A/N: This is a short chapter, think of this as a part 2 of the previous chapter and to let you all know that this is still in the works, even while on hold.
The walk down the first corridor and then up a flight of stairs was silent and ridden with unease as Shawn looked around, dark colors mixed with his devotions symbol created an atmosphere of the environment he just simply didn't like. "I know what you're thinking." Baxton spoke out loud, partly to himself and partially to pull Shawn's attention from his own rabbithole of thoughts. "'What's with all the Conqueror devotion flags and banners hanging' right?" Baxton gave a faux pause, one long enough to invoke thought into Shawn, but not one long enough for him to interject his own thoughts into the conversation. "As much as we would like it to be in celebration of you joining our ranks here at the Harbor, it's just not the case, nor do we have the time." Baxton stopped walking just outside a door frame atop the outside wall and motioned for Shawn to step beside him.
The view was unpleasant, broken walls around the edges of the brick dock, towers partially destroyed, old but now permanent blood soaked scaffolding around a smaller secondary gate to the north east of the wall they were standing on. "Just a couple nights ago we lost a conqueror much like yourself defending this harbor, decapitated by the Viking plague haunting this lake." Shawn wasn't given any time to ruminate as Baxton began walking again, towards another flight of stairs heading down back into the outer wall. Quickly and now more disturbed than before, Shawn caught up to Baxton inside the torch-lit corridor, mirroring the one that had led the two up to the wall's walkways. The two continued in silence for some distance as they took a few turns here and there before being spat out into a much larger room. To their right was a large room filled with tables, much like the one at Fort Stone. It didn't take Shawn long to realize that it was the mess hall. Immediately to their left was a tall wooden door that was, at the moment, closed and locked with a large wooden beam.
Baxton gave a quick explanation of the two locations, the left being the entrance to the harbor from the Fort, as well as the room housing the ever valuable anchor, and the room to the right being, Shawn guessed it, the mess hall. Shawn was expected to be at the mess hall shortly after sun up for breakfast before sparring, in the mess hall at noon for lunch, and just before sundown for supper. With the quick explanations out of the way the two continued on with the tour, leading Shawn to the sparring and training rooms in the dueling wing of the Fort. The two entrances to the training areas flanked the corridor, being on either side. The entrances themselves were different however, the entrance to the training room had no doors and was laid out very similarly to the sparing rooms at Fort Stone, four large square arenas with wooden posts and rope making up the perimeter of the arenas, along with an additional section for what looked to be exercising equipment, large stones and various slabs of rocks in different shapes of circles and squares.
The other entrance to Shawn's left had a somewhat ornate looking double wooden door, at least a foot and a half taller than Shawn. The doors were closed and the sound of combat could be heard through the doors, no doubt some of the other champions dueling. "Those doors lead to the dueling ring, a place where we have friendly duels in our downtime, host tournaments, and... settle petty wages." Baxton spoke the last part as quickly and as quietly as possible, seeming almost ashamed of how the ring was used. "Well get around to this area tomorrow when we see what stuff you're made of." Baxton didn't give Shawn time to respond before he continued down the hallway of the dueling wing.
The two climbed another set of stairs, this time a spiral staircase to ascend to the third floor of the Fort and into the champion's living wing. However, Baxton turned short of any entrance and guided Shawn to a wide open room that had a single large circular table in the middle. "This is the war room, you'll do your best to remember to meet here after every training and sparring section." Baxton led the conqueror to a chair at the end of the table. "This is where we hand out both orders and commendations. Don't be late." Baxton made sure to drill in to Shawn's head about the importance of the room before the two left with Baxton closing the door behind them. The tour concluded as Baxton led Shawn to a room with an open door. The room in question was empty except for a bed, an armor stand, a small weapons rack, and an area to store clothes. "This is where you'll be bedding for the entirety of your stay here, as are the other champions and I. Reorganize however you see fit, just don't create a large mess." Baxton paused as Shawn walked around the room. It was more spacious than the one he was assigned at Fort Stone. 'More bare and empty' Shawn thought to himself as he set his bags onto the bed in the middle of the room. "A few things to note, you may practice your musical arts until sundown if you have time, personal candles must be put out after sundown, and unless otherwise stated, such as being posted for guard duty, all champions must be at the barracks by sundown. It's a headcount thing."
Shawn made mental notes of all three before replying. "I'll do my best to keep all this in mind for tomorrow." He turned to his items sitting on the bed before Baxton spoke up again. "Oh! One more thing. As per devotion regulation, our resident Lawbringer has been assigned to watch over you until she deems it no longer necessary." There was lapses in Shawn's thought process as he was taken off guard. "Did you say 'she'?" He asked, completely disregarded the regulation he had never heard of up until now. "Yes, I did. Her name is Johann and she'll be up to meet you once she's done sparring with Gaeyah." Baxton paused, expecting at least one more question to come from the Conqueror, but none came. "I have things I need to attend to, namely supply demands and what not, so I'll leave you be and let you settle in." With that Baxton turned and left, leaving a stupefied Shawn to ponder if winning the duel against Darin was really the better of the two outcomes.
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A Criminals Respite, an Officers Solace
Fantastik[BE WARNED; THIS BOOK IS ON HOLD] Drafties, or those better known as criminal conscripts are used to replenish and reinforce during desperate times. In these time we find the elite, the diamonds in the rough. An immovable wall, an unyielding ram. Th...
