Reaching Next Tier

[David Augustine]

David entered the barracks with the doors bursting open. He slowly walked inside as if he didn't create a loud noise. His two enchanted swords were at his waist in their respectful scabbards and his spear was strapped to his back. His blue eyes darted from one indivudual to the next. He was told that if he wanted to reach the level of a Dragoon that he was going to have to get someone elses help.

He walked until he was in the center of the main room. Many other warriors surrounded David. They were of different sizes and shapes and were carrying various weapons. He looked at them all and placed one of his hands on the spear that he had with him. He slowly took it out of the leather strap that was holding it against his back. He placed the blunt end on the floor. "Who is Thurel Derufin?" David Augustine shouted out loud.

[Thurel Derufin]

Why was it that Avaren was suffering the worst heat wave ever? Then again a simple man such as Thurel would never truely understand how it worked, scientifically, and knew only that it made him sweat profusely without end. And sweating off the field of battle or engaged in practice was something that the Captain of the Guard hated to experience, and the beads of sweat that clung to his bearded cheeks were quickly wiped off by a gigantic cloth that the man keep around for such an occassion. However the thoughts of the blistering heat and how his body wasn't suited for it were shattered with the sound of doors bursting open; it was the same with all warriors to enter with a flair, and Thurel could only help but smile to himself as watched the new arrival from behind a crowd of trainees. He didn't wear his heavy platemail; the ridiculuous heat was the reason and he wore only his greathelm, leather jerkin/chainmail undervest/ fabric undergarment attire. That along with his sword strapped to his side and his great, war boots made up the outfit of Thurel Derufin that day.

The new arrival was clearing a fighter who would fight the heavier fighting needed in close combat; the two swords and spear give him away since most fighters tended to favor only one weapon, and hone their skills on that weapon alone. Despite the man's rather loud entrance he walked quietly to the center of the room, unslung his spear and shouted out Thurel's full name. So it seemed that here was one who had reached a point in their training where they needed training that only Thurel could give; a quest of high peril and it was such a quest that made warriors into something truely worthy of carrying a sword. And Thurel decided that he would start the first part of the test right there and then; he merely stood in the crowd and waited. Time passed with an agonizing pace and the other warriors began to drift off back to their practicing or what they were doing beforehand. So that after the passage of 30 minutes, only this newcomer and Thurel stood in the center of the Barracks.

With a grunt of satisfaction, Thurel's left hand took off his helm and he revealed himself to the new warrior that sought his training. Holding his helm to his side with his left hand, Thurel Derufin stepped forward and offered his right hand to the man in a sign of friendship. "And you've done well in finding him lad.", said Thurel as he looked down on the warrior,"You even managed to kill two birds with one stone; you've found me and you've passed the test of patience. Tell me Warrior; what is your name and just what sort of warrior you are."

"After that; I can start you down the right path of your training."

[David Augustine]

David's appearance was rather due to the weather as well. Of course, David pretty much was dressed like this since he threw out his armor after losing in a tournament some time ago. The armor was restricting despite it's flexiblity and thus he wore cloth that was strong enough to resist some attacks and wasn't very easy to tear. Beads of sweat have formed upon his own brow as well, though he wiped it away while waiting for an answer.

Time was ticking away and what was only a few minutes seemed to be several hours. He blinked everyonce in awhile and kept his posture as he waited for the man he was searching for. He watched as one by one the various warriors left David at where he was at. He could hear the various things that they were returning to such as training, sparring, taking care of their weapons or whatever they did here. He let out a breathe that he thought was inside of his body the whole time.

Eventually, seemingly the last warrior had left. He looked around with his blue eyes seeing that almost nobody was here. All was gone except for one rather large man. He turned his attention to him and observed the individual. He was wearing a rather light armor accept for the helmet. He tilted his head slightly and watched as he revealed his face by removing the helmet. He blinked several times while taking in the man's appearance. He then watched as the man reached his hand out and spoke.

David was hesitant at first but then clasped the right hand of Thurel with his own. He nodded with what he had said which placed a calm smile on his face. He then let go of his hand relaxed a bit. "My name is David Augustine." David introduced himself with a slight bow, "I'm the son of Jonathan Augustine, who lead one of the crusades that Avaren had. I'm a warrior of many talents and skills. However, I am currently striving to become a dragoon."

[Thurel Derufin]

"Well David Augustine", began Thurel as the younger warrior released his hand from the firm handshake, "You've got a proud heritage to uphold if you are the son of Jonathan Augustine, and you have chosen one of the hardest pathes that a warrior can decide to follow. Now I might be wrong, but was not your father a Dragoon as well? If so it makes sense that the choice would run in your blood, or do you have another reason as to why you have chosen this path of the others. Cause remember lad; once you commit yourself to the way of the Dragoon it becomes the air you breath, the food you eat, and the liquids that you drink." Beckoning to David with his right hand in a gesture to follow him, Captain Derufin made his way to a wooden desk that was covered in weapons and parchment.

Going behind the desk and bringing out a second chair for David to sit on, Thurel handed it over to the lad before taking a seat himself. "Now lad this isn't much, but since I am not nobility I cannot afford the best for myself yet neither do I suffer in poverty", said the black-haired man as he shoved weapons off to one side of his broad desk and was looking through the parchment as if he were trying to find something,. "What is required of you lad is a quest; if you complete the quest then you have my blessing to continue on which ever road you wish to travel, and once you have my blessing you may go before the King and he shall offically appoint you to that position. And now if can only find it.....Ah! Here we are!"

After his exclaimation, Thurel tugged a sheet of parchment that had ink splattered at the bottom in an ilegible scrawl, but the rest of the paper was written in a much clearer hand. "Now lad; the quest that you are to set off on is a quest of Combat; at the end of the road you must challenge a fight a knight. But this knight is no ordinary man; they say he was once a Knight of God but for some strange reason went against the Order. Because of that the Order excommunicated him and the Knight fell into madness. They say that he cannot be killed by physical blows, but by words of some sort; not a spell or incantation mind you. And it is also said that one word out there can not only defeat this Knight, but also free him of his spell.", finished Thurel as he looked up at the boy.

Stroking his beard in thought, Thurel's brown eyes focused on David and he asked, "Think you can handle this challenge David?"

[David Augustine]

"My father was a Paladin, sir." David corrected Thurel as he followed him, "I chose this path because I believe that it is something that will rid me of certain weaknesses. I guess you can say that I don't necessarily want to be bound by the same oath as of the Paladin." It was a bit difficult to explain really. He figured that he could be better than his father if he was to choose this path than rather be what his father was. This way he wouldn't have to worry about being as good as a warrior of the same class or failing where his father suceeded. He walked up to the desk and saw that it was covered with various weapons and parchment. Some of them had writing on them while others blank.

He took the chair from the older captain and placed it on the ground. He then sat down upon it at the opposite side of the desk. He looked around the place. David nodded to Thurel's comment about neither being rich or poor. He himself wasn't very rich compared to some individuals but he did have enough wealth to be considered a noble of sorts. "A quest?" David replied quesitoningly looking at Thurel as he was searching for something. This made a knot form in David's gut. He could feel his stomache tightening on him. However, the older individual made it sound as if it was a simple matter.

David watched with blue eyes as the man pulled out a piece of parchment that had splattered ink at the bottom. It was very difficult to read and didn't have the time to interpet it. In fact, he didn't even think that he could if he had the time. His attention then shifted from the paper towards the man who was instructing him. His stomache loosened a bit as he heard it was a quest of combat. He was about to just jump out of his seat and get it over with until Thurel started to say more. "Not an ordinary man?" David repeated again in question. He listened to what he had to do intently. One word was what it took to defeat this individual and free him. There were so many words existed in the world. David knew many words, but there were many more that David didn't even know. He looked at the ground thinking about this quest. For all that could happen, David could fail this quest and then it'd be over for him. His eyes slightly widened with nervousness and fear that he would fail. However, he overcame it by thinking about his father. So many believed him to be dead when there was no real proof of it. He looked up with determination in his eyes. "I will succeed." David spoke as he rised out of his chair.