Unrefined Mettle (Markus & Jaelyn)

[Dimitri]

Spring 77, 511 AV

Dimitri sat atop his dark black mixedbreed horse, borrowed from the stables, just outside of the main gate. The horse waited impatiently, stamping his feet and snorting. He was a warhorse and didn't like just standing around. Dimitri had his whitewood bow on his back, his quiver on his right hip, sword on the left, and shield on his left arm. He was riding bareback, as he preferred it to a saddle. He was able to get a better read on the horse that way, and he was better at steering with his knees than reins.

He was waiting on his fellow squires to join him. They were all planning on going up to the mountainous areas around the mines to train together. Dimitri was garbed in the less plate half armor some companies were accustomed to. It was an amalgamation of various pieces of plate, chainmail, and leather. It allowed a combination of protection and mobility. It fit better too. He was examining the tree line, waiting on Jaelyn and Markus to arrive.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Wearing full plated armor, and armed with shield, spear, and sword, Jaelyn rode up to Dimitri with the visor of her helmet up and gave her fellow Squire a soft smile and a nod in greeting, "Good day Dimitri. I hope you were not waiting long."

She was looking forward to today, especially training with both Dimitri and Markus. Both had proven to be excellent Squires who could help push her limits in training, and the fact that she had... suspicions on feelings from both of them, along with slightly more than friendly feelings of her own, certainly made the prospect of spending time with them a very pleasant one indeed.

She gave a small shake of her head to clear away such thoughts. She had to focus on her training. There was still much to do before she was ready for her Quest, and romance would only complicate matters. It was getting hard to ignore, but she had something more important she was working towards.

[Markus Andres]

They were bred and raised to bring death and destruction to those who opposed them. Markus couldn't help but feel a little revered to get to ride it, without it tearing him apart. Markus was well protected in full plate, except for the underside of his arms, where he had decided to go with a mix of mail and leather. He rode toward the other two squires. Raised his right hand and waved to the duo. Pushing his visor up. "Hey guys. Are you ready?" He said. His gear setup was much like Dimitri's, except that his quiver was below the bow on the back and that he also had a dagger above his sword. Other than that, him and Dimitri were alike. With the added difference that Markus rode with a saddle.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri smiled as Jaelyn arrived. She was in full plate armor, her visor lifted, her face shining from within. She was always a pleasant sight and an amazing training partner. "And good day to you Jaelyn. I've only been here for a few minutes. You ready for this?" He smiled at her brightly once more. He wasn't wearing a helmet today. He preferred the wider field of vision. He had purchased a leather bandana earlier in the day, and was currently using it to keep his hair up and out of his eyes. He had been considering cutting his hair into a close crop. A change would be nice, after all, his body was changing, becoming more adult like, and much to his own pleasure, more Knight like. He was now noticably stronger with sword and shield, his whitewood bow, and even more adept at riding on a horse. This was the fastest he'd ever seen himself change, he hoped this was a sign that he was nearing Knighthood.

He heard the familiar clip clop of horse hooves and saw Markus ride up next to them. The man waved, and Dimitri nodded, smiling. "But of course slowpoke. Are you?" Dimitri said teasingly. The third of their squirely trio was also wearing mostly full plate. Dimitri was alone in his lighter armor but didn't mind. He would just have to be faster. He knew Markus was stronger with sword and shield, but that was on level open ground. The rocky terrain around the minds would prove treacherous to those who weren't completely aware of their surroundings. His speed, mobility, and field of vision would be a huge advantage. "Shall we then?"

Dimitri set out on the road in a decently paced canter. This carried him faster than a trot, but wasn't near the speed of a gallop. He gripped with his knees as he bobbed along the road. He smiled and nodded at every person he passed, be it farmer, patrolling Knight, or traveler. To pass the time on the short trip, Dimitri called out, "Have you two decided on what you want to do after becoming Knights?" He figured the conversation would last just long enough for them to arrive at the mines.

[Jaelyn Baroth]

"Ready and eager," Jaelyn replied to both Dimitri's and Markus' question at the same time, her smile warm and very happy as her gray eyes passed from one Squire to the other.

This was what being a Squire was about. Working and training together with your brothers and sisters in arms so that all could become better and stronger Knights when their time came. She had a feeling that the friendships she was developing with these two would be the kind that would last for a lifetime.

Kicking her horse along after Dimitri's she nodded quietly to the people they passed, content to ride in silence until Dimitri spoke up, "I hope to join my Patron in serving under Sera Aquila Brock. She is a truly amazing example of strength and devotion."

She had a more personal goal that she hoped to achieve, but she didn't feel comfortable voicing it publicly. Especially in front of two of her fellow Squires that she respected the most.

[Markus Andres]

"Of course. Did you forget your helmet as you rushed out here?" Markus responded in a likewise teasing tone of voice. Markus knew the road to the mines well. He had ridden it many times during his mission for the knights a season back. Markus had grown larger since then. Perhaps growing a bit taller and gaining a couple of pounds worth of muscle on his body. He looked to Jaelyn and gave the attractive squire a wink when she looked at him. Markus kicked his horse into motion and the aggressive beast cantered forward. Markus rode behind the female squire, taking up the back of the line. Markus did ponder the tactics of their positions a bit. Thinking whether it be smarter if they put Jaelyn in the front, because of her spear as Markus and Dimitri could cover her with their bows. - But because they were still within Syliras protected area, he didn't raise his concern. Markus followed the example of the two ahead of him and nodded politely to those people they passed on the road. Markus listened to Jaelyn's response to the question asked. Wondering why she kept the part with doing her father proud secret. Perhaps she had confided only in him. A thought he liked a lot. But she didn't say much more and it was Markus turn to answer. It was pretty tough to answer, since there had been some talk of him joining a specialty squadron. "Indeed, a fine knight! Markus replied to Jaelyn's statement. For me, I will do what Ser Dyres asks of me, but I'd like to join ser Mason's squadron or one of the specialty squadrons. I just hope I won't get assigned to guarding the walls. That doesn't sound like my cup of tea." He would carry out wall-duty if he was assigned to it, his sense of duty and discipline would make sure of that, but still didn't mean he would enjoy it. "What about you Dimitri? What would you like to do?" Much like Jaelyn had a personal goal, Markus had one too. It revolved around Zeltiva and his desire to visit his family at least once and show his father that his investment had paid off.

[Dimitri]

"I've learned to dodge a bit better since our last spar Markus. No need for a helmet."

Dimitri smiled as the two told of their goals, and he wished them well. His own goal was strange however, because it was so vastly different from who he was. Which is exactly why he wanted to do it. "Like yourself Markus I would prefer one of the specialty companies. Perhaps under Sera Sondralitha, I've heard her and her machete do many interesting things."

Dimitri decided to make things a bit more interesting as the neared the mines. "Time to move you two." He kicked his horses ribs lightly and the beast neighed into a gallop. Dimitri leaned forward, holding on tight with his knees as his thighs absorbed the shock of bouncing at those speeds. He could feel the horse's muscles move powerfully beneath him as the pair surged forward, trees blurring by.

He did this for maybe ten chimes then dropped back into a canter. He continued onward like this for a couple bells until the mines came in sight bustling with activity. He watched the refined ore carried out toward towns in large guarded carts. "Shall we go around back then?"

[Jaelyn Baroth]

Jaelyn nodded and smiled softly as she listened to Dimitri's and Markus' goals. It might have been nice if they could be in the same company, but she certainly wasn't going to ask either of them to give up their goals for Knighthood for such a simple reason. They would still be joined together as Knights and the bonds of friendship they had developed as Squires.

When Dimitri kicked his horse into a full on gallop Jaelyn briefly considered doing the same, but dismissed the notion quickly. Pushing her limits while riding a horse only resulted in injuries, and that would not do on the way to the training they had planned for the day. She did spur her horse up to a good trot though, so she wouldn't be left completely behind, and slowed when she eventually caught up with Dimitri again.

Arriving at the mines alongside Dimitri and Markus she took a moment to look over the mines. Jaelyn had never been here personally before, but knew of them well enough. In response to Dimitri's question she gave a small nod, "That is what we are here for, right?"

[Markus Andres]

Markus wasn't pleased when Dimitri decided to give it all his horse got to ride ahead of the others. Markus kicked his horse into action. The horse galloping after Dimitri, Markus quickly moved past Jaelyn. He grinned as he tried to outdo Dimitri. Markus raced Dimitri for a couple of chimes, but when he looked back, he realized Jaelyn wasn't among the group anymore. He stopped his horse and looked for Jaelyn. But she didn't come right away. Had she had an accident? Were she in danger? Markus didn't like the situation at all. "Hey Dimi-" Markus yelled, but Dimitri was already long gone. Markus sighed and decided to wait for couple of chimes before he would start backtracking. To find Jaelyn. But it didn't take long before Jaelyn arrived. Markus was quite relieved. He had been quite worried. He smiled apologetically and nodded to the female squire before following her pace. Perhaps it had been a bit rash of the two squires to just gallop off without caring for the third member of their team. Markus didn't say much during the ride to the mines. Hearing Jaelyn respond to her question, Markus felt that it was perhaps the perfect time for a quick reprimand. "Yea, and let's stick together this time." - He almost added Dimitri to the sentence, but felt that would just be childish. "But let's go guys" - He said with a smile to his friends and rode around back. Making sure the other two were following. He knew this area, somewhat, he had spend most of his time at the mines, inspecting. But he had also been in the area around.

[Dimitri]

Dimitri sidled next to Jaelyn, ignoring Markus' comment. "Sorry about that, I thought you might enjoy a fun race to pass the time." He lead his horse over to a small corral reserved for Knights protecting the mines. A squire opened the corral, and Dimitri led the horse in, and slid off of it. He walked to the horse's head, patting it gently, "Thank you for the ride, you did great. I'll get you a treat when we get back to town." He climbed up and over the corral fence, having a bit of trouble with the tower shield on his arm snagging the slats. He jumped down off the fence, and looked up the hillside to the back of the mines. The trees were thick enough that you couldn't see further than a few yards in. One Knight was posted up there, keeping watch of any approach as well as a full view of the outer areas of the mines. He waited to see if they would corral their horses too. They could take them up the back but that would risk injury to the horse, or depending on their temperament, they could startle and bolt. Dimitri then started up the slightly rocky slope. His feet occasionally slipped on the loose, flaky stones and he struggled to keep his balance. When he finally made it to the top of the slope, the Knight walked over. "What are you squires doing up here?" Dimitri looked back at his two companions, then back to the Knight, "Came up here for some sparring in real terrain, do you mind?" At this the Knight smiled, then laughed loudly, "I've always said that the squires needed training outside of the walls! I'm glad to see you three taking the initiative! You will make fine, tough Knights like myself. You all watch up here, I'm going to go down and grab some food. Train hard and don't let us Knights down!" He slapped Dimitri on the back jovially and made his way down the same slope. Dimitri gestured for his companions to follow a bit deeper into the thick trees, ground littered with the shale like rocks. He found an area with several trees, fallen and standing, large boulders, and slightly sloped. "How's this look?"