Bryan awoke to several knocks and a voice shouting for him to wake up. "I’m awake now" he shouted back as he rolled out of his bed for what he realizes would probably be the last time. He opened the door to see Joshua at the door and his father standing a short distance away. "I’ll be right out. I just need to grab my things." He strapped on his sword and pack and exited. "Thank you. I may have slept too long if you hadn’t come. Did you get much sleep?"

"I came by before night but you had not returned yet. I’m sure I slept better than the others. At least I can say I made a choice, though there wasn’t much of one" Joshua replied.

"I know what you mean, at least we can look out for each other. I walked my brother and our friend to the edge of the Pricel forest and didn’t get back until late."

"That’s quite a walk the day before you head off on a journey" James interjected. "Are you sure they will be alright on their own? Roads and cities can be dangerous."

"What’s one more day to the many days we are about to spent on our way to the capital. I think it was time well spent with my brother." He thought for a second and smirked "I’m not sure about our friend but I know my brother can protect them"

"Sometimes I forget that you two had a much different life than most of us. I’ve never lived outside this village and haven’t travelled much. I don’t know what life was for you before you came here but I can honestly say there is no other man I’d rather have watching my son’s back."

"I’ll keep him safe. Our home is yours, you helped us build it after all. I’m not sure if we will ever live in Krif again but if we do we can always build another one."

They arrived at the center of town, where the four conscripts and their families were gathered. Joshua and James went to their family while Bryan stayed off to the side. All of the families were talking in hushed voices anticipating the coming dawn and what it would bring. It wasn’t much longer before they could hear the sound of hoof beats in the distance. At the sound of impending separation mothers began to weep and hug their sons. Joshua’s mother shed a few tears but looked at her son with pride with only a hint of fear. Two knights on horses appeared out of the darkness moving swiftly and slowed as they neared the group. They reared there horses to a complete stop as one knight pronounced, "All six conscripts or volunteers say goodbye to your families and line up by age." Everyone said there goodbyes and the soon to be soldiers started toward the knights. Bryan began to follow Joshua as he left his family when Joshua’s mother surprised him by hugging him "Please, watch out for my son" Bryan returned the embrace " I will, I promise." Separating, he turned to the rest of the family, nodded and walked to the formation. On the far left stood the light blonde haired, blue eyed and lean twins Lester and Trent Balwar arguing quietly with each other about who was the youngest. Next to them Peter Crump followed by Adam Rean then Joshua.