Chapter Four
Please read, review and enjoy!
"Rise and shine!"
Ella jolted awake, her heart hammering as the relentless pounding on her door continued. Groggy and disorientated, she blinked against the dim light of her quarters, trying to remember where she was.
"I want you out here and dressed in five minutes" Danse ordered, sending her into a panic.
Ella tumbled from her bunk, her body protesting at the few hours of restless sleep. She'd tossed and turned all night, every unfamiliar thud and hiss of the airship startling her awake. What little sleep she did get was haunted by the image of her father's lifeless body making sleep impossible.
She fumbled for her uniform, finding it strewn at the bottom of her bunk. Wrestling with the tight fabric, she splashed water over her face to wake herself up. Just managing to brush her teeth before the pounding began again.
"Now, initiate!"
She opened the door to see Danse standing there, his muscular figure filling the doorway. His thick brows narrowed, a look of disapproval crossing his chiselled features as he took in her tangled hair and askew uniform.
"This won't do, Initiate," he said sternly. "As a member of the Brotherhood, you need to be prepared and organised. Ready to leave, fully geared up, at a moment's notice."
"I'm sorry, Paladin," Ella apologised.
"Don't let it happen again," he said, his tone softening slightly, "Let's go. We have a busy day ahead."
She followed him out into the steel corridor, the persistent hum of the Prydwen's engines filling her ears as they walked. "Life in the Brotherhood is structured and demanding" Danse told her, "You'll have a strict schedule, with training sessions, briefings and various assigned duties."
"First, we'll head to the mess hall for breakfast" Danse continued as he led her through a labyrinth of passages. "Meals are at designated times so it's important not to miss them."
Ella nodded. Yesterday's tour had done nothing to familiarise her with the layout, feeling utterly lost as she struggled to keep up with him. The mess hall was busier than yesterday, bustling with soldiers and murmurs of conversation. Following Danse's lead, she grabbed a tray, not bothering to look at the specials board after yesterday, opting for an apple instead, much to Danse's disapproval.
"That's not enough to sustain you" he frowned, taking a ladle and adding a generous portion of what looked like scrambled eggs to her tray. She was to object to the pale, lumpy slop but he fixed her with a firm look. "Trust me, you'll need the energy."
She hesitated for a moment, then nodded, realising he was probably right. They sat at a small table, the other soldiers eyeing her curiously as they ate.
"After breakfast, you'll have your medical exam," Danse said between bites. "Standard procedure for all new recruits. We'll get you issued with some more uniforms and training gear too."
Ella listened intently, trying to absorb the flood of information "And then?"
"Combat training" he replied. "We'll start with the basics and work our way up. Hand-to-hand, weapon training, tactical drills. It's crucial that you're proficient in all areas."
She nodded, uncertainty swirling in her stomach as she took another bite of her apple. Danse seemed to pick up on her anxiety, his expression softening as he looked at her. "I know it's a lot to take in, but you'll adapt. We'll take it one step at a time."
After breakfast, they headed to the medical bay. The checkup was thorough, including a series of tests including blood work, vision and hearing tests, and psychological assessments – all to ensure she was fit enough for the challenges ahead and address any current concerns. The physical exam was routine until the questions took an unexpected turn.
"Have you ever had sexual relations with any species considered non-human?"
Ella blinked, certain she had misheard him. "I'm sorry, what?"
"You heard me," the doctor said, his expression unchanged. "Have you ever had sexual relations with any species considered non-human?"
Ella's brows shot up in surprise, taken aback. "Um, no," she replied, wondering what kind of non-human species he was talking about. Did it really happen that often he needed to ask about it?
The doctor nodded, jotting down noted "Good. You're cleared for duty."
Ella hopped from the table, her mind still reeling as she joined Danse in the corridor. "Did he really just ask me that?" she said, staring at him with wide eyes.
Danse's expression was stoic, but a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed a hint of amusement. "They like to cover all the bases," he said dryly.
Ella laughed softly, still slightly shocked.
"Come on," he said, "let's get going."
A quick ride aboard the vertibird took them to the barracks where the reality of her new life started to sink in. Years of hauling buckets and carrying heavy loads had given Ella strength but nothing could have prepared her for this.
The next few hours were gruelling. Training commenced as soon as they touched ground, Danse's expertise as a seasoned Paladin was evident in his commands as he barked out orders. He started her with relentless running drills, the warm air scratching her throat as she forced herself to keep up with his unyielding pace. Her legs burnt with effort, the rugged terrain adding to the challenge as Danse pushed on.
"Again" Danse's voice cut through the air, demanding and unwavering.
Ella's muscles screamed in protest, sweat dripping from her forehead but Danse showed no leniency. As the morning wore on, they moved on to physical conditioning. Endless rounds of gruelling circuit training left her trembling with fatigue, her breaths ragged gasps but Danse stood firm, demanding her best with every drill.
"Keep going, Initiate!"
As she struggled, Ella noticed a group jogging by under the supervision of a knight, their matching black uniform indicating they were also new recruits. They cast curious glances her way as they spotted her training. Some stared in awe, others in jealousy.
"Is she training with Danse?" one whispered.
"It's not fair" another hissed "I've been here longer. She doesn't deserve to be a Paladin's mentee."
Their remarks cut through the air, her focus wavering. Distracted, her arms gave out, sending her crashing to the ground. Laughter filling her ears as the onlookers moved on.
"Focus initiate," Danse said, his voice firm but not unkind "Discipline and concentration are crucial. Don't let anything break your focus."
Ella nodded, feeling slightly bruised as she struggled to her feet.
"Good," Danse said "Now, let's go again."
XXX
Ella's heart pounded as she stood outside the door. The first few days with the Brotherhood had been a whirlwind, filled with intense training sessions with Danse that left her sore and exhausted. His rigorous training, preparing her for the challenges ahead.
But Danse had also explained her training wouldn't just be physical. Although he would oversee most of her training, the demands of his duties meant he couldn't cover everything, so she was to attend classes with the other initiates to gain theoretical knowledge and broaden her understanding of her role within the Brotherhood.
Ella bit her lip nervously, the thought of facing the others after her embarrassing fall filling her with dread, their laughter still ringing in her ears. Despite her reluctance, she knew she didn't have a choice. She had to go in.
Taking a deep breath she opened the door, feeling everyone's eyes on her as she entered. The room was stark, with a large brotherhood banner hanging on the wall and rows of metal desks where the other initiates, of various ages and sizes, sat watching. News of her mentorship with Danse had spread quickly. Whispers and hushed murmurs filling her ears as she slid into an empty seat.
"So, is it true?"
Ella turned to see a young woman looking at her. She was beautiful, with high cheekbones and smooth brown skin. Her long dark hair was braided back, tight and neat as she awaited an answer.
"Is what true?" Ella asked.
"I heard Paladin Danse is mentoring you. Is it true?"
She nodded.
"That's incredible," the woman said, offering her hand, "I'm Nia, by the way".
"Ella" she replied, smiling softly as she shook Nia's hand.
"I haven't seen you around here before. When did you arrive?"
"A few days ago."
Nia's eyes widened. "Wait, you've just got here and a Paladin has already taken on you?"
Ella nodded. "Why - Is that bad?
"It's unheard of," Nia replied, shaking her head in disbelief. "It's not common for someone to be taken on so quickly – especially by a Paladin. Most of us have been here for weeks, and still haven't been taken up."
Before Ella could respond, a sneering voice cut in.
"You don't deserve it" a blonde, burly initiate snapped, glaring at her "You've just got here, and you're already getting special treatment."
"Back off Cade" Nia shot back "Just because you haven't been picked, doesn't mean you get to be a jerk."
Cade snorted; "Doesn't look like I'll be waiting long after what I saw."
Ella's cheeks burnt. The memory of her falling filling her mind.
"We'll see how long you last" Cade scoffed "The sooner you're dead, the sooner I can take your place."
Ella bit her lip, feeling the sting of his words when the classroom door opened. The room fell silent as Senior Scribe Thorne entered the room. He was an older man, thin with greying hair and hindered by a slight limp. His face was gaunt, with cold eyes that lingered on Ella a moment too long.
"Today, we will continue our study of old-world technology and its applications" he began, his voice sharp, demanding obedience. "In the field, it is your job to help knights find and identify pre-war tech."
Ella struggled to focus, her mind still reeling from Cade's words. What did he mean he would take her place? Is that what happens when someone dies? The thought sent a chill down her spine. She tried to concentrate on the lecture, but her thoughts kept returning to the terrifying idea that she had just become a target.
"You there!"
Thorne's voice cut through her thoughts like a blade. Startled, she looked up to see him standing over her. His face contorted with anger as he glared at her.
"Are you even paying attention?" he snapped.
Ella froze, her heart pounding. She could feel the eyes of her fellow initiates on her, waiting to see what would happen as the scribe waited, demanding an answer.
"I'm…I'm sorry sir" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
Thorne's eyes narrowed. "Sorry isn't good enough!" he barked.
Suddenly, a crack sliced through the room as Thorne lashed out with a riding crop. The stiff leather tip striking near Ella's hand in warning. She flinched, her breath catching in her throat.
"The ability to defend yourself is but one part of your training," Thorne growled, leaning in close until she could feel his hot breath on her face. "We are the finders and the preservers. Unless you know what to find and preserve…you are more useful to us as a corpse."
Ella nodded, her cheeks burning as she struggled to hold his gaze.
"Let's hope the Paladin can instil some discipline in you," he said, his tone mocking. "Though I doubt it."
Ella dropped her gaze, her heart racing as Thorne returned to his lecture. She forced herself to concentrate feeling his eyes boring into her, her hands trembling as she scribbled away.
AN: Hello, me again. Just a quick thank you to those of you reading this story, I really appreciate it. Anyway, hope you are all enjoying it, much more to come!