Warrior Rising
Chapter 7: The New Recruit
After breakfast, Antony followed Oskar and Emile out of the house. A salt and sea water smell greeted him. The warm sun shone upon the cobble stone streets, buildings, docks, and ships of Sea Haven. Several dragons, sprites, elves, and prowlers were already up and walking about the sea-faring city.
Oskar and Emile walked down the street toward, past the docks and ships. Both dragons waved and nodded at the townsfolk as they walked. They took steady pace and glanced back to make sure that Antony was still keeping up with them.
An elf at a wooden stall waved at Antony, trying to get his attention. Antony stopped for a moment and looked toward the elf. The elf was lean and dressed in a tattered tunic, sash, trousers, and black boots. Bottles of different sizes and colors stood upon the counter of his wooden stall. Each bottle had a cork or topper.
The elf smiled through yellowed teeth and spoke in an airy voice. "Welcome to my shop, dragon. Care to buy an elixir or potion?"
"Er…I…don't know."
"Oh, that is all right, dragon. I have all kinds of elixirs and potions." The elf gestured to the counter with a laugh. "Need strength? Antidote? Curse-breaking elixir? Or maybe a scented oil to attract a certain female? Hm."
Antony looked at the glass bottles. He shook his head slowly. "I would, but I don't have any money. I'm sorry, sir."
"That's fine, youngster. When you have gold, silver, or copper coins, pay me a visit. The name is Aesril. I'm here all week."
"Uh…sure."
Antony turned and noticed Oskar and Emile looking at him.
"Come on," Emile said. "We're on our way to the guard house. We'll introduce you to our commander and he can let you join our ranks."
"Sounds good."
They continued on their way through the city. As they walked, the sailors prepared to go out to sea. The merchants hawked their wares and called out to townspeople. The children ran to and fro, playing various games and talking in loud, boisterous voices.
Spyro smiled as he looked at the job board in the Sunbeam Tavern. It was a new day and start for him. The purple dragon was ready to begin a new quest and job after enjoying dinner and sleep. He looked upon the papers and wondered what would be great for them to accept. Fetch quests, monster hunts, deliveries, and bandit fights were common jobs to take on.
"Pick something easy," Fisk said. "Last five jobs were hard."
"No, pick something according to our skills, powers, and talents," Xanthe said.
"Hm…there's so many choices," Spryo said. He grabbed one yellow paper off the job board and read through it. "Bandit trouble at Wild Run Village. Nothing we can't handle."
"What's the reward?" Fisk asked.
"500 gold. The bandit leader is a dragon named Slaygar the Greedy."
Xanthe frowned. "Really? Slaygar the Greedy? He doesn't sound like a threat."
"He is," Spryo said, reading the paper. "Murder, torture, and theft are his crimes. And he enjoys taking money, jewelry, and valuables, just because he believes he can. We should stop him."
"Oh, we will." Fisk smiled. "We'll beat them up and turn them into the authorities and I'll make a song of our adventure."
"No surprise there." Xanthe chuckled. "Make it a good song."
"I always do."
Spyro folded up the job posting. He walked over to the tavernkeeper, a sprite with short hair, antennae, and a round face. He dipped his claw in an inkwell on the desk and signed the paper. He passed it to the tavernkeeper who nodded.
"Happy hunting, adventurers," the tavernkeeper said.
Oskar and Emile stopped at the guard house. It was a wide and tall gray stone building. Two doors marked its front entrance. Two dragons stood on either side of the doors: one male, one female. Both helms and tail rings of black metal. They saluted when they saw Oskar and Emile but tensed when they noticed Antony.
"He's a new recruit," Oskar said. "He wants to join our ranks."
"Can we introduce him to Commander Titus?" Emile asked.
The female dragon looked at the male dragon. Her comrade nodded slowly. The female looked to them and nodded. "As you may, but make sure he minds his manners and his tongue."
"We will," Oskar replied. "Thank you, Gela, and Patori."
Both guards nodded before opening the doors. Inside the guard house was an enormous front room. Beyond the front room was another room with training dummies, wooden posts, armor, and weapon racks. Several dragons, elves, and prowlers were sparring and training. Antony heard their grunts, cries, and growls. A set of stairs ascended to another level and area.
A large gray dragon stood by the stair case, tapping his tail on the ground. He looked to be waiting for someone. As he tapped the floor with his tail, he flexed his claws and muttered under his breath. He looked down at his paws several times before noticing Oskar, Emile, and Antony.
The large gray dragon rose to his feet. He walked toward them. His stride was steady and somber. His face was grim and scarred. Antony felt nervous seeing such a dragon come closer and closer but didn't run or hide.
"What's all this Oksar, Emile?" the gray dragon asked.
"Someone who wants to join the city guard, Commander Titus," Oskar replied. He dipped his head in greeting and gestured to Antony. "He is new to our city and is living with my family."
Titus shifted his gaze from Oskar to Antony. Two hard blue eyes bore into Antony's. Under the intense and intimidating gaze, Antony shifted from foot to foot. He looked away a few times before maintaining eye contact.
"What's your name, young one?" Titus asked.
"Antony, sir…"
"Antony? You want a job, a career with the Sea Haven Guard? Why?"
"To earn a wage and make a difference in the community. I…I don't know much about being a guard, but I'm willing to learn, sir."
Titus stared for several moments before he dipped his head. "Are you sure, Antony? There are rules and dangers to being a guard."
There will be rules and dangers at any job, Antony thought to himself. He looked back at Oskar and Emile. The dragons smiled. Neither said a word, waiting. Antony noticed a group of guards leaving the training area. Among them was a dragon that looked about the same age as Kehlani. This dragon was sleek and greenish-gray. She had a deep, ugly scar across the bridge of her snout.
The dragon walked with quick and light footsteps. Her eyes looked forward and were hard and lavender-colored. She listened to her companions talk while she moved. When her eyes met Antony's, they narrowed. The dragon shook her head and continued on her way.
Antony turned back to Titus. "I'm sure. Let me prove myself, Commander."
Titus gave a wry smile. "Good. You're hired. Oskar, Emile, help Antony settle in. Train him thoroughly."
Oskar and Emile lifted their forepaws and placed them over their chests. Titus returned the same gesture. Antony blinked and tilted his head at the action. Must be their own salute, Antony mused.
