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08 – Regret
Destrian’s POV
January of 4028. Barracks near Cohen Manor.
Normally, Lord Farrell or Lord Kyle had to select person to be trained by me to protect future lords after Riley Cohen’s death. It was unexpected for me when it was mentioned that Lord Riley personally selected Kain. I, as the protector of Cohen family was chosen by Lord Riley’s late father some 40 years ago, and it took me 7-8 years of hard training to become what I am today. It’s been more than 30 years that I have served Cohen family. According to long revered customs, Riley could but shouldn’t choose my successor.
Nevertheless, Lord Riley was one of the best ruler’s that House of Cohen had seen. He was neither a great warrior, nor a magician. Quite the reverse, he was so sneaky, intelligent and accustomed to ways of politics that there would be no one in entire Pyrr who could outmaneuver him in matters of business and state politics. I have deep respect to him because of this. He must have his own reasons to select Kain.
It was late night and I was standing outside barracks, gazing stars and enjoying peace that surrounded me. I was startled by sudden movement and turned back as fast as lightening keeping my usual calm. “Are you out to stargaze?” I asked Jon. Affiliated with light magic, Jon has served as a healer for last 15 years besides me. He was dedicated to his job, and was nice fellow overall. In time, he had proven his skills over and over so I made sure that he joins every meeting which I held with leaders of my platoon.
“Uncle Destrian you know that I do not like stargazing at all!” he said sighing. “Old age, Jon. When you reach my age, you won’t be able to remember where your dick is. Let alone, to recount whether which warrior in your platoon likes to stargaze, which does not” I countered smiling. Jon laughed. “I am here to talk about that new kid, Kain” he expressed as if knowing some secret that I was not aware of. “Go on” I addressed him. “I tried to heal him, but my magic was more like supporting his regeneration rather than initiating it” he stated. “Elaborate!” I asked in confusion. “Let me show you, after me please” he stated and turned to move. I followed him into barracks. We walked through beds that were filled with soldiers. For a moment, I looked at Kain who was sleeping soundly.
We entered “Defense Quarter”. It was a small room that had table and stools for us to discuss tactics and future plans. Cohen family had an army that it supported but we were not part of it. Some of us were protecting Cohen Manor while others went to kill dangerous mutated or high level monsters, guardians or anything else that could be classified as threat. We were elite forces. Jon had oil lamp in his hand which was placed on top of wooden table. “Check it” he spoke in reference to something which I didn’t understand. To check what? Observing my failure to understand or to see, he pointed his hand to few places on table.
Even though oil lamp was lighting room, it was still dark and my eyes failed to detect firstly. I moved my hand towards direction which Jon had referred. My index finger went through hole into top of table. “What’s with the hole on table has to with Kain?” I asked in confusion. “Sir Destrian, there was never gap on table surface.” He continued pointing to few other dent’s close to each other “These ones were made after kid’s blood spilled on table.”
Around 4 o'clock next morning, I woke up, though I stayed in bed for another ten-fifteen minutes for my body to adapt to my awake state. Changing my clothes, I came to barracks to wake up Kain to begin his training. “Waking him up much earlier than usual for few days and he will brake” passed my mind. I opened door and entered to see him already awake and putting his shirt on. “Sir Destrian, good morning” he bowed a bit. “Morning! Kain you will train more than anybody, as everyone has trained for years and experienced battles first-hand for many times. You have long way to go!” I tried to explain him harsh reality. Kain nodded in approval. We went outside. “50 laps around barracks” I commanded. He began to run.
I was not going to teach him using wooden sticks, instead I had ordered blacksmith from Howe village to make katana specifically for Kain. I rode my stallion to Howe village and back to barracks. Kain was 110cm tall, and this katana was perfect for him. It took him half an hour for 30 laps and one hour for other 20. It was a good sign. After he ate breakfast, I called out to him and gave him katana. “Kain I’m going to teach you, although my knowledge in theory of swordsmanship is limited. I was taught bluntly and by your age I was much more bigger in build than you. Most of my knowledge has been accumulated after through and through battles and near-death experiences.” I stopped to see him watching me as if he was no kid. “Lord Riley has different plans about you. He is planning to send you off to Monarch Academy, where nobles get educated. He thinks highly of you. I would like to think so too, but you gotta prove yourself.” I stopped to take a breathe and continued “Jon will teach you about mysteries of mana and Leo will teach you swordsmanship. If you will have any kind of problem, do not hesitate to contact me directly ”.
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Exo’s POV
January of 4028. Palace of Queens and Kings
Ambassador’s of Nekyia were given special place to live within Palace of Queens and Kings while representative of house’s ruling different regions had their own manor or mansions on Cardigan Road within Astoria.
Nekyia people never eat, drink or sleep so according to their request only a room was provided for them. Nevertheless, it was one of the largest single rooms available in Palace of Queens and Kings. There were astonishing 25 windows and an exit to balcony in ambassador’s room. Sheer curtains made of highest quality cotton laces were half blocking sun rays from entering ambassador’s room. There was a large table with almost 50 stools besides it for special occasions but looking closely they have never ever been used. Moreover there were lots of paintings on walls depicting pictures of nature. A single armchair with golden hand-rests was located near one of many windows. Ambassador Exo was sitting on armchair, watching lively scene happening in Astoria.
“Ambassador of Nekyia” Exo murmured to himself. “It is my 3000’s birthday today” he continued after a while. “3000 years has passed after my rebirth...” he kept on talking. “If I was wise, I would have declined Nekyia’s offer... Unfortunately, I am not” said to himself calmly. “Why to live when you are dead? What’s purpose if I can touch but not feel?” he thought endlessly sitting on chair.
Instantly, sounds of “screeching” could be heard in ambassador’s room. “Exo, reply!” sound came but only Exo could hear. “Exo, speaking, Elder can you hear me?” replied Exo again no sound could be heard in room. “Send the information!” voice ordered. “Transfer complete!” Again “screeches” could be heard for another two or three times but it ended abruptly as if nothing had happened. Breeze rushed in to room from open window and black curtain felt on Exo’s face.
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Kain’s POV
Late January of 4028. Barracks near Cohen Mansion.
“Jon how do I...” I asked but “slowly one step at a time” Jon cut in. “Let go of everything... Enter meditative state Kain. Feel as if there nothing, not even your own existence.” Jon continued. I sat in lotus position meditating. I have tried it for almost 20th time and almost on every single try I have drifted into sleep.
Leo tried to teach me using katana but fortunately as black belt judoka, after going to Australia, I had practiced Aikido for 10 years. Up to my death in old world. I grasped every single move Leo had taught me from first try, doing it perfectly. Leo was impressed and I had seen him talking to old man Destrian about me in positive way. I had mastered katana in mere 10 days, while it took almost a decade for most and involuntarily I was labeled “little genius”. However I was stuck with this unknown phenomenon to me called mana. In theory everything was simple but in practice it was totally different.
Jon had told me that difference between warrior and magician was that warrior’s would use weapons such as swords, hammer, axe, spear or something else while magicians would depend on powerful spells and chants during battle. Nevertheless, fundamentally both of them relied on mana to activate spell or sword attack. Anybody with insufficient amount of mana would be a foot soldier. “I was told that I’m affiliated with fire magic!?” I asked Jon. “I have not met any fire type magicians, best of them are in Monarch Academy. If you get there, most probably you will know proper spells and chants.. Until then only way is to utilize it through your weapon.. That’s why you have to draw it out and using your katana dispel it”. I nodded but still I was stuck in understanding and applying, basic mana manipulation that Jon was trying to teach me.
Throughout our conversations with Jon and Leo, I learnt that there are categories for magicians and warriors. Destrian was 8th rank warrior with mana affiliation towards earth type. Jon was 6th rank healer magician affiliated with light type mana while Leo was 7th rank warrior affiliated with wind mana. Destrian’s platoon was cream of the crop. He had personally chosen each and every warrior and magician within platoon. As I learnt more I understood why he referred to his platoon as elite. Moreover peak warrior and magician ever in history of Pyrr achieving 9th level in both practices almost 60 years ago is called Tabasaran. Also, Tabasaran is the grandmaster of Monarch Academy.
I was previously involved in martial arts, so I knew that to be at top you had to exercise and practice a lot. That was why slowly but eventually I was going to learn everything possible from Leo, Jon and Destrian.
Next: 09 - Mission