First Year
Marine watched, her blue eyes huge, as Sparrow left her weapons and items behind with Hammer, before stepping onto the ship and waving goodbye. She turned to Hammer and looked at her.
"Is Sparrow gone forever?" She asked. Hammer shook her head at the child's innocence.
"Thank the Light, no. Just a little while. She just needs to find Garth, see." Hammer explained, and Marine pouted.
"But I want her back!"
"So do I, and she's barely been gone five minutes. I have a bad feeling about this." Hammer said, sighing. Theresa appeared, and put her hand on Marine's shoulder.
"Marine, you will return with Hammer. Hammer, you are to teach Marine the ways of the warrior." Theresa ordered.
"Me? I don't even have any special tactics! You saw me, Marine, I just go charging around bashing peoples' heads in." Hammer retorted, surprised.
"Fine. Then, if you won't, I'll find someone who will. Marine, come." Marine put her hand into Theresa's, and they wandered away.
They got back to Bowerstone, and Theresa turned to Marine.
"Until Sparrow returns, Marine, you're going to enrol in guard school." Theresa ordered, and led Marine to the nearest guards.
"Gentlemen, you have a new recruit." She said, and gestured towards Marine. The guards raised their eyebrows but said nothing. Then one of them cleared his throat.
"I suppose you want us to train her." Theresa inclined her head.
"Much appreciated. Her mentor has gone into the Spire and she hasn't got any other friends." She explained. Marine toed the ground nervously. The guards gave her a once over, then nodded.
"She'll do."
Marine entered the guard school, took one look at it and grinned. It was filled with swords, tactics and specialised trainers. This was going to be fun. Although, Sparrow would probably get back next month and spoil her fun. She shrugged and swept her gaze down the weapons, before being dragged into the training ground with the other recruits-all teenage boys-and made to exercise until her bones ached.
She tumbled into her bed at about 10 PM before waking up sharply at 6 the next morning. From there, they had a light breakfast, and then a jog round Bower Lake. The next thing was vigorous polishing of the older officers' weapons, boots and other various items. She shined until her hand ached, then they were made to swim fifty lengths of the lake. After the swimming came lunch. They set to work building and repairing the gypsy camp. There was a lot of work to be done. They were attacked by bandits on their way back to the compound, and the older men dealt with them. Then some officers went to clear out Thag's camp. When Marine tumbled into her bed again, 16 hours after exiting it, she decided that she was going to enjoy this thing even if she ended up dying young from lack of physical endurance, exhaustion and malnourishment. Ah, her life seemed to be going well so far.