Agun's eyes, as big as the moons of Sanghelios, stared up at the looming Keep gates as he a several other young boys were lead towards their inpending doom. Or so that is what one boy had said on the flight over here. He was quickly scolded for setting the other children on edge about their situation. Though the winged Sangheili was silent about it both physically and vocally, Agun truly was unnerved. It was 24 hours since he'd last had contact with his mother, he'd hardly slept dispite the gentle reccomendation of their over-see-er, but he didn't turn down the rations delivered every four hours, essential to keep the childrens energy up as it was growing cold outside with the planet falling into it's short winter cycle. Nearly tripping on a small stone, Agun realized he was falling behind the group, and trotted to keep up. He ignored the ugly faces the surrounding group of adults sent his way at the mutant, just as unaware, frightened, and confused of his origin as he was. The others avoided eye contact with them, like they would melt from some invisible plasma beam in his eyes, they feared him, he smelled it. They had reason to, Agun was incredibly strong for a child of his age. At one point he'd thrown a boy back from his country home into the local pond because he was antagonizing a smaller girl.
Atno, that was the girl's name. He recalled her determination when it came to the subject of entering the Military, for females it was essentially a choice to a privlege. For most males it was a given, but the females were tested just as brutally as they were. Her uncle didn't seem to resentful towards the idea of having a neice in the military, so Agun hoped she would be here. Thinking of her set an uneasy pinch in his stomach, though he wasn't sure why. I'll dwell on that later, he thought.
The metal and wood ancient gates filled the air with a strong, and wise, groan as their poorly oiled gears clinked and rotated, carrying their burden inwards. The group was greeted by an unlikely sight. A courtyard more green than the young black and white Sangheili's eyes, and pale orange and opaq stones lay way to a grand path that led through lush fenced gardens for passerbys to observe. Planters with many types of flowers attracted various insects and birds, some even dare to feed on the ones Agun knew were poisoness. Towering edle trees spread their pungent but refreshing scent about. It all seemed so out of place to be in front of a mighty keep that just beamed an unforgetable gloom about it, the small smiles the children gave quickly shrank. Him and most of the other children slinked behind their group leader as they grew closer to the Keep. The Keep was ominous in appearance. Made from slabes of mountainside that had be hand picked by the very first Kaidon and removed by remote detonation explosives, or so his mother told him. She had also said you could see the blast marks on the unfinished pieces. He looked about intently, but failed to see any upon the giant structure as it soon was hidden from the paved overhang above a narrow rampway. The inside of this spiralling ramp was dim for the most part, though Agun's genetically inhanced eyes cut through it, allowing him to see even the finest of details. While he was naive of his ability, the others came close to grabbing onto the group leader's armored leg. Suddenly his voice cut through the echoing ring of footsteps, cause everyone to jump and spring to attention.
"These walls children, were made by hand, many thousands of years ago by your very precursor sires, each block is held by nothing more than sand, sweat, and clay. And to this day they remain inpregnable by our enemies. Soon you will walk these halls as some of 'Salram's finest warriors. Though in the past all students have passed before, it is rare that happens. It is almost certain many of you, or few, will meet their fates within these walls, or even outside the Keep during your training. Where I take you now is known as the Common Rooms, there, you be obligated to select a partner for bunking. This is a modification granted temporarily as this is the highest season of beginner gatherings, for those who make it past their first, second, and third semesters, you will be giving a room of your own." He paused upon approaching a door, pushed it open and stepped inside.
"Come in." He settled off to the left with the door in hand, watching each of them waddling tiredly into the warmth of the room, a rather pleasent change from the drafty old hall. They were clearly fatigued, something he couldn't judge them on as he'd felt the same when he was their age. They seemed to take their place on the large rug centered in the room by instinct, turning to face him.
"I will now introduce myself," He paused to close the door behind him with care, turning back to them with his thick arms behind his back. "I am Rees, and for the first three cycles from here I will be your instructor. You are not fit to yet face your real Master, though I assure you, the time will pass quickly and he looks forward to seeing his students. I will not answer questions about him, though if you have any other, I will be happy to answer them." He pulled his aged face into a smile at them, looking them over, waiting. A thin, brown skinned by who Agun found sickly looking at first perked up and raised a finger nervously. Rees pointed him out quickly, leaning down abit to adress him. "Yes Uto."
The boy, Uto, seemed reluctant, though he spoke steadfast. "This room... Was this not once used as a Council room?" He seemed ignorant of what a Counciling room was, Rees was surprised none the less. "That it is, very good eye. How did you figure?"
Uto shrugged his mandibles. "My father told me."
Rees raised his thick browline at this but paid it no mind. "I see. Well your father is correct. Any further questions?"
Agun raised a finger, and surprisingly Rees responded without the slightest revultion. "Yes Agun?"
"Is it possible that I could bunk alone? I am aware that I unnerve my classmates because of my stranger growths. I'm not aware of where they came from either, I wish not to upset them further." He finished, lowering his eyes as many of the children looked at him. A slight bit embarrassed that they had supressed him earlier, probably figuring that it wasn't as prominant, Uto especially, as he found Agun a bit of a freak of nature himself, but was facinated by him. Rees had found himself actually giving this a thought, observing the boy closely, how he had voluntarily seperated himself from the group, though remained within their midst. His face told Rees' expirienced eyes that he was loyal, and strong, with compassionate eyes that seeped intellect. "No Agun. I am sorry, you will not be seperated simply because of your wings, I dare say. Though I will help you choosing a partner in advance, that way we can sort this out if there are any problems later. Is there anyone brave enough here to pair with this boy?" Rees circled the children who all watched him, or rather his glinting armor in awe. Surely imagining themselves being a tall and proud warrior adorned with glinting armor. He stopped by Agun's side, looking down at the boy who looked over his groupmates with failing hope.
Uto raised his hand in a tiny fist. "I will, excellency." Agun seemed taken aback by the sickly-looking boy's assuring tone, he glanced to his Instructor, then back to him. Rees didn't seem surprised at all, and he ushered him over. "Come here then, Uto. I want you two to get appointed with each other, quite good of you to do so." Uto seemed proud and certain of his choice as he approached Agun with a welcoming body language, something he wasn't use to and took it reluctantly. Tucking his wings away from view as best as possible, Agun turned to him with a slighty wider smile. "Thank you, Uto. Though if I am too discomforting to be around, you are welcome to leave." The thin child snaked his head down and shook it. "I'm more facinated than anything, I've always taken to the more factual things, things that required less muscle, physical strength is clearly not something I excel at."
C
The rooms they were assigned to, were far more bigger than Agun or Uto expected. Though two other males, one with skin of a reddish tone, and the other the color of mud seemed to be a peace with the size of their dorms. Must be from a rich family, Agun mused bitterly, particularly at their spoiled attitude. Rees didn't make kind of it either, for he knew what they had coming would change their high-chinned personalities. He reminded the naive children of it so, and he could tell that they mutely disagree'd with the old man. The beds weren't exactly compiled together. Instead they remained connected through a half-ring shaped structure set at the back of the room, a divider curtain made of a rich purple fabric was available if either or both wished to sleep in private from a pole that ran from the center, it seemed out of place in Agun's opinion. Running along the wall were gold metal carvings, some depicting war poems of famous warriors for the children to read if it caught their interests, others were short quotes that continued to be carried through time, eventually becoming solidified within the walls of the Keep for generations to observe down the line. Uto settled himself in rather quickly, having had their belongings delivered ahead of time. His mostly consisted of historical books, clothes, and a small blade favored by his uncle. A paranoid uncle, Agun thought warily as he watched Uto place the thin bayonette on a shelf above the bed's intergrated headboard. With care, no less. Agun's mother had packed more sentimental things, and Uto noted the sugary squid tentacles once Agun removed them, though he made no attempt to take them. Only that his uncle bought those for himself all the time, Uto turned down every offer he was given out of disgust. A dagger of crystal was slung around Agun's neck, something his mother handed down to him one evening before departing. It was sharp, but nothing that would truly be percieved as a threat. The sun that came from the domed window had made both boys lethargic quickly, relaxing their clenched muscles. And both took that moment instantly with no words exchanged to catch up on much needed sleep.
Agun's keen hearing woke him to the sound of their door opening, and he shifted, the footsteps that pattered into the room quickly stopped, from their location he could tell it was against the wall. There was no reason for them to stop, unless they were intruders. He froze, his back facing the door as he kept his breathing at the same pace as it was when he was asleep. He fingered the dagger around his as he listened to the unknown characters move about his and Uto's room, there were three of them, no, make that four. The room became filled heavily scented with that of oil... Males didn't wear floral oil... His brows dropped down as he heard every faint crunch of the fabric from the rug beneath the beds made of itchy material. He gripped the dagger tightly, open a single eye as the intruders began to speak amongst themselves in poorly hushed whispers. His body seemed to relax as he listened to the pitch of their voices.
"When they said he was Black, they weren't lying. Look at him! It's darker than the finest ink..."
"His wings are disturbing..."
"I don't find them a bother, they amaze me really."
"Uto said his belly is white too. Too bad he is facing the wall."
Agun had both eyes open now, a smile on his face. "Was there reason to sneak?"
The small girls jumped, obviously embarrassed to know that he heard their conversation. He rolled to look at them, sitting up and blinking his lenses to clear his eyes. His smug expression changed to that of surprise as the four girls had their eyes boring up at him. The tallest stood nearest to his bed, robes far too big for her thin frame drowned her and trailed the floor in a pool of ruby red and gold. As he observed them he found they all had robes on, must've been common on girls of his species, he thought. A shorter one, a dark hazel in color with gold eyes spoke up, stepping up closer to him now that she'd gotten a better view of him. "No... But we didn't want to wake you. We are not suppose to be here as it is."
"Well where are you suppose to be?"
She looked down at the floor, running a thin clawed toe along it nervously. "We're suppose to be in the common rooms the next tower over."
Another from the back giggled. "But it was worth it to sneak out, we'll become assassins in no time with the fact we evaded our Masters and Uncles." She was black aswell, but all black with faded gray patches about the exposed parts of her face, neck, and arms. And her eyes were a common brown, she seemed to be the oldest of the group. "My name is Inla. I'm the only one here with a true name, I've earned it." She gestured to the other three girls as they looked down in shame. "This one is One. The smallest is Two, and the youngest but tallest is Three. It's all they can settle for unless they earn names."
Agun cocked his head. "I didn't have to work for mine. I came with it when my mother had me."
They all gasped silently. "I've never heard of that happening..."
Inla snorted, her short neck bunching. "It must be a privelege the rich have automatically. My uncle is old and dying and he lives in a dwindling farm house when he's not limping about the Keep."
Agun shook his head instantly, hanging his legs over the side of the bed and jumping down to meet them, the two closet reached out without permission to toy with his wings in mutters and giggles. Nothing Agun was a stranger to. "It was not a privelege, my mother didn't even tell me were I got the name, but I can asure you, my mother is poor as well. Earlier, you mentioned Uto, where is he?"
"He woke early and decided to go stroll about to... What did he say... "Get a feel", for the place. Strange word useage. He introduced himself to us when he ventured over to our side. We don't know where he is now, it's funny... How the males get to just stroll about while we girls have to stay locked away like animals." Inla seemed vencive as she spoke, crossing her well muscled arms.
Agun grunted in agreement, which caught Inla off-guard. "It bewilders me too, but don't let it bother you too much. You all have promise to be good warrioress', as I hope to be a good warrior myself." Inla smiled, so did the other girls, making Agun nervous.
"Thank you, Agun." Three said for all of them.
His frame relaxed again, they must've just had mischiveous smiles naturally. The all gasped and moved behind Agun before he could react as the cracked door pryed more, Rees' weathered face peered inside with an unpleased expression. "Snuck out have we?"
One stepped forward, her small hands gripping the inside of her sleeves. "We only wanted to come see the winged one, but since we're forbidden here, we knew we weren't going to see him at all, maybe never."
"There is a reason young girls are forbidden here, nameless one." He hissed, slipping in and closing the door after he assured himself no-one else was in the corridor. "The men here will have your heads, even the young boys your age develope faster and are stronger, the ones who are already undergoing expert training can kill you on sight. They've been told to do so." One shifted nervously at the thought, not a good trait, Agun observed.
Inla gritted her small but admirable fangs. "I'd like to see them try with me. I've already undergone partial training, from one of the best Masters no less."
"Enough." Rees said briskly, regarding her with a remindful eye. "You will always speak to the Elders, including me, with respect, and regard me as Elder, Master, or Excellency. Is that clear?"
"Yes Master." She said, her tone dropping to more submissive one.
"Had you four waited until a day from now, you would have been working on Agun's team, ironically," Three's eyes brightened at this, and she stepped forward with the hopes that the oppertunity would remain. Rees saw this and continued. "But now that you four have broken several martial rules, tresspassing and disobeying being among them, you will have to wait another week and possibly risk being paired with a... Less desirable, team." Three's face fell, her small nostrils flaring with a sigh. Rees continued. "I will escort you four back to the tower and into your Common Rooms, all of the Elders are down eating now, and are unaware that you've left. I will take you back, but I will tell your Caretakers that you've left your room, though not come here." He shook his head sternly. "Do it again, and I will not waste time telling the Caretakers, I will punish you myself." He finished, his voice grave. "The penalty for venturing this far is death automatically, so be grateful." He pointed to the door. "Leave, now."
None of the girls spoke as they left quickly and waited for Rees out in the hall, all eyes down to the floor. Rees watched and waited till they stood a ways away from the door with their backs to the wall before looking to Agun and his face seemed to become less intimidating. "Agun, I apologize. I came to wake you for your afternoon rations, I came earlier to see if you were hungry then, you surely must be now. You slept like you were dead, same for Uto. He is in the mess hall eating now."
Agun shook his head, his eyes flicking to the door as a string of guilt for getting the girls in trouble with petty talk tugged at his hearts. "Excellency, those girls... Please do not apologize for them, they are not burdens to me. I was glad they did not fear me, and actually seeked my company. Please, do not belittle them or hurt them, I do think they have potential to be a team with me, especially Inla." He smiled up at the stunned face of his Caretaker. "And yes, Elder, I am quite hungry."
Rees blinked several times, he observed the boy with an amused grunt and nodded, his weight shifted and he made for the dormatory door. "Very well then, Agun. Be on your way to lunch, the break period is almost over, I will return the girls to their rooms." Agun watched his Caretaker go, pulled a deep green sleeveless top over his bare middle and made sure his pants stuck to his hips tightly before breaking off in the opposite direction to fill his calling belly.
The tiny Black Sangheili sat alone in the cafateria, the others moving away from him at the sight of his wings. His tray near empty, the Ugando liver the only thing remaining untouched as it was his first time trying the unsavory meat. A displeased chef allowed it to pass that once, tossing the half bitten meat into the garbage and paid no mind to Agun's meaningful apology. Following the compliment that the other food given to him was wonderous, the chef spoke that he'd not be allowed to pass the food up, to consume it all or be sent to work with no food at all. Agun now approached a vacant room, his hooves pattering off the walls as he hurried to his assigned class. Things only got worse with a resentful teacher waiting there for him where she directed him to a single seat. Embarrassing to be tardy. Her gratting voice echoed through the empty room as she slapped a sharp nail to the observation board when they moved subject to subject on the Keep's History, disciplining him for every word he got wrong, constantly barking to straighten his stature, and to write neater. While she was shrill in her cruel behavior, she praised him two hours in for beginning to pay more attention to her. Agun could not complain, all this, he was doing for his mother, she kept his passion burning to become a strong warrior. The thought of his father return to make his mother happy made him burn harder.
Six hours and Agun remained seated and to full attention as she went through his work, her face shifted from the undesirable to a small smile. She sent him on his way, grading his work as she did so, telling him things would be revealed to the class the next morning. He bowed his respects and left to finish up on the much needed sleep he'd missed out on.
C
Uto was on his bed as Agun entered, his muzzle buried into a book, others strewn about his bed and the floor. "You still read even after all that we went through?" He questioned, sitting himself on his bed and looking back at the thinner Sangheili tiredly.
Uto did not regard him at first and Agun prepared to shrug it off when he spoke up. "Tell me Agun, you were late for class and spent it alone no?"
"... Yes...?"
He grunted softly, closing the book on his finger. "It pays, Agun. To prepare ahead, I'm staying up an extra hour to catch up on tomorrow morning's subject." Agun paid the warning in his voice no mind. "Uto. I'm aware of what we're going to do tomorrow, M'lady Udas told me, she also punished me for my tardiness. I already studied for this long ago, when I stayed with mother. She stressed herself extra nights to teach me."
Uto only blinked at his winged back in surprise, saying nothing as he bitterly returned to reading, his eyes bagging with exhaustion.
C
Agun rose with the sun in a timely manner. He hurried extra to dress himself appropriately, being greeted and led by Rees down to the class room with the other children who commented about him being late the day prior. He ignored them by walking ahead of everyone in a way that made Rees chuckle at the boy's comical strut and flared wings. The class, a mixture of other children under the watch of other Caretakers, all seemed fearful of the boy's wings to M'Lady Udas quieted them with a slap of her batton to her hardwood desk.
"All quiet. Not a word, return to your work, now." She circled the class, her burning red eyes sending chills down each child's back, their heads dropping submissively. Earlier Agun had seen no other females besides M'Lady Udas who trolled the isles brutally. An hour of silence passed, when Udas broke it a wave of nervous washed over the boys. "Do thy children know of the history of this Keep? Particularly focusing on it's many wars. Keep writing, I will tell you." She rested her batton at her side and strolled the isles leisurely. "This Keep, has seen nearly 2,000 Wars. For all who tested it's might, fell beneath her hold and strength, relentless as they may have seemed they came to be no match for the Kaidon's hands and his word's of promise to protect his people, all serfs who work to this day forward in dreams and soon full-filled hopes of being graced of walking within the presence of her halls. Only the best the of the best are chosen to reign as Kaidon, none of which I see before me as of now, but in time, who knows, may be when you've come to age, you will be selected to rule this very State. Coming with that great power, comes the responcibility and nobility to carried into battle if need be. In the past she was used a mighty strong hold, the serfs she overlooked below fought to their last breath to protect her. Bits of her sacrificed to protect the brave warriors of the past inside, and crush the enemy below. She came to stand 2,300 years ago. The first month she was finished, she was put to the test where her Kaidon sent all his best forward to the enemy and they prevailed. Perhaps, a wise one call out the name of the Kaidon who founded this fortress?"
Agun looked about as everyone's eyes remained on her, all lost for words, only Uto remained with his finger raised patiently. Agun raised his as well, more or less expecting not to be chosen.
"Agun."
He swallowed, glancing to Uto who seemed to be glaring at him expectingly. He turned his attention back to his teacher, her impatient eyes burning into him, making him squirm as he stood to attention. Who defecated in her breakfast? "Second Kaidon Umas 'Thernom, M'Lady Udas."
She smiled in satisfaction, it was sharp and cold. "Very good, Agun. Tell me now, he gave the mighty Keep a nickname, what was it?"
He swallowed again to clear the tightness in his throat. "Hilt to the Heavens, M'Lady Udas."
"How children did Kaidon Umas sire?" She seemed to sneer and Uto, Agun could feel his eyes bore him to the core. "Kaidon Umas 'Thernom sired 450 children. More of them daughters than sons. He also raised three out of those 450."
She almost looked impressed. "And the name's of those three?"
Confidence began to blossom in Agun's chest, all eyes were on him now. "First Daughter Chepta 'Thernom, Eighteenth Daughter Whan, no second name. And Fourtieth Son, Tudl 'Thernom."
He awaited another question as M'Lady Udas snaked her way around her desk and rocked back into the comfort of her old chair. She retrieved a holographic pad from underneath her desk calmly, tapping on it casually. "True or false, was Umas married?"
"To Lady Esam 'Uton, seventh daughter to sire Berc 'Uton. Berc 'Uton died two years after she was born in an unamed battle. Lady Esam herself passed after the birth of their final child, who's name has never been spoken-"
Udas slapped her hands once as a sign of silence. "I am... Too impressed with you Agun 'Salram. "Where do you get off knowing all this?"
"My mother, M'lady Udas. She taught me all I know."
Udas cocked a brow, her expression sour as if he were telling some kind of poor joke. "... Your mother?"
"Yes, M'Lady Udas. My mother is named Naas. She taught me all I know, she was unordinary. She had an interest in history and politics, and forced me to work long hours in the day to research this knowlege, M'Lady Udas."
Udas scoffed, flicked her finger at him. "Sit down Agun 'Salram." He obeyed. He was unaware of Uto's flabberghasted expression, and the thin Sangheili returned to his work, his mandibles tight with anger.
C
"For once, can you not capture the glory of the day?" Uto grumbled as they entered their dormatory, Agun turning to look at him with a raised brow. "Uto, she picked me, I didn't expect to be either because of my wings. I thought she would avoid me since she seemed hateful of me the other day. But what did you want me to do? Not answer those questions and make myself look stupid so you could've swooped in to save the day?"
Uto didn't answer, he only went about tossing his bag to the floor and pulling off his longsleeved knit top. "Really Uto, if you're going to be that competitive over any future silly surprise quizes, then I'll be sure to not raise my hand so you can steal all the "glory"." Agun snorted softly at his ill-will towards him, and turned to shower himself as the day grew cold high in the mountain air, leaving the his younger roommate to brew in his thoughts. As Uto listened to him turn on the water, he glanced to his bag, his dagger peeking from the outer leather pocket. He thought back on how cruel his uncle was to him when he was meerly a hatchling, so thin and frail, many times did he threaten to just leave his nephew to die. For in return of all the time his uncle "wasted" on him, Uto worked hard to show he was smart. Not just smart however, he worked to be a genius. His uncle hardly ever did approve of his hard work, which made Uto vindictive towards him. And the day he left he finally gathered the courage to call his uncle an "ungrateful swine". Leaving the stunned and angered old man below, he departed from the dingy abode and ended up here. Where he ended up being roommates with who he secretly considered a gentle-hearted beast. The young boy sighed and rolling onto his back, closed his eyes to try and dull the ache in the back of his head. He should not have been so ill-tempered with his brother, after all Agun did have a point. He did not come across as a glory-thief, that's not what school was about. M'Lady Udas simply asked him a few questions as a challenge. Twas nothing to mind, at all...
C
Far-East Training Courtyard, 'Thernom Keep
Eight months, Agun thought. His eighth month in this high Keep, no contact with his mother, and his brotherly bond with Uto grew strong. Things came in waves as Agun found out. Every morning before the suns rose, they had to attend History, Writing, Science, and what Uto considered War-Knol. M'Lady Udas taught them their History, then left for Sir Ekas to take her place with Writing class, Doctor Wruni in Science, and in War Recollection and Filing, Sir Upato. Two weeks ago, they finished History and Writing, Science was coming to a close and War-Knol passed without much recognition. They worked tirelessly nearing the end of their semesters, and four months ago, things began to get physical, something every boy - save him and Uto - was looking forward too. The other children, Rgus, Atat, Meng, Qual, Xodus, Cgyu, and Phes, were all that was left. The spoiled child and roommate to Qual, Wro, died due to an illness captured from the unwelcoming weather. Agun was truly sad to see him pass, he'd not wished death on the boy despite their dislikement for each other. Qual was bitter about for a week, then seemed to act as if nothing happened. He now stood in a line with the eight other children, their eyes staring straight ahead and their bodies quivering in the chilly morning air, or it could've been anticipation. He heard the thumping of Rees' booted hooves as he strolled in front of them, observing each intently.
"Good rising," He spoke. "As I've gone over your work within your assigned classes, each of you have been graded and judgement passed from the Elders who monitor the Education Department within the 'Thernom Keep. Some," He paused in front of an unseen boy, Agun dropped his head to glimpse at Atat, who watched Rees nervously with his pea-colored eyes. "Some, have passed the tests admirably. Others, have failed them outright. And those who have failed will be sent back to your classes to start again until you've corrected them. The failures will have their rations deduced the longer it takes them to finish their reassigned S.A's each day. Meaning you could get yourself a hardy meal if you make good time, or next to none at all. Or even, nothing, at all. The time limits will be left up to the teachers themselves, but for now, I will call out the names of those who have passed, those selected will automatically move on with or without their roommates. I will give out more information when I've finished and the unlucky few are sent back."
He moved away, turning to settle in front of line of happy, fat, and healthy looking boys. Even Uto gained a bit of muscle and weight during his eight months stay. Rees' weather face creased and his arms folded behind his hunched back. "Atat, Meng, Agun, Cgyu, Uto, take a step forward." All did as told and the unselected, albiet having trained themselves to shield their emotions, were all clearly disappointed and angered with themselves.
"Qual, Phes, Xodus, Rgus, go back to your dorms and take your time to study on what you got wrong. You will not be joining us this month. Next month from now, I hope to call your names again with warriors-in-training who hold actual worth to me."
Uto and Agun both watched the others slink back into the darkness of the narrow hall they were lead through a few minutes earlier. Heads dropped in shame.
"Agun, Uto, eyes forward." Both jumped, resuming their positions at the snap of their Caretaker's tone. "Unless you'd like to join them, do not become distracted again." Rees growled, it was obvious from here he would be far from gentle with them.
"Before I go into details about your futures, you will be taken to a second form of dorms, no frets about your belongings, they will be brought there before you arrive." He barked suddenly, making the small ones jump, all regarding him with fear and respect and their relaxed forms drew tight. "Much better." Rees growled from the back of his throat. "Once you are settled, which I assume will only take a few minutes," Agun noted the much darker and expectant tone he'd taken. "You will join me back here, try not to get lost. If you do, then you will have your rations revoked and will miss a crucial day's worth of information that will not be repeated for you, from me, or your classmates." Just as Rees finished his instructlet, a bronze bulbous-armored soldier with a neck sheathed in ringing chainmail exited the wide corridor behind him, looking out over the group. "Not many passed this time did they, Excellency?"
Rees looked to him calmly. "It's an off-season apparently. Take them, Toru." The young Sangheili named Toru nodded once and motioned for the children to follow him. "Come with me, young. To your dorms." The children fell into a "I" line and followed closely, Agun felt Rees' eyes on him particularly, but refused to look back as they drew deeper into the dimly lit hall that smelled of musk and errosion.
C
The rooms were the same size, but all in no doubt noticed the five other beds in the room, leading some to wonder while Agun had a good idea of what was to happen either today or in the near future. Toru watched the children take interest the slightly more fancy rooms, all returning to him quickly. "I assume you've all seen the extra five beds in your rooms. Caretaker Rees will fill you in on their purpose today. I do hope you remember how to get back to the surface room where I brought you from. It's crucial to pay attention here in this part of the Keep. Do not let your attention waine. Go." He tossed his head towards the stairs and spun on his heel, leaving rather hurriedly.
The children looked amongst each other in confusion. "Does anyone have the slightest idea what the other beds are for? Are they for a larger team?" Atat finally spoke, directing it at nobody in particular as they started walking back the way they came. "Could be," Uto replied lazily. "Agun, what do you think?"
Agun only shrugged. "I think so as well, we're supposed to get other teammates either today or sometime soon, could be the reason we need to return to Rees right off the start."
Cgyu hummed softly. "Agun are you sure this is the way to go?"
"I'm sure of it, I paid extra attention to this, the fact you've forgotten or are even questioning me shows you did not, Cgyu. I do not wish to see you get in trouble." Said Agun warily.
"A natural leader." Meng, the tallest complimented, making Agun smile. "So are you Meng. You're calm, gathered, reasonable, and loyal. And you aided Atat when the time came after he caught that virus from Wro. It's a shame Xodus didn't pass the exam, Cgyu."
Cgyu shook his head stiffly. "He was always slow, I offered to help but he refused immediately. It's better I not let a fool slow me down, that I was told from my uncle." Agun nodded.
"And he was right." Commented Meng. All looked forward when they came to a split in the halls. "Oh, shit." Meng muttered. "Meng!" Uto hissed. "Do not use Human curses, don't use any at all!"
"Which way?" Uto sighed.
"Did none of you pay attention!" Atat griped, pointing to the left which curved and ramped into the ceiling. "We decended into the Keep, not in a straight line!" Agun chuckled, having already headed for the left exit. The others trotted up behind up. "Keep close yes?" Agun said quietly.
With the group retained successfully, Agun lead the charge into the courtyard where they once stood, recognizing the hall where the others were banished. "We're here, this is it."
"I don't see Rees," Uto said, and the others looked about with him.
"Two minutes early, I'm impressed." Rees said humorlessly from behind them, which they all whirled in a defensive cluster, fangs bared before doubletaking at the Red armor Sangheili who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed. "At ease." He lifted off the wall with a sigh. "Congrats, you all came back in the correct direction, record breaking time no less."
"It was Agun, Excellency. He lead us back." Meng said softly. "Mm." Rees nodded to Agun with a favoring but brief grin. "I had a feeling so." The children stood to attention, all back in a line, their heights differing more than ever. "I am sure Toru mentioned the beds but not their meaning, that is my responcibility. You all, Meng, Atat, Uto, Agun, and Cgyu, will be meeting, and selecting potential team partners. But this comes at a price, the one you were previously selected to stay with will have to be seperated from you." Agun and Uto looked to each other despairingly, and Atat glanced to Meng.
"With your comfort zone gone, you will be forced to mingle with strangers, this will come more than ever in your starting careers. Male and female, you will both be forced to work together, and during this I will be watching over and picking out even the slightest move of dislikement towards your counterparts. Choose wisely as you'll be stuck with them from the start to the end of your Junior school years. That's right, years. You will not be able to reselect a partner, unless overrided from the Elders. You can have an all female team," He chuckled as Meng and Uto wrinkled their noses. "Trust me you two, when you grow older you'll not be wrinkling those noses in distaste at the thought of females... Or you have an all male team, though it is prefered you gather a good mix of both so we can observe you interact with both sexes in high-stress situations." He backed away from the children, whom's heads swivled about at the sound of multiple feet echoing through the empty sand and stone courtyard. Rees smiled softly while the largest group the others had seen before seeped out from the small corridor, lining up behind him in waves. Girls and boys alike, Agun searched for One, Three, Two and Inla. A telltale giggle he heard about the muttering made him smile. That had to have been Two. He spotted Inla smiling at him from the front line, hoping to be chosen from her new-found friend. With his hand held aloft, Rees back out of the line of sight for the children to make eye contact with each other.
"These, are some of our finest, already under the harsh hands of their Masters, you will learn from them. Do not take the lead out of intimidation or arrogance, they will not tollerate it. Neither will their Masters, whom you'll be meet at random during your exercise periods next time." He coughed at the catch in his throat. "Who will select their team members first will be picked with the highest grade scores. Uto, surprisingly, you came in second. Agun, you are first. Take, your time, young one. No interviews, follow the voice of your soul."
Again, like in class, all eyes were on him, but Agun already knew his chosen team, though he had to pick a sixth partner. After strolling all seven rows, a certain boy caught Agun's eye. He was not much taller than Meng, subtle spots of mud pecking along his thick neck and over his shoulders to stop at his thin chest. Not so pronounced brows, and a thick lower set of mandibles. His eyes remained forward, focused, glinting a grass green and steep browlines gave him a martial character. His breathing was steady despite the haul up here, and his knuckles were relaxed with all four claws on each hand shining bright. Agun made his way for him, which the boy noted but didn't move. "Him. What is your name?"
The boy looked at him slowly, his eyes softening into a more greeting state, Agun had picked well and he smiled at his new companion in return.
"I am Roku."