Sauragia

Chapter 6

Astron awoke to the first weak rays of daylight streaming in through his window. Sunrise. He loved this time of day! He yawned and stretched luxuriously, then lay back on the soft, warm bedspread. He had not slept in a real bed since leaving home, having had to save his pennies for food. How wonderful it felt!

After a moment, he sighed contentedly, scratched an itch on his chest, and swung his hind claws down with a click as they hit the floor. He then began a series of morning stretches and exercises as he had done every day for as long as he could remember, and by the time the sun had risen, he was already dressed and chatting with Willy down in the mess before breakfast.

After some time, other Guard members and officers began to filter in, each courteously introducing himself or herself to the newcomer. He began to feel a tad overwhelmed by all the attention, and was delighted when he at last came upon a familiar face.

“Morning, Astron.”

“Good morning, Johnny!”

“How are you liking Saurahall so far?”

“It’s a wonderful place, just like you said.”

“Glad to hear it. Rob showed you all the important spots?”

“Seems like it.”

“Well, nice to know you’re settling in.”

“Thanks.”

Johnny hesitated before going on his way, then turned to Astron again. “By the way, if you’re looking for a way to unwind in your off hours, I find a walk in the woods to be a pretty relaxing experience. Assuming you’re an out-of-doors sort, that is.”

“Always have been, actually.”

“Great! Well, be sure to try it out some time. Umm…And if you need a guide…”

Astron smiled. “I’d be honoured if you would show me around.”

“Oh. Okay. Great! I’ll see you in the Guard commons later, then?”

“Sure thing.”

Johnny at last went on his way, and Astron promptly found himself surrounded by more curious and friendly young soldiers, much to his chagrin. He spoke to them out of politeness and answered their endless questions as best he could until a strong, stern-faced officer plowed his way through.

“All right, lads, let’s have no more swanning about. Give our friend some room. Out of the way, break it up, move along now.” He went on until at last he stood alone before Astron. “There. All better?”

“You have my gratitude, sir,” said the very relieved young dinosaur.

“Right. Captain Richard Torilis of His Majesty’s Royal Guard, at your service,” said the militant, holding his claw out with slightly upturned mouth corners. He wore a finely tailored Guard uniform with long sleeves and cuffs, as well as a lovely dark blue cloak of velvet over his shoulders. This served as a mark of his rank, as only the Captain of the Guard wore such adornments. “You’re our new fellow, aren’t you? The one who showed up at court yesterday.”

“I am,” said Astron, shaking the claw offered to him. He took an immediate liking to this officer.

“Astron, isn’t it?”

Astron nodded.

“Well, welcome to the Guard, young un. I take it Rob gave you a fair look around?”

“He did. Where is Rob, by the bye?”

“He’s a late riser, that one,” sighed Richard. “Nothing could ever cure him of it, poor lad, so we decided to let him get his sleep. Takes a lot of energy to do all that gabbing, after all.” They shared a good chuckle. “Aah, he’s a good one at heart, Robert, but he can make himself a bit of a nuisance at times.”

“I know what you mean, sir.”

Richard studied him a moment. “You look very much like your father, Astron, if I may say so. All but your face, anyway, which is clearly your mother’s.”

“So I’ve been told. Did you know them, sir?”

“But of course! I served as a sergeant under your father when he was Lieutenant of the Guard. An excellent officer he was, and the finest sword-fighter I’ve ever known. I looked forward to the day he would take up the post of Captain, and was naturally disappointed when he didn’t. But then, if I’d had someone like Wynfred waiting for me, I might have done the same.

“No matter! You’re the best of both, I can tell. Except your eyes. I confess, I’ve never seen the like before. I’m told my grandfather had eyes like yours. He was a real fighter.” He paused. “I have a feeling you are the same way, Astron. Most are warriors made, but a few are warriors born, and I can see you are one of the latter.”

“I suppose we’ll find out when the time comes, Captain,” said Astron humbly.

“I suppose we will.”

Rob entered the mess hall then and made his way over to Astron.

“A late riser indeed,” remarked the captain, “but always in time for stuffing his snout, eh, Rob?”

“Righto, Captain!” said a cheery Rob with a casual salute. He made a motion to sit down, but was stopped by Richard.

“Hold up there lad! Are those dirty claws I see there?”

Rob held up and inspected his foreclaws. “Well, just a bit, sir…”

“Dusty tunic, unwashed face, unscrubbed tail,” Richard rattled off.

“I’m sorry, sir. I suppose I should go and…”

Again he was silenced as Richard held up his claw. “Deal with it later, Robert. Sit down and eat now. Afterward you may show Astron his new duties as a guard.”

“Yes, sir!” said Rob, happily resuming his seat.

“Very well. Good day to you, young sirs.”

“Good day, Captain!” responded the two youths, and the Captain of the Guard strode off to continue his tour of the mess hall. Astron was pleased with himself for making a good first impression on the captain, and was quite curious to know more about him. Thus, when they had been served and started eating, he said to Rob, “He seems like a great fellow, the captain.”

“Captain Torilis?” spoke Rob, his mouth full of buttered biscuit. “Oh, absolutely!” He swallowed. “The best of the best, if I may say. All the soldiers adore him, yours truly included. Sometimes I wish I could be just like him.”

“Really?”

Rob nodded. “He’s the perfect officer, all considered. He’s fair-minded, if strict at times. Knows his blade like it was a part of his own claw, too. But above all, he’s a true gentlesaur.”

“A gentlesaur?”

Again Rob nodded. “A dino of honour, you know. Proud, noble bearing. Eloquent speech. Not to mention his level-headedness. There’s not a soul I know who’s ever seen him lose his temper.”

“None?” Astron asked, astonished.

“None,” replied Rob with all seriousness. “It’s pretty easy to see how he got to be Captain of the Guard when he was so young. You know, he was my age when he got the position.”

“Your age!” Astron was more amazed by the second.

“Well, close to it anyway. After your father left, he was next in line for the position, so he’s been Captain ever since. Guess it only figures, though, considering his family’s long history of military excellence. He’s far too modest to ever bring it up, but his family’s always been part of Cardolin’s army in one position or another. They’ve fought in every war the kingdom’s ever been in, right up to the one with the Umbrians some years back. Captain Torilis earned a medal for bravery there, I think. He even fought alongside King Henrik before he was king.”

“He’s that old?” Astron glanced again at the captain across the room. “I thought he was thirty, at most.”

“Well, he’s not as old as the king, no, but he’s up there. More like forty, I think. Anyway, his family’s always been close to the royal house. The late queen was a distant relative of his, if I’m not mistaken. It’s a family of superb quality whatever the case. He’s the third in his line to serve in the Guard, and the only one to make it to Captain. I suppose he’s just carrying on the family tradition in that sense.”

Rob shook his head and sighed. “A first class dino without a doubt. Aah, to be such a fine soldier. But, very few of us will ever live up to that, least of all me.”

“Why’s that?” asked Astron, biting into an apple.

Rob swallowed another mouthful. “Look at me! It’d be a disaster if I had to lead anyone. I can’t even keep my own tail clean, much less look after everyone else’s. What kind of officer do you think a bungling lad like me would make, hmm?”

“I think there’s more to being an officer than keeping a clean tail, Rob,” said Astron. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Who knows? You might make a brilliant leader if the need arose.”

Rob thought hard about this for a moment as he chewed, trying to picture himself wearing that blue Captain’s cloak, then shook his head. “If you say so, old lad. I’ll believe it when I see it.” He paused. “If I see it.”

But Astron felt sure that there were many things Rob Winstone would be capable of, given the opportunity. After all, he figured, anyone who ate as much as that had to be good for something.