Collab between Sigma and Ekreture 

[b][u]Svawad Castle, Talnoc[/u][/b]

"Too slow, again!" An formorian of similar stature to Kormor barked at a exhausted Kormor, pools of sweat forming under him, barely holding onto his blade. Despite his tattered state, Kormor complied with his superior and charged for the tenth time, the two clashing blades, using various swordfighting techniques against one another, although his instructor of the day, a native by the name of Carssim was always one step ahead of him, unsurprising given he's among the more Veteran members of the Black Band, a mere speck compared to Gultar, but posed a daunting challenge for the many now ex-initiates, Kormor and Seadne however, were a stubborn and persistent duo. 

Kormor slashed again and again, Carssim blocking and countering every move, much to his frustration, Kormor made one last strike, thrusting himself towards Carssim, within mere moments, barely dodged his attack, actually managing to leave a small cut on his arm. Carssim examined the flesh wound, and gave a wide smirk. "Hah! You finally landed a hit on me Half-Breed, impressive!" Kormor could barely manage to get a word out, breathing in and out in rapid succession. "No need to say a word, you earned a good rest." Kormor simply nodded to Carssim and headed for his quarters.

After a long days worth of training and chores, Kormor came busting through the door, collapsing onto his bed, "[i]Finally a good nights rest....[/i]" He thought to himself, his eyes growing heavy as he fell into a deep slumber. 

An hour or two later, Kormor was awoken loudly by a stern, "WAKE UP HALF-BREED!" Above him were Carssim, a human female friend of his, Rey, and the Grogar instructor in charge of his labor, Sergeant Daigahn, who carried a bright torch which was currently being waved in Kormor's face. Daigahn bent low to look at Kormor closely. "The hell you think you've done, recruit?"

Kormro snapped up, caught by surprise by his rude awakening. "What!?! What!?!" He said in a panicked pace. "What did I do, sir?!?!" Not much was said, Carssim immediately covered up Kormor's head in an ragged bag, and was forced on feet. "Rey! What's going on!?!?!" He called out to his friend in a panic. 

Rey huffed, and responded by asking, "Are you proud of yourself, Kormor?" before they dragged him too his feet and led him from his quarters. As they pushed him through the hallways and down the stairs, they kept badgering him, but never truly insulting him; only talking about his...actions. Eventually, he could feel the blow of cool, night wind upon his face, and through the sinews of the sack could sense a great light in front of him, which the three officers pushed him towards, eventually forcing him to his knees and removing the bag from his head, to reveal that they were in the central courtyard.

Next to him was Seadne in the same situation as he, and surrounding them were a host of members of the Band; many carrying lit torches,  all were adorned in full battle armor, and all of which were faces familiar to either Seadne or Kormor, and were currently muttering in coherently to each other while they looked on at the two men. In front of them were Gultar and Sula, who wordlessly and sternly kept their gaze affixed to the two.

"Oh Gods..." Kormor muttered to himself, the sense of fear and uncertainty overwhelming his mind, flooding it with countless, repeated questions to himself. "[i]What did I do? Was it the cut? Did I fail some hidden test?[/i]" Whatever it was...it seemed it would be the death of him. Looks like Kormor failed his mother, his fellow street rats, and his brothers in arms from the looks of it. 

Seadne spoke whispered to his friend, fear plaguing his face. "Friend, are you-"

"Silence!" shouted Gultar, and the mouths of the onlooking Band members suddenly closed. He looked around, and began pacing around the circle.

"I have made you all a promise, soldiers; that you will always find the consequences of your actions appropriate." He paused, looking around at his men before him. "These two have resided with us for some time. They have trained with us. They have labored, day in and day out. But what of their actions?" As he shifted around the circle of soldiers, his scarred, tattooed face was illuminated by torchlight, to reveal an expression which spoke of no clear emotion, only of consternation. Finally, he spoke again.

"They have shown courage in the face of danger!" After he said this, every member of the band hit their armor with a thud, coupled by shouting a short [i]Huh[/i]. Gultar finally looked again to Kormor and Seadne, the air of the Shrine of the Seven hovering between them.

The overwhelming feeling fear seemed to dissipate, he exchanged a quick glance to Seadne, tears of joy flowing down Kormor's cheeks followed by a small grin, it seemed they weren't going to die...but whatever happens, it seems the two will make it out of this as battle brothers...hopefully. 

Daigahn then stepped forward. "They have shown perseverance in the face of hardship," followed by another round of thudding and shouting. Seadne let out a long sigh, when Rey stood forward.

"They have shown friendship and comradely without hesitation," and another thud and shout was heard. Finally, Carssim stepped forward.

"They have shown skill in combat!" After this thud and shout, there was another, and another, until Gultar raised up his hand.

"If these testimonies are true, then their actions are the actions of a brother, and their consequence; the bestowal of brotherhood. Should we show them brotherhood?" In response, the host of soldiers pounded their chests and shouted repeatedly, and Gultar shouted, "Then we shall show them brotherhood! But if these testimonies are true, then their actions are the actions of a soldier, and their consequence; the bestowal of soldierhood. Should I give them soldierhood?" Yet again, they ceremoniously resounded with approval. "Then I shall give them soldierhood!" Gultar raised his hand for silence once more. "If these testimonies are true, their actions have strengthened the fabric of the Band, and I should invite them in, for Svawad Castle to be their home. Have they proven their worthiness?" Approval was heard once more, now louder than ever. "Then, brothers, soldiers, I will ask them!"

Gultar stepped in front of Seadne and looked down. "Seadne the shepherd of Ghabar; will you join the Black Band?" Seadne nearly blurted out his answer of yes before Gultar could finish the question, and he nodded before moving to Kormor. "Kormor the half-breed of Ardir; will you join the Black Band?"

Kormor tried to maintain his composure, the tears still flowing, if a bit more faintly, but he managed to say it. "Yes."

Gultar waited a moment, reveling in prolonging their hunger. "Then, brothers, my castle is your home!" With this proclamation, the doors of the hall swung open, the light nearly blinding the group, to reveal a full feast of various meats, both wild and tame, a host of musicians, and the rest of the Black Band.

Kormor was in awe in what he was seeing, such a grand feast just for their entry into the Black Band, but he wouldn't say anything, without warning, members of the Band lifted both Kormor and Seadne up and carried them all the way into the Great Hall. The two were close by each other, Kormor once more looking to Seadne, this time a wide smile forming, and with all his might, he shouted something to his new borther. "WE DID IT BROTHER!" He joyously cried out to Seadne, calling him "brother" now.

The former shepherd laughed heartily, his former lankiness replaced by the muscled body of a soldier. "Yes, yes we did, my friend!"

Later, during the feast, Daigahn approached Kormor, and said, "Meet me in the courtyard tomorrow morning. It's time for your first mission, soldier." Despite the joyous occasion, he seemed only slightly greater in his levity.

 "Of course." Kormor replied, eager for his first real mission as a true member of the Black Band, however, that can wait till the next morning, tonight was one of celebration. Kormor immediately  begun to dig in, chomping into pieces of chicken, lamb, whatever one can think of, followed by guzzling down nearly a barrel's worth of wine.

The following morning, a hung-over Kormor stumbled through the courtyard, there waiting for him on que was Daigahn. "Uhhhrg....you wanted to speak with me about a mission?"

Daigahn stood in the courtyard with a wagon pulled by a team of Karkadanns behind him. He looked impatient, his blade hanging in his belt and his eyes piercing the half-breed."Yes, get your things ready, we're leaving."

A short time had passed, Kormor rushing to gathering his gear for the mission, before long he hopped aboard the cart as they departed. Sitting next to Daigahn. "What's our mission exactly, sir?" Kormor asked.

At first, Daigahn didn't say much, instead handing him a rolled up scroll and saying, "Don't lose this. If you do, you die." On it were three stamps, each a different symbol; the first, a ship, the second, a crown, and the third, a black castle. After a while, they had made it out of the castle, and as they moved through the rebuilding village, the sergeant said, "So...I guess you know that you'll be shipping out to the Emerald Empire with us."

Kormor was silent for a moment, taking in that bit of information. "...I heard whispers about the deal, didn't put much thought into it...Looks like I'll be thrown in that mess too." Kormor was both excited....and fearful. This would be the first time he's being shipped off to a warzone, against Vitium of all things.

At the word 'mess', the Grogar swiftly hit Kormor over the back of the head. "Be proud, soldier!" He exclaimed. "What, you thought you'd join the Band without fighting a war? Piss off!"

"Ow!" He cried out. "Don't take it the wrong way, sir." He said, not wanting to disrespect. "I was just expecting....a "down" period. I won't object to fighting in war, but I didn't expect to be fighting in a war so soon."

"''Ell you're not fighting tomorrow." It seemed as though Kormor had lost his conversation privileges, as they passed through village after village without the half-breed even knowing their current mission. Finally, Daigahn spoke up again. "We're 'eaded to Jabion in Shasur to pick up a weapons shipment. That scroll's your proof of legality."

"I see." Kormor said, further examining the scroll. "Sounds simple enough I'd say, how much we getting out of this?" 

"What, the war with Matathran?" Daigahn asked in response.

"Yeah, I'd say those treefolk would pay a hefty price for the Black Band's services." Kormor said.

The Grogar sniffed in. "Enough to fill a caravan of these wagons. Don't worry, half-breed, you'll get your labor's worth."As they passed the border into Shasur, Daigahn seemed to grow visibly uneasy.

Kormor taking notice, scans his surroundings, all he could see and hear was the general peaceful ambience of nature. "Something the matter, sir?" Kormor asked, curious.

Daigahn said nothing, clearly not caring how conversations are meant to work. After a while, he spoke up again. "I'm from here, is all. Shasur, born and raised."

"Ahh, I see." Kormor said. "Any good memories?'

"No."

Kormor smirked, followed by a light chuckle. "I can relate."  The sergeant grunted in response, clearly unamused. As they pressed further into Shasur, the terrain grew more uneven, the trees more sparse, and the damage wreaked by the hurricane lessened with the higher elevation and cooler climate. About an hour later, the wagon went over another hill, and a great mountain came into the view in the distance, smoke seeming to rise from its mid-level.

"That's Mt. Jabion," Daigahn said. "Town at it's foot is where we're headed." He only seemed more worried, clinging tight to the reigns of the wagon, but the road grew more solid, even, and the terrain seemed quite beautiful.

Even in his prolonged stay in Olira, Kormor couldn't help but be mesmerized by the serene scenery, certainly nothing like Tarkima, or what little of Tarkima he could even reach. It certainly was tad warmer then back "home". 

As they grew closer to the town of Jabion, they came upon a checkpoint, a few Shasurian guards standing in a barricaded area overlooked by a watchtower, upon which waved the flag of Shasur; a hammer and anvil. The wagon neared the checkpoint, and, seeing the passengers, the guards quickly blocked the road, displeased. Daigahn was more uneasy than ever, muttering, "You still got the scroll?"

"Sure do." Kormor replied, having the scroll in hand. "Think they'll give us trouble?"

"Oi!" One of the guards yelled before Daigahn could respond. He stepped forward, and Daigahn looked at him, not breaking his gaze. The other guards moved around to Kormor's side of the wagon, and the initial guard continued. "What you doing here, pig?"

"We're with the Black Band, headed straight to Pig Town," Daigahn responded. The guard snorted, spitting on the ground at the mention of the Band. Then he looked for a long while at Kormor before nodding at him.

"Mongrel got papers?"

"Yeah I do." Kormor said, stretching out the scroll for the guards to see. "Black Band got some special business in town."

"Mind your fucking tone, beast," The guard replied, before he unscrolled the parchment, carefully examining every line of ink. "Tarkima?"

"Yeah." Kormor said, letting the insult slide, for now. 

The guard grunted, clearing not caring too much, before flicking the scroll back at Kormor. "Cause any trouble in Jabion, you'll be hung up like a tunic." Kormor grunted back, the guard not worth wasting his words on. With that, the guard nodded to the guards blocking the road, gesturing to let them through. After around ten minutes, the wagon had passed through the open gate into Jabion.

The town of Jabion seemed wealthy beyond anything Kormor had seen in Talnoc so far, everyone in sight dressed in fine clothing, well fed and groomed. All of them were human, however, and as the two moved through town, closer to the mountain, all eyes seemed to turn to gaze at the outsiders.

The scenery wasn't too dissimilar to the Upper quarters of Ardirum, although the nobility was more...brutish. Here however, both Kormor and Daigahn stuck out like sore thumbs. The ceaseless stares from the masses unsettling him. "I can feel we're not wanted..."

"We're wanted. Just not here," Daigahn replied. Throughout the town was a heavenly combination of scents; freshly baked bread, cooking meats, flowers, but as they pressed further in, something putrid tickled the nostrils, and as they turned the corner it became apparent, the wagon seeing a woman hung, a sign reading 'Race Traitor' tied to her. Daigahn pretended not to see it.

"Oh Gods.." Kormor muttered to himself. "What do they mean by..Race Traitor?" Kormor asked hesitantly, fearing the unpleasant answer he would get.

The sergeant said nothing for a moment, then realized he owed it to him. "You're contraband here, soldier." He clearly didn't want to say anything further. Upon further inspection, it was obvious that the woman was pregnant.

"Oh..." The realization sunk in to him, could've been his own mother in a different time and place, fortunate though that such matters are not high on Ardir's list of priorities, for the moment at least. With that, Kormor grew silent for a while. 

After a bit, the wagon arrived at another gate, this one closed and guarded. This guards, though still human and seemed more amenable. After checking Kormor's papers once more, they let the wagon through. "Welcome to Pig-Town," Daigahn muttered.

Pig-Town was a whole other world from the rest of Jabion. It was in complete and total squalor, children running amok and nearly naked through the streets, and groups of grogars seeming to follow the wagon. "Don't look at them," Daigahn said through gritted teeth. The buildings were in shambles, most of them no more than shacks, and the whole of the town smelled of garbage. Above them, Mt. Jabion overlooked dauntingly, and a path leading from Pig-Town to the mountain was busy with wagons of stones and ores. And, of course, everyone in Pig-Town was a Grogar.

Jabion was too much like home, even complete with its own slum, Kormor did as asked, and averted his gaze from any Grogar passing by, especially those following them. But the brief glimpses of the Pig-Town was a constant reminder of his old life in Tarkima, and to confront that so soon was quite unpleasant. 

Suddenly, the Wagon came a stop, and Daigahn ordered the half-breed to get out of the cart. He gave Kormor a coin purse. "This is the payment for the weapons. You go inside, tell them you need the order for the Band. Show him your scroll. Got it? He seemed uneasy, Grogars gathering around them. "I-I'll keep watch."

"Got it, I'll be in and out." Kormor turned away, walking past the door, the overwhelming smell of molten metal filling the air, Grogar smiths crafting various weapons and melting down useless pieces of metal. Kormor walked further into the building, the smiths taking notice of his arrival. 

From a short distance, a lone human man, the Overseer of this establishment, emerged from the background, with a wide smile. "Welcome! Welcome!" The older human man greeted Kormor. "How may I be of assistance to you?" 

Although the friendliness was offputting, it was somewhat a welcoming sight in this city, outside of the Black Band of course. "I've come to pick an order for the Black Band." Kormor said, presenting the scroll to the Overseer, followed by a toss of the coin purse.

"Ahh, yes, the Band, your weapons are set and ready, I'll have some of my men move the crates to your cart!"

"Thanks." Kormor said, swiftly turning back to meet back with Daigahn,  sharing the good news of a relatively calm mission, until he heard some troubling sounds further ahead, something was going outside, no doubt trouble for him and the sergeant.

Outside, a group of Grogar were in front of Daigahn, the building's wall behind him. All of these Grogars were males with wolf tooth necklaces, and similar tatoos of wolf prints on their face. "I'll ask you one more time," their leader said, breathing close to the sergeant, "Give us the ape-spawn." Daigahn said nothing, but when the Grogar raised his hand to strike him, he grabbed it tightly, then punched him squarely in the face, causing him to crumble onto the ground. Another grogar stepped forward, but the sergeant ducked his strike and grabbed him, forcing him into the wall. The Overseer stepped outside to see the commotion.

"Oh Serenity!" he exclaimed, "I'll get help," and he ran off towards the main town of Jabion.

Kormor drew his blade. "Get away from him you bastards!" he cried out, catching their attention. One of the Grogar charged directly charging for him, Kormor braced himself, holding on tightly to the blade's hilt as he dodged the charging brute, forcing him to crash against a pile of empty crates.

"OI! GET THE FUCK TO THE WALLS!" Screamed a human guard, and just like that the fight was over, a team of guards shoving the grogars to the walls of the building and screaming at them as they started patting them down with the overseer standing behind them. Daigahn fearfully looked to Kormor.

"Drop the blade and do what they say!"

Without question, Kormor dropped his weapon, and raised his hands. One of the guards grabbed him and roughly shoved him against the wall, screaming at the top of his lungs. "I will fucking end you! Do you hear me, mongrel? I will spread your guts on the road and no one will fucking care, do you hear me?" Kormor choose not to answer and simple grunted at the guard. The guard began patting around his body, invasively feeling for weapons, when one of the Grogars, the first one Daigahn had punch, loudly snarled, pushing the guard off of him, drew a dagger and slashed him across the throat. The guard stepped back, breathing for air as his red blood spilled down onto the dirt floor, and collapsed. The rest of the guards quickly flung the Grogar to the floor, kicking him and beating him with complete brutality. In the chaos, the rest of the Grogars ran off, and the Overseer opened the door to the smithy.

"Get in!" he hissed to Daigahn and Kormor. 

Kormor was quick to act and followed Daigahn in the smithy. The Overseer swiftly shut the door before the guards took notice of their absence. "Thanks you.." Kormor said to the Overseer. "You didn't have to do it, you know.."

"It's not good for business, leaving a client out like that, besides, to have such esteemed and recognized mercenaries such as the Black Band as clients, well, it's an honor!"

Daigahn was visibly shaking pacing around with his hands behind his head, before turning to Kormor, and yelled, "NEVER DO THAT AGAIN!"

"I WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOU!" Kormor yelled back defiantly. The sergeant was silent for a moment, regaining his composure as he sat down. "Don't forget, we're brothers now, the Black Band has taught me this, we stick together, no matter what." Kormor said, calming down.

"I-yeah...yeah, I'm sorry." He then looked to the Overseer, his large canines bared in a snarl. "Don't call the guards on a Grogar, ape, unless you want to see him dead."

"Y-yes, of course." The Overseer replied, still a bit shaken. "My lips are sealed."

Daigahn grunted, when a knock was heard on the door. The Overseer started to move, but Daigahn beckoned him to stay, rising himself and opening the door. A guard stood there. "Where's the half-breed?" The sergeant rose a bit, puffing out his chest.

"Inside. He's a member of the Band. So am I." He turned around to Kormor. "Show him your papers."Kormor stepped out into view, presenting the scroll to the guardsmen, no doubt this will keep them at bay. The guard took it, glancing over it briefly, and looked back to Daigahn.

"Look, we don't want to mess with the Band. Best to keep out of trouble. But you two've got to leave."

"We're picking up a delivery." Daigahn looked behind the guard, looking at Kormor's blade still laying on the ground. "And he'll need that back." The guard's eyebrows knit in defiance.

"I don't think so, he-"

"You want to mess with the Band?" The guard was silent for a second, hatred brewing in his eyes, before stepping out of the way and looking to Kormor.

"Take it."

"Thank you." Kormor said, walking and then knelled over his blade, grabbing it and sheathing it. "We'll be out of your way, I don't want to be here anymore then you do."

"Hm," The guard chuckled, turning around, clearly displeased with the situation at hand. "Then don't mind us, pigs. We'll just be picking up the corpses."