Post by Kendall Ducaine Malice on Nov 17, 2006 19:20:23 GMT -5
It had been two months since Kendall, an average son of a farmer, had first arrived in the City Avaren. Naïve and wide-eyed, Kendall learned a lot in those first few weeks. Most notably that things in this city were not to be taken either at face value or for granted. Kendall’s first encounter with Tori on his second day in the city was a prime example of that fact. So much power in such a small package, she definitely had surprised Kendall. Despite the outcome of their spar, Kendall held her in high regard and considered it fortunate that he had that experience early on in his arrival in the city. It was a learning experience that taught, no, forced him to be more alert to things that he normally wouldn’t have been before. Life was much more fast paced here, and you had to be on your toes at all times, for Kendall Ducaine Malice it was both exciting and overwhelming. So much so that he took to residing in the barracks most of the time, which was a good thing. He was able to focus and put all his concentration into most immediate goal, which was to become a member of the Kingdom’s Army.
Being a virtual shut in helped him graduate head of his recruitment class with high marks from his instructors for in every area. And though he was still learning the arts of war & weapon mastery he proved himself against all those who doubted him. They said that Kendall would be the first to drop out, he was strong of muscle but weak of both heart and mind, and apparently they didn’t know the measure of his resolve. It wasn’t easy, but with soul dedication Kendall earned the unquestioned respect from his peers, something that he never really had before. Now it would be a lie to say that Kendall didn’t think it was a good feeling, his officers thought his reliable and his peers somewhat even looked up to him. All this made Kendall feel more self-confidant and assured that he had chosen the right path in coming to the City. Still the only thing he knew was the barracks.
For the past couple of weeks the men of the unit he had been assigned to had tried to get Kendall to come out of his shell and join them for a drink at the Tavern. They were off duty and wanted to blow off a little steam. Kendall had always declined, it really wasn’t his scene; Kendall was still a shy farm-boy at heart. One night his commanding officer called him on this. “Malice…” the officer said. “Don’t tell me, that you would willingly go into battle for your King and God but you won’t go talk to a woman?” He offered a joking yet slightly mocking chuckle. “They sure grow you big and dumb on in the country…” With that the officer gave him a wink and went to go relieve himself from his duties for the evening. Kendall, despite all he learned still hadn’t found a way to keep his anger in check.
So no sooner than the officer left his presence did he go and ready. The thing that had stung the most about the officers words were the seeds of doubt that he had placed in Kendall’s mind, perhaps he was right. How could Kendall ever truly expect to one day be a Knight of the Realm of even a Lord if he couldn’t survive in social situations. With the same determination that he set to any goal with Kendall would meet this challenge head on and keep at it, even if it meant failing until he succeeded. By the hours end he was groomed and dressed and stepping past the threshold of the Tavern’s entrance.
“Here we go into the unknown Kendall….”
He said to himself as he opened the door and stepped into the crowded tavern not fully knowing what to expect.
Being a virtual shut in helped him graduate head of his recruitment class with high marks from his instructors for in every area. And though he was still learning the arts of war & weapon mastery he proved himself against all those who doubted him. They said that Kendall would be the first to drop out, he was strong of muscle but weak of both heart and mind, and apparently they didn’t know the measure of his resolve. It wasn’t easy, but with soul dedication Kendall earned the unquestioned respect from his peers, something that he never really had before. Now it would be a lie to say that Kendall didn’t think it was a good feeling, his officers thought his reliable and his peers somewhat even looked up to him. All this made Kendall feel more self-confidant and assured that he had chosen the right path in coming to the City. Still the only thing he knew was the barracks.
For the past couple of weeks the men of the unit he had been assigned to had tried to get Kendall to come out of his shell and join them for a drink at the Tavern. They were off duty and wanted to blow off a little steam. Kendall had always declined, it really wasn’t his scene; Kendall was still a shy farm-boy at heart. One night his commanding officer called him on this. “Malice…” the officer said. “Don’t tell me, that you would willingly go into battle for your King and God but you won’t go talk to a woman?” He offered a joking yet slightly mocking chuckle. “They sure grow you big and dumb on in the country…” With that the officer gave him a wink and went to go relieve himself from his duties for the evening. Kendall, despite all he learned still hadn’t found a way to keep his anger in check.
So no sooner than the officer left his presence did he go and ready. The thing that had stung the most about the officers words were the seeds of doubt that he had placed in Kendall’s mind, perhaps he was right. How could Kendall ever truly expect to one day be a Knight of the Realm of even a Lord if he couldn’t survive in social situations. With the same determination that he set to any goal with Kendall would meet this challenge head on and keep at it, even if it meant failing until he succeeded. By the hours end he was groomed and dressed and stepping past the threshold of the Tavern’s entrance.
“Here we go into the unknown Kendall….”
He said to himself as he opened the door and stepped into the crowded tavern not fully knowing what to expect.
