learned that she was ksilled with a longbow.
She heard the other recruits come back from their showers, joking around and shoving each other. She kept her face firmly planted in the pillow. The first time, she'd looked up, and the image of naked men was still burned in her mind.
Scalar resisted the urge to shudder as she heard the deep rumble of Tyro's voice. The young lad was from Lynex, a village that spawned strong, muscled people. Tyro enjoyed bullying those smaller and weaker than himself, including Scalar. He seemed to stop at his bunk, and she heaved a sigh of relief. Maybe she'd get some reprieve tonight.
The young girl had taken to locking her belongings in the heavy oak chest set at the bottom of her bed, making sure the golden lock was turned until it clicked. She'd learned this quickly, since Tyro and his lackeys enjoyed taking things from other recruits and destroying them. Before she had time to think any more, a deep, soft black wave engulfed her in sleep.
♠*♠*♠
Scalar forced herself awake well before dawn and unlocked her chest. She pulled out a new uniform for the day, the same dusky gold all first-year students had. She snatched a towel off of a rack, and made her way to the showers.
Thanfully, these were private. Each block was made of solid wood, with tall walls and an open roof. The doors stretched down to the ground, and there was a small shelf for those soldiers who were shy about their bodies and didn't want anyone seeing them nude. She set her uniform and dry towel on these, and pulled on the knob for the shower, standing gratefully in the stream of water that fell from the shower head.
Hot water might've felt better, but that would require getting a shower with the men. Scalar shook her head and pulled a small chunk of soap out of the rack that sat in the corner, setting to work tackling her sweat-stained body. In order to pass as a man, she'd have to forgo shaving, which irked her everytime she saw the strawberry-blond down on her legs.
Shaking her head, she scrubbed the soap in her hair, letting the scent of wood smoke surround her. She was grateful to whoever made scented soaps.
Shutting the water off as soon as she had rinsed her body of soap, she dried quickly and dressed. At least she got breakfast early, being awake so much sooner than almost everyone else.
Stepping out of the shower block, holding the damp towel and the dirty uniform in one hand, she glanced around in a good mood, letting a small smile touch her lips.
Until she felt a big hand close on the back of her shirt.
Scalar squeaked as she was hauled into the air and spun around, staring straight into Tyro's dark green eyes. "Boy!" he thundered. "You think you're too good to shower with the rest of us?"
Scalar had learned long before that protesting made no difference, so she clamped her mouth shut, not even groaning as Tyro's huge hand struck her cheek. Tasting blood, she spat it at his feet. He struck her again, and this time she spat right into his face, despite her knowledge that this would cause her an even worse beating.
♠*♠*♠
The armsmaster nudged the general sitting next to him. "General Gyllin, isn't that the recruit from Belarion?"
The general looked up, dark brown eyes furrowed in concentration. He spotted the young man soon enough - he was very slight, with strawberry blond hair and green eyes. "Why yes, it is. How many times has it been that he's come to practice with black eyes and split lips?"
Armsmaster Khisanth sighed. "Third time this week, sir."
Gyllin shook his huge head. "We'll have to drop him soon enough. I can't have anyone in the army if they're constantly going to get into scrapes. It's a shame, too - he's brilliant with strategies."
Khisanth pursed his lips. He'd noticed that some of the other recruits had also been in signs of beatings, most likely with Scalar. "Well, it's not the first time we've had a problem student," he grumbled, watching the young recruit with his dark, nearly black eyes.
Last edited by LightningDragon on July 28th, 2012, 2:22:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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LightningDragon
- MagiStream Donor
-
- Creatures • Trade
- Posts: 7873
- Joined: October 7th, 2010, 8:43:14 pm
- Gender: Literally just six cats of varying gender identities sharing a suit of human skin
- Location: Whitestone Keep
Re: Mystic Land ♪♫♪
Chapter Nine; Respite
I sighed gratefully as I lowered myself into a hot bath, the water unwinding muscles bound tight by the last few days' exertion. I dunked my head underwater, and sat back in a small niche created for this purpose, turning my thoughts inward.
The lords wouldn't reach the castle in anything shorter than three days' time, and all but killing their horse at that speed. The information I'd found was urgent, and I could only hope that the lords would see that and actually agree on a course of action.
I shook my head and hauled myself out of the water, slipping into a short nightgown before flopping onto my bed, groaning as I realized how wonderful it felt to lie down. I never did figure out if I actually fell asleep before my eyes were closed.
♠*♠*♠
I forced myself awake relatively early in the morning, dragging myself out of the warm, cozy bed, and shuffled my way onto the balcony, gasping as the cold stone came in contact with my feet. Early spring was still chilly, and I figured the cold would wake me up a bit.
After a few moments, my feet went numb, and I minced across the stone back into my room, pulling the curtains across the doorway and pulling open the drawers of my dresser, selecting clothes and pulling them on. A sensible white shirt, slim grey pants, and my black boots.
If I was going to be a general, I might as well learn how to use weapons.
I purposefully exited the tower into the main courtyard, heading for the left-hand entrance, where the Royal Guard's barracks were. After wandering around for a while, I found my way to the main office, where the captain sat at a heavy oak desk, writing on a small slip of paper.
I rapped my knuckles on the open door, and the captain jumped, startled. "Princess!" he gasped. "What are you doing here?"
I smiled, trying to put him at ease. "Well, I figured that I'd learn something about weapon use."
He glanced me over. "I'd say a bow is your best bet," he started, but I was already shaking my head.
"I want to use a sword," I said stubbornly, setting my jaw.
The captain glanced me over again, this time more appraising. "You aren't the first warrior of small stature wanting to use a sword," he murmured thoughtfully, and nodded to himself.
"Right, come along, come along. What sort of sword would you like?"
I looked at him blankly. "Type...?"
The captain sighed. "Oh, here we go. I might as well tell you the different sorts of weapons there are." He kept up a steady stream of information on swords, bows, maces, and axes as he led me to the huge weapons shed, a building normally kept under guard. The huge doors stood open, and the two Guards saluted as we went past, then bowed hurriedly as they realized their captain was leading me.
"Anyways, what do you think would be the best weapon for you?"
After thinking for a few moments, my eyes lighted upon a neat rack of longswords. "Longswords?" I asked hopefully, and he smiled slightly.
"We can always try."
He motioned towards one end, where the swords looked lighter. I pulled one out of the rack, wrinkling my nose. "It doesn't feel right," I said after a moment, and the captain nodded, smiling again.
"Well, I'm glad you know when something's not right for you instead of trying to be all bravado and fight with something you don't want to use."
He led me around the shed, trying out short swords, bows, maces, flails, and even axes. With a sigh, I replaced the two-bladed axe, shaking my head. "It's still not right," I growled, somewhat upset.
The captain had a thoughtful expression. "We do have another weapon, but not many people are able to use them." He led the way to a corner, where a small rack held a handful of two-bladed swords. Sure I wouldn't be able to use any of these, either, I selected a light - looking one at the end, and gasped.
The grip perfectly fit my hand, the weight was perfect, and even the length was just...right.
The captain nodded. "With the proper training, the wielder of a two-bladed sword is dangerous."
I smiled, swinging the sword experimentally.
Oh, yeah. I'm gonna have fun with this.
I sighed gratefully as I lowered myself into a hot bath, the water unwinding muscles bound tight by the last few days' exertion. I dunked my head underwater, and sat back in a small niche created for this purpose, turning my thoughts inward.
The lords wouldn't reach the castle in anything shorter than three days' time, and all but killing their horse at that speed. The information I'd found was urgent, and I could only hope that the lords would see that and actually agree on a course of action.
I shook my head and hauled myself out of the water, slipping into a short nightgown before flopping onto my bed, groaning as I realized how wonderful it felt to lie down. I never did figure out if I actually fell asleep before my eyes were closed.
♠*♠*♠
I forced myself awake relatively early in the morning, dragging myself out of the warm, cozy bed, and shuffled my way onto the balcony, gasping as the cold stone came in contact with my feet. Early spring was still chilly, and I figured the cold would wake me up a bit.
After a few moments, my feet went numb, and I minced across the stone back into my room, pulling the curtains across the doorway and pulling open the drawers of my dresser, selecting clothes and pulling them on. A sensible white shirt, slim grey pants, and my black boots.
If I was going to be a general, I might as well learn how to use weapons.
I purposefully exited the tower into the main courtyard, heading for the left-hand entrance, where the Royal Guard's barracks were. After wandering around for a while, I found my way to the main office, where the captain sat at a heavy oak desk, writing on a small slip of paper.
I rapped my knuckles on the open door, and the captain jumped, startled. "Princess!" he gasped. "What are you doing here?"
I smiled, trying to put him at ease. "Well, I figured that I'd learn something about weapon use."
He glanced me over. "I'd say a bow is your best bet," he started, but I was already shaking my head.
"I want to use a sword," I said stubbornly, setting my jaw.
The captain glanced me over again, this time more appraising. "You aren't the first warrior of small stature wanting to use a sword," he murmured thoughtfully, and nodded to himself.
"Right, come along, come along. What sort of sword would you like?"
I looked at him blankly. "Type...?"
The captain sighed. "Oh, here we go. I might as well tell you the different sorts of weapons there are." He kept up a steady stream of information on swords, bows, maces, and axes as he led me to the huge weapons shed, a building normally kept under guard. The huge doors stood open, and the two Guards saluted as we went past, then bowed hurriedly as they realized their captain was leading me.
"Anyways, what do you think would be the best weapon for you?"
After thinking for a few moments, my eyes lighted upon a neat rack of longswords. "Longswords?" I asked hopefully, and he smiled slightly.
"We can always try."
He motioned towards one end, where the swords looked lighter. I pulled one out of the rack, wrinkling my nose. "It doesn't feel right," I said after a moment, and the captain nodded, smiling again.
"Well, I'm glad you know when something's not right for you instead of trying to be all bravado and fight with something you don't want to use."
He led me around the shed, trying out short swords, bows, maces, flails, and even axes. With a sigh, I replaced the two-bladed axe, shaking my head. "It's still not right," I growled, somewhat upset.
The captain had a thoughtful expression. "We do have another weapon, but not many people are able to use them." He led the way to a corner, where a small rack held a handful of two-bladed swords. Sure I wouldn't be able to use any of these, either, I selected a light - looking one at the end, and gasped.
The grip perfectly fit my hand, the weight was perfect, and even the length was just...right.
The captain nodded. "With the proper training, the wielder of a two-bladed sword is dangerous."
I smiled, swinging the sword experimentally.
Oh, yeah. I'm gonna have fun with this.