hope this one is better
Chapter 1
The day was just ending as Cai and Thaion trudged up the muddy laneway. The weather had been poor all day and the rain had yet to cease. They approached the dorm , cold, drenched and hungry . the only thing they wanted to do was climb into their beds and sleep until the morning call was sounded but It would be a while before that could happen . the pair changed out of their soaked training gear and dressed in a clean tunic and breaches before heading off to the dining room to eat with the rest of their class before they commenced the dreaded task of cleaning and repairing their training gear.
Dinner came and went in what seemed like a life time , by the time they had finished cleaning there equipment was cleaned and stored and their cloths had been washed and pressed it was already well passed midnight. The pair wordlessly climbed into bed and fell asleep finding themselves dreading the morning wake up call , knowing that it would bring more work and more hardship for them , or so they thought.
***
The morning bell timed and the dorm was a hive of activity, cleaning and making morning preparations before rounds was to be conducted. This was the last day they had to make a good impression before the selection day tomorrow. When 20 out of the 55 recruits would be selected for knighthood based on aspects of the test. However to Thaion and Cai this was just another day . they had only been here five weeks compared to the other boys who had been here the whole year. Unlike the rest they held no hope of making it through selection themselves.
“ Thaion , do you think we have a chance on the selection test . we have no idea what to expect . the others keep saying it will be either a physical or written test. “
Thaion just sighed . He had known Cai all his life , ever since he was a little boy and he always knew his friend was analyses anything to full extent and anything he didn’t know or didn’t seem to fit bother him to no end. The though that this was bothering him caused a small smile to spread across his face. “ Cai we have been training hard these past weeks . we are ready for anything. We have more experience than any other of these boys despite our age . we can handle it.” Thaion paused and he looked at his friend for a moment , noting the worried expression that had spread across his young face. “ Remember when we were chasing those wild pigs and they older men kept saying we would never be successful. Remember how you sulked for weeks until you finally accompanied me to rid the town of them . we proved everyone wrong then. And we were only nine then !. imagine what we can achieve now. We have had more training and have more skills then any of these boys . I promise if it is a possibility I will help you as much as I can in this .” this time he could see the smile on his friends face . “ you’re tight Thaion. We can do this . I promise as well . there is nothing we can’t do.” With this said the boys finished there duties and set of to breakfast. They had agreed to spend there free time honing there skills separately away from anyone to reduce distraction and to concentrate on their goal. They had to find her .they had to pass this test.
It was mid morning as the platoon stood in ordered ranks , waiting for the inspection to commence and the test to start. Here anyone could be dismissed and forbidden from partaking in the exam if they ha anything out of line or could not hold a disciplined rank on succession and perfection according to the rest of the men beside them. There was only one acception at this academy , a young girl. However very few people recognized her as she looked just like every other boy and as she had joined at the same time as Thaion and Cai not many gave her a second thought.
The commander and his officers now approached the dais as the platoon leader reported that all were in attendance and ready to commence the final test.
From here the commander started his inspection . he was a small man but looked had a look of confidence and defiance that told anyone who would look down on him that there was more to him then he let on. By the end of inspection only 35 of the 55 boys remained on the parade ground . once he had ascended the dais the order was given to reform and close ranks as we waited to be addressed.
It was then that the commander powerful voice range across the parade ground , carrying clearly to those of us who remained .
“ You are all here because you have something that I deem necessary for anyone who wishes to survive in the world as a worrier and a leader of both men and women alike.’
“ I know you have all been wondering what type of test you will be partaking in today .” he paused looking into the faces of the youth that stood before him. “ However there is no test. You will be split into groups . you teacher opted to test people individually to asses there capabilities . Those who have passed there assessment will be entered through, the rest of you however will be sitting a written test to act as a assessment of your abilities and then you will be tested separately within the next few weeks to see who will make up the rest of the team. If you name is called please fall out and fall in in as a separate platoon to the left of the dais. I will hand over to Rhys to make the announcements . I wish you all luck .” this was the last thing he said before de descended the dais to stand at the stairs on the left hand side . it was soon clear those who were called were the ones who had been selected . Rhys himself was a tall man with broad shoulder and a whit livid scar that ran from his left eye to the middle of his cheek.
“ Right when you hear you name called you know what to do.
Rick , miles , Rhiannon …’ here a small gasp was let lose as the boys saw what they had though to be a boy step forward and take her place in the platoon at the front . “ Right . everyone quiet or it’s a mile fun for you all.” With this everyone fell silent once again
“ Carrying on . Thaion , Teo, Kieran , Cai, Stephen and……. Aridian”
The last name was one that shocked everyone . he was the one that was always the target of the pranks and games played by the older boys. And now he was ranked in the top of the academy.
The boys then took there place and the others were given the order to dismiss and report to the training room to start the written examination.
After they had dispersed the captain looked over the group before him. Slowly moving through the ranks assessing every detail of the person he stopped in front of .
Eventually he stopped in front of the platoon again . “ I know you are all wondering why we have chosen you all as apart of this team. It is because u all have a certain skill that lays dormant in almost all of you, just waiting for the moment when u realize that it is there and you can use it . however we cannot help you . the missions you will be completing will develop and unlock your abilities . if it does not then your deaths are certain. And if you die , then so does any hope for the future of the people. As you know we are independent of any country or ruler. however , you are all the heirs to nations kings , prices and in this case a queen and princess .” he paused looking over us to see the looks of disbelief and wonder that had spread across our faces. “Right then. From here on out you are all a platoon. That means you look out for each other .
I know you are all often the target of jokes , or other unpleasant behaviour so if you want you can fight back to injure only . another thing. Don’t tell the other boys what you do as a part of the training you will be completing . You are also not aloud to give any information of the missions you are to partake in . Am I understood?.”
With this said we all signed our agreement and left. Little did we know that this was the beginning of our legend.
