Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Six - LISTEN UP, MAGGOTS!

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Six - LISTEN UP, MAGGOTS!

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Six - LISTEN UP, MAGGOTS!

The sun was bright and it was only technically cloudy because a few big puffball clouds were decorating the skies. The air was nice and warm, but moving along at a brisk pace, so that no matter what, it was always perfectly comfy.

It was, in short, the perfect weather for being outside.

I was standing next to Amaryllis and Awen, the three of us wearing clothes that we didnt care much about, just in case they got torn up or sweaty. In fact, I was wearing pants for the first time since coming to Dirt!

Across from us, Bastion was standing at ease, a wooden pole held loosely by his side. Alright, maggots! he shouted, voice mean and growly. Today Im going to do my best to turn you sorry wastes of air into proper soldiers! If I do my job right, by the end of this afternoon, you will know which end of the sword to stick into your opponents--Thats if I can unscrew all the stupid from your thick plebian skulls!

I blinked, then raised a hand. Um, Bastion... why are you being mean?

The sylph stared at me. You wanted training?

Well, yes, but I didnt think that would mean you would be screaming rude things at us. I wanted training on how to fight, not on how to hold back from crying.

Uh, well, thats how my drill sergeants spoke, he said.

Amaryllis crossed her arms. Were hardly privates in the Sylphfree army. We are explorers who want to live a little longer.

Bastion cleared his throat. Right, forgive me. In that case, I... suppose I can skip a few steps.

Wait, there were multiple steps that involved screaming? I asked.

Well, technically most of them. Usually youd want to break a new soldiers bad habits, then rebuild them up. Its also good for team cohesion to work against a drill sergeant. At least, thats the conventional knowledge.

But youre a friend, I said.

Bastion closed his eyes. You... would be difficult to train, I think. Actually, you would be a nightmare to train. But, most of that is about functioning as a single unit, which this crew is surprisingly good at, despite the lack of training. I suppose we can do some drills to reinforce that, and perhaps a bit of one-on-one sparring, to sharpen whats already there.

That would be great! I said.

Bastion nodded. Right, lets start with the basics, the things that most will learn before learning how to spar. He raised a hand, and with a snap of his fingers, formed a small, glowing ball over his palm.

Oh, magic! I cheered. I didnt know you knew magic.

I know a bit, Bastion said. Its somewhat more advanced, but most well-trained soldiers will know at least a few spells. These are called the big seven, and you wont find a single soldier that cant cast them all. Not necessarily well, or quickly, but they should be able to cast them all.

Oh, thats probably more spells than I know, total.

Bastion made a so-so gesture. Ive seen you use two dozen cleaning magic spells. Cleaning balls, tracking projectiles, bolts, beams, and widely dispersed magic. Your fireballs have some versatility. Though, yes, you are correct that youre not a magic-focused combatant, or a proper combatant at all, for that matter. Thats not a bad thing. Also, warriors tend to be stronger when they focus on stamina abilities. They drain slower and can last significantly longer in a prolonged battle.

Amaryllis nodded. Mages, like myself, are very much about the alpha-strike. Hitting very hard in a single moment. Thats why I picked up a more versatile second class. Awen here has a strange magical class thats a bit more of a middle-ground.

Neat! I said. So, the big seven, what are they? Should we all learn them too?

Bastion hummed. You should consider it. The first four are logistical spells. Soften Earth allows soldiers to dig trenches and encampments faster. Firestart allows you to start a fire, or heat up a pot if you cant do that. Draw Water allows a soldier to resupply their water in the field. And the last is Clean Wounds, which is a difficult spell to master. Mostly, were happy when a soldier can keep a wound clean of infections until they can find a healer or field medic.

I nodded. Cool!

I dont think youre weak at all, Bastion said. Against the average civilian, you would do very well, all three of you. But I have seen you fighting before, and I know what youre capable of.

And yet you still think you can take all three of us? Amaryllis asked.

Bastions grin was small... but very smug.

A few minutes later, I realized it was also well-deserved smugness.

Bastion was fast. Very fast. No matter how we tried to hit him, tackle him, bonk him with wooden sticks and swords, or fling magic at him, the sylph was always dodging by the tiniest margin before rapping us on the shoulders with his wooden sword. Sometimes, when he was feeling particularly rude, hed trip one of us up.

I stumbled forward as Bastion gently pushed my shin back, redirecting my weight to the side.

Planting a foot down, I started to spin around, a Spar Ball forming as quickly as I could get it done in my off hand, where Bastion wouldnt be able to see it.

Then Bastion hip-checked me and my spell flew off and hit Awen in the face just as she tried to tackle Bastion.

He grabbed her by the scruff of her shirt, then turned her so that her stumbling tackle moved right into the path of the flurry of spells Amaryllis was sending his way.

Then he smacked Awens behind with the flat of his sword and she squeaked before crashing into Amaryllis.

Not bad, he said. Alright, up again.

Uh, can we have a break? I asked.

A break its hardly been more than ten minutes... though... yes, I suppose a small break for water is due, he said.

I cheered, arms raising above my head and wobbling around like wet spaghetti noodles.

Alright, line up for squats, he said.

Squats? Amaryllis asked.

Are you unfamiliar with those? Bastion asked.

As a way of taking a break, yes! the harpy said.

Bastion sighed. Well go slowly; your heart-rate will decrease. And learning to fight while your muscles are burning is important.

I didnt bother fighting it, I just got in line next to Awen and started to bend down, then stand up in time with her while Amaryllis grumbled and joined us. This is undignified, she muttered.

So is dying because you didnt do enough cardio, Bastion said. He actually joined us, though he had one leg pointing straight ahead, parallel with his arms, and was squatting down on the other. I think now would be a wonderful time to talk about your small squad tactics. The positions you take, and your roles in any fights you might find yourselves in!

Alright! I cheered.

If you have energy to cheer, then maybe we can start sparring again?

No, Im not cheering! I squeaked.

Maybe this was a bit of a mistake.

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