Arthur had seen a few shifters here and there but had never been this close to actually interacting with one. They usually ranged in appearance, taking on animalistic forms with varying severity.
Some looked like the average human with a pair of harmless horns or at least animal ears. It wasn't out of the ordinary to mistake this kind of shifter for a human.
On the other hand, there were those that were far more bestial, bearing more prominent features of their animal sides.
The captain of Squad Six was one such shifter. Arthur could sense by simply standing in front of her that she was a powerful one and yet she managed to come off as harmless.
Her warm smile and cheery demeanour only made the prince feel like petting her head, 'I bet that fur is soft and fluffy.'
"Baxter! You came! What took you so long?" when the captain spoke, her soft voice was nothing like Arthur expected. She sounded much younger than he initially thought her to be.
But then again, how was a phoenix that had lived more than fifty years supposed to know anything about what people should sound like as they grew older?
This thought vanished from his mind as soon as it came. From the hints about her appearance, Arthur could guess her animal side had something to do with wolves.
"I had a few minor complications," Baxter replied, walking to a table set afar from the captain's bed.
The white tableclothed piece of furniture was set with a teapot and an assortment of tea spices and ingredients. Like clockwork, his hands got to work preparing a cup of tea as he talked.
"Is everything okay?" the captain asked him, her voice going up a few octaves.
"Nothing I couldn't handle. Also proved to be good exercise," Baxter replied, stirring tea in a little ceramic cup.
"Oh?! Look at you taking the reins without me around to help! I hope the third years are behaving. Receiving orders from a second year can't be easy," the captain chuckled.
Her laughter, whilst angelic, bore a wisp of sadness to it that Arthur couldn't ignore.
Her hands twitched with unused vigour, begging to get active again.
She wanted to lead her Squad once more… and she put on quite a brilliant mask to hide this.
Baxter placed the cup on a little saucer and brought it to the captain, careful not to spill anything as he offered it to her, "The third years are behaving themselves. Besides, if they ever get out of line, I could just threaten to send them to you and that's enough to calm them."
He watched as she carefully took the cup from his hands and took a sip of the drink. The captain swooned, "Just the right amount of peppermint and ginger as usual, Baxter."
The Warlock smiled for only a moment before pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Ahem, I brought this year's recruits."
"And I see them," Crystal sounded elated at the sight of the first years standing in her room.
They weren't many compared to what the other Squads had gotten from the Sorting but that didn't seem to bother her at all.
"We even have a leader this year!"
Arthur's eyes widened at the mention of a leader. Baxter seemed to be thinking the same, "Yeah! Did you hear it from the nurses?"
"No. It's his aura… his eyes… I've always known what a leader sent into Squad Six would be like. The curiosity in his eyes. You can't miss it. It's like he was born to lead."
Arthur felt like vanishing from the spot.
'Born to lead, huh… I wonder if Father would feel the same about that,' the prince thought to himself.
Arthur gave a slight bow, "I'll do my best."
"As I expect you will. Being a Leader is no easy job but I get the feeling you'll figure it out faster than most," the Captain replied.
After a short silence, Baxter cleared his throat to speak, "First Years…"
"Baxter?" the lieutenant turned to face Crystal.
They seemed to have a silent exchange with their eyes before the spectacled Warlock took a step back and went mute, assuming a stiff posture beside the captain.
All eyes were now on the shifter resting in the bed. This was when Arthur managed to observe the girl more.
Her olive skin was covered in bandages at her forearms. No further signs of injury could be seen but the prince guessed there was more hidden beneath the white garments she was wearing.
"My name is Crystal Fang. The Captain of the Squad Six. I'm excited to meet you all," the wolf shifter gave a toothy grin to display her excitement.
A hand went up from the group of first years.
"What is it, dragon girl?" Crystal called.
Everyone turned to see Lyra staring at her stunned, "How did…" she was cut off by a simple gesture.
Crystal tapped her nose and winked, "I recognise the faint scent of obsidian and ash anywhere."
Lyra nodded in understanding, "Right! I wanted to ask how you got this way."
"Expedition. I was going out with some professional hunters to conquer more territory beyond the Wall. We found a coven of Poison Spectres and that's how I got these injuries," Crystal responded.
Darius gasped at the mention of Poison Spectres. Crystal turned to the young warlock, "You seem to know what I'm talking about."
"I've heard a few stories… Frightening stories!" Darius replied.
"Good! Learn as much as you can about the world beyond the Wall. You will need that information for the day you'll finally be sent out to battle the Dark Creatures.
Enough of that," the shifter piped up, "You're only first years. You have to make the most of Barthlorn while you still can."
"I have a question," a voice came from behind Arthur.
The prince got out of the way to reveal Leo who'd been standing behind him.
"I have been trying to understand the differences between the Squads and noticed all the other Squads specialise in some way.
I might be wrong in some of them but this is what I've realised so far.
Squad One is known for having the most powerful Leaders and raw power. It's where most of the dragons end up.
Squad Two is a squad of females that excel highly in archery and healing.
Squad Three has the strongest Vanguard.
Squad Four has powerful Warlocks while Squad Five is known for having the best defensive tactics.
What is Squad Six's speciality?"
Crystal smiled fondly at the younger boy, "You're lacking a bit of information in all you've said but definitely going in the right direction.
Regarding Squad Six, you will come to learn what that is very soon. Let's make a wager… If you can't figure out what makes Squad Six special by the end of your first mock battle, then I'll tell you the answer to your question."
"What happens if I figure it out by then?"
"Hmm, we'll get to that if you do figure it out. A hint to help you along:
Finding out what makes Squad Six so special might just turn out to be a reward all on its own."
Arthur raised up his hand when Leo was done, turning all attention to him, "You're name is Crystal Fang. Are you related to Damien Fang?"
"So you've met him?" the captain asked.
"No… I've… seen him," Arthur rubbed the back of his head nervously, "He didn't come in here with us."
"I think I would have noticed a shifter like the captain if there was one with us," Baxter spoke up.
"No, Baxter, I don't think you would. My little brother is exceptionally good at stealth and concealing his presence. I'm surprised…"
"Arthur… Arthur Ember."
"I'm surprised Arthur noticed him," Crystal replied.
After this, the students all introduced themselves to the Captain and wished her a quick recovery.