thirteen lines. you want more? you got it.
target length: 6000-7500 words (25-30 pages)

working title: redemption
* * * * *
Jameen a’Riman surveyed the room, allowing himself to smile openly at his work. High Commander Hallan would be pleased. On the dirt floor before him, bound at the wrists by rope, sat four men and a woman. No. Four boys and a girl, all wearing white robes, tied at the neck by a string of cloth and marked on the chest with an unbroken line, twisting back on itself three times, outlining three triangles; the training cloth worn by Tyros of the Elenoi. Jameen scoffed aloud at the thought.

Training to serve Arinon. Arinon! Old fairy tales from ages long past. Ignorant fools. Even if this Arinon were real, he was certainly never coming back. Yet they devoted their lives to service of a dead king. High Commander Hallan was living flesh and blood. Jameen had seen him, had been honored by his presence twice before. And he would see him again soon, for this act of service.