I awoke to the sound of the alarm the next morning. Groaning, I rolled over and shut it off and looking at the clock, sighed. It was the day. Rolling out of bed, I turned on the lamp on the nightstand and stumbled my way to the bathroom. I had to piss like a Niflheim Race horse. Once I had relieved myself, I walked to the mirror and looked at myself. I sure as hell didn't look like a soldier. My hair was mussed to look like major case of bed head, my eyes were droopy like I hadn't slept in months. I rubbed my hand down my face and walked back into the room. As I opened the closet doors, I noticed there was something new hung on hangers. I reached over and realized what it was. Sometime after I had passed out the night before, Carlisle had pressed and ironed my military uniform. I grabbed it, a pair of boxers, socks and a tank top and stumbled back in the bathroom. I threw the clothes on the counter and rummaged through the drawers, looking until I found my razor and my toothbrush. I turned to the shower and turned the hot water on full blast. Stepping into the shower, I let the hot water beat into my face as it woke me more and more by the minute. I sudsed up and washed off. Afterwards, after I stepped out of the shower and put on my boxers and my tank top, I slipped my uniform pants on and grabbed the shirt. I wrangled it on as well, double checking the buttons were properly buttoned and continued to finish getting ready. With my face shaved, my hair cut, and my uniform on, I truly gave myself a look over in the mirror and decided that my parents would be proud of how I looked in the uniform. With that thought, I walked out of the bathroom and bedroom and entered the kitchen. There I found the Major at the stove making bacon and eggs. He had already cooked a plate full of fried potatoes. He noticed me and gestured to the plate of fried potatoes next to the coffee pot. I took that as a signal to help myself to the coffee and fried potatoes while he finished the bacon and eggs.
I grabbed the plate that was sitting next to it and started to scoop the fried potatoes onto my plate. Very carefully, I placed a cup on platform of the coffee pot and started it up. Alistair had finished the eggs and bacon by then and was piling a ton of them onto my plate. He smiled at me then, one of his genuine smiles.
"Eat up son. You have a long day ahead of you. Help yourself to whatever. After you're done, you are welcome to make your way out to the stables and groom Moonshine. When it's time for you to leave just come and get me alright? I'll be around here somewhere."
With that, he took his plate and his cup of coffee and walked in the direction of the back patio, leaving me to eat my breakfast in quiet. When I finished my food, I placed my plate in the sink and slipped on my boots and walked out the door in the direction of the stables. I couldn't help but laugh when I heard Moonshine whinny at my approach. I opened her stall and walked in, closing the door behind me. I brushed her muzzle in affection, and she snorted as she shoved her head into my shoulder. I grabbed a brush that was hanging on the wall outside the stall. And as I normally did in the mornings, I brushed Moonshine's pelt to a glossy finish.
"There you go, pretty girl. Just give me a couple of minutes and we'll be out of here Moonshine. Just have to get the Major."
With that, I walked out of the stables, looking around for the major as I went. I found him in the foyer seemingly looking for something. He bent over and picked up his ID and stuck it in his back pocket. He turned then, and seeing me and his smirk grew into a smile.
"Morning again, Levi. Ready to go?"
I nodded and we both headed back to the stables. I entered Moonshine's stall and mounted her. She whinnied and we walked out of the stall, joining the Major outside of the stables.
"We're good to go, sir."
He nodded in acknowledgement and we started off down his driveway towards town. As we brought our horses to a halt in front of the military station, the Major dismounted and gave me a quick glance.
"Remember, Nicholas. Out here I'm Major Drofyn, alright. There can't be any familiarity between us. If I don't see you again after this, I wish you luck kid."
With that, we walked into the building, secrets told and kept, and a lifelong friend made.
Only moments after we walked in the door, a group of men rode up on their horses. By the Major's face I could tell it was the recruiters. Alistair gave me a pat on the back and pumped his fist in the air. I laughed at his enthusiasm and walked out of the building, right up to the head recruiter.
"Hello Sir. I am Levi Rune and I was recruited to join the forces today. That is you right, sir?" The elf looked down on me from my horse and nodded.
"That is me. I'm taking it your the new recruit we heard so much about from Major Drofyn?" I returned his remark with a salute and and a quick response.
"That is me sir. Are we heading out immediately, sir?"
He smirked and answered me.
"Yes we are. We have another couple of recruits we have to pick up on the way to the training grounds and base out in Arcadia. You ready to go soldier? You have a horse right?"
I nodded my head and whistled. It was a long loud whistle with just one purpose. I had just recently taught Moonshine to come to my whistle which was unique. As I was patting myself on the back silently, I heard the trot of a horse and looked up just in time to see Moonshine come to a stop in place directly beside me. She bowed her head and I gave her a quick rub before I flung myself onto her back. With that, I looked at the recruiter and smiled.
"I'm ready to go, sir. Moonshine and I are both ready to go."
The recruiter gave me a look and with that, we were off to the next town. And just like that, I was off to the military base in Arcadia.