Reshaping the Guard (Open)

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Garza's brow was knitted in genuine rage as he marched into the training area, where he had assembled every member of the guard that had been on duty the day that Roland's office had been broken into...and the Captain himself gravely wounded. The guards themselves looked extremely nervous; the War Dog, as they called him, was not known for his patience...or his forgiveness on screw ups. And he was there to address exactly that. He began pacing each row of soldiers, getting very close into their personal space as he passed only inches in front of each one of them. When he spoke, his voice carried, yelling to be heard...and the tone of anger was very clear in his voice.



"The other day, two thieves broke into Captain Roland's office. They stole an item from his desk, and assaulted myself and Captain Roland. I walked away with THIS" Garza took the opportunity to point to a bandage on his face, where he had narrowly avoided being impaled by a spear tip. "I was the lucky one. Captain Roland was stabbed in the back and poisened! Although he will live, the blame falls on the guard. It is clear to me that you maggots needs more discipline! I WILL NOT TOLERATE any slacking off; it will be seen as insubordination!" Garza paused and looked out out the sea of faces. Most of them were filled with shame and guilt. Some were rolling there eyes. He walked up to one such individual and glared at him intensely. "Those on guard duty, report to ME. Henceforth, until Roland returns to active duty, you are MINE. You will respond to ever command with a 'Yes Sir!'. If I asked you to jump, you ask 'How high?' IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?!"



Garza nodded when he heard a resounding "Yes Sir" from all the guards. He waived them off and sighed, his hands burrowing into his temples as he rubbed them in an attempt to alleviate his headache. He remembered when the guard wasn't so slack, and when it was nearly impossible for two intruders to just waltz in and do what they wanted. It mad him sick.

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Lilith had heard that the Guard was to be assembled, and even though she was technically not in the same section as those on duty, she decided it would be best to show up regardless. When she got there everyone was lined up, and there was a man — who she recognized as Garza — making his opinion clear on what had happened the other day to Captain Walker. Lilith hadn’t worked with Garza much since joining the Mage Guard, as she was focused on healing people, and being tutored by Sir Jeon in earth magic, but she knew well who he was by now.

Lilith flinched when he yelled more at the end, but remained where she was for a moment longer, a small distance away from the general group. When things seemed to calm down, Lilith hesitantly made her way over to Garza, but stayed a few feet away, just out of her own anxiety. She cleared her throat lightly. Um, Sir? I um… I thought I should let you know that I’ve healed what I was able to for Captain Walker. He insisted that I not heal him entirely, but he let me get a decent amount done. You know how he is… She had trouble maintaining eye contact while she spoke, but aside from shifting nervously, she made it through her speech fairly well… For Lilith anyway.

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Garza turned at the voice and saw Lilith. He had not had much opportunity to speak with her; he knew she was a healer. That meant their paths weren't designated to cross much. He stopped rubbing his temples and turned to her. He actually had to look down at her to make eye contact, his large frame of over six feet towering over her. He listened to what she said about Roland and sighed in relief. He knew in a way that he would be OK. His scowl returned however when she told him about not being healed the whole way. He owed that lazy layabout a punch in the jaw once he got better. For now, however, he was just glad his superior hadn't been carted off in a wooden casket.

"Yes, I know how he can be. Stubborn mule that he is. But the fact that he will live is solace enough for me."


As he spoke, Garza realized Lilith wasn't supposed to be at the meeting. He had gotten the memo before about her assignment as a healer and assistant...and her training in earth magic. The meant her assignment was not meant to do the grunt work of the soldiers that he oversaw. He looked a bit sheepish as he spoke.


"Apologies for the yelling, Miss Lilith. That was not directed at you. I simply have to run a tight ship for those on duty. You are not to blame."

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Lilith nodded when he said that Roland was stubborn. Lilith was still getting to know him, and already she knew that much. Stubborn, quiet, and serious. Those were the three words that came to mind anytime someone asked her what he was like. She had to look up at the man while she spoke, but that much she was used to. 5’6” was not entirely short, but compared to a lot of people, her race as an Elf, really kicked in sometimes. I agree, so long as he lives, I can agree to not heal him entirely. I’m not sure if it was out of pride, or if he was worried I’d over work myself… Lilith blushed, then rushed to explain what she meant. When I met Captain Walker, it was at the school. I had overused my channels, and nearly lost my magic entirely. I had never been taught how to probably channel my magic, and could have killed myself had I proceeded to do as I had been. He taught me how, but it’s a process, and I’m still working on it. Doing to much magic at one time can still really drain me… But it’s gotten better! She shifted on her feet and clasped her hands in front of her nervously. Explaining that situation always made her nervous, as she worried some may believe she was not fit to be on the guard when she was still so weak.

When he apologized to her, she raised her hands, shaking her head. Oh no! I completely understand! I just showed up on formality, and to hear if anything new was found in the intruders. What happens with you and your men is entirely up to you. But thank you Sir. I appreciate it. She gave him a genuine smile, forgetting her anxiety for a moment at his honesty. After a moment, she cleared her throat and her lilac eyes dropped to her feet again. So.. Had anything new been found…? She didn’t know who could have broken into the castle, but she had a sinking feeling that if they were ever caught, she may know their faces.

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(dont know if this is the direct day after or two im assuming two)

Aria had already been awake and prowling around the castle, she had returned to her room’s earlier that morning to get changed into some fresh clothes. She wore her form fitting black pants, soft leather black shoes, and a sleeveless black tunic. The tunic was cinched tight around her waist while the rest was loose, by a red sash. Numerous black daggers with sapphires embedded into the hilt could be seen poking out of the sash for easy access. It was safe to assume she had other daggers hidden on her person as well. Since the woman’s arms were bare you could see the black dagger tattoo prominent on her right forearm. Bandages on her left shoulder poked out from the sleeveless fabric; indicating she was still healing from her own adventures. Her hair was tied back in a low pony tail, out from her face, back to being wavy her hair cascaded down to her lower back.

She had sauntered on down to the training grounds again to go find an escort to the library later. That and to also find some weapon polish, and use that coin Roland gave her to pick up a sword or something from the armory. She also wanted to practice with the two Chakrams she had found; which presently were in tattoo form hidden away on her back. They needed to be cleaned up, hence the weapon polish.

This blazed scar faced woman wasn’t an oddity to see around the training grounds. She had been coming here to poke Garrett from time to time, or @fox. ILTA was the person she was going to seek to forge her a new weapon. She had also helped Roland train some of his soilders to fight against mages….it was a random invite….and only occurred cause she happened to be lurking about. But none the less people knew her here. She stopped short when she noticed the large gathering….blinking when Lilith somehow managed to be a part of the group. Her delicately pointed ears twitched as she heard Rolands name and his condition mentioned a couple of times. Without much delay because eavesdropping was much more fun when you were a part of the conversation, Aria walked over, waving over at Lilith with a large lopsided grin on her face.

”LILITH! My squeaky little librarian; glad you made it out of the forest, you didn’t run into Gabby while you were there did you?...I never took him off attack orders….What are you doing here in the training grounds?”

She patted the librarian on the back, more then happy to see another familiar happy face. She turned to the other man whom she hadn’t been introduced to yet, but knew about him from the other guards. She gave a bow of her head in respect.

”Hello, I’m Aria Wurud…Also I just saw Mr. Grumpy Guard last night. He informed me my weapon was stolen from his office….. I’m seeking out Ilta to forge me a replacement. She did a wonderful job on my daggers, wouldn’t trust another to do it. Also I think since you two seem to be worried he’s doing better, his magic’s coming back slowly and is already apparently doing paper work again.”

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Garza quirked an eyebrow at Lilith when her eyes lowered to the floor. He wondered where Roland had managed to find her; she didn't seem like military material to him. Then again, he thought, his job among the guard was highly unusual. He was a man who hunted down the worst of the worst; escaped convicts, war criminals, rogue mages. He'd learned to profile people and size them up as a survival tool. He felt bad for seeing what he had almost instinctively labeled as "lacking" qualities in this young girl. Perhaps, he thought, he was just getting too old and cynical to see the world straight anymore. He did smile as he listened to her talk about her magic training. He was impressed; he himself did not know how to cast any spells, but in his line of work, he had to be familiar with spells themselves to stay alive. The fact that she had not only learned healing but earth magic already was, to him astounding. 

"Well, if there's one thing Sir Roland has an eye for, it is talent. Let me tell you this, Lilith; you have talent if you've taken to the magic that fast.  I've no doubt you will do great things for our Kingdom."


Garza's comment was cut short when Aria approached them. He noticed that she took a very familiar tone with Lilith. He had not personally met her, but he certainly knew of her reputation. His face became visibly wrinkled in exasperation...for a brief second. He caught himself and relaxed, although he was sure that someone as observant as Aria would notice. He had been against the idea of letting her roam free within the castle grounds with her reputation.. However, he had been ordered to be civil, and if nothing else, Garza was a good soldier. As far as he knew as well, she had yet to cause any direct trouble.

"Anthony Garza, Ma'm. I'm a Lieutenant, and I lead the Blood Hounds. Though I'm currently Deputy Captain until Roland returns to active duty."



Garza had caught that comment about the stolen sword. In all the commotion, he had not been aware of what had actually been taken. He made a mental note to check into it later; he found that to be an unusual item to steal.


"It's good to hear he's doing well. And I'm sure our smiths will be able to accommodate you. That said, I know what it's like to have a weapon you rely on. I've had my gauntlets for many years.

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When Garza spoke to her, Lilith couldn’t help but beam slightly. Compliments about her magic were rare, as she was always learning. She’d had her magic for as long as she could remember, relying upon it when she’d been trapped in an orphanage as a child, then again as a young adult, roaming the world on her own. As of now, it wasn’t the only thing she had anymore, which was comforting. Now she could focus on improving it slowly, rather than using it just to save herself. Thanks to Roland, she now knew that how’d she’d been using it may have killed it, and now knew how to fix it. In a way, he’d saved her life. Healing him was the least she could to. She was aware that not everyone saw her fit to be where she was now, but Garza’s comment helped her believe in herself just a little more, causing her to smile and open her mouth to thank him, though she was cut off by a familiar voice coming towards her. Her name was yelled, causing her to snap over in the direction she’d heard it, her eyes finding the red head she’d become friends with. Aria!! She turned and hugged her when she got close enough. Lilith had had no clue with the woman had been healed, or stranded. She’d heard recently of a Fated woman with a reputation roaming the castle, but as Lilith didn’t live there, she’d never found out a name. I am so happy to see you’re okay! After all the drama… She trailed off, releasing the woman, not wanting to reveal that she’d been invovled with the Gallows Incident. Well, technically, she hadn’t been, she only healed the innocents sent to the cabin by Rivers. Healing was her job, no matter the circumstances.

Lilith shook her head on the question about Gabby, not wanting to go into the details of where she’d been, just in case. Upon hearing the question of the training grounds, Lilith looked at her curiously, before coming to the realization that Aria couldn’t have known. Oh! Well, I guess you couldn’t have know, could you? I am apart of the Mage Guard now. I wanted to lend my healing magic anywhere that I could, and Captain Walker was already teaching me how to channel my magic properly, after Mr. Locke sent me to him once I’d healed Trésor… Ever since, it just made sense. So here I am… Lilith smiled meekly, turning when she did to look back at Garza. Lilith hadn’t known what had been stolen, and for a brief second it looked like neither had he.

Yes, I insisted he put it off for another day or so, and I’m fairly certain so did Avaline, but he doesn’t seem to listen. But she’s stayed close by him, just in case. What a wonderful girl. Lilith shrugged, knowing there was no convincing him otherwise. When they spoke more of weapons Lilith looked down a bit. She was not one to have many weapons, or skills like that at all. She had her small dagger hidden in her boot, but that was all, aside from her wooden carved wand she had in her sleeve. It was for her earth magic, but she’d hadn’t much practice yet, so even that was useless.

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Aria winced as the woman turned to hug her, she returned the hug back, however her shoulder was still fairly tender. She was happy to see the familiar face as well. She chuckled when she referred to the drama and scratched her head a bit in embarrassment.

”yaaaa…that was cutting it close even by my standards.”

She rubbed her shoulder, the wound having been on her left side, fairly close to her heart.

”Garrett and Roland really saved my ass.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise when Lilith said she had been put in the guard.

”Dang’it they got to you before I could! Well guard pays better; and is probably less traumatizing to be trained by. Sooooo Mr. Locke knows Mr. Grumpy Guard?”

Well that really, that wasn’t surprising, but apparently Roland knew Locke enough to actually go and train Lilith when sent. Aria turned back to Garza when he introduced himself; she gave him a small bow in a greeting. She did catch the look of exasperation, and her eyes twinkled in amusement as it melted off his face. During her imprisonment the guards took no kindness to her, really her experience while being carted to the dungeons had been rough. Thankfully the marks of the shackles around her neck, wrists, and ankles had faded and left no scars. Roland excused his men for acting out of fear, but that didn’t mean Aria would forgive that so easily. She had some face rubbing to do throughout the guard. Part of that was waltzing through the training grounds as if nothing ever happened. She had already gotten a few eye twitches and jumpy reactions.

Aria did raise an eyebrow when he referred to her as Ma’m; that made her feel old. Really when did this miraculous event occur when she stepped from girl or child to m’am or woman. Ah but alas t’was a shame her father hadn’t been around for this miraculous occasion from girlhood to woman hood in societies eyes.

”A pleasure to meet you; Aria is fine or if you prefer more formalities Miss. Wurud….I do enjoy watching people fumble over that last name….but I don’t believe Ilta is a smithy here; she’s a guard, but her talents for blades are impressive. I believe she works with Roland as well...”

Aria’s face suddenly brightened as she realized something.

”LILITH You just solved my problem, I need a guard to escort me while out of the castle; frankly I think taking out would count as a loop hole. BUT YOU WORK NONE THE LESS! I have a meeting with Aveline at the library later. She is to teach me how to be a proper lady, since it appears I’ll be in courts so long as the Princess Lucinda is here.”