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Positions are Given, Respect is Earned

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Lieutenant Aytan and Guardsman Aedan
Spring, Year 758 of the New Age
Glenmore, Glenwood


Aedan

The light stag was nearly giddy with joy. They’d given him his own squad! Sure it was only a three-person squad and sure he was already kind of the defacto leader of the little group but they were making it official! And if he did well, they would make it a real promotion! He’d be an Officer!

He let out a little bound or two when no one was looking. It was odd to him how much he longed for the approval of his superiors now when, before he joined the guard, he’d wanted no such thing from the royal society he’d been a part of. Perhaps because the Guard actually awarded promotion based on merit and not political backstabbing.  

His royal upbringing did leave him with a quandary. He’d never been taught to lead. Doubtless he would have if he’d paid attention to any of his father’s lessons, but nothing had seemed more boring and useless at the time. He’d have to find someone who could teach him a thing or two about that. Not his father (he shuddered at the thought). Someone who he respected, and was respected within the guard.

Aedan had heard that Aytan was willing to train with the younger guards and work on their skills. Did that include leadership skills? He supposed it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Even if not, he could use some work on his strength. It would never be as great as that of the big read bear, but that was okay with him. He shuddered to think how that much muscle would look on his spindly frame anyway.

“Lieutenant Aytan?” he called out once he’d reached the training yard. With any luck the old stag would already be here.


Aytan

Having escaped his duties for the afternoon, Aytan had sought out refuge away from the herd to take what he thought was a well-deserved nap. Being a Guard meant you had to be up before most of the herd, and check that everyone was safe before going to sleep again, so he took the chance to snooze for the afternoon whenever he could. Being Lieutenant had its perks -- he could palm his duties off onto a lower ranking stag if they were lounging about, and use it as an excuse to do the exact same thing. So, he’d found a nice shaded spot close to the training yard; stags were too busy piling on fat after Winter to bother with training until Summer came, making it was the perfect place to hide in plain sight. He was just settling down, cocking a back hoof and letting his eyes drift closed when--

“Lieutenant Aytan!” A voice called across the clearing, and he sighed, groaning quietly to himself. Of course someone needed him. He put on his best smile and lifted his head to look to the stag who wanted him. It was Aedan, the stag whose coat and build could easily pass him for a princess, if it weren’t for his loud personality and his antlers during Rut. He was Royal blood, though had taken the oath of the Guard a few years back -- Aytan had trained him a couple of times, and had even been on patrol with him before he was promoted to Lieutenant.

“Hello, Aedan,” Aytan said merrily, taking a step out into the dappled sunlight that hung over the glade that was the training ground. He smirked as he thought once again of how similar their names were -- perhaps their names were part of the same cultural tree. “How can I help you?”


Aedan

Aedan arched his neck in pleasure when Lieutenant Aytan remembered his name. It probably shouldn’t have surprised him; they had very similar names, and it wasn’t as if Aedan blended into the background, but he was still honored to be remembered.

“Some of the boys said you might be up for some training, if you have a few moments? I don’t want to impose if you’re on duty, of course, but it’s been pointed out to me that a properly motivated hoofmaiden could probably knock me over and I thought you might be able to help me with that.”

He glanced around to make sure no one was within earshot before continuing. It wasn’t that he was ashamed of asking for help, it just seemed like a rather private thing to be discussing. “And while I’ve got your ear, I was wondering if I might get some advice. I’ve been given leadership of my squad and, well, I don’t have much training on that aspect of the job. They’re all good stag my own age so I don’t quite know how to step up to it, you know?”

He hoped the Lieutenant wouldn’t mind his informal nature, it wasn’t something Aedan had much luck suppressing in the past.


Aytan

Aytan chuckled at the stag’s comment, he’d had a few encounters with some bold hoofmaidens in his time, and wasn’t entirely certain he could stand up to an especially determined one, even with his years of experience. He was about to respond when the stag continued to speak, revealing that it was advice he wanted rather than physical training. It wasn’t something Aytan was asked for that often, even if he did think a fair few members of the Guard could do with a little of it. He wasn’t the type to enforce his way of thinking on others, no matter how much he thought they needed it.

He smiled though, stepping towards the pale stag and bowing his great head with a nod. His antlers were still yet to start coming in, but he could still train the new Officer effectively without them. “Of course, what is it you’re concerned with? Earning their respect?” He dropped his head and squared off, pawing the dirt with his front hoof so the younger stag would know what was coming.


Aedan

Accepting the offered challenge, Aedan put his head down and planted his feet for the incoming charge. He was glad the stag was willing to practice while talking; Aedan frequently found himself getting antsy when simply holding a serious conversation. Burning some energy at the same time would keep him focused and perhaps keep him from overthinking things.

“Yeah, something like that. It’s natural to look up to bigger, stronger, more experienced stags, right? But I’m their own age and even smaller than they are. I know respect is one of those things you have to earn, and that takes time, but how am I supposed to lead until then? These are my friends, my buddies. I’m used to being their equal.”

The bigger stag timed his charge well and hit Aedan squarely. It wasn’t an aggressive charge, just the sort you used for a friendly spar, but still Sedan skidded backwards a few steps from the impact.

Aedan shook off the impact, relaxing his shoulder and rolled his neck before bobbing his own head to show he was coming in with a charge of his own. It wouldn’t be as impressive as the Lieutenant's, but as long as he didn’t embarrass himself that didn’t matter to him.


Aytan

Aytan grunted at the impact of his charge, then stepped back, shaking his head to dislodge the ache that appeared between his ears every time he fought. You’re just showing your age, he thought to himself. Nothing to worry about.

“I’m somewhat familiar with your problem, you might be surprised to hear, Aedan,” he said gruffly, nodding as the pale stag prepared to charge again. “Though you’ve said it yourself, you have to earn their respect -- you can’t just march in and expect them to trust you and follow your orders without hesitation, you have to show them you’re worthy of their respect. It might be a season or two before your squad will be ready to follow you anywhere.” Aedan lunged forwards, catching Aytan squarely and making him hop backwards from the force of it. “You’ve certainly gotten stronger since we last fought, Aedan, I’m impressed!”

Aytan turned and trotted away a short ways towards the center of the training area, where they would have a little more space to tussle. “It took leading an attack on a Blackwood raiding party for my Squad to trust and listen to me.” He spun on a hoof and watched the younger stag quietly, waiting for the new Officer’s next move.


Aedan

Aedan beamed to hear the Lieutenant's praise of his strength and nodded in appreciation. He hadn’t noticed the difference himself, but he supposed the seasons of patrolling had added some muscles to his frame.

His advice wasn’t unexpected; Aedan knew he hadn’t really respected his own first squad commander until he’d really seen the stag in action. And he didn’t even have the advantage of superior age or experience, so he would be fighting an uphill battle.

“Oh, I imagine that would do the trick! What happened?” despite being here for advice, Aedan couldn’t help but be sidetracked by a good story.

He marched forward to meet Aytan’s new position and, at the last second, leapt to the side and feigned a strike at the taller stag’s side. At the last second he swiveled to the side, aiming a kick at the bull’s hocks in an attempt to unbalance him.


Aytan

The younger stag suddenly swerved from the course Aytan had expected him to take, then spun round and aimed a powerful kick at the Captain’s hooves. One leg immediately went out from under him, and he had to stagger sideways to keep his balance. He flicked his ears back and gave Aedan a hard stare, though his expression soon softened. “That was good.” He said, shaking the leg the Officer had struck. “Painful, but good.”

He laughed at the stag’s request, a great rolling rumble that filled the clearing they were stood in. Apparently he hadn’t quite gotten away from the hassle of storytelling after all -- young fawns were forever creeping up to him and asking shyly for one of his tales of bravery and valor against the evil Blackwood raiders.

“Oh, goodness, it was many years ago now…” He stared off into the trees for a moment while he recollected the story, then began: “I’d been promoted to Officer half a season before, but my Squad were essentially a bunch of hooligans -- all well-respected Guards now of course, but we were young and immature back then --  and so tended to ignore my commands. Anyway, we had the Southern Patrol, and back then there were far more Raids from Blackwood, and we encountered a gang of about half a dozen Blackwoods crossing the border. Of course, being young, we were all a bit apprehensive to charge them straight on, so we hung back downwind and waited for them to pass, while I tried to figure out what to do.

“There were only four of us so we were outnumbered, but I came up with the idea of splitting up and surrounding them, with two Guards drawing some of the Blackwoods away while I and another fought those who remained. This all went to plan, and by the time the other Blackwoods had figured out the plan and come back, all four Guards were able to fight them and defeat them easily. One of my first truly tactical plans…” He faded into silence, watching Aedan for a reaction.

“Anyway, weren’t we training?”


Aedan

Aedan wasn’t even aware that he’d stopped to listen, gawking like a little fawn as he’d gotten drawn into the tale. He liked to think he was above such things, but in truth he loved to hear as good heroic story as much as he enjoyed telling them. Outnumbered, taking the offensive against a better-armed foe? What could be more glorious than that? Finally he snapped out of his trance as the older stag finished.

“Tactical thinking,” he echoed back. “I can do that. Maybe I’ll get lucky and have a chance to demonstrate that in front of my men without managing to look like a fool in the process.”

Patience wasn’t his strongest suit but since all he could do was wait for an opportunity to present itself, that’s what he would have to do.

“Aye, so we are. Give me your best shot!” Fully aware that he’d probably end up in the dirt, Aedan braced himself for one last charge before calling it a day. His shoulders were beginning to protest his earlier collision with the larger bull already.


Aytan

Aytan had to suppress a laugh at the stag’s vacant expression, merely raising an eyebrow and letting his breath out in a quiet chuckle. “I’m sure you’ll get plenty of chances to prove your worth in the coming months, though there are certainly fewer Raids now than when I was younger…” He trailed off, then shook his head and lifted it to look at Aedan again. “Still, there’ll be some sneaky Witch for you to chase off to earn respect.”

Aytan smirked at the pale stag’s invitation for his hardest shot, lowering his head and backing up a few steps, splaying his back legs and preparing the launch his weight forwards. “You sure about this, Aedan?” He said with a low chuckle, then pushed himself forwards before the Officer could answer.

He collided with Aedan’s shoulder with the loud thud of flesh on flesh, sending the pale stag sprawling on the ground while Aytan rolled his shoulders, trying to work off the pain that the blow had sent flashing down his back. “You did ask for my best shot,” Aytan said with a wink, laughing as the Officer shook off the dust that had dirtied his creamy coat.


Aedan

Once he’d recaptured his breath, Aedan promptly lost it again with laughing. “So I did! Serves me right!”

He began brushing the dust from his sides with his tail as soon as he regained his feet. Heaven forbid a doe came along while he was covered in dust, even if rut was a long way off yet. One must always look one’s best, his mother always said. Somehow he thought she probably intended that sage piece of advice for his sister and not himself but he tried to comply nonetheless.

“Well you’ve sent me away with two lessons then, Sir,” he said. “Earn respect through deeds worthy of respect, and only say what I really mean!”

Aware that he was preening beyond what was average for a guard, Aedan gave up shaking the remaining dust from his mane. He’d get to that- and do a more thorough job of it- later.

His shoulder and back would be sore tomorrow but the training was always worth the next day’s discomfort.

“Thank you for taking the time to work with me,” he said, bowing his head in respect.


Aytan

Aytan raised an eyebrow as Aedan spent a few minutes trying to flick the dirt from his coat, chuckling at the stag’s vanity. He winced at the ache in his back and neck as he shifted his weight, the aftermath of training beginning to set in now that they had stopped.

“Glad to be of help,” he rumbled with a toss of his head. “Never make a bluff with an angry stag, he’s more likely than not to take you up on it!” He winked, a small laugh bubbling from his chest. “You’re most welcome, I’m glad to be of help.” He bowed his head back to the pale Officer, then watched as Aedan turned and walked back into the trees, leaving Aytan alone once again in the training ground.


Perhaps now I can get that nap… Aytan thought to himself, turning and heading back towards the tree he had been stood under originally, before settling down and closing his eyes once again.
Lieutenant Aytan and Guardsman Aedan
Spring, Year 758 of the New Age
Glenmore, Glenwood

Aedan goes to Lieutenant Aytan for some training and gets some advice in the process. (Go hug that big old bear and pour some bacon on MelonHeadGirl for making him so awesome ;) )

Wordcount
Aedan: 1222
Aytan: 1412
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