In a large training hall in the Sarafan Stronghold, sounds of battle could be heard. The young warrior, Malek, clashed with with Turel, a bout refereed by another Sarafan knight-in-training by the name of Zephon. Turel thrust forward with his sword, very nearly battering the chest of Malek. Of course, for a training match, they were using blunted weapons, but Malek dodged and countered as if Turel were really out for his blood. He feinted backwards with a swipe from his polearm, then brought the butt of his weapon sharply up, into Turel's armpit. Turel half-spun, caught off guard, allowing Malek to quickly bring the blade on the other end of the polearm to Turel's throat.

"Cease!" Zephon shouted. "Malek wins."

Malek lowered the weapon. Turel wiped his brow. "That was a move and then some, Malek!"

"If I'd missed that, I didn't know what I was going to do. Another minute or so and I'd be dropping to my knees!"

Zephon chuckled. "Not at all. The longest fight the pair of you have had was twenty-nine minutes. This one was only twenty-three."

Turel groaned. "It feels like twenty-three hours. I swear, by the Pillars, my blade has put on weight since we started the spar!"

Zephon became serious. "So, neither of you have met any of the other groups then?"

Malek shook his head. "No. It seems a bit unnerving, going for our first Vampire hunt with allies we've never seen before. I have asked around about the other teams' leaders, though."

"And?"

"The sorceress team is led by Lania. Specialises in an almost unique sort of magic - preconceptive reactions, she calls it."

Malek blinked. "And that means what?"

"She's got this way of seeing something a second before it occurs. Her reactions are sharp enough on their own, with that technique she's apparently able to dodge cannon fire!"

Zephon whistled. "She must be a demon to beat in a fight."

"Doubtless. From what I gather, the Head Sorceress almost burst a blood vessel trying to copy the technique, but she still hasn't got it down. I wouldn't bet against seeing a rivalry develop between the two."

Malek put his polearm in the rest on the wall. "What about the other team of warriors?"

"The leader's a Sarafan wonderkid. He's sure got the knights talking. Goes by the name of Raziel. Apparently, some high-up people are already looking to groom him for general status in the next few years."

Zephon leaned against the doorway, smiling. "A teenage warrior titan and a teenage deadly sorceress. Sounds like we're out of our depth."

"Hardly!" Turel clapped Malek on the back. "Remember, we've got our teenage Conflict Guardian!"

Malek flexed his muscles and adopted a comical pose. "The Vampires of Nosgoth don't know what they're up against! Before the night is out, they shall tremble before the might of...the Teenagers!"

The three young warriors burst out laughing.

***

A few days later, the trio were gathered in a large hall by Zazen, the head of the Sarafan academy, who proceeded to introduce the three groups to each other.

"The first warrior group, we'll call Team A. The leader here is Raziel, and these are Rahab and Melchiah."

Raziel nodded to the other people in the hall. He was dressed in impressive gold-tinted armour, with a large broadsword strapped to his back and a small forearm blade attatched to his left arm. Rahab, a calm-looking man with a silver skull-cap smiled. Melchiah looked a little nervous, and just watched Zazen continue the introductions.

"Team B is the sorceress group. They are led by Lania, and include MeLoom and Neve."

Lania, dressed in a flowing gown of white and red silks bowed her head to her future allies. Neve, brought up by a traditional family, curtseyed. MeLoom, on the other hand, was a pale-skinned girl from a mountain tribe who, unusually for a Sarafan sorceress, had kept her hair. She touched her hairline, her way of greeting her new companions.

"And Team C is led by Turel, and consists of Zephon, and also the new Guardian of Conflict, Malek."

Malek was suddenly aware of several pairs of eyes on him. Evidently, none of the other teams had known he was a chosen Guardian of the Pillars until know. Zizan, ignoring the reactions, continued.

"You know the setup of this exercise, but I'll remind you one last time. You will travel to a site several miles north of Avernus, where a small camp of Vampires is believed to be situated. Thre Sarafan knights will trail you, but will not make their presence known unless you find yourselves in over your heads. You will seek out the camp and exterminate the parasites. Raziel, Lania and Turel will form a council of leaders, and will make the decisions, but this exercise is a team effort, not just how well you follow their orders. Now, you will leave tommorrow. I will let you all get acquainted with each other."

Zizan left the room. For a moment, no one said anything. Finally, Raziel stepped forward.

"People, if we're going to be watching each other's backs in battle, we should know each other first. I am Raziel."

There was a pause, then Turel grinned. "You spoke first. I'd say that makes you the boss here."

"Me? Zizan said just a few minutes ago - this is a team effort."

"I know, just starting conversation. You were the one trying to get us all talking!"

Lania stepped between the two. She spoke sharply, but her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Boys, please. Save your male aggression for the Vampires."

Turel folded his arms and laughed. "That was a low blow, Lania. See if I come to your aid when you yell 'Guard me, brothers!'..."

"The only thing I'll need guarding from are your weakly insults, 'brother'."

The nine Sarafan-in-training laughed, and started to mingle. Malek felt a pair of eyes staring at him from behind. On turning to look, he found himself looking at the mountain girl.

"One of the Circle, then?"

"Yes. The Conflict Guardian. I'm Malek."

"MeLoom. I've never met a Guardian before."

Malek shrugged. "Well, here I am. I hope you're not disappointed."

"I think not." MeLoom brushed her raven hair back, revealing a glistening jade serpent head tattoo on her right cheek, with a body that slid down her neck and underneath her clothes. MeLoom followed the gaze of his eyes.

"You like the serpent? In my tribe, it signifies that I am of the family of the tribal leader."

"Oh? But you are here with the Sarafan?"

"Yes." MeLoom sighed. "Years ago, the Sarafan saved my village from a pair of Vampire predators. My father sent me to be raised as a Sarafan. And so, here I am."

Neve called over to MeLoom. MeLoom nodded back, then turned back to Malek.

"Neve's calling. Probably another talk about ladylike behaviour. Heh, I remember first meeting her. I think my serpent shocked her quite a bit. I still don't quite know why an orthodox noble maiden is here with the Sarafan...but she's quite the healer, I admit. I look forward to fighting with you, Malek, Guardian of Conflict."

"I have similar sentiments, MeLoom, Tribal Princess."

MeLoom chuckled, then ran nimbly over to Neve. Rahab came over and smiled at Malek.

"Malek?"

"Yes. And you're Rahab?"

"That's right. It looks to me like you've got an admirer there."

"MeLoom? We've only just met..."

"You sound just like Raziel - great warrior, genius strategist, but no romance in his soul at all. Trust me, Malek, when the passions rise in the battle, I bet you and our tribal sorceress there will be..."

Raziel, standing just behind Rahab, cleared his throught meaningfully. "I hope you're not filling the Guardian's head with your fanciful tales, Rahab."

"Just making introductions, my friend. I'll see you soon, Malek."

As Rahab walked off, Raziel shook his head and looked at Malek. "It was good to meet you, Guardian. I look forward to seeing the skills of the Pillar of Conflict in battle."

Malek rubbed his temple as Raziel walked away. He had the feeling that the upcoming expedition would be, to say the least, interesting...

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