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Post by The Rising Dragon on Sept 27, 2010 19:05:34 GMT -5
Morning call sounded in the outpost, signaling the stationed officers and personnel to wake up and ready for a new day, Spearman Ryo Shoryu included. The men scrambled to dress into their uniforms and head off to the mess hall, but before they could charge off for breakfast, the door to Shoryu's barracks swung open, permitting Captain Azlas' entry. The barracks hall stilled as the man, already clad in his armor and with his blade rifle strapped to his hip, watched over them imperiously.
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Post by Ryo on Sept 27, 2010 22:02:15 GMT -5
Ryo was preoccupied with rubbing his eyes awake. Why'd the rest of the soldiers go silent anyway? Had a superior shown up? It's not as though they'd done anything... Oh wait, he had gone running around in the mines the day before. The thief even got away again... Or the check up was being held early. It wouldn't kill him to ask. "Hey guys, who's here and what do they want?"
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Sept 28, 2010 0:41:48 GMT -5
The other soldiers visibly stilled, and the silence grew palpable at Ryo's statement. Most of them turned to look at Captain Azlas, who was entirely expressionless. Finally, the man barked out an order. "Spearman Shoryu, report!"
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Post by Ryo on Sept 28, 2010 2:29:26 GMT -5
That woke him up. Practically tripping over himself, he scrambled forward and gave a salute. "Reporting for duty, sir!"
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Oct 1, 2010 1:27:54 GMT -5
The superior officer looked down at Ryo for several moments before saying, "Follow me, Spearman. The rest of you, at ease."
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Post by Ryo on Oct 1, 2010 5:18:54 GMT -5
A feeling of dread washed over him with that remark. Nevertheless, he trailed behind the captain, head hung in despair.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Oct 2, 2010 0:16:11 GMT -5
"Chin up, soldier," the captain reprimanded as the two of them exited the fort barracks. The other men in the structure could only give Ryo looks of sympathy before the two of them disappeared from their sight.
As they walked, the captain spoke. "I was briefed by Knight Dragonheart when you were transferred," he said in a concise, clipped manner. "So I know you're a better soldier than most give you credit for. I'm not here to punish you for your actions the other day; in fact, from what I read in everyone's reports, you did rather well."
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Post by Ryo on Oct 2, 2010 5:41:21 GMT -5
To say he was bewildered would be an understatement. Whether it was curiosity or blatant stupidity, he just had to ask. "Wait... I'm not in trouble? That kid broke into storage while I was on guard, stole a knight's sword, and escaped capture... Twice. Aren't low ranking guards discharged for that kind of stuff?"
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Oct 2, 2010 12:56:19 GMT -5
"Normally you would be," Azlas confirmed. "But now your superior officer is under investigation for the negligence he displayed with you. That's why no one bothered to lift a finger to help you back in Kallagulia. Knight Dragonheart is making sure that it won't happen again."
Soldiers were marching out of the barracks now to head to the mess hall. The captain was also headed there, albeit taking a roundabout way. "I made sure my men wouldn't make the same mistake, and yet they couldn't capture the thief either. He's not an ordinary person. I'm more concerned about how he seemed to have followed you to this outpost... there's nothing of worth in these mountains, not anymore. The mines have all dried up."
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Post by Ryo on Oct 2, 2010 18:41:47 GMT -5
Well, the kid had shown some interest in the bracelet. Maybe he had been followed. "He's certainly not normal... He was more than willing to fight a hellspawn to avoid being thrown in prison... And now that I think about it, I don't think a single thing he's said to me has made any rational sense."
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Oct 2, 2010 19:47:10 GMT -5
Azlas nodded. "We're looking into his identity currently; he looks Tsuminarian from his features. We're hoping he has some records in the Empire, and if he does, we'll find him."
The two were near the mess hall now. "About why I called for you," the captain said. "Due to what happened in the mines, your examiner decided to arrive early. Your examination will happen later today, and you have been excused from your duties for the remainder of the day, pending the results of the examination."
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Post by Ryo on Oct 2, 2010 22:05:35 GMT -5
Tempted as he was to run off cheering, he managed to restrain himself. "So I've got the day off, too? That's great, but this exam... Is there anything to it?"
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Oct 4, 2010 15:01:34 GMT -5
"I have no idea, Spearman," Azlas responded. "I don't have a lick of magical ability in me, so I haven't had to deal with mages all that much. You'll find out when you're summoned."
The man stopped as they arrived at the mess hall. "Just remember one thing, Spearman," he said. "This trinket that's attached itself to you is unlike anything else the Empire knows about. If word gets out, you might be targeted for it by thieves, criminals... possibly even the Korin. Make sure that they never get it. Guard it with your life. Now... you're dismissed. Remember that you'll be summoned sometime later today for the examination."
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Post by Ryo on Oct 4, 2010 20:33:49 GMT -5
"I'll protect it as best as I can, sir." Not that he'd have much choice. They'd probably have to saw his arm off to take it. "Oh, uh, have a nice day, sir." With that said, he gave a salute and practically ran off. As if the kid weren't enough, now he might have terrorists chasing after him.
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Post by The Rising Dragon on Oct 5, 2010 12:52:53 GMT -5
Azlas watched Ryo's retreating form for several more moments, and then the door to the mess hall opened and out stepped... Captain Azlas?
"Was that really necessary?" he asked the first Azlas. After a moment, the Azlas that had spoken with Ryo began to waver like a heat mirage before fading, becoming a middle-aged woman in Taron Magi robes and uniform.
"I wanted to see if that bracelet would detect illusion spells and the like, but it seems it cannot," she replied shortly. "Besides, he seems like a nice enough lad; I'm sure he'll forgive me for the deceit."
The Stamarian captain crossed his arms, looking unamused. "Just don't do anything to endanger him with your examinations," he said gruffly. "That boy's been though enough the last couple of weeks. I respect Knight Dragonheart, but I don't want her coming after me too."
"You have nothing to worry about, Captain," the mage said kindly.
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