The Regiment Of The Woods

Severus snorted. "Yeah, Snooper," he muttered.

Gervasius blew out an exasperated breath.

"They also called you 'the Trooper," he said, "because no matter what, you kept on troopin'. You were strong and overwhelming, but never a bully. To be honest, it sounds like you'd fit exactly in with this group John is making." Severus hesitated. He knew Gervasius and John made sense but still... .

"I don't want to be betrayed like my dad." The words slipped from his mouth before he could stop it. He glanced up to see Gervasius''s eyes go soft.

"What happened to your dad was a cryin' shame," he said gently. He sighed.

"But John isn't one to be reckless or to abandon his troops like that. But, even if you were betrayed like him, I can tell you for certain that you would still come out the other side. You're tougher than your dad, and | don't just mean your skin." Severus gave a wry chuckle at that and stared at the table. The decision rolled harder and harder in his skull, as restless as ever. He heard Gervasius sigh.

"Well, while you think on that, there's something else you should know." He blinked and looked up as Gervasius pulled out a square of parchment and gently unfolded it. Severus stared at the writing on it. He recognized that writing. And he recognized that signature.

"You too?!" he choked. Gervasius nodded. "And Regis. And we are both accepting."

"How do you even... ?!" The question died away. Gervasius chuckled.

"I've known John's family for years. (am still technically a noble, and I had my own time in the Army. John's grandfather and | grew particularly close. Regis and John used to play together and then train together when they got older. Apparently, his grandfather wants me to keep an eye on the young rascal, make sure he doesn't lose his way." He paused for a moment, thinking. "I suppose i could also spare an eye for you while you're there." He winked roguishly, which made Severus laugh.

"I know that would make me feel better,' he admitted, standing. Gervasius rose with him and followed him to the door. Severus opened it and hesitated.

"You really think i would do well?" he asked.

Severus fiddled anxiously with his drawstring pack as he waited in line at the barrack's gate. There was a long que of Olanders and other creatures waiting to be evaluated, and Severus was stuck amongst them. He had the parchment with John's writ in his hand, and somehow that made little jolts of lightning pop up and around his stomach. He peered over the hooded head in front of him, straining to see how much longer it would take. To his relief, there were only a couple left in front of him. To his dismay, however, the one currently at the front was throwing a fit.

"You can't reject me!" The howl came from the Olander at the front. Two burly Centis were hauling him off by his arms, his feet alternating between dragging and thrashing.

"I'm an Olander! I can serve! You gotta believe me, I can ser-her-hervel!" The last bit came broken up by tears. The Centiignored it and briskly tossed him out onto the street, where he lay sobbing. Severus heard someone click their tongue.

"Dihsgraceful, sah," said the hooded creature in front of him. "Aught tah know bettah than ta throw a nahsty fit whin ye don' git yer way. 'Tis nah shame in tryin' 'n failin'. Bettah tah try an' fail than ta nah try at all, some granpappy wood say, he wood!" Severus stared at the hooded creature, trying desperately to make sense behind of the speech through the thick accent. It was definitely some dialect from the Eastern Plains, near the edge of the Olander Empire's border with the Almeasuran Kingdom of men. Severus had heard similar talk from some of the old grannies, but never in such a heavy accent or from such a deep voice. The line stepped forward, and the guard looked at the hooded creature.

"Name and recruit papers?" he asked. The creature flipped off its hood, and out sprang two, fluffy, blue, bunny ears. Severus stared, his gaze dropping as he realized that the rabbit's crown was nearly a head shorter than he had guessed. The ears must have added some height, he thought.

"Maximillian Ocelot! But everyone calls me Max!" the rabbit declared raucously. He brandished a crinkled piece of parchment under the soldier's nose.

"Ordahs direct fram Mistah Commandah John 'imself, sah!!" He saluted comically.

The soldier glared icily at him and snatched the parchment from him. Severus's heart pounded. Another recruit for John, just like himself? He almost tapped the rabbit on the shoulder when the soldier thrust the parchment back.

"Go on through," he snapped.

"Commander John has already gathered his group for morning exercise out on training field four. I suggest you report in and get to work at the double." The rabbit saluted a few more times, grinning broadly, before stepping in quick march through the gate. Severus watched him for a long minute, trying not to chuckle. Then someone coughed.

"Today, recruit!" the soldier barked. Severus stepped up quickly and thrust out his own letter.

"Severus!" he said loudly. Then he took a breath to calm himself. "Severus. Orders from Commander John as well." The soldier cocked an ear in silent interest and took the parchment. Severus felt sweat build on his back. He shifted nervously. At last, the soldier nodded and handed it back.

"Training field four," was all he said. Severus thanked him, took the parchment, and marched through the gates.

He was in.

His heart soaring inside him, he saw that the rabbit had stopped and was staring at him, grinning. He had shocking, light blue hair, the color of the summer sky, brushed back in an arc of short spikes. He had bright, emerald eyes that glowed with life and intensity. Under his cloak, he wore a loose shirt and a woven, wool skirt. He thrust out a brawny arm and hand. "Maximillian Ocelot!" he repeated. Severus took the hand and shook it. Immediately, he could tell Max was a brawler: his knuckles were calloused and swollen.

"Severus, he said softly. Max's smile widened (if that was even possible) as he wrapped his arm around Severus's back and moved in step with him.

"Sah!" the rabbit said loudly. "Yah are also fah Mistah John's leetle army-a'one, eh?" Severus nodded.

"Bloody gud fah yah!" Max roared, slapping Severus hard on the back and nearly sending him tumbling. "Ah knew yeh was a royal, fightin' bahstard th' moment ah laid eyes on yeh!" Severus chuckled. "Yup, that's me," he mumbled.

"Where yeh from, Sevehrus?" Max pestered. "Yeh from 'round 'ere? Bawdy city boy or yeh got sum o' that proper country stock in yeh?"

"Here," Severus replied, a little sharper due to the jibe. "I grew up in the Fourth District." Max gave him a blank look, so he amended it. "The slums."

"Oho!" Max said, his eyes twinkling. "A proper rapscallion, it 'tis! Now there's a bloody proper place tah larn sum proper fightin'!" He clapped Severus on the back, the two of them chuckling. Severus liked the rabbit, even if he was loud and abrasive. He seemed genuinely good-natured and meant no harm to his digs. Max tapped his arm.

"By th' way, laddo," he said in a softer tone, "do yeh happen tah know where we're a'goin'?" Severus came to a screeching halt. "| thought you were leading the way!" he cried.

"Me?" Max scoffed.

"Ah nevah been 'ere in me bloody life! How wood | know?" Severus twisted around, trying to get his bearings. Somehow they had wandered into rows of blocky buildings that he would guess were the sleeping quarters. Luckily, a soldier stepped out of one and froze at the sight of them.

"Can you help us, sir?" Severus called. "We're trying to get to training field four, and we got sort of lost." The soldier stared at them for a long moment.

"It's right over there," he said slowly, pointing to his left. Severus whipped around to see a training ground in the distance with creatures moving and shouting around it. He felt his cheeks grow pink.

"Thanks!" he called over his shoulder, walking briskly towards the grounds. He heard Max call his thanks as well and glanced over to see him blushing as well. Severus grinned. A moment later, the two stepped onto the training grounds.

Severus gaped open-mouthed at the sight. There must have been at least two dozen creatures moving around the arena, practicing, racing, or sparring. A female Cat slid gracefully through an obstacle course, her lithe body weaving effortlessly between pillars. A goliath Bear was charging into a huge boulder, slamming into it over and over again to make it slide back in small spurts. In a ring, two Dogs sparred, one full animal with snarling fangs and slashing teeth, the other transformed and wielding a wooden sword. Severus recognized the latter. His gray hair and pale skin were unmistakable.

"Regis!!" he called, waving happily. Regis froze, his eyes looking for the unfamiliar voice, and the other Dog leaped on him, jaws clamping around his shoulder. He yelled in pain, his sword flying from his hand. The Dog shook him hard, and Severus could see flecks of red spurting out. Instantly, his joy turned to white-hot rage.

"HEY!!!" he bellowed. He threw his pack off and sprinted full-tilt down to the arena. He could barely think he was moving so fast. The Dog had just enough time to glance up and loosen his grip on Regis's shoulder when Severus bull-rushed him. His shoulder rammed hard into the Dog's middle and sent him spiraling aside with a yip. Severus slid face-first into the dirt and popped up, hands curled into fists. The other Dog recovered just as fast, snarling.

"Insolent whelp!" the Dog barked. His scruff was raised like a mane of daggers, his fur glittering silver in the sunlight. Severus gave a growl of his own, his voice dipping back into its natural canine rumble. The Dog leaped forward, his teeth closing dangerously close to Severus's ear. On reflex, Severus slammed his fist into the side of the Dog's snout, knocking him aside and out of the ring. He flipped up and crouched to leap again.

GONG! Abell sounded. Instantly, the Dog sat back, though his hackles were still raised. Severus kept a cautious eye on him, hesitant to relax, as he felt for Regis. Feeling a tunic, he grabbed it and hauled on it.

"Lil' bro," he called, not taking his eyes off the Dog, "you okay? That bite looked--." Something hard slammed into his middle, knocking the wind out of him with a whuff! He collapsed immediately.

"The hell you think you're doing?!" Severus heard a young voice shout through his stunned brain. "Who told you to help me, huh?! t had it under control!"

"Regis!" a familiar voice snapped. "That's quite enough." Severus blinked hard, still trying to breathe normally. Slowly, the grinning face of John came into focus.

"There ya go," he cooed, gently tugging Severus up to a sitting position.

"Breathe easy."

"Mangy bahstards!!" Max's roar broke the quiet. Severus glanced over to see three Olander soldiers trying desperately to restrain him as he sought to launch himself at either Regis or the Dog, he couldn't seem to make up his mind. John slapped Severus on the shoulder, grinning easily at him, stood, and walked over to Max.

"Maximillian!" he bellowed. "Atten-SHUN!!" Max came to an absolute stop, stiff as a marble statue. The rabbit saluted swiftly.

"Commander John!" Max roared. "Maximillian Ocelot, formerly o' th' Third Fightin' Hare Brigade, reportin' as requested, SAH!!" John chuckled.

"At ease, Max" the Olander said, returning the salute casually. Max eased off, though he still shot a murderous look at Regis and the Dog. John looked down at Severus. "It's taboo to interfere in a practice match between two warriors." Severus swallowed hard. John flashed him an easy grin, though, which made him relax. "But today's your first day amongst warriors, so | think five laps around the arena will do." Severus considered it for a moment and then nodded. It seemed fair to him at least. The Olander turned to Regis, who started.

"You, however," he said in a dangerous tone, "do know the proper etiquette of a warrior, and striking a friend who, misguided or not, leapt in at your defense is despicable." Regis's ears wilted, and he looked away, ashamed. John stared at him for a moment before speaking.

"You will join Severus for his five laps around the arena and will also conduct two hundred strikes against the iron-wood trees. We will also be discussing this with your father. Understood?" Severus winced. That iron-wood trees part sounded very painful to him, but Regis simply swallowed hard and mumbled a "Yes, Commander."

John turned, observing the ring of watchers they were now gathering. "Perhaps introductions are in order." He gestured to Max and Severus to follow. Severus pushed himself gingerly to his feet. His gut still ached from the hit, but he could breathe normally now. So he gritted his teeth and marched forward. John walked up to a small platform, and Max and Severus followed him up onto it. The Olander went over to a large bell, grabbed a mallet that was hanging by it, and swung.

BONG!! BONG!! BONGI!

Immediately, all the creatures of the field stopped what they were doing and gathered around the stage. John winked at the two new recruits.

"You're going to learn to hate that bell," he promised them. Max and Severus exchanged confused looks, to which John laughed. Then he turned to the crowd.

"Members of the Regiment, salute!"

"SALUTE!!" they roared back at him.

"Today, two more join us! Two more warriors join our noble group! One has training; the other has guts. Both, however, have the capability to fill our sparse ranks. In the Regiment, we demand excellence! In the Regiment, we require brutality! In the Regiment, we require the best!!" The crowd roared in response.

"And you will be the best! Just as you will make these two the best!" They roared again. John grabbed an arm from each of them.

"We welcome Max!" he shouted, lifting the rabbit's--sorry, hare's--arm into the air.

"SALUTE!" came the answering roar.

"We welcome Severus!" he continued, raising Severus's arm as high as he could.

"SALUTE!!" Severus heart swelled. They roared for him.

"Welcome!!" John cried, and the crowd howled, each in their own tongue. Severus saw Max throw back his head and join in, shouting war cries ina guttural language. His blood surged, and Severus threw back his head and bayed bloodlust to the sky. The crowd howled harder, making Severus feel proud. Then he caught sight of the silver-furred Dog, howling quietly with his eyes staring murderously at Severus. His stomach lurched.

This may have been a mistake, he thought, but he was too excited to care.