Student and Master

[Michael Vellas]

Redacted time between establishment of the Garden and present

Michael strode through the corridor of the training building in what he liked to think of as his formal clothing. It was not a standard uniform, but a long, dark coat with navy and silver embroidery that some poor bastard had tailored for him - technically on the orders of Nikolai Brandon, for how else was he suppose to explain the need to look impressive to a group of potentially deadly men that may some day be able to stop hearts with a wave of a hand? 

The few men that he passed shied away. Some gave a half salute, some inclined their heads or even bowed. They were unsure where he stood and Michael liked it that way. For now, all they needed to know was that it was his Garden. He pulled off his gloves as he approached one of the teaching rooms. It was re-enforced in some way he did not care to look to deeply into. Some metal that made it hard to put holes in the walls unless he was intent on doing so. Michael had indeed tested the limit of the metal, satisfied that it took almost his full strength and a nasty web of fire interwoven with earth to help bend the metal to force his way through the frame leaving a twisted hole in the structure. The new students that day had been both horrified and awed at the display. Michael had made sure it was done when Petrovic and Taichesky were present to teach - as he had all of the Rods do when they were not at the call of the Ascendancy. Perhaps he had gone overboard a little, but he had a reputation to maintain. 

As he entered the training room - Karim and Monsierre greeted the recruits on this day - the two Rods turned and inclined their heads while the room of a little over two dozen fresh faces stared in confusion. It was the Frenchman who put a fist to his heart in some kind of salute. "Commander, it is a pleasure to see you." 

Michael nodded absently, looking at the faces of each recruit. I am sure it is, Monsierre, since your friend Petrovic got himself killed it your heart must beat a little faster now there was proof that us Godlings are mortal, he thought venomously. While his rage had faded over time, he still did not like the man and the Garden was better off with Petrovic dead. 

"Commander?" one brave soul spoke up. An unassuming man in his middle years with a sneer. "We were told we were not drafted into the military! I don't have to take orders from -" Monsierre's fist met the man's stomach as he wrapped a shield around his ability to access the Power. Probably a lawyer, he thought for a moment before grimacing. That one is on me. 

"You will listen closely if you want to live," Monsierre growled at the man who was gasping for air. "This is Commander Michael Vellas, he is in command of the Garden - your training - on the orders of the Ascendancy himself. You are not in the army, but you answer to him." 

Michael was surprised to hear that from the man, but it was not going to help. "Thank you, Julian. Please release him." Monsierre did as was commanded and now Michael had the attention of the new recruits. Some seemed to recognize his name already, which made him somewhat uneasy. He did not intend to prop himself up as a target for the Atharim any more than he was. "We are not soldiers, however the Power is dangerous to both ourselves and others. Until you can safely control it, I expect you listen to every word that comes out of a Rod of Dominion's mouth." 

He spun several simple nets, lifting half a dozen men into the air. There were shouts of surprise, while others obviously saw his web and others still seemed to understand what was happening. "I will not let any of you die out of carelessness. Under my charge, you are my responsibility and I will not do the job of those who would kill people like us out of ignorance," some few seemed to understand that all to well. He let the men down gently releasing all but one web. A desk suddenly shot into the air and folded in on itself, melting as Michael added fire to the web until it was a ball of molten scrap. Who on earth decided to put a desk in a training room? 

"Without control, you could accidentally unleash this on your friends and family." He saw in a few eyes that something similar may have already happened. "I will allow no further tragedy in this Garden, your loved ones will be safe and you will learn how to fend for yourselves. Now, let us begin."