[Rearing Stallion] Securing a Future (John Griffin)

[Marcus Braeden]

"Under a year huh?" Marcus inquired.

In Marcus' mind he was beginnning to develop a decision on what he would do as he drank the last of his ale. But another issue came up that he remembered. His work as a weaponsmith. What would become of that part of him? In all likeliness he would have to give up the trade but he decided it was just another question for John.

"What of my work as a weaponsmith? I am guessing i will have to give it up if i go down this path" Marcus said.

Marcus looked around while waiting for a response. There was a significantly less amount of people sitting around tables than there was when Marcus had come in. Had it been that late? It didn't feel that late to Marcus. Perhaps he just got lost in the conversation.

[John Griffin]

"Well, in a way," began John. "Your training as a squire would be extremely intense. After all, you're squeezing five years of training into as short a time as possible. So free time will pretty much be minimal. There is more to being a knight, after all, than swinging a sword." He raised his hand to emphasize that there was a 'but'. "However, there's nothing to stop you from continuing smithing as a side job on your days off. Your duty the knighthood would come first though, naturally."

"Should you find that squiredom is not what you thought it would be, or that you no longer wish to pursue that path, there is nothing to stop you from ending your training. Once you say your vows though..." He paused, thinking how to put it delicately, but deciding that frankness was appropriate. "Well, theres no one so scorned as an oath breaker or kin slayer."

[Marcus Braeden]

Marcus couldn't help but smile a little bit. He was happy that there was still a chance for him to continue with his weaponsmithing. Weaponsmithing was not only a simple career to Marcus, but rather a hobby. He just simply happened to be paid to do it. He doubted he would get paid if he pursued knighthood but the chance to continue working is craft was plenty. He certainly would not be smithing as much as he was used to, but a little bit was better than none whatsoever. Marcus listened to John's warning of breaking the oath. During the pause Marcus began to think. Is this really happening, am i really sitting with a Syliran Knight talking of joining the Order? Yes, I am, but i am i committed to the cause of the Order, and my own cause? Marcus thought hard about what the answer was too that question. He remembered his times back in Ravok, and while he did have good times, the bad ones far outweighed the good ones in his mind. He returned to the question he had asked in his head. Yes, i am!

Marcus nodded, "Well, i don't really plan on making an enemy of the Order...I intend on joining it."

Marcus smiled as he confirmed his wished to join the Order.

[John Griffin]

John smiled as well. "That's wonderful," he said, genuinely thrilled. "The next step for you, then, is to find a patron knight to sponsor you, and to be interviewed by Grandmaster Dyres." John was pleased with himself. He loved the Order, and it felt good to possibly be bringing a good candidate into the fold. Good men made good squires, and good squire made good knights, which strengthened the Order overall. His smile was both internal and external.

"So, is there anything else you wanted to ask me? Or talk about?"

[Marcus Braeden]

"The only question i have left is, where exactly do I find a sponsor, unless your willing to sponsor me of course. I'm personally not all that sure about walking up to some Knight and randomly asking to be sponsored. Seems kinda awkward to me. So some more information on that would be appreciated."

Marcus began to ponder about the inevitable interview with the grandmaster himself. What if he ended up not being fit for knighthood? His dream would be shattered. Sure, he would still have his smithing, but half the reason he left Ravok was for an opportunity with the Order.

[John Griffin]

Him? A sponsor? Well, he had almost been one before, in the Summer, but that had fallen through. He hadn't really thought about it since then. Technically he was a perfectly valid choice. "Well, I suppose I could sponsor you. Or I could help you find someone who will. But if you'd like me to sponsor you, I think I'd really like the opportunity to teach a squire." John stopped, a hesitant look on his face. "There's just a few things. Firstly, you look older than me, and you'll have to acknowledge that age is not a factor here. Secondly, you need to realize that becoming a knight is an immense amount of work, and you will be training almost all the time."

"Now, if you can handle that, than I'd happily sponsor you. Say the word, and I'll see with getting you an interview with the Grandmaster."

[Marcus Braeden]

Marcus hadn't realized that John was younger than him until John had mentioned it. Marcus didn't really care about it though, John had the experience of being a knight and Marcus didn't. Marcus realized that age didn't make a good teacher, experience did. Now could Marcus handle the work? Well, only time would tell. Marcus was in decent shape since his career did require some physical labor.

Marcus nodded "Alright, lets do it!"

[John Griffin]

John smiled. "Excellent! I'll see about getting you that interview with Grandmaster Dyres right away. Was there anything else you wanted to know, or to ask about?" The young knight was thrilled at the prospect of training a squire. While he didn't know Marcus that well, the man seemed on the straight and narrow. Hopefully he wouldn't be wasting his time, but if Marcus wasn't what he seemed, the Windoak would sort him out, and John would be all the wiser for the experience.

"If not, I think we're done here."

OOCI think we might want to re-date this, for time sake, to somewhere near the end of fall. Since the interview thread can't be in the fall, it sorta wouldn't make sense that it takes a whole season to arrange for it.

[Marcus Braeden]

Marcus smiled. It was done. He was finally on the path to something greater. A path that could make a difference, for himself, as well as others. Marcus was glad that his move to Syliras was not just a waste. But then again, escaping Ravok and the Black Sun could never be a waste. He just wished his brother hadn't made the mistake of staying behind. Who knew what kind of hardships his brother was undergoing at the moment, but it was time for Marcus to stop living in the past and start looking toward the future. His brother made his choice, and Marcus made his.

"Yes, i believe we are." Marcus said as he lifted his empty glass as if it was still full.

OOCI agree, i will change it now.

[Nisaba]

Grade Complete: XP Award! Name: Marcus   XP Award Drinking- 1 XP Observation- 3 XP Philosophy- 2 XP When Marcus entered the Rearing Stallion, the first thing he did was get a drink. He knew the basic principal behind entering a place of business was to purchase something if he was going to loiter, which I thought deserved an observation point because he had noticed the trend at some point and turned it into his own routine. The second observation point came from when John entered and Marcus noticed him but did not stand because they regarded each other and Marcus observed the universal sign of acknowledgement. Point number three was for his memory of the attire John wore at their last meeting and how it was similar this time. The constant sipping from his mug of ale earned Marcus a point in drinking, while his life story and reasoning behind wanting to become a Knight, as well as his deep considerations of whether or not he was ready as a man to make the commitment earned two philosophy points.   Lore Award Life Story in a Nutshell Syliran Knight Lore (basic) Deciding to Join the Order Getting a Sponsor Additional Note: This was a great thread. It covered Marcus’s history a little, delved into his motivations, and got him on the path to reaching his goal. I didn’t see a whole lot for experience, but I didn’t think that was the entire basis of the thread so I figured you wouldn’t mind. If there’s something I overlooked, please let me know.

Grade Complete: XP Award! Name: John Griffin   XP Award Observation- 1 XP Drinking- 1 XP Teaching- 3 XP John, obviously noticed Marcus when he entered the Rearing Stallion and gave him a sign to stay put. That was worth one observation point. He bought himself a drink and sipped on it throughout the thread, earning a drinking point. All the talk about the history, training, and tasks that the Knights do was worth three teaching points- one for each fully developed topic.   Lore Award Remembering Names Listening Carefully Recruiting Becoming a Sponsor Additional Note: I really enjoyed reading this thread. I got to see how John was disappointed in the disappearance of his last choice of squire and his excitement that he may get another shot, as well as his reservations and deep interest in preserving the honor of the Knights. His teaching of basic Knight lore was succinct and informational, and I really enjoyed how you kept the thread moving by having John ask what Marcus wanted to know (with specific examples) rather than just go on and on about everything John would know about the Knights. Thanks.