Swords and Resolve

As the men stepped forward, Kaidon and Throne took note of their faces, their eyes, and their determination. They saw men who were willing to stand up for the city, even if it meant going against the Blackwood family. They saw men who were loyal, not just to the family, but to the people, to the city, and to the land.

Throne nodded to Kaidon, and they began to walk among the men, speaking to them, testing their resolve, and assessing their skills. They saw mages with powerful magic, warriors with impressive strength, and strategists with clever tactics.

As they walked, they whispered to each other, "This one, yes. This one, no. This one, maybe." They were building a team, a team of men who would fight for the city, not just for the Blackwood family.

And then, they saw him - a young man, with piercing blue eyes, and a sword at his side. He stepped forward, his face determined, and his voice clear. "I will defend the city, no matter what. I will not let anyone harm its people."

Kaidon and Throne looked at each other, and nodded. This was the kind of man they needed. This was the kind of man who would help them save the city.

Kaidon nodded at Throne, who nodded back in understanding. Throne stepped forward, his eyes fixed on the young man. "We're not looking for warriors with words, but warriors with action," he said, his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Without warning, Throne drew his sword, its blade glinting in the sunlight. The young man's eyes widened, but he didn't hesitate. He drew his own sword, its blade clashing with Throne's in a shower of sparks.

The two men circled each other, their swords ringing out as they clashed. Kaidon watched, his eyes narrowed, assessing the young man's skills. He was good, very good. But was he good enough?

Throne was a master swordsman, one of the best in the land. If the young man could hold his own against him, he might just have a chance to join their team. But as the battle raged on, Kaidon's hope began to fade. The young man was skilled, but Throne was too powerful.

As the young man stumbled back, his sword faltering, Kaidon's eyes dropped. He looked away, his mind already forgetting the young man's face. He had seen so many hopeful warriors come and go, and he couldn't afford to get attached. He had a mission to complete, and he couldn't let sentiment get in the way.

Throne's sword flashed in the sunlight, and the young man fell to the ground, defeated. Kaidon didn't even flinch. He had already moved on, his mind focused on the next step in their plan. The young man was just another failed recruit, a mere blip on the radar of their quest.

The young man slowly got back to his feet, his eyes fixed on Throne with a determined gaze. He was battered and bruised, but his spirit remained unbroken. Kaidon's eyes snapped back to the scene, his interest piqued once more.

Throne raised an eyebrow, seemingly impressed by the young man's resilience. "Very well, let's see if you can keep up," he said, his sword at the ready.

The two men clashed once more, their swords ringing out in a flurry of strikes and parries. Kaidon watched intently, his eyes scanning the young man's movements, searching for any weakness or flaw. But the young man was adapting, his swordsmanship improving with every passing moment.

Throne was starting to look impressed, his expression softening ever so slightly. Kaidon's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. Could this young man be the one they needed? The one who could help them turn the tide of their mission?

The battle raged on, the two men exchanging blows, their swords flashing in the sunlight. Kaidon's eyes were glued to the scene, his heart pounding with excitement. This was it, this was the moment of truth. Would the young man emerge victorious, or would he fall once more? Only time would tell.

Throne's sword finally prevailed, and the young man fell to the ground once more. But this time, instead of turning away, Throne offered the young man a hand up, helping him to his feet.

"What's your name, kid?" Throne asked, his voice a little softer than before.

"I'm Eryndor Zephyrine," the young man replied, his eyes still fixed on Throne with a mix of determination and admiration.

Throne nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Well, Eryndor, you've got potential. And I'm willing to help you reach it. Will you let me be your teacher?"

Eryndor's eyes widened, and he nodded eagerly. "Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!"

Kaidon watched the exchange with a nod of approval. He knew Throne's skills were unmatched, and with a student like Eryndor, he could shape him into a formidable warrior.

With Eryndor by their side, Kaidon and Throne continued their search for loyal men. They tested and trained, and slowly but surely, their ranks grew. They found men who were willing to fight for the city, for the people, and for the cause. And in the end, they had a force of around 135 men, all loyal and dedicated.

As they stood before their new army, Kaidon and Throne shared a nod. It was time to address the rest of the men who had gathered in the city square.

"We don't want anyone who's unloyal or unwilling to fight," Kaidon declared, his voice loud and clear. "If you're not with us, then leave the city now. We won't tolerate any betrayal or cowardice."

The crowd murmured, and slowly, men began to disperse, leaving the city behind. Kaidon and Throne watched them go, their eyes narrowed. They knew there would be those who would try to sabotage their efforts, but they were ready. With their loyal men by their side, they would face any challenge that came their way.