Jumping the Ranks

The morning sun crested over the horizon, casting long shadows across the sprawling training grounds just outside Azura's bustling city walls. The air was already thick with the rhythmic sounds of sparring, shouted commands, and the distant clang of blacksmiths at work. Cordain was shouting orders to his unit of mercenaries as they drilled in coordinated maneuvers, his voice steady despite the early hour. The rest of the group moved with precision, each member falling into their roles as if they had been training together for years.

"You, boy. Who are you?" A commanding voice cut through the clamor, sharp and intrigued. Cordain turned, squinting against the morning light to find the source. A man stood at the edge of the field, his uniform immaculate, his posture rigid.

"C-Cordain, sir." he stammered slightly, caught off guard by the presence of the army's commander, a figure whose reputation preceded him.

Supreme General Alaric strode forward with an air of authority.

"You'll do. I hereby assign you as the leader of your band of troops. Bodrick will show you how to be a leader. And I'm assigning these ten guards to bolster your ranks. They're versatile and will give you an edge in battlle." Alaric nodded to a man behind him whose small stature was only matched by the size of his eyes. Cordain saluted the tired-looking elderly man, his heart thudding in his chest as the weight of responsibility settled on him.

As the commander turned to leave, his gaze swept over Cordain one last time. "You've got the spark. Don't let it fizzle out."

The soldiers who joined Cordain's group were a mix of seasoned veterans and eager newcomers, each with a story to tell. But one face among them caught Cordain by surprise. Pell, the same man who had journeyed with him and Illyana to Azura, stood with a broad smile and a bright gleam in his eyes.

"Well, look what fate dragged me into!" Pell clapped Cordain on the back, his laughter easy and familiar. "Can't say I expected to be fighting beside you again, but I sure as hell won't complain. Ready to kick some ass?"

Cordain chuckled, his tension easing a bit. "Glad to have you, man. We're going to need every good blade we can get."

Illyana watched from the sidelines, a small smile tugging at her lips as the two men fell into easy conversation. She remembered Pell's quiet confidence, the way he had made her feel safe during their travels, and the brief intimate encounter they had on their journey to Azura. He was surely more a friend to them than Gaius, and that was surely a boon.

Bodrick cleared his throat, drawing the unit's attention. "You've got a lot to learn, and not much time to do it. Let's get to work." His voice was gravelly, but there was a glimmer of wisdom in his eyes. "Let me drill these tactics into you. The rest of you, dismissed!"

Cordain shrugged and saw Pell off as he approached Illyana. They would have a moment to catch up between themselves now. As Pell walked away, Illyana looked up at Cordain with a playful smirk. He returned with a knowing nod, and that was all that needed to be said between the couple.