#HFITR Chapter 1-2

[incotheghost]

Have Faith in The Rot

Chapter 1, part 2

“Sir.” Fariss responded, sounding yet more unsure. A thousand thoughts were racing through his head, as the two went out to the courtyard.

The air bit at their ears, as they walked through the outpost. The nights were getting colder and colder, Even with winter far away. A sign of the dark times the world was witnessing. 

“So, Fariss, tell me,” Captain Hollander began, in an unusually informal tone, “You grew up in Aremdil, far out in the countryside to the north. What was it like there?”

Fariss stumbled over the captain’s now-friendly attitude, but a sparkle grew in his eyes. 

“Well, sir, I..,” Fariss began, taking a moment to collect his thoughts, “..it was incredible, captain. Absolutely beautiful!”

Not noticing the captain cracking a smile, Fariss continued.

“I lived in a small wooden cottage, with my ma and pa and siblings. in the reaches of the forest. And this forest, captain, the greenes, lushest trees. We had a small farm, with our own livestock. And crops too!”

Fariss was beaming as he spoke of his home life. All the wonders of the north. Captain Hollander listened to every single word and took them in. Fariss went on, about hunting with his father, sparring with his brother and sister. Living the hard, but perfect life.

“Tell me, then,” Captain Hollander laid a hand on Fariss’ shoulder, “If life at home was so good, why did you decide to leave and join the order?”

Fariss’ expression sank a little, his posture breaking slightly. “Well, sir, you see… We lived very secluded, and tended to ourselves. So we had very little money. So when pa got sick, we had to find a way to afford his treatment.”

He looked up at the captain. The stinging cold wind forced him to narrow his eyes.

“I went into town to see if I could be of help anywhere, and I saw one of your men. I thought to myself ‘I know how to use a sword,’” Fariss quipped, in a mocking tone, “And I went to ask for a recruitment officer. One thing led to another, and now I am here.”

“A noble cause,” Captain Hollander answered, in his most orderly tone, “And speaking of here, we’re at the armory, see?”

Fariss looked up with awe at the giant building in front of him. Misshapen and battered, like it was carved from a piece of a mountain. More exhaust pipes littered on the sides, than there were trees by Fariss’ home. Even through the meter-thick walls, the two could hear the banging of metal inside. Was this all really just for an encampment? How does the forge look in the capital? Fariss wondered.

Entering the forge, the change from the cold wind to the heat of the furnace, almost knocked the two off their feet. Both taking a step back and cursing at the sudden change. They could almost see the redness in the air itself, from the heat. The sizzling of hot metal and banging of hammers filled the room. Fariss struggled to keep his bearings, but followed close by as the captain approached the counter. Leaning on what could only be described as a battered and rusted iron block, the captain hailed the forge master to the counter.

Forge master Jones was up in his years, nobody could deny that, but he was yet revered for his smithing skills. Having seen his part of life, and being left scarred and with just one eye remaining, Jones always brought an attitude to the table, yet he was loyal as long as the sun shined.

“Jones! Can we borrow you for a moment?” the captain bellowed. Within moments the forge master had put the entire forge on pause. It was only him at work, after all. 

The forge master looked at Captain Hollander, adjusting his clearly custom made goggles and apron, “Evening captain! What can I do for you sir?”

“Evening Jones! Good to see you in your ever shining mood.” Captain Hollander responded, sharing a salute with the forge master. “We are here to pick up some equipment for our new recruit here.”

“A new recruit? You look no more than a page to me, kid. What’s your name?” Jones said with a sharp tone.

“Uhh… recruit Fariss Jute, sir.” Fariss responded, shrinking under the forge master’s gaze.

“Jute? An odd name, where’d you get that? You the wound-up type?” Jones cocked an eyebrow above his missing eye.

“Both of uh… my grandmothers were famous local seamstresses. And had a shared love for the coarseness of jute. When my ma and pa took the oath of entwinement, they took the last name Jute, in their parents’ honor.” Realizing that the forge master was already tired of the story, Fariss paced a few steps backwards, slowly.

Jones turned to Captain Hollander, scoffing that Fariss did not catch his joke: “Does he always talk this much?”

“I would not know, he only just arrived today, but he tells great stories. Reminds me of home.” the captain responded with a low hearty laugh.

“Only just arrived… Ohh, he’s that recruit. Oh poor boy,” the forge master shook his head as he turned again to Fariss, “I have your equipment right here. Sword… scabbard… shield with strap… oh and special issue for you, an engraved shortbow.”

“Tha-” Fariss got interrupted by the forge master, rummaging in a new box. 

“Shut it, I’m not done yet.” The forgemaster held his hand up, “Let’s see here… Oh by the light, I know this armor. Take it off my hands please.”

Jones placed a grand cuirass of golden and blue colours on the counter, and a matching pair of pauldrons. Each shoulder in the shape of an eagle’s head. A flurry of blue feathers crowning the eagle. 

Fariss took a closer look at the cuirass. There was an indentation on the right side of the chest, with two pierced holes in the middle. Fitting to where the medal had been on the recruiter’s armor. “Do all paladins get a medal with a designated sigil?” Fariss thought.

Fariss snapped out of his head and began picking each piece up carefully, stashing where he was taught. Sword on the side. Shield on the back. Bow over the right shoulder.

“Why was he issued a bow?” Captain Hollander asked with confusion.

“I don’t know, sir, bows are usually exclusive to the front line paladins.” Jones shrugged.

“Interesting,” the captain grumbled, holding his chin, “Well, that is of little concern now. Thank you Jones, good evening!”

“You too, sir!” Jones shouted as he returned to the blazing forge.

Captain Hollander ushered Fariss outside, and directed him towards the library. Fariss looked dumbfounded by all that just happened as they walked along.