A Divergence of Course

Hawk and Skarnum spent the following week fine tuning all of the young warrior's non-combat skills. From repelling, to climbing, to a general stamina build up sequence that Hawk had designed many, many years ago.

As expected Skarnum passed every test the veteran trainer could throw at him. What Skarnum found to be weird about this entire sequence of events is that Hawk participated in each of his instruction sessions and that "he" was very hard pressed to keep up with his instructor.

Skarnum was not used to that type of instruction and even if he was, he doubted that many of his instructors would have had the ability to keep up with him in any phase of his training but to keep up with him on every single phase of it was incredible.

Skarnum now understood why this was the most revered warrior of the modern era and the funny part about that realization is that he understood it without ever seeing a weapon in his instructor's hands.

The ease with which every task came to his instructor, the speed in which he could maneuver his dexterity of movement and his highly toned physique all left Skarnum little doubt that his instructor was an ample swordsman also. He had after all been the council's personal legion instructor for more than two-hundred years and even though he had claimed to be retired it would appear the only thing that was in fact retired was his title. To look at him he very much appeared that he was still quite active.

His instructor's voice brought him from his train of thought.

"Well, are you going to answer me? What do you think about that idea," his instructor asked him a second time?

Skarnum probably gave a look like he had no idea what he was talking about "I am sorry sir I am afraid my mind was concentrating on something else. Can you repeat the question," he asked of Hawk?

"Uh huh. Tired no doubt, this old Elf running you to hard you can't keep up, General Gaclave will not be thrilled at the news," he said with a bantering smile.

All Skarnum could do was give him a sort of smirk, knowing full well that Hawk was messing with him.

"I said what would you about think if we would take this training to the out of doors for the next week," Hawk asked yet again.

Skarnum nodded his agreement.

"My thoughts are to talk to Syrus, Magus and the council to see if we can secretly take each of you to an undisclosed location so that you may continue your training together. It is imperative that each of you know your roles and responsibility within the group in addition to that of your own necessary skill set," his instructor said as he laid their gear back in its rightful place.

Skarnum was not particular thrilled with this idea, and it was obvious to Hawk but it was also quite obvious that even though he was not thrilled he could definitely see its value.

"When will we start," he asked of his new Elven friend.

"Easy now, I have to run this by the council. Hopefully they will see the logic in this, but it is always very difficult to know how the council will react to things. This may take a day, or a week, or it may never happen. I will go and meet with Syrus, and Magus Sheplin and we will decide how to proceed from there," Hawk said as he got up to leave the work out facility.

As he left, he turned to face his young student. "Please mention this to no one Skarnum. Secrecy is our only ally in this endeavor."

Skarnum indicated that he would not.

Hawk smiled and then turned to exit the main chamber entrance.

Skarnum sat there a few moments taking this entire realization in. He was a chosen, no one but his mother would ever believe that in a million years. He was being trained by possibly the greatest warrior of all time.

The one question he had in all of this was how in the world was he to be able to do something that even his teacher could not do? Why was his instructor not the chosen? He had no answer to this, but he had heard many times that fate was an irony unto itself and that one could waste their life trying to understand the prophecies that lie within.

At that point he agreed to disengage from that train of thought. The only thing he could do at this moment in time was to make sure he was the best chosen he could be and hope that the other two were taking their duties every bit as serious as he. It would do their quest no good if a weak link were to present itself.

Personally, the human is the one that concerned him the most. He could tell the Elf was a very proud creature who had trained for nearly twenty-five cycles. This was quite a bit more then he had trained. The human on the other hand had never even believed in magic and had only just a month ago had become aware of its existence.

That, Skarnum knew was a recipe for disaster. It was for this reason that he knew a mutual training session or even something more intense would be highly advantageous to their cause. He could only hope Hawk would be able to talk the council into it. He seemed a very persuasive type to Skarnum but then again most of the council was made up of grumpy old naganoons or at least that was what his father always called them.

Skarnum exited the training facility and walked back to his room on the way he couldn't help but think of the upcoming mission and of how desperately he would like to get some combat in prior to being tossed on an iceberg with two people he didn't know. He smiled at the irony of it all.

~~~~~!!!~~~~~

Later that same evening Hawk entered the Magus' small library located adjacent to his office. Both Syrus and Magus Shepplin were already present and apparently awaiting for his arrival. Syrus still appeared on the border of fuming so this conversation should be quick and relatively painless he thought to himself. It's the conversation with the council that he was worrying about.

"I think Mylok for their first mission is a big mistake," Hawk said before he even sat down.

"Well finally a bit of sense to all of this madness," Syrus piped in. "I have been trying to make that point with our gangly partner here," he said as he pointed towards his Gnoll counterpart "but I think I would have better luck mounting a yeti and riding it across the Lunavian Desert."

Hawk chuckled at the thought, but he could clearly see that Magus Shepplin was not impressed, so stern a look he gave them both.

"I am not saying they should not tackle that mission and I am not saying that it shouldn't be soon I am just saying it should not be first," Hawk said quickly before he lost the ability to influence Martimus.

They both looked at Hawk somewhat suspiciously. He explained further. "Look you both know that we are dealing with three neophytes when it comes to their battle experience and one of the three is a complete neophyte to his craft entirely. You also know that even neophytes that work together can be quite crafty, wouldn't you both agree," he asked turning toward one and then the other.

He received confirming nods from both, so he continued.

"Magus, Kyjus has been casting spells from the fire spec for how many days now," Hawk asked. It was more for confirmation and to get the Magus involved in the conversation than anything else.

"A little more than a week" the Magus replied

"His progression has been," Hawk asked.

"It has been quite remarkable actually; he is adept at two of the spells and is making progress on several others. The more difficult ones have eluded him but that is expected. Not to mention that Kyjus' ability to control his pet is vast improved as is his pets overall abilities in the battle simulations," the Magus responded.

"Really, I hadn't heard he was able to summon a pet. That is a bit of good news," Hawk responded politely.

"My point in all of this is if we could delay their departure for a week without delaying the encounter for more than two days perhaps this will allow us some time to get the Chosen engaged in some lucrative battle experience. Knowing what to expect from each other in battle is key to this missions success and if they can learn some of this against a lesser foe, well," Hawk sort of let the explanation end their but he knew they had both gotten his point.

"So then what exactly is your plan Hawk," Syrus said with some concern.

"My plan is simple. First, we talk to the council and get their approval on this encounter, citing for them the reasons I just gave to you. We then get there feedback on where an appropriate challenge would be. There are several realms within a day or two of travel that have hostiles within them, and the council continually refuses to get their military directly involved because of the exposure it may bring. But if a few militants swooped in and took care of business without being linked to the council or its authority," again he left the idea marinate as he did not see the need to continue.

"And your proposing teleportation to the realm of Mylok saving the five days of travel from here to there," Syrus questioned.

Hawk nodded.

"That is risky, they decided against that course of transportation already," Syrus continued.

"It's much less risky than sending them onto Mylok unprepared. Besides if we can have a unit of elite soldiers drop a transportation gate module just inside the Mylokar realm a day or so before its intended use it significantly reduces the risk does it not," Hawk questioned as the use of magic and its lore was definitely not within his vast expertise.

"I am not sure how pleased the council will be with that mission, if they are spotted the mages and soldiers initiating the gates protocol will mostly be killed, but I think this idea is worth a shot. What is your opinion Martimus," Syrus asked?

"I am in agreement with bringing this up to the council, it seems prudent to me that they each have actual battle experience, Kyjus will need another ten days of preparation before he goes, that will give him nearly three weeks of experience with his fire spells, hopefully it will be enough. Plus, as you said getting some time together to see how each other are going to operate is much needed. I am, however proposing that the three of us go to ensure that nothing happens to them. I would hate to see what the council would do with the three of us should one of them not return from this introductory mission," the Magus said to which the others immediately agreed.

~~~~~!!!~~~~~

The three figures entered the Council Chambers. Council Leader Czelak and a smattering of the council members were present in regards to this summons. Typically, this type of request would be ignored but when it is made by three important individuals like the ones that had just entered the room it was at least professional courtesy to let them speak their peace.

As the men sat down the council leader banged her gavel upon her desk. "You have summoned us here so here we are enough to make a decision of proclamation, which I believe was your request," the council leader questioned.

She didn't understand the need for a decision of proclamation but according to the rules that governed the council at least nine of the fourteen council members must be present and one of those nine must be the council leader. Today there were ten including the council leader so a decision of proclamation could be made with half the votes granting the only question the entire council had, was what they would be deciding upon.

The old mage stood up, his face was stern and chiseled. His beard was long and flowing white. He smiled as he walked to the podium.

He cleared his throat and began his no doubt prepared speech. "Council leader and council members we would like to thank you for this meeting and most specifically for your attendance of it. We have an important matter to discuss with you here today and that matter would be the journey of the chosen."

With that the council began to buzz about how they had already discussed this matter and weighed all of the options and about how this was a waste of their time, etc.

The lone elder figure stood upon the dais unwavering in his determination as he knew what was riding on the change of plans. So, he stood there and waited for another opportunity to speak, unphased by the recent interruption.

The gavel banged again upon the desk. "Members of the council please show our guests some courtesy. Syrus and company would not have called us here to rehash this very delicate topic under these conditions unless they had a reason and perhaps a plan," the council leader said as if she was trying to convince herself as well as everyone located within the meeting room.

Syrus nodded his gratitude toward the council leader. "Quite right madam leader, that is quite true," was his response.

"The others here," he said as he gestured toward Hawk and Magus, "as well as myself have come up with a solution to a mutual problem."

"Problem, whatever do you mean," asked the council person from Buzznec Prime. She was noted of course for being a real killjoy and totally against the Chosen Solution to the Dylonian problems. Of course, she too was against many of the treaties the council held dear so there was really no surprise in her speaking now. In fact, Syrus was relatively sure she would do anything in her power to keep the chosen from having any success.

"Well of course I speak of the chosen going to Mylok," Syrus answered.

The gavel banged again on the desks hardened surface as chaos erupted in the court room.

"Syrus you must understand this issue has been decided already, there were no other options presented that seemed more palatable to us. I should note that one of your accomplices," the council leader said as she gestured toward Magus Shepplin, was in the room when this decision was made.

With that shall we say introduction, Magus Shepplin rose and made his way over to Syrus. "That is true I was here when that decision was made, and I believe we are in agreement in this room that it is necessary, but we have an option that we believe will not only allow the basic plan to carried to fruition, but we also feel it will increase the probability of the missions success."

The council leader was perplexed somewhat but she was very open minded and very curious as to the proposal. Looking around the room she could see most were in her situation, so she granted continuance by nodding at Syrus.

"Thank you for hearing our idea members of the council," Syrus said as he then cleared his throat and continued.

"In talking with my two colleagues we have come to a few conclusions. The first of which we all know and that is as far as experience in battle go our chosen are neophytes at best. One of the chosen has only been practicing his craft for a just over a month, and his current line of spells for less than that."

Syrus could see he was losing them, so he reined it in quick. "Our proposal is this, they need experience in battle or at least in those types of scenarios. It is also critical that they all spend some time together, have conversations, discuss battle strategies, and be put in situations that will test their mental and physical capacities. The Ice Yeti are a fierce enemy, and one mistake could result in a possible loss to their quest."

"So, your proposing a delay then I am guessing and Syrus we have already discussed this and too much of a delay will ruin our entire plan, I am sorry," she said as she began to raise the gavel.

Before she could do strike the gavel upon her desk adjourning the meeting Syrus quickly blurted out "we only are asking for two days."

The council leader stopped momentum of her gavel and looked around the room. She could tell there was still enough interests so she would allow Syrus to continue but first he would answer her question.

"How do you intend to do what you have indicated needs done, in only two days", she asked of Syrus although she had already expected where this conversation was heading.

"Well, it will take about a week to one ten-day to actually accomplish that task," Syrus said as again the council began to talk amongst themselves.

"Let him finish," the council leader said with a raised voice.

The council chambers went silent.

"We are asking ten days for the Chosen to continue training with their current teachers then at that point we are asking that the three of us be allowed to escort the chosen onto the Scorched Earth region of the planet below. I believe there to be a source of pain and frustration the council would love to have eradicated without their implication," Syrus said with a smile.

"You would have them face the Eerikye," asked the council woman from Buzznek Prime.

"I would, a much less physical specimen then the Ice Yeti yet their fighting styles are similar to that of the Yeti so it would be some practical experience," Syrus remarked back to the council woman.

Another of the council spoke. "The Eerikye have long been a thorn in our side. We cannot openly engage them as it will violate many of our treaties so we must stand by while they pillage and destroy many of the lesser peoples of Scorched Earth. If the Chosen could get some valuable experience in that week plus issue some devastation and payback to the Eerikye, well," the councilman let the matter drop fearing that he may have said too much