Her Majesty Needs YOU

Her eyes followed the merchants as they passed in front of the road along the cross-section of the city. Rothbane was a thriving metropolis, the capital of Gredon and home of Her Majesty the Queen. Sabine couldn't wait to go home. With a nudge, Vesper dutifully walked forward as they wove their way through the crowd once more. Some stared up at her and her women in awe, others turned away in disgust. The dragon fleet was not a new idea, but many still opposed it.

Leading the troop of new recruits and second years alike, Sabine's heart jumped a little as she saw the gates ahead. They were almost out of this mess. She felt Rona flying above them and felt a tinge of envy. It was so clear up there, so empty. Rona snorted in her head. 'You think the smell is bad down there...it all concentrates up here. I can't smell a thing noodlehead.' Sabine rolled her eyes, typical Rona.

As they passed the gates, the plains spread out before them, the cliffs in the distance not even yet visible. It would be nearly a weeks ride at this pace to get there, but the journey had always been a good proving ground to the new recruits. Those who couldn't make it could always turn back. Who knows, maybe they'd be a baker or something simple like that. Turning Vesper in a circle, Sabine nodded to Rachel to circle up the troops, it'd be a long ride and there were some simple rules that everyone would need to understand if they were going to make it to the cliffs alive.

The journey to the city had been a simple one, hunting every few days, trading skins for food and necessary supplies at villages along the way. He didn't know what to expect when he got to the city, but he hadn't thought that many people could live in such a small space and survive. The first night he'd spent in the city, before he'd met with the other recruits and expressed his interest in joining, he'd climbed to the top of a building of some sort, and looked up at the sky, the stars mostly obscured by the lights and smog of the city so that only the brightest shown through.

He cried that night, with no one but Jewels to see him. He wasn't proud of that fact, wasn't proud that he'd been so overwhelmed by the city that it had brought him to tears but he couldn't help it. It wasn't the thought of joining the dragon fleet or leaving his territory, it wasn't because he was suddenly regretting joining either. It was simply because he was overwhelmed by smells, the closeness of the buildings and the cacophony of sounds that seemed to never stop.

The next morning  Thursday climbed down from the building and went to the meeting location for the new recruits. After waiting for a bit Thursday and the other recruits began to leave the city in what he could only describe as a small herd. It wasn't a long trip to the city gates but to him it felt like ages. He had to keep himself from breathing a sigh of relief as they finally passed through the gates. He was one of the few male recruits for the dragon fleet and he had a feeling that meant he would be singled out, no need to bring more attention to himself.

The plains beyond the city spread before the group and the wereliger had the sudden urge to change and dig his claws into the dirt and taste the wind. He quickly shoved that urge down and maintained his calm. Jewels was not so good at hiding her enthusiasm of being out of the city. She almost took off across the plains just because she could but a strong hand on her shoulders told her not to so she contented herself to just purring, loudly. Thursday wanted so badly to join her but instead he allowed himself a little smile and stroked her head instead.

A group of the other recruits began to form up and he joined them, finally out of the city he was able to  feel the excitement and nervousness and it began to make him a bit jittery. He'd heard about this journey to the cliffs as he waited with the other recruits to leave. Though most of what he'd heard was speculation and rumor he'd heard in passing, he got the impression that the journey was long and arduous. Not all recruits made it, some turning back others simply not surviving, but he thought about what he'd gone through as a child, traveling long distances alone, barely eating, other things hunting him and part of him, the part that he didn't acknowledge often and never spoke out loud, had him wondering if this journey could be any worse than what he'd already endured in his lifetime.

Sabine calmly held in Vesper as the large black mare pawed the ground in anticipation, waiting as the new recruits formed a small group in front of her so they could all hear, the second years forming a protective ring around the outside just in case some rogue group decided to try something.

”Gentlemen” Sabine began with a mild insult and calm smile. ”Many of you are confident you can face whatever is out there. I can see it in your faces. You’re wrong.”  Scanning the tender young faces before her, she saw excitement, fear, resolution and second thoughts written plainly before her. Her gaze stopped on a young male in the group. One of the few who attempted to join the service. Her eyes narrowed slightly before moving on with her briefing. ”For the moment, I will spare you the details of your training, the rigors you face in the days ahead. All that will be explained to you upon arrival. All you need worry yourself over now is getting there. It is a week’s journey to our destination by foot. We will be crossing over the Great Plains and through the Enchanted Forest. Keep me in sight at all times while we are traveling. I know these lands. You don’t.”

A sudden wind fluttered Vesper’s mane and she snorted with a toss of her head as a large red dragon with black markings landed smoothly beside and slightly behind Vesper. Sabine smirked slightly as several of the young women shied away from the dragon slightly and tried to press closer into the group. Riding a dragon sounds all well and good until you see one up close. Smoke billowed calmly from Rona’s nostrils, the tendril like whiskers on her face twisting and moving smoothly to monitor the scents around her and the movements of the air. Her pure black eyes studied the crowd as her wings folded smoothly against her body. Her scales shimmered in the sunlight and her tail lashed once before calmly curling around her back leg.

”This is Rona. She rarely speaks to others. If she should speak to you, obey her. She is our eyes and ears above.”

”Our popularity is no secret to you. There are groups that wish to stop us. Rona and I are here to insure that doesn’t happen.”

Sabine paused for a moment, glancing once more at the young man before locking eyes on some cocky looking female. ”We will reach the enchanted forest in three days. It will take us another three to travel through it. Within we will encounter creatures beyond your imagination. Do not trust your eyes. Hallucinations are common. Ignore them. Do not leave the path. When we camp, do not leave the protected zone around the camp. Do not go anywhere alone. Do you understand?”

Thursday watched as the woman on the horse began her briefing. She reminded him of the elders in his old tribe, absolute authority mixed with a sense of superiority. It may have been subconscious on her part, but the animal inside him read her body language loud and clear. He felt her gaze on him just as much he saw it and immediately got the impression that he wasn't worth the air he breathed to her. Or maybe I'm just over-analyzing the situation. Relax Thursday, she has to establish dominance or no one will listen to her. It's normal, it's expected and she's more than right in doing so. If the recruits don't listen to her bad things could happen  Thursday was told once by his parents that the authority of the elders in his tribe was important, it could mean the difference between survival and death. He didn't understand it at the time, still didn't completely, but his parents risked everything, killing his siblings and exiling him in the process, to regain protection from the tribes again so he knew it must be important.

Thursday felt the wind ruffle his his hair and saw a great red beast appear slightly behind the woman. He barely batted an eye when the dragon landed, not without exercising some extreme self control though. He took note to obey the dragon should he ever be given an order by her and kept his gaze focused on the woman as she continued her speech.

Jewels rubbed up against Thursday's leg and looked up at him plaintively, he couldn't understand her in this form but he knew her well enough that her expression was enough. She was surrounded by strangers, about to embark on an arduous journey and make that journey while trusting a flying, fire-breathing, lizard to watch over them and give Thursday orders if it felt necessary.  He took his attention away from the woman long enough to reassure his friend before returning his attention to the briefing.

He was a little startled to see the woman's eyes on his again when he looked back up and he felt his cheeks warm. Great way to bring attention to yourself Thursday. You're doing a bang up job He allowed himself a small sigh and hoped that his unwavering attention to the rest of the briefing would prevent any further dislike from the leader of their band of recruits.

“Understood ma’am!”

A smile slipped through her control as the recruits responded appropriately, these were good kids. As she scanned the group, her eyes passed over the male she’d notice earlier without much of a pause. She noted she had his full attention once more. That was enough. She noticed the pets that came with their owners. The dogs, cats, critters in cages, cheetah and other fauna. All were welcome assuming they behaved and caused no disturbances.

”Second years. Mount!”

With that, those of the second years who possessed their own horses mounted up where they stood. Others assigned to walk beside the recruits stayed where they were.

”Company! Form up!” With a swish of Vesper’s tail, the horse turned and prepared to move forward, Sabine glanced towards Rona and nodded slightly before the dragon turned, took a few quick steps and was airborne once more.

Moving Vesper to the side, Sabine moved the mare so that she could watch the recruits walk, a second year temporarily leading them. ”Move out!”

With that the small group began walking and Sabine watched them move en masse. They were a fine group. She wished she could keep them all. Sadly fate rarely allowed such luck. Turning to walk alongside them, her thoughts turned to the young man in her ranks. He seemed strong enough, surely not the weakling males that frequented homes. He was probably good at physical labor if nothing else. Perhaps he even had a brain. Her curiosity was piqued.

“Recruit Thursday. Fall in next to me” she ordered briskly though not with excessive volume.

The rest of the briefing was quick and to the point. Thursday took note of the smile that broke through the woman's features and knew his calculation about her posturing was correct, at least a little bit. He felt his excitement grow, as it always did when about to start out on a long journey. Until this point it has all been an abstract thought, a notion that he was going to join the famous dragon fleet and be part of something larger than himself. Now that it was coming to fruition, he found his fear was subsiding, anticipation taking it's place.

He calmed himself by listing his supplies in the back pack several pounds of meat packed in butcher paper. He assumed that food for the recruits would be provided in some measure, whether it be supplies that were being carried with them or meat that was hunted for. That said, he was sure he would be solely responsible for feeding Jewels. The cheetah didn't eat much normally but the trip was going to be hard on her, he knew he'd be carrying her at some points, the more she walked the more food she would require to replace that energy. He also had his bow and quiver were also within easy access should he need them quickly.

Thursday readjusted his pack as the group began to move. Jewels began to walk behind him and slightly to his right, just as they'd done in the years since he'd found her. The man was slightly startled to hear the woman on the horse call his name and tell him to fall in next to her. He took a deep breath to prepare himself for the conversation Yes Ma'am! Right away Ma'am! He trotted over to her, preparing himself for the worst. Recruit Thursday reporting. He fell into step beside her horse and waited, with a bit of trepidation, what would come next. Jewels moved to the fringes of the group, between the walking group and those riding the perimeter, the horses making her nervous but still wanting to keep Thursday in sight.

Sabine watched from the edge of her vision as recruit Thursday took a deep breath and moved to join her. Her eyebrow raised slightly but had lowered again as quickly as it had raised. She glanced ahead for awhile, simply nodding as he came to walk beside her and reported as per her request.

And waited. She made no other noise for several minutes. Simply letting him sweat. After a few minutes she guessed that he might be getting nervous and decided to be merciful this time.

”Only child?” she asked finally. Still she did not look at him, keeping him only in her peripheral vision as she looked ahead, her eyes darting slightly as she kept an eye out for any possible threats.

She could have gotten most of the information she wanted from his file. She knew that. But she wanted to know what could possibly compel a handsome young man such as himself to engage in something so feminine as the corps.

Thursday was a bit thrown off by the question and completely unsure of how to answer it. He wasn't always an only child, he remembered playing with his lttermates with fondness, the seven of them frequently tumbling about for hours before falling asleep in a heap of feline and human limbs. But that was only the first three or four years of his life, the only happy memories of childhood he had before the elders killed his littermates and he was, in fact an only child until he was eight when he was forced to face the world alone.

He did spend about two years in a home of sorts and was around other children but he still cared for himself and the other children all had homes and parents of their own while he stayed in an apartment by himself in quasi the care of a man he would never forget.

He opened his mouth to answer and closed it again, still thinking of his answer and not wanting to lie to the woman. I guess you could say I was an only child.. He nodded, he was alone, no other children around while he was growing up so that did seem to be a reasonable answer. It was completely true and if she wanted the whole story he would give it to her, but didn't see the need to expound on his history unless asked. After all she didn't ask for his life story, just if he was an only child.

Jewels noticed the tension in his shoulders and made a loud purring sound, Thursday heard it and smiled. He didn't mind speaking about his past, it was long enough ago that he didn't get emotional about it but the memories of his littermates always made him a bit angry. He was there when they were killed, their throats slit and tiny bodies thrown away like garbage. He felt the old anger begin to fill him again and had to force himself to let it go.

She did not fail to notice his hesitation. While she sensed no desire for dishonesty in the man, it did pique her curiosity. Males were notorious for their silence on matters and often had to be cajoled and encouraged to speak in her experience. While there was no evident pain in his voice, a response phrased as such could only speak of a somewhat clouded past if not a painful one.  

Vesper's ears twitched at the cheetah's purring and while Sabine could scarcely hear it if at all, she did note the smile that appeared on the man's face. He obviously took pleasure in the creature's presence and it appeared to calm him. She wondered how he would do separated from the creature while on a dragon, or perhaps fate would favor him with one large enough to carry them both.  

She let the silence hang for a moment, considering her next words carefully, though more for the purpose of finding out more information first hand than any consideration for his feelings on the matter. It was a tough life as a dragon rider or aviator as some called them. Feelings often ran high and if he had a temper she wanted to be aware of it. Males were well known for their occasionally explosive emotions and she would had ever intention of keeping him well in hand should he prove to be such. There was no room in the corps for emotional outbursts.  

”Your parents have no wish of grandchildren?” she asked briskly though not unkindly at last. ”Surely you would have much preferred the comforts of home and hearth to facing the elements day in and out, training is no picnic you know and it doesn't get any easier after either. Hardly a life for any of us, much less a member of the more delicate sex. ” she finished with a quiet but firm tone as she rearranged Vesper's reins in her hands.  

She observed  him quietly then from the corner of her vision, wishing to guage his reactions to her prodding. He'd get much worse from others, his reaction now would tell her just how much she'd have to keep an eye on him.

She made a point to keep their conversation low enough that it would not be picked up by the other recruits, still she could not help but notice the few, curious glances in their direction. A cold stare put most back in place and her eyes softened slightly once more. 

Thursday snorted a laugh, he couldn't be mad at his parents for what happened to him and they probably would want grand children. He hoped they had found happiness eventually with their new mates, had litters of cubs that they loved and that were accepted, litters of grandcubs to spoil and love too.  They probably do. I haven't seen them since I was very young though, couldn't go back to see them even if I wanted to. Any children I may or may not have produced would never have met them. They'll have had other litters by now, any grandcubs they want can come from those litters, at least they'll get to know and love them. Probably get to know their great-grandcubs too.

The thought of his parents having other litters, even with new mates, brought an odd happiness to him, the idea of his mother smiling as she watched her cubs wrestle, switching between tiger and human form without thought or care, littermates not caring which form anyone was in as long as the play continued. His father, with proud smiling eyes, leading his litter on their first hunt, watching as they fail  over and over again until finally they bring down a small beast on their own, no end in the praise for them even if it was just a half-lamed jack rabbit.

The other part of her question was a little strange to him. Where he was raised there was no weaker sex, no gender incapable of doing what the other couldn't, with the obvious anatomical difference of women being able to give birth. He assumed though that, given the number of women he was surrounded by and the almost complete lack of men other than him self she meant men to be the weaker sex.  I've never really know the comforts of hearth and home, I feel no need to do so now. I've always wanted to be part of something bigger, do something useful. I'm old enough now that I can do that. I'm no stranger to dangerous situations. I certainly don't take them lightly, this journey holds more risks for me and Jewels than any we've ever faced before, but anything worth doing is never easy. I hope I can prove to you that I'm worthy of this fleet. Worthy of a dragon.  Worthy of your respect He kept the last part of that to himself. Respect must be earned, and you certainly can't earn it by telling someone you want it. You have to show them why they should respect you, whether they do or not is not up to you.

It took a great amount of self control to not stare at him in surprise. His words nearly dripped of ill feelings and malice yet she heard none of either in  his tone. Had it been spoken by any other person and in a tone befitting the words he spoke she would have been less surprised than she was at this moment. From his tone he held no ill feelings for whatever he appeared to have endured. She sensed his words were not a complaint but merely a statement of fact. In fact there was perhaps even love and a bit of hope in his tone.  

It spoke greatly of his character and she found herself begrudgingly liking him. Still, she would not be won over quite so easily by a fresh new recruit in her ranks. He'd be given no quarter and certainly no special treatment. Still it seemed he'd gone through enough in his life so far, no reason for him to be hassled needlessly.  

She raised an eyebrow slightly as he went on. His thoughts were obviously not on any normal future as far as the culture of Rynar was concerned.  

”It is not I that you need to convince to get a dragon. It is the dragon” She stated finally.  

He quite obviously was not a normal male. His upbringing far from what many would consider proper.  Still he did not appear to be savage in any sense of the word and could not find obvious fault with him.  

Her thoughts turned instead to his choice of words earlier. Litters. She remembered noting that there were a few were-creatures among the new recruits. He obviously was one of them.  

”Your abilities. You are in full control of them?” she asked in a neutral, though expectant tone. The control that were-creatures exercised over their other forms varied with the individual. Some were high-class polite members of society while others lived in caves and could rightly be labeled as feral. Younger individuals often had less control than older ones and she wondered just how confident he was in his abillities to control and use his other half.  

Thursday nodded at the woman's words. Of course he'd have to prove himself to the dragon, a large  predator with unmeasurable intelligence, that a person was to become partners with and trust with their lives, but wouldn't he have to prove himself to his superiors before he got that chance? Only time would tell.

Her question, though, surprised him even more than her statement had. He'd only ever meat a few other  were-creatures, all of whom and been like him, and didn't know how volatile some of their abilities could be. Thursday had been born as a liger cub, changing to human randomly until he was about two years old, after that he and his littermates had gotten more and more control over his changes. It came as natural to his kind as breathing or sleeping. Being born into this ability also gave him an advantage, it didn't change who he was or his cognitive  abilities, he had no idea that other were-creatures lost themselves in their other forms. He knew that other were-creatures existed but his tribes didn't teach him and he had no other training, no proper education, on which to base his knowledge on. If his father hadn't taught him the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, he'd be completely illiterate.

He thought he might understand her question though, perhaps she hadn't met many were-creatures before, perhaps she feared he would change and kill everyone if the mood struck him. He'd encountered fear in his travels, many villages had people who would hide their children when he came to town and he soon learned to avoid those villages, he found it difficult to do good business with people who were too afraid to talk to him. Some of the villages he found that did do business with him still kept him at arms length, perhaps they had less fear but they were still hesitant around him. Very few saw him as non-threatening and those had been the ones he'd been doing business with since he was a young cub, bringing in small animal furs to trade for food.

He answered her question quickly though, the thoughts of how strange her question was to him passing threw his mind in less than a second. Of course, Ma'am. When I'm in my liger form I'm still myself. When I change it's completely my choice. Sometimes I'll change while I'm sleeping but only ever when I fall asleep as a liger, I'll change back to human. He looked up to her, hoping to make eye contact and ease her fears. I promise, I pose no threat to the fleet. I am in complete control of myself and can take orders and answer yes or no questions when I'm a liger. If you ever see me in that form, just think of me as a bigger, fuzzier version of myself. He smiled what he hoped was a reassuring smile, though it didn't reach his eyes, worry and fear hitting him and he hoped that he wasn't about to be thrown out now for simply being different. He looked forward again. I hope I didn't just make things worse

”Good” she said with a brief glance in his direction, meeting his gaze but not returning his smile. While she was reassured of his ability to control his abilities, she was not one to throw smiles around carelessly. Still her gaze was not as stiff as it was at their meeting.

”You may return to formation recruit. Dismissed” she said after a moment. She did not look to see if he followed her dismissal or not. Assuming that he would, she nodded briefly before urging Vesper into a trot and traveling to the head of the line where a second year was currently leading the small group.

Several recruits eyed Thursday as he returned to formation, a few gave low whistles now that Sabine was out of hearing range. A freckled redhead next to him smiled shyly and readjusted her pack so it was more comfortable. "I didn't know they let guys into the dragon fleet" she said quietly, her voice not unfriendly. A restrained excitement glowed on her face and her steps were barely restrained to stay in formation.

"They normally don't." the recruit next to her sneered slightly.

"Oh Emily" the first one said chiding gently. "Don't mind her" she reassured Thursday with an quiet smile.  

Violet's wings ran again the sands of time. The wind dancing between her feathers. The constant buzzing sound could be heard by Becca. She smiled at the familiar sound. The only thing that was familiar as of right now. So many new sounds, smells, and people. Becca hadn't really been around horses, they were much larger and thicker than the elk and deer and that she was used to. However they were easy pray for the wolfs in the forest. They did look fast though.

She remained hidden near the rear of the crowd marching North. She felt far more comfortable back there. She could hear more of nature there. The wind rustling through the trees. The enchanted forest did not phase her. She was immune to its ability to confuse the general public. She grew up in the forests after all and had seen her fair share of magical forests. However she didn't think the forests magic weak. She remembered to keep her gaze low and thoughts going.

The smell of the tree's filled her nostrils and she felt at home. So relaxed. A soft smile creeped across her face. Not only did she feel at home, but this was the start to a new adventure. The butterflies in her stomach began rising and fluttering. She took a deep breath through her nose. She was also on her way to fulfilling a life long dream. Was it guaranteed? Absolutely not. Was she determined? Oh hell yeah! She would put her everything into this. Violet flew ahead and rushed back to her. The small hummingbird was full of spit and vinegar. She buzzed around her head several times.

"Come on, climb the trees. I want to see the sky!" She buzzed.

"I can't." she huffed to her. "Trust me, I'd love to. This is a start to a new life! she reminded her. Violet flew between the branches and disappeared for a while.

Their eyes met briefly and Thursday was reassured that he wouldn't be kicked out for being a wereliger, though that didn't mean he was in anyway safe for good, he was safe for now, he wouldn't be required to leave because of his abilities.

Thursday gave a quick nod and returned to formation. He wasn't sure if his conversation had been beneficial to him but what he was sure of was that people noticed.  He heard a few whistles and blushed slightly, being singled out by the commander of their group was one way to get attention. Jewels rejoined him on his flank, close enough that she was almost touching him but not quite close enough to get kicked while Thursday was marching.

The recruit next to him smiled and he returned it. The smile reached his eyes when she mentioned that she didn't know they let men into the fleet. Well obviously no one told me.  He chuckled and winked to let her know he was teasing. I'm Thursday, may I ask what your name is?  He ignored the sneer, though he did look up to girl, presumably Emily, and smiled at her as well. It would do him no good to make enemies, so why not try to make friends.

"Vivian" the freckled red-head said with a slight giggle at Thursday's joke. Emily rolled her eyes slightly and gave a subtle jab to Vivian's side. "Ahem I mean recruit Bateman" she corrected herself with a shy smile.

The journey continued smoothly throughout the day and except for a brief stop at lunch, the caravan continued without delay. Recruit Bateman continued to engage Thursday in conversation whenever possible, asking about various topics ranging from his cheetah to the reason for his unique name. She was far from shy and quite a curious individual who only quieted slightly when a second year or higher ranking officer came within hearing.

As evening approached, a field was selected and the recruits were split up according to their recruiting number and assigned to second years to receive their evening duties. Bateman and her friend were assigned to another grouping and Bateman looked rather disappointed that she wasn't in the same group as Thursday. She mouthed "good luck" before following Emily like a sad puppy.

Raska, a black-haired second year soon called Thursday's group to attention. "Attention recruits. Our assignment this evening is gathering fuel for the cooking fires. I will assign you with a partner for this task. Stay together. I repeat. DO NOT SEPARATE. If I see a single recruit without their partner within twenty feet of them I will report you. Do you understand?"

A ring of "yes Ma'am" sounded around the group, blending in with the other groups spread out over the field. "Good! As I call your names, come up front, pair up and go search." She glanced over the group for a moment before nodding and looking down at her list.

"Williams, Resper. Haden, Goodman. Treylor, Coachman. Esper, Rako. Lewis, Gruger. Wolleben, Thursday. Rohn, Drummand. Lakes, Krotchen. Very well. Report back in two hours at the latest. Dismissed."

And with that, the recruits began milling about, spreading out as they searched for pieces of wood or animal droppings that could be used to keep the fires going long into the night.

 

Becca marched in formation. Listening not only to the rythmatic foot beat of marching but to the talking of the other recruits. Especially that of recruit Bateman and Thursday, it was hard to miss. Her flirtatious body movement was entertaining to watch. Sometimes she wished she had those types of skills. She more than likely never would.

They marched on and on. Time was only told by the light shining through the narrow spacing between the leaves of the enchanted forest. Soon it was all to evident that the sun had sunk behind the trees. It was time to call it a night. Her suspicion was confirmed. A second year called them to attention. She rushed to stand in formation, clicked her heals together and placed her fist along the seem of her pants. She listened intently to the instructions. Gathering kindle and fire wood would be a peace of cake, the woods were her home. Then again these were enchanted. "Yes Ma'am" She echoed with the rest.

She waited patiently for her name to be called out. She was partnered up with Thrusday. If he hadn't been one of the few males and the one pin pointed by the Commander and other girls, she wouldn't have known who he was. She brushed her brown hair out of her face and behind her ears. She looked up at Thrusday and smiled. "Guess it's us." She said keeping it short. Her voice as quiet and gentle as that of the hummingbird that landed on her shoulder. She turned and without hesitation began walking towards the forest, stopping to look over her shoulder to see if Thursday was coming.

Thursday had an amiable conversation with Recruit Batemen during their march. They talked, mostly about her, though Thursday answered questions about himself when asked, he enjoyed listening to her. He chuckled when she asked about his strange name, when he was a young cub he didn't think it was strange, his littermates had all had names like his, but after leaving the tribes he found that many people thought it was strange. He simply answered her question with a smile, a wink, and the simple statement I had six littermates, I'll bet you can name them all.

At the end of the day he was almost disappointed that she was in another group but he was sure they'd have a chance to speak again on their trip and during their training. Thursday fell into formation with the rest of his group. When he heard the task he sincerely hoped they didn't also expect him to cook. He heard his name called and spotted the girl he was to be paired with, one Recruit Wolleben. He smiled. Looks like it is. Jewels flopped down by a semi-organized pile of packs from their group and chuffed, Thursday looked back at her and nodded, it had been a difficult day for the cheetah and she wasn't expected to work, she deserved her rest.

When he looked back Wolleben had started walking, he caught up with her and began scanning the ground for burnable materials. He remained quiet for a time, not sure how to actually start a conversation with someone. Batemen had started their conversation and he found it easy to slip into one of listening and following trains of thought. To start one though, that, he was surprised to find, was difficult.

Finally after a few minutes he figured it wouldn't hurt to try to start a friendly conversation. So, who is your little companion? He kept a comfortable smile and tone to his voice. He was familiar with the idea of a furry companion, someone to keep you company, talk to when you were alone. Perhaps his relationship with Jewels was a little different than the average humanoid-furry friend relationship, but they were all important in their own way. He added a small branch to the growing stack of fuel in his arms and hoped he was doing the whole conversation starting thing right.

Sabine stared at the maps ahead of her. Even though she studied them, the route was hardly new. She'd taken recruits on this path for several years now and she herself had taken it both as a recruit and a second year. Still she glanced over the maps with a cursory glance to insure her brain had not conveniently forgotten anything.

Her finger traced along the week's journey in front of them. Two more days out on the plains, and then the enchanted forest would be upon them. Three days it would take them to emerge from that place and another to reach the cliffs. It wasn't an easy journey, but then it wasn't meant to be.

Sabine pushed away from the table slowly and rose, walking to the small table where wine and cheese sat waiting for her. She took a small sip and pinched a cube of cheese between her fingers. Plopping it into her mouth she chewed thoughtfully and glanced around the tent.

It was not an extravagant tent, modest for a commander, but still prestigious enough to pronounce whom it housed. Her thoughts wandered to when she had been a recruit, her hands shaking as she'd come in from the rain and faced then Commander Roach. The woman had a hard line about her, a firm chin and fiery eyes, but she hadn't scolded Sabine for her nervousness, nor shooed her out into the rain any sooner than necessary. Had Sabine realized Roach's plans for her career, she might have run had she been smart, still it was amazing how sweet and welcoming that face had looked when the alternative was facing the rain and a bully.

Taking another sip of her wine, she wandered back to the maps and sat, glancing towards the cliffs on the weathered surface. She hoped all was well in her absence.

The sounds of the camp reached her ears and soon the musky smell of prairie camp fires reached her tent. Rising from the table, she wandered from her tent, intending to mingle with her new recruits, even if from a distance as the light on the horizon began to sink slightly.

 

Dru always thought that the march to the cliffs would be less daunting the second time around so she  was surprised to find that she was even more nervous than she had been as a recruit. She knew the dangers they faced and was not thrilled to be facing them again. The light at the end of the tunnel was worth it though and she was far more prepared to handle the coming trek than she had when she first joined the fleet. She'd sat tall in her saddle and a hid her nervousness from the recruits, knowing it would only set them on edge to see a second year acting like a canary at a cat show.

When they stopped for the night she found herself not just acting anymore, the familiarity of the routine lending itself to calm her nerves and give her strength, she wasn't facing this alone after all and she could trust her fellow second years to have her back should the time come. She tied off Juniper's lead and called her group of recruits to attention, they would be in charge of erecting tents and basic camp construction.

It wasn't long before the tents were up, she barked at one pair that their tent was lopsided and to fix it but she did so with a smile and a joke and took the time to show them how to do it properly. She knew how scary the first day was and wanted to make the recruits feel at ease. They would be tested by the elements and by their instructors, no need for a mere second year to make their lives hell, her second year had done the same for her group.

She watched as her group of recruits began milling about, the last tent up and the cooking fires had started, and now they were waiting for dinner. Her belly grumbled and she smiled to herself, her nerves from the day having slipped away in the routine of the fleet. No wonder the women of her family joined. Their tradition, the first born, no matter the gender, stayed at home to continue the line and the farm, any women after were strongly encouraged to join, the tales of aunts and their adventures of battle and glory, told as bed time stories. She understood now that not every day was like that but the drill, the exercise, the training, the routine, all appealing in their own way. Now she was a little over a week away from getting her own dragon, starting her own adventure and she couldn't wait for her brothers to tell stories to their children about her.  

Sabine wandered quietly among the campfires, nodding to second years who took note of her and smiling slightly and giving a brisk nod to those recruits who suddenly snapped to attention, giving them a calming look to go on with their business. Reaper walked beside her, panting quietly and sniffing at the smells of food that wafted from the campfires. Coming upon the camp of Emily Devon she paused to greet the recruits.

"Recruit Devon" she said briskly her face growing firm though not unfriendly. "How are you finding your journey so far?" Emily snapped to attention, her eyes widening and taking in the image of Sabine as if she was seeing a childhood hero for the first time. "Excellent ma'am! I look forward to seeing the base! Are all the dragons as large as Rona?"

Sabine smiled at the enthusiasm. She was the image of her aunt. "No not all, but many of them." Sabine assured with a small smile. Glancing over the small camp, she found it to be acceptable and nodded. "Carry on Recruit." Moving on she continued to wander through the camp.

She paused as she came upon Second Year Ricci, she paused once more. "Second year Ricci." she nodded. "How are you fairing? A little easier this time around?"