At Aquila Statue Plaza. . .
"Those who have come for the Gauntlet Rite, form up here. You must abide until your turn." a Samurai running the Rite said.
As Flynn and Issachar got in line, various youths were called on and underwent the Rite. "Those who fail must leave at once." the Samurai said.
Many had failed and left. Eventually it was Issachar's turn and then when a Gauntlet was placed on his left arm, a metal cover retreated to reveal a black screen and it immediately lit up for him. A monk then said, "O God Almighty. . . If this young man in my sight is to receive the gift of becoming a Samurai, please bestow Your light upon this mystic gauntlet. Now young man, touch the gauntlet." Issachar touched the single icon that appeared on the screen of the gauntlet and it immediately engaged.
"The mystic script has appeared on the gauntlet." the monk said and after a few seconds he proudly said, "This gauntlet as accepted this man as its owner!"
"Ahh, the birth of a new Samurai." an onlooking Samurai said.
"Congratulations, young man. You are now a Samurai. Sir Hope, please show him to the residence hall." the monk said only to receive a question that Issachar could not hear. ". . . I am sorry? Do you not understand that I am here on Abbot Hugo's behalf?"
"There is no need to cross. I have heard you. Follow me." Hope, a Samurai with brown hair said. Issachar followed Hope out of the Plaza and then Flynn underwent the Gauntlet Rite and was accepted as a Samurai. Another Samurai then guided Flynn out of the Plaza and into a room where Issachar and Hope were waiting.
"Is there any reason why you brought him here?" Hope asked the other Samurai, Flynn clearly understanding that he was the one being talked about.
"Sir." Issachar spoke up.
"What is it, Prentice?" he asked.
"Truth be told, but Flynn and I both hail from the village of Kiccigiorgi."
"I see. It is rare for more than one person from a village to be accepted as a Samurai and as a rule, should this be found out, they both share a room unless they are of opposite genders. Anyways, I am Hope, head of the Samurai. From today on, you both will dwell in this room. As a member of our band, you will work on the behalf of this kingdom alongside the rest of us Samurai. Though you both were just inducted, your practical training will begin tomorrow morning. I suggest that you rest early tonight to recover from your journey. You both will get more details tomorrow."
At that point, Issachar noticed a large trunk near Flynn's bed and said, "You have any idea who that trunk belongs to?"
"Somewhat. Hope said that the contents of the trunk are for me and a similar one for you should come tomorrow morning." he replied before going to sleep.
Sighing, Issachar decided to go to bed early as well.
A/N: The M rating is here because of later chapters and the fact that SMT IV is rated M.