Callie's Heroes

PART II - FITTING FOR A PRINCE

With a bit of disappointment, the trio left the side of the bath pool and walked out the rear of the building. The sun struck them hard in the face as they exited, and Callie reflexively turned away to shield her sensitive eyes.

“There you are,” Vanis said. “We were starting to wonder what trouble the three of you might be causing in there.”

“Only the best kind,” Lena said slyly. “Baskets?” she asked, holding hers up.

“Over there,” Vanis said, gesturing to a well-organized stack of the larger baskets. “Keep your smaller one,” he reminded, holding his own up.

Lena and Xin walked down the three steps to the ground and over to the basket piles. Callie, still squinting hard in the sun, tried to navigate the stairs in the bright light.

“Eyes hurt?” Tazrok asked.

“Yeah,” Callie said. “It’s just really bright out here, especially after being inside for a while. Just give me a minute.”

“I understand Gnomes have eyes that see well in the dark, so it is not unexpected that light may be bright during the day,” Xin said. “It’s one of their many racial traits. The Lizardkin do not have any traits for dim light, but we make up for it in other ways.”

“Like what?” Callie asked, curious. With multiple different fantasy races apparently in this world, it reasoned that each may have some unique characteristics. In addition to her sensitive eyes, she also had improved hearing.

Xin stepped over to the wall of the building and held her hand up, pressing it flat. Within a few seconds, her hand and exposed arm assumed the same color and pattern of the wall behind it. Now, if you didn’t know it was there, it was almost impossible to detect Xin’s hand.

“That’s really cool!” Callie said.

Xin looked perplexed at Callie’s word choice, but a quick wave-off from Lena in explanation, and she just chalked it up as a Gnome thing.

“Alas, it does not work with anything I am wearing,” Xin added, returning to Calline. “This is why most Lizardkin prefer to be without clothing. Still, it is very useful when you must be stealthy.”

Lena had returned and took Callie’s large basket in one arm. Taking Callie’s hand, she led the Gnome down the steps. Walking towards Vanis, Lena let go of Callie to put her basket with the others.

“Thanks,” Callie mumbled. “Stupid Gnome eyes…”

“You’ll be thankful for them when it is night or you are underground,” Vanis said.

“Sure, but right now the sun is turned up to eleven, so this kinda sucks.”

“Huh?” Tazrok asked. “Turned up?”

“Just another Callieism,” Lena said, returning to the group. “Best you not think too hard about it.”

“Wait, I have my own -ism?” Callie asked.

Lena shrugged. “You say a lot of things that don’t make sense unless you can get it from context.”

“Well, tell me that, then!” Callie said. “Sheesh. I don’t think I want to be an -ism!”

Before the banter could continue, a staff member walked around the corner of the building. “Finally, all of you are here.” She was a Beastkin of roughly Lena’s height. Covered in yellow fur, with black stripes, she closely resembled a tiger. She wore simple overalls, which sported a hole for her long, furry tail. “Sorry,” Lena said, looking a little sheepish. “It was mostly my fault.”

“With that hair I can see why it might take so long. You should really cut it.”

“Why does everyone want me to cut my hair?” Lena cried, throwing her hands up in exasperation.

“It will just get in the way,” the attendant said.

Lena had a horrified look on her face.

Shrugging and moving on, the tiger-woman said, “I am Quartermaster Fullo, in charge of laundry, tailoring and seeing to your training armor, and this will not take long. I just need to take your measurements and give you your next instructions. Tomorrow, when you awaken, you should have properly sized clothing, and a set of training armor will be delivered sometime during the day for each of you.”

“I’m amazed you can make all that for everyone in one night,” Callie said.

“I have a good team of Brownies under me. They can make almost anything clothing-related quickly.” She gestured to Vanis. “You will be first.”

“What do you need me to do?”

“I just need to know your bunkhouse colors, your name, and your class,” Fullo said, taking a seat at a small table and picking up a piece of paper. “First name is fine. Then move how and when I tell you.”

“We are all in the Red and Yellow bunkhouse, and my name is Vanis, and I am a Warlock.”

“The Ogre house?” She then noticed Tazrok. “Right, that makes sense. All of you are together?”

“That is correct,”

“That makes it easier.” Fullo picked up a gem similar to the scrying gems used earlier. She waved for Vanis to take a few steps backwards. “Feet shoulder width apart, arms straight out.”

“Like this?” Vanis said, assuming the pose.

“Yes.” She looked through the gem, and then scribbled on the paper. “Next, turn sideways to me and put your hands on your hips.” Again, Vanis did as instructed while Fullo took measurements. “Finally, turn around and bend over to touch your toes.”

As he did, Lena let out a low whistle. “Look at that, ladies!”

“Hey now,“ Vanis said with a semi-mocking tone. “Do you know at whom you are whistling?”

“Just another recruit, as I understand it!” Lena said with a laugh.

Callie grinned, the banter making her feel comfortable despite everything.

“Back in position!” Fullo shouted, and Vanis quickly snapped back to position, touching his toes.” Fullo took her few last measurements. “That is what I need. Please wait for final instructions before you leave.” Fullo pointed at Tazrok. “Ok, you Ogre. You were next.”

Tazrok stepped forward, planted his feet and put his arms out. “Am Tazrok. Am Druid.”

“Really? Don’t lie, this affects what kind of armor you receive.”

“Yes. Am Druid,” Tazrok confirmed, showing Fullo his Druid identification.

“One set of Druid armor, then. Ogre sized. The Brownies are going to love this one.” Fullo gave a grunt and a shrug and then collected the first set of measurements. After taking her notes, she gave the instruction to turn, which Tazrok dutifully did, placing his long arms on his hips. Another grunt from Fullo.

“Finally, turn and bend over,” Fullo said. Tazrok did so, which caused his robe to flop open. Immediately, everyone but Fullo cried out and shielded their eyes as they got a full on flash of hanging Ogre dong.

There was a mutual groan and a lot of hands suddenly raised to block the view.

“That is the stuff of nightmares,” Xin said as she continued to look away

“I think I may be forever scarred,” Lena said.

“You didn’t have to wash his back,” Vanis said with a grimace. “This is nothing!”

To her credit, Quartermaster Fullo kept her calm and collected what she needed. “You may stand,” she finally said. “Please. For all of us. And please keep your robe tied tighter in the future.”

Next, Fullo collected Xin, who strongly wanted no clothing, but was forced to by Fullo. It was an old argument to the Quartermaster, as nearly every Lizardkin would have preferred to go without. Callie was next, Vanis holding her bow while she posed. It took some convincing that Callie needed Ranger clothing, but Fullo eventually conceded after seeing Callie’s wooden class block and the rest of the group confirming it. Finally Lena was measured.

“Some final instructions,” Fullo said, trying to hurry things along. “At the end of every day, your soiled clothing goes into your large basket and is set on your bunkhouse porch, which will be returned to you clean during the night. Change your clothes daily, after you return from the day's training, and before coming to the evening meal. If you are sweaty, smelly, or otherwise dirty, be sure to shower or bathe before the meal. No matter what, shower or bathe at least every third day. If you are not sure if you should, then you should.”

“Thank you,” Vanis said.

“I’m not done yet,” Fullo said sharply. “From here, go to your bunkhouse, pick your bunks and relax. You are welcome to walk in the gardens, but do not leave the housing area. A bell will sound in about thirty minutes, at which time you will have thirty minutes to report to your class tent to meet with your trainer. A second bell will toll when there are ten minutes remaining. Follow your trainer’s instructions exactly. There is no camp meal tonight, but a soup will be brought to your bunkhouse later and you will spend tonight inside.

“Evening meal is generally three hours before sundown, for one hour, although it is earlier tomorrow, as it is a special occasion. A bell will sound thirty and ten minutes before the meal begins each day. Breakfast is informal and you serve yourself starting one hour after sunup. There will be a bell thirty and ten minutes before serving starts, and again when there are thirty and ten minutes remaining before the meal is closed. Do not make a mess my people need to clean up! Your noon meal will be provided by your trainer daily, and will be travel rations, but you are welcome to bring things from breakfast if it can travel without issue. I recommend the jerky or dried fruit and nuts as an easy snack. There is a waterskin in your bunkhouse for each of you and you are expected to keep it full and carry it with you from sunup to evening meal. Whatever you do, do not get caught without your waterskins.”

Callie’s mind followed along, noting all the details. More than anything, though, the idea of just resting inside for a half-hour sounded better than anything she’d heard all day. Or the garden maybe?

“Last thing”, Fullo said, “Do you all have your class identification blocks?”

Everyone pulled their blocks from their small baskets or robe pockets and held them up.

“Excellent, you have no idea how many people leave those with their clothing and have to go back to dig them out.” With that, Fullo gestured vaguely back towards the housing area. “On your way.”

“Hey, one quick question,” Callie said.

“Yes, Little One?”

“Would you be able to make me a hat? With a brim on it to help with the sun?” Callie vaguely gestured, pantomiming a hat with a wide brim on it.

“Of course. It would not be regulation, though.”

“The sun is so bright,” Callie said, trying not to whine.

Fullo nodded contemplatively. “I will see what we can do, but your trainer may object.”

“Thank you,” Callie said.