Chapter 6
The Lady
Musk
Musk hasn't got any good night's sleep ever since he gave the list of the things he needed to build a portable workshop to the prince. He fought the urge to ask the prince when will it arrive, or if it will arrive at all. After all, it was quite a list.
Musk tried his best to list cheaper versions of things he needed, like ordering a one meter wheel with rubber padding to Master Ventrol will costs more but if he orders the same size of a wheel to Master Karuk with his special animal hide padding, it will costs significantly less and with almost the same quality.
But in parts that Musk felt very important, he didn't take the chances of being a cheapskate. After all, it wasn't his money to begin with. He had listed the best clays and fire bricks the city could offer, and it was from master Uchivev. It was also quite a help for his previous master whose business was going poor, even though, Master Uchivev creates the best foundry in all Calis, his business didn't flourish.
For one thing, he only creates few of them and in need-to-order basis, and another was the uncontested popularity of the Alchemy division of the Association.
Musk didn't hate the Alchemya Ven (Alchemy division's name), sure, a gifted alchemists could probably purify metal a lot faster than traditional method, but they couldn't do it on a massive scale. Hence, most of the products of the members of Alchemya Ven are potions, trinkets, gauntlets, and special clothing that could grant resistance from cold.
When king Crast, the Wyrm Slayer, Prince Calex grand grand grand father, had ordered a sword to the Alchemya Ven, it had required thirty alchemists and two master craftsman to create it. But no one had actually seen it, some say King Crast had lost it during his trip in the south.
Musk often dreamed of crafting the things told in the legends. Like the chain mail of General Drake, the Fireblader, where rumors has it that it was crafted using the actual scales of a fire drake he had slain.
But now he has to satisfy himself with the Sea goblins bones. He knew he lacked many things, disregarding the equipment’s, Musk knew he still lacked skills. Though, Master Uchivev often praised him of his talent and always urged Musk to look for a richer and better master to further hone his skills.
Master Uchivev workshop may be lacking, but Musk had witnessed his skills, and he was nowhere near that level yet. Now that he remembered it, he deeply missed his Master. He was his first father figure, and he had gravely disappointed him. When he left to Sitio Village, Musk visited his old master and asked for his forgiveness.
Musk eyes welled up when he remembered it.
"Master, I..." Musk said. "I'm sorry."
Master Uchivev continued forming a cylinder shape clay and said nothing.
Musk knew his master was a man of few words. But the silence was eating his heart.
"Goodbye, Master." Musk finally said. "Thank you for everything."
Musk then started to dart off away from his master's workshop. But before he could get out.
"Wherever you go," Master Uchivev said, his voice was low. "You’re a goddamn craftsman.”
Musk was shocked by those words. His apprentice status has been revoked and along with it was his license. In short, he thought his dream was over. But when he heard what his master said he couldn't help but cry.
Musk had killed five goblins. More than twice since his first encounter with the green little beasts. His body was lighter during the battle, his hands didn't tremble as much as before. In fact, during the second battle, everything felt fine. He was neither afraid nor confident but somehow he knew he has the sufficient skills to survive, and kill.
When the battle was over, Musk had estimated they had killed twice the number of sea goblins that had come before. And when he found out that the pit had another fifty screaming sea goblins trapped on it, he shuddered. He wondered where this sea goblins came from. Deep below the sea? Or an island somewhere, his curiosity flared up as he looked across the sea.
"Exotic treasures, my friend, and a lot of it could be found where these things lair." Spiel said, coming behind him.
Spiel face was covered with blood of the sea goblins and just finished wiping it, but few still remains in the edges of his angular face.
"I was thinking if there was trace of civilization that exists on where these things came from." Musk said.
"Same thing." Spiel said.
Musk sighed.
The next day, after their morning run, Prince had added another form of exercise. It was three repetition push-up and squats. Musk couldn't tell if the prince was joking when he said that they had to do a push for three times only. After what they had been through, even with a bag of sand at their back, a mere three pushup was kind of an insult. And what's more, it wasn't even a complete push-ups. Two ups and one down only.
But when the prince ordered everyone to get down, everyone thought it would be over in a second. But the prince remained in the upright position of push up, and so the rest of them.
Five minutes passed, and the prince didn't move a single muscle. Musk, however, felt a tingling sensation in his arm. Ten minutes passed, Musk's arms started to tremble a little. Sweats started pouring down on their chins, while the sun continued on beating down on them, and the heat in the sand furiously assaulted their palms.
Another five minutes had passed, and Musk wanted to swear. His arms trembled like a wet chick in winter. Musk could feel everyone’s endless attempt to shift the weight of their body away from their arms, but it was pointless. One of the recruits tried to outsmart the prince, but he didn't knew Lt. Brax was exempted from the exercise and was watching them from behind.
"If I see your knees touched the sand again, I swear, I'll make you run another round." Lt. Brax shouted at them.
Twenty minutes passed, and they had only finished one out of the three pushup. Musk dreaded what comes next. The downright position of the pushup. And as if on cue.
"Down!" The prince shouted.
Lt. Brax amplified the order. "Down, down, down."
Musk pushed his body near to the sand. His arms trembled like they were about to explode.
"Lieutenant, if one of them faltered, be sure to teach them a lesson in the one-on-one mock battles." The prince said.
"Yes, sir." Lt. Brax said.
Everyone groaned. Lt. Brax had caused more pain during the mock battles than the exercises combined. He is just incapable of holding himself back on one-on-one. Musk shuddered at the idea of facing the hulking lieutenant who has a directive to punish anyone who fails.
Another Twenty minutes had passed. Musk couldn't feel his hands now. And the prince had ordered again for them to rise.
All in all, the three repetition incomplete push up was, in fact, a sixty minute routine. But it was far from over, for another three repetition of squats was coming.
The first squat had taken twenty minutes. And it was a half squat, meaning their knees was only slightly bent. Musk's arms was still trembling after the pushup, but now his thighs started to tremble as well. The second squat was much lower, their calves almost touching their thighs.
The only relief musk felt was that the pain he felt in his arms has now shifted to his thighs and legs. But the pain was way worse than before. Musk argued that it was because in squat, the legs had to support the entire body weight, whereas, pushup has only need to support at least half of the body weight.
Nevertheless, they were both painful. When two hours had passed since they started their new exercise routine, everyone was silent. Everyone felt pity on the squad whose turn to dig another pit. And it was Bifor and Spiel's squad--Lt. Brax's group. Musk sighed, and cursed his luck.
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Rain
It was early afternoon when the assassin's squads turn to dig a pit came. The previous squads did a lousy job on furthering the depth and the width of the pit. She knew it was because of the push up and the squats they had done in the morning. The assassin remembered the days when she did the exact same thing when she was an apprentice assassin.
She was probably the only one in the prince's army who didn't feel a thing during that exercise. Try hanging on a mountain cliff with one arm for almost an hour, then another hour for the other arm. That's the kind of training the Order had given to their recruits to ensure they could scale walls, castles, and even towers.
"Damn, my arms and legs hurt." One member of her squad said.
"I wonder if we had to do that again tomorrow." Another one said.
"Maybe. But somehow, despite everything the prince had ordered us to do, I think I'm glad that he won't order us things that he wouldn't do to himself. Heck, he even dig a pit, for fuck's sake, I mean, what kind of a noble does that?" One of her members said.
The rest of them nodded in agreement. It was somehow gratifying to them that the prince, a royalty, shared their pain, even if he is the one who had caused it in the first place.
The assassin looked at the prince, who was on the other pit with Cadet Pole's squad. I wonder if he will come this pit, the Assassin thought. The assassin shook her head. What the hell am I thinking? Why would I want him to come to us? The assassin searched in her head a reason to save her dignity as an assassin. Of course, this pit is kinda perfect for assassination.
Feeling satisfied with the reason, she nodded and smiled on her own.
"Are you alright, Rain?" One of her members said. The assassin had forbid her squad to call him Sir, or Squad leader, though, she doesn't know why.
"Yes, just tired." The assassin lied. "Why?"
"You were grinning and nodding to yourself."
"He's probably thinking about his woman, or women, back in the city." Everyone laughed. The assassin, after all, was quite handsome, and everyone had this notion that he was a ladies man.
The assassin coughed, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Let's take a rest."
Everyone cheered.
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Calex Zath
Lt. Brax, Milo and I had seated around the camp fire. I just discussed with them my idea of a Three versus Three mock battle. It was three squads against another three squads. I asked Lt. Brax and Milo to carefully decide based on the performance of each squads and each individuals to divide my army.
I asked them to alternately choose squad that will belong on their group. I tossed a coin, and Milo was the first to choose a squad. He picked Remus's squad, a squad that actually belonged to him. Then, Lt. Brax, on his turn, chose Bifor's squad, a squad of his own group as well. The only squad that could match Remus's squad in terms of size.
They have one squad each, and it was Milo's turn again. This time he chose Pole's squad, a squad that belonged on my group. Cadet Pole's squad strength lies on their speed. Their group has the fastest and most agile members. Lt. Brax chose another squad of his own, Cadet Spiel's squad.
The squad who had displayed an unbelievable teamwork during the second sea goblin's attack. If I had to guess what brings out such level of teamwork, I'll say it was due to Cadet Spiel friendly nature and his easygoing attitude. Their group had become friends in such a short amount of time. They even help Musk the Crafter to collect materials in the battlefield.
Not only that, I believed that Spiel was more than what he say he was. His members trusted his decision, and moved with no hesitation to follow his orders. He was cunning but let on a display that he was sort of a guy who was never serious and likes to fool around. Merely a trick for people to underestimate him.
Milo then chose another of my own squad, Rain's squad. In terms of speed, they could go toe to toe with Cadet's pole squad, in terms of strategy and teamwork they are in par with Cadet Spiel's squad. Cadet Rain was a mystery to me. In terms of ferocity and swordplay, they could give Remus squad quite a match.
And their leader, Rain, was also a skillful warrior. I sensed he was different, he had carefully hidden his true skills but during the battle, he sometimes slips and display a graceful movement that could even stunned me.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
All in all, I think Rain's squad has the potential to be the second best squad in my army. Exceeded only by Remus squad on second place, and Fenrir's squad at first place.
Milo had chosen Remus's squad, Pole's squad and Rain's squad. While on the other, Lt. Brax had no choice but to choose the last squad, which belongs to Fenrir. The most bloodthirsty squad in my army, and the most unreliable. Their pivot of attack depends on their leader, Fenrir. But he was very timid and shy. But when he snapped, he unleashes a great amount of ferocity that could outmatched everyone easily.
I stood. "Gather them around, Lt. Brax."
Lt. Brax with series of shouts, curses and foul words had made the entire recruits gathered in front of the bonfire.
"Listen up" I said, with my most menacing voice. "The day after tomorrow, we will conduct our first actual mock battle. Three squads will go against another three squad. The aim of the mock battle tomorrow will be to capture the flag that the commander of the other team was holding. Anyways, rest up, tomorrow I'll discuss the full details of the battle.
“And one final thing.” I said. Everyone eyes were on me. “I want each members of each squad to pick, decide and vote a name for their respective squad. Try to come up with a name that will make you proud that you belonged on that squad.
“You can use names of heroes in the legends if that will make you proud. And remember, the name you guys will come up with will be a permanent one, we may be few now, but in the future, when we number in thousands, the name of the squad will turn into platoon, to a division, then to a brigade. Also, I’ll be open to suggestions on what our little army should be known. That’s all. Lt. Brax and Milo gather your squads. "
"Fenrir, Bifor and Spiel, on me." Lt. Brax shouted. "The rest is our enemy."
I could see the worried look on some of our recruits, but some have eager faces excited for the mock battlers. Those who are eager couldn’t help it. They had tasted victory after victory after all. Their confidence and skills had increased significantly. And the coming mock battle will give them a chance to test their skills against their fellow recruits.
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Musk
“Yanfeng, Vorkis, Drax, this name sucks” Spiel said. “And what’s wrong with you? Do you actually want our squad to be called the Aluminium Squad?”
Musk was checking on the bones he submerged on water and the other on sea water. “Why not? Aluminium is very light, and durable.”
Spiel sighed. “No, I won’t allow it.”
Musk didn’t really care about the names, he just wanted to piss off his friend to even the score. “If you don’t want Aluminium, Hot-Forged-Thong squad sounds good to the ears.”
“Ok, you suck.” Spiel said. “We need something cool. Something, that when people hear will make them proud just by hearing and saying it.”
“Oh, sure. You mean just like Night Crow?” Musk said sarcastically.
“How dare you? Night Crow is an awesome name.” Spiel said, trying to defend his other identity.
“What did I just say?” Musk smiled.
Spiel sighed, and continued on reading the lists his members gave him. “Zephyr, Garutha, what the heck? Iron-Ore?” Spiel looked to his friend.
On that, Musk laughed.
Musk woke up early. It had become his routine to look in the road leading to the Capital waiting for the arrival of the materials he had requested. It takes a whole day to ride from the capital to the village if one was inclined, and three days if they ride in a carriage.
This was the third day since he gave that lists to the prince. Alas, there was no sign of any approaching carriages. But, Musk didn’t give up yet on the idea that his items will arrive today, after all, there is still a whole day ahead of him.
After a while, everyone started to wake up as well, preparing for another morning run with bag of sands on their back.
Every muscle in Musk’s arms and legs ached. Just when he thought his body had finally adjusted on the punishment its taking. The prince had issued additional exercise. After their morning run. Breakfast was cooked and served by the villagers.
If there is another thing to be thankful for about joining the prince army was the food. The villagers had done their best on serving their usual breakfast of eggs, dried meat, milk and fish
Musk considered it as a nobleman’s breakfast. Musk previously thought that he could only eat such things, every day, if he had become a master craftsman. It turned out that one only needs to become a convicted felon to have such a lifestyle.
The prince was really spending a lot of coins on them. Lt. Brax, Remus and Bifor alone could eat a share for twenty men. It was like the prince was actually feeding a hundred men. And what’s more, the food that came last week were also being shared by the entire village.
Musk tried to count the coins the prince had actually spent, but he stopped midway. He realized it was rather pointless. A royal prince could spend his money on whatever he wants. Musk was just thankful that the prince had decided to spend it on them and to the villagers.
After the pushups and the squats, Musk and the rest continued on polishing their sword skills. Raising the iron swords the Army had issued on them was quite taxing on the arms. Musk wished the Army had at least issued them a cold-forged steel sword rather than a very heavy iron sword.
Everyone stopped midway when a commotion in the village had erupted. Musk squinted his eyes to see and his heart skipped a bit when he saw dozens of carriages had arrived in the village.
“Everyone, let’s go.” The prince ordered.
Musk rushed towards the prince with a renewed vigor. The prince looked at him, and Musk couldn’t tell if the prince had smiled on him or not.
“Go ahead.” The prince said to him.
Musk ran towards the carriage like a boy who is about to receive his toy. An old guy dressed in black coat was talking to the village chief. The old man has a dignified air around him. Musk knew it was the prince’s butler Digby.
But what surprised Musk was there were another two figure standing beside the old man. The two figures were hooded, the other was tall, and the other was a bit small.
Digby and the two figures turned to look at him. Musk was rushing towards them after all. Suddenly, Musk was a bit embarrassed. However, all of a sudden, the old man changed his stern expression on his face to a happy one.
Musk felt the gaze shifted away from him, and onto his right side. When Musk looked at his right side, the prince was there.
“My prince!” The old man said.
“Zaaaath!” A woman’s rich voice erupted on one of the hooded figure. Then the one who spoke removed his hood.
Musk couldn’t help but looked at the woman. She was probably the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her golden hair swayed as she stormed towards them. Her puffed rosy cheeks was a cute indication that she was clearly pissed.
The other hooded guy followed the beautiful lady. Musk could see that it was a very young lady, probably a year or two younger than him. When the lady was few steps away from them, Musk could smell a sweet fragrance emanating from the lady, and somehow he could also smell a hint of Ashfoil herb on her.
Musk remembered the scent of the herb because of its many uses. It was used to cure wounds, and also can be used as an anti-rust agent for metals.
“How dare you leave me alone in Calis, again?” The woman spoke. Her fiery eyes tried to pierce the prince to his core.
“Lady Aysha, I’m glad to see you again.” The prince simply said.
“Zip it!” the lady called Aysha said. “I can’t believe it. You didn’t even said goodbye to your fiancé.”
Musk’s jaw dropped. It was probably the first personal thing he had learned about the prince.
“How did you know I was here?” The prince said, then looked at his butler.
Digby lowered his head, a sign of embarrassment.
Aysha produced a small glass container with two flies flying inside it. “Male Sicamore Flies could smell the pheromones of a females ones from a great distance.” Aysha produced a small vial with green liquid inside it. “And this is a female Sicamore pheromones I had gathered and altered to increase their potency. I secretly sprayed them to master Digby’s coat.” Lady Aysha said.
The prince sighed. “So you use your alchemy skills to find me and outwit Digby.”
“Hmm. What else should I do, Master Digby wouldn’t tell me where you had gone.” The lady said.
“It was for your own protection, Yesha.” The prince said.
Musk could see the lady’s face turned red. Musk thought it was probably the name the prince had called her.
“It doesn’t matter now, I am here and so are you. I have decided I’ll stay here after all.” Aysha said.
“Milady, please.” The other hooded guy quickly said.
“Gio, prepare my things and set up our carriage.” Lady Aysha said to the hooded guy.
Musk was dumbfounded how things happened so fast. Just a second ago, the beautiful lady was scolding his commander and a second after she was gearing to stay.
“Fine” The prince finally said with a defeated tone.
“Good. Then call your men and let’s all have a restorative tea.” The lady said.
| | | | | | End of Chapter 6 | | | | | |
Hey guys, many apologies if I wasn’t able to quickly fix the previous chapter. I have a very limited time on the internet, I wasn’t even able to read some of the comments, until today.
After posting this chapter, I’ll be out again. I’ll probably be able see the comments and reviews for this chapter next week again. I was really saddened by that. But the important point is you guys took the time to do those things. For that you have my sincerest gratitude.
Note: Fixed some of the errors from previous chapters, and this one probably had a lot of errors as well. If you spot one, don’t be shy to point it out, I’ll try my best to quickly fix it.