Several blows rocked the filled punching bag from side to side as
Kalis Deiran's fists launched their quick attacks upon it.
The tall gray weasel, dressed in a skin-tight workout uniform- was breathing heavily from the effort of the vigorous work out, sweat beading upon his brow and trickling down his back.
He punched the bag several more times before he decided it was enough for one workout, a paw was drawn across a moist brow, brushing away the sweat before it could trickle down into his eyes.
Kalis Deiran walked to the door of the makeshift gym, chest rising and falling in a fast rhythm, his mild voice carried only the barest trace of weariness. "Sarhein, get me water."
The door swung open as the tall fox handed him a beaker filled with fluid. Kalis took it gratefully, the cool liquid sliding down his dry throat like the sweetest of elixirs.
"Feel ok, sir?" Sarhein's voice carried the barest traces of concern as Kalis waved a paw to the taller, younger fox.
"I'm fine, Sarhein.that was nothing I don't do every day or so.I may not be as young as I used to be, but I can run circles around any of you."
A smile touched Sarhein's heavily scarred features at his leader's comment, his single ear twitched slightly, Kalis did his best to refrain from looking to the stump that was all that was left of Sarhein's tail, thankfully invisible from beneath Sarhein's red cloak.
Sarhein may have once been considered handsome, but the missing tail and ear, accented by the scars covering his face and body-all keepsakes of a duel between him and the Death Watch stoat commander Mahk-helped to ruin the effect.
"Is Kallen back yet?" Kalis questioned. "Or any word from Eroket and Talrid?"
Sarhein noted he did not ask of Deran and Jald, but shrugged it off. "Kallen got back last night, said there wasn't anything too interesting to report from his scoutings. Note from Talrid, concerning the mission.Eroket handled it alone."
Kalis paused to smile briefly. "Then there should have been no problems.give me the note, Sarhein."
Sarhein swallowed. "Funny you should mention the problems, sir.turns out Davren-"
Kalis shot him a look, the gray eyes hardening. "The note, Sarhein.if the news is bad, I will find out myself."
Sarhein produced the parchment, he had barely offered it when Kalis had snatched it and was unfolding it.
General Kalis Deiran.
The mission went ahead as planned. Commander Nightblade undertook it alone. Half of the bodyguard staff, as well as Lieutenant Antornin were killed, commander Nightblade was uncompromised in any way and executed flawlessly.
The fault I take upon myself for not be foresighted enough to know Antornin had hired an assassin of his own. Payment was unable to be collected as our client had been murdered at the same time our target was dispatched.
As previously stated, I take the blame; Commander Nightblade is responsible for none of it. We will be leaving around the time you receive this note and will be at the appropriate destination within a week, give or take a few days.
Commander Talrid Hathrin.
"Dammit." was the only expression of Kalis's anger. His lips pursed as he handed the note back to Sarhein. "Burn it. I want no other beast to see it, lest they lose faith in Commander Nightblade or Commander Hathrin's abilities."
Sarhein pocketed the note, his amber eyes losing any trace of apprehension or worry. "Should I write back?"
Kalis shook his head. "To what extent and purpose, Sarhein? Eroket and Talrid will be heading out soon.send one third of our forces to join them and give my regards to both of them... When Kallen is ready, have him meet up with me to discuss plans. It occurs to me Jald and deran may be in need of reinforcements. Send one score of troops to join them at the dunes."
Sarhein nodded, saluting sharply. "Sir, may I ask a personal question?"
Kalis nodded. "Ask away, Sarhein, old friend."
Ssarhein bit his lip, "Sir, you sometimes forget Commander Nightblade isn't really your son, don't you?"
Kalis was caught off guard for a moment. "You'll excuse me if I do not deign to respond, Commander Sarhein.if you are accusing me of favoritism then you are sorely mistaken. No matter my personal feelings, I have promoted Eroket on his ability and skills. I'll do right by the Calpathions, Sarhein.you know that."
Sarhein nodded. "You always have, sir."
Kalis smiled. "Good.you can make it up to me by buying us dinner."
Sarhein's scarred features softened as a light smile crossed them. "I'd be delighted, sir."
"And stop calling me 'sir!'"
"Yes, sir."
"Oh shut up."
"Yes sir."
Sarhein dodged a friendly strike from Kalis, grinning.
"You must seriously want me to sheath my sword in you."
Sarhein laughed, hardening his features as quickly as possible as the two exited the training room into the streets. The inn where the troops remained was just down the road of the large town, bustling with activity.
With a shake of the head and a sigh, Kalis Deiran walked to the inn, his mind resting uncomfortably on present matters, contentedly on memories.
The tall gray weasel, dressed in a skin-tight workout uniform- was breathing heavily from the effort of the vigorous work out, sweat beading upon his brow and trickling down his back.
He punched the bag several more times before he decided it was enough for one workout, a paw was drawn across a moist brow, brushing away the sweat before it could trickle down into his eyes.
Kalis Deiran walked to the door of the makeshift gym, chest rising and falling in a fast rhythm, his mild voice carried only the barest trace of weariness. "Sarhein, get me water."
The door swung open as the tall fox handed him a beaker filled with fluid. Kalis took it gratefully, the cool liquid sliding down his dry throat like the sweetest of elixirs.
"Feel ok, sir?" Sarhein's voice carried the barest traces of concern as Kalis waved a paw to the taller, younger fox.
"I'm fine, Sarhein.that was nothing I don't do every day or so.I may not be as young as I used to be, but I can run circles around any of you."
A smile touched Sarhein's heavily scarred features at his leader's comment, his single ear twitched slightly, Kalis did his best to refrain from looking to the stump that was all that was left of Sarhein's tail, thankfully invisible from beneath Sarhein's red cloak.
Sarhein may have once been considered handsome, but the missing tail and ear, accented by the scars covering his face and body-all keepsakes of a duel between him and the Death Watch stoat commander Mahk-helped to ruin the effect.
"Is Kallen back yet?" Kalis questioned. "Or any word from Eroket and Talrid?"
Sarhein noted he did not ask of Deran and Jald, but shrugged it off. "Kallen got back last night, said there wasn't anything too interesting to report from his scoutings. Note from Talrid, concerning the mission.Eroket handled it alone."
Kalis paused to smile briefly. "Then there should have been no problems.give me the note, Sarhein."
Sarhein swallowed. "Funny you should mention the problems, sir.turns out Davren-"
Kalis shot him a look, the gray eyes hardening. "The note, Sarhein.if the news is bad, I will find out myself."
Sarhein produced the parchment, he had barely offered it when Kalis had snatched it and was unfolding it.
General Kalis Deiran.
The mission went ahead as planned. Commander Nightblade undertook it alone. Half of the bodyguard staff, as well as Lieutenant Antornin were killed, commander Nightblade was uncompromised in any way and executed flawlessly.
The fault I take upon myself for not be foresighted enough to know Antornin had hired an assassin of his own. Payment was unable to be collected as our client had been murdered at the same time our target was dispatched.
As previously stated, I take the blame; Commander Nightblade is responsible for none of it. We will be leaving around the time you receive this note and will be at the appropriate destination within a week, give or take a few days.
Commander Talrid Hathrin.
"Dammit." was the only expression of Kalis's anger. His lips pursed as he handed the note back to Sarhein. "Burn it. I want no other beast to see it, lest they lose faith in Commander Nightblade or Commander Hathrin's abilities."
Sarhein pocketed the note, his amber eyes losing any trace of apprehension or worry. "Should I write back?"
Kalis shook his head. "To what extent and purpose, Sarhein? Eroket and Talrid will be heading out soon.send one third of our forces to join them and give my regards to both of them... When Kallen is ready, have him meet up with me to discuss plans. It occurs to me Jald and deran may be in need of reinforcements. Send one score of troops to join them at the dunes."
Sarhein nodded, saluting sharply. "Sir, may I ask a personal question?"
Kalis nodded. "Ask away, Sarhein, old friend."
Ssarhein bit his lip, "Sir, you sometimes forget Commander Nightblade isn't really your son, don't you?"
Kalis was caught off guard for a moment. "You'll excuse me if I do not deign to respond, Commander Sarhein.if you are accusing me of favoritism then you are sorely mistaken. No matter my personal feelings, I have promoted Eroket on his ability and skills. I'll do right by the Calpathions, Sarhein.you know that."
Sarhein nodded. "You always have, sir."
Kalis smiled. "Good.you can make it up to me by buying us dinner."
Sarhein's scarred features softened as a light smile crossed them. "I'd be delighted, sir."
"And stop calling me 'sir!'"
"Yes, sir."
"Oh shut up."
"Yes sir."
Sarhein dodged a friendly strike from Kalis, grinning.
"You must seriously want me to sheath my sword in you."
Sarhein laughed, hardening his features as quickly as possible as the two exited the training room into the streets. The inn where the troops remained was just down the road of the large town, bustling with activity.
With a shake of the head and a sigh, Kalis Deiran walked to the inn, his mind resting uncomfortably on present matters, contentedly on memories.