“What about the fire elf?”  One of the men at the table finally broached the topic, ignoring the mutters his statement had incited.  The matches in the arena had finally come to an end about an hour ago.  The officers and centurions had withdrawn to discuss their observations and decide placements.  Some of the applicants would be rejected but most would be folded into their ranks.  It was a delicate art to balance between adding more manpower and becoming a rabble or hotbed of intrigue and maintaining that distinction fell upon the immortals in this tent.<br/><br/>“We should just get rid of him.  Who wants a fire elf anyways?”  Another officer scoffed, antipathy heavy in his voice.<br/><br/>“<span style="font-style: italic">We</span>should want him.  Fire elves are well known for their ability in battle, especially given how secretive they are with their skills.  Now’s a perfect time to learn some of their secrets and turn it against Arziel.”  The blond speaker smiled pleasantly.<br/><br/>“And that ability is going to scare the rank and file and sow discord!  No one wants that kind around!”<br/><br/>“Never mind that given how secretive they are, as you so aptly pointed out Grisia, means that other fire elves will probably try to follow him and get him back.”<br/><br/>Grisia paused in contemplation for a moment before shrugging, “Well, if we’ve learned everything we need from him already… It’s not really a loss to get rid of dead weight, is it?”<br/><br/>An awkward silence descended on the table for a moment before the first speaker plowed through the tension.  “That’s an option.  Getting rid of him is also an option.  What’s your opinion Raucus?”<br/><br/>Raucus leaned back in contemplation.  He had been in charge of assigning the spars and had seen many, many matches today.  “Hmm.. if I recall correctly…”  Which one had been the fire elf?  Not the grey-tunic who had won after a ten minute brawl.  Not the one who had done the impressive one-two combo with sword and shield.  “He’s the one that used the fire?  It was a smart distraction, but the other trainee could have been injured by it.  We didn’t technically say no magic allowed, so initiative in contrast to implied norms?”  He shrugged to show he didn’t have the answer to the question he was posing, “Is that good or bad?”<br/><br/>“Okay, we’ll have someone watch the fire elf.”  The first speaker finally decided, his gaze turning to the immortals standing in a silent ring along the circumference of the tent.  These were the more experienced members of the armies.  Some were normal veterans, called in to give insights to the rank and file’s perspective; some had unique skills that lent them to special operations; and a few had personal connections to Kaeden, the grand General of this army.  In short, they all brought something different to the table that the established chain of command lacked.  His gaze settled on one of the immortals who nodded back in acknowledgement.<br/><br/>“Moving on, are there any others we want to keep special attention on?”<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">---------------</div><br/><br/>Setsuka exited her tent with a decidedly neutral face, borrowed sword in one hand.  After she had sped walked out of the arena, she had found a fairly secluded area to cool down.  She had not meant to make such a spectacle.  All she’d wanted was to win her spar without isolating herself.  She’d had enough of being the outsider at the clan; this was her chance to just be “normal.”  At least, it had been her chance.  A sigh of dismay threatened to escape her lips and she tightened her grip on her blade instead.  She’d been in such a rush to leave that she had taken the sword with her.  Now she needed to return it, another act that would sequester her from the crowd.<br/><br/>She nodded amicably at any immortal she passed but shied away from speaking with them.  She needed to get rid of the weapon and then she’d be free to converse without a sign that said “Hi, I’m different!” in her hand.<br/><br/>“Duckling!”  A voice shouted out excitedly from in front of her.  Her attention shifted to the speaker, only to see the immortal she’d slammed to the ground a few hours ago.  Just as the draken was contemplating discrete ways to evacuating, the other immortal can to a stop in front of her.<br/><br/>“Duckling!” He repeated happily, taking her arm in his hand.  “Time to go!”<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Wait, pardon, what?”</span>She tried to tug her arm away to no avail.  She could easily disarm him, but they were already getting more attention than she wanted.<br/><br/>“We’re going to meet up with my friend and his duckling.  Oh, my name’s Felix.  Pleasure to meet you.”  Before Setsuka could introduce herself, Felix had continued his monologue.  “I’ve been with the army for a few years now.  Looks like I’ll be your mentor, at least for the beginning.  I think you’re my… third maybe? I hope you last longer than my other ones!  I didn’t think I was that bad!”<br/><br/>The brunette followed the blond chatterbox helplessly, unwilling to force herself free and unable to get a word in otherwise.  She was led to a campfire by the edges of the camp where two other immortals waited.  One was her unpleasant neighbor from earlier, the one that had used fire, and the other was probably Felix’s friend, given the way he’d finally dropped her arm to wave exaggeratedly.<br/><br/>“Alright, ducklings!  Introductions!  You first,” Felix pointed at the other newcomer before switching the direction of his finger to his friend, “Then you, then me, and finally my duckling, okay?”