[-Talon Scouting report, Pandemonian Outskirts]
-Witten by Knight Scribe Eber
*[Two day’s post border crossing, even though we didn’t see any Nuuk’s or and possible structures. Their presence was quickly became quite known. The more we moved inward, the more the vegetation of the land began to look sick and dying. Several of the Knights proposed theories on why this is, some saying that this was some sort of scare tactic for outsiders and it’ll get better as we move, some saying The One is punishing the land, while the majority consensus (And the one I personally believe) is that the area is being drained of all it’s resources, either it always being like this, or mobilization. A few more day’s into the mission we were lucky enough to have found the answer to the question on vegetation, on a possible logistics route there was an old barrel of what had to be charcoal, I was correct. Another two day’s of uninterrupted journeying later the skies began to darken rapidly, to the point where even though it was the middle of the day it was like a thick fog was covering the sky. *
On the third day the skies now looked like a black fog and the land’s vegetation was now completely gone, now it only rock and grass and a few small trees that looked as though they had been dead for many years. And many of the soldiers also began to cough, saying they were short of breath and generally tired. I was about to turn the scouting trip around, a bit disappointed that even though we had discovered many things useful and knowledgeable, we still had nothing that would directly help in the war effort. That was until I spotted something… Important. What looked to be a military fortress, it’s size comparable to some of our largest. Giant black metal walls surrounded the compound, with tall smokestacks emitting smoke as black as tar. Due to the wall we couldn’t see that well into the fort, that was until one of the scouts located a hill close to us. And once we got their we could see just a bit. I saw the sight of Nuuk’s working emaciated looking slaves, forcing them (Beatings, whips, general terror due to size and appearance) to shovel charcoal into furnaces, them having to be producing something (I didn’t know what they were making, but I just knew it was war materials) I was able to convince the men to stay here for at least a day to collect intel, I’m thankful for their corporation, I know this location will be pivotal to destroy when the attack begins.]
[The last writings of Knight Scribe Eber, before his company were discovered and executed. But even though his report would never reach back to Order of Talon it would eventually be read, 1800 years into the future. During an archeological dig the mass grave Scout Eber and his company would be found, and with the almost 2000 year old skeletons still clad in the extremely rusted remains of their armor, there was a heavy stone box that contained Eber’s report and possessions. Eber’s Report it protected largely by the heavy stone box and the remains of ancient Pandemonian soil, would be one of the greatest archeological finds ever found. It being one of the few surviving primary sources from that age, it would give much knowledge to a time period that before only had the mythologized retellings from famed historians born centuries after it happened, or much more recent nationalistic pseudohistory]
Once we returned to Camp Driscoll and told our tale, it was not looking good for Mac. Tethius had personally come to the Camp and yelled out Mac, saying that it was disgraceful that he hadn’t sent anyone to scout out the locations and even demoting him to a sub lieutenant. When I saw him coming to give apologies in the medical bay, I could feel boiling rage with every word he spoke. And for the medical Bay, we spent about 3 days there and by that time our injuries had mostly healed and the eyesight in my left eye began to return. Now nearing the end of the week, the recruits were all ready to take their oaths and it was expected that the King himself was going to give them. I sat in the Instructors quarter the day before Oath day, speaking to Dar.
“Damn Daw stiww nu can bewiebe that a munsta wike that was wibin’ in dah woods!”
I speak, rubbing he ever present soreness on my left eye.
“He gabe a gud punch to, Emiwy weawwy hopes dis won’t affect fwuffy’s bision in dah wong wun.”
Ix, who was getting ready to go asleep speaks, her paying attention to our conversation.
“You said that Bunk 8 were the ones to rescue you? It’s kind of hard to believe that, they way you talked about meeting them sounded like a nightmare…”
I speak.
“Emiwy guesses dey just needed a push. Bein’ in weaw dangah finawwy made them aww get awong, finawwy wowked as a team.”
Charles who was lying down with his eyes closed, speaks.
“Fank Anu we wewen’t wike that, a disastah that wouwd hab been.”
I chuckle than sigh, speaking as I get up.
“Otay’, Emiwy thinks she’ww be goin’ to bed. Goodnite…”
As I go and lay on my bed I feel a sense of pride wash over me, both for seeing the expansion of the guard and it’s full pre judgement day restoration and a personal sense of pride for Bunk 8.
Once morning came I got myself ready and headed outside with the other Instructors. Once there I felt a strong cold breeze in the air, fall was approaching. I also noticed the wagons that had arrived, them loaded to the top with Royal Guard armor and weapons, I went over to also help with the unloading. Once finished unloading, we had each of the bunks grab their suits and begin heading out to the mess hall where a giant breakfast had been prepared. After that the next few hours were joyous and wonderful. We had lots of families starting to come in and an award ceremony, where Tethius gave out ribbons to those considered best in several fields. (Best with weapons, bravest, most likely to get promoted, just to name a few.) Than as the last of the ribbons were handed out, a servant approached Tethius and whispered in his ear, he speaks with a tired voice and smile.
“His Majesty had awwibed…”
Tethius looks at all the Instructors and continues.
“Me an’ dah Instwuctows wiww meet dah kin’ an’ pwepawe, ‘ou an’ am bunk am to weabe when when a sewbant cawws it.”
Making our way to the place the where the ceremony was going to take place (It was just the end of the court yard) I saw it decorated in much the same way it was when I took my oath. A large fire overlooking the now non existent tower, a large portrait of Enoch with him standing beside it, a table with an orange banner and behind it a massive crate full of swords. Getting into position Enoch looked as us and spoke, him sounding about as tired as Tethius.
“‘Ou wouwdn’t bewiebe how wate dah cawwiage was, awmost made me miss it… Tethius bwin’ in dah fiwst bunk.”
Tethius looks at a servant and he nods, and soon the first bunk comes out with them looking a bit anxious.
Enoch speaks.
“Am ‘ou dah wecwuits sabew, tow, waywawd, an’ wook?”
they nod and Enoch keeps speaking.
“Den dis oaff 'ou am pewmitted to take. Fowwow Enoch’s wowds”
They put their hooves on the orange banner as Enoch speaks.
“I citizen of Motow hewby take dis oaff”
“I citizen of Motow hewby take dis oaff”
“To sewbe an’ pwotect hew, an’ hew wightfuw wuwah.”
“To sewbe an’ pwotect hew, an’ hew wightfuw wuwah.”
“To sewbe dah Doe-StwongWing’ dynasty, eben if that incwuded gibin’ fwuffy’s own wife.”
“To sewbe dah Doe-StwongWing’ dynasty, eben if that incwuded gibin’ fwuffy’s own wife.”
“An’ if I wewe to faiw dis oath, may Anu himsewf stwike me down.”
“An’ if I wewe to faiw dis oath, may Anu himsewf stwike me down.”
Enoch smiles and finishes.
“congwatuwations guawdsmen, may Anu guide 'ou…”
The new guardsmen smile with glee as they pat each other on the back and Tethius hands them their swords, he speaks giving one of them a piece of paper.
"hewe’s am assignment, a wagon wiww be comin’ to pick ‘ou up tomowwow mownin’. "
The new guards open the paper with excitement, only for their faces to give off a bit of disappointment. Once of them speaks as I already know what they had been assigned.
“Squadwon one wiww be sewbin’ undah wieutenant WingScwatch, theiw assignment… Stabwewot gate duty.”
They leave and me, Ix, Charles and Dar couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. One by one each of the bunks come gives there oaths and get assigned.
-Squadron 2 also Gate duty, Lieutenant WingScratch
-Squadron 3 Scouting Duty for the King’s carriage routes, Lieutenant Dac.
-Squadron 4 Protection of the Royal Palace, Sub Lieutenant Mac
-Squadron 5 Bodyguards for the Doe side of the Royal Family (Roxy and Jasmine) Commander Charles
-Squadrons 6 & 7 Protection of the StrongWing side of the Royal Family, Commander Ix
Than the moment I had been personally waiting for, the calling of Squadron 8! Pip, Yoyo, Ander and Ezekiel emerge looking both joyful and triumphant. Once they get to us Enoch speaks, him slightly looking at me.
“Enoch was towd ‘ou did somethin’ twuwy bwabe.”
Ander was just about to cut off Pip but noticing that she made the attempt first he holds back and let’s her continue.
“Yes am majesty, somethin’ wewe quite pwoud of!”
Enoch speaks.
“Weww den, wet’s begin!”
““An’ if I wewe to faiw dis oath, may Anu himsewf stwike me down.””
They finish the Oath and Enoch speaks, me quietly following his words.
“Congwatuwations guawdsmen, may Anu guide 'ou fowebew!”
Squadron 8 gives each other hugs and Tethius hands out their swords and assignment paper, Pip is the one to grab it and read her face in shock.
“Due to extweme bwabewy an’ teamwowk duwin’ dah Gauntwet of Fiwe, Squadwon 8 am heweby assigned to pewsonawwy guawd His Majesty, Commandah Emiwy is to act as weadah.”
Squadron 8 to personally guard the King, and me leading them! I was in just as much shock as they were and Tethius speaks, noticing the quickly setting sun.
“Wet’s mobe on nao, stiww pwenty mowe to go…”
As Squadron 8 leaves we continue the Oath.
-Squadrons 9 & 10 Investigations and intrigue, Lieutenant Quin
-Squadrons 11 & 12 Outer Motor protection and foreign relations, Commander Dar
With the last Squad finishing there Oath, it was time for us all to get some rest and we bid farewell to Enoch and Tethius. As I make my way to Instructors quarter something had crossed my mind, something I hadn’t thought about due to all the excitement. With us now in command of our own Squads, I will never see my comrades on a daily basis again… Fin
Thank you for reading my story! I hope to have the final done in around a week and of course constructive criticism is appreciated. May you have a good day!