Derek and Alexander hurries through the calm streets under the bright night sky, glistering with clusters of stars. They had their packs on.
"Mother will not take this well Alex." Derek complained.
"We don't have a choice Derek, we just have to take this chance."
"I really feel bad for her."
"I know Paul will always be there for her, we have seen his resolve several times."
"You are right, this is our first step to the better life."
Coming through a bend Derek halted then held back Alexander, Paul stood some distance before them, hands folded on his chest.
"You can't stop us." Alexander points at Paul.
"I know." Paul smiles as he approaches them. "I'm actually here to see both of you off."
Derek and Alexander took a gander at each other, non sure of Paul's intention.
"Always look out for each other," Paul advised, "the path you are about to trend on is a dangerous one."
"Trust me when I say I've seen better days." Derek smiled.
"Don't you dare do anything foolish Derek." Paul warned with his finger before turning to Alexander. "Don't you even think of going after the Aquilae Family." He warned all the more.
"Sure-sure, we'll be fine." Alexander embraces Paul. "Take care of mother."
"She will be devastated, but I'm here for her."
"I don't need hugs Paul." Derek rolled his eyes as Paul met his.
"I wasn't even thinking it, where you?" Paul raised a brow.
"Absolutely not." Derek looked away.
"Get going boys, your escort is waiting." Paul nudged his head.
Derek and Alexander said their last goodbyes then continued towards their destination. Getting to the village square, a wagon stood proudly - having a rich, supple leather canvas tent, its chestnut colour deep and warm looking. Five soldiers mounted on horses, stood round about it.
"State your business?" One of the Soldier asked.
Derek and Alexander reached into their side pack, bringing out the scrolls, which they handed over to him, the soldier took a good look at them then shook his head towards the wagon.
Derek and Alexander climbed unto it, inside were two benches on each side, five fellows were already present inside, three to the left and two to the right, Derek and Alexander joined those by the right.
They had to wait for a while for three others to join in before they began their journey.
As the journey began, everyone introduced themselves, of all the intakes just one lad joined up with Derek and Alexander, Taven Isaac. A young lad around their age, he had a friendly countenance, an average body, dark skin and curly black hair.
There was someone Derek had eyes on, Rave Louis, a bald tall fellow, pale skin, having a cheerful yet superior gaze always gloating with disdain. His very presence made Derek unease, he just couldn't shake the feeling of.
As they continued their journey just two stops were made, one at mid-day, were they got to feast their eyes on the environment. Widely spaced trees of great heights spreading their long branches with brownish leaves to canopy the grassy scape on brown soil and roaming critters.
The next was at night, when they ate and rested. Good enough for them, one of the soldier was an excellent cook, beef with carrot soup and soft bread.
Even at that, the Soldiers didn't interact much with them neither gave answer to their question, all they would reply was, wait till you arrive at camp.
Finally, after three days, they arrived at the Regiment camp, Derek beheld the wonderful sight in awe, it was like nothing he had ever seen, they were several other wagons stationed in the large accommodating courtyard. They were small cottages surrounding the courtyard in four sections, non up to two floors, they were also divided into three segments by a wide street.
The entire camp was surrounded by a large stone wall, archers could be seen patrolling the battlement, the gate was wide open as wagons still rode in, it was truly an amazing sight for Derek, as well as Alexander.
After a while the wagons began moving out.
"I never imagined a lot of people will want to join the Azma ranks." Alexander spoke, glazing around.
"I doubt this number will make it past the training." Derek affirmed.
"Who is that?" Taven points ahead.
Derek and Alexander looked forward, they had a clear view for they were at a vantage point up front, the fair man approaching the crowd had a white cloak attached to his Azma Knight armor.
He was short and mature looking, wearing a bleak expression, his brown hair was well braided and his facial hair was scanty. Guarding him were ten footsoldiers wielding spears, five on each side, suddenly the noise died down, everyone's attention was now on the well-built man.
"That must be the commander." Derek whispered.
"Obviously." Alexander spoke quietly, "His white cape says so already."
"I am second Commander, Devon Deviz." His voice was loud and profound. "First Commander Kanlor Rudy is on official assignment, I will be his substitute in addressing you. Welcome to came Eve."
An unexpected murmuring began.
"I know right" Devon silenced them, "a female name for a male camp, well do not be fooled, the toughest Captains, Knights and soldiers emerged mostly from this camp. We transform sick, withered copses like you in to the best you can be, be grateful to be a part of this camp."
"This guy seems like trouble Alex." Derek was convinced.
"To think he's just second commander."
"I have the feeling he will murder us all if given that opportunity." Taven spoke worriedly, causing Derek and Alexander to glance at him.
"For the first event, we shall be preparing for an all out attack on Orin." Devon spoke with a smirk.
His words sparked up the crowd again, causing indistinct murmuring.
"What's Orin?" Derek asked.
Alexander and Taven had to gaze at him, hoping he was joking, but that wasn't the case.
"Is it that bad?" Derek asked, now confused than before.
"That's the front lines of our boarder defence in the western region." Alexander spoke
"We are being sent to the hottest part of this kingdom without training?" Taven asked worriedly.
"I doubt" Alexander folds his arm, "This is a test."
"That's rubbish you prick." A tall fellow yelled out from amidst the crowd.
Everyone remained silent, all eyes on the fair, skinny fellow, his head shaved.
Commander Devon approached the crowd with two Soldiers, the crowd gave way immediately to single out the fellow, allowing Devon to spot him.
Commander Devon stood before him then gazed up at him, "Have we met before?" He asked with a smile.
"No…sire" The fellow stammered.
Commander Devon jabbed his belly, which brought him to his knees, groaning with spittle dripping out his mouth. The two Soldiers picked him up by his arm then dragged him away while Devon returned to his position.
"As I was saying, if you are too ball-less for this event, vacate this camp immediately, your ride is waiting outside."
In that instance a large group began walking out. Taven was about going when he noticed Alexander and Derek still standing.
"You guys are staying?" He asked, full of concern.
"Like Alex said, its a test, of courage and a reminder of what awaits us along this path."
"What actually makes you think that?"
"Look around Taven, there is noway hundreds of Scouts will be recruited just like that, there will always be an activity to reduce numbers."
"Is that an assumption?" Raven's brow farrowed.
"Maybe, either way I'm not backing out." Derek made his stand.
"If so, I'm staying." Taven assured.
"Good choice" a clear-frail voice spoke.
Looking to their rare, there stood a chubby brown skin boy, bald with a round face, giving him a child like appearance.
"I am Liam" the boy introduced himself. "Pleased to be your acquaintance."
Derek kept staring at him while Alexander and Taven approached to introduce themselves, there was this Lankins vibe feeling written all over the boy, from his glistering soft looking skin to the fine scent of ointment and fine tunic, he was definitely from a wealthy home.
"Nice to meet you Derek." Liam offered his hand.
"Yah, sure." Derek shook his hand.
It took a while but silence eventually returned as no one went out anymore, suddenly there was a loud clang which drew everyone's attention to the gate. It took a squad of Soldiers to pull the large chain which dropped the portcullis to seal off the entrance.
"Never expected this." Devon spoke out, riveting everyone's gaze back to him. "Five hundred greenhorn still stayed back, well congratulations on passing the first assignment, you are now Azma Scouts."
Everyone began cheering with shouts and claps.
Taven exhaled deeply then glanced at Alexander and Derek who were smiling at him.
"What furnace did you guys crawl out from?" Taven asked.
"You do not want to know Tav." Derek folds his arm, gazing forward. "Our first step amongst the Azma ranks."
"Oh yes it is." Liam crosses his arm round Derek's shoulder, standing close to him.
Derek gave a sulk at Liam, at his hand then back at him, Liam understood the message immediately, he stepped back towards Taven.
"Rest up well today Scouts," Devon began, "Your worse nightmares begins from tomorrow, when the bell sounds return back here. We have three sections." He points to the left, "That's the Scout section." He points to the right, "That's the soldiers section. No Scout should be found there." He points backwards with his thumb. "That's the knight section, your breath shouldn't even go there. Each quarters is set for just two individuals, any more than that will violate the rules and punishment will be given, wait to get your Scout wears and meals, have a good night sleep." He turned around then approached the Knight section with his men.
"Seems we have a four man team." Liam nodded.
"I'll pair with Alexander," Derek spoke "while Taven can pair with chubs."
"It's Liam, sir," Liam raised his hands towards his mouth to make it clear. "Li... Am."
Derek narrows his eyes at him then at Taven, "Fine, Liam will pair with Taven."
"Fine by me." Taven agreed
They all nodded in agreement then joined the forming line to get their wears and meal.