An Eagle Flies on Pride

[Iron Dragoon]

Flashing blades, grunts of exertion and pain, and roaring yells of determination and violence. This is how Natalia Greenwood spends most of her day, practicing her chosen art: Violence, war, mascoting, and side-line cheering. Though many jokes are made of towel and water fetching, Natalia can hold her own with any of her 'Uncles,' the men soldiering in her father's unit.

In fact, she can hold her own against any two of her Uncles, sometimes three. Sadly, this has not changed the view of any of her Uncles or the other officers, but they at least acknowledge her abilities. Sitting down on one of the benches in the practice square, she wipes the sweat off of her face and calls one of the squires to bring her water. After a few minutes of rest, she catches sight of her father's Master Sergeant and heads over to him, waving him down with a grin.

<Natalia> "Well, well, well...Master Sergeant Abram! What brings you around these parts?" Natalia greets as she approaches the man, giving a mock salute greeting for show before giving him a quick hug. "Any interesting news? Wars to fight, heroic deeds to do, villains to thwart?"

Master Sergeant Abram Vasiliev returns the grin as she approaches. "Ah, Natalia, it's good you found me. I've got a message from your father. It seems he's been given orders for the Princes' Wake. He wants you to get your formal uniform ready for it. You're to escort him, along with myself, to act as representatives of the unit. He said for you to report to the armory and get fitted with one of the ceremonial armors for it. Congratulations might be in order. I think you just got accepted into the Anvarr military, girl."

* Natalia raises an eyebrow. "I'd say something about what it took for me to get in, but it'd probably be seen as disrespecting the dead," she notes sardonically before grinning again. "But woo hoo! Though I guess that means no more hugs for my favorite uncle since he'll be my boss from now on, huh?"

Abram smiles at her, "Not in front of the soldiers, no. But I expect to be spoiled by our newest officer every chance she gets. But seriously, be aware: your military conduct is going to
have to be absolute in public. You can't be seen as currying favors or it'll hurt you in the long run."

<Natalia> "Oh, understood. I know how to behave when I have to," Natalia replies quickly, wanting to assure the man.

* Natalia pauses. "Actually, where in the chain of command -would- I fit, really? Not at the very bottom, right? Since I'm acting as a representative and all?"

Abram chuckles at her. "Don't worry about that right now. That's the Commander's job to settle. At formation tonight, he'll announce it. Now, come on, lets get you down to the armory and get you ready."

* Natalia nods as she starts heading towards the armory.

Abram follows after her, and once they arrive at the armory, she sees all the Sergeants and Corporals waiting with easy grins for her.

<Natalia> "...so apparently I'm the last one hearing the news or something, huh?"

<Natalia> "Figures. You boys are such -terrible- gossips, for all you complain about the women."

Chuckles abound in the group and one of the Sergeants speaks up. "Something like that. You've been part of this unit longer than most of us have, and well, we just couldn't let your commission go by would a bit of celebration."

Abram puts a hand on her should and gives her a small shove towards the door. "All of us chipped in and arranged for something special for you. I know your fittings, so we arranged a set of armor for you. Get in there."

* Natalia steps to where she's directed. "I hope you remembered to get something that isn't going to weight me down a ton. I'm just a weak little girl, you know," she jokes as she bats her eyelashes. "Though seriously, light armor, I hope."

Abram shrugs as they shove the door open and walk in, the armorer looking up from the grinding stone. "Ah, you're here finally. Come on over here."

The armor she is presented with is a customized breast plate with gloves, pauldrons, and boots . It's got an atypical breastplate, lacking any fancy gilding or scrollwork, reaches only just below the ribs, giving more mobility. Engraved on the chest is a series of wreaths surrounding a moonstone pendant, which has her personal crest, a Lilly, engraved on it.

On one shoulder the head of an Eagle is formed; the pendant is attached to a small shoulder cloak, colored a deep violet, by two cords and a thick leather strap; the cloak bearing the insignia of the 5th Anvarr Heavy Infantry Regiment: an Eagle, wings flared and talons grasping.

There is an armored girdle, sectionalized for flexibility, with an Eagle, wings flared formed into it. This leads down to a set of small armor plates, about 2/3 of the normal size, that strap to the thighs followed by armored knee sections and boots. The armored gloves have bracers attached, and both the boots and the gloves have lilies, her personal signet, engraved into them.

The armor stands ready, along with a stylized heavy spear with a strip of cloth engraved with the unit's emblem, serving as the Company Banner.

<Natalia> "Ooooh, pretty..." Natalia can't help but mutter as she stares. "A little heavier than what I'm used to, but not too heavy. Love the workmanship on the shoulders though!"

Abram and the others grin at that. "Try it on! We'll go through some forms with you to make sure it's fitting proper."

* Natalia nods as she gathers up her hair in a bunch and uses her teeth to pull off the wristband around her hand and uses it to tie up her hair into a loose ponytail before grabbing the armor and starting to put it on. A few minutes later she's modeling the armor. "So how's it look, fellas?"

Abram and the others nod, one of the Corporals speaking up, "Looks proper for one the Eagles!"

<Natalia> "Excellent! Anything else I'll need for later, Master Sergeant? Or am I all ready to report for duty?" Natalia asks as she turns to look at Abram.

"Hmm.. I think you're good for now.. Be at evening formation, with the Banner. The Commander has orders pass. Until then, you're free to go back to the practice yard. Though, it'd be nice if it lasted the first day without any scratches."

<Natalia> "Heh, don't worry, I have no plans to scratch it up before the evening. Though if some miscreant assaults us and I have to defend us in an exciting show of swordsmanship, I make no promises on scratches!" the girl retorts with a cheeky grin. "I'm sure you've done a great job to prevent such miscreants from showing up though, because you'd want nothing more than to spoil my chance at some fun."

"Indeed. Our lives are dedicated to keeping you out of trouble. Excuse me, out of fun." Abram returns the grin.

<Natalia> "Eh, what's life without a little trouble? Boring is what it is, I tell you."

"You'll soon find that boring is a large part of soldiering in the field. I have duties to attend to, I'll see you at formation."

* Natalia shakes her head as she watches her 'uncle' depart. "Can't be any worse than getting stuck behind," she mutters. "Huh. So finally a soldier. This calls for a victory dance."

* Natalia does a silly little victory dance to the amusement of the men still around.
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"Company, Atten-hut!" Master Sergeant Abram Vasiliev turns to Commander Ruthan Greenwood and salutes. "Sir, the Company is formed and accounted for."

"Very good, Master Sergeant. Return to your post." Ruthan watches momentarily as Abram marches to his place, just to Ruthan's right and a few paces behind.

"Men, I have a few announcements. I have received orders for our company. Seeing as how Prince Victor's unit is still afield, we are to be the Prince's formal escort. While the Prince's Wake is a sad event for our Kingdom, this presents our Company with a chance to show ourselves off. I expect all of us to have our ceremonial uniforms nothing short of perfect. We will not disgrace Prince Victor's memory with anything less than perfection. "

"The Master Sergeant, Myself, the King, and the King's advisor, Master Nathaniel, will carry the Prince's body into the throne room. There is to be one other in this procession: My daughter. Natalia has just been accepted into the Anvarrian military, and has been assigned to us. She now holds the rank of Lieutenant, and will serve as the Company Bannerman.--" Ruthan pauses as he's interrupted by the sudden cheering and slapping of swords on shields in celebration before motioning for silence and continuing on.

"Yes, I know, I know. Now, Bannerman to Position!"

* Natalia proudly holds the banner up as she moves. "Yes, sir!" she states, stopping to salute her father before moving to her correct location besides the master sergeant.

Ruthan nods and turns back to addressing the company. "Now since we have preperations to make, I'll let the Lieutenant make a few remarks. Lieutenant?"

* Natalia looks briefly startled, having not been expecting being put on the spot, and very very quickly tosses a narrowed stare at Abram before coughing into her fist and clearing her throat. "As has been said, we are gathered here to honor the Prince. It's a sorrowful event for the
kingdom that he has passed, and that our unit will not be able to follow his lead in the battlefield. But at the very least, we can lead him to his destination so he can rest, and do him and our kingdom proud in the years to come."

* Natalia pauses and looks around, hoping that was good enough.

The soldiers, somber and resolute after the short speech respond only by stomping a foot in synch and letting out a shout of, "For the Prince! For Honor!"

Ruthan glances over his shoulder to Natalia with only a small smile and a small approving nod before turning back to the company.

"She will issue all orders to the company for the  duration of the ceremony, and attend with the Master Sergeant as the ceremonial guard for the Prince once his coffin is in place. Take heart men, though it is a sad day, all of Anvarr will remember the 5th Regiment proudly for it. We will stand proud and honor His Highness' memory, and all will remember our banner and emblem displayed proudly next to him."

Ruthan allows a few moments of silence to honor the Prince, but goes on to close the formation. "Remember, we are the 5th Anvarr Heavy Infantry Regiment, Eagle Company. We are the vanguard of His Majesty's Army... What are we?"

The entire company stomps their right foot on the  ground twice in synch before returning, "We are the Pride of Anvarr!"

Raising his voice, Ruthan fires back, "What do we do?!"

Once again, the  entire company stomps their right foot on the  ground twice in synch before returning, "We tear the throat from our enemies!"

Raising his fist along with his voice once more, Ruthan shouts back, "WHO ARE WE?!"

Again, the  entire company stomps their right foot on the  ground twice in synch before returning, "We are the Eagles of Anvarr!"
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