After The Smoke's Cleared [Jenn]

[Andy]

Fresh faced and if not bright eyed then filled with energy Alrim was leading a handful of his fellow Drin in an exercise routine. Someone had let leak that he was good at physical training and only second fastest to Zeen in his running. He had his suspicions as to who but no proof. Safe to say if he found proof they might not sit down for a little bit. It was mostly an empty threat stated to himself between the press ups, sweat leaking from his pores to stain the dusty ground beneath him. He was counting out loud between breaths, “Eight, nine...ten!” he intoned, rolling to his back and beginning the sit ups now, “come on lads, if you can’t keep up with me what chance you got against a Trolloc?” he shamed the slower ones, lightly but enough to spur them on. It didn’t take much truly, the memory of the attacks, varied though they were, was fresh and painful for many. It was mostly why they had even bothered to come to him. Before they hadn’t cared, now...well they had things on their mind and being fitter was a good start to shake them off. He counted off the sit ups, then into star jumps, squats, squat thrusts and a myriad of other exercises. Some flagged and sat out for a rest he had told them to as the run everyone should take part in. “Take five and we’re off. Anyone beats me they get free favours, no find the lady required” he panted at them, going off to dunk his head into the water barrel and drink deeply, drying his face on the jacket that had been cast to the side. He spent the time leaning against the railings, contemplating that this time last year he would never have put himself in charge of anything, let alone a portion of the future of the Grey Tower. A few Gaidin had gathered in the stands and were eyeing them all. One nodded at him in what he hoped was approval. A few Novices and Accepted had come too - spare time was spare time. He tried to ignore them all as he set off on the jogging laps, warm ups mostly to get into rhythm. He sped up each lap, faster and faster, seen leaving them all behind. They were getting closer to him but not quite yet there. “And done, get some water and rest,” he told them with hands upon his head, breathing in deeply between words, “classes and the rest in a bit. If you’re late you’re not blaming me” He waited until they were all gone, managing to keep his shaking legs firm and finally collapsing back into a seat when they were gone in quite a bit of pain. He had done the routine every morning for the last week or so, he was beginning to wish he had never started the flaming thing for Fiona to see. He felt the clap upon his shoulder as he rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands. “Fine work Drin, fine work. Keep it up now eh? Gives us a break” the Gaidin and his mates chuckled at Alrim’s groaning before pacing away silent as the grave. How do they DO that? Quite bastards! he snapped mentally to himself. He hard his stomach rumble and resolved toe at the whole damned kitchen once he was able to move properly. A few more moments, perhaps.