Twelfth Bell
Syna smiled on Pulren's face and a light breeze caressed his cheek as the sounds of water and men surrounded him. His eyes remained closed, his wooden shield in his left hand, hanging loosely. His trident was in the right hand, not so loosely. This was probably due to the number of times he had to hold it in the past few days. The riots had been pacified but there still remained a number of Overgiven Magi on the loose. It was a fine time to take his trial and suit up with the others.
"Marsh!", a voice boomed out from behind, causing Pulren to flutter his eyes open, Syna's sight a sting. Turning on his heel, he found himself on the deck of The Two Thumbs, the Wave Guard vessel commanded by Lieutenant Rael. Rael was a gaunt man lacking facial hair, whose hawkish features and stern demeanor had launched him through the ranks to become one of the well known senior officers of the Guard. Dressed out in his uniform, Pulren admired the three crests on his shield which denoted his rank and eyed the broad sword at his side.
"Wake up, lad. I know you've been at it hard this week with the Magi, but we can't rest now! Right, men?" the many guardsmen on his ship echoed in unison, "Sir, Yes Sir!" Stepping closer to Pulren, his eyes twinkled at the sight of the wooden shield he carried. "Did you take that from the barracks, Marsh?" Pulren piped up while standing at attention, "No, Sir! I purchased this shield to practice with, Sir!" Nodding and walking around Pul in circles, Rael continued, "Nothing wrong with initiative. Arms up, son."
These words brought the shield up in position and the trident straight and firm. "Normally, as you well know, we would perform these tests at the HQ and then bring you out for your swim, but with Magi still on the loose, you are just going to have to do it today as we patrol. Is that agreeable to you, Marsh?" Pulren nodded and looked at the Lieutenant, abiding. " Sir, Yes Sir!" Seeming satisfied, Rael placed his own shield in the hands of a guardsman and drew his broadsword. The slow sound of its unsheathing tightened a breath in Pulren's throat.
"Before we begin, Marsh, answer me a question or two. First, which organization dictates our laws and funds our formations? Second, tell me two crimes which would be punishable by exile." The broadsword was being flourished in Rael's hand, most likely in an attempt to distract Pulren. However, he knew the answers and answered, keeping his eyes on the blade's directions. "Sir, we are funded and sanctioned by the Sailor's Guild. Kidnapping and Conspiracy are two crimes punishable by exile, Lieutenant."
Syna glowed over the receding hairline of Rael, who nodded. "Very good, Marsh. Conspiracy is a serious crime, indeed." As the Lieutenant took a stance, Pulren thought it odd that he would only mention the one crime, but it didn't seem so important when he knew that a martial test was coming. "Nothing fancy here, but let's see what you can do." Pulren watched as Rael advanced.
"Marsh!", a voice boomed out from behind, causing Pulren to flutter his eyes open, Syna's sight a sting. Turning on his heel, he found himself on the deck of The Two Thumbs, the Wave Guard vessel commanded by Lieutenant Rael. Rael was a gaunt man lacking facial hair, whose hawkish features and stern demeanor had launched him through the ranks to become one of the well known senior officers of the Guard. Dressed out in his uniform, Pulren admired the three crests on his shield which denoted his rank and eyed the broad sword at his side.
"Wake up, lad. I know you've been at it hard this week with the Magi, but we can't rest now! Right, men?" the many guardsmen on his ship echoed in unison, "Sir, Yes Sir!" Stepping closer to Pulren, his eyes twinkled at the sight of the wooden shield he carried. "Did you take that from the barracks, Marsh?" Pulren piped up while standing at attention, "No, Sir! I purchased this shield to practice with, Sir!" Nodding and walking around Pul in circles, Rael continued, "Nothing wrong with initiative. Arms up, son."
These words brought the shield up in position and the trident straight and firm. "Normally, as you well know, we would perform these tests at the HQ and then bring you out for your swim, but with Magi still on the loose, you are just going to have to do it today as we patrol. Is that agreeable to you, Marsh?" Pulren nodded and looked at the Lieutenant, abiding. " Sir, Yes Sir!" Seeming satisfied, Rael placed his own shield in the hands of a guardsman and drew his broadsword. The slow sound of its unsheathing tightened a breath in Pulren's throat.
"Before we begin, Marsh, answer me a question or two. First, which organization dictates our laws and funds our formations? Second, tell me two crimes which would be punishable by exile." The broadsword was being flourished in Rael's hand, most likely in an attempt to distract Pulren. However, he knew the answers and answered, keeping his eyes on the blade's directions. "Sir, we are funded and sanctioned by the Sailor's Guild. Kidnapping and Conspiracy are two crimes punishable by exile, Lieutenant."
Syna glowed over the receding hairline of Rael, who nodded. "Very good, Marsh. Conspiracy is a serious crime, indeed." As the Lieutenant took a stance, Pulren thought it odd that he would only mention the one crime, but it didn't seem so important when he knew that a martial test was coming. "Nothing fancy here, but let's see what you can do." Pulren watched as Rael advanced.
