The rickety carriage jostled along the uneven road, its wheels creaking in protest with every bump and rut. Inside, Aurelio sat shoulder-to-shoulder with a motley assortment of boys, their faces etched with a mix of apprehension and resignation. Some stared silently out of the small, grimy windows, lost in their thoughts, while others engaged in hushed conversations, their voices barely audible over the rumble of the carriage.
Aurelio shifted uncomfortably on the hard wooden bench, feeling the weight of anticipation settling like a stone in the pit of his stomach. Just a few minutes ago, he had bid farewell to everyone at the refugee camp, his family and friends watching with tearful eyes as he boarded the carriage bound for the royal garrison. Now, surrounded by strangers who would soon become his comrades-in-arms, he couldn't help but feel a pang of loneliness amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces. The ambiverted nature of Aurelio made it hard for him to want to approach someone, yet difficult not to initiate with someone at the same time, for Aurelio had quite the dual sided nature.
Beside him, Rono, a sturdy lad who looked like he was about 15, with dark, tousled hair and a determined glint in his eye, offered a tentative smile.
"Name's Rono," he said, extending a calloused hand in greeting. "First time going to the garrison?"
Aurelio nodded, returning the handshake, Rono's grip was firm and exuded confidence. "Aurelio," he replied. "Yeah, first time. You?"
Rono chuckled nervously, his gaze flicking to the other occupants of the carriage before returning to Aurelio. "Same here. Never thought I'd end up in this mess, but here we are."
Their conversation ebbed and flowed as the carriage rattled on, weaving through the countryside towards its destination.
As the carriage bumped along the road, Aurelio leaned forward, faint curiosity sparking in his eyes. If he was going to spend god knows how long in the garrison, it would be best to at least know a little about his comrades.
"So, Rono, tell me about where you're from. What was life like for you?"
Rono shifted on the seat, a faint smile touching his lips as memories flooded back.
"Well, I come from a lively market town, nestled snugly amid rolling hills and fields of green. My old man was a blacksmith, you know, so I spent most of my days elbow-deep in soot and sweat."
Aurelio chuckled, nodding along. "Sounds like quite the hustle," he remarked.
"Yeah, but it had its charms," Rono replied, his gaze distant. "The market square bustling with traders, the clang of metal from the forge, the smell of fresh bread wafting from the bakery... It was a good life."
"I can imagine," Aurelio said, a hint of longing in his voice. "I, uh, I come from a quieter place. A small village on the outskirts of the kingdom. Nothing fancy, just fields of wheat and endless skies."
Rono raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Must've been peaceful, though."
Aurelio nodded, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, it was. Quiet, but not lonely. Everyone knew everyone, you know? It was... nice."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, punctuated by laughter and shared memories. And as the miles rolled by, Aurelio found himself grateful for the chance to connect with someone who understood the simple joys of life in the countryside.
As the hours passed and the landscape blurred by, Aurelio found himself drawn into the stories of his fellow travelers. There was Sili, a wiry youth with piercing blue eyes and a scar running along his jaw, who spoke of his days as a fisherman's apprentice, the salt air and crashing waves a balm to his soul. Lubry, a stocky lad with a shock of red hair and a mischievous grin, regaled them with tales of mischief and mayhem from his days as a farmhand in the countryside.
Ichen, a quiet boy with a thoughtful expression and a smattering of freckles across his nose, spoke little of his own past, his eyes haunted by memories best left unspoken. And then there was Cailchu, the youngest of the group, his round face creased in a perpetual frown as he nervously gnawed on his lower lip, his innocence a stark contrast to the world-weary expressions of his companions.
"Sili, your stories from the sea sound incredible," Aurelio said with genuine interest, his eyes alight with curiosity. "I can't even imagine what it must have been like to face those storms."
Sili grinned, puffing out his chest proudly. "Oh, they were something else, let me tell you! But I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything."
Lubry chuckled, nudging Aurelio playfully. "You should hear about the time I got caught sneaking into the neighbor's barn. Now that was a wild night!"
Aurelio laughed, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Ha, sounds like you've had your fair share of adventures," he remarked, his thoughts drifting momentarily to the loved ones he'd left behind.
Ichen remained silent, his expression unreadable as he stared out the window. Rono, sitting across from him, noticed his friend's solemn demeanor and reached out a comforting hand.
"You okay, Ichen?" Rono asked quietly, his voice filled with concern.
Ichen hesitated for a moment before offering a small nod. "Yeah, just... thinking," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Rono squeezed his friend's shoulder reassuringly. "We're all in this together, remember? Whatever's on your mind, you can talk to us about it."
Ichen managed a weak smile, grateful for Rono's support. "Thanks, Rono. I appreciate it."
Turning to Cailchu, Aurelio offered him a reassuring smile. "Feeling a bit nervous? It's perfectly normal, especially considering what we're about to face."
Cailchu nodded, his expression a mixture of fear and determination. "Yeah, it's just... everything's happening so fast," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly.
Aurelio placed a comforting hand on Cailchu's shoulder. "I know it's overwhelming, but we'll get through this together," he said firmly, his gaze steady and unwavering. As he spoke, he felt a surge of responsibility weighing on his shoulders. These weren't just fellow travelers; they were his comrades, and it was his duty to ensure their safety and well-being. Even more so knowing that deep down, and at heart, he was way older than them.
As the carriage rumbled on towards their destination, Aurelio felt a sense of camaraderie growing among them, a bond forged in the fires of shared experiences and newfound friendships. And though he couldn't predict what lay ahead, he knew they would face it together, as comrades united in purpose and resolve.
Despite their disparate backgrounds and circumstances, they were bound together by a common fate: drafted into the kingdom's defense force to face an uncertain future on the battlefield. In the cramped confines of the carriage, they found a fleeting sense of camaraderie amidst the uncertainty, a shared understanding that they were all in this together.
Upon their arrival at the garrison, they disembarked from the carriage infront of a huge concrete castle like building, with 4 watch towers on each corner of the walls, and were met by the warden, a figure of authority with a countenance weathered by scars and a commanding presence. His bald head and deep voice added to the aura of sternness that surrounded him.
"Welcome to the Genium, the garrison in the royal capital. Allow me to introduce my self to you young men, I am Pruleium Lacia, the warden of the Genium. Before you're escorted to your living quarters, you need to understand the basic rules here. Your schedule is fixed. You'll wake up before the sun rises and hit the sack after dusk. You'll go through two weeks of rigorous training here, and guess what? I'll be your head instructor! You'll eat, sleep, walk, talk, and breathe according to our standards. And let me be crystal clear: any form of disobedience will not be tolerated! Understood?!"
"YES, SIR!" echoed the resolute response from the group. All of them tensed up as they stretched up trying to keep a straight posture.
"Good. Most people in my place would wish you guys luck, but I won't. I don't believe in luck. Luck is for the weak. I hope it hurts. Hurts real bad. Because pain is your greatest teacher. It's your wake-up call to greatness. It's the fuel that will drive you to become stronger, faster, better. So, welcome to hell, gentlemen. Staff, escort them."
The staff were dressed in formal state uniforms, each adorned with the same emblem embroidered on the top pocket of their shirts. These uniforms bore tri-color vertical stripes, symbolizing the three pillars upon which Miliscient was built: courage, determination, and honor.
The group was escorted through the expansive garrison by the staff, passing numerous soldiers engaged in vigorous training exercises across the vast open field. Some trained with the solemn goal of avenging loved ones, while others fought for the defense of their homeland. Only a few trained out of genuine desire.
Climbing a flight of stone steps, the group followed their escorts through a labyrinth of corridors, each echoing with the sound of disciplined footsteps and distant commands. Finally, they reached a row of austere wooden doors, where their escorts came to a halt.
Opening one of the doors with a firm hand, the lead escort gestured for the group to enter. Inside, they found themselves in a simple yet well-kept living quarters. The room was furnished with sturdy wooden beds, each neatly made with crisp linens, and a small table adorned with a flickering oil lamp.
"The living quarters may not be luxurious," the lead escort explained, "but they will provide you with shelter and respite during your time here."
As the group settled into their new surroundings, the echoes of training drills continued to reverberate through the walls.
"Make sure to sleep early as you will all be woken up before sunrise tomorrow morning, and your training will start from there."
"Aww man... are we really going to start training so soon?" Lubry lamented.
The solemn atmosphere of the room was suddenly shattered by Lubry's exclamation, and soon the entire group erupted into laughter. Their weariness momentarily forgotten, they found solace in the camaraderie of shared humor.
"Seems like someone's not quite ready to jump into the fray," Rono joked, eliciting another round of laughter.
"Hey, can you blame me?" Lubry retorted with a grin. "I was hoping for at least a day to recover from the journey!"
The laughter continued to echo through the room, easing the tension and forging bonds among the group. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, they found strength in each other's company and the shared sense of purpose that united them.
As the laughter subsided and they settled into their beds, the promise of tomorrow's dawn seemed a little less daunting, knowing they faced it together.