No Rest for the Wicked

[Ramiel Corus]

Ramiel had never been one to sleep in. 

He'd watched Naeva leave with a sense of lingering curiosity, but then his natural focus had kicked in and he'd headed for the next practical thing--food. He wolfed through what she'd given him faster than he probably should have, but at the moment he didn't particularly care. It was just good to be seated, to have food, to know he had a direction. As he ate, he pondered what the life of a soldier in Aralore would be. Training, sure, but when might the war strike? What was the enemy's style, their strategy? He didn't know enough to worry, but he somehow did it anyway. Nemeris's home was far enough off the beaten path that if it came to an invasion she wouldn't be found right away, but would she need help? Should he make sure someone went to her in case of trouble? Instinct said to do it himself, but he couldn't exactly abandon his position in a time of war. 

He was thinking too far ahead. 

He ran a hand down his face and set the plate and what little remained on it aside. It was only afternoon, at this point, but he truly was exhausted. He glanced at the door for just a moment, wondering if there were more he should do before settling in, but the lure of a decent mattress was simply too much to ignore. He lay under the blanket and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep. 

The next morning he was up before the sun, ate the roll he'd left before he slept, and followed the other men he saw to the practice field. The others seemed a little curious about him, but news must have spread of a newcomer, because they didn't question him. One actually shook his hand and introduced himself as Gideon--the one who had given him the clothes. 

But Ramiel was looking for a different face. Where was Naeva Northam? He wanted to see her reaction to him being up and ready to work without hesitation. Perhaps that was prideful of him, but he did hope that his new commander would be pleased. He had no intention of slacking off, after all. 

[Naeva Northam]

Naeva rarely ever missed a day or was late to training, and if that were ever the case, she had someone fill in for her. Today wasn't one of those days, however. Naeva was already at the training grounds before most of the other soldiers arrived. Warm-ups had begun without an order being made- mostly because that was the typical routine. The men lined up began running back and forth from one side of the field to the other.

As the crowd dispersed, that's when Naeva came to view. She spotted Ramiel, standing around as any newcomer would do, looking out of place. She was surprised to see him already attending a training, whether it was just to watch to get a feel for things, or if he were planning on joining in, she was still happy to see he took her seriously and was willing to jump right in.

The slightest smirk appeared on her lips and she nodded a greeting to him before raising a brow, tipping her chin upward, motioning for him to jump into place with the others.

She didn't wait to see if he would, because she was already moving along, barking out orders to the men. "Come on! Is that the best you've got?! Faster boys... Let's go!"
The woman shouted as they neared her each time. Several of the men, as they approached, she threw weighted sandbags at them to carry on their shoulders as they ran, yelling at them, still, to pick up the pace.

[Ramiel Corus]

Ramiel kept up with the others fairly easily through most of the training--despite the injuries he'd never really slowed down. He couldn't, before, and by now he simply didn't want to. He had no intention of letting anything from his past hold him back from being an exemplary soldier.

Halfway through the session, he was practically drenched in sweat; despite it being only early spring and still quite brisk outside, the physical exertion had all of them sweating and breathing hard. He tugged off his shirt and tossed it aside, making a mental note to come back for it later. He grinned at one of the other men as they passed. That was one thing he’d always enjoyed about the guard and military– it was easy to bond with those who had to accompany you through hard work, blood, sweat, and mud. The next time the two passed they slapped each other on the back.

Later as they sparred, Ramiel found the same man on purpose, and the two of them threw themselves into the match with wide grins and playful insults. They were remarkably well-matched, although Ramiel was finally able to use the hook of his axe to yank the sword out of the other man’s hand and send it flipping away into the dust. His new friend looked startled for a moment before the two of them wound up laughing as Ramiel took up the sword and passed it back.

When they were dismissed, Ramiel found his way back over to Naeva as he pulled his now-dry shirt back on.

“Well, Commander, do I pass muster? Or are you ready to be rid of me?”

[Naeva Northam]

Naeva continued to order the men around, pushing them to their limits because that’s what made good soldiers. She would push and test her men as far as they could go to ensure they would gain strength and endurance. It would be critical for being able to fight and last in a war. And once they hit the limit, Naeva would push them to reach for a new one. For a woman, she was tough and relentless.

She knew each and every single name and strength of all of the men. But she needed to learn Ramiel’s now and any other new recruit that may have recently joined. So she made an attempt to watch them more than anything. She noticed how Ramiel had been able to keep up with the other men, for the most part. But she felt like he might be able to do better. She went slightly easier on him, but not by much.

When he removed his shirt, much like a lot of the other men did from time to time, she noticed his scars and wounds and couldn’t help but wonder why he hadn’t had the doctor check those out while he was at the infirmary. Regardless, she was slightly impressed by his endurance and willingness to move forward and push himself despite what he had recently been through.

As they sparred, Naeva wandered around, watching as each group fought with one another. She would stop at each pairing and make critiques and suggestions, occasionally stepping in herself to test someone or to demonstrate. She was rather impressive and no one ever seemed to question or challenge her critiques.

Training was done and Naeva helped with putting weaponry away and cleaning up. The grounds were slowly clearing up when Ramiel approached her and questioned her on his performance. She smirked slightly and shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. “I suppose you’ll do,” she said a bit sarcastically. “Though you seem a bit rusty and could use some work.” She tilted her head as she regarded him with a serious expression, though there seemed to be a friendliness in her tone of voice. “I won’t rid of you quite yet… You have a little more time to try to impress me.” Of course, she wouldn’t admit to him that she was already slightly impressed with him- that might just mean he wouldn’t try harder if he believed he was already good enough, right?

She looked away from him as she finished setting some swords away on the racks. “How are you holding up?” She looked at him and motioned to his head where he had gotten stitches. “I noticed you had a few other wounds...Why did you neglect those yesterday?” She raised a brow at him slightly as she regarded him with a stern expression. If he wanted to be part of her infantry, he needed to take care of himself, and maybe that message was clear across her expression.

[Ramiel Corus]

Ramiel's brows went up when she called him 'rusty.' Oh, really now? He could sense that she was teasing, but that didn't stop him from getting his hackles up a little bit, so to speak. He was never one to back down from a challenge, even if it was made in jest. Sure, he'd have worked hard if she'd simply complimented him on his good work, but a challenge was a surefire way to get his attention. He'd reach the goal, whatever it took.

"I'll be sure to step up my game, then," he answered, with a hint of a smirk coloring his voice. He meant it, too. He had been going at a comfortable pace, today. Tomorrow, he would push himself farther. Stretch his limits again.

The smirk fell away as she asked how he was, and he actually looked confused for a moment. Wasn't it clear he was doing just fine? Oh. The stitches. He'd forgotten again. His hand drifted toward his head, even as she mentioned the other injuries. He froze, and a grimace flashed across his features. He truly hadn't thought of it until it was too late, back at the infirmary, and he had been hoping she would forget as easily as he had. Apparently, that wasn't the case.

"Honestly? I didn't think of it at the time. I was a lot more focused on telling the story--and the prospect of some decent sleep, without having to watch my back all night." He confessed. "Sorry, Commander. It might take me some time to get back in the habit of being a decent soldier. I'm out of practice at taking care of myself." He gave her a wry grin, although it quickly faded. Something more akin to sorrow flashed in his eyes soon after. "My last employer didn't much care whether I lived or died, as you might recall. And for a while… I'm not sure I did either. It wasn't the top priority, at least."

[Naeva Northam]

Naeva smirked slightly and gave him a nod in response, her expression suggested that he best step up his game if he wanted to advance and survive in the Infantry. Despite the light tone in both of their statements, Naeva could tell that Ramiel meant it and would force himself to try harder, even if he really didn’t need to.

Bright blue eyes watched him as he seemingly looked as if he had forgotten about his wounds, followed by the grimace that crossed his features. Naeva couldn’t help but smirk slightly. Typical male. She rested her hands on her hips as he responded, nodding in understanding. He surely had been through a lot and she couldn’t hold it against him really. A frown quickly came and left her features at his mention of his former employer.

“Well--” Naeva gave him a stern look. “Unless you plan on going back to your former employer...You are now under my command. Time to get back into the habit of being a decent soldier and back into the practice of taking care of yourself. And I do care whether you live or die because we need good and strong soldiers here and you’ve come at the perfect time. So, Private Corus…” Naeva tilted her head to the side as she regarded him. “I suggest you make it top priority to take care of yourself...Get yourself back in shape and do your best. Have I made myself clear?”

She stood there, her eyes narrowed only slightly as she stared him down, nearly daring him to challenge and argue with her.

[Ramiel Corus]

Naeva's fierce insistence that he take care of himself caught Ramiel by surprise. Of course, he hadn't been expecting her to say that it didn't matter at all, but he hadn't expected such a vehement response, either. This place...these people...it was so much different than what he'd come to expect--to accept during those last twisted years in Saryndale. This way of life was going to take some getting used to, he could tell. His answer was delayed, therefore, by a moment of stunned silence before he managed to straighten his posture and salute.

"Absolutely, Commander. I won't let it slide again," he replied firmly. "Actually, since the practice has ended for now…" He glanced off towards the infirmary. "Will the infirmary have anyone there, at this hour? It might be a good time for me to get started."

[Naeva Northam]

Newcomers and those just joining the Infantry who did not know about Naeva and who she was or what she was capable of, often underestimated her or doubted that a woman could or should be a commander--of the Infantry no less. But she had done her time and worked her way up the ranks, just as everyone else did. She had proved her worth and it was why she was here now. Still, whenever someone new joined her ranks, she still felt the need to make a stand to prove herself, mostly so that others would not think they could just walk all over, disrespect or doubt her.

Ramiel’s reaction to her direct order seemed to prove to her that she had gotten through to him and had gotten her point across. She stared at him as he stood there, appearing to be stunned for a moment. Her eyebrow rose as she regarded him until he finally straightened and gave her a solute. Her lips pulled into the slightest smirk and she refrained from rolling her eyes.

A nod of acknowledgment was given to him when he agreed to start taking care of himself and follow his orders. At his question, she allowed her gaze to drift from him and towards the Infirmary. “Yes--there should be. I think there is always someone there regardless of the hour.” She nodded again before returning her gaze to him. “Take the day, soldier… Get yourself fixed up, fed, rested and we shall see you again in the morning, tomorrow?”

She placed a hand on his shoulder and gently squeezed it, as if assuring him that everything would be fine and he was in good company now. “It is nice to have you here. Please let me know if you are in need of anything else.”

Naeva gave him a slight smile before she lifted her sheathed sword and slung it onto her back. “I will see you soon.” If Ramiel had nothing else to say, she silently excused herself so she could continue on with whatever else she had to do for the day.

[Ramiel Corus]

Ramiel nodded at her instructions and smiled slightly when she squeezed his shoulder. He recognized the sentiment--reassuring and supporting him. It had been a while, but it was good to feel like a true soldier again.

He watched her depart with a solemn gaze. She was a good commander, he could tell already. Nemeris might not have intended to give him such a comprehensive introduction to the culture and people of Aralore by sending him to the army, but she couldn't have done a better job of it if she'd tried. And, more than that, Ramiel had a distinct impression that he was actually going to like it here.

[End Thread]