BENEATH THE ASHES

's

d hung on the wall, its glassy eyes seeming to glare at Vyn as he shifted uncom

ow over his forehead, and a pair of oversized, worn pants that sagged around his waist. His shirt, a dull gray, hung loose on his frame, with sleeves tha

and the stack of papers on the desk. His pale skin seemed to glow in the dim light, and his small nose twitched slightly a

ructor repeated, his v

uctor's. "Yes, sir. That'll be me," he replied, his voice high-pitc

"You're a bit...small for a guard, aren't you?" he

t judge a book by its cover, sir," he said, his voice steady. "My strength is up h

He cleared his throat and began reading from Vyn's file, his voice drippi

ng with embarrassment. He shifted uncomfortably in

l one, ain't ya, lad?" His coastal accent

ye, sir! Got the height, got the skills!" He g

lift weights, run, climb... and an excellent archer, no less!" He looked

his seat again. His shoe, a few sizes too big, flap

you said? Let me take a good look at you, lad." He scrutinized

as just dragging it out to torture him, to see what he'll do. He was convinced that Thompson could see right thr

on boar

rd to meeting the other recruits and joining in on the celebration. As he approached the makeshift fe

ce he had hoped not to see here, at least not today when he was still a bundle of nerves. His appetite vanished, replaced by a knot of anxiety in

elt a surge of nervousness, wondering what lay ahead. But he knew he couldn't put it off any

"Oi, oi, oi! Looks like someone's gettin' a warm welcome!

tter of him. He took a dee

some recruits lounging on their beds, others chatting in sm

r by the second. That's when he saw them. Two figur

curdling scream. It was a high-pitched, la

prise. The rest of the recruits burst into l

m, their faces leering with mischief. "Hey, newbie! Come join t

it cool. "Nah, I'm good. Thanks, though." He attempted a non

the ladies?" one of them asked, chuckling. "You're not one of those..

lly into that sort of thing." He sounded like

peated, mocking Vyn's voice. "What kind of man are

rching for an escape route. But they cl

wanna hear you screach." one of them jee

itching towards the bow and arrow strapped to his back. Just as things were

The recruits turned to face the newcomer, thei

was soon replaced with dread, a twisting feeling in his