RP:Enlisting With the Captain

Mountain Pass

Gerik stands near the base of the mountain alongside some of the more trusted companions in his unit, Asgeirr and Harek. Other warriors and soldiers can be seen further along the path here, though the distance is rather great; they are in earshot, but only just. Captain Gerik can be seen giving his two subordinates a quick nod before he retreats to lean against a nearby rock face, pulling his large round shield from his back. He gives the piece of portable armor a rather thorough look, ensuring its structural integrity and moving on to do the same to a now unsheathed blade at his hip. Whatever business these men are about, one cannot be entirely certain, but there is little doubt that battle lies in their immediate future.

Josiah meanders down the path, away from Xalious Village. He needed a change of scenery, having been holed up there for nearly a week trying to rid the streets of beasts. He found an interesting scene much more quickly than he anticipated, as he came across a garrison of well-armed, official-looking soldiers. The orphan in him still panicked, wanted him to turn and walk swiftly away to avoid trouble...but he had grown past that. He kept a steady and casual pace, walking towards the group. He noticed a large man, of to the side, wiping his blade down with a rag and eyeing it up in the sunlight. Whoever they were, these men meant business. "How goes it?" Josiah said to the larger man, who he believed to be the leader. "Is there trouble nearby?"

Gerik turns his gaze to Josiah when the other steps into view, sizing up the man in an instant. He also captures the interest of Haren and Asgeirr, if only for a moment. However, the avian is not a preklek, obviously, and also not a man among their ranks; as such, the two dismiss their attention from him and leave only Gerik to address him. "You could say that." Not one to allow another to distract him entirely from the inspections at hand, the Captain elaborates while continuing. "A number of preklek lie up this mountain here. It's a rather pivotal and stratetic location in our war against these beasts, so it must be seized."

The Avian smiles widely. "Quite a group you have here," he continues. "There must be a sizeable force." Josiah had spent some time fighting Preklek himself, knew their tactics and their weaknesses...but also their sheer strength, especially in numbers. He walked closer to the Captain, making sure his taloned hands were in plain sight. "Could you use a healer?" he asked, his eyes glimmering in the sunlight. He was dressed in full mithril armor, but only the breastplate was visible. A pristine white and blue cloak covered the rest. A simple but well-made saber hung at his hip, and a hefty mithril shield sat low on his back, allowing his wings room to stretch and catch the passing breeze.

Gerik nods off handedly, perhaps even a bit dismissively. A bit curt, likely, but then they are preparing for an important offensive. The mention of a healer, however, brings the Captain's eyes turning up toward Josiah. "Personally, I don't. However..." With a pause, he calls out to Harek, who abandons whatever he may have been doing and joins the two. "...Harek here has a slight wound on his shoulder. It's not overly serious, but my men need to be in top shape for this battle. If you're proficient and skilled in healing...then you may help him."

Josiah cracks his neck in both directions and looks Harek in the eye, smiling kindly at him. He felt confident for once, and it was a fantastic feeling. His training with Sabrina in the wilds had paid off. He closed his eyes, concentrated, and laid his hands gently upon the wounded soldier. He looked as if he might be talking to himself, and then said, "Your will be done." It took only a moment, and when he withdrew his hands, Hareks wound was no more. The soldier clapped him on the arm gratefully, and Josiah bit back a wince. When curing someone, he had to take their wound upon himself. It would heal on its own in time, much more quickly than on the original body, but it would leave a mark for a few days. This was not something he wanted to advertise.

Gerik watches Josiah carefully as he lays his hands upon Harek. Any sort of foolery, of course, and things will be handled in an instant. Fortunately, there doesn't seem to be any trace of that; his subordinates wound is appraently sealed and wiped away, as if it was never there. The Captain seems pleased, a slight smirk finding his lips. "Very good. However, time is running short for us. We have to begin part of our offensive shortly, but I'll not let those of Venturil appear ungrateful for the services of others." Fishing through a pouch at his side, Gerik summons up a handful of coins and offers them out to Josiah. "I don't carry much on expeditions, but it should be suitable."

The Paladin eyes the coins, almost sadly. "I was hoping to be of more service, my good sir," he said. "I am not just a healer but a fighter of some skill. And I have faced the Preklek before, many times. Is there anything else I can do for you? I don't believe I have earned this coin."

Gerik regards Josiah's words curiously. "It's not much gold. Just enough to show appreciation. As for your other offer..." He glances out toward the other warriors, gesturing to them. "...I don't have time to guage your skill as a warrior today. If you want to fight with us, you'll have to do so alongside some of our irregulars and volunteers. Without firsthand knowledge of your skill, that is all I can offer.

Josiah bows deeply, formally to Gerik. "I will see you on the battlefield, Captain," he said happily. "However, I will hang back with your volunteers, and tend to the wounded as they retreat, if that sounds agreeable to you." He stretched his wings fully, blocking out the sun for a moment. "Should any of the Preklek break rank and try to flank you, I will kill them swiftly. Hopefully after this battle you will remember my name, and think of it when need arises." He turned to walk towards the group of men down the way, and then stops and calls back to the Captain. "I am called Josiah," he said, confident and pleased to have an opportunity to do some good.