New Guild

Chapter 3: The Unlikely Recruit

Five months had passed since Elias had taken up the wooden sword in the quiet forest clearing, training in secret, honing his skills while the village of Fallowbrook went about its simple routines, blissfully unaware of his nightly regimen. Each day, he pushed himself harder, waking up before dawn to stretch and practice his stances, and every night he would slip away to the forest, continuing his sword training until his body felt like it would collapse.

The weak, frail boy he had been at the start of his training was gone. His muscles had grown lean and wiry, his reflexes sharp. The calluses on his hands were thick and rough, his once-pale skin now marked with small cuts and bruises that had long since healed into faint scars. But more than his physical transformation, his confidence had grown. Elias no longer felt like the weakling he had once been. Every strike he made felt purposeful, every move flowed naturally, and he had gained a small measure of pride in what he had achieved on his own.

It wasn't just the sword, either. He had taken to running through the forest, testing his endurance, his speed. He climbed trees, learned to read the land around him, to move quietly, and to use the terrain to his advantage. His body moved with a fluidity and strength he had never known before. And the villagers began to notice the change. They whispered about the young man who had been found on death's doorstep and had come back stronger, his once-plain face now holding a determination that was hard to ignore.

But Elias still trained in secret, still kept his newfound abilities to himself. He wasn't ready to reveal his skills to the world yet—not until he was sure he could stand on his own. Not until he was certain he had become someone worthy of notice.

That all changed one cold morning in early autumn.

Elias was returning from the forest after another long night of training. He was exhausted, his muscles aching, his clothes damp with sweat, but he felt good, satisfied. He had been practicing a new combination of moves, a series of swift strikes and parries, imagining himself in a real fight, and he could feel himself getting faster, more precise.

As he approached Loran's small house, he noticed something strange. A group of people had gathered outside the village square, their heads turned in the same direction. Elias's curiosity piqued, he moved closer, blending into the crowd, trying to see what had drawn everyone's attention.

At the center of the square stood a group of strangers—three of them, dressed in well-worn armor, their cloaks bearing a sigil he didn't recognize. They were not villagers, that much was clear. These people had an air of confidence and power about them, the way they stood, the way their eyes scanned the crowd. Warriors, he realized.

One of them, a tall man with a thick beard and a sharp gaze, stepped forward. "We're looking for Elias," he called out, his voice loud and commanding. "Elias of Fallowbrook."

Elias's heart skipped a beat. How did they know his name? He had been careful, kept his training secret. He felt a surge of panic, wondering if he had somehow been discovered. But no—no one had seen him. He was sure of it.

He hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I'm Elias," he said, his voice calm, though his mind was racing. "What do you want with me?"

The man's eyes locked onto his, and Elias felt a shiver run down his spine. There was a weight to the man's gaze, a sense of authority. "I am Garrick, leader of the Iron Hawk Guild," the man said. "We've heard of your skill with the sword."

Elias blinked, confused. "My skill?" he repeated. "But… I haven't—"

Garrick held up a hand, cutting him off. "You've been training in the forest, haven't you? For months now. We have eyes everywhere, boy. Don't think you can keep such things hidden forever."

Elias felt a surge of anger and fear. Had he been watched all this time? "Why do you care?" he asked, his voice harder than he intended.

Garrick smiled, a knowing smile. "Because, boy, the Iron Hawk Guild has need of someone like you. We've been searching for fresh talent, and you caught our eye. You're dedicated, disciplined, and more importantly, you're unknown. A rare combination."

Elias stared at him, trying to process the words. A guild—a powerful organization, if the stories he had heard from the villagers were true. But why would they want him? He was just an ordinary person, with no real experience in combat, no reputation.

"I don't understand," Elias said finally, his brow furrowed. "I'm no expert. I'm just… learning."

Garrick chuckled. "That's where you're wrong, lad. We've seen your movements, your progress. You may not realize it, but you've surpassed what most call basic training. Your footwork is sharp, your strikes precise. You have potential—more than you know. With our guidance, you could become a First Rate Expert, one of the best in the realm."

Elias felt a mix of emotions—excitement, disbelief, fear. A chance to join a guild, to learn from real warriors, to become something more than a boy swinging a wooden sword in the dark. But he also felt a stab of doubt. What if he wasn't ready? What if he wasn't good enough?

Garrick seemed to sense his hesitation. "You've trained hard, lad. But training alone will only get you so far. With us, you'll face real challenges, real enemies. You'll grow faster than you ever could on your own."

Elias swallowed, his mind racing. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for, the chance to prove himself. But it also meant stepping into the unknown, taking a risk. He looked at the other two members of the guild—one, a woman with a bow slung across her back, her eyes sharp and appraising; the other, a young man with a sword at his hip, his expression calm but intense.

"What's the catch?" Elias asked, his voice steady. "Why me?"

Garrick's smile widened. "There's no catch, boy. Just an offer. Come with us, join the guild. Train under our banner, and in return, you'll have the chance to rise to the top. We believe in talent, and we see it in you. Of course, you'll have to earn your place, prove your worth. But we wouldn't be here if we didn't think you could."

Elias took a deep breath. It was a lot to take in. Part of him still couldn't believe it—five months ago, he had been weak, a plain soul lost in a foreign world. Now, a powerful guild was offering him a place among them, calling him a potential expert. It felt surreal, like a dream he hadn't quite woken up from.

But another part of him felt ready. He had trained hard, pushed himself beyond what he thought possible. Maybe it was time to take that next step, to see just how far he could go. He looked at Garrick, then at the others, weighing his options.

Finally, he nodded. "I'll join," he said, his voice firm. "I'll prove myself. But I won't be a pawn. I want to learn, to grow stronger. I want to be the best."

Garrick laughed, a deep, hearty laugh. "That's the spirit, lad! Welcome to the Iron Hawk Guild. We leave at dawn. Be ready."

Elias felt a surge of exhilaration and fear. His heart pounded in his chest as the villagers murmured around him, their eyes wide with curiosity and amazement. He had taken the first step into a larger world, a world of warriors, guilds, and battles. A world where he could make his mark, prove himself, and perhaps, find his true purpose.

He glanced up at the sky, feeling the cool breeze on his face. The journey ahead would not be easy. It would be dangerous, filled with challenges he couldn't yet imagine. But he had made his choice.

And he would face whatever came next with his sword in hand, ready for whatever this new life had in store.