Obensnare returned to its peaceful self after the execution. Fifteen odd years passed this way, with nothing of major occurrences aside from occasional highwaymen robbing traders in the area.
A group of teenage boys stood in line as Guardsman Henry watched over them. They were holding a traditional horse-stance and held two bags of grain atop both shoulders. Some had collapsed from exhaustion already.
Florian stood, wavering every other second. He could not hold for much longer. Finally, he fell. A few others followed. There were still two boys competing in their perseverance.
It was not that Florian did not wish to continue, but his body would not allow him to. Despite the effort he put into training, his progress was far slower compared to others. He had to train twice as hard just to achieve the same results.
"Up! Get up! Stand! Don't sit down!" Guardsman Henry roared at the group that fell together, including Florian.
This was their daily life. Orphans were drafted from the churches in hamlets near Obensnare and within the town itself to do militia service.
There were mental and physical evaluations when they reached ten years of age. Powerful warriors were respected, but scholars were revered. Their entire youth was spent being taught this belief and it was ingrained in them.
They were the ones who could not succeed in academics so they pursued combat prowess. The draft supposedly gave the non-talented a chance.
Sadly, Florian had talent for neither subject. He could only mindlessly tire himself day after day, hoping for improvement. It never came easily.
Although his father and mother were gone, Florian was technically not an orphan. His family just would not recognize him until he gained some achievement or fame. The mayor of Obensnare was his grandfather.
Mayor Ackfield had spoiled his son growing up. A good-for-nothing that was skilled in wooing countless girls. His status granted him a favorable impression, and his appearance couldn't be considered terrible.
Despite having a head wife, he still had countless affairs. It was until he caught a disease after the act with a prostitute did he pass away. His legacy, however, in the wombs of many women, continued to live on.
Florian was one of them.
The day ended with no suspense. It was the same as always. Florian and the other boys would be reprimanded, and then compared to the two slightly shinier rocks, Efling Ackfield and Tentore Ackfield. Tentore was slightly older than Efling, and Florian was at least two years younger than both of them. All of them could be considered half-brothers.
Mayor Ackfield had acknowledged Efling and Tentore for their martial achievements, and they were likely to be sent to Southeast Academy. There were a few spots open as attendants to these so-called young masters and many of the orphans were vying for them.
Florian and many others followed behind Efling and Tentore as they conversed. As soon as a request, even if rhetorical, was mentioned, the lackeys immediately reacted. They tried to present themselves as capable assistants.
When they reached a busy intersection, a wagon nearly crashed into the small procession.
Florian saw his chance.
"Hey! Watch where you're going! You blind?"
Efling glanced at Florian briefly, nodding a bit. Tentore, paled, murmured something, glaring at Florian before whispering something into Efling's ear. The appreciative look Efling had instantly vanished.