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[hr][color=gold]Location:[/color] The northern border of Ersand'Enise
[hr][color=gold]Interactions:[/color] Karim Nazeri [@Theyra], Pan Yimu [@TheMushroomLord], Anesin Bjelke [@Noxious], and everyone else [@Force and Fury]
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Desmond had spent these past few days trying to catch up to everything that has been happening around him so far. The large celebration at the beginning wasn't one that he had fancied, it wasn't much he didn't like celebrations, it was the fact that he didn't like celebrations that made such a big note of him. He wished to have been much more low profile during this time, yet he was put at the center of attention, which was something that quickly drained him of his energy. Yet was a good thing to go through as it did allow him to know those he was going to with this year, many of which were high profile characters he would like to keep an eye on in case he can make a decent impression on, and a few others he remembers hearing about. 

However it seemed he lost the time as they were already moving along to the introductory speeches as it went off well enough, Desmond was bored through most of it as it seemed nothing of note happened. It was just some basic introductions and speeches from people who they will be with. As they moved on to the more important stuff, meeting the group of students Desmond would be with for his time here. The people were interesting enough, but nothing that really interested Desmond though, as most people rarely do.

After that their group met with their master who would be in charge of them. Desmond has been quite hopeful that this person would be agreeable, and or like a good joke/prank. This was one of the few ways Desmond finds fun out of something other than his other pursuits. Here Desmond was shown his room, which he took quickly to make all his own, throwing up a Banner, starting to set up his desk, and such stuff. During this time his Master came back around and came to talk to him about the courses he wished to take up. Upon a quick time of thought Desmond had decided his courses:
[u]Specializations:[/u]
- (Primary) Chemical School of Magic [MF104]
- (Secondary) Kinetic School of Magic [MF105] 

[u]Electives:[/u]
- Fundamentals of Geography & Cartography in Magical Practice [AC103]
- Athletics, Agility, Physical Fitness & Sporting Activities [SK104]
- Business, Negotiations & Money Management [SK106] 
- Introduction to literature, Rhetoric & the Written Word in Eskandish [LN105]

After choosing his courses, Desmond relaxed as he began checking his weapons before heading off to bed. As the morning after was quite strange, it was on his nightstand he had an aberration sitting there, right above where he kept his handgun. Desmond spent less than a moment thinking about what this was before he went and grabbed his gun and touched the aberration with it. As when he did he was no longer able to see his gun and knew that this was an aberration. As he began to move slowly away from the aberration as he didn't know what it would do, but he knows it means nothing good. As he left his room as he began to put his gun away in his belt line as talked to his Master about this, and was told not to touch it. 

As they were told to head off to classes after that, where many made fun of the idea of the aberrations and some people whispering about absorbing them. Some were getting information out of others, and it seems as most believe that it is dangerous, but those who have absorbed the aberration say that it can increase your RAS score while giving you some small side effects. Desmond was not one to believe in such a thing, after all, some say taking in QuickSilver can give you some health benefits, but like any snake oil, it will normally be some bullshit made up about something that does nothing or can silently kill you. Desmond did not wish to play with something with such little knowledge on it, also with the Master's watch, even his curiosity would not be able to even go and play with it without getting into trouble. So he moved along through his day until he made it back to his dorm to see the aberration had disappeared.

Yet the next day held something truly marvelous, or worrisome for Desmond, the Conclave is going to take place. Desmond was worried about the outcome of the Conclave, as he knew oftentimes wars can be sparked from meetings like these. War meant jobs for Desmond and his kind, but war also meant that he could not see his 'family' for some time. No matter the skill, if a military wishes, they can sometimes leave mercenaries to die for personal victory, or even use them in a bid to save themselves. This was a worry Desmond had multiple times, but he made it through, often either them figuring a way to do something else, or even them fighting their way out of the bad situation. It seemed Desmond's thoughts came to pass during the Conclave, as it seemed not only Perrence, but also Eskand were both set away from the table. Desmond knew this was going to be war, honor was tarnished, pride was hurt, and King Horik promised blood. Desmond and his group had worked for Eskand quite a few times, often finding themselves in full-blown combat. So Desmond knows of the nature of the Noble people speak of their ruler, Horik the Lean, but the one he knows more from the battlefield is, Horik the Berserker King.

However, these things seem to not matter as much as he finds himself now acting a part of Kejser Horik's Honor guard. Desmond was one of the few asked to do this, as a sellsword hailing from Enth, he has done work countless times within the nation of Eskand. Desmond became quite well known in his line of work and those who care because of his exceptional skills. Desmond going as part of the Guard wasn't something he was exactly thrilled with doing, honestly, he was slightly upset, after all, they weren't being paid for the time. Sure they paid for the meals, but Desmond literally did this as a job, he knows his damn worth. However, this did at least allow him to get closer to some prominent figures, so this could be an opportunity. Well, it would be if he was allowed to be near them, no he had to ride in the back because they saw him more fit as the rear guard. Something more akin to someone who was not of much need, after all his Eskandish was only working at best.

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There seemed to have been this glow that occurred from everyone during this time. A glow of camaraderie as they sang songs of war, of glory, and of battle. Desmond was one to sing along to himself as they went along. Desmond felt slightly light-hearted at the moment, war meant work and good work at that. He's just worried about his 'family' as they were going to be brought in as sellswords, and he was here learning rather than being with them. Either way, he was here, so he was going to make the most of the feelings here, more light-hearted at the moment. Something akin to soldiers off to war, fresh-faced and hopeful. It was a feeling Desmond knows well, he's seen it a hundred times, however, it is a feeling that seems almost infectious. Well, the songs normally are, and Desmond always loved to hear music and sing.

Desmond was able to watch the back of everyone, as he saw the mountain of a man Eskand called a king. As he moved atop his horse, he made those nearest to him look like actual children. His presence seemed to have almost dwarfed the others around him, they seemed to almost cower among the might of the man as his very presence blotted out the four moons. The air group was light and cheerful as they went, but to Desmond, the air began becoming heavy, like a veil was slowly falling upon them. Desmond began a slow scan of the area, as of right when he spotted something, he saw the flash in the night and knew what it was, Magusjaegers. Desmond dropped his body to the side of the horse, allowing himself to hang by his leg and hanging on the saddle of the horse as the gunfire rang out. Blackthorn was a horse that was well trained for this maneuver, it was once used in war, and the horse was used to gunfire flying around it and even coming from the top of it. Bullets went flying and hitting people and horses indiscriminately, as when one flew and hit the King, Desmond was nervous, the King could have just died on the spot, however, it seemed he was able to stand after that shot and even stood up like the worst that happened was his clothing getting dirty.

Desmond was in slight awe, as the man even on foot was still giant, and got up from the gunshot and even just decided it was time to fight. No hesitation, Desmond knew what that meant though, as the King grabbed 2 large blades from his back, Desmond already prepared his own weapon and was ready to fight. As a large intake of energy occurred, the king almost seemed to boom at the emergence of enemies, as he rushed forward to meet the opposition with the other students. Desmond was more prepared to take care of the other Magusjaegers, as they would take them out before they noticed. These Magusjaegers were good, they weren't some armatures who used magic with guns, they hid their presence very well. Today was the day to see who was the better shot, Desmond or them.