Chapter 6

The Quarter Master left to retrieve the equipment for Koa. To the left of the desk, soldiers were coming out in shining armor and fancy looking swords.

"That is expensive looking, will my equipment look like that." Koa

By the time he finished saying that the Quarter Master returned. The Quarter Master looked at soldiers, then back to Koa.

"Haha. No kid that's Calvary men; you are just a lowly infantry man. They get dibs on the best equipment available in the armory." Quarter Master said while laughing.

"Oh, I guess that makes sense." Koa said while still looking toward the Shining knights.

"This is your equipment. There is no more chainmail available. Also, don't worry about returning it this will probably be the last time they can be used." Quarter Master.

Koa equipment was a short sword that had dings and dents. There was full set of leather armor that had cut marks that have been sown shut, a leather pouch that carries two days of rations, water canteen, and some space for a potion if you have one.

"If you have questions about how to put it on go ask your division." Quarter Master

"Okay. Thank you goodbye." Koa

Koa went to his division, a lot of the of the people in his division were either eighteen or fifty. It was a group made of inexperience or worn out from age. Koa was the young in his division, the younger knights didn't take a liking to Koa so they would avoid or ignore him. Finally, someone gave him instruction of putting on his equipment. It was a very elderly looking man that had multiple scars on his face.

"Thank you, this is my first-time wearing armor." Koa with genuine gratitude towards the man.

"First time, aye that probably means this will be your first battle as well." The elderly man leered.

"Yes sir." Koa

"Sir. Haha my names Fax." Fax (the Elderly Man.)

"Okay Fax. My name is Koa." Koa

"Well, Koa you don't we go get our rations before we head out." Fax said has a left the barracks.

"Yeah sure." Koa followed Fax.

They walked past a line to the food hall and walked into the city.

"Umm Fax the rations are being disturbed over in the food hall." Koa questioning if Fax got lost.

"Yes I saw. We are going somewhere else." Fax said with a smile.

Koa decided to remain quiet as he followed Fax. Soon, they arrived in front of a bakery.

"This where we will get our rations. Don't worry I'll pay this time." Fax said winking at Koa.

"Thank very much, Fax." Koa

Fax walked in and went to the counter; followed by Koa.

"Hey Maria, can we get to 4 large stone breads." Fax said with a loud voice.

<Stone bread is a bread that has a slight honey taste, but it is a hard as a rock; the longer it sits out harder it gets. Meaning it can last a while before it rots>

A middle-aged woman, Maria, walked out of the back to greet Fax.

"Ahh its you again old man I though you were done fighting by now." Maria

"Haha. You know I can't stop I'm helping my daughter pay for things." Fax

"Yes. But every time I see you; you're getting wrinklier. What is your daughter going to do when you're to beat-up to be a knight?" Maria

"Probably the same thing her mother did leave me behind." Fax said it with a sadness hidden behind his smile.

"Ah this is Koa. He is a young Knight I am going to be keeping under my wing." Fax

"I didn't think you would be one to mentor someone." Maria

"Mentor gods no, just teach a few things about war and things might like to know. Like where the best place to get rations is." Fax

"Flattery won't get you anywhere old coot, but him it might." Maria said as she winked at Koa.

"I … um ..ah" Koa said while looking away.

"Hahaha you scared the kid. Anyway 4 large stone breads wrapped please." Fax

"Yeah sure. Just a second."

Maria left and came back with 4 breads wrapped in clothe. Fax paid with 8 copper coins. Then both Koa and Fax put two breads each in their ration pouches. Then turned to leave.

"Come by again." Maria said.

"I will." Fax replied.

"Bring Koa too." Maria

"haha" Fax walked out after Koa did.

Koa and Fax walked to the fountain in the center to fill their canteens. Once they were done filling their canteens; they headed back to the barracks. When they arrived they saw a formation already made. A man on a horse was riding toward them.

"Where are you not in formation?" The horse man.

"My bad sir we went to fill our canteens and got lost on the way." Fax

"Lost on the way. Well, what ever hurry and get into formation we are leave in a few minutes." The horse man.

Fax and Koa ran to the front and got into their spots. As so as they got there an order to march forward. They marched until the sun was gone and barely any light was seen. They made camp, food with pots for the soldiers. The night was calm you could hear the wildlife around the camp. It was the first time that Koa was outside of the city. Koa found it to be quite peaceful and soon fell a sleep. The next morning rose and meals were given again, then they were on the march again. Fax taught Koa the importance of ranks in the army, as well as survival skills like finding fresh water and making fire. They fought a few magic beasts, Fax told him the importance of the hides and mana stones within the magic beast; also taught him how to skin and recover the mana stone. Fax told Koa that their meat is edible but tastes terrible; as well as it sometimes be poisoned so they usually leave the bodies. Koa was told the location they were heading was a week from the city of Axefall.