Snippet #2430016

A sour frown formed across the face of Lieutenant Abreu, in stark contrast to the smile that lit up the prince's. Though he had come to expect behavior of this sort from his prince and commander, the seasoned lieutenant nonetheless could not understand his motives. If the boy was fit to be in the army, which, in the eyes of the lieutenant, was not the case, then he would very easily be able to pass the tests that they would hold in the center of the town. But the prince still chose to recruit this small, rather girlish boy. Abreu wouldn't have been surprised if the child hadn't done a day's work in his life, as fragile as he looked.

With one last glance behind him at the small company of soldiers and back at the prince and their newest edition, he sighed. Hopefully this town would have better to offer.

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Ten youths, not including Sayd, had been picked by Uxio's second in command, Abreu. It was a large town, but not by any means large enough for them to expect any more.

Uxio, at least, was satisfied. He would have been satisfied even if none of the boys who applied to recruit had been selected.

"Sir. May I ask you a question?" the voice of Abreu said to the side.

Uxio glanced at him and nodded. "Of course."

"That boy. Sayd. Why did you not have him go through the proper procedures?" Abreu said, straight and to the point.

Uxio glanced over at Sayd, who he had told to wait while the recruitment was going on. "He would have passed," he answered simply.

"How do you know?" replied the older man.

Uxio shook his head. Abreu was a logical and serious man. It made him a good commander of the troops and strategist when it came down to it, but all he saw in Sayd was a skinny, untrained boy.

"Trust me. He would have. If he's not cut out for the life of a soldier, I'll personally have him sent home."

Abreu nodded. "I will trust you on this, sir. But I won't go any easier on him than the others."

Uxio nodded and turned away as Abreu left. He hasn't expected anything less. Now, though, he made his way to Sayd.

"Sayd. We'll be leaving to make up camp for the night near the village in a few minutes," Uxio told him, all business now. "I thought I should warn you that if I or one of the others in command finds you lacking as a soldier in training, I may have to remove you from my company. This is a rule that applies to you more than any other recruits. Think of it as a price for any of the... Special treatment you may recieve."

Uxio smiled at him now. "And speaking of that, I expect to begin training immediately after the camp is set up and you receive your equipment." He paused. "Unless, of course, you would rather spend your time getting acclimated to your new lifestyle."