|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 15, 2012 13:31:29 GMT -5
"Yes, yes, of course it is." Rylan replied, trying not to think of how Robby planned to inform Amy of all this. If Amy didn't want it to happen, Rylan knew he couldn't push her into it- but Robby wouldn't be happy if his brilliant idea didn't go through.
Pushing such thoughts of marriage from his mind, Rylan looked around the meeting area, "Not sure about the actual being a witch hunter, but I'm certainly ready to consider it. All depends what this meetings tells us."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 15, 2012 13:51:58 GMT -5
Erik glanced around as peasants milled to the area. Many weren't soldier material. Some looked lazy and curious, trying to find out more information. Erik, however, stood his ground. He watched and waited. Any moment now, the bell would ring, starting the meeting. It was rather crowded, and it seemed everyone wanted to know what the witch hunters were up to. Erik himself, was determined to not let this meeting fall short of people's expectations. After all, he wasn't a soldier in the King's Army for nothing.
-----------
Robby glanced back at Rylan, and nodded. He was nervous, and he saw the blonde soldier standing on a dais. It made Robby suddenly feel anxious, realizing how real this all was. He shuddered, trying to come to terms with it all. He turned back to Rylan, and whispered, "Check out how many people are here! It looks like we're not the only ones interested!"
-----------
The bell rang, and Erik straightened up, as he called out, "Welcome to the very first meeting of the Witch Hunters!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 15, 2012 13:56:02 GMT -5
"I would think so, folks have been interested in them Witch's for awhile now." Rylan whispered back, he was also gazing around at others. He recognized a good deal of them, an some of them made him wonder why they were there, though others seemed perfect for the job. His surveying of the participants quickly ended, though, as the soldier called out. Rylan turned to watch the solider, thinking of how odd this was- he'd seen soldiers before, but never when they were enlisting.
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Sept 15, 2012 16:48:45 GMT -5
Joshua sighed as he walked towards the town, ready for the witch hunter's meeting. His father had given him a talk about serving his country and family honour, but honestly, he would much prefer that he didn't have to do this. People milled around him as he reached the square, and he recognised many, nodding politely at them.
"Oh, great." he groaned. Just a few rows in front of him, Amelia's brother stood, talking to a friend.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 8:03:24 GMT -5
Erik glanced at all the men and women in the square. They seemed to murmur in excitement, and he didn't bother to as them to quiet down. He had experience training in cities, and this was probably the quietest they'd ever get for him. Instead, he simply squared himself on the dais. His legs shoulder-width apart, his arms crossed.
"Those of you gathered in this square are intent to be Hunters, I shall assume," he began, "Well then, welcome! Any one of you in this square is eligible to join the Hunters, as long as you bring a full medical record from a Healer stating your good health. Upon entry to the camp, you will be searched once for witchery, and then again for your health. If you pass both tests, you will be made into a Hunter.
Whilst the demands to enter are not high, I warn you, the training will demand much from you. Mornings shall be spent studying. You will learn to read and write, to read maps, draw maps, basic mathematics, basic healing techniques, and ways to identify witchery. These lessons are mandatory, and if you have a tendency to shirk your lessons, you'll be asked to leave. You will receive homework in your lessons. Your professors are experts in the field, making sure you have the tools to be experts yourselves! Any questions so far?"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Sept 16, 2012 9:27:03 GMT -5
Joshua refrained from rolling his eyes with difficulty. The meeting was exactly as pointless as he'd expected it to be, and he really wished he was somewhere else. He already knew how to do most of the things the soldier listed...but then, the more time spent on the class time, the less time he'd spend fighting.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 9:53:41 GMT -5
Rylan nodded to himself as the soldier listed off what they were to learn. His mother had taught him all the basics of mathematics and reading, he could add, subtract and knew his multiplication table up to 6, the rest he had to think about. Unfortunately, Rylan couldn't write very well and was a very slow reader- as hard as Mum had tried, she wasn't the best teacher in the world. Thankfully, Rylan did know how to read maps as he and his twin sisters liked to track where Mary was. All in all, Rylan wasn't to overwhelmed by what he'd have to learn, though he had to admit it sounded a bit boring.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 10:37:48 GMT -5
Robby's jaw dropped. He hated studying! There was no way he wanted to learn stuff! He could read maps, and he knew how to write some, but he didn't want to learn to read or write more than the little he knew! Worse, he was supposed to do homework?! The idea made him cringe, and he glared at the soldier. This wasn't fair! Where was the action and adventure in this?!
Erik glanced around at the faces. Some seemed daunted by the courses, others seemed less than impressed. This was only the beginning, however. He continued in his crisp voice, "No questions?"
One man raised his hand, "Will we be paying for the lessons?"
"They come free, however, you will be expected to pay for any materials you destroy or lose," said Erik with a shrug. "Any how, the afternoon lessons are longer and more grueling. You will be trained to learn how to ride horses, care for the beasts, and their tack. You'll learn how to apply armor to a horse, and to yourselves. You'll learn how to wield several weapons, including staffs and spears, swords, bows and arrows, daggers, and even your own hands. You will learn how to spar with witches, and how to defend yourself from attack. You will be trained to lead civilians to safety, and to map out tactical ways of capturing witches. I assure you, even the most experienced will be trained thoroughly. Lessons are grueling, and you will not be allowed into the field until you show any sign of excellence. Further questions?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 10:42:55 GMT -5
The afternoons, sounded much more to Rylan's liking, and, glancing over at how Robby had reacted to the idea of sitting around learning to read and write, probably to Robby's as well. Rylan already was pretty good at all things horses, except the armor part as he'd never had to put armor on one. Best of all, was the idea of using a sword- something he'd always been great at.
However, as the kind of boy he was, most important to him was that his family would be perfectly well off without him. The soldier hasn't mentioned any kind of pay, so Rylan put up his hand and called out, "What's the pay?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 11:01:23 GMT -5
Erik nodded to the boy, "It depends on your status. For every male who attends, the family receives ttwnty-five gold for the month to supplement the loss. As your grades improve, you can work up to earning forty gold. Upon graduation of the academy, you will become a member of the Crown's guard, and earn sixty gold to your pockets. What you choose to do with the money is your own business. For each witch captured alive, you earn a bonus of a 100 gold, for each witch slain, you earn another 75 gold."
The crowd stirred at this. While the training money was about the regular pay of a normal baker or blacksmith apprentice, the after money was far higher. Especially since it was a regular salary. Robby himself was already considering what he'd use that money for as he whispered to Rylan, "Can you imagine the stuff we can buy with that money?!"
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 11:07:31 GMT -5
Rylan nodded, quite surprised at the pay. "It's amazing!" He whispered back excitedly to Robby, "I easily keep my family comfortable off of that.... And that's only on the training money." Privately, Rylan was becoming more and more endeared to the possibility of being a witch hunter. He had to admit, killing the witch's didn't sound like something he'd be able to do very easily, morally. But capturing them, he could do.... Especially with such a high price attached.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 11:14:30 GMT -5
"What about horses?!" called out Robby, as he nodded excitedly to Rylan, "Do we bring our own?"
"They're provided by the Academy, but it is recommended you bring your own," said Erik with a nod, "After all, a man who arrives with a horse already bonded to him is luckier than most. However, any tack the horse needs or armor will be at your own expense. We can offer you discounts, but we have specially made tack and armor already. I also remind all of you that your horses need to be checked over as well for health. A lame horse is better off dead than trying to chase witches."
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 11:20:04 GMT -5
Rylan immediately thought back to the horses the family owned- Opal was his father's, and he would never be allowed to take her. Victoria and Kaitlin were both very fond of Iris, who wasn't a very quick horse anyway, so he'd leave the girl's Iris. However, the four year old Thyme would be a great- Thyme wasn't amazing, be she was fairly quick and listened well. The idea of paying for the tack and armor was definitely a bit of a set back, but considering the salary, and the fact that Rylan had a some tack...
"About how much does this tack and armor cost?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 11:32:32 GMT -5
"It depends on what kind you buy," replied Erik, as a few similar questions came. "Speaking from experience, I recommend using a standard horse and looking around for deals. Or buy used from older soldiers. The cheapest set altogether would be about fifty to seventy-five, the most expensive, well, I'm sure you can imagine."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Sept 16, 2012 11:37:13 GMT -5
Joshua smiled after hearing that he would be able to bring his own horse, Bryyn. Tack and armour wasn't a problem, his father had catered for apeverything when equipping the barn, after all. The pay wasn't a worry either, and Joshua was pleased that he wouldn't actually be required to kill witches.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 11:40:11 GMT -5
The armor and tack definitely seemed pricy, but thankfully Rylan probably wouldn't have to by Tack... nodding, he looked over to Robby and whispered. "What do you think so far?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 11:48:35 GMT -5
"The morning sucks," he said angrily, "But the afternoons sound amazing. Not to mention the pay! Are you in?"
Erik looked at the crowd, before moving on, "As well, the Academy offers boarding. It's free of charge, however, noblemen receive private rooms while the rest must double or triple up. If you cannot find a roommate, you shall receive one! You may bring along maids, however, they are not sluts. If we catch you being lewd with any female brought to aid you, the privilege is revoked entirely! And you face a possible punishment."
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Sept 16, 2012 11:50:47 GMT -5
Joshua grinned. A private room didn't seem all that bad to him. Which maid would he bring though? He didn't have a particular favourite, they were all so loyal to his father.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 11:53:53 GMT -5
"I think I just might be." Rylan replied, "Of course, I'll have to speak to my family about it- but I'm sure they'd agree with me..." He grinned, it really did sound great. "Want to double up for a room?"
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 11:58:02 GMT -5
Robby grinned as he turned to Rylan, "Course we'll share! Can you imagine me getting away with half the stuff I want with another person? Or copying someone else's written stuff?"
As though Erik had heard Robby, he continued, "On the topic of punishment, we do not believe all the men entering are saints who shall follow rules. Nor does every punishment we dole out mean expulsion. For every infraction, you receive a punishment. Said punishment can range from menial chores, to whipping depending on the level of the infraction. All punishments are taken at your free time, and any injuries sustained while doing the chores or being whipped are your own concern. The Healers will be instructed not to help."
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 12:04:23 GMT -5
Rylan shrugged at the punishments- he wasn't planning to do anything that was illegal, so he wouldn't be bothered. On the other hand... "Don't be thinking I'm going to let you copy anything I do." He whispered back to Robby, rolling his eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 12:07:08 GMT -5
Robby glared at Rylan, as he thrust his hand into the air, and asked, "What exactly can earn you a punishment?" Best to get this out of the way beforehand.
Erik glared at Robby. There was always one, and then said, "A number of things. From copying work from another student, to bullying, to sneaking in illegal substances. Mistreatment of animals or superiors. Destroying equipment on purpose. Being out of bounds after hours. Shirking classes, shall I continue?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 12:10:25 GMT -5
When Erik announced copying work, Rylan gave a pointed glance at his friend. "We're good!" He told the soldier for Robby, not particularly interested in hearing what was pretty obvious.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 12:12:37 GMT -5
"Damn," muttered Robby, "You think he heard me?" As he spoke, Erik called out for final questions,
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 12:13:52 GMT -5
Giving a low chuckle, Rylan responded, "Quite possibly."
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 16, 2012 19:37:33 GMT -5
"Well, at least he knows me now," joked Robby.
Meanwhile Erik continued, "Should you have anymore questions, I shall be here all day, please feel free to approach me. Meanwhile, please give your name to the clerk on the right of the stage, or the one on the left. We need to gather data of who's interested. It doesn't mean you've signed up, simply that you're interested."
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 16, 2012 19:58:55 GMT -5
Rylan watched as a good deal of the crowd moved to where the the soldier had directed, while others hesitated. Turning to Robby he said as he took a step toward the right of the stage, "Shall we?"
|
|
|
|
Post by eskimoRock on Sept 17, 2012 11:16:31 GMT -5
Joshua moved towards the right of the stage, where there seemed to be a smaller queue. Most people seems enthusiastic..he supposed it was the money.
|
|
|
|
Post by G. Novella on Sept 21, 2012 15:49:38 GMT -5
"Lets!" said Robby delightedly, puffing his chest out and and stepping forward. The ladies who had gathered at the edge of the square seemed to be eyeing the men joining, and Robby, a ladies man, waved suavely at them, "And after I think I'll make myself known a bit more."
|
|
|
|
Post by Nahara46 on Sept 21, 2012 15:55:42 GMT -5
Rylan followed where Robby had been looking and grinned, "Of course you will." He replied, amused at how his friend was acting. Then Rylan craned his head to see how long the line they were in was- not too long, but they'd have a wait.
|
|
