"The Iron Banner calls Guardians to prove themselves in the Crucible. Their emissary waits in the Tower to reward those who excel."

Lord Saladin had finally arrived back to the tower. A day envied by most guardians. The Iron Banner is a limited time Crucible event, as most battle hardened Guardians knew. Unlike normal Crucible matches, level advantages were enabled meaning that weapons and armor had no limitations. It was all Hell in the Iron Banner competitions.

Lord Saladin also sold his signature armors, shaders, and weapons as he usually did. However, this time he brought someone with him. By his side stood a Titan with his arms crossed. He seemed even quieter than that of Lord Saladin. But by the way his armor looked, he was in no way a Lord of Iron. At least not yet.

The new Titan looked intently at an Iron Medallion that he held in the grasp of his thumb and index finger. A Hunter had thrown it at him, angry that he couldn't seem to win a damn match in the competitions. Complaining about all the deaths he had received. Pathetic.

"Is something bothering you, Jarek?" Saladin asked his Titan associate.

Jarek looked up. "Yes, Lord Saladin. Just in thought."

"You are always in thought." The Lord replied. He looked in Jarek's hand at the Medallion. "Another loss?"

"The Hunter who gave this to me was not happy. He lost and threw it at me." Jarek replied.

"Hunters… Always so brash. Do not worry, my metal friend. He will have his time. He will find even less luck in the Trials of Osiris with the attitude he has." Saladin said and looked up as a Warlock made her way towards him. "Are you ready for the Iron Banner, Warlock? It offers much suffering, but equal reward."

The Warlock, Awoken by race, seemed unsure. She touched her bottom lip with her finger in thought. Then she looks at Jarek, now seemingly more interested in him. "Hello? I haven't seen you here before."

Jarek looks up at the Awoken Warlock. His optics analyzed her quickly and nodded his head silently. "I am only here for my apprenticeship. I serve under Lord Saladin. Nothing more."

"I didn't ask why you were here, grim." She said with a soft smile. "Name's Tessica. But you can call me Tess."

"I am Jarek-7." The Titan replied then shifted his focus back to the medallion.

"Well…" Tess looks at Saladin and then his inventory. "I think I'll get a temp buff. Then I'll go for a few matches. That gauntlet set looks pretty spiffy."

Did she just call an Iron Regalia Glove set… Spiffy? The Titan asked himself. Hardly believing he just heard that sort of description about the ornate armor forged by the Lords of Iron beneath the Iron Banner. Jarek tried his best to not correct the choice wording the Warlock used and simply shook his head.

"Very well, Warlock. That will cost you one Mote of Light." Lord Saladin said and reached his hand out to receive the currency.

Tess dug around in her coat pocket and pulled out the particle of solid light and gave it to Saladin. "Here ya go! Thank you."

"Be brave and prosper well in the Iron Banner competitions. You will need all the luck you can get." Saladin said with a small nod.

The Warlock nods and gives a playful salute as she turned and ran off to the Hangar. Jarek watched the perky Warlock run off with seemingly no cares in the world. He looked down at the Medallion once again. He had a thought. This was no use to him. Perhaps she could put it to better use. He looks at Lord Saladin for a moment and took a step forward.

"With your permission, my Lord, I wish to give this Medallion to the Warlock." Jarek said.

"Granted. You do not need to ask me for leave. I am here all week. Return before the week is over is all I ask." Saladin replied.

"It shall be done, my Lord." Jarek said and left to try and catch the Warlock before she could leave the Tower.

Jarek ran past the Gunsmith, Banshee-44, on his way to the Hanger. He also caught a glimpse of Master Rahool's newest engram discoveries. However, he had no time to waste there. He needed to get the Medallion to the Warlock. He continued his sprint to the Hangar and looked around for the Warlock. Turns out, she wasn't getting in her ship. She was just purchasing a weapon from the Vanguard Quartermaster.

Thank the Traveler. Jarek said to himself and slowed his pace to a brisk walk. "Warlock!"

Tess turns and sees Jarek. "Oh. Yes? Did I forget something?"

"No. I just wish to give this to you. A token to aid you're battles in the Iron Banner." Jarek replied and lifted the medallion into view. "These are gained for each loss and you can carry up to five. Each will count as a bonus once you finally win a match. Incentive to win rather than lose."

"Oh… well… thank you." She said and smiles. She gently took the medallion from his hand. "I'll make sure I win. But… hmm… maybe I could repay you somehow for helping me." She tapped her chin in thought and smirked. How about… you run a Strike with me one day." She said more as a command rather than a question.

"I… well… I suppose. I have my duties with the Lords of Iron. But… Lord Saladin doesn't leave until the week is over. I believe we can make that happen." Jarek replied. Though he secretly had wanted to leave and tear apart a Fallen warrior. It had been a while since he was in the field after pledging his allegiance to the Iron Lords. They had him do non-stop training.

"Sounds great! Then maybe a raid afterwards! And then a couple Crucible matches for Lord Shaxx! It'll be fun!" Tess said like a giddy little child.

Awoken… always so eager to have fun. What have I gotten myself into? Jarek said with a small sigh. "Yes. Fun…"