The Paladin Order Reformed

I awaited everyone in the training yard, eventually, everyone appeared. I looked at Rachel to see if she had recovered from the night prior, but the only sign was a little redness around her eyes. That was all, it was encouraging to know she didn't cry any after.

I announced to everyone. "Ok everyone today we will be doing a more broad workout regiment, this will help prepare you for the strain of war." This time no one sighed or groaned, a good sign?

"We will be doing 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, 100 squats, and a 6.2-mile jog, every other day!" I say while glaring off into the distance. This was the workout that Sir Richard would give me after our magic lessons.

They all groaned at this. "Come on, those reps aren't going to do themselves," I say while jogging in place.

They all attempted to finish the workout, Jake was unable to finish the push-ups, Rachel actually finished more than him, which surprised me. Jake was supposed to be the hardened criminal, but I guess he didn't do workouts in the prison yard.

Joseph and Mathew both finished the workout with twice as many reps as they needed, I commended their eagerness. Only they didn't fare as well running, they took twice as long as it took Rachel.

Dontae completed the workout, he didn't do anything noteworthy.

When they all finished I excused them for the day, I still wanted to build them up slowly after all.

We followed the same routine every day, on technique day I would focus on an aspect that they were lacking in and after that, they would practice broader that they specialized in. The next day we would do workouts.

We did this every day, I increased the difficulty every time, making It harder and harder to complete. But every time they were able to succeed in their challenges, they never relented or gave in. Because If they did I would make them do it again with twice the difficulty.

After three weeks we became an effective force, all of us bringing a specific skill to the team that made up for each other's weaknesses. In the few weeks that we trained together, we grew close, our bonds were forged knowing that we would have to rely on each other. And when everything was said and done, there wasn't a single one that I wasn't comfortable watching my back.

On the final day before we had to be shipped off, there was a celebration. This was to raise everyone's morale and help ready everyone for the coming fight. The celebration would be held inside the communal area in the main building, but my squad and I decided that we would rather go to the tavern and pay for the food and drink. We didn't really care for the crowd anyway.

I looked at my room in preparation to leave it for a second time, I don't think I'll ever get used to it. I put on my clothes and equipped my armor, I gather all my possessions for the second time and exited the room ready to spend my final night of peace with my squad at the tavern.