13 the NORTHERN ENCAMPMEN (1/2)

”MAMA!” Kayzar hailed excitedly as they finally abandon their final footprints in the Jungles of Narra with great haste.

Their beautiful mother revealed her relieved cheerful face as she turned around seeing her twins running fast to catch up to their spot having a picnic in the fields just outside the Jungles of Narra.

Anagea - their mother and the last direct descendant of the Great Daomagar Lineage - was waiting for them in the clearing with eager eyes. She is wearing a golden set of light armor with her long black hair all curled up on top in a twist revealing her angelic face. Her cheeks blushed as her happy round eyes sparkled its usual brown glow spotting their arrival. Normally, a Princess her stature wears gowns of silk or other excessively ornamented dresses but not her. Her boyish attitude with the confidence and the fighting spirit of a fierce sea serpent gives her the personality to deviate from the norm. Though having equipped in full battle gear might mask a woman's femininity, her natural beauty still stands out without being compromised which many a people considers to be almost magical, truly worthy to be called one of her aesthetic gifts.

Many of her people were against the thought of her being a soldier at first, thinking Of course, the preservation of the last of the Daomagar's direct line, and many a suitors were intimidated by the effect but some later came to accept it for she is one of those few Daomagarians who can maximize their Bathala-given talents to the ultimate, garnering the title ”The Destroyer”, placing her fourth in the list of the Great Twelve, the twelve most powerful Daomagars alive.

Karus and Kayzar ran together as they saw her waving and almost raced to hug her tightly with teary eyes.

”Now, now. Did you behave while you two were in the Palace?” she asked with her soft soothing motherly voice that they have long dreamt of hearing.

They just smiled to hug her again, tightly as they can. They did not know what she meant by 'behave' because they have had the craziest month at the Palace.

”Ma,” said a small voice as they felt their mother's armor being gently pulled at the back. ”I'm done now.”

They saw Rika, their sister, who apparently just healed Yosh that can now be seen sitting at the far back hugging Luna. She has her round blue eyes that shyly look at them as she tries her best to hide herself from her brothers behind their mother's. She has a blue round crystal embedded on her forehead with a ripple-like tattoo marking around it. She is born to the will of the water and might possibly be the youngest water caster performing the healing ritual that they know considering her good news.

Anagea smiled as she kissed her on the forehead and stood up to go to Artemus who is now walking near them. The twins grabbed this opportunity to talk to their sister who's been biting her silk handkerchief with innocent eyes still looking at them.

”So, how old r'you now?” asked Kayzar smiling while brushing her hair vigorously with his hands.

”Fi… no. Six… Six!”

”And you healed your Kuya-Yosh with the help of the other water casters?” said Karus with his juvenile voice mimicking her sister.

”uh-huh...”

They smiled as they looked behind her trying to find other casters besides the members of their travelling party. They saw them having a picnic, eating what appears to be a variety of different kinds of meat and vegetables. They tried hard to crane their heads to scan the area only to identify a Daomagarian woman, smiling widely seeing Yosh's unique appetite.

”uh, isn't that Mama's personal...”

”but see...” added Rika, ”I healed them all myself, uh-huh, because I'm the only one that can follow Mama, uh-huh.”

The twin's eyes widened, surprised on what she had revealed.

”Wha- what? Y-You healed Yosh?”

”Tee-hee, Kuya-Karus is stuttering...” she smiled as she moved swaying still biting her handkerchief.

Kayzar smiled and held Rika's small hands with excitement.

”You mean you healed Yosh and performed the Great Dash at your age?”

”We arrived just in time before they waste the White Angel. That's soo esspensive, Mama always says!” She pouted swaying her finger as if lecturing her two older brothers. ”And you shouldn't use it too often!”

”And Reus?”

”And-and-and I healed Kuya-Reus too!” She rushed stating proud. ”I healed his lumpy thigh, uh-huh. He's quite angry 'cause he always like to have his treatment natural, but Mama got angry, uh-huh, so he was compelled. And nobody gets to say no to mama... not even Daddy.”

”Hey, you two!” shouted Yosh interrupting their conversation with their little sister hollering for the three of them to join their feast, ”eat up fast because we're not going to lose any more daylight today! We're going to the Northern Encampment! Heeyeahey!”

The two noticed the rampaging beast that's been growling inside their stomachs, so they just smiled, hugged their sister and ran to the delicious smelling feast-like meal that their mother prepared.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

A faint knock, two times at a second's interval, on the metal door suddenly woke Prodea in her deep trance at her chambers. She is floating while etching circular runes in mid-air with much effort. She has been learning to master a very powerful magical summoning unsuccessfully for these past few weeks.

Summoning Rituals involving Runes and Graphs are supposed to be etched on the ground. The reason is that it is a formal request to borrow the powers of Mother Earth's abundant energy thus it must be ritually engraved to her in a form of writing. To be able to write these magical runes in an instant without even manually carving the ground is a leap of genius and an extraordinary display of power that only a few can do - just like what she did at Bakunawa's holy grounds - but her sheer belief in her abilities forced her to be so hard-headed that she wants to imitate what she saw in Bakunawa - writing runes in the air. She thinks that she is smarter than him, even smarter than anyone alive. The only difference, and probably the most pivotal one, is that she is a Nagozulian and Bakunawa is a Yagisivian. To be able to summon or conjure a summoning circle alone being a Nagozulian is a very great feat that one can brag about, but she isn't satisfied. She wants power; raw uninterruptible power; a power that can only be grasped by a Yagisivian. The frustration building up inside of her made her furiously mad as that faint knock began again only this time a little louder than before.

”WHO IS IT!?”

”It's... it's Zeba your highness.”

Prodea, still furious with the interruption, gently touched the ground to walk almost grumpily to receive her at the door. The thought of ignoring her for another minute to make her wait just to get back at her has been lingering in her mind. She always do this to her in times of frustration and the satisfaction that it would bring would surely make, at least, lessen the stress that she is facing at the moment but the curiosity of her bringing good news gave more weight in the heated argument inside her mind, making her conclude to hasten her pace in opening the door - a thing she doesn't normally do.

”Yes, Zeba?”

”Your highness, I received a word about our mysterious Royal Seer...” she whispered with eyes looking permission to enter her chambers.

Prodea looked outside as if paranoid and waved her hand to let her come inside to continue hearing her great news.

”So, do you know the name of our favorite Royal Seer?”

Zeba was silent and her eyes shied away which brought Prodea to feel somewhat irritated though she tried hard not to show it.

”uh - I,” replied Zeba after seeing Prodea with much furrowing, trying hard not to get her mad, ”I meant, I heard some words about him, but I never found out his name.”

Prodea turned around wanting to shout but instead placed his fingers in his head in frustration and then returned to face her.

”Zeba?” she paused for a second to get her attention, ”you do know that we really need to have his name, right? If we don't find his name, then we don't find him and if we don't, we will never hope to find our missing scrolls. If that happens, I will never have the chance to study those important things and I will then be defenseless against anyone who might oppose any idea of us inviting our little visitors here - since you all are just rooting for me in the front in this affair without doing the slightest bit. It's not that you and my precious brother can defend your plans, right? I will get all the trouble here while you two could sit pretty in your throne and I wouldn't want to be at anyone's mercy if that happens. Do you understand that? Zeba?”

”Yes, but...”

”Zeba,” she interrupted. ”It's been two weeks since I commissioned you on this mission. Time is of the essence Zeba. We are really running out of time.”

”Yes, but your highness, the Royal Seer is a fire starter.”

A spark in her eyes immediately glowed as if hope entered miraculously and that gave Zeba some comfort. She immediately saw her happy with the news, so she too was filled with joy and relief. Prodea walked briskly at the back to a pile of big books that appears to be the list of persons employed in the Palace for the past forty years.

”I have my doubts, but I am sure!” she said flipping the pages fast in excitement.

”You're sure of what your Highness?”

”Sure of him!” she pointed at the last entry on a worn-out page of the book.

Zeba leaned to have a look. She touched the old but smooth yellowish-brown parchment to turn it to her view and in the end of that, accompanied with those small tear and some blots of stains, a name was written in black ink almost smudged by the years: Juni Merl Fire Seer.

”Oh no, your Highness. It's not him.”

”It is him!”

”But that's just crazy your highness, I mean he's crazy - a-a lunatic! He's regarded as the Palace fool and he is the point of ridicule amongst his peers - even today!”

”Hmn, maybe you're right. But something in my insides points out that he is the one. We can't expose our investigation on my hunches.”

”Though your hunches rarely miss much your highness,”

Prodea heartily smiled for the flattery. She was going to say something, but she held her tongue because she's in a good mood. She walked trying to guide Zeba to the door.

”Find out anything about this Zeba. I have twenty other seers in mind, but my inner senses tell me that he is what we're searching for. Keep a close ear on him - and make sure no soul knows our intent.”

”So as not to scare our Royal Seer?” she giggled as she hopped out of the room to exit.

”So as not to scare him, Exactly.”

With her weak but warm smile, she shut the door gently to a click.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

A group of soldiers can be seen to be lined up at the front a small wall of what appears to be the encampment. It is divided into four which can be assumed to be their elemental placements - earth, fire, wind and water. They are lined to welcome the Grand General's family which the twins and Yosh thought to be really impressive but surprisingly unnecessary since they have their need of being private and introverted.

They shouted 'Hail Grand General Artemus, Hail Grand General Anagea!' then bowed their heads kneeling as the Royal Party led by Grand General Artemus walked briskly at the center to enter the Encampment, after which they all scattered away doing what they're doing before. The twins just thought that there would be trumpets and loud drums, but they were amazed to hear none. They thought of the idea of this tradition being implemented as a sign of respect to your superiors, possibly acquired abroad. Seeing this happen surprised them merrily. They just thought that Artemus, their father sharing the same reserved personality that they have, must've stopped them in doing this grand welcome but is unsuccessful. He is one of the most respected men in Nagozul so even if he could stop them in doing this, they would simply find a way and do it regardless. They just assumed that they come up with a compromise - leaving the musical shindig and all.

A water caster in full gear with a blue Salakot went in front of Artemus, kneeled, pulled her curled arms to level her eyes that is looking down to salute reported. ”Sir, the target has fully recovered, sir.”

Artemus nodded to note the report and then the soldier hurriedly stood up rushing away as if in a hurry.

”Ma,” whispered Artemus to Anagea which the two heard, ”Please take them to the house I have some business to finish with your father.”

He kissed her in the cheek and then scurried off. After seeing this, the two looked at each other as if in agreement and then smiled.

”Mama, we would want to look around if that's all right.”

”Oh okay, but don't wander off outside the gates, alright?”

”Yes, Mama!” they both kissed her in the cheeks with a smile then ran away in the other direction only to circle around to follow their father.

”Do we smell an intrigue a brewin'?” smiled Karus.

”Indubitably,” replied Kayzar smiling too.

”I hope that I haven't kept you two waiting,” interrupted Artemus with a happy face as he entered a small brick-walled hut to sit across the table.

”No, no. I too have just arrived,” said Narra smiling as he and his companion stood up to honor his presence. ”It's the Major here who's been waiting for about almost three weeks now.”

”Don't worry Master, Grand General Sir,” Camyl said formally with a glint of smile as they sit to make themselves comfortable. ”I am used to the reprimand. Even if I was to be late for another week in my post at the Hishma's, I wouldn't think your brother Grand Prince Sarram would mind. After all, I've commissioned my Captain to fix my alibi at the Eastern Sentry's Headquarters.”

”That's good to know,” Artemus replied grinning. ”I am very sorry if I am to cut this small talk short, but I have an appointment tomorrow at the north. I've got things to fix after this so I'm afraid I must ask you, Major, to summarize the report.”

”Yes, yes. The Pusakal isn't it?” asked Narra which Artemus replied with a nod.

”So,” Artemus continued, ”Status Report.”

”Yes Sir, Grand General Sir,” replied the Major snappily giving him a binder full of parchment almost five inches thick. ”What we have in our report is the culmination of all of the compiled data at the final test and the strategic skirmishes that the brothers have undertaken in the past month.”

”Let's hear from my first born first.”

”Reus excels in his studies based on his test scores. His thesis on different elemental prodigies created a very loud intellectual uproar in the Palace. He also has been developing and improving his Life Element at a very alarming rate. He can now bend light at will though he might need to improve in his defenses.”

”I think he might even surpass you, Grand General,” added Narra, ”though he may not be very adept in handling himself in a tense situation. I think that when he perfects his skill, no one will be able to stop him. An offensive and defensive skill that no one can match.”

”Great, Great. What about my Yosh?”

”His precision in using his eye and hand coordination when using a bow is outstanding. He can utilize his beasts to...”

”Friends,” interrupted Artemus. ”He would be really mad if he hears that you call them that.”

”So sorry, sir,” she smiled continuing, ”He can utilize his friends to work with them outstandingly. He is considered to be their tactician, truly a proud Earth Molder at work. He is considered to be a loner and preferably likes to work either only alone with his friends or with his brothers. He has trusts issues that hinder his esteem.”

”Because of my brother and my nephew,” replied Artemus almost murmuring while putting his hands in his forehead in dismay.

”He also has a few flaws on fighting with bladed weapons as if he irks having to handle such item to hurt people. Every clear blow can be hesitant leaving him vulnerable to counterattack, so he uses bows instead. Single strikes from projectiles makes him confident allowing him to measure the distance between the opponent and himself, the true makings of an elusive dodging master. He also utilizes his Daomagarian Dashes in dodging the opponent making him the most experienced in that field among the brothers.”

”Excellent... and the twins?”

”The two have been a very curious case, sir. They have been known to have failing grades and a very dim future, or at least that's what they want others to believe. We have been investigating in the matter for a possible foul play instigated by the relatives, but we found out that they completely try to sabotage their own image possibly because of their inhibited and distant personality. The good news is, they have been mastering fourth degree elemental techniques today which is, as I recall, should be four to five years ahead of them. And even more, they still find the time to research on different topics on the side. So far, based on the library reports, they have been interested on the mythical beasts, Kulog Pass, Natural Sciences, Alchemy and Yagisivian Summonings. They are actually few small steps behind Reus's pace.”

”What about Kayzar's performance?” requested Artemus in anticipation.

”Kayzar seems to be exhibiting a very peculiar technique - the Snake Bite and the Floating Daggers as I recall.”

”Did you teach him that Narra?” asked Artemus.

”No, I did not,” he replied, ”But I heard that he had learned that from reading books.”

”Yes,” Artemus reacted. ”I once wrote a book about Elemental Prodigies concerning Wind Blowers. Given Kayzar's wind essence, we can assume that he can do it with the use of his Wind Element.”

”Oh,” realized Camyl, ”I almost thought that he was connected with Yiv.”

The two just smiled from her absurd idea then she continued.

”Well, sir, he has a very good potential to pose as a Daomagarian. With his skills he can easily be mistaken for as a master.”

”Indeed, he does,” added Narra, ”Gathering Wind is a very light thing to do, I believe, but concentrating it to an object and moving it spontaneously to your desired location is considered to be very impossible. His concentration level is at par with a seer. That requires tremendous patience and determination.”

”True,” Artemus replied, ”With that he can command storms and wake the wild thunders, in due time of course.” He paused for a while and then continued to ask, ”And Karus?”

”Karus, is the most special case I've ever seen sir.”

The two leaned a little bit as she paused for a while before continuing.

”I know that our blood doesn't tend to mix well. It is a widely known fact that one born with a mixed blood of a Nagozul and of a Daomagar would retain only either the properties of a Nagozul or a Daomagar. He is different. He can practice Elemental techniques based on the records, so he is a Nagozul by blood, but he also knows how to use the Deep Root.”

”That is peculiar,” replied Artemus.

”And that's not all; he has a keen eye on the enemy while using his weapon to a point that he can freely analyze their weaknesses while attacking. He seems to have the blood of the Maskara Clan being adept on different weapons. Seeing Anagea being the descendant of the Great Daomagar, he should retain a natural impenetrable skin and monstrous strength and yet he doesn't. It's as if you and Grand Princess Anagea's bloodline has merged a perfect new class of mortal possessing the hidden strength of our ancestors. He is truly the rarest of all Nagozul-Daomagar combinations this world has ever seen.”

Artemus stood up looking somewhat content smiling making her to stand awaiting orders.

”We will study these assessments with diligence. Thank you for finding the time to prepare this Major.”

Camyl gave her salute, bowed and then walked outside.

Narra smiled and picked his pot of tea at the center. He gently tilted it to fill his cup then sipped a little. ”Don't worry; they don't know that all of your children can perform certain Daomagarian Techniques.”

He took a great sip from his cup giving him a strong sense of comfort which can be observed from his always smiling face and then he continued.

”So, Artemus? Are you pleased with the results? Does it satisfy your unwarranted worry about the prediction?”

Artemus stood up facing the wall and stopped for a few seconds.

”Well,” he said somewhat happy, ”I think eavesdropping is one of those qualities a Nagozulian Prince should have without.”

He pulled a loose brick to find the twins' cheery eyes towards them. They were both surprised as they chuckle in humiliation.

”I give fair warning. Do this again and next time you won't be able to set one foot at this section of the Encampment. Understood?”

”Y-yes, sir,” they replied in unison after which they ran off in a hurry.

The room was quiet for a few seconds before Narra filled the room with his somewhat merry voice.

”Did you know that they were listening?”

”Yes.”

”Well, my, my. I didn't notice that they were there. Must be getting rusty.”

Artemus went near his chair and smiled.

”Though,” Narra continued with a chuckle, ”It is sometimes imperative for them to hear their own improvements coming from others. Wouldn't you agree?” he filled his cup again with the aromatic blend that is now filling the room and sipped for a few before continuing, ”It builds esteem having to hear a compliment like that, especially from Camyl who is very hard to be impressed.”

”Yes, not to cut our small talk father but let's get right to the point.”

”Yes, what's on your mind?”