Trial by Fire - RPLOG

Participants

• Ictus
• Peril

Date

22/8/475

Log

The military training grounds weren't far from the city proper nor were they hard to find. Despite being located in the midst of woodlands many well travelled trails led to it from all directions and the sound of mock battles regularly piercing the otherwise peaceful atmosphere assuring all that sought it out they were heading in the right direction. By the massive stone building a pair of foxes in heavy plate male and carrying spears stood. Both with grim expressions and staring blankly straight ahead.

Ictus steps up to the two guards and salutes, "I was told I could find information about my brothers unit here?"

both of the guards turn their heads at once looking to the new arrival eyeing him sceptically for some moments before the nearer of the two, who was short and stocky, with his hair bristling out from beneath his armour and weary look in his eyes rose his free hand to return the salute while the other guard turns his head away looking in the other direction looking to the tree line across the open field.

Drawing a deep breath the short guard cleared his throat noisily before speaking in a horse tone: 'What Unit?'

Ictus nods to the shorter fox and states, "Unit one of the Grey Fox brigade."

The guard's attention seems to drift, his eyes shifting to stare blankly over your shoulder thought he replies promptly "You're in the right place. They are due back any moment now. Off doing drills."

Ictus hmms? and nods at that, "Alright, I see. Is it alright if I stay here while I wait?" he glances around curiously

The guard shuffles on his feet nervously leaaning his weight on the spear which starts to sink into the softened earth as he looking to his companion who is still silently staring off into the distance. Both men suddenly stiffen to attention, standing straight with spears clutched securely in hand as a distant though booming cry carries through the air from somewhere behind the building.

Stiffening his jaw and giving you a nod the guard speaks in a more authoritative and confidant tone 'Wont have to wait long. That's the captain leading them in now'

Ictus nods as he stands to the side and watches for the captain

Quite soon the clatter of metal and the wet squelch of mud is heart coming every closer along with bellowed instructions of 'pick up the pace' or 'watch the line'. Shortly after a troop of foxes come marching round the corner in rows of five. Wearing a mix of plate and mail and carrying wooden staves in hand, some tipped with spear heads others axes and All of them are covered from head to tow in mud with their shoulders hanging and their ears down, clearly exhausted.

As they marked passed the structure the captain's voice rang out first with 'Halt' which brought the entire troop to a sudden stop, their feet clapping down side by side as each straightened up their posture before the next command of 'Left Face' had them all turning about in place, water and earth splattering about their legs as they tuned toward you and the guards.

Only when the unit had again come to a stop did the figure of the captain appear. Helmeted and dressed in a heavy steel breastplate over thick hardened leather armour he looked over the rows of exhausted and firth foxes without saying a word, striding out in front of them. He doesn't seem to notice you or pays you no heed as he strides up in front of his men, head turning back and forth before exchanging 'At ease'

Ictus glances at the exhausted unit and nods to them, he hmms? and salutes the captain when he gives the at ease command, "May I speak with you captain?"

the entire unit seems to breath a collective sigh of relief they attention remaining fixed on their commander though they visibly relaxed. They don't acknowledge the salute or the presence of anyone else only watching their captain until he gives the command 'Fall out' and then as once they step back on their left foot then their right before breaking out of formation, spreading in all direction to give one another room to stretch and run at aching joints while the captain turns about, finally fixing you with a long hard stare. Walking forward, he marches up to you stopping just short with both arms folded behind his back. Finaly getting a good look at him he stands a clear head and shoulders above you, seeming to be a giant compared to most of the others. His snout is covered in scars, his lower lip cleft to the point you can see his teeth through the opening even with his mouth closed. His left ear is shorter than the right and he is greying all over with age showing clearing around his eyes.

Drawing a deep breath the captain speaks with a lowered volume though still the weight of command in his voice �what can I do for you lad?� while behind his the soldiers are shuffling about exchanging glances between each other along with brief bits of hushed conversations. A few comments along the line of 'he looks just like...' being heard.

Ictus stays firm under the stare of the captain and nods as he is spoken to, "I'm here for my brothers belongings, and... A request." he ignores the hushed conversation, though he clearly hears them

the captain lifts his head, peering down the length of his muzzle without seeming otherwise moved 'Oh? The younger brother are you? And what is your request?'

all around behind him the unit is exchanging the whispered confirmation of your relation to their former comrade.

Ictus nods in confirmation at that and hmms, "I'd like to take my brothers place... Provided I earn it of course."

The battered looking old fox snorts, his gaze breaking away from you and moving to the taller guard 'fetch the lads things'

The taller guard turned toward the door, raising his spear and planing it down into the earth again ahead of him before beginning to walk forward, limping heavily and using the shaft of the weapon to support himself. He pulled open the door and vanished inside. The captain returned his attention to you looking you over with the same critical eye he had used on his unit before with a cluck of his tongue he turned toward his men, raising a hand and beaconing one forward �Ipson, Your staff�

A soldier hurried forward, approaching his captain with arms outstretched offering up the long pole he carried.

Ictus hmms at the guard as he enters the building, never taking his gaze off the captain though, and nods to the staff in recognition. "Sparring is it?" he tilts his head curiously

taking up the staff in one hand the captain looked back to you, his weight shifting to rest on the pole, the sights of his own exhaustion beginning to show through his well drilled mannerism as he ignored the question and addressed you "You think you're fit to be in my unit do you?"

Ictus looks at the captain and shrugs, "There is only one way to find out, and I plan on doing just that." he stares up at the captain

Shaking his head the captain continued "I don't believe you. I don't want some hot head in it for revenge and I sure as hell don't need some daft pup who thinks he can ride in on his dead brother's tail and find glory here. So how are you going to prove to me you're worth keeping about?"

Ictus hmms? and shakes his head, "Revenge? That's not what this is about, and I intend to prove to be my brothers equal... If not more, I don't care for glory. I just want to defend my people as my brother did... As for how to prove my worth?" he thinks a bit and gazes at the other soldiers, "How about your best and I spar? That will prove my abilities are in order."

The soldier who had surrendered his staff huddled back to his comrades who were by now spreading out around the front of the building, keeping their distance from you and the captain while watching with a morbid kind of interest and grins on their lips as they waited to see what happened, a burst of laughter spreading through their ranks as you spoke and all of them taking up positions to watch expecting to see you leave in tears. The short guard that remained at the door was looking distinctly uncomfortable though he kept his post, standing resolutely in place while his eyes kept darting back and forth between you and the captain.

The captain did not look impressed a lopsided smile lifting a corner of his lips as hew drew back, rising again to his full height to tower over you while taking a single step back "So you're spoiling for a fight then are you lad? And thinking you can take on a bettered and exhausted old man like me? All right then lad. Have at it."

Ictus smiles at the captain as he ignores the laughter and shrugs, "It's your choice to fight in your current condition, I'd prefer a fairer fight... Then again... I suppose it doesn't matter on the battle field does it?" he looks to one of the men in the unit and nods, "My I have your staff?" before looking at the captain

the captain took his opportunity to the moment you looked to the gathered soldiers to ask for a weapon. With a simple flick of his wrist the he brought his staff down fast enough that you barley saw it coming before it had struck struck the bridge of your snout sending pain shooting through your muzzle. Another roll of laughter spread through the crowd as the captain sneered down at you "But lad, you've challenged me now. Its far to late to go asking for a fair fight. You're just going to have to take your beating and live with it"

Ictus gahs as he is struck and chuckles grimly as he looks up at the captain, he wipes blood from his nose and grins, "Alright... That's how you want to play it..." he steps to the side and charges towards the captain, expecting a low blow he leaps with his claws out as he tries to take a swipe at the captains face

Seeing your headlong charge coming, the captain pressed the staff down into the soft earth with one hand as the other rose, already clenched into a fist as it came level with your face only to open suddenly as a flick of the elder foxes hand send a spray of mucky water droplets spattering out toward your face and eyes

Ictus blinks at that flick and grunts as he is blinded by the muck, he crouches low to the ground and back up as one hand wipes his eyes clear. The other hand up in defense as he expects an attack

the captain pressed his advantage as you began to back away, swinging his foot in against the base of the staff to kick it loose of the ground and sending a splatter of muck and thick earth spraying out head of it. Though nowhere near your face the earth splattering against your legs alerted you to the approaching staff coming in low while the captains free hand, still open, was thrust forward aimed for your bruised and bloodied snout.

Ictus grunts as he feels the earth spatter his legs and shakes his head clear as he opens his eyes to see the incoming blows, he twists to dodge the staff and raises his arm to grab the hand. He twists the hand if he grabs it and uses the momentum to throw the captain

As you twist aside the staff sails harmlessly past your legs, the butt once again sinking into the ground with a damp squelch though as you grab for the captains arm you are given a far bigger target than you anticipated as he steps forward into the attack, bringing the entire, massive, armour clad bulk of the the captains chest crashing into your shoulder as you dodge the staff blow.

Ictus winces as the captain drives his chest into his shoulder, grunting as he rolls with the blow and kicks at the older foxes abdomen while he is under him, to try and push him off before the captain can get a pin on him

the entire crowd of soldiers cheered as the captain's blow contested before bursting into laughter as you land in the mud with their leader still standing over you, her weight pressing down on the staff burring it even more deeply in to the mud to keep him balanced. He doesn't even try to blow your kick letting it connect with full force against the thick steel plates that protected his torso resulting in a resounding metal clang and little more than one more mucky stain on the armour while his open palm clapped down on your leg just beneath the ankle to grasp it firmly.

Ictus grunts as his kick connects to no effect and winces as he realizes his position has just worsened, he sighs as he relaxes his tense body and shakes his head, "Alright, alright... I know when I am bested..."

The gathered crowd falls silent and the captain grunts, releasing his hold on your leg and pulling the staff free with a good quick yank. Growling down at you he brings the mud encased base up beneath your chin, spreading the thick and chilling slime over your fur "I'm disappointed lad. You're brother didn't quit. He had real spirit and fought the fight through to the end. He is the kind of soldier I need. Not you. Not someone that leaves things half finished"

Ictus hmms? and chuckles dryly at that, "This is true, but I haven't quit... Not yet, I may never quit... I've merely given up for the moment." he slowly stands up and grins, "I wouldn't count me out yet, I may not have fought to the finish... But I intend to become stronger until I can."

The captain takes a step back bringing the staff back to his side and resting his weight on it "you've got promise. But you're still lacking a lot of qualities I found in your brother. You're foolhardy and head strong, rushing into situations your your head but you lack the determination to carry them through and face the consequences. If you really want in I will train you but you're not be a part of my unit until you're good enough to bring honour to your brothers memory"

Ictus thinks this over and nods at that, "That will be fine by me... I may not have earned his place today, but I know I will someday." he nods and salutes the captain

the captain nods his head before turning toward the door to the barracks, the taller guard having returned carrying, with some difficulty a suit or armour, a sword and a small case in one hand while still using his spear to support himself. Moving toward the door the captain gives the guard a pat on the shoulder "show the lad where the showers are and tell him what 'ringing out' means and why it matters".

The ring of troops that had formed about the action began to break up, a few muttering commiserations a few more looking disappointing but the majority just looking exhausted as they begin to press in and move toward the doors.

Ictus hmms? at the case and nods to the captain, though he tilts his head at the comment

moving out of the way of the shifting crowd of people working their way through the doors the taller guard hobbles his way over you you, grunting with effort as he half crouches down beside you, setting down the case though keeping the armour and sword well away from the loose muck that covered the ground. With a weak chuckle he looked you over and shook his head before speaking "You can wash up in the back. Don't expect hot water or anything. These are your bothers things. Weapon. Armour. Personal effects." he said as he raised the chain mail "and ringing out is what failing is here. The captain doesn't toss anyone out but any day, any hour, any moment, anyone can ring a bell round the back. It sounds through the entire barracks and across the fields. When someone rings that bell they have quit. The captain doesn�t throw anyone out. They throw themselves out. So don't quit. Good soldiers don't quit"