The chill of dawn painted the air with a silvery sheen as Derek and Alexander woke before the first rays of the sun had even breached the horizon. They readied themselves with a quiet efficiency, putting their quarters in order.
Alexander, leaning against the bed with his arms folded across his chest, cast a curious glance at Derek. "So, what weapon will you be choosing?" he asked.
Derek, focused on sorting his belongings into his pack, responded without looking up.
"I'm going for the sword and spear." Derek replied, a mischievous glint in his eye as he turned to face Alexander. "And you, Alex?"
"Sword, dual swords if possible," Alexander confirmed, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.
Derek smiles, it was very evident what Alexander would pick - being good with his legs. "Not bad Alex, a befitting combination."
A soft chiming sound echoed throughout the camp, signaling the beginning of a new day and, for them, the start of their first training session with Commander Kanlor.
"That's our queue," Derek said, slinging his pack over his shoulder. "We don't want to be late for our first day, now do we?"
Alexander followed suit, his movements calm and sure as he stood to his full height. "Most certainly not."
The duo stepped out of their quarters and were greeted by the sight of Liam, Taven, and Ivan already waiting for them, a friendly exchange of greetings marking the start of their journey.
With a firm nod of acknowledgement, they started their trek towards the camp's gates. As the familiar sound of approaching footsteps alerted them to Team Fifteen's presence, Derek and his team found themselves standing shoulder to shoulder with their rival squad, a tense silence hanging in the air like a thick fog.
As they stood at the gates, Commander Kanlor atop a warhorse, black as the night sky, bolted towards them. His steely gaze sweeping over the assembled squads, addressing them with a curt nod.
"I'm happy to see how great you all are looking. Our destination is Ianal, a small town just beyond the forest region surrounding the lake."
Derek stepped forward, the confidence in his voice evident even in the face of his superior. "Commander Sire, when will our horses be arriving?"
A ripple of tension passed through the group, everyone's eyes fixed on Kanlor, awaiting his response.
The commander chuckled, "Horses?" he said, the laughter dripping from his voice. "You're going on foot. It's part of your training."
Liam's chuckle reverberated through the stunned silence, catching everyone's attention. "Wait, he's serious?" he asked, disbelief written across his features.
Kanlor eyes gleaming with a threat that sent a chill through the very bones of the scouts, kicked at his stallion, the powerful beast rearing up in a display of power.
"Meet me by the lake," he growled. "Don't you dare keep me waiting."
As Kanlor rode off, his warhorse's hooves thundering against the ground, the scouts exchanged uncertain glances.
"This makes no sense." Holms spoke up, his voice brimming with frustration.
"Standing here won't help either." Derek sighed.
"Hanging around team twenty is worse." Holm's hatered betrayed him.
The taunt pierced the fragile peace like an arrow, igniting the long-simmering tension.
Ivan's eyes flashed with rage, he stepped forward, closing the distance between him and Holms. "Take that back." he growled, his fists clenched and ready for action.
Derek, sensing the impending eruption, interposed himself between the two teams, stretching a hand to hold Ivan back.
"Calm down Ivan." Derek urged.
"Better do as your leader instructed deep face." Rave joined in.
"What did you call me?" Ivan snapped back.
"Hey, hey, hey! Pipe it down. Unless you want Alex to step in." Derek proposed.
The tension hung heavy in the air, but the weight of Alexander's unspoken threat seemed to quell the worst of the brewing violence.
With a final, bristling glance at Team Fifteen, Rave scoffed and turned on his heel, his team following suit in a silent show of obedience. Derek's team trailed behind, leaving the animosity of the moment behind but its weight lingering like a specter in their midst.
The early morning sun glinted off the rippling surface of the lake as the team arrived, their bodies slick with sweat and their hearts pounding from the effort of the jog.
Commander Kanlor, his mouth stuffed with a succulent, sizzling steak, smirked as Liam, drool gathering at the corners of his mouth, knelt in silent homage to the delicious meal.
"Noting like a juicy stake in the morning, right, Liam?" Kanlor chuckled.
Liam, his gaze fixed on the steak, bobbed his head in slow, agonizing agreement. "Sweet, sweet steak." His voice was a mournful whisper, befitting the deep loss of such a delicious repast.
"Alright lads, just over that portion of the forest," Kanlor points over the lake, "is a path leading to Ianal, don't be late." He kicks at his horse, spurring it into a trot through the corners at the left side of the lake.
Taven pulled Liam to his feet. "Get up, chubs. More of that awaits us in Ianal," he assured his teammate, his voice as steady and true as a seasoned warrior's.
Liam, his eyes wide with eager hope, responded, "Really?"
"Sure, chubs." Taven responded confidently, a wry grin pulling at the corners of his lips. "Now, let's get moving."
Liam, his spirits buoyed by the promise of a sumptuous feast, bounded after Taven, his feet moving quicker than they had on the jog.
"Amateurs," Ivan muttered, his voice dripping with derision as he stalked past his teammates, his pride forcing him to lead the way towards the path at the left of the lake.
"You guys take that route, we'll take the other." Rave made himself clear, already on his way towards the other corner at the right side of the Lake.
"I heard that path is dangerous." Derek spoke with a straight face, fighting to stifle a laugh.
"Stop bloating out rubbish." Rave was vexed.
"I could have sworn a mauled deer was found there, probably wolfs." Alexander touched his chin.
"You two planned this to scare us." Rave stood his ground.
A wolf's howl, distant but unmistakable, pierced the air, sending a chill down the Scouts' spines.
Rave, turned to survey the path that lay before him, the forest looming large and mysterious. In an instant, he wheeled around, his team already retreating towards the safety of Liam and Taven's route.
Derek, still stunned by the wolf's cry, turned to Alexander, disbelief coloring his words.
"I was just bluffing."
"So was I." Alexander's twinkled in shock.
They hurried after the others, casting quick glances over their shoulder.
It took them a while to get to the opposite side of the lake, were they followed the clear path paving through the forest.
The lush - verdant forest had a sense of peace and tranquillity as birdsong filled the air, its trees towering above with branches weaving together like a green canopy, filtering the sunlight through its leaves - dappling the forest floor blooming with wild-flowers.
Dusk had fallen, painting the sky with a delicate blush of lavender and gold, as the weary team reached Ianal, the glade-hugged town that marked their destination. The river, a sparkling ribbon of light, stretched through the town and flowed beyond to Ozak in the east.
At the hunchbacked wooden bridge crossing the river, Commander Kanlor stood waiting, his figure casting a long shadow in the twilight.
As the scouts collapsed to the dirt, gulping down air like dying fish, Kanlor's voice rumbled in amusement. "Congratulations, lads. You made it in one piece," he continued, the words carrying a suspicious weight.
The scouts exchanged wary glances, each seeking the truth in their commander's words.
"I forgot to mention the wolves," Kanlor said, a sly smile playing at his lips. "My mistake."
The scouts bristled, their uneasiness growing with every syllable.
Rave's voice came in a soft murmur. "What if one of us had been killed, not that I care for team twenty..."
"Does it make a difference?" Kanlor countered. "If not all of you, eventually one of you will die as you forge ahead on this path."
Derek straightened his shoulders. "Well no one on my team is dying," he declared, his words a challenge and a promise.
Kanlor's eyes twinkled with a mixture of amusement and admiration. "Then you have no idea what awaits you," he said, his voice ringing with the certainty of experience.
Derek's resolve remained undaunted. "Watch and see, Commander Sire," he said, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I'll prove you wrong."
"You remind me of a once young and zealous fellow." Kanlor's gaze swept across the team, taking in the unflinching determination of its members. "Up on your feet, everyone," he ordered, his voice brooking no dissent. "This is not our destination yet. We still have to walk to the compound."
Groans and grumbling accompanied the scouts' ascent, as they walked behind Kanlor, their feet heavy from the day's exertion.
Kanlor led the group into the heart of Ianal, its charm and beauty outstripping Derek's expectations as well as others. The cobblestone-laid streets seemed to vibrate with life, and the thatched-roof cottages spoke of a simpler, rustic charm. The townspeople—who wore their Azma allegiance with pride—greeted Kanlor with gifts and salutes, while the solemn patrol of archers maintained a watchful eye over the goings-on.
After they had made their way west, the group arrived at a hall cottage, its facade sturdy and imposing.
"Welcome to my home, my family isn't around so keep things clean, team fifteen go down the passage by the left, there's only one door, you can't miss it, team twenty do likewise to the right."
The room was wide enough to comfortably hold the slabs of moss-dressed beds that awaited them. Two beds stood at either side of the room, with a singular bed wedged between two windows, chest drawers leaning against each one.
"Come on!" Liam yelled.
Derek wasted no time in making himself comfortable on one of the beds. "Quit whinnying and enjoy what we have," he suggested, "It could've been worse, you know."
"I lived a far better life before camp," Liam complained, his bitterness sharp as a blade. "My life seems to be going on the hook."
"What did you expect?" Ivan countered, "Juicy steaks everywhere?"
Just then, Mark appeared, poking his head through the doorway. "Anyone willing to take a bath? The river is just behind," he announced.
"The same river flowing out of Ozak?" Taven questioned, his voice laden with apprehension.
"I quote." Mark began, "It is part of our training." He walks away.
"Who knows what's lurking in the deep?" Taven shivered to his words.
Liam's agreement was swift, "He'll surely get us killed before our time," he assured, his voice a thin wail of despair.