The First Two Picks, a Defensive Core - 2A

Chapter 2 – Putting the Team Together (continued)

Kaylen had already spent some time considering what types of skills he wanted for his adventuring party, so Tyrell’s question was quick and easy for him to answer.

“Well I want my team to be mobile, but the foundation of the team should ideally be one or two people who can lock down an area and keep multiple opponents from getting past them. They should be tough, probably armored, and with good crowd control weapons like a greatsword or poleaxe.”

“Well, we’ve no shortage of that sort.” Tyrell assured him, and led him back out into the yard. Kaylen was not surprised when they approached the sparring pair he’d noted earlier, and the guild master waved them and a few others to come forward.

“This mage is assembling an adventuring team. Anyone who is interested in joining can make their case. We’re starting with men-at-arms and other armored soldiers who can hold a line and fight against a mob. You two, you’re up first.”

The two greatswordsmen came forward and removed their helmets. Though as soon as he saw the woman’s face he recognized there was something oddly familiar about her. Before he could think too hard on it, she stepped forward, extending her hand, “Lyria Gallowglass. I know what you’re thinking, but I promise I can stand against any man here. I won’t hold you back or slow you down.”

There were a few good-natured chuckles, as if the men were used to Lyria needing to assert herself in a male dominated field such as adventuring. But Kaylen was a little too astonished by her introduction to pay that much attention, “Lyria? Goddess above, you’re the last person I expected to run into here.” He blushed, remembering how seeing her before had sparked his idea of courting members of his team.

“Who…?” Lyria scowled, obviously not recognizing him immediately.

“It’s me, Kaylen.” He supplied, and her eyes widened.

“Kaylen? Wow, you’re taller than me now.”

Many of the men looked confused, but the guild master at least seemed to have put it together. “I take it the two of you are related?”

“Yes, Lyria is my sister. I haven’t seen her in thirteen years. She was bigger than I was back then.”

“Well, you may be taller, but I bet I could trounce you just fine in hand-to-hand.” Lyria smirked at him, flexing one arm in emphasis. He had no doubt she was well muscled under that armor, even if her overall silhouette was slim compared to some of the other men present.

Tyrell caught Kaylen’s attention, and offered the suggestion, “She could be an easy pick then, if you think you can handle being responsible for her safety as her commander in combat.”

Kaylen regarded Lyria for a moment, sizing her up, and wondering if he really could order her into dangerous situations knowing she could get hurt. But the look she gave him made it clear she would not let him get away with coddling her, so he nodded. “Yes, she’s on the team, but I still have room for one more vanguard type, as you put it.”

Lyria turned to her sparring partner, but the man held up his hands, “Sorry, I’m not really interested in being in a party under a mage.”

Glancing around, it seemed there was a number who shared the swordsman’s opinion. And Kaylen watched as a number of those gathered stepped away, clearing room for those who would be willing to give Kaylen a chance. Those who remained fortunately didn’t seem to show any resentment toward Kaylen’s first pick.

There were four remaining candidates, so Master Norrison had them pair off to spar; two humans one with a sword and shield, the other with a long halberd, and a non-human pair consisting of a stout dwarven poleaxeman and a thin flexible lizardman with a partisan spear.

But Kaylen’s choice became obvious as soon as a half-giant in an oversized chainmail tunic arrived, though he still resolved to give her the appearance of a fair chance against the others.

“What’s your name?” He asked when the half-giant woman stepped forward.

“Ursa.” She responded simply in a smooth baritone.

“Ursa Cloudwalker has been quite an asset, but she can be a little intimidating to other adventurers, and doesn’t get a lot of regular work.” Tyrell explained.

Kaylen nodded, “Let’s see what you can do.” He gestured for the tall, almost ungainly woman to proceed. He could definitely see how her height – nearly head and shoulders taller than any person there – would be intimidating, but she wasn’t bulky in appearance. She had a high forehead and a long angular face with lanky limbs, but she had plenty of strength to move her massive shield and spear around in one hand each, completely unfazed by the weight of her armor. And she was quick as well, making up for a lack of flexibility with swift thrusts and agile footwork. She made short work of the dwarf, who simply could not match her reach, and sparring against each of the humans in turn ended similarly quickly, with only the first man’s shield allowing him to hold her off for a few measures. Only the lizardman gave her some trouble, with his speed and agility making it difficult for her to land a hit with her practice spear. But she kept him at bay, not allowing him close enough for a hit with his own weapon, until she finally caught him in a mistake and knocked him flat with a well-placed thrust to the chest.

When she finished, not even winded, she strolled up to where Kaylen and Tyrell waited alongside Marius. He could see that because of the size of her frame, her slimness was rather deceptive, as even her skinny-seeming arms were bigger around than possibly any man there. She was imposing enough to dominate the field of any skirmish or battle she was in, but not so tall that she would have trouble with standard sized doorways.

Kaylen took a moment as the giantess was finishing up to surreptitiously cast a simple telepathy spell, wanting to get a read on the woman’s surface thoughts. She had arrived after a majority of the potential candidates had declined to compete for his position, and he wanted to know if she had any issues with him being a mage before accepting her.

But for some reason he couldn’t get anything from his surface scan, and before he could figure out why, Tyrell turned to him, “Please don’t use any magic on anyone here without their permission.” He asked.

“I’m sorry.” Kaylen replied quickly, “I was just trying to get a sense for her general state of mind. It was nothing intrusive.”

The guild master seemed to accept the lie easily enough, but that left Kaylen wondering both why his magic hadn’t worked, and how the man had known he’d even used a spell.

Figuring he’d worry about that later, Kaylen strode forward and offered a hand to the half giant, “I’d say you’re on the team.” He told her.

She glanced at Kaylen’s hand, and he braced himself as she took it between her thumb and two fingers in a surprisingly gentle grip.

“Welcome, Lady Cloudwalker.” Kaylen smiled, shaking her hand once then releasing her.

She laughed, “I’m no lady. Just Ursa is fine.”

“Very well, Ursa. I’ll be counting on you and that shield arm. All of us will.” Kaylen smiled, and gestured toward where Lyria sat, her sheathed sword and practice weapon both resting over one shoulder.

Kaylen turned back to the others assembled, “That’s two positions filled.” He told Master Norrison.

“What else do you need?” The guild master asked. “What other skillsets are you looking for?”