What It Takes

Isadora Dawn Skye


Maxwell Lucian Albert


Eleanor Rosemarie Collins


Benjamin Arthur McDaniel

The Kingdom of Aethalia had just crowned a new King, and therefore needed additional men for the prestigious Kingsguard. The head of the knights had decided to open up training for the order to non-nobilith as well, but those who wanted to qualify for training were required to best a knight in combat first. This feat had only been accomplished once so far, by Eleanor Rosemarie Collins, although because women were not allowed to be knights, she had disguised herself as Ellis Collins, having cut her hair shorter and bound her breasts to give her the appearance of a man.

Today was her first day of training, having spent the past few days since her victory getting settled into the training camp, glad for a warm meal and decent night's rest after traveling quite far from her village near the border.

----

Sir Maxwell Albert was one of the kingdom's best fighters, a skilled knight who was working his way up the ladder, set to be head of the Kingsguard or a General one day. In the meantime, however, he was set to be training new recruits for the knight program, to determine whether or not they had the skill necessary to be a knight.

Today he stood in front of the new recruits while his head of command lectured the new recruits about the program, eyes scanning the crowd to try to get a sense of who might have potential.

@ FlyAway;

@ Another.Chance
Benjamin crossed his arms over his chest watching the men at the training camp. He had noticed one new recruit beating most of the others in combat and just nodded his head having his armor on at the moment. He just walked away knowing he had to some of his own training. He was overseeing the training starting the following day and wouldn't have much time for his own training. He was working his way up the ladder one day at a time, and knew that helping new recruits gave him a fighting chance. He ran a hand throughout his red hair knowing that very few people had the same color hair as he did.

He made his way back to the barracks after training, sweat pouring down his face from how hot the day had gotten. He sat down, grabbing some ale and swallowing it. He then started to eat his stew, eating by himself since everyone else was too afraid to do so. He knew he had a reputation of being a hard ass as well as being one of the best fighter's in the kingdom.

Isadora was afraid to be found out but knew that there was no other path for her other than fighting in combat. She was small and stood at only five foot and knew others made fun of her height. She had bound her breasts for the day, making sure her hair was okay. She had feminine features, but was sure that other boys did as well. She grabbed her clothes slipping them on ignoring all the bruises that had begun to show from training.

She had changed her name to Isidore, or Izzy for short. She stood at attention listening to the head of command speak ignoring the snide comments from the other men. She glanced at them sideways, her glare saying all that her mouth wanted to, but could not. She ignored them clasping her hands together behind her back as she listened intently. She had just arrived from her small village glad that she had this chance. She was not going to screw it up by getting hotheaded over a couple of assholes who knew nothing about her. She'd get them back during training. A small smile filled her lips as she thought about it. She dropped it knowing she shouldn't be smiling.

Eleanor spent her day training hard, managing to beat a few of the new recruits when they had challenged her and made fun of her, not speaking a single word the entire day, despite all the attention she was receiving because of how small she was.

Once she was finished training for the day she headed to the mess tent, grabbing her bowl of stew and cup of water before moving through the crowd, settling down at the opposite end of the table to Benjamin, despite knowing how tough he could be. However the other recruits had blocked her from sitting at any other table, leaving her with no choice but to sit there with him, digging into her stew quietly as she kept her head down, not wanting to draw attention to herself.

---

Maxwell's eyes landed on Isidore, noticing the other men's quiet remarks. Without disturbing his head of command he stepped forward, moving through the rows of recruits, as if inspecting them. However, once he reached the men taunting Isidore he smacked the back of their heads, hard, glaring at them.

"Your commander is addressing you. It would be wise of you to listen." he growled, frowning before moving back to stand next to his commander.

@ FlyAway;

@ Another.Chance
(Oh shit! I'm sorry! I didn't get an alert and thought you hadn't responded!)

Benjamin glanced up seeing Ellis sit across the table from him a little ways down. He was surprised. He looked around seeing people laughing and sighed shaking his head. He watched the boy for a minute before scooting down to where he was across from him.

"Look, I know you've been having trouble with everyone else. All I can say, as your commander, is to do your best. Soon enough they'll get the idea and respect you." He told him knowing he rarely spoke to anyone, but he felt bad for the lad. He knew he was small for his age and knew he'd most likely stay that way. He watched him for a minute before eating his stew again.

Isadora almost snorted hearing Maxwell smack the guys' heads so hard everyone turned their heads a little. She wanted to laugh so hard at them getting scolded. Instead, she faced froward keeping her wits about herself. She knew better than to laugh, or else she'd probably get the same.

She stood almost a whole foot shorter than Maxwell. She glanced at him with grateful eyes before turning back giving her full attention to the commander. After he said break and get into training partners, she was paired with a large person. She moved swiftly around the person attacking until she had won against her opponent. She held her hand out to help him up gasping when she was pulled down into the mud. She sighed hearing laughing all around her.

@ FlyAway;

Eleanor glanced up from her stew when he scooted down and began to speak to her, the laughter and jokes in her direction disappearing when they saw Benjamin speaking to her. She nodded a little at his advice, greatful for it, mumbling a quiet "Thank you, Sir." Before she returned to eating her stew.

After her meal was finished the recruits were paired up with each other for sparing, being allowed to choose any weapon they wanted. Most went for heavy broadswords and axes, but Eleanor chose a lightweight shield and short spear, and once the commander told the recruits to begin their sparing, she was the first one to defeat her opponent, moving quickly and using her small size to her advantage, defeating him easily.

---

Maxwell watched Isidore fight, noting that he was quite good despite his size, speaking to the commander quietly about his potential, although he frowned when he was pulled into the mud after his gesture of sportsmanship. He made his way over to them quickly, placing his boot on the other man's chest as he glared down at him. "We don't make enemies of our fellow soldiers, recruit. In battle, you want any man you can fighting on your side, and you're on the fast track to making enemies of people who are smarter and better fighters than you. 10 laps around the camp." He ordered, removing his boot so the recruit could scurry away, offering a hand to Isidore to help him up.

@ Another.Chance
Benjamin watched him and gave a slightly nod. "You're welcome." He replied noting everyone silencing from him speaking to Ellis. He stood up finishing his stew and handing his dishes to a maid thanking her. He headed out to the field to get everything ready for after lunch.

He walked around the fields as they trained. He noted how fast Ellis finished up training and nodded his head lightly seeing the potential. Once everyone had a winner amongst the pairs. "Winners, pair off again." He said noting everyone had a partner. He continued to watch noting again that Ellis had a small weapon and a small shield to accomodate for his size. "Smart." he murmrued to himself rubbing at his stubble.

Isadora stood up from the mud brushing herself off with a huff. She was surprised to see Maxwell step on her opponents chest and speak to him and just blinked before watching him and said, "Thank you sir. For now and earlier." She gave a nod of her head and sighed noticing how much mud was on her. She knew she'd have to wash off later and would need to wash away from everyone else. She had a small sword in her grasp and a few throwing daggers. She didn't need much else.

@ FlyAway;

Eleanor nodded a little at the order, pairing off and defeating her new partner once more, although not as quickly. As she worked her way through the drill, her partners getting harder and harder, until it was down to the final two, her and much larger man, who held a mace tightly in one hand, smirk on his face. He was faster than her other opponents, and managed to land a few blows which she blocked with her shield, but in the end she knocked him off his feet, kicking the mace away and pointing the tip of her spear at his neck, sweat dripping down her brow.

---

Maxwell nodded, noting the choice of weapons with interest. "A soldier must look out for his fellow soldiers." Was all he said before moving on, watching the other men spar.

@ Another.Chance
Benjamin watched them intently a look of interest crossing his features. He watched until Ellis was the final person standing. He gave a nod of his head and said, "Training dismissed. Nice work, Collins and Langston." He told the last two before heading toward the exit figuring they knew how to put the weapons away. He headed towards his quarters to write his report of how the day had gone.

Isadora watched him listening to his words and gave a nod to him. She dipped her head before training some more. After it was dismissed she waited before getting a dummy out and beginning to train even more the sweat dripping down her forehhead and around her brow as well as down her cheeks. She didn't care -- she just wanted to get better. WHen she had rubbed her hands raw, she finished up and headed for the showers.

@ FlyAway;

Eleanor nodded a little at his compliment, mumbling a soft "Thank you, Sir" before putting her spear and shield away, deciding to go for a run while she waited for the other recruits to bathe and eat, figuring she could eat a cold bowl of stew and bathe once everyone had gone to sleep for the evening.

She returned after about an hour, picking up her cold bowl of soup and scarfing it down on her way to the bath, making sure no one was inside before securing the door and stripping out of her dirty clothes, setting her towel and her clean pair down on a stool before she slipped into the warm bath, sighing contently as she relaxed into the water.

----

Maxwell spent his evening writing reports and discussing the recruits with his commander, eating dinner in his tent so he could keep working before deciding to head to the showers, preferring to bathe in the evening after a long days work.

@ Another.Chance
Benjamin simply nodded. He finished up his reports after a few minutes before beginning his own training. He trained in the yard making sure his swings were elegant and easy. He finished up having sweat dripping down his body. He stretched a little before heading towards the showers.

He made it there and ducked his head as he did so feeling the water fall down his back and neck. He sighed happily washing his body. He heard clatter raising his head looking around with a frown wondering what was moving in the room. "Hello?" He called out.

Isadora stopped by to eat her stew thanking the maid and saw them blushing and just walked away awkwardly not knowing what to do. She knew it would never work -- for obvious reasons and she didn't want to carry on something just for show.

She sighed finishing up her food, beginning to go to the showers. She took off her armor and clothes before unbinding her breasts wincing a little. She stepped into the shower leaning against the wall as she did so enjoying the feeling of the water running down her body. She let it fall on her face washing her face with a rag as well as her body.

@ Joker;

Eleanor had been washing her hair and scrubbing the dirt and sweat off her body with a washcloth when she heard Benjamin call out, although she had submerged herself fully under the water in the tub when he had spoken, so she hadn't heard him. She hummed softly as she cleaned herself, pushing wet strands of hair from her eyes as she inspected a few small cuts and bruises.

---

Maxwell entered the showers, heading toward the bath tubs, although he paused when he heard someone bathing, already half undressed. "Hello? Who's there?" He called, setting his things down.

Benjamin was beginning to get suspicious. He shrugged not hearing anything before getting a bucket full of water and started to wash himself. He heard humming and frowned standing up wrapping a towel around his waist. "Who's there!?" He demanded beginning to walk around to find the suspect. He didn't understand how he was hearing things. Maybe some of the children in the village had broken into the building to use it's accomodies.

Isadora sighed softly leaning against the wall pouring the water over her head. Upon hearing Maxwell's voice, she gasped before grabbing her things still drenched and hurried into a corner where she wouldn't be found. She covered her mouth so he wouldn't hear her breathing as she quickly got dressed. She finished dressing quickly and sloppily binding her breasts before appearing into view. "Oh. Hi." She said gruffly deepening her voice.

@ Another.Chance

@ Joker;

Eleanor gasped when she heard Benjamin, quickly rinsing herself off before climbing out of the tub and grabbing her things, looking for a place to hide and get dressed. Unfortunately for her she tripped and fell over a bucket of water someone and left out, tumbling to the floor with a shriek.

---

Maxwell frowned as she stepped out. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't the trainees be asleep already?" He asked, moving back to his things to begin undressing again.

Benjamin frowned looking around before hearing a shriek. It echoed around the bath room. He stopped for a second before he looked around to find the source moving. He found her on the ground and blinked. "Uh, are you alright?" He asked not knowing it as a woman since they were on the ground.

Isadora shrugged lightly. "I trained late, so.." She trailed off as he started to undress again, unable to help her face turning a slight shade of pink. "Uh, goodnight." She mumbled quickly before turnning to leave hoping he let her since, she didn't want him to see her face. She really didn't know why he was in there so late, but figured it was none of her business.

@ Another.Chance

@ Joker;

Eleanor tensed when she heard Benjamin behind her, quickly grabbing her clothes and towel, doing her best to wrap it around herself without giving away that she was a woman. "U-Uh.. Y-Yes, I'm fine.." She mumbled softly, inspecting the large scrape on her knees and the smaller ones on her hands which she had received when she fell.

---

Maxwell frowned a little in confusion at the blush and him hurrying off, but shook his head, figuring the man just wasn't used to being around other people when bathing. He took his time in the bath before heading back to his tent for the night, settling into his cot and falling asleep soon after his head hit the pillow.

Benjamin raised an eyebrow before seeing him turn around to see it was Ellis. "Oh, what happened?" He asked confused, his own towel sitting loose at his hips and further down than was probably comfortable for her. He shrugged lightly, "Why are you up so late? The other recruits are alraedy asleep." He pointed out crossing his arms over his large chest.

Isadora avoided his eyes not wanting to look into them. She avoided looking at him altogether. She waved goodbye before quickly leaving. She stopped leaning against the wall of another building taking deep breaths knowing that she would have to be far more careful otherwsie she would be killed. She bit down on her lip harshly before blushing again images of his body coming to mind. "Stop" She hissed to herself before heading to bed hoping he didn't mention it the next day.

@ Another.Chance