Chapter 27
As people came through the fire one by one, their names were taken and they were split into the four groups that the 200 would make up. Smoke, Prongs, Merlin, and Portal. Fire did not talk to them, and because of this there was almost total silence until the final wizards was standing in place, and Harry stepped forward. His car clearly visible, he addressed the expectant crowd before him.
'I am Hawk, Lord of the Guardians. With me are members of the Guardians, the Swords, and Fire, the elite of the Guards. You will respect them or you will leave. You may control your own thoughts, but until you prove yourselves to us, we control you actions. Anyone who wears black robes is your senior, no matter what their age. The only other thing you need to understand about this, is that every one of them has the skill, and I assure you, the nerve, to take life, no matter whose that might be. I hand you over to Hunter, who will be in charge of your training.'
Harry stepped back, sharing a glance with Ron as Hunter took his place. Harry knew it would have sounded a little extreme, and not a little intimidating. But Harry knew that there would be some who would refuse to take orders from people many years their younger, and in fact Harry could not blame them. They had been warned, and now any who ended up humiliated had no one to blame but themselves.
'I am Hunter. Everything you need to know about life here will be explained to you in your groups by members of Fire. For know I will simply introduce to you you're temporary leaders. Smoke is under the charge of Jack and Dann. Prongs will be taken by Fred and George. Merlin, Kate and Ross. Portal, Ivy and Alex. This is the Hall, and I suggest that you try to remember how to get back here as you go to your rooms.'
As Hunter turned away from the crowd, and began to talk to Harry, Jack also turned, wanting to get the group moving a swiftly as possible. He led them away, and Dann followed up. Despite the fact that all of them carried small bags, Jack walked fast. He led them to their meeting room, and too his place at the front. As they came in, all looked at the carving on the door. It read Meeting Room - Smoke.
As they filed in, Jack stared pointedly at the chairs arranged in rows down the room. They took the hint, and sat, still not breaking the silence. Dann joined Jack quickly, giving him a small not of agreement. They faced the room, and started to give Smoke yet another speech. None the less, all listened with rapt attention to what they said.
'Just to make sure you all remember, I'm Jack, and this is Dann. We are Fire, and because f that I suggest none of you ever disrespect the Guards with our hearing. As Hawk so aptly put, we are fighters. And the aim of the next few months is to make you the same. Some of you will be saying, but I know how to fight. You don't. To prove the point, I offer all of you the chance to come up and face me, or Dann, alone or in a small group. Anyone?'
No one moved, though Jack could tell by the exchanged glances that many considered it. He grinned at Dann, who stepped forward and took up the words.
'Good choice. Now, on to the next point. You're all in the correct robes, which is good. Those are you formals. You wear those to academic classes, and that's about it. The rest of the time you will be wearing he cloths that you will find on your beds. No exceptions. They will adjust to fit you. You will also find timetables, and equipment there. Follow the instructions and you should be Ok. Meals are in the Hall, for the few of you who will actually make it to every meal. Jack?...'
Dann stepped back, and Jack started once more. Both were grinning at the frowns that were on many faces, enjoying the fact that they were witnessing the same results that they produced when all this was explained to them months ago.
'Okay, here's a basic outline of you're day. 5AM, we wake you up. 5.30, you meet for training. 1PM, lunch. 2PM, classes. 8PM, supper. 8.30, tutorial training. When that ends depends of your instructors. You can go to bed as soon as you've done everything you need to.'
A stunned silence met this announcement, as the group struggled to absorb this information. After a few moments had passed, a young man from the back stood up.
'Isn't that a little extreme?'
Dann sent a subtle look to Jack, telling him that he should go ahead and answer it. Jack took a look at the guy, realising from the way he was standing that this was probably not him asking.
'Before I answer, can I have your name?'
'Toran Keep.'
'And, are you asking because you want to know, or because someone else doesn't have the guts?'
Jack could see that the man thought before answering.
'That's my business.'
Dann raised his eyebrows and nodded his approval, and Jack glanced back at him and grinned. This was one to keep an eye on.
'So it is. Now, I suppose to someone who has no idea what they are going to be facing in a few months it might be a bit extreme. You will be facing War. You will feel it creeping up you're spine and trying to make you fail. I have felt it, Dann had felt it. This is extreme to make sure that when you feel it, you don't fail. Anything else?'
Toran had sat down, a smile showing in his eyes. This was going to be interesting. Jack and Dann were also smiling in their minds.
They spent the rest of the afternoon showing Smoke round Deephide, and making sure they knew what they were going to be going to be doing. They left the group to have supper, after accepting a request for a demonstration from Toran, that they show off a few of their skills. Deciding that it could do no harm, they told the group to assemble at Practice Room 3 at 8.30.
In fact, Smoke were ready and waiting by the time Jack and Dann got their, causing them both to raise their eyebrows. Never the less, they immediately began to get ready. They had changed into combat cloths, and now removed their boots, socks and shirts. They also took off their pistols, laying them carefully among the folds of their shirts, to ensure that they would not be scratched or chipped. Wands also came off. When they finally turned to face Smoke, the group was once again stunned. They did not look like boys of thirteen. Lean and mean came to mind among the muggle-born. The revealed blades sheathed around their bodies also gave many as shock. After a few minutes, realising they were going to have to do something to get their attention, Jack spoke.
'I sorry, we seem to have surprised you yet again.' He heard someone snort. 'Now, what do you want to see?'
Again it was Toran who stepped forwards.
'Hand to Hand only.'
'Very well. Do not cross the white lines, and by the way, anyone touching any of that will regret it.'
Jack pointed to where they had left their cloths. He then turned back to Dann, and they walked to their places in the centre of the ring, drawing the blades from their wrists as they did so. There were few who noticed or though about the faded scars on their young instructors back. Jack gave Dann a short nod, and prepared to repel his first attack.
Their bladed met with a crack, and they began. Smoke watched amazed as the two moved in a dance of death, unable to believe what they were seeing. After a while, they even forgot that it was a simple demonstration, and winced as every attack was made, fearing blood. Jack and Dann too, we soon oblivious, engaged body and mind in the flick of blades and the quickness of feet.
This continued for what seeming like hours. Only after several of his blades had gone spinning out of Dann's grasp did Jack launch a final assault, forcing Dann to the mat, and gently holding a blade next to his throat. Dann grinned, pleased he had held out that long. He took Jack's offered hand, and stood. They turned to face their audience, their bodies gleaming with sweat, their breath coming in short gasps.
They were met with yet another silence, before it was broken with a low whistle. With another glance at each other, Dann went to collect his blades, while Jack began to give some explanation about what they had just witnessed. And he was happy, because he saw respect in their eyes.
Everyone - Hope this chapter was Ok, it was quite a long one. I can't make any promises but hopefully I should get a few new chapters done over half term so watch out for that. Next chapter will probably just be more training, with a bit more from Harry/Ginny possibly. I'm also thinking of maybe giving Draco a bit of a part. Thanks for any reviews - Pose.
As people came through the fire one by one, their names were taken and they were split into the four groups that the 200 would make up. Smoke, Prongs, Merlin, and Portal. Fire did not talk to them, and because of this there was almost total silence until the final wizards was standing in place, and Harry stepped forward. His car clearly visible, he addressed the expectant crowd before him.
'I am Hawk, Lord of the Guardians. With me are members of the Guardians, the Swords, and Fire, the elite of the Guards. You will respect them or you will leave. You may control your own thoughts, but until you prove yourselves to us, we control you actions. Anyone who wears black robes is your senior, no matter what their age. The only other thing you need to understand about this, is that every one of them has the skill, and I assure you, the nerve, to take life, no matter whose that might be. I hand you over to Hunter, who will be in charge of your training.'
Harry stepped back, sharing a glance with Ron as Hunter took his place. Harry knew it would have sounded a little extreme, and not a little intimidating. But Harry knew that there would be some who would refuse to take orders from people many years their younger, and in fact Harry could not blame them. They had been warned, and now any who ended up humiliated had no one to blame but themselves.
'I am Hunter. Everything you need to know about life here will be explained to you in your groups by members of Fire. For know I will simply introduce to you you're temporary leaders. Smoke is under the charge of Jack and Dann. Prongs will be taken by Fred and George. Merlin, Kate and Ross. Portal, Ivy and Alex. This is the Hall, and I suggest that you try to remember how to get back here as you go to your rooms.'
As Hunter turned away from the crowd, and began to talk to Harry, Jack also turned, wanting to get the group moving a swiftly as possible. He led them away, and Dann followed up. Despite the fact that all of them carried small bags, Jack walked fast. He led them to their meeting room, and too his place at the front. As they came in, all looked at the carving on the door. It read Meeting Room - Smoke.
As they filed in, Jack stared pointedly at the chairs arranged in rows down the room. They took the hint, and sat, still not breaking the silence. Dann joined Jack quickly, giving him a small not of agreement. They faced the room, and started to give Smoke yet another speech. None the less, all listened with rapt attention to what they said.
'Just to make sure you all remember, I'm Jack, and this is Dann. We are Fire, and because f that I suggest none of you ever disrespect the Guards with our hearing. As Hawk so aptly put, we are fighters. And the aim of the next few months is to make you the same. Some of you will be saying, but I know how to fight. You don't. To prove the point, I offer all of you the chance to come up and face me, or Dann, alone or in a small group. Anyone?'
No one moved, though Jack could tell by the exchanged glances that many considered it. He grinned at Dann, who stepped forward and took up the words.
'Good choice. Now, on to the next point. You're all in the correct robes, which is good. Those are you formals. You wear those to academic classes, and that's about it. The rest of the time you will be wearing he cloths that you will find on your beds. No exceptions. They will adjust to fit you. You will also find timetables, and equipment there. Follow the instructions and you should be Ok. Meals are in the Hall, for the few of you who will actually make it to every meal. Jack?...'
Dann stepped back, and Jack started once more. Both were grinning at the frowns that were on many faces, enjoying the fact that they were witnessing the same results that they produced when all this was explained to them months ago.
'Okay, here's a basic outline of you're day. 5AM, we wake you up. 5.30, you meet for training. 1PM, lunch. 2PM, classes. 8PM, supper. 8.30, tutorial training. When that ends depends of your instructors. You can go to bed as soon as you've done everything you need to.'
A stunned silence met this announcement, as the group struggled to absorb this information. After a few moments had passed, a young man from the back stood up.
'Isn't that a little extreme?'
Dann sent a subtle look to Jack, telling him that he should go ahead and answer it. Jack took a look at the guy, realising from the way he was standing that this was probably not him asking.
'Before I answer, can I have your name?'
'Toran Keep.'
'And, are you asking because you want to know, or because someone else doesn't have the guts?'
Jack could see that the man thought before answering.
'That's my business.'
Dann raised his eyebrows and nodded his approval, and Jack glanced back at him and grinned. This was one to keep an eye on.
'So it is. Now, I suppose to someone who has no idea what they are going to be facing in a few months it might be a bit extreme. You will be facing War. You will feel it creeping up you're spine and trying to make you fail. I have felt it, Dann had felt it. This is extreme to make sure that when you feel it, you don't fail. Anything else?'
Toran had sat down, a smile showing in his eyes. This was going to be interesting. Jack and Dann were also smiling in their minds.
They spent the rest of the afternoon showing Smoke round Deephide, and making sure they knew what they were going to be going to be doing. They left the group to have supper, after accepting a request for a demonstration from Toran, that they show off a few of their skills. Deciding that it could do no harm, they told the group to assemble at Practice Room 3 at 8.30.
In fact, Smoke were ready and waiting by the time Jack and Dann got their, causing them both to raise their eyebrows. Never the less, they immediately began to get ready. They had changed into combat cloths, and now removed their boots, socks and shirts. They also took off their pistols, laying them carefully among the folds of their shirts, to ensure that they would not be scratched or chipped. Wands also came off. When they finally turned to face Smoke, the group was once again stunned. They did not look like boys of thirteen. Lean and mean came to mind among the muggle-born. The revealed blades sheathed around their bodies also gave many as shock. After a few minutes, realising they were going to have to do something to get their attention, Jack spoke.
'I sorry, we seem to have surprised you yet again.' He heard someone snort. 'Now, what do you want to see?'
Again it was Toran who stepped forwards.
'Hand to Hand only.'
'Very well. Do not cross the white lines, and by the way, anyone touching any of that will regret it.'
Jack pointed to where they had left their cloths. He then turned back to Dann, and they walked to their places in the centre of the ring, drawing the blades from their wrists as they did so. There were few who noticed or though about the faded scars on their young instructors back. Jack gave Dann a short nod, and prepared to repel his first attack.
Their bladed met with a crack, and they began. Smoke watched amazed as the two moved in a dance of death, unable to believe what they were seeing. After a while, they even forgot that it was a simple demonstration, and winced as every attack was made, fearing blood. Jack and Dann too, we soon oblivious, engaged body and mind in the flick of blades and the quickness of feet.
This continued for what seeming like hours. Only after several of his blades had gone spinning out of Dann's grasp did Jack launch a final assault, forcing Dann to the mat, and gently holding a blade next to his throat. Dann grinned, pleased he had held out that long. He took Jack's offered hand, and stood. They turned to face their audience, their bodies gleaming with sweat, their breath coming in short gasps.
They were met with yet another silence, before it was broken with a low whistle. With another glance at each other, Dann went to collect his blades, while Jack began to give some explanation about what they had just witnessed. And he was happy, because he saw respect in their eyes.
Everyone - Hope this chapter was Ok, it was quite a long one. I can't make any promises but hopefully I should get a few new chapters done over half term so watch out for that. Next chapter will probably just be more training, with a bit more from Harry/Ginny possibly. I'm also thinking of maybe giving Draco a bit of a part. Thanks for any reviews - Pose.