I made it back to the town in the dark of night. After showing my ID to the guards, they became more relaxed. Initially they were rude but when I mentioned the training grounds, both instantly perked up.

They led me to the barracks and asked me a series of questions regarding my upbringing/background, general health, education, and crimal history.

I told them I had no sicknesses or allergies that I know off. I never been to a hospital or have been treated at one. Age, 14. Height, 5'5". Weight, 150lbs. Hair and eye color, Gray and Green.

After they were finished with the questioning, I received a thick packet with the instructions to read and sign the dotted-lines.

A sudden wave of Déjà vu hit me.

I smile as I re-count the exact scenario in my previous life and all the experiences that came after signing those papers. I promised to never again re-enlist..all of the pain and suffering I endured..for a damn Camaro. A chuckle escaped my lips before it turned into full-blown laughter at the high probability that I will have to suffer again. This time for answers.

I no longer read the contents of the documents; laughing hysterically as I blindly signed my life away again.

The two guards sat in silence as I had my moment of torment. One leaned in closer and whispered, "I think he'll be a fine fit." The other smiled softly with a snort and shook his head.

I finished signing the papers and turned them in to the closest one. He overlook my signatures and gave a nod.

"Great. Since it's late we'll wrap things up here and finish tomorrow. I'm sure your matron is worried."

"Actually, I ran away from the orphanage earlier to come enlist."

"If that's how it is then you can rest here. It's a little past the twelfth bell and I wouldn't sleep knowing I let a kid roam free this late at night."

"Thank you, Sir."

"No problem. Two things I want to say before I show you your sleeping quarters. One, report here back at dawn so I can bring you to our personal physician. He'll have you do tests and check your health, but it's nothing hard. I'm sure you can perform well, make sure to drink water however. It's very important that you stay hydrated. It will not even take a hour before your scores are verified if you pass, and you will be given a ticket with a number that reflects the average of how well you did. Do Not lose it. That ticket is what will allow you to recieve your temporary ID. Don't worry about the last part too much though, You'll learn more about that when you pass, okay?"

"Okay."

"The second thing I wanted to say, er, well ask, is what is your reason for wanting to become a knight? I'm sure you heard that it's not something easy to do.

I didn't need to think long about an answer to his question, "Since I was a child I've always admired General Sparta and the Crimson Gryphons."

As you would expect everything was too easy. Although I did get chills at the 'hernia' test...but for good reason... my doctor was male.

Otherwise, I was completely unfazed.

First was the push-ups and sit-ups assessment. The highest recorded amount was set by an eighteen year old who did 110 push-ups and 106 sit-ups in under two minutes respectively.

Baby numbers.

I scored 280 for the push-up assessment and 184 for sit-ups.

It was up from there. One by one, I surpassed each and every record he informed me of.

When I reached the end the doctor gave me a pat on the back and a golden ticket with the number zero on it. He then instructed me to go down a hall and open the door with a gold handle. I did as I was told.

The room itself, if I had to describe in one word, would be grand. It looked as if it had been crafted for royalty. Everything about it, from the floorboards to the raftors, screamed expensive. However, what held my attention more than the room could was the food.

A feast from the gods.

Long tables filled with dishes, beverages and entrées. Beans, greens, potatoes, turkeys, hamhocks, pigfeet, deer, crab, lobster---You name it. It was here.

If I waited any longer I think I may drown in a pool of my own saliva. I appear in front of the turkey as if it had owed me money. No need for utensils.

I have hands.

I must satiate my appetite. I shan't wait any longer.