Chapter VI

"Roslyn, what brings you here? It's always good to see you!"

A young Hyur woman in an orange and brown cotton acton greeted Roslyn warmly from behind the front desk of the Lancer's Guild.

"Afternoon Jillian, this is Maleko. He traveled all the way across the North Seas, and arrived just last night" Roslyn replied.

Jillian turned to Maleko and smiled, "Ah I see! Well, welcome to the Lancers' Guild, Maleko! If you seek to refine your skills with the polearm, then you've come to the right place. Spear wielders gather here to train with one another, and further hone their abilities under the tutelage of our fine instructors. If you seek membership, just see your way to the back and talk to Master Ywain, he'll decide if you have what it takes!"

Maleko could hear the sounds of spear work on wooden dummies, and the calls of a drill instructor coming from the room in question. He thanked the clerk, and started towards the room.

"Come find me later and let me know how things go Maleko, you can usually find me at either Miounne's or the Archer's Guild." Roslyn called to him as he left. Maleko raised a hand in farewell as he passed into the back room.

His ears were assaulted with the drilling of several members of the guild as they faced off against several wooden dummies, cutting and thrusting at them with wooden practice spears as an instructor paced up and down the line, calling out trusts and slashes, correcting a stance here, changing a grip there, and never seeming quite satisfied.

Several of the cities Wood Wailers stood watching, some as instructors, some simply seeking comradery on their off hours. Maleko approached one such Wailer, and asked which of the men was called Ywain. The Wood Wailer pointed him to a Hyur Midlander leaning on a railing on the upper deck, watching the recruits below.

The Hyur, Ywain, seemed to notice their attention and raised a hand in greeting to them. Maleko made his way around the drilling recruits, and passed a group doggedly doing push-ups in time to an instructor's call of "Up, Down, Up, Down".

As he reached the top of the steps, Ywain met him halfway and extended his hand, which Maleko clasped, shaking it firmly.

"Welcome to the Wailing Barracks friend. You come to me in the garb of a Sea Wolf, and carrying a harpoon, where most men would have a lance or spear. It gives an odd look about you, but I can see in your eyes a fiery determination. I assume you've come to hone your skills?"

"Well met Master Ywain. I've traveled from my village, Tanima Umi, in the North Seas in search of your guild. Rumors have it you've the finest around when it comes to lance work." Maleko replied.

"I cannot speak to rumors young Maleko, however I can tell you that no other fighting style can claim to be as offensively minded as our own. Our approach is ever one of attack, no matter who, or what, we face. We wield our polearm as if it were an extension of our own body. We are like a raging storm before our foes, delivering a barrage of devastating thrusts and slashes." Ywain began.

"A lancer's worth may be measured quite simply, in how swiftly and decisively he can pierce his enemy's defenses. By its nature, the polearm is a simple weapon to wield, for good or ill. Even in a farmer's hands, it is capable of wreaking considerable havoc. Thus it has been a mainstay of every great army since ancient times."

"Yet know that a lance alone does not a lancer make. Faced with unfavorable odds, an unseasoned spearman will break formation and flee without a moment's hesitation. A true lancer, however, flinches not before his enemies, for he knows not the meaning of fear. Ever does he press forward, disdainful of the odds, that he might pierce the enemy line and open a path to victory."

"Needless to say, doing so requires no small amount of courage, and that is why our guild has striven from the first to instill this essential quality in every soul who passes through our halls."

Maleko considered the Master's words carefully. They were stirring, and inspirational enough, however, rehearsed words were easily spoken.

Finally Maleko replied with a bow. "You have my interest Master. If you would have me, I shall strive to bring honor upon your halls."

** ANY AND ALL WRITING IN BOLD/ITALICS ARE ROUGHLY COPIED FROM THE GAME ITSELF. THEY ARE NOT OF MY IMAGINATION, AND I DO NOT TAKE ANY CREDIT FOR THEM**