Closed Vigilant's Lament II

[Imass]

Imass silently looked at Syna's rays appear over the horizon to the east. It was a glorious sight indeed. At such a high vantage the pair could see the details of the castle fortress come into view. The Knight felt strong emotions coming over him. This was his City. For the Realm he had taken his Vows. For the people, he had Sworn to protect with his dying breath. For the Windoak, he had traveled to Sahova to fight and got locked up for it.

Ignoring Alex's question, Imass spoke without actually looking at the Squire. The Akalak seemed completely lost looking at the city, "Today is a great day; Sylir founded this city so that people may live in peace and prosperity. The Vision he had was one of Greatness and Civility. We are but drops in a vast sea compared to his eternal wisdom,"

Turning toward Faircroft now, a frown fell upon Imass' face and his voice changed back to familiar gravely bark, "As a Squire of the Order, your heart belongs to Sylir, but for now...your ARSE, belongs to ME,"

Imass power-walked up to Alex right in his face, "On your face, pretty boy! What are you waiting for!? Push-up - position!" Imass got into the position as well directly in front of Alex so that they were face to face.

"Ready! Begin! 1...2...3...4...: 1!" After each set Imass paused a tick, "1...2...3...4: 2!"

The two would continue until Imass felt tired, which would be at least 25 sets of 4 push-ups. There were some things that even 3 years of torture in a dungeon cell wouldn't change.

"I can't hear you Alex! Sound off like you got a pair!"

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

As much as Alex believed in peace. It was secondary to his belief in hope. In the hope that no matter how dark the night no matter how deep the darkness, there would always be a light of hope waiting to guide people out of it. Still the sight of the first lights of Syna breaking over the horizon was something he could get behind the breaking dawn enough to let him know, there was something more than darkness. And then came the sharp and sweeping snap back to reality. Imass barking about how his heart was Syliras but his arse was his. If his Heart was sylir's and his arse was currently in the possession of Imass, then his soul belonged to priskil.

Still there came the bark again and Alex dropped into a push up pose. And then came the press of punishment four press-ups and then pause at the peak of his form and repeat. Thanks to the pause between each run not only did his arms hurt but his abdomen with the residual bruise from the flux enhanced knee to the gut a few weeks back was still predominant and he could feel it roaring in agony against him. This cycle of press-ups continued for what must have been at least five chimes, or at least to the exhausted pained sore and angered Alex it seemed that way.

Alex said nothing when told to sound off, he couldn’t if he did his arms would let go and he’d fall onto his chest, right now he made a decision to push through. Imass to Alex’s eyes had simply atrophied in power and form, whereas Alex had in fact been getting the stuffing beaten out of him on a daily basis for the last fifty days. As such Alex chose to keep his mouth shut and continue the cycles as his back began to start burning with the repeated motions.

[Imass]

Imass paused in the repitious cycle and stared at Alex. They were eye to eye, albeit in push up position. The sun had crept over the rampart in full now.

Imass barred his teeth and growled in disappoint at Alex's performance. This revealed a row of broken, missing, and chipped teeth. His right eye was permantly damaged; it was ever the slightest cocked. On his brow the evidence of a traumatic blow to the head could be seen, in which his steel helm was dented into his forehead. All in all, his face was that of a savage warrior: thick protruding brows, thick slab jaws, strong nose, and wide cheek bones.

"I said to sound off," Imass yelled, "Stop feeling sorry for yourself and count the exercise!"

With that the Knight finished off the repetitions of push ups, "Plank position on the Embrasure. When I say move, you will arrive in the position as quickly as possible. If you don't we will start again,"

"Ready," Imass paused for a second and tensed his muscles, "Move!" Jumping to his feet, the Knight took a bounding step to the closed merlon and proped his feet up on the embrasure in a push-up position. The angle his body was in was 30 degrees.

"Hold it. Hold it, squire!" Imass bellowed, "Tense your core, don't use arm strength, use all core!" They would hold this position for two chimes before Imass said anything else. The knight could feel the burn from this exercise hardcore now. Drips of sweat fell on the floor. His body shook ever so slightly during this exercise.

"Ready. When I say move, you will reach your left hand straight up at the sky and hold that position," Imass paused for a second and prepared himself, "Move!"

"Huuuummm," Rotating his left arm up cause lot of pain as he was in a twisted plank position.

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The simple matter of the fact here was that as much as Imass wanted it impart something on Alex, he hadn’t given him a reason to take hold of it as tightly as he should have. Imass’s body spoke more about what he’d been through than Imass actually did which was what was making Alex question the voracity, and the meaning of the teachings Imass was trying to bestow. For if they’d failed him to such a degree then what use were they? Again he was told to sound off.
“Yes Ser.” Alex spoken again through gritted teeth as he kept count of what he was doing in his head.

The repetitive motions came to an end with an announcement from Imass. Alex moved, the moment Imass called for it. He was aching he was sore, he was tired and he was above all exhausted. He could feel every muscle in his body screaming at him to rest to let it go to just collapse. Alex mirrored Imass near perfectly at least he thought he did in truth his feet may have been a little higher than Imass’ own. He thought this one wouldn’t be too bad despite the ingrained pain already in his arms. However after the first chime he could feel his arms starting to shake lightly. The pain building and burning faster and faster with each push. Then as the second chime passed Imass revealed he intended to have Alex shift to one arm. Which with a great force of effort he did so. His shoulders now beginning to scream at him his arm wanting to buckle he felt like he was going to drop at any second. He forced himself to push through. To hold on to balance his weight against the shifting of his own body, to hold himself up. Inwardly he was hurting outwardly he was soaked, mostly. He knew for a definitive fact after this he’d have to head to towards the soothing waters, of for no other reason than because he felt like he needed it. Or at least the pain of this was going to make him need it.

[Imass]

The Akalak's right arm began to shake under the pressure that the exercise required. His core was tight and unfeeling though.

"Hmmm... hmph... hnghn... hmmm," Imass grunted as he struggled in the stance. After only thirty seconds, the Knight called for Alex to switch arms, "Ready?! Back to plank position!"

Dropping back into a normal plank relieved a lot of stress on the Knight's body. It gave him a chance to rest. He did not want to fail in front of the Squire, "Hold position! Hold position!"

Waiting another minute in the neutral position, he readied to switch to the opposite plank.

"Right arm now... ready... up!" In one swift motion, Imass raised his right arm towards the sky. This kept all the weight on his left arm. Holding this position produced the same burning sensation as before.

"Hmph... Hmmmph... Huh... Hah..." Feeling failure coming once again, the Knight called for a stop to the exercise,"Halt!"

The Knight stood up immediately. A rush of blood went to his head and he couldn't think at all, "Rest. Now. No. Sit,"

Breathing heavily, the Knight stood with his hands on his head, to allow better airflow. Light headed and weak, Imass allowed for an entire five chimes of rest.

Syliras itself was just beginning to wake up. The morning was brisk, cold enough for their heads to be steaming. Several Knight patrolled the ramparts, but none of them payed any heed to the duo.

Catching his breath and gaining his energy back, Imass was ready for more work.

"Good job squire, but now comes the hard part. After this one, we will need to rest at least an hour while we eat our breakfast... are you ready?"

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Alex followed through with the motions flicking back and forth across his arms. The burn stronger and stronger with each passing second. He sucked down another breath just trying to stay aloft, he could feel his body beginning to wobble and to falter. Unlike Imass who simply followed through his motions with a practised ease. Alex had to struggle to balance his weight in the motions. After a full chime on both Alex thinking slightly ahead held his eight on the arm which had already been down mostly to give the arm that would be doing the next stint of pained holds small chance to build up some strength.

When Imass spoke and shifted arms over with a fluidity Alex had to push both on the ground briefly just to build up the necessary momentum to switch over. A total of two chimes passed half of one on each arm and a dull on both. When Imass called for a rest Alex slipped off the wall and fell flat however upon the command of no sitting he pushed himself back onto his feet slowly. Pausing in a crouched position he held his hands on his knees, his knees bent panting.

Even Imass was beginning to heave his breaths so Alex had thought thus far he’d done pretty damned well considering the amount of abuse and exhaustion he’d been under. Alex paused feeling like a small fire, his body was radiating heat. He almost felt like someone could crack an egg on him and it would sizzle.

The small pause the brief five chime respite fell through time like a drop of water in a vast ocean as soon Imass called for what he dubbed the “hard part”.
I’m beginning to wonder if the only hard part here isn’t your head…Alex said nothing for a moment just drinking air down to stem the fire inside. But a bell long respite, a full bell to recuperate. Pushing his hands into his thighs and forcing he knees up he rose again, near eye level with the Akalak.
“Yes Ser.” Alex spoke with a heavy breath, a hard exhale. He needed to take more time to recuperate but he couldn’t manage to hold off any longer. If he did he was almost certain another issue would befall him.

“I’m guessing this is another surprise Ser?” He spoke again half stalling half genuinely asking, not that Imass would be able to fully tell which was the more influential.

[Imass]

"We do it all over again," Imass guffawed, because he anticipated much anguish from the Squire.

The Akalak enjoyed the pain on the other hand; it had been a long while since he trained so hard. Such training was only possible, because of Syliras; the Fortress meant luxury of quality food and equipment.

"Remember your running form, Squire," The Knight's linen shirt already had a visible ring of sweat around it, "Remember to turn each corner with the swiftness and technique I have shown you. You must keep a pace that will allow you to sprint out of each turn. Once we are in the Bittern District, we shall perform the three-way-plank and the push-ups again,"

"Ready!" Imass got into a stance as if he was going to start a race, "Begin!"

The Knight began his jog. He knew that he needed to keep a steady pace or he would never be able to complete the exercise. Imass knew he was not in his prime, but he would never allow himself to fail in front of Faircroft.

Imass was already warmed up and loose, so the movements were easy for him. Keeping his arms at a ninety degree angle and using his shoulders to move, made it very easy to step. He lifted his knees up with every step. His whole body was being worked out. At each left turn, Imass summoned up the strength to pivot and sprint ten yards.

His body burned, but it was good. His chest heaved, but it was necessary. He lost all his thoughts, content in the moment. He continued to propel forward.

At each turn, the "plant-pivot-hip-turn-sprint" routine began to become more and more second nature to the Knight. He focused on not missing a single step in his footwork in the transition between the jog to the sprint. The exercise in timing was a good for Imass to gain his feet again.

Finally the last stretch of the ramparts loomed ahead. Imass yelled an order to Faircroft, "SPRINT THESE LAST 40 YARDS!! HIIIIYAAAH!"

The Knight's head began to bob front-to-back and his arms began to move much faster, which in turn made him take longer strides at a faster pace. Already tired and weak from the run he barely picked up any speed, however the practice in physical effort and energy expended was unparalleled.

Slowing down after reaching the end point, Imass finally let them breath for five chimes, "No. Sit. Never. Sit. Rest. Up."

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

The look on Alex’s face would have been something picture worthy. A look of replete shock and expectance. Almost like he knew it was coming and still it surprised him. Hauling himself back up to a ready position he didn’t need to be told what to do this time it’s sunk in. Alex drank down a deep breath breathing through his nose this time forcing the air into his lungs. Before Imass could launch off into the run Alex found his hand instinctively reaching up to the sigils around his throat.

Izurdin give me strength. Wysar give me the discipline to follow through. Priksil let me keep the hope I’ll survive, and Yahal lead me where you will. Alex planted his feet crouching low almost ready to take off like a spring but as Imass began he found his muscles hurt so much he was struggling to stand. Still he soldiered on. He pushed through the pain, drawing on an inner flame a burning resolve to finish things. He followed close behind the knight his far more practiced form leading the charge and opening up a small gap between the two of them.

Still Alex managed to keep up, he pushed and pushed and pushed. Turn, sprint. Again and again this happened until Imass bellowed out the call for a sprint for the last fourty yards…Alex grit his teeth pushing them together and focusing harnessing his resolve as hard as he could. His breaths heavy and a good tick behind Imass at this point. He pushed through the pain and raced after him. Imass slowed finishing the end of the sprint Alex didn’t he put both feet on the ground and slid to a halt feeling the soles of his boots scraping against the stone work.

Alex near collapsed, instead he doubled over, on the borderline of empting his already empty stomach he heaved breaths down and felt beads of sweat drip off of him pooling on the floor. He was soaked through and completely exhausted, his shoulders hurt his hips groaned his knees screamed and his arms felt like jelly. Still he didn’t fall. He didn’t allow himself to topple over.

As imass spoke with large pauses between words. At least he could still form words, at this moment in time Alex was unable to, too focused on just simply quelling the burn within and getting some breath into him. Alex didn’t move, he didn’t take a single step awaiting the order to say it was alright too.

[Imass]

The exhaustion from the incredible run they had just performed suddenly hit Imass like a ton of bricks. For some unknown reason the feeling of being tired was a delayed reaction. Perhaps the Akalak had tricked his own mind into thinking he could perform that much.

Without saying a word, the Knight let them rest a while longer. There was no use in failing at the final body building part of the regime.

"Verily, we must finish strong Squire, then we can take a long break," Imass bellowed, the signs of being tired in his voice, "Ready!?" He forced out the commands, "Get in position! Begin!"

Kicking his legs out underneath him, the Knight began to count off again the sets push-ups; this time they only did 10 sets. The Akalak's chest was on fire, the whole time he yelled at Alex to sound off and count.

Finishing up the last push-up strong, Imass stood to his feet, "On your feet Squire! You have wasted a lot of time learning technique today, so we must skip the last set of planks and continue with our routine,"

Truthfully Imass figured Alex needed to stop sooner rather than later.

~~~

6:15 AM

"Follow me," The Knight bellowed.

The City was finally awake. The hustle and bustle and flow began. The noise and smell began to arise.

Slowly Imass ambled down the same staircase that he had pushed Alex down earlier, "Faircroft, all of the other Squires are barely starting their routine, but you have already put in nearly two bells of work," The bearded Akalak shook his head,

"You, are special. They have a lot of hopes and dreams for you Faircroft, so thus, you will arise earlier than all the rest of the Squires and work harder than all them. The moment you show proficiency in the exercises that I give to you -- the harder they will get.... Each day that passes you will hate me more... but the more that you hate me, the more that you will your learn... I will be tough, but I will be fair... I will squeeze all the weakness from you just as I am determined to squeeze it from myself... "

Imass lead Faircroft straight to the Barracks in the Bittern Quarter which was situated near the Castle Wall. Before entering the location with Faircroft, Imass placed a hand on his shoulder, "You will be born again hard, Squire, harder than any of your peers... and for that gift: praise Yahal!"

[Alexander Faircroft]

Description "Alex Common" Alex thoughts "Myrian" "Fratava" "Others"

Again the basis of the routine continued. Alex took a moment to cough and get what dryness in his throat remained out. Apparently the strain was beginning to take its toll on the larger man. Alex groaned lightly as he got into position again and followed Imass’ set pace. The count between them alternated with Imass occasionally having to prompt Alex to speak. Mostly as his mind was on trying to blot out the pain that his body was crashing over him with each passing tick. Finally, mercifully the pair stopped. Alex once again crawled up onto his feet, his form crumpled but still standing. He swayed lightly with the wind lacking a good portion of the strength to stand but still he did.

Again he’d cause an issue with things skipping some part of the training due to his inactivity. Or was it Imass’ lack of experience imparting information? Either way Alex could now finally take a breather and restore some of the lost strength.

------

Alex paced behind Imass, his body still sore but restored, resurrected a little. Funny what fifteen chimes did. Still standing in front of the stairs he’d tumbled or rather been pushed down earlier Imass spoke to him. Stating quite the obvious and his body was feeling it. Pained bruises and a severely tender spot on his shoulder told him exactly what he needed to know.

Going off on a rant about how he was the hope of them. Far from it, Alex had spent most of his time trying to stay out or steer clear of the spotlight. But still somehow it had managed to find him. Tough but fair? How was throwing him down a staircase fair? Alex just held his tongue, he wanted to speak back to lash out to cut Imass down a peg but. He couldn’t. He couldn’t say a damned thing. Though as they walked into the barracks Imass placed a hand on his shoulder. Alex visibly winced and gingerly twisted to alleviate some of the pressure. His eyes shifted over to the blue fingers. Born again. Harder than any of his peers.

“Ser. Permit me. I’m no different from them.” Alex spoke with a lightness to his voice but with a twinge of pain cutting through it from the placement of Imass’ hand. “I refuse to think of myself as better than them. It leaves a bad feeling a distance between me and the other squires” There was a levity to his voice. A humility. Alex firmly believe at least to himself the only thing that held him where he was, was his hope in a better future. A belief that never left him Even in his darkest moments.

“Still Ser, thank you for the vote of confidence.” Alex gave a small nod, unsure what exactly he was permitted to do. Or why exactly they had entered the squire barracks. What was Imass planning?