[Basic Training] New Jade Recruit Sees the Light (Dabin Zulk)

[Aviator]

10th Brightening of Cryxatum during the Season of Summer, Era Fourteen Post Fractum


The first rays of the rising suns darted horizontally across the training field. The long orange stripes of light filtered through tree branches and around buildings to pierce all the way to where the Shield Daekin stood. He was waiting on the last recruits to file into what they considered to be a formation so they could get started learning how to be soldiers. The task was not easy and the Daekin grew impatient as he spied a few more running to not be late.

This brightening meant a lot to every single soul standing before the Daekin. Either this was punishment for some outlaws who had been caught and forced into it or it was a step in the right direction for ambitious men with a desire to serve the Empire. Regardless of who they were or why they were here, their paths crossed and they were now a class of recruits. Some four or five hundred strong, their numbers would dwindle immensely over the next couple cycles.

For now, though, they waited nervously as they awaited their future.

[Dabin Zulk]

For, many the task of waking up early was a difficult one. Dabin had found this with considerable ease being used to farm life. A farmer had to wake up and use every precious bit of light he could to accomplish much as could. Dabin was on of the first, he took pride and dedication in his new found life. He had too. He was nervous, one hears tells of basic and the drill instructor.

He also knew full well others will try to bring him down. There were always that joker or clown, who would make light of a situation. What would come next would be punishment for the whole. He saw the others out of the corner of his eyes filing in late. Silently cursing them, some one was going to be late and that was just a gut instinct.

[Aviator]

As the suns rose and recruits still filed in, the Shield Daekin in front of the group allowed his face to redden. His anger flushed his typically pale cheeks and he could no longer hold his tongue. "What in Diana's name are you doing, recruit!? You were late half a candlemark ago and you're taking your sweet time to form up?! Get over here!" The recruit the towering Daekin had picked out was unfortunate, and he knew it. Trembling and doing his best at coming to a proper position of attention, he yelled, "Yes sir!"

"It's SIR, YES SIR! you empty headed grunt!" It was apparently not the right brightening to be late. With one full grip of the man's neck, the Shield Daekin made the new recruit's face match the color of his own. "You will never be late again!" He threw the recruit to the ground and turned to the rest of the formation. "And that goes for every one of you!" Silence was an extremely effective tool when gray eyes could pierce through a man just as easily.

"I am Shield Daekin Pennington and I attempt to train you all into Legionnaires. My job at times seems impossible and considering the likes of you -bastards, nobles, thieves, and stable boys- I deserve a metal every graduating class." Pennington started to pace in front of the formation as he continued. "In six cycles you will be released as a Legionnaire with the training and discipline that goes along with it. You will learn how to be a soldier and what it means to serve. You will call me sir and I will call you whatever I want. It is your job to prove to me that you belong here and my job find reasons to kick you out. Are there any questions?!" He did not wait to find out: "Let's move!"

Pennington started to run towards the training ground at a pace much quicker than the majority of the group could keep up with. Training, as they all now understood, would not be too easy. Finally slowing in the middle of the grounds, the Shield Daekin stopped and impatiently waited for the group to form up again. "You will meet here every brightening unless otherwise ordered. Now, drop your armor in a pile and meet back here. NOW!"

[Dabin Zulk]

Some of the recruits muttered under their breaths of what kind of motherless man this man was. Dabin kept his eyes trained forward as Shield Daekin Pennington yelled at the poor soul who was late, but what had really taken him, was the force shown by Pennington on the soul. The poor soul gasped for air as color came back, Dabin knew immediately this was the last man in the Empire, you wanted to make angry. Dabin had to take this seriously, he had ambitions for himself and a goal he wanted to obtain.

Dabin ran as fast as he could, he wasn't used to running with his gear on. He Dabin was with the men and women in that were in front of group. It was to be expected, as he was used to running after stray calves. The next order was to pile the armor and formed back up. After their drill instructors display of rage, he doubted anyone would acted up, or at least he prayed not. Dabin kept his eyes trained forward hoping he would go unnoticed.

[Aviator]

The recruits were so awfully slow. Of course, according to the man barking commands, that was the role a military recruit was supposed to play. They were slow, they were dumb, they were unskilled and undisciplined. Nothing was out of the ordinary this brightening at all, but he yelled nonetheless, "Hurry up! The longer you make me wait, the longer you will later be disappointed in yourself for making me wait!" It was a job, but one the Daekin took incredibly seriously.

When they had all mustered again, some were forcing their breath through their nose while others were doubled over gasping for air indicating how far they were from being in condition to fight. Shaking his head, Pennington said, "You will all train on your own and together in order to get into some sort of shape. If you are not fit enough, you cannot fight effectively. And just in case you were not aware, you will have to fight in the military." His words were obvious and most likely could have gone without saying, but the words when said aloud seemed to strike a certain chord in the hearts of men which could only be brought out by the realism of their situation. "If you are in poor condition, you will die on the battlefield."

Two Senior Legionnaires wheeled a cart over to where the group of recruits were located. They uncovered the cart to reveal a massive pile of wooden replica swords. Shield Daekin Pennington drew his own blade and gave the next orders. "Quickly take a practice sword from the cart and get back into formation. This time, allow yourself more room to move about. And I would suggest you move quickly this time." Apparently they did not move quickly the last time, but the threat might make some of the slower men move a bit quicker.