Heroes & Legends: Genesis

The First Day

The assembly was far too early in the morning. Kayden couldn't stand it. He was freshly registered and felt alienated amongst the veteran soldiers who towered over him.

All Kayden could hear were mumbles of "Is it another one?" and "Do you think he's a bastard?".

"Honestly, kids like you need to stay out of the army and stay on the farm," laughed one of the older soldiers.

"And who exactly may you be?" Kayden asked with a scowl.

"A God, for all you know," said the soldier as he grabbed the hilt of his blade. "However, most of the soldiers call me Ser Norman."

"Ser?" Kayden scoffed. "You look as though you're barely 20 years. You don't deserve that title."

"Ha! Funny. What you don't realise is that I'm a prodigy. I'm revered throughout this military. To add to that, my family is rich and, soon enough, I'm going to be royalty."

This thought shook Kayden. 'Soon he'll be royalty?' He thought to himself in confusion.

Then a chord struck. "Princess Eleanor," he whispered under his breath, shocked at his sudden realisation.

The low murmurs and mumbles came to an abrupt halt. "Silence! Attention, all of you scum! This is the Silver Army!" General Zardaine, the most frightening general in existence stood before the mass of soldiers, his Godly voice bellowing through the lines of men. "You lowlifes and privileged leeches have joined the army. My army! You can expect no mercy. The training you receive will be vigorous and merciless. There are kingdoms who would give their woman and children just to defeat us, hence we shall keep moving forward! Am I clear?" He snapped.

"Aye, sir," the soldiers hollered in unison.

After roughly an hour of Zardaine assaulting character and clarifying exactly what the army was entirely about, the soldiers were dismissed and ordered to assume positions at various training posts. Kayden assumed the sword training post where, surely enough, Ser Norman now stood.

"Alright, we're going to be doing some sparring today. Each of you grab a partner and let's see if you have those swords in your hands for a reason," laughed the surprisingly friendly training post officer.

Before he could so much as take a step, Kayden now stood face to face with Norman who clearly only desired to agitate the fresh recruit.

"So, you chose to come here, of all places, sewer rat?" Norman laughed unceremoniously as he drew his blade, Kayden following his example.

Norman slashed precisely towards Kayden, who then blocked and followed with a riposte, which was dismissed relatively easily by Norman. "I'm not a sewer rat! Don't you dare call me that again."

"Ah, so you're a bastard then?" Norman thrusted as Kayden lurched to his left and slid back. Kayden looked down, not responding. "Ah, so it's true? You are a bastard?"

Kayden swung wildly, catching Norman off guard and tearing right across the emblem on the cloth Norman wore above his mail. He had managed to restrain his desire for a fatal blow, that time. Kayden's eyes, however, were now blazing red with fury.

"You've got quite the temper," Norman laughed. "Did you inherit that from your old man? Oh, wait, you wouldn't know!"

Kayden thrusted angrily but not before Norman had sidestepped, predicting his movement, and placed his blade against Kayden's cheek.

Kayden was furious. Not only was Norman an insensitive bastard but also highly skilled, above the average level of most men.

"Come back after you can provide me with a real challenge. Norman sheathed his sword and returned to his seat, waiting for a real test. Kayden desperately desired to shove his sword down Norman's throat but now was not the time.