The hot sun beat down mercilessly upon the three rows of exhausted young men and women. The group squatted in the center of a large yard in the midst of the HomeGuards base, recruitment, and primary training center. The huge building, almost as large as Lady Myschala's palace had been nearly five years ago, had three courtyards in total. A huge marshalling yard in the main building was for the rare large-scale deployment of HomeGuard forces and two smaller training yards in the annex buildings to the east and west. The main building was only one story taller, at three stories, than it's two adjacent buildings but each was a sprawling compound in it's own right. There was even a landing tower in the rear of the main building for the occasional visiting dragon-rider. Each of the recruits had been in awe of this building that was talked about in wondrous whispers in every village and settlement in the kingdom that was now being called New Surdana. None of them were concerned with that at this point.

The HomeGuard Sergeant that had taken the recruits through the torturous obstacle course they called the Grinder, stood at stiff attention as a man in a shining golden and silver uniform slowly walked up to the group. The man's bearing spoke of command and a supreme confidence won on countless battlefields fought within the confines of New Surdana itself. The recruits whispered among themselves before a glance from the sergeant brought a profound hush upon them all.

" That will be all, sergeant. " the man said, his voice soft and charismatic.

The sergeant saluted smartly," Aye, captain. "

The captain turned his hard, dark brown eyes across the ranks of sweaty young men and women in loose-fitting brown pants and shirts.

" I am Captain Miles. I command this regiment. You are those that have made it through the physical trials. You should be proud. Usually there are only half this number left after receiving the tender ministrations of sergeant Rollins," several of the recruits actually managed half-hearted chuckles," Now comes the part where you learn what exactly it means to become a member of the HomeGuard. You will meet those who's turn it is to teach this class of recruits as they tell you just what you're getting into. If you graduate and become HomeGuard then we will meet again. Now turn around and say hello to your instructors. You are very lucky to have these two. "

The group shifted to face the opposite direction as instructed and thus they didn't see the captain walk away with a peculiar little smile on his face. The recruits now found themselves facing a rather odd pair. There was a tall, dark-skinned man with a shaven head standing next to a short, very pale woman with scraggly blonde hair. The man's eyes were far colder than the captain's had been but his expression was as neutral as a slab of stone. The woman's eyes fairly sparkled and she bit her lip, for all the world like a little girl, as she watched the captain walk away. Several recruits cringed at the huge scar that skated down over the woman's left eye. The eye seemed fine but the wound that had caused the scar had to have been horrific. The man and woman were dressed in identical attire. Leather vests that revealed chiseled arms and fair amounts of muscled torso on both. The man had a scimitar sheathed at his waist while the woman had a longsword strapped across her back. Slowly the realization of who these two were dawned on the group as one. The hushed silence that followed spoke volumes of the awe the group felt.

" I don't know why the captain decided to introduce us, but that doesn't mean that you pups are special," the woman began, placing her arms behind her back and pacing in front of the group," I'm lieutenant Crayla. That is lieutenant Ramn. Some of you may have heard of us. Some of you may have had the displeasure of having to see us. Get this straight, pups, we are NOT what you think we are. We are not the Queen's glorified messengers, we are not her enforcers, and we are most certainly not a trophy fighting team. Ramn and I were there when the HomeGuard wasn't the Homeguard. We helped it become what it is today. Which means we are the most qualified to tell you what it will mean if you become a HomeGuard. So listen up and listen good. "

" The HomeGuard was formed to protect the environs of New Surdana. This means that we are responsible for the protection of all territory within New Surdana's borders. These borders are expanding fast, sometimes faster than we have settlers, and thus the HomeGuard is very, very, very busy. The New Surdanan Army is only responsible for keeping large threats from penetrating into Surdana, as well as taking back the land which was once ours, and thus they are absolutely no help in protecting Surdana from threats that they left behind. We are the first and last line of defense for New Surdana. We are elite soldiers of the Queen and only the best are admitted into our ranks. "

" Being a member of the HomeGuard surpasses all bonds of blood and friendship from before you joined the Guard. If, and I do mean if, you survive the training, you will be assigned as a temporary third person to the primary operating unit of the Guard. The unit is a two-man, or woman, team which is sent out on a variety of assignment types. After that you will rarely see your loved ones. I have not seen nor talked to my family in over a year. Ramn's family lives much, much closer to our base of operations and yet he sees his family as much as I see mine. If you are married, have kids, then maybe this profession is not for you. Your wife, you'll see her maybe twice a year if you're lucky, and your kids will grow up in the time that your gone. I have seen the strain this life puts on relationships and it can warp even the strongest bonds. There is a price to be paid for all your thoughts of glory and adventure. The price will be high until you pay the final price. "

" Your training will last approximately half a year. We will work you until you can't move and then we'll work you some more. Pain will be your constant companion. Pain will greet you when you wake and lay down with you when you sleep. The only way to bring relief will be to finish or to leave. Make no mistake about it, as you become more fit, so will what is expected of you become more strenuous. Physical pain and fatigue will not be all you have to contend with. We will test your mind and spirit to the same, if not a greater extent, so that you will feel as though your brains have been shaken in a barrel. I fully expect not even a third of you to complete the training judging by the look of you. "

Lieutenant Crayla stopped and stood with her arms crossed beneath her breasts facing the group," So, before the pain begins, tell me who's going to be smart and leave now? "

A long time passed and still no one spoke. A small smile caressed the hard-woman's face for the briefest of moments.

" So, before we begin, any questions? "

A long-legged boy with unruly brown hair and mischievous light brown eyes raised his hand, Crayla nodded, and he spoke," Does the big one talk or does he just smash things? "

Several of the recruits chuckled and many of them had open grins on their face.

A fierce, toothy grin blossomed on the pale-skinned warriors face," Come here. "

The smug expression on the boy's face evaporated as he stood. He was tall, slim and walked with a cocky stride that made the lieutenant grit her teeth. The boy stopped in a half meter in front of her and looked down with a slight smirk. The smirk disappeared and was replaced by a puzzled frown. Crayla did not see the small smile and shake of the head of her partner that caused the recruit's puzzlement. Without taking her eyes off the boy's, the lieutenant drove the stiffened knuckles of her right hand into his midriff, and spun around him as he doubled over. A swift kick to the back of knee took the smart-mouth off his feet and right into Crayla's waiting arms. The lieutenant got the boys head and neck in a nice comfortable chokehold, comfortable for her at least, and dragged him around to face the other recruits. She was greeted by silence as she squatted over his lower back, arms in painful positions tied up behind his head as they were, and grinned at the gathered recruits.

" I told you that we are not what we think you are. I do not tolerate smart-asses, clowns, or genuine headcases. I mostly break things, things that bleed and then die most of the time, while he does the talking. My partner could talk the hairs off a grull's chin if he so desired. If any, and I mean any, of you so disrespect him in my presence again, I will break you. "

Crayla released her hold on the boy and watched as he scrambled forward on his hands and knees. He turned around on his knees and watched her as he massaged his throat.

" Get back in formation, boy. " Crayla ordered him, her eyes boring into his back as he rushed to do so.

Meanwhile Ramn had begun passing out small books to each of the recruits.

" You will be required to read one section of this book everyday. Lieutenant Ramn will test you on your knowledge each day. "

The wisecracking recruit raised his arm again," There is no author, lieutenant. Who wrote this book? "

" You learn fast, recruit. BladeMaster was written by many people, including dragon-rider Rynn, Chief Ranwulf of the Northmen... and lieutenant Ramn," Crayla shook her head and barked laughter," Don't look so surprised, Ramn is probably the best person any of you will ever have the pleasure of seeing wield a scimitar. "

Low, mournful horns suddenly spread their music through the halls of the HomeGuard's headquarters.

" It looks like you all will get your chance," Crayla said, quietly," It does look like it's time for killin'. "

All the recruits nearly jumped out of their seats when a bass bellow erupted from the lips of the silent lieutenant," Up! Arm yourselves!! "

Then the race was for the racks of iron training weapons on the edges of the yard began.