The hustle and bustle hurt Fayane's sensitive ears as she wove through the crowd. Looking around she sees only a sea of faceless people who she doesn't know, doesn't trust... her eyes darken as she looks and wishes she knew at least ONE of these faces. With a quick shake of her head Fayane banished such thoughts from her head and head onwards.
It wasn't until she took a wrong turn and started see the less-than-civilized people that Faya clued in that she was most definitely lost.
"Great..." She murmurs mostly to herself, though she knows a few nosey citizens could hear her, not that she really cared; they said anything to anyone and she could kill them within a heart-beat… but then the guard wouldn’t appreciate that, she was sure. Her eyes flickered in annoyance. Pushing the unwanted emotion to the side she started down the alley once more, her black cloak billowing out behind her slightly, her boots padding softly. She turned a corner and was stopped by a dead end. Glancing around to make sure there was no-one to see, Fayane turned back to the wall and tugged off her gloves, her claws growing at command. She would miss being able to do this at will, Faya was sure, but for now it was handy. One last quick glance over her shoulder told her that she was safe, and with that she began to jog to at a side wall. Gathering her self just at the base of the wall she leapt and snagged her sharpened nails into the wall when she started to feel gravity’s pull. The toes of her boots pressed against the wall as she anchored herself, then leapt away, towards the wall behind her. Again she anchored herself and repeated the leap, now at the top of the wall. Sure a human could do that too, if they were fast or strong enough. She leapt onto the top of the wall and balanced there for a moment as she gathered her bearings. Blue eyes took in the hustle and bustle below her as they paid no attention to the dark figure above them. She looked ahead towards where she had thought the guard’s tower was and blinked when she didn’t see it.
“Where…?” She mumbled to herself, looking left and right. She blinked then slowly turned to see the tower behind her.
“Oh for…” cursing herself in as many ways as possible she leapt down and headed once more towards the tower, tugging her gloves back on over her retracting claws, passing houses as she did, not even stopping to think that maybe should could simply knock on a door to ask for directions.
And so the Fox met the Guard
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Alina was on patrol, and unhappy. Not unhappy about being on patrol; unhappy that she wasn't wearing gloves. She still couldn't work out how the inside of her left glove had become tainted with the rage of the brat she'd had to subdue the previous day, but it was very distracting and made the glove unwearable. And as wearing a single glove would look very odd indeed and she hadn't had time to get new ones yet, this meant that she wasn't wearing gloves today.
If she walked carefully, she could just about avoid touching other people, objects or walls too much. Well that was just pathetic. No other guard in the world would be afraid of touching walls, for crying out loud.
Somebody darted past her, the edge of their cloak brushing her fingers and, as luck would have it, it was tainted. Confusion, frustration... Alina turned to stare after the woman. Was something wrong? It might be something she was supposed to address. But then, there was no way to tell how old the taint was; it could've been the woman's grandmother obsessing over losing a pin fifty years ago. Still, no harm in checking ot out, except of course looking like an idiot, but Alina was used to that.
She pushed through the crowd after the woman, slipping between people with the practised ease of one who'd had to pursue hundreds of criminals through the city. "Escuse me, miss," she called, hesitantly touching the woman's shoulder to get her attention (another tainted spot; something about animals and claws, it didn't matter), "are you alright?"
If she walked carefully, she could just about avoid touching other people, objects or walls too much. Well that was just pathetic. No other guard in the world would be afraid of touching walls, for crying out loud.
Somebody darted past her, the edge of their cloak brushing her fingers and, as luck would have it, it was tainted. Confusion, frustration... Alina turned to stare after the woman. Was something wrong? It might be something she was supposed to address. But then, there was no way to tell how old the taint was; it could've been the woman's grandmother obsessing over losing a pin fifty years ago. Still, no harm in checking ot out, except of course looking like an idiot, but Alina was used to that.
She pushed through the crowd after the woman, slipping between people with the practised ease of one who'd had to pursue hundreds of criminals through the city. "Escuse me, miss," she called, hesitantly touching the woman's shoulder to get her attention (another tainted spot; something about animals and claws, it didn't matter), "are you alright?"
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Fayane smelt the woman before she felt the touch and heard her question. Fayane turned and examined the woman, her eyes not missing her uniform, this woman was a guard. Interesting.
"Yes, I thank you for asking... I'm simply frustrated at my situation. You see I grew up in the woods just outside of Marn... and, well, I'm lost. I'm seeking the guard tower as I wish to devote my assassination abilities to the guard." Fayane told the woman, hoping she would blink and stare stupidly at her as most did when she spoke.
"Yes, I thank you for asking... I'm simply frustrated at my situation. You see I grew up in the woods just outside of Marn... and, well, I'm lost. I'm seeking the guard tower as I wish to devote my assassination abilities to the guard." Fayane told the woman, hoping she would blink and stare stupidly at her as most did when she spoke.
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Alina blinked and stared. Well that was just great. Not only was the woman heading in the right direction and therefore probably didn't require help, making Alina look like a complete idiot, but she was planning on becoming a sister in arms, meaning Alina's blunder would be spread through the guard tower in short order.
"I can show you the way if you like. I'm Alina Drey, by the way."
"I can show you the way if you like. I'm Alina Drey, by the way."
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Fayane couldn't help but to smile at the woman who looked slightly embarrased.
"Your guidance would be greatly apperciated, I'm afraid I may become lost once more if I am not guided." Fayane hesitated then stretched out her gloved hand.
"My name is Fayane, Fayane Tyme... it is a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Alina Drey."
"Your guidance would be greatly apperciated, I'm afraid I may become lost once more if I am not guided." Fayane hesitated then stretched out her gloved hand.
"My name is Fayane, Fayane Tyme... it is a great pleasure to meet you, Miss Alina Drey."
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Alina hesitated before shaking the girl's hand. No emotional imprints. Good. She really needed to get herself some new gloves.
"This way," she said, taking the lead. Stupid, stupid crowds... "I assume you're new in town?" Stupid question; if she wasn't, she wouldn't be worried about getting lost. Pay attention, Alina. "Have you been referred by anyone? If not I can take you straight to recruitment. The training is pretty tough, mind you..." Alina wasn't sure the willowy woman would be able to handle it. Well, that wasn't her problem; once she got Fayane to the tower she could go back to her beat and let the wear and tear of training decide the woman's fate.
"This way," she said, taking the lead. Stupid, stupid crowds... "I assume you're new in town?" Stupid question; if she wasn't, she wouldn't be worried about getting lost. Pay attention, Alina. "Have you been referred by anyone? If not I can take you straight to recruitment. The training is pretty tough, mind you..." Alina wasn't sure the willowy woman would be able to handle it. Well, that wasn't her problem; once she got Fayane to the tower she could go back to her beat and let the wear and tear of training decide the woman's fate.
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Fayane was amused, if only vaguely, of the woman's correction in her question.
"I have not been referred by anyone in the guard if that is what you are referring to... so yes directing me to recruitment would be the most logical plan. As for the training, I look forward to the challenge... improving my abilities would be most satisfying." Fayane replied to the woman as they wove through the croud, snatches of conversation catching her sensitive ears. She watched as the guardswoman seemed to cringe everytime she touched something with her bare hands, not that that was often. She had also noticed her hesitancy to shake her hand. Perhaps it was because she was afraid of people? No... that did not a logical reason, if she were afraid of people she would not attempt to protect them from... Fayane mentally flinched... from the magic users like her. She easily slid around an old man as he snarled curses at her while she wondered about the guardswoman's warning of that hard training to come. Would they train her as her Father had? Brutally and without mercy? Or would they see her for who she truely was and immediately toss her back into the streets? She dodged another man and decided; even if they threw her to the streets she would defend these humans, no matter the cost.
Fayane looked back up to the guardwoman still fighting her way through the crowd, confused at the looks that the people were sending her. Certainly there were people of her kind glaring and hissing at the guardwoman, as the guard likely did not favor the shapeshifters, but wouldn't they respect her? Fayane looked up and glared at a particularily offensive shapeshifter. Her blue eyes met hos own yellow ones in a silent demand for the respect she deemed worthy of the guardswoman, the wolf-man backing down as soon as her saw her. Satisfied she turned back to the guardswoman and followed her once more.
"I have not been referred by anyone in the guard if that is what you are referring to... so yes directing me to recruitment would be the most logical plan. As for the training, I look forward to the challenge... improving my abilities would be most satisfying." Fayane replied to the woman as they wove through the croud, snatches of conversation catching her sensitive ears. She watched as the guardswoman seemed to cringe everytime she touched something with her bare hands, not that that was often. She had also noticed her hesitancy to shake her hand. Perhaps it was because she was afraid of people? No... that did not a logical reason, if she were afraid of people she would not attempt to protect them from... Fayane mentally flinched... from the magic users like her. She easily slid around an old man as he snarled curses at her while she wondered about the guardswoman's warning of that hard training to come. Would they train her as her Father had? Brutally and without mercy? Or would they see her for who she truely was and immediately toss her back into the streets? She dodged another man and decided; even if they threw her to the streets she would defend these humans, no matter the cost.
Fayane looked back up to the guardwoman still fighting her way through the crowd, confused at the looks that the people were sending her. Certainly there were people of her kind glaring and hissing at the guardwoman, as the guard likely did not favor the shapeshifters, but wouldn't they respect her? Fayane looked up and glared at a particularily offensive shapeshifter. Her blue eyes met hos own yellow ones in a silent demand for the respect she deemed worthy of the guardswoman, the wolf-man backing down as soon as her saw her. Satisfied she turned back to the guardswoman and followed her once more.
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Alina thought that the woman was vastly underestimating the difficulty of getting into the Guard, but didn't say anything. Dodging nimbly around a burly man who she vaguely recognised as a shapeshifter she'd had to break out of more than one barfight (what was with all the shapeshifters in Marn anyway? For a town so suspicious of magic, they sure had a lot of it), she replied, "well that's good. Being a guard is all about training and personal development, yada yada... actually it's mostly about breaking up fights between drunks and arresting the occasional pickpocket, but recruitment won't tell you that. Ever worked as a guard before?"
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Fayane chuckled, amused with the idea of breaking up a bar fight.
"No, I have never trained or acted as a guard, my abilities lie within the assassination area. My Father trained me to be a weapon of silent death, though I do know when and when not to kill." Fayane listened to snatches of conversation, amused when such snatches proved Alina correct. Besides the occasional barfight and outbreak in pickpocketing, Marn was fairly peaceful. Fayane wondered about how the guards made their rounds, and how they picked their round schedualing.
"Miss Drey? I am curious as to know how the guard distributes the round schedualing and how one makes their rounds?"
"No, I have never trained or acted as a guard, my abilities lie within the assassination area. My Father trained me to be a weapon of silent death, though I do know when and when not to kill." Fayane listened to snatches of conversation, amused when such snatches proved Alina correct. Besides the occasional barfight and outbreak in pickpocketing, Marn was fairly peaceful. Fayane wondered about how the guards made their rounds, and how they picked their round schedualing.
"Miss Drey? I am curious as to know how the guard distributes the round schedualing and how one makes their rounds?"
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Alina froze for half a moment, then forced herself to keep walking. "I see." An assassin? Seriously? Perhaps approaching this woman had been a mistake. "As a trainee you'd be paired with a real guardsmen for awhile; I won't lie to you, newbies get the worst beats." Followed by low-rankers like her who clearly weren't competent enough for promotion if they kept bringing stray assassins home. "Here we go." Giving a nod to the guardsman lurking outside the tower, Alina led Fayane inside. "Welcome to the building that's going to be like home to you, assuming you succeed."
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Fayane looked around at the stone building, missing none of the cracks and hidey-holes within it. She hadn't missed Alina's hesitation, perhaps she had scared Miss Drey? The thought saddened Fayane, she'd only meant to keep up a comfortable conversation.
"It is a pleasent enough place... Miss Drey, have I made you nervous? I apologize if I have, I was merely stating my level of training..." Fayane murmured, smiling a small smiled apologetically.
"It is a pleasent enough place... Miss Drey, have I made you nervous? I apologize if I have, I was merely stating my level of training..." Fayane murmured, smiling a small smiled apologetically.
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
"Not at all, I'm fine," Alina sighed, entering the building. She waved to a couple of people they passed. "Let me show you old Staleheart's office."
When they reached the office, she braced herself against emotional interference. She'd touched the damn thing enough times to know what it would feel like.
She rapped once, twice, three times... and fear and apprehension rolled over her as her knuckled made contact with wood. With a practised breath, she buried the feelings immediately.
"What is it?"
She pushed open the door, clenching her teeth against fresh waves of emotion. "A potential recruit wants to see you."
"Is that so?" His trademark grim grin set into place as Alina turned to leave. "Good luck, then," she said to Fayane. "I gotta get back to my beat."
When they reached the office, she braced herself against emotional interference. She'd touched the damn thing enough times to know what it would feel like.
She rapped once, twice, three times... and fear and apprehension rolled over her as her knuckled made contact with wood. With a practised breath, she buried the feelings immediately.
"What is it?"
She pushed open the door, clenching her teeth against fresh waves of emotion. "A potential recruit wants to see you."
"Is that so?" His trademark grim grin set into place as Alina turned to leave. "Good luck, then," she said to Fayane. "I gotta get back to my beat."
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
Fayane nodded politely to the Alina as she left, still curious about her reactions to touching things. Turning to Staleheart she took in the scarred officer before her. She wasn't overly intimidated by him, however the glassy eye did unnerve her. Swallowing back any emotion she may have been feeling Fayane greeted the man who was now, hopefully, her superior.
"Hello, my name is Fayane Tyme." Staleheart eyed her, taking in the tiny woman before him.
"What the hell do you want." Fayane blinked and her father stared back at her before she blinked again and Staleheart was back in place, glaring at her.
"Did you hear me woman?" "Yes sir, forgive me. I wish to join the guard as Alina mentioned." The man snorted and flapped his hand dismissively.
"Guardsmen and women bring me people who think they have what it takes to be a guard... why are you any different?" Fayane's voice was emotionless as she replied.
"Sir I have been trained since I was ten years of age to become an assassin to avenge my mother's death. I am highly competent in battle, sir." Staleheart laughed and laughed.
"You? You're tiny! You don't look like you could swat a fly without remorse." "Please sir, allow me to prove myself." The recruitment officer sighed before standing, his 6'7" bulk towering over her.
"Fine - follow me." Fayane nodded and followed the man silently while contemplating her situation. Staleheart obviously underestimated her, something she could use to her advantage. He was also older and had quite a few scars, yet another advantage. However... Fayane eyed the bastard sword on his back; that wasn't to her advantage. If he could carry that sword like it was made of parchment, then he obviously wasn't someone who was accustomed to sitting behind a desk. They turned a corner and Fayane caught the looks of sympathy that followed her. Sympathy? This surely could not bode well...
"Alright girly, let's get this strait. When we fight, you are to fight me as though you mean to kill me, got it?" "As you wish, sir." Was this man crazy? Had she not told him she was a trained assassin? Fayane tucked away her doubts and concerns about the apparently senile man and stepped out into the training grounds. As they stood facing each other people began to gather to watch curiously. Few women came in, and even fewer had the chance to fight Staleheart. What made this girl so special?
"Come at me." Staleheart commanded suddenly. Fayane obeyed without thought or hesitation. Her twin blades flashed into her hands. She slashed only to be blocked with Hawkseye. She moved before he could swing the blade and slashed again, her blades connecting with his own, causing a shrill ring to cut the silence. She dances away, her eyes keen and sharp. No blindspot... wait his left side. Fayane feinted at his right arm only to slash at his left, her blades cutting chinks out of his armor, though not at a price. Fayane went flying as Staleheart's arm met her side, breathe but only a thought as she landed on her back with a grunt. Hearing a clack of armor heading to her at a fast pace Fayane rolled and pushed herself onto her feet just in time to block a bone-shuddering blow. Skipping back a couple steps Fayane blinked to clear her sight, ignoring the blood rushing through her head. Again she dodged to the side when Staleheart swung Hawseye and moved in for the kill. Bringing her knee up she bashed it up against his stomach armor, knocking the air out of his lungs before bringing her elbow down against the back of his neck. The recruitment officer was on his stomach and rolling over when Fayane pinned him, her blade pressing against his neck. The training yard was dead silent for but a second until there was a clatter when Staleheart flipped the two of them over, forcing Fayane to flip out of the way of another more deadly blow.
"You're not half bad girly... now let's fight now that the game's over." Faya's eyes widened, he was just toying with her? Her eyes narrowed. That was not acceptable. Ignoring the voice in the back of her head Fayane flashed across the battleground, now deadly. Stoping suddenly she swung up her leg to kick Staleheart in the head only to hit his arm. Swinging around and ducking to avoid Hawkseye as it whistled above her Faya slashed at Staleheart's knees, her blades cutting the flesh exposed. Moving quickly she spun and straitened, her blades blocking Hawkseye's path to her shoulder, though not the kick that bruised her already sore ribs. Once more she was soaring, this time she couldn't hold back the grunt. Flipping she landed on her forearms, rolling to avoid the downward slice. Bracing herself on her forearms she kicked the officer in the back of the knees as hard as she could, satisfied when she heard the pop of the joint being dislocated. Half rolling half flipping Fayane moved and pinned Staleheart once more, her blades both poised to kill.
"Nice job... you'll need to work on your hand-to hand combat... but you're not half bad." Fayane nodded her thanks.
"Now get off me so I can fix my knee you woman." Complying Fayane shifted and grabbed his knee. Ignoring his snarl she snapped the joint back in place with the ease of long practice. Staleheart snarled once more but bit off the curses.
"All right, since you're so damn helpful, get me off my ass and back into my office, we've got some talking to do."
"Hello, my name is Fayane Tyme." Staleheart eyed her, taking in the tiny woman before him.
"What the hell do you want." Fayane blinked and her father stared back at her before she blinked again and Staleheart was back in place, glaring at her.
"Did you hear me woman?" "Yes sir, forgive me. I wish to join the guard as Alina mentioned." The man snorted and flapped his hand dismissively.
"Guardsmen and women bring me people who think they have what it takes to be a guard... why are you any different?" Fayane's voice was emotionless as she replied.
"Sir I have been trained since I was ten years of age to become an assassin to avenge my mother's death. I am highly competent in battle, sir." Staleheart laughed and laughed.
"You? You're tiny! You don't look like you could swat a fly without remorse." "Please sir, allow me to prove myself." The recruitment officer sighed before standing, his 6'7" bulk towering over her.
"Fine - follow me." Fayane nodded and followed the man silently while contemplating her situation. Staleheart obviously underestimated her, something she could use to her advantage. He was also older and had quite a few scars, yet another advantage. However... Fayane eyed the bastard sword on his back; that wasn't to her advantage. If he could carry that sword like it was made of parchment, then he obviously wasn't someone who was accustomed to sitting behind a desk. They turned a corner and Fayane caught the looks of sympathy that followed her. Sympathy? This surely could not bode well...
"Alright girly, let's get this strait. When we fight, you are to fight me as though you mean to kill me, got it?" "As you wish, sir." Was this man crazy? Had she not told him she was a trained assassin? Fayane tucked away her doubts and concerns about the apparently senile man and stepped out into the training grounds. As they stood facing each other people began to gather to watch curiously. Few women came in, and even fewer had the chance to fight Staleheart. What made this girl so special?
"Come at me." Staleheart commanded suddenly. Fayane obeyed without thought or hesitation. Her twin blades flashed into her hands. She slashed only to be blocked with Hawkseye. She moved before he could swing the blade and slashed again, her blades connecting with his own, causing a shrill ring to cut the silence. She dances away, her eyes keen and sharp. No blindspot... wait his left side. Fayane feinted at his right arm only to slash at his left, her blades cutting chinks out of his armor, though not at a price. Fayane went flying as Staleheart's arm met her side, breathe but only a thought as she landed on her back with a grunt. Hearing a clack of armor heading to her at a fast pace Fayane rolled and pushed herself onto her feet just in time to block a bone-shuddering blow. Skipping back a couple steps Fayane blinked to clear her sight, ignoring the blood rushing through her head. Again she dodged to the side when Staleheart swung Hawseye and moved in for the kill. Bringing her knee up she bashed it up against his stomach armor, knocking the air out of his lungs before bringing her elbow down against the back of his neck. The recruitment officer was on his stomach and rolling over when Fayane pinned him, her blade pressing against his neck. The training yard was dead silent for but a second until there was a clatter when Staleheart flipped the two of them over, forcing Fayane to flip out of the way of another more deadly blow.
"You're not half bad girly... now let's fight now that the game's over." Faya's eyes widened, he was just toying with her? Her eyes narrowed. That was not acceptable. Ignoring the voice in the back of her head Fayane flashed across the battleground, now deadly. Stoping suddenly she swung up her leg to kick Staleheart in the head only to hit his arm. Swinging around and ducking to avoid Hawkseye as it whistled above her Faya slashed at Staleheart's knees, her blades cutting the flesh exposed. Moving quickly she spun and straitened, her blades blocking Hawkseye's path to her shoulder, though not the kick that bruised her already sore ribs. Once more she was soaring, this time she couldn't hold back the grunt. Flipping she landed on her forearms, rolling to avoid the downward slice. Bracing herself on her forearms she kicked the officer in the back of the knees as hard as she could, satisfied when she heard the pop of the joint being dislocated. Half rolling half flipping Fayane moved and pinned Staleheart once more, her blades both poised to kill.
"Nice job... you'll need to work on your hand-to hand combat... but you're not half bad." Fayane nodded her thanks.
"Now get off me so I can fix my knee you woman." Complying Fayane shifted and grabbed his knee. Ignoring his snarl she snapped the joint back in place with the ease of long practice. Staleheart snarled once more but bit off the curses.
"All right, since you're so damn helpful, get me off my ass and back into my office, we've got some talking to do."
Re: And so the Fox met the Guard
And talk they did, Fayane recalls the next morning as she dons the standard issue armor that she was required to wear during training. Well, rather, Fayane listened and Staleheart ranted. It ended up that Staleheart approved of her abilities as a fighter - but that wasn't what the guard was all about. So now she's being sent to psyche and hand-to-hand training, something that would last another couple weeks...
...and last it did, for what seemed almost like an eternity to Fayane. Two months later Fayane walked from the training room with the training that would allow her to roam the streets behind another, more highly ranked, guard...
...It didn't take long for Fayane to realize that Alina had proven herself to be unbelievably right. The newbies got the worst 'beats'. She was woken at the oddest hours, walked the longest streets and delt with the stupidest situations. Must the guard REALLY be called in because a man insists that his wife must be punished for cheating? Fayane walked slowly back to her bunker, exhausted and less than impressed with the society that she had pledged to keep safe. Who'd think they'd be such a glutton for stupidity....
...It took another couple of weeks but Fayane now worked her own routes, something she was grateful for. No more following around a male guard who was hinting at more than she was willing to give, if you know what I mean. Though she was more open to people now, Fayane still kept to herself in fear of being hurt. She'd spot the occasional male about her age while on a beat but never found herself interested. Ahhh her age. Fayane dodged another citizen as she contemplated her current situation. Considered to be one of the younger guards Fayane was never taken seriously. Staleheart, who respected her to a degree, had suggested she pick fights with some of the older ones, but she simply didn't want to hurt them. They'd need to make rounds, and making rounds in agony wasn't ideal. Stopping to break up a small squabble between two children and send them on their way Fayane didn't notice the messenger until he was right behind her.
"Guard Fayane Tyme?" Fayane stiffened and turned to the messenger. "Yes?" "Staleheart says to get to his office now." Fayane nodded. "He has an assignment for you."
...and last it did, for what seemed almost like an eternity to Fayane. Two months later Fayane walked from the training room with the training that would allow her to roam the streets behind another, more highly ranked, guard...
...It didn't take long for Fayane to realize that Alina had proven herself to be unbelievably right. The newbies got the worst 'beats'. She was woken at the oddest hours, walked the longest streets and delt with the stupidest situations. Must the guard REALLY be called in because a man insists that his wife must be punished for cheating? Fayane walked slowly back to her bunker, exhausted and less than impressed with the society that she had pledged to keep safe. Who'd think they'd be such a glutton for stupidity....
...It took another couple of weeks but Fayane now worked her own routes, something she was grateful for. No more following around a male guard who was hinting at more than she was willing to give, if you know what I mean. Though she was more open to people now, Fayane still kept to herself in fear of being hurt. She'd spot the occasional male about her age while on a beat but never found herself interested. Ahhh her age. Fayane dodged another citizen as she contemplated her current situation. Considered to be one of the younger guards Fayane was never taken seriously. Staleheart, who respected her to a degree, had suggested she pick fights with some of the older ones, but she simply didn't want to hurt them. They'd need to make rounds, and making rounds in agony wasn't ideal. Stopping to break up a small squabble between two children and send them on their way Fayane didn't notice the messenger until he was right behind her.
"Guard Fayane Tyme?" Fayane stiffened and turned to the messenger. "Yes?" "Staleheart says to get to his office now." Fayane nodded. "He has an assignment for you."