The Adventures of Draco Zandros

Chapter 3

The sounds of the bustling city could be heard over the wall, smells of cooked food tempted the group and made their stomachs growl. Fluffy gave a low rumble and rubbed against Draco, almost knocking him over.
"Careful mate, I'm hungry too."
"Your always hungry, Draco, your like somebody that hasn't seen food for a year and now can't get enough of it." Laughed Serra.
"Well, I am still growing." Replied Draco, grinning from ear to ear.
"It'll be your stomach that's growing if you keep eating like you do, but I must say, food sounds mighty good about now." Said Marthan, rubbing his rumbling stomach.
"Well, less talk more walking. Once we've got our loot sold we can see about getting something to eat and then you two can enquire about those jobs John told us about." Serra matched action to words and increased her pace, the brothers looked at each other then matched her pace.

"No pets in the city I'm afraid" Said the gate guard.
"Of course sir" Draco turned to the two animals and pointed in the rough direction of Ashford. "Of you go you two, we'll see you later."
The animals looked at the humans for a few seconds then turned to head home. After a few steps the wolf snapped at Fluffy's foot and started running. Draco watched them chasing each other and rolling around each time one caught the other. A few of the those on the path gave the animals a nervous look and moved out of the way, but tamed animals were a common sight in these parts so after a while they forgot about them and went about their way.
The group moved through the gate and turned right, keeping close to the wall so as to avoid the crowds of people as they headed to the merchants stall.
Arranged on the stall was most things an adventurer would need, but the group wasn't interested in buying anything at this time. Unpacking the items they had looted they laid them out on a clear part of the stall under the watchful eyes of the merchant.
"How much for all of this?" Asked Serra giving the merchant her most charming smile.
The merchant examined the items, turning them over and tutting to himself. "I'll give you 106 gold for the lot."
"You sure? This sword might be a bit worn but it's well designed and well crafted."
The merchant examined the sword closer and held it at the ready. After a few thrusts and lunges he put it back down with the rest of the items. "Very well miss, I'll give you 115. I can't be any fairer than that."
"Thank you sir, your a lovely man." Serra gave the merchant another smile but he was already busy serving another customer.
The sound of trumpets drew everyone's attention towards the steps that were opposite the main gate, King Adelbern was descending with his honour guard. The crowd hushed and many knelt towards their liege. The guards spread out, more for display than as a deterrent since the king was well liked and only a few people ever muttered about his rule. After surveying the gathering the king spoke to his subjects. "Good people of Ascalon, today a great battle is going to ensue against the Charr, that have been gathering in strength outside our great walls. Let us pay homage to the warriors (both men and women) who go to protect your lands and your freedom."
The crowd cheered and followed the king to the ramparts to watch the army head off towards battle. Leading the task force was a well clad and heavily muscled man, obviously a guild leader by the cloak he wore. Here was a man, that despite his young years, had seen lots of combat and was skilled with the long bladed sword that hung from his hilt.
At the leaders signal the large group of warriors formed into a marching column and started moving away from Ascalon, banners flying high in the wind. From the cloaks and banners it was clear this army was compromised of guild representatives along with a sizeable portion of the Ascalon army.
"Now that is a warrior!" Shouted Marthan over the cheering and shouts of encouragement, as he watched the soldiers depart with envy and longing.
Draco nodded his head, not that he expected Marthan to notice, and gave Serra's hand a little squeeze.

It was sometime later, after they had found something to eat, that the group made their way to the recruitment post. A young officer sat behind a large desk busily explaining details to the young man at the front of the queue, after several minutes a contract was signed and they shook hands before the young man departed. Next in line was a group of four young men wearing the cloak of one of the many guilds that operated in this area, this time the procedure was faster. The men showed the officer a piece of paper then they all signed a different contract.
Next up was a young female, a Mesmer from a rich family if her outfit was any indication. "I'm here for to sign up for the special assignments".
"Certainly miss, what you need to do is fill out this form then report to Lady Althea for testing."
"TESTING!" She bellowed in obvious outrage. "You obviously have no idea who I am! I'll see to it my farther hears about this!"
"Of course miss, now if you'll just sign here then report to Lady Althea."
The young Mesmer turned her nose up and stormed of without looking back, barging through the crowd only to trip over a backpack that somebody had put down while they was talking. The young Mesmer went down hard, arms flailing wildly and dragging two others down with her. Red faced with embarrassment she got back up and ran deeper into the crowd with tears rolling down her face.
Draco turned back towards the recruiting officer who was still looking into the crowd with a smile playing on his lips.
"Excuse me sir, we heard you was accepting groups for these special duties, we're willing to undergo testing." Said Draco.
The officer turned to look at Draco and settled his face back into its neutral mask. "We'd prefer guilds or people willing to join the guards but if you have the necessary skills I'm sure we can accommodate you. What are you? Two rangers and a warrior?
"Well, Marthan is certainly a warrior but me and Serra aren't fully fledged rangers yet."
"You said 'aren't yet', I assume that means you've had some training and are willing to undergo further?
"Yes sir, we're both good with bows and tracking, we even have our own animal companions. It's just the preparations we haven't mastered yet."
"Very well, if you and the miss would sign here you can go see Artemis, he'll give you a basic test, if you pass that he'll send you to the trainers otherwise he'll send you back to me."
"Thank you sir, what about Marthan? And will we still be training as a group?
"It's Marthan Zandros, correct?"
Marthan nodded his head and grinned, he spent a lot of time chatting with the Ascalon Guards and drank with many of them, needless to say he had a few fights with them too.
"Thought I recognised you, You'll be reporting to Duke Barradin. As for working together, you'll be doing some of the training with those of a similar calling as yourselves but they will be many training seasons where you'll be able to work together as a group. The trainers might even ask you to do minor tasks for them, these aren't required but it'll look good on your record."
All three agreed to these arrangements and signed the contract the recruiter gave them, which stipulated they would protect the people of Ascalon, serve the king and defend the land. In return they would be paid a small holding fee, provided with rations and be given somewhere to rest when needed. They would be responsibly for buying their own equipment but it would be repaired by the kings craftspersons.
"Well, I hope it all works out for you three, if you have any problems report them to your instructors. Good day to you."
The group shook hands with the instructor then proceeded to the main gate.
"Ha, you two have to go for testing while I start my training straight away." Laughed Marthan.
"I suppose been a troublesome drunk does have some advantages after all." Laughed Draco in good humour. "Assuming of course you don't insult your instructor."
"I'm not that stupid. Anyway, I'll meet you back home tonight. You can tell me how your test went."
"I'll tell you now and save us some time, we'll pass with flying colours."
"What are you? A fortune teller?." Laughed Marthan.
"You doubting me and Serra can pass a simple test?"
"No, I'm sure Serra will pass with flying colours, it's you I think will fail."
"Why you!" Draco tried to do a diving tackle on Marthan, but Marthan managed to partially dodge the tackle and Draco ended up on his knees with his arms around Marthan's legs. Marthan grabbed one of Draco's arms and forced it behind his back, at the same time forcing him to lay down and sitting on top of his back.
"Get off me!" Wheezed Draco, having difficulty breathing thanks to Marthan's weight.
"See, this is why you'll fail. Your eager to attack but don't put enough thought into it." Chuckled Marthan.
"Get of him Marthan, he's not going to pass the test if you break his shoulder" Said Serra as she gave Marthan a sudden push. Marthan hadn't been expecting the attack and toppled of Draco easily.
"Dratz, I'm never gonna live that down, beaten by a girl." He said as he got back up.
"You know I'm best with a bow." Said Draco as he got back up, rubbing at his shoulder. "I can handle myself in a brawl okay but I just don't have the experience you do bro'."
"So you admit I'm the more skilled?"
"At fighting up close and personal, sure."
"That'll do for a compliment, you know I was only joking right. I know you'll pass that test."
"I assumed you were, but I wasn't sure the fact I was skilled had made it into that thick skull of yours" Draco chuckled, still rubbing his shoulder.
"Why you!" Marthan shook his fist while chuckling. "Anyway, best of luck, I'll see you later."
"Later Marthan" Echoed Draco and Serra.
The three exited the gate and Marthan headed up the path to the right while Draco and Serra walked towards the group of people practising shooting at a target.

Serra walked up to the man that appeared to be in charge. "Artemis? I'm Serra and this is Draco, we've been sent by the recruitment officer for a test."
"Very well, hand me your papers and fire three arrows into the board over there." Said Artemis indicating a spare target near where the other rangers were practising.
Serra moved up to the firing line and strung her first arrow, letting it fly with practised ease hitting the target between the yellow inner ring and the red circle. Her next shots both landed in the red.
"Well done miss, you obviously have some skill with a bow. Now if you would go and retrieve them we can let Draco have his go."
Before Serra could even start heading towards the target Draco let three arrows fly in quick succession. The first two hit red, one dead centre and the other just off. The third hit one of Serra's, shattering the shaft then bouncing off the head before coming to rest on the floor.
"In a competition that wouldn't count lad but it's obvious the arrow was on target so I'll let it count here. I'm not impressed with you discipline though but I guess we're recruiting you guys to cause the enemy trouble." Artemis shook his head before speaking again. "Well you've passed this test, proceed to Master Ranger Nente, you'll find him in Regent Valley."
"Yes sir." Replied Serra and Draco before retrieving their arrows.
"You was just showing off." Said Serra sticking her tongue out at Draco.
"What can I say, I saw an opportunity and took it." Smiled Draco. He took Serra's hand in his and together they made their way to Regent Valley.

- Written by Draco Zandros