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Among the older soldiers that were training was one who was trying as hard, if not harder, then those around him. It was something that he'd learned long ago that he was going to have to do. To continue to train not only with his peers but on his own time as well, it was the only want to make sure that his skills and senses were honed enough to compensate for the fact that he was half blind in one eye. It wasn't an injury that he was going to allow to ruin his chances to do what he'd been dreaming of doing since he was quite young, that being to climb the ranks in the Oban army, and fix what he perceived as being wrong with it. He still felt that, were a good number of the officers in charge not complete idiots, that they wouldn't have lost the war.

It was only when those in charge told them that it was 'enough for today' that Saraf let up on the one that he'd been training with, thanking the other man for the 'match'. The one he'd been sparring with seemed only too happy to collapse on the spot, obviously exhausted. Saraf on the other hand didn't feel like he'd done enough. In fact he wanted to continue training. He wanted to do more, so much more, to practice drills that would aid him in being ready for inevitable attacks against what enemies would perceive as a blind spot or a weakness. He wouldn't let it become that though, if anything the issue with his eyes was going to be a driving force instead, one that helped him to get stronger instead of making him weaker.

Walking first over toward a weapon stand he left the practice sword there, picking up his own weapon instead, the one he carried and would use if he ran into anything or anyone dangerous. He wasn't about to use it in practice, not wanting to risk any of his fellow Obans in a sparring match, not when, in his perfect future, they would be 'his' soldiers serving him. It was a nice dream he thought to himself with a smile. He'd change a lot of things for sure, starting with the trainees. Why were they just watching? They could be working with the older soldiers, something that would help them get stronger, learning by doing but also getting pointers from them. Shaking his head he tried to focus, he couldn't very well set about plotting, not when he wasn't high enough in rank to do so. Sure, he had a basic rank, but not a good enough one to really have any pull. Yet.

Saraf could feel eyes on him, something that made him instantly go stock still before he set to looking around the area. Someone was starring holes into him and the question swiftly became why? He had various things about him that would likely get people glaring at him, everything from the fact that once upon a time ago he'd chatted up Lady Naevius calling her by name and not title, the fact that he was a nobleman's out of wedlock secret son, or even the rumor about how he'd been keeping slaves even after it was banned. He was sure if he thought about it even harder he could come up with various other reasons a person could glare at him, his arrogant attitude and distaste for the higher up for instance. Amongst them there were only a hand full worth a damn if you asked Saraf, one of them being Lady Naevius who he'd actually talked to and found to be quite intelligent.

After a moment his eyes laned on the one that seemed to be glaring at him so hard. He shifted his stance, head lifting, and he starred back and he approached the younger man. So that was the one who had a problem with him, huh? One of the trainees? Talk about a rude little thing, but Saraf couldn't help but wonder what issue that one had with him. Once he was in charge he supposed that he was going to have to deal with such people and their glaring he thought to himself, it just came with the territory. Opening his mouth he was about to question the other, but didn't get the chance as the other seemed to blurt out his own words first. From there it was just Saraf having to decide upon if the kid was being sarcastic or not.

After a moment of carfully studying the kid that went from glaring at him to being unable to look him in the eye he finally said, "Respectable is a decent enough compliment, I suppose. I am striving for a bit more then that though." He gave the kid a grin before he chuckled, unable to help it, "You wish to be one of my subordinates once I climb then ranks, huh? So long as you work hard I don't mind." He needed loyal soldiers after all, especially if he was going to one day become an officer in the army. Hard to do that without allies after all, something that could be difficult to find when you were trying to take the job of one of yours seniors who had been around a while.

Saraf gave the trainee before him a long look before he nodded his head, "I suppose that nobody goes into things with the thought in mind that they are going to become someone's subordinate, but it's just the way of things. There can be only one army general after all and I mean to be that one man." It would take some time, as well as a lot of work, but that was Saraf's dream. He'd become someone that people wouldn't be able to look down on and his mother would be able to live a comfortable life, he'd see to that.

Crossing his arms over his chest he studied the man before him very closely before he said, "Perhaps you will become Captain material?" He didn't even know the guy but he was almost certain that he'd probably make a better captain then their current one. If you asked Saraf it was that b*****d that lost the war for them, spending more time ogling prisoners then he did making sure said prisoners didn't escape. Everything that the man had done the day those savages escaped showed that the Oban army, an army that should have been victorious without even trying, had it's flaws. They were flaws he'd see mended he thought to himself.

"I am not sure about you but I am not going to leave my training at what little we were required to do. I am going to do a bit more, if you would like to accompany me? I can't very well trust you on your word alone after all." He didn't recall seeing this one during the war, meaning he might not be battle tested yet. Saraf had little to do today, might as well see if this one was more then just talk.

Saraf gave him a smile, "Yes, Captain." He told him, unable to help but to smile. He wondered if he should take his thoughtful silence as a good sign. It seemed as though he was at least considering it which pleased him greatly. He watched him closely as the young man set to thinking over his invitation. After what almost felt like an eternity of thought Saraf was finally told to 'lead the way' which had him smiling a bit, pleased to see that the trainee was actually willing to come along with him. Seemed as though he had a sparring partner for the day, a good thing since it was never any fun to fight against training dummies.

"Alright, let's getting going then." He said as he started forward, heading toward his his place where he had a training area set up in the courtyard of his home. After a short time Saraf gave a pause, turned to look at the trainee he'd recruited, before he asked of him, "So, trainee, do you have a name? Mine is Saraf Ismat." Best that he actually knew the name of the one that he was bringing home with him, he didn't want to appear as though he didn't even have the most basic manners, especially if his mother learned that he asked the guy to spar before he'd even asked for his name. He could only imagine the scolding he'd get, not something he was willing to risk.

Saraf gave Nuri a nod when Nuri introduced himself in turn. He was quick to file away the name for later, hopeful that, since he was still in training, that he would end up promising. It was likely Saraf's own desires for power caused him to hope for that same power in others in only because he wanted powerful allies at his side as he grew in power. One couldn't become powerful alone therefore he would need allies, Nuri could be one of them, provided of course he proved to Saraf that he was worthwhile. Glancing over at him he found himself closely studying him, sizing him up, and debating over the idea of him as an ally. It helped that the guy wasn't content to be a mere subordinate meaning that he had a lot of promise.

As the other man asked him if he preferred his own grounds he couldn't help but to give a chuckle, "It's not bad when it comes to practicing when I am on my own." He explained as they walked along, flushing a touch, "Though it can be a bit... ahh... interesting as well." He added, at least if his mother was home when they got back. There was a part of him that kind of hoped that she was away, but he supposed they would see. Lifted a hand he motioned to it, "That's where we are heading." He explained, digging into his pocket to get out the key for the front door.

He stopped at the door, unlocked it, and pushed the door open. He motioned to Nuri to head inside first. As he waited for his 'new friend' to head inside Elred, a perzi, came sauntering out the front door, ignoring Nuri completely and came to stand in front of Saraf giving a plantiff meow. He blinked a couple times, then sighed as he scooped up the cat, letting him crawl up onto his shoulder. Glancing at Nuri he said, "A gift from my mother after... ah, well, some annoyances I had to deal with."

Saraf gave a nod, lifting a hand to scratch the spoiled perzi under the chin, "Yeah, I suppose so. I was a little surprised at first by such an odd gift but I've learned that perzi aren't so bad." They were in fact something that he found that he could tolerate, meaning that it was a gift he could appreciate. Sure, it didn't complete heal him of all past grievences nor did it sooth away his distaste for Shifters, but at least he felt calmer these days he thought to himself as he headed down the hallway, heading toward another door that would let them out into the courtyard. Only once they were outside did he stop again, taking Elred off his shoulder and set the perzi on the perch that he'd made for the spoiled feline to sit on while he was training.

He drew his weapons, moving to hang them up on a weapon's rack, before reaching out to pick up a pratice sword. Once he'd armed himself he turned to Nuri and said, "Go ahead and pick whatever weapon you are most comfortable with. I have the dull, padded versions of various types for you to choose from." He said, before giving him a curious look, "What sort of business is your family in, Nuri?" Best to know what sort of person he was chatting up, as well as if he and his family might make use of the business they were in. It wasn't exactly the most friendly thing in the world to be thinking about but Saraf was the sort that had to think about such things.

"You don't have to say, of course, just me being curious." He added, just in case it wasn't the sort of business that Nuri might want to share with others.

Saraf watched Nuri as he inspected the weapons, curious as to what it was that he might pick. After a bit of time it was a sword that the other picked up, though was it just him or did he not seem really fond of the weapon. Maybe he preferred something that Saraf didn't have? A bow or the like? He'd have to ask him later he thought to himself as he listened to Nuri chatting about his father who was a merchant, "Ahhh, alright. You have to admit that with this being Oba that he could have been almost anything, up to and including something you'd want to keep secret." Saraf said with a bit of a chuckle. Not as theirs was an innocent country by any means but Saraf couldn't say he cared, he still wanted to stay on his path and look after his people, the seedier side and all.

"Hmm, yes, I can see how it would be difficult dealing with such people." He said, unable to keep from wrinkling his nose just a bit thinking about those savages from the North. At Nuri's next question Saraf nodded, moving along toward the center of the courtyard, lifting his weapon, and waited for Nuri, "I have been there before, it wasn't on so peaceful of terms as merchant work though." There was a moment where he lifted his free hand to the scar that he bore near to his eye, then shook his head to clear rising emotion. No, they wouldn't be able to properly spar if he let his emotions get the better of him Saraf scolded himself.

Getting into a proper stance again he said, "I would merely suggest caution when dealing with them, there are those amongst thos savages that aren't to be trusted." Best to warn Nuri that they were quite dangerous.