Just Outside the Walls of Tellus - Military Barracks
Just inside the first story of one of the many square buildings that serves as lodging for Solum's military while they are stationed near Tellus, there is a notice board. Squares of paper are posted there in neat rows and columns, and it is expected that each soldier check it regularly to read any new information that may have been announced there. At the bottom of the board, there is a fresh notice, written in demanding black letters on the rough, brown paper that is common for military use. It says: May 21, 400 PA ATTENTION: The Infantry, Medic, and Archery squads of the 307th Platoon have hereby been disbanded. Members of these squads are to report to their new positions at the times and locations listed below. Until such times as the ones listed, soldiers have been given temporary leave to spend as they see fit within the walls of Tellus... There follows a list of all 81 soldiers, in which the names Reishon Craelim, and Nicholas fox have the same information written besides them. Each says to meet back in front of the recruit office in the Garden district above River Street at 9 o’clock exactly a week from today for further instructions.

Reishon stood eying the notice with distaste. He liked his squad. He loved his squad. They had kept him alive through more than one battle. Even though a fair number of them ignored his advice outside of combat, they still heeded the bits that counted the most, and they fought hard and well. And almost all of them were torn from him, sent to some other ungrateful medic who saw them as jobs to be done, not lifelines to be protected from all natural dangers, be it wound rot or influenza, scurvy or cholera. He sighed and scanned the piece of brown paper for repeats of his date and time for meeting the new platoon. He examined each name carefully, much as a father would his daughter’s suitors. He recognized a few names, but not many. Some made him smile, as he remembered stories of the exploits in battle. Others made his nostrils flare and eyes narrow from stories of their incompetence. Most meant nothing to him, simply another name on another military notice. He shook himself from his thoughts and tried to smile. He was home! Platoon disbandment aside, it wasn’t a bad homecoming, either. They had made a decent account of themselves in the last battle, and now he had a week’s worth of leave to do whatever he wanted. He had been sending his family half of his pay to help keep them comfortable, and stashed the rest. Perhaps, after visiting them shortly, he would go out to that old tavern he used to occasionally study in with a nice, warm meal for company. But first thing was first: he was home, and though he would be loathe to admit it, he had missed his family deeply. Therefore, with a smile which only became more sincere as he neared one of the massive gates, he starting walking to the lower class district.

A young man read the posting with bored indifference, as he headed to the lower class district to find an alehouse, more to find some company, and a place to sit and write a letter than to drink. He had a week before he had to rejoin the infantry again after all, so why not enjoy himself… his thought was lost upon seeing the medic who had treated his arm approaching the gate, Nicholas speeding up slightly and matching the other mans pace, and starting to speak with a quick but laid back tone- Rashine? Rashon? … I think one of those is atleast close hmm?… anyway... You do good work, where did you learn to treat wounds like that? (pauses almost long enough for Reishon to speak) Wait! Reishon! That’s it!! *laughs*

Reishon looked at the soldier before him, and it took a few moments to register that he was one of the soldiers from the other squad who Reishon had treated. Reishon smiled, and responded with a grin, Same place as most 'o the other non-nobles 'ere learned to tie too-tight bandages, the Military acadamy. T' be honest, I'm surprised you 'aint complainin' none. Usually all I get when I tie a bandage to my liking is some whinin' about discomfort. Reishon grinned again, before staring at the young man before him again before continuing in the less than elegent vernacular that at-*test*-('")ed to his common birth, Sorry, but I think I've gone and forgotten your name. So how's about we indroduce ourselves all nice and propor-like. M'name's Reishon Craelim, Army. Rieshon extended his hand.

names Ncholas fox the man responded meeting the medics hand with a firm grip- "ahh, well it shows you don't need to be o' noble birth to know how to treat wounds. If you made it loose, then i'd have a scar ya know? anything done right is a little painfull on the get-go... anyone who would rather scar then suffer a little in the short term in my mind deserves the mark *laughs in a half serious tone* though for most solgiers their scars seem to be their pride. *shrugs* your folks local?

"Great to meecha, Nicholas Fox." Responed Reishon, shaking hands. He had a feeling he would like this man. He knew enough about healing that he would probably listen to advice given, not particualry classist, and seemed to be an all-around nice guy. Reishon paused, wondering momentarily why "Nicholas Fox" sounded so familliar, before sruging it off and continung, "Aye, we're Tellusians, born an' bred. Not overly far from 'ere, really. Sure, it 'aint no casual stroll or nothing, but it's closer than the merchant's quarter, that's for sure! How 'bout you? Your folks from 'ere?"

The mans face darkened slightly, "Well you'll put this week to better use than me *laughs* if i'm lucky i'll find some bar maid to pass to week with at best. As for me... don’t matter much. But no… woodland village about 200 miles off the border to sei… short story is I’m a bit of a black sheep. *shrugs apathetically* anyway… you seemed to recognize my name…this is probably why- *with a half amused, half sad smile on his face Nicholas draws a simple but well made sword partly from it's sheathe to where a fox tail is seen clearly branded into the steel of the blade just below the gaurd.

Reishon suppressed a shudder. The sharp hiss of well-sharpened steel as it frees itself from the bonds of a sheath, even if partially so, has always meant to Reishon that a battle was near. Gingerly, using as much caution as one would with a live, highly poisonous, and very angry viper, Reishon leaned in to examine the blade. While the seal was obviously finely etched into the blade, it bore no special meaning to Reishon. He withdrew, and said, “Sorry, mate, but I don’t think that’s it. Maybe I seen yer name somewhere...? Ah, I can't remember. But I don't think it's the sword. I’ve never taken much interest in swords, y’ see.” He gave a slight laugh. “I haven’t really used me longknife to harm no one, even. I’m not much o’ a fighter, y’ see. So I don’t think that’s it… Anyway, sorry to hear ‘bout your family mate. T’ be honest, I’m sorta curious about why. You don’t have to tell me or nothin’, I’m just curious is all. Y’ see, most ‘o my family thought joining the army was the best thing I coulda done. Then again, lookin’ back, I think it was one ‘o the stupidest decision’s I’ve ever made, but it’s a bit late now to start wonderin’ if I shoulda. Anyways, whatever you did, I’m kinda surprised they didn’t forgive ya, or at least put angry feelings aside ‘till ya come back home.” Reishon thought for a moment before saying, “How about we go on over to my house and have us some dinner. M’ mum’s always been tellin’ me to find some nice young man t’ bring home for my sisters.” Reishon laughed. “Nah, I’m kidding. They’re barely even able to start their apprenticeships. So whatdya say?”

you my friend, are a fine reminder of why humans still hold some hope. So yes, thank you! i'd love to join you and your family for dinner. *smiles in a happy innocent way only someone who sitil lhas part of the child he once was inside him* who knows about the name.. perhaps we’ll find out eventually…as to my family I joined this gig after playing soldier as a kid… my father is a merchant… he sells these *pats the blade * our…well his customers have very um… short life spans. He wanted me to live until I was old, fat and in my case bored out of my mind. So he didn’t take kindly to me joining the army… my brother still writes to me thankfully, I miss them…I don’t deny that… but I enjoy this life... it is very… exciting. I’m proud to say I have only killed when I had too… In fact I got that wound on my arm from man I had spared his life… The way humans get in battle is disgusting really. I spare a mans' life… and he tries to cut my arm off for it while calling me a coward. i know i'll lose my innocence eventaully, and no banadage is tight enough or applied well enough to stop such things from falling away a drop at a time... but untill then i'l lenjoy every minute of it, while I still have some decency and humanity left in me yet... and I’ll drink to never losing it, * raises an imaginary cup * cheers! You made a wiser choice my friend; at least your job is to save lives, not to take them. oh did i tell you i stuedied to become a enteaner before i decided i'd rather be the source of exagerated tales rather than tell them? still got my old flute *beams obviosly in a very good mood* adding in right before the other man had a chance to speak again amid the constant stream of chatter- Nicholas added- "Thanks again for inviting me to dinner!"

Reishon's smile widened and faded at the proper times during Nicholas' words. He was really beginning to like this man. He seemed to be cheerful, accepting, clear-headed and merciful. "Less chose t’ be a medic, and more circumstance. Right place ‘n right time, an’ all that. But I know whatcha mean 'bout us humans when in battle. Too bad them Sei won’t just give us the land we need. I mean, we need it, right? So we’re obviously going to keep going ‘till we have what we need to survive, so why fight? Just seems sorta senseless t’ me. But they are, so I’ll drink with ya t’ that, and t’ sparing lives for as long as y’ can! Y’ can never have enough people willin’ to leave an enemy alive.” Reishon grinned again before continuing, “I don’t think m’ family’s home yet. M’ mum and dad’re probably still workin’, and m’ sisters are apprenticin’, ‘less they have the same luck as I had. Don't suppose y' have an idea of a way to pass the time 'till a bit 'fore sundown?”

The joys of war- don’ matter if the land is worthless or priceless, it’s sei’s territory. Throw in the profits military gets during wars… good business really and I’d know… you just gotta ignore all the dead * laughs without any humor and continueing in an icy tone with an actually serious expression on his face free of the jovial innocence he was projecting before hand* …senseless, sure. But so is life without purpose, and for many, including most of my companions. Death and war is their meaning, their life. …If there was no war, would we tell tales of the times before the gods gifts met human hands... only difference to how it was then and now, is we can kill more people at once, in more ways which are quicker and crueler or for that matter, Slower. War is war, regardless of tools used... magic or steel it is still sensless death on mass scale. When it has been gernations since we had peace... what i wonder is... will my great great grand children be fighitng the same war that our great geat grandfathers were fighting in before we were even born? * Scoffs. * I thought it would be an… adventure… or something… I don’t know what I was thinking. I guess i hoped one more hand holding a sword would end the war that much quicker.. perhaps have peace in my life time... tell the kids about all the places that sword over the fireplace had been... or how that old leather armor got that hole along the ribs... you know what i mean? such a naive dream.. but one i still hang on too.. even if i know it will never happen. * Shrugs and his eyes brightening a bit with and idea as he rummages around in his pack producing a silver flute a little shorter than his forearm and Running his hands over the finger worn metal his face and tone brightened in an instant. * …Enough of this depressing topic... We have a week to be away from war, so why discuss and dwell upon death when we have time to live and be merry! … As for passing time… ever played one of these? * Holds up the flute suspended between finger tips by the ends, in front of the large boyish smile on his face *

Reishon frowned at Nicholas' first few words. Sei's teritory? It was Solum's territory, and always had been, even when the Sei barbarians had come to try to take it. But his concern over his new friend's strange ideas was quickly whiped away as the flute came out. Reishon loved music, though he had never learned how to play an instrument or sing. "Nah, I've never had th' time. The one time per week a teacher was avalible, we were always learnin' somethin' that was important. The first year, it was how t' make a splint outa stuff that's easy 't find. Second, it was the dangers of cholera. And 'th third was learning how t' identify and treat various forms of Carnal Plauge, or as we liked t' call it when not in class, Crotch Rot. I tell ya, there's nothing quite so embarassing as talking about genital warts when y've just turned sixteen." Reishon gave a laugh. "Anyway, I don't suppose y' would be willin' to give me a few basic lessons or somthin'? I mean, I don't 'spect t' become a master in a week or nothin', but maybe if I get an idea I can fiddle around with it later, see what I can come up with an' all that. So, whadya say?" Reishon asked with a grin. "Maybe a half dozen lessons or so in exchange for a week's worth o' dinners?"

*regestering the look of concern* "did i i confuse wars again? too many fire side tales you see... all these wars just look the same in my eyes... and first lesson starts now if you want, within a week, true won't be any master, but you'll know enough to teach yourself... hah.. gential warts... odd to think that i was 16 so recently.. and now.. i'm.. here. goes silent for a few seconds before inhaling and putting the flute to his lips began to play a sad slow haunting tune as he walked, reminding reishon of fogggy nights battle fields suddonly jumping into a high energy dramatic lilt of sword fights ending with a suddon short note. The key is not to play well, but to play with spirit. If you can do that, skill comes later, but you can't train crafting spirits into the muisic.

Rieshon was awestruck by the melody. Most of the music he had heared were novices at the Academy who took it up as a hobby, a distraction from class. But this music seemed to take on a life of its own, drawing the listener into its own little world. If the man before him could use a flute to bring terror from battles which ended months ago back into recent memory, and have that fear threaten to well up and send him into panic with a string of notes, then even an amature like Reishon might be able to, given practice, tweak the emotions of whatever squad he would be assigned to in whatever way would most benifet them. And so Reishon began to ask all his questions as they came to mind, some regarding the mechanics of playing the flute, others involving how to "play with spirit", and a few involving what constitutes a good flute. By way of explination for the latter questions, Reishon said, "If I can even play a few notes before I have t' meet up with th' new platoon, I'm thinkin' I'm gonna want a flute 'o my own, and if I can, I'd like it t' be a goodun."

Well as far as mechanics *wiggles his fingers * practice... spirit… combination of experience in what your trying to express, knowing up here * taps his forehead * what represents that feeling for you… and finally… knowing how to express it. Again a matter of practice, but you don’t need to play to practice that, just… *hold his arms out * observe… and put it to music... everything has it’s own tune... it’s own rhythm... from eating, walking… sex *laugh * …battle. By being aware of the tune of things it keeps us aware of what is in our surroundings, keeps me alive in battles… I’m willing to bet will help you keep our wounded men alive and well even better then you already do. As to a flute... that’s even more abstract and spiritual… whichever one feels right… though for us… you want something durable- meaning no wood or tin. Steel flutes always felt wrong to me… but I wouldn’t rule it out as an option for you… and of course * holds up his own * silver. A little softer, but when polished they make for better show and appreciation on an audience’s part… decorations are all fine and good, but again common sense… avoid anything that will break off or tear holes in your pack… we got a week, and for now, time to pass. * Spins the flute * Lets find a nice field to get you acquainted with this little guy shall we?