A New Friend

Joshua making his way out of the drill hall heads towards the training field Susanna mentioned earlier. hoping to go for a run, he loosens the top two buttons of his blaze. As he approaches the site of the trail and begins to stretch, a voice calls out to him from behind stopping him in his tracks. Furrowing his brow in annoyance, his mercenary mannerisms leak out, the look on his face shows disdain. “HEY, you’re the new member of wolf squad, right?” a higher pitched voice echoes.

Joshua nods his head and turns to his right. “Well then, I challenge you to a duel for your spot.” The rambunctious boy yells out pointing his hand in Joshua’s face.

“Not interested,” Joshua motions his hand and flips his hair to the side as he walks further down the trail with the other boy following. Eyeing this unique confrontation from the treetops, a man clad in strange purple and gray flowing robes lands between the two of them.

“Hey cadet, my name is Weil. I know your new here but if someone challenges you to a duel you can’t reject it. Its apart of the rules.” The captains eyes narrow as he stares down at Joshua.

“Exactly,” Exclaims the boy. “My name is Orthon and I challenge you to a duel for your place in wolf squad.” He motions with his arms as he clenches his right fist with passion.

“When would this be exactly?” Joshua respectfully questions. “How about in a few days.” The bald-headed man nods.

“Sounds fine to me.” Orthon loudly interjects, the passion flowing from his body.

“Okay… then, whatever floats your boat.” Turning back to Weil, Joshua rolls his eyes. “Can I get started back on my run please.” He sighs out.

“Sounds great I could go for a run as well. I’ll join you, just let me go drop off my things.” Orthon interjects as Joshua dusts himself.

The boy runs off leaving the man and Joshua alone. “Don’t worry about him, he enjoys challenging the other cadets, he’s been looking for an equal in talent.”

“What’s he like?” Questions Joshua. “He’s capable and quick witted, but jumps the gun a bit too often. He’s extremely talented though, it’s a pity Gytha got her hands on him. He’d be more suited for me or Gyles. Oh, and I’m the squad leader of bear squad, I’ll be looking forward to your performance; Terra.”

The last part coming out with a hint of amusement. Soon after Orthon makes his way back to the trail and stands beside Joshua in his running clothes. “Well, I’ll leave you to it boys. Remember if you follow the trail outside the walls don’t stray too far, it’s dangerous after dark.” He immediately pulls out his canteen taking a swig before walking off. “Was he drinking?” Joshua smells the air around himself not remembering much about the man. Orthon looks over at Joshua excitedly.

Joshua eventually starts forward along the trail with the boy following quickly behind. Mumbling to himself Draxis listens on. “I don’t remember him very much last time around, maybe Gytha broke him before I ever got out of the medical ward.”

“Anything is possible, after all I didn’t even realize time travel was possible.” Draxis cackles from within Joshua's mind as he smirks himself. From behind, Orthon’s voice calls out to Joshua as he stops turning around. “To start with, nice to meet you my name is Orthon Vielo. And well between you, me and the fence-post; The people in charge of this place are batshit insane. Weil is a drunk, and Layrn is battle hungry.”

Joshua nods his head, everything ringing a bell in his own mind. “What about the others? I assume you've been here a bit longer than me.”

Orthon shakes his head up and down over exaggeratedly. “As for the others well, Gyles is a little strange to say the least and Gytha.” he pauses “Well she is both literally and metaphorically a witch,” his voice trails off before he lets out how he really feels. “I’m also pretty sure that she is colder than the Commandant himself.” Joshua cracks a smile at the comparison.

“As for him, he’s usually fine unless you catch his eye; He’ll do anything to keep himself entertained. Apparently, he’s been bored for a long time. There used to be five people on Gytha’s squad, but one of them pissed him off.” “Now that sounds like the commandant I remember.” Joshua thinks to himself.

“As for me, I’ve only done it once; won’t try that again.” Joshua chuckles at Orthon as his memories start clicking in. “Yep, all that sounds about right, except I thought there was an older man named Andric.”

Orthon responds “I heard that he left six months ago to go on a mission, since then nobody has heard from him.” After hearing that Joshua shrugs his shoulders and speeds up telling the boy if he wants to keep talking pick up the pace.

“Yeah, that’s just weird, wasn’t he here when I started last time.” Joshua questions while racking his brain. As the two of them continue running they quickly become well acquainted with each other as they have somewhat similar family lives, just that Joshua’s family is a bit more unhinged.

Eventually a few hours come and go as the sun begins to set in the distance. Soon the two boys realize that they aren’t quite sure where they're at anymore, they had been following the path but must have gotten distracted talking. Orthon immediately starts to panic his voice stammering out. “We are so screwed if we don’t get back soon. After the sun sets the gates get locked and the monsters come out.”

“It’s not that big of a deal, we'll be fine” Joshua attempts to stop Orthon from freaking out by placing his hands on his shoulders, but fails miserably as Orthon shakes him off.

“The last person who did this was found torn asunder by a scout miles away from the camp.” Joshua shakes his head in dismissal.

“Orthon shut up and trust me, the monsters shouldn’t come out until the moon is quarter of the way risen; We should have enough time to get back.” Joshua sighs eyeing the rising moon. “After all I’m pretty sure we just didn’t veer off the path very far, we just need to go back the way we came.” Because of this, Joshua starts focusing on taking in the land marks off in the distance.

Eventually after a little bit longer of freaking out and Joshua glaring at him. Orthon regains his composure as they're able to re-find the trail. As they begin to make their way back Orthon questions his newfound friend. “You know Joshua, how is it that you seem so calm and relaxed on your first day? When I got here, I was terrified, it took me a few weeks to adjust. Even the Commandant congratulated you.”

“If you lose your sense on the battle field, it’ll get you killed. So I try to treat this place as such, we are in camp surrounded by monsters after all.” A cold look descends upon his face as he looks to the ground. Orthon looks at Joshua kind of being put off by his statement, but nonetheless understands his reasoning. Trying to change the topic Orthon brings up the uniform Joshua is wearing. Pointing out its differences.

Its jet black with a red collar and some fancy yellow trim work. Alongside that, the buttons are a shiny red material. “Where did you get that from?” Orthon questions.

“Umm, there is supposed to be a standard uniform for cadets in training. Don’t tell me nobody here aside from my squad have them. I mean my father probably had mine and my siblings custom made but still I doubt that this training site can't afford clothes.” Joshua looks at Orthon in disbelief.

“I think the commandant said that the outfits had to be custom ordered before being sent here and they were quite pricey. That’s why I’m just wearing black pants and a blue tunic with a steel plate in the chest.” Orthon pounds his chest, the sound of metal getting absorbed by the cloth.

“What the hell, were they really that expensive. I swear that they were provided to the cadets last time. That must be why Saria told me to take care of it.” “Okay then, at least I know that the dress code isn’t firmly enforced then.” Orthon chuckles in response.

As they finish their conversation a loud crash could be heard in the distance urging them to be careful. Immediately he tells Orthon to slow down and that they have to be quiet. As they snuck their way back along, they ran into a pack of dire wolves scavenging a nearby felled beast. They were black and gray, with manged fur that looks like it hasn't been washed in a month; at the rear lye their leader; an giant albino with scarlet eyes. “That thing is huge.” Orthon whispers aloud.

Instantly eyeing the beasts, the two stop in their tracks. Orthon eyes Joshua wondering what they were to do now. A clear look of panic crossing his face. Joshua lowers his hand to the side of his left boot withdrawing a large dagger before lifting his finger to his lips. Directing with his hands and mouthing commands Orthon followed his lead and snuck over to the left of the pack while Joshua took the dagger cutting his finger tip and draws a rune on the ground. Quickly backing away he makes his way over to his compatriot.

“On my signal; run like your life depends on it.”Joshua whispers. Orthon nods with understanding and gets into stance. Almost instantly after, an explosion goes off where Joshua drew on the ground as his blood rune crackles with energy. It works perfectly startling the pack and directing their attention away from where they needed to go. As the wolves panic the two of them book it back to camp, but not before the leader of the wolves looks at Joshua almost like taking a mental image. It takes around twenty more minutes of constant running before they catch sight of the camp. Joshua’s stamina training quickly pays off.

“That was a close one,” Orthon pants out between breaths as he falls to his rear. “How did you do that? I thought only mages could do that.”

“Would you believe me if I said I was the disciple of the Mercenary King?” Joshua chuckles with a half-hearted grin.

“First of all, who? second, what. And third, thanks for getting us out of there.” Orthon stammers out in rapid succession catching Joshua mildly off guard, himself having to take a step back.

“No problem, it’s my fault we got distracted.” Joshua laughs as he places his hand on Orthon’s shoulder.

“Don’t sweat it, I’ll be seeing you in a few days. Don’t get too comfortable with your spot Josh.” Orthon waves his hand with a cheeky smile as he runs off to wherever he came from.

“That was a close one.” Joshua sighs in relief as Draxis pipes up. “You’re telling me kid; I thought you said that the monsters here don’t come out before moonrise.”

Joshua responds to his draconic friend, “I honestly don’t know, they shouldn’t have been out yet; Unless something drew them there. Normally they follow a set pattern. And that beast, I’m pretty sure that’s what wrecked the caravan.” “No wonder you got messed up last time.” The two of them mentally recall the size of that beast as it tore through caravan and consumed the driver.

As they make their way up to his room; Joshua not paying much attention to where he’s going, runs straight into Susanna causing her to fall right on top of him. The commotion catches the attention of his neighbors. “What’s going on out here, it’s almost lights out.” The first of the twins calls out peeping his head around the corner looking at the situation.

“Hey Wil, come look at our squad mates!” Vilhelm exclaims deviously.

“Huh, what was that Vil?” The other of the twins mutters before gazing over at the two of them.”

“Wow, not only did you get taller, you’ve also started fraternizing with girls, they grow up so fast.” Vilhelm fake cries continuing to tease their youngest.

“Yeah, seems like our dear Joshua wants to follow in the eldest's footsteps.” Wilhelm retorts as the twins burst out laughing at Joshua’s mishap.

“Ughh”. The olive girl huffs and puffs, pushing off of him while blushing profusely. Quickly getting back to her feet, she immediately runs towards her room slamming the door shut. “Did she just have pointy ears? But she looks human...” Joshua thinks to himself before chuckling at the situation, it reminds him of his antics with Sera.After regaining his composure, he picks himself back up off the ground turns to his brothers shaking his head. “I just can’t catch a break today, can I?” Pushing past them he makes his way to the top floor.

Doing his best to ignore his brother’s commentary. “See you in the morning little bro and don’t worry Joshua, I Vilhelm Von Terra will be your wing-man.” The more brash of the twins call out before making his way back to his respective room. Joshua sweat drops at that last statement. “Please no. I don't need help... Especially from you.”

As Joshua finally makes his way into his room, he plops down on his bed physically and mentally exhausted. “Draxis, what the hell just happened.” Joshua asks aloud. “Well, you ran into that girl, she fell on top of you, got embarrassed and ran off. Then your brothers proceeded to tease the hell out of you. Did I miss anything?”

Joshua face palms not getting the answer he intended. Quickly plopping down on his bed he closes his eyes and lifts his arms to the sky stretching and they fall to his sides. “I guess that’s enough for one day." Joshua mutters aloud before passing out shortly after not even getting a chance to bathe.