Commander Braghaman Larethian

Problem Recruit

“This is stupid!”

The field turned quiet as the other four paladin trainees stopped what they were doing and looked at the outburst. Then, one by one, the four looked away from their comrade and looked to the elder paladin who was standing to the side of the field.

“We’re wasting out time here!”

“Knock it off, Henkins,” one of the trainees said, looking to the one yelling.

“You knock it off, Julia! We’re wasting our time here.”

“What have you got against practicing?” one of the other paladins asked.

“Maybe you need the practice, Bin, but I don’t.”

“We all need the practice. That’s why we’re here.”

“Not me. If we were still back in Stormwind, they’d have realized that and sent me off to the front.”

“Get over yourself,” Julia retorted, turning to face Henkins. “We all need the training.”

“Of course, you all do. But not me. I could take any of you, and you all know it.”

“Any of us?” 

The question hung in the air as all five of the trainees turned and looked at their trainer. Braghaman hooked his thumbs onto his belt and started walking onto the field.

“You know what I meant.”

“Explain it to me,” Braghaman said quietly as he stared at the trainee.

“You know. These guys need all the help they can get. But I should already be out there, defending the Alliance.”

“You said you could take anyone here. So let’s see. Take me.” Braghaman stopped moving forward and stood with his arms relaxed at his side.

“I..  I’m not saying that.”

“Fine,” Braghaman said, frowning slightly. “Then get back in position and continue the practice.”

“I won’t. Its a waste of time.”

“Just do what the commander says,” Bin said.

“He’s not my commander,” Henkins said, crossing his arms over his chest. “He doesn’t even work for the Cathedral.”

There was silence on the field, again, as the trainees looked between their fellow recruit and their trainer. Braghaman took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“You’re right. I’m not.”

Henkins smirked at the other paladins.

“You’re done here. Go get your things. I’ll send word to Stormwind that you’re on your way back.”

“Good.”

“And I’ll let Lord Shadowbreaker know that you failed your training here.”

Braghaman’s last words hung in the air between the elder paladin and the trainee. The smirk on Henkin’s face slid away as the weight of what was just said sunk in.

“That won’t mean anything,” Henkins said defiantly. “Lord Shadowbreaker won’t care.”

“Guess you’ll find out. You have an hour to gather your things and leave the dorm.” 

Braghaman then turned his back to Henkins. The young paladin stared at Bragh’s back for a moment before he looked at the other recruits. He tried to smirk again at them, but faltered as the other paladins turned on him and moved to stand by their trainer one by one. Henkins lowered his head and walked off the practice field.