Chapter 5 : A New Circle.

"Well, I guess it's time to introduce ourselves?" Diacrao explained to the group of five people who would come to be his five new party members. The clothes they formerly wore upon their arrival in the world have now been replaced with appropriate clothing of this world, which incorporated Nubian, Somalian, Ethiopian, and Swahili fashion styles. Their former clothes were handed to the authorities, where it was most likely discarded away.

The party of six was formed shortly after they had registered themselves as official recruits of the foreign auxiliary force of the republic, a nation that they still have yet to learn more about. Diacrao, much like the others was in a dilemma about picking the right person for a new party to form. It's not like he knows anyone in this crowd, these were foreigners whom he had known nothing about, and choosing anybody could be a gambit. He seemed really hesitant and cautious about who he should pick with, to the point he just stood awkwardly as he saw groups forming as his options are thinning out.

But alas he didn't need to do the picking, for he was picked by the outspoken female who had already handpicked about two other members already, making him the fourth party member, as she looked for two more members. As she managed to convince two other members to join this party, the circle was finally completed, and it was a new dawn for the party.

Shortly after the registration, the crowd was brought to another section of the building where males and females were separated. In this section, they were to change their old clothes and wear a new batch of clothes of their choice from the few options they provide. Suffice it to say, it was not fancy clothing, it was akin to a lower-class outfit.

After getting dressed up, the crowd was escorted by the guards to their living quarters, or as some would say, the barracks. It was mostly a quiet journey, with only a few people speaking, but none from Diacrao's party spoke. It was situated in the northern part of the town of Manda, where it would pass by a bridge that was built across a river stream that flows directly into the larger sea. Crossing this bridge would lead them to their living quarters, a sizeable building that welcomes its newcomers with an arched gate, and inside there is a large compound that is filled with furniture and items such as tables, chairs, and an archery range, to name a few. It seemed like this place was already inhabited, evident from a few dirty bowls laying around, and a few dimly lit rooms as well.

"Male's quarters are on the left and Female's quarters are on the right. The shower is straight ahead, meanwhile, you all can see where the Kitchen is. Maintain good discipline at all costs or we will come and show you how we teach our discipline. Welcome to Manda and good luck. If you need any help, just ask us." A guard said his protocol to the crowd, before he and the rest of the guards left the scene, leaving the new band of foreigners to themselves.

"Well...I guess it's time to introduce ourselves?" the male initiated the conversation as he is eager to get to know more about his new party members. "It's a little late here, but I guess we can introduce ourselves. My name is Aitana, it's a pleasure to meet everyone here!" The Hispanic woman introduced herself with a hearty tone. She bore an olive skin tone and stood about 160 centimeters in height as she dons a distinct black half-up half-down hairstyle. Her Jade Green eyes were the unique feature that made her stand out in this regard, as it was a bright feature that stood out in the night.

"Oh, Aitana is such a sweet name." A woman said in a soft-spoken manner, yet it was articulate and audible. She stood as tall as 169 centimeters in height as she bore a long, delightful black curly hairstyle that had a stunning gloss on it, just like her dark brown skin and her bright smile, she is of African descent, though unknown which location, specifically. Aitana simply smiled at her compliment, before asking her what was her name, to which she responded; "My name is Chiasoka, but you can call me Chia, or Soka. I hope we can push through together." She mentioned with a similar tone of confidence and optimism that was shared with Aitana.

"Alright ladies, it's my turn then, the name's Conrad, but I just thought of a new nickname for myself, Conny, so feel free to call me that too." A guy with dirty-blonde, medium and messy hair who was slightly shorter than Chiasoka introduced himself to the crowd with a bubble of confidence. He was 165 centimeters in height, he was actually the shortest among the males in the group and he was scrawny in build, but it seemed like he is compensated with charisma and self-confidence. "Hey big guy, it's your turn now, let us know about yourself."

"Oh, uh well, hi, hello, um, my name is Kadungon. I hope we can work together." The big guy was rather timid, evident from his cracking speech, despite his menacing appearance. He seemed to be built like a straight-up warrior, as he was burly in build and large in stature, tanned in skin tone, and stood at a towering height of 186 centimeters tall. He bore a distinct drawbridge mustache that complimented his trimmed beard, and his hair was tied in a neat bun. However, unlike the small but confident Conrad, he was the complete opposite in his speech.

"It's great to meet everyone. My name is Zemfira, and that is about it. Nothing much about my past, but I guess we all can relate in that regard." The wavy brunette-haired woman introduced herself in a blunt, straightforward tone. Her facial appearance was a mix of Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and European, and it could be that she is a Tatar who shares similar physical traits. She stood as tall as 163 centimeters tall.

And alas, there was one more person who has yet to introduce himself. "I am Diacrao. A pleasure to be of acquaintance to everyone here." He spoke in a professional tone, keeping his message brief and short. He stood as tall as 172 centimeters, was lean in stature, and dark in skin, and the most striking part of his appearance was the red silk headband that holds his corn-rose braids together, reminiscent of the style of Tewodros II. He also has a very thin layer of beard, suggesting that is in its growing phase.

"Well...that was one hell of an introduction, so what is our plan? surely we can't fight with sticks and stones!" Conrad asked, and he's got a point.

"Well, Diric mentioned that we got to meet with the Military guilds that are scattered in town. He was kind enough to mention what these guilds were during the registration. I suggest we discuss what roles we are gonna take so we can join those respective guilds are we gonna join to ensure we can work coherently as a group." Aitana responded as she sat down at the nearby log chair.

About an hour has passed and it seemed like the discussion had come to a conclusion, with everyone in the party seeming content with the outcome of the discussion. "Well that is settled, let us get some rest people, we need to go there early in the morning and join these respective guilds. Good night everyone, take a good rest." Aitana said as she got up and head into the female's quarters, with the other two ladies, meanwhile, Diacrao and the rest went to their respective quarters as well. While the whole event was still hard to digest, they were seemingly resigned to this fate, and they were tired as well, so they will take a good night's rest, to see another day tomorrow.