Arriving on the western outskirts of Rinsaad, I had found that the area was littered with mercenaries from all over. Amongst the crowd were prominent individuals standing atop raised platforms, calling out the names on the roster of individuals who had registered for the mission, it seems I had made it on time. Even from a distance I could hear their voices, looking closely it seemed as though they were using some sort of device that somehow amplified what they wished to say. Apart from those waiting their turn to be called, there were also groups of people gathering at nearby tents where they seemed to be issuing supplies, behind them seemed to be some sort of guarded perimeter where those cleared for the mission gathered around some sort of large contraption. I wondered as to whether my name had been called out, seeking to find out I spotted an unaccompanied officer that seemed to be patrolling the area.
"Hey, uh, sorry to bother you, sir. But do you know how I can find out if my name has been called out or not, I came a little late."
"I can't help you, if you haven't heard your name called, you'll have to wait till the announcer is finished and ask him yourself."
"Really? You sure there isn't anyone else I can talk to?"
"Like I said, you'll have to wait, like all the others. Now, leave me be, I'm on duty."
He seemed agitated, it was probably for the best I backed off. If I was to wait, I'd like to at least make good use of my time, maybe I'll take a look around to pass the time. Edith seemed a little out of sorts, I offered her some locusts however she seemed to be somewhat disinterested and focused on something else entirely. Probably still full, she might want some later though. Making my way through the crowds I couldn't help but notice something interesting about the soldiers stationed here, they appeared to be mostly Kindorian with very few rinsaadi militants wandering about. Whoever was in charge of this operation likely has a great deal of funding from the republic. Though I suppose that was nothing new, considering Shabanna had informed me that the man in charge of this mission was a wealthy patrician of the republic. It was at that moment, Edith began to screech and spread her wings. Hopping atop my head, she began to dig into my scalp.
"Hey! That stings, what's the matter with you? Are you hungry, here, eat this, will you?" I tried to calm Edith down with some locusts.
"Halt, stop right there." I felt myself halt in my tracks, an armored soldier seemed to be calling out to me. Edith began to quiet down, disembarking from my head back to my shoulder.
"Now you settle down… Sorry, she gets a little wild sometimes, is something the matter, officer?"
"Not in particular, but forgive me, I can't help but feel that I know you, have we met before?"
"No, I don't think we have."
"Are you sure? If I recall, I believe you were there during that little scuffle in the town, that was you, was it not?"
Thinking about the encounters I've had with the kindorian soldiers before, I wasn't entirely sure whether the intentions of this soldier were for better or for worse. Scuffle in the town...? Did he mean back at the guild or… this could be bad. Did somebody recognize me from the incident back at the mansion?
"Sorry, I really don't remember. You must be mistaking me for someone else. I was just about to head on over to the announcer, so i'll be on my way."
"Now hold on a moment, I do recognize you…"
"Look, I'm not trying to be rude, but whoever you think I am, you got the wrong guy."
"Yes, I remember now… you were the man at the guild."
"The guild...." Was he one of the guards that escorted me? In that case, this might work in my favor. "Oh, you know what... yeah, yeah, you're right. I didn't recognize you, to think you spotted me in the crowd."
"I could never forget your red hair, and that pronounced bird of yours." Strangely this had caught Edith's attention. Her eyes seemingly focused on the guard. "Besides, you were the only one brave enough to stand up against our commander, whereas all the others dared not to try." He explained.
"Oh yeah, I had totally forgotten, your commander was incredibly strong, I really thought I could take him on."
"You… forgot....?" His tone changed.
"Ah, yeah, it must've slipped my mind."
"You seem to lack respect, mercenary, the man you fought is to be held in high honor, a hero to the people, a living legend. He was kind enough to hold back and let you win, had he used his full strength you would not be standing here as you are now. Do not forget that."
"Ah, I apologize, I meant no disrespect, I really had no idea what kind of man he was." Looks like I made him mad, going to need to come up with an excuse to calm him down. "Having been born outside the republic, I don't really know too much about him or any kindorian heroes." I explained.
"Is that right... Tch, a pity. I suppose that should come as no surprise, you people lack a proper education out here. I shouldn't have let anger get the best of me, the commander would be disappointed. No matter, suffice it to say we're glad to have more soldiers like you joining the mission. However, what are you doing out here, have you not been assigned to one of the teams yet?"
"Ah, about that… I arrived a little late you see. Wasn't sure whether my name had been called or not, I tried asking the guards but I was quickly dismissed and told to wait."
"Told to wait? That won't do at all, come now, let me guide you to the tents and get you properly assigned."
"Well alright then, that certainly beats waiting in the crowd."
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I was led beyond the guarded perimeter where other mercenaries, salvagers and journeymen whose names had already been called were now being formed into different groups. To think I was lucky enough to run into this guy, saves me the time for having to wait in the crowds all day.
"By the way… If I recall, your name was Grit, correct? "
"Ah, yeah."
"You know, our commanding officer couldn't help but mention you to the new recruits."
"Wait, why would he do that?"
"Why? Our commander is a very commendable man, however he himself has his own faults, seemingly wishing to share his battles won, he was very much impressed with how you stood your ground. I imagine he felt he's been too easy on the new recruits, he hopes that in telling of your courage will help inspire their growth."
"Hah, well can't say I'm not a little flattered. Still, I'm nothing special."
"I agree. What you did was nothing but foolish, still, you were quite brave and that in itself is somewhat commendable."
"Well when you put it like that… I can't really argue."
"Indeed. Ah, it seems we've arrived, let us go inside."
Upon entering the tent we were welcomed to roarous laughter and gruff men having joyous conversation. Several soldiers stood around a rather hardy man sitting at a desk, a clean head and a clean face yet somehow rough around the edges. They were apparently in the middle of a conversation, eagerly listening to what the man who sat at the table was saying.
"So I told the wench, why don't you kneel down and I can show you how big. So she goes to pull down my trousers, and is met with my little member. I'm here dangling the little guy in front of her face, and she starts laughing. I'm like, what's so funny? She goes, It's quite soft, are you shy perhaps? I tell her to put it in her mouth and see what happens. After getting erect, I tell her to stop, pop it out of her mouth and smack her cheeks with it. I say, that hard enough for ya?" The man smiles, the men beside him start bursting out into laughter.
"Very clever, Calvus." The guard interjected.
"Well now, if it isn't Officer Gunnar! You should've heard the joke Munsen had to tell, had us all dying on the field!" He laughed. Interesting, so his name was Gunnar. "So, what the hell brings you here?"
"Well, I have a friend here who was given special treatment by the commander and I'd like to have him properly placed in one of the reserve teams."
"Hold on now, is this that guy? I've heard of you, you're Grit! Yeah, yeah, the red-headed fool who challenged the commander!" He laughed. "The balls on you, friend. Can't help but respect you for that."
"Glad we got the formalities out of the way." Gunnar stated. "Now, do you think you could place our friend here in one of the reserve teams, he's more than capable of competing with the other Mid-kin individuals within the ranks."
"Well that depends, I've heard he can strengthen his body, so that would mean he has the blessings of the Jötnar, ye? But does he possess any other songs?"
"Ah, no. I'm afraid that's all I'm capable of." I explained.
"You don't, huh. That'd make you a Lowkin, no better than those I've placed in the forward advance."
"That's beside the point, he's more than capable, after all he did go against the commander." Gunnar testified.
"True, but normally I'd assign you to the forward advance, however having heard of your talents it wouldn't hurt to keep you in the reserves instead."
"Actually, if you could, I'd like to be assigned to the forward advance instead." I declared. There was an abrupt silence in the tent, the soldiers who had been joyfully laughing before were seemingly quiet and reserved.
"Are you serious? Why would you want to be reassigned to the forward advance?" Gunnar retorted.
"I don't mind, it's my decision, is it not?"
"This is ridiculous, you would be safer staying in the reserves and be put to better use when the real danger arises."
"It's a risk I'm willing to take, I want to be at the forefront of the action. It's my decision."
"And it's that decision of yours that might be what gets yourself killed. Think this through carefully, or you'll just end up as fodder, a waste."
"I'll take my chances."
"You fool, just-"
"Stop, you heard the man. He's made up his mind." Calvus interrupted. "So be it, you'll be assigned to the forward advance and you'll be joining Group 39 among them."
"Understood."
"Good, it's settled then. Now, get the hell out of here, I don't want to hear any more bickering between you two." He shouted.
"Ah, certainly. We'll get out of your hair." Seems I might have annoyed them too much with my decision.
"Can't have you wasting your time here, after all there's salvaging to be had." He grinned.
I paused only to realize what he meant. "Hah, right." I smirked.
The whole room erupted in laughter. "The look on your face was priceless! We'll be seeing you, kid. Don't get yourself killed, eh!"
I exited the tent with Gunnar following behind, I could see he was visibly upset.