A letter, a speech, a new start

[Deleted]

A letter was soon sent out to each noble house in Ilyamen; on the outside of the letter in a flowing script was written the name for the Head of each family, and on the back was a seal pressed in dark green wax of a single long leaf with three wavering lines behind it.

Inside was a letter, written very clearly:

To Insert Noble Family Name Here,

My name is Aueril Sanoche, I am the new leader of Ilyamen, and I am writing this to you by way of introduction, even if I am unable to visit you personally at the moment.

I know that you are suffering from uncertainty, because of what the theives have been doing. As you know, the Mercenary Guild has removed itself from the rising conflicts in the city. Please, be aware that I am doing all in my power to right the wrongs that have occured.

For the time being, I will be assigning to you bodyguards for your personal safety and that of your property until this conflict is resolved.

Until then,

Aueril Sanoche.

*****

With the letters having been sent out, she then went out to the public, bringing with her a dual Wind that she had befriended early in her life.

Flyers were already being distributed throughout the entire city, but what she was about to do now would be the final blow to the guards. Stepping up onto a little platform, Aueril signaled to her friend.

Siety touced her wind signs and murmured a soft incantation, making it so that her voice was heard all around he busy Market Place.

"My people!" Aueril said, not even having to raise her voice. Wind powers were very nice. "Today I bring to you news of a great kind! As of this moment, the current Ilyamen Guards have been demolished. A new order of guards will be brought in and trained. I am currently taking in anyone who is eager for this chance."

She paused to look around at all those paying attention. "Anyone who becomes a guard today and goes through the training succesfuly will recieve a very good wage. Current members of the guard will be welcome to join, but they will be given no preferential treatment. This is going to be a fresh start, both for the guard and for Ilyamen as a whole," looking around once more, her gaze challenging and unflinching.

[Kender Bard]

One of the former guards, one who had nothing to do with the thieves (but who had secretly and inward approved of their hanging) stood up with a proud look on his face. "I will join the ranks of the new guards!" he proclaimed.

[Deleted]

Aueril had already left, but Siety remained to patrol the crowd for any immediate takers. Hearing the one, she weaved her way over to him, with several others trailing behind her. "Did Ai hear you rightly, sir?" she murmured. "You wish to join in with the new guards?"

Many more were starting to form around the slight girl, but she continued on smiling. "If so, ya'll can come with me now and I will lead you to the place were the first bit of training will happen."

[Kender Bard]

Jerold gave a nod and then a salute - out of habit more than anything. "Yes ma'am," he said, and fell in behind Siety.

[Deleted]

Siety lead all of them to a rather large building set near to the edge of the inner wall. It had been part of her families estates long ago, but had fallen into disuse over time. She had offered it up to Aueril for her to use, and the new leader had jumped on it.

"Here we are. The trials will be simple to start," she ushered them in with a smile and stopped just inside the door as the other milled about. In the middle of the room stood four people. "These men, and one woman, will be training you, testing you and seeing how well you do."

The four nodded and watched the newcomers, some with amusement, others with a hint of distaste.

[Kender Bard]

Jerold frowned at the lot. He thought this was all quite silly but he would go through with the farce if he must. Ilyamen still needed him. He wasn't sure who he disliked more - the amused ones or the surly looking ones.

[Deleted]

The tryouts now started, at first going a little slowly, but picking up after people were either accepted for further training or released until another time. To those released, Siety or another, would tell them that they needed a little more strength, and when they got, to then come back.

Finally, the one female trained and one male trainer approached Jerold. "Since you are one the few in ths batch that actually has been with the guards prior to their dissolution. Which one of us would you like to test yourself against?" the man asked.

[Kender Bard]

Jerold gave a half hearted shrug and pointed to the male. "You'll do," he said simply.

[Deleted]

The woman made a slight bow and turned sharply away, leaving the two men facing one another. "Very well, my name is Gawyn. I am going to assume that you are most comfortable using a sword, but if that's not the case, we can find a different weapon."

[Kender Bard]

"I can handle a short sword," Jerold answered with a faint smile. "But I'm also good with a combat chain. My name is Jerold, by the way."

[Deleted]

Gawyn gave a simple bow and held up a finger to tell him to stay there while he walked off to the far side of the building. He soon came back with a combat chain. "As you are sure to be aware," he said handing the chain over. "Anyone who is good enough with this particular weapon should be able to effectively disarm an opponent wielding a sword. Let us see if you can do so."

He took several steps back and drew his blade, a long thin and supple sword and sunk into an easy stance.

[Kender Bard]

Jerold gave a slight nod. He wasn't used to disarming people but he practiced it at least. He gathered up the chain, gave it a slight shake to get used to the weight of it. Wrapping one end around his hand, he held it tight and took the other end in his hand and snapped the chain taut.

[Deleted]

Gawyn gave him a tight little smile as he watched the other man, and he slowly began circling to the left. He wasn't going to attack out right, first he wanted to test the man's attacking ability and then defensive.

[Kender Bard]

Jerold circled as well and, noticing Gawyn wasn't making any offensive moves, took the initiative. The chain snapped out, quick as a whip, going for one of Gawyn's kneecaps.

[Deleted]

Gawyn watched Jerold's moves and when he began to swing the chain, Gawyn danced away from the chain as it snapped out. "Very good, but try not to reveal so much of your intention through your movement."