[-Talon Scouting report, Initial findings]
-Witten by Knight Scribe Eber
[When we first left the gates of Nickel City we saw what remained of the previous battle, abandoned equipment, mostly armor and weapons. And as we continued a few minutes later we saw these so called “siege” machines. some of them burned while others are in working condition. And by some of these machines we saw the first of these “Nuuk’s” I couldn’t get an in depth description of the creature, when I saw it’s corpse it was basically just bones with a thin layer of black flesh at that point, so I ordered some Knights to bring it back to Chicago for proper examination. About 30 minutes out of Nickel City we had came across our first town, a tiny village with only about a dozen homes. The place was completely deserted, it obvious a struggle too place. Broken doors and windows, the homes in complete and utter disarray. And what was most strange was that we didn’t see any bodies, not even blood. These “Nuuk’s” Had orders to take these people physically unharmed, so they could make them slaves.]
[Pov Charles]
Going outside, I was met by everyone hard at work with weapons training. Of course only a few day’s had passed since the Chicago visit and we were still supposed to be doing physical training, but I decided that the recruits were already ready and one more week of physicals would only weaken their weapons skills. All of the instructors (shockingly even including Quin) Were showing the recruits how to hold, draw, clean the practice swords they were given, and a few basic sword wielding positions. As I walked over to give some tips to a group of practicing recruits, they stop and salute, one of them speaking.
“Siw Chawwes Siw!”
I speak, trying my best to replace my calm demeanor with a much more strict one.
“‘Ou nee’ to dwaw’ that swowd fastew, if dis was weaw wife 'ou’d awweady be dead!”
The recruits nod and begin to practice drawing, and as I was about to turn around to check on the other recruits, I hear a voice from behind me, WingScratch.
“What took you so long, Charles?”
I turn to look at her, she is giving me a light smile and to be honest it just felt weird. For the whole day WingScratch seemed like a different person, being a lot more relaxed and friendly, even giving a group of recruits a compliment, And in the morning as we woke up both WingScratch and Ix looked at each other funny and acted all weird (It had to be some sort of inside joke, I know it!) I speak, trying to act like nothing was out of the ordinary.
“Oh Chawwes just got a wettah fwom home.”
After a few awkward seconds WingScratch speaks, her looking out to Stablelot.
“I was thinking since training is now going to end a bit earlier, we and the other instructors could get out and get some fresh air. What did you think?”
I speak in a slightly sarcastic joking manor.
“Did Quin suggest dah idea…”
WingScratch speaks, smirking.
“Yeah but, you can’t blame her. She want’s to get the most out of the few years she has left, or the most before the war…”
The mentioning of the war sucks the joy out of the conversation, but I speak trying my best to stay positive.
“Suwe why not, chawwes couwd use a dwink.”
As the day turned to dusk we and the recruits all headed inside the mess hall for dinner, the place being as crowded as ever. Sitting at the front of the mess hall with the other instructors Quin was beaming with joy, speaking as she looks at herself with a hoove mirror and brushes her hair.
“I fo’ one an’ wewibed to finawwy get out of dis pwace! Ozymandias sent me a wettah sayin’ fwuffy found dah pewfect high society westauwant, an’ eben booked wesewbations! What a deaw fwuffy am…”
High society, like those places rich people go to smell their own farts? I tried not to look disappointed, instead trying to keep an open mind. But the others upon hearing this, gave either faces of confusion (WingScratch and Dac) Or a tiny bit of disappointed (Mac) While me and Ix just looked neutral. Quin speaks looking confused.
“What’s dah pwobwem, am it money? Nu wowwy if am showt on cash, Quin’s got mowe den enough to cobah aww of 'ou.”
Feeling now like a bit of a jerk for what I thought initially, I was about to speak but Ix beat me to it.
“Thank you so much Quin! Y’know it’ll be really nice to go and try new things.”
Ix turns to look at WingScratch and she winks, they both start giggling silently while I just sit their and think “What the hell is the inside joke!” Quin speaks as she gets up.
“We nu wan’ to be wate, time to stawt sendin’ dah wecwuits to bed.”
I raise my hoove slightly, volunteering myself. And once I get to the bell on the right side of the room, I ring it and almost instantly there is silence. After a few seconds on making sure everyone was paying attention to me, I speak.
“attention ebewyone, chawwes wouwd just wike to gib wowd befowe ‘ou weabe. Fwuffy saw some excewwent wowk out dewe, chawwes saw some weaw natuwaws. Fo’ tomowwow we’ww be mostwy doin’ dah same thing, pewfectin’ dah mobements. Buh if 'ou continue dis gweat wowk we maybeh be abwe to fit in am fiwst actuaw combat wesson. ‘Ou hab 5 minutes to finish what ‘ou am eatin’ an’ aftah that dismissed!”
Most of the recruits start to leave, and I head back to meet the other instructors.
“So what are you two going to order?”
Ix said looking at Mac & Dac, Mac responded first looking a bit tired.
“Meat…”
Ix speaks, sounding confused.
“Just meat?”
Mac nods and Dac speaks.
“Same hewe, nice swab of meat wouwd do nicewy…”
IX noticing that I had arrived at our table, speaks to me.
“Hey Charles what are you getting?”
I thought for a moment, thinking of nothing. I speak, taking a deep sigh.
“Chawwes guesses whatebah am popuwaw, am not aww that famiwiaw wiff these fancy westauwants.”
As I finish speaking, Quin gets up and speaks.
“Nu mowe time to waste, wet’s get out of-”
We could all hear talking coming from outside, it being to far to make out exactly what it was. WingScratch hearing this, gives an aggravated face speaking in a tone much like her old self.
“What is going on now!”
We walk towards the large wooden doors of the mess hall and exit, entering the courtyard. All the the recruits were at the entrance of Camp Driscoll, formed in a half circle and looking at something. I couldn’t make out what they were looking at, was is someone like Tethius or even Enoch? As we get closer to the recruits, I could hear one of them speak.
“Wuwch I nu can bewiebe it!”
What was going on here!? I begin to dig myself into the crowd, getting closer and closer to seeing what had caused all of this. Than finally I had reached the front of the crowd and my question was answered. Standing at the entrance of Camp Driscoll stood two tired but beaming fluffies, two friends and comrades… Emily and Dar, they were home! Fin
Thank you for reading my story! Can’t wait to start writing the next part detailing Emily’s and Dar’s journey to this point. Of course constructive criticism is always welcome, and may you have a good day!