23 TRAINING DAY (1/2)
”Master!” shouted a young woman in the horizon waving her hands.
”You're late, again!” Karus shouted back as he waved his hand seeing Lime entering their usual open field training spot. He has been sitting for the good hour and a half on top of the large man-sized boulder in the far edge waiting for her. He has half a mind to think she bolted after two long grueling days of torment from his impossible training. ”What's the excuse this time?”
”Sorry master,” she shouted still running to his spot with great haste, ”It's hard to sneak out of the heavily fortified Palace what with the Palace being all crazy since yesterday when the Grand Princess announced her horrifying news.”
”News?”
”Oh! You haven't heard?” she said as she hastily moves her feet now reaching his master. She dropped down the ground to sit panting in her never-stopping jog from the Palace to their training spot.
”Haven't heard what?” he asked jumping off from the boulder to sit where she's at.
Lime was jolted. She was wishing to catch her breath for a few seconds, but his master was so eager robbing her time to breathe. She had no choice but to explain panting still. ”Well, the Grand Princess has been rounding up all the military Generals today briefing them about the search for that evil assassin.”
”What assassin?”
”I'm surprised you didn't know this. No disrespect, but you're a Daomagarian Master, right?”
”Oh!” Karus hurriedly crammed for an explanation. He's truly a master swordsman, that part is true. Dal'Gur has written his name in the Hundred Sword Elite's Guild Records under an alias but he is not in the military roster so information coming from the Queen might be difficult to obtain - and a Daomagarian Guild Master who is in Nagozul without being placed in a military division is highly unlikely. ”I-uh- I've been assigned secretly to patrol the highlands last week! In fact, you're the only person I've seen since then and up to now, that's why I'm not yet informed.”
”See! I told you your messengers are not that perfect!” she smiled wryly trying to prove her point.
They have been discussing this week that nothing is perfect especially the idea about message delivery in the military. There would still be a lag time for about a day or two in passing off messages even in the absence of war-like situations. Karus has been trying to argue that their system IS rather perfect but since this proved her point, which would not count in reality since he's just posing as a Daomagar, he doesn't really have any choice but to give in.
”Okay I yield to your point, princess. Now, about that assassin?”
”Don't be alarmed. I know this will disturb you,” she stopped for a second confirming Karus's nod and then continued, ”From what the soldiers told my father, a certain Nagozulian Group tried to assassinate the Queen in her chambers yesterday morning.”
”What!? Why!? And more importantly, HOW!? It's rather difficult to get in and out of the Palace undetected. What happened?”
”I'm not sure about the intricate details but I overheard them say that somehow they got past the security and managed to creep in and out of her chambers without alerting someone. From the looks of it, they thought it's an inside job but that's just their theory.”
Karus dwelled for a few seconds in deep thoughts trying to explain what happened. He knows it cannot be the Easterners since the Queen, even in her prime age, can incinerate their entire army just as easily as lighting up a match. A quick flash of idea blinked to blame Prodea and Sarram's, but he just ignored it. Prodea and Sarram may be wicked to him and his brothers but they are not that heartless to attack their own mother, he thought. He just jumped right into the conclusion that maybe they are finally having an actual radical Nagozulian group forming in their kingdom. It's bound to be considering they invited panic to the hearts of the Holy Sentinels all around the Holy Lands the moment they opened the gates of Nagozul to foreign mortals.
A brief thought surprised him in his mental wanderings. He suddenly remembered the Prophecy. He tried hard ignoring the thought that maybe this is the unraveling of his grandfather's vision and that this serves as a warning, alarming him that the time of his transformation being the White Demon grows imminent. This lingering idea scratched his very consciousness bringing forth terror in his eyes until Lime interrupted his train of thought.
”You know, I forgot to mention this, but I was a bit scared yesterday. I woke up early to find out that the sun disappeared for about an hour shrouding the skies to dark red - much like having a tint of blood. As if the heavens...”
”Wait, that happened again?” Karus asked now surprised to hear the Gigantic Titan of the Sea rising once again from its earlier appearance just a day ago.
”Yes. Our people call it the Mourning of the Heavens - a very ominous warning from God I might add.”
”Though it is in fact true that it is a very ominous warning, it is not what you think of. The turning of the pitch-black skies with the bloody moon is the magic of the Nanreben - our protector of the seas. It starts in its awakening, giving forth high tides and maximizes all Water Caster's elemental energies by giving them ease in manipulating the flow of water. It only ends when it dives back to the seas to sleep. It's the third time this year. I wonder why it's being awakened at an unusual interval.”
”Oh! Is that what it is? You mean that huge serpentine monster. The one who obliterated our cargo ship three days ago? That sea dragon frightens me and everyone from Leonus - and I think everyone in the Palace is as shocked as we are too.”
”So, you're the reason for its grand appearance?” He asked in all seriousness startling Lime.
”No, actually not. It's the first time it attacked us. When we came up here, the ports are wide open to receive us. Actually, I haven't had the chance to see this horrifying creature up close - I wonder what it looks like...”
”So, he destroyed your cargo ships twice?” Karus persisted interrogating even though Lime has been trying to hint to change from this dreadful topic.
”No, just the first resupply cargo ship,” she answered curious. ”I swear, seeing the blackened sky is just frightening. I thought we lost another ship but luckily no one is due to arrive yesterday.”
”Oh. What's up with its erratic awakening? I wonder why it has been acting up strangely this year. Only Bakunawa can call to it. If he destroyed your cargo now, then why did he let your ship pass when you arrived?”
He paused contemplating trying to analyze what is happening till Lime smiled and posed a question changing his mood almost immediately upon noticing.
”Who's Bakunawa?”
”Oh, nothing. He's just the gate keeper,” he smiled giving a wide beam. He doesn't want to end up lecturing her about things she shouldn't know so he controlled his urge to share information, however powerful they may be.
”Hey! I thought you told me you were patrolling? Why haven't you noticed that unusual phenomenon?”
”I-uh- I might have dozed off for a while yesterday morning,” he tried explaining. Though it is not a common practice for a master to recount the exhibition of laziness in the line of duty, he did sleep soundly yesterday until midmorning, so that explanation can be both plausible and true - he is indeed a young master after all, he thought, so that excuse can work.
Lime slowly stood up with eyes that looked askance with Karus's alibi.
”Alright, alright,” she said smiling, removing her sling bag and throwing it to the sides, ”I know you're not the lazy type but I believe you and I'm sure you're not going to doze off while you train me, right? Just try and you'll receive a special surprise from my new lovely purple gauntlets.”
Karus grinned for a bit. He smiled not because of her joke but because of the thought that he just found a naïve spy in his employ. He doesn't need to visit shops to hear gossips which he loathes more than ever. Now that he's got an inside man, nay an inside woman, in the Palace, he doesn't really need to stop by there once in a while which is a boon practically worth thanking for. In the meantime, he must figure out a way to explain what he's been doing in his free time to Kayzar, wherever he may be, so that he can switch about places for him to actually train with swords since he's been burning a lot of time training her instead.
”Master?” she said interrupting his thoughts yet again, ”Are you alright, you are awfully preoccupied today. We could postpone training today so that you can report to your General about this...”
”Oh no! I'm fine,” he replied cutting, ”I'm just thinking of something important. Shall we commence?”
”YES MASTER!” she shouted bowing low.
”Now I know that I promised yesterday that we will now start with blade training. But before anything I would like to give you a quick lecture about wielding its power.”
Lime bowed low again and then sat slowly on the ground, making herself comfortable while she waited for Karus as he dashed off to get a sword from his gear near the huge boulders and then went back. He unsheathed the sword in front of her and pushed the blade, a normal looking katana, down to the earth. He stepped back and unsheathed the long sword from his side, the same curvy katana but with a golden hilt and an orb ruby gem encrusted on the end as its pommel, he feigned slashing about in the air for a couple of seconds to demonstrate and then he started.
”This is one of the hundred types of swords available in our world. As you know, the Master of the Hundred Sword Elites takes pride in their mastery of the best one hundred sword blades known by mortals. Training for the mastery of every sword type requires diligence, perseverance, wisdom, and most specially patience. Knowing every type of blade and its properties is one of the paramount responsibilities of a Sword Master.
”Each Master is designated a defining primary weapon. The one hundredth position in our clan is designated for the katana so I'd say it chose me. I have come to love this blade specifically for its efficiency in combat as well as its defensive and offensive capabilities allowing its user to wield its power to attack quickly from every corner and to defend from it just the same.
”You must always remember that each Sword Fighter must Master at least two swords, a long sword and a short sword, and must always remember to never forget them especially in combat. A sword fighter treats their swords as a part of their body and as such must always bring them at an arm's length or else, they will be an inutile cripple in battle. Your sword is your Sandata, your weapon, your life, and without your Sandata you are worthless.”
”Master,” she interrupted pointing to his other sword dangling on his side attached to his leather belt. ”I know that your long sword is a Katana but what is your short sword. I have read many books about swords, but I don't recognize that type of short sword.”
The unusual sword she is pointing to have a wide gold-plated wooden scabbard with a golden hilt and a fierce serpentine dragon with sharp fangs protruding its gaping open mouth as its pommel.
”Oh, this? It is one of the best swords in existence but unfortunately, it's not that popular because it's really hard to wield. This is the Kampilan. I was inspired by its dual-point tip and unique blade structure, being wider at the point than its base, making it a perfect weapon for hacking things off easy. Although it's usually a long sword, I fashioned it to be a one-handed short sword. Now, in its short form, it's called the Kampilan Bolo. I've been eyeing this myself but since it's reserved for Number One in our clan, I can only carry a short sword type - which by the way can be anything.”
”Oh! Right! I know Kampilan swords and I originally thought that to be a Kampilan too but seeing its blade measuring to only a foot confused me. Good thing the pommel is shaped like a mythical dragon. That gave it away.”
”Not just any dragon. It's Dal'Gur's depiction of the Nanreben - the mighty sea serpent. And yes, great job for noticing, the Kampilan's unique signature is a mythical creature's wide opened mouth as its pommel.”
”And what about that third sword?” she asked pointing at the sword in front of her just resting on the ground where he pushed it earlier.
”Ah! As you have noticed,” he pointed at the other sword standing like a totem, ”That would be your blade. That is a normal novice Katana. As my apprentice, you will first master this blade before any other blades.”
”But, Master?” she raised her hand with confusion in her eyes, ”This type of blade is somewhat foreign to me. It shows a remarkable resemblance to the weapons of our enemies from the Oriental regions of the Gnarshu. I think I might have to pass up to...”
”Silence young apprentice,” he snapped interrupting her to continue, ”My word is law and it is final. If you are going to be my apprentice, you might as well get used to my designated sword. D'ya think I enjoyed mine when it was first given to me?”
”Hey, don't get so grumpy and all,” she said pouting crossing her arms, ”I only said that because it would be weird training for the enemy's weapons first before our traditional long sword.”
”Hey! Don't get smart at me, young apprentice,” he crossed his arms too almost stuttering, ”Remember what you promised! You can't refuse my commands!”
”Well, why can't we try our traditional sword? Why do I have to train on that weak thin sword? Soldiers will make fun of me even more! They will think it's a woman's sword. They will never treat me as their equal.”
”Hah! Don't be fooled by its exterior qualities. Speed is the art of battle. Understand that in a sword fight, whoever can wield their swords to be the fastest, to a point that they can outmaneuver their opponent's moves, wins! It's not about how big your sword is, it's about hitting your enemy at their weak spot with precision and control just as the birds-of-prey dives thousands of feet to capture their unwitting victim on the ground. Quick, precise, and deadly.”
”You mean to tell me that that silly thin katana can outwit a claymore or a broadsword in combat?”
”Well, in a Daomagar to Daomagar fight, it all depends on their level of mastery of the sword...”
”You see?! I told you it...”
”BUT!” he interrupted, ”When we're talking about your kind of mortals, then I would bet my stored bullions, heck, I will bet my title as a master proving that point.”
”Well, that's easy for you to say. You are a Daomagar, and you don't feel what it's like to be weak like us other kind of mortals.”
”Hey, hey, don't get offended by that. I'm just stating the truth. Given a chance that both parties have two different swords and they both master these two swords, the Katana's maneuverability and precision literally takes advantage over your wide and cumbersome long sword anytime.
”Sword fighting is basically cut between attacking and defending. Every attack opens your body to grievous harm so you must always be able to switch back from an attack stance to the defensive stance. The time lag between changing from these stances is critical in combat. Wrong positioning and an opening might be too visible to the enemy and that might result to inviting a fatal wound to your body.
”A Daomagar has strength, speed, and power beyond your kind of mortals that's why the battle between us cannot be quantified by swords alone. Your kind of mortals is bound by somewhat different rules making each of our case different so there's a dissimilar take on both points.
”Simply put, you are not blessed with our powers, so our normal battle principles don't apply to your kind. What you can improve though is your skill on handling the weapon. Thus, I arrived at the conclusion that with two combatants achieving skills equal to that of a master, the Katana, with its maneuverability, trumps the heavy long sword anytime. Plus, in the long run, when two of those masters have been going on fighting for quite some time, the master using the claymore will tire out his arms raising that cumbersome sword. By then, the match will be over, and you would've won.”
”Okay, okay...” she grumpily said standing up, pulling the sword from the ground, ”I'm sorry. I just want to be great at this thing.”
”Believe me, I'm the Sword Master. I know these kinds of things.”
Lime lightened up with his assurance and was immediately filled with spirit making her sword stance.
”So, Master, shall we commence?”
”Well, did you bring your training tonic? The one that I gave you yesterday?”
”Yes Master!”
”And have you taken up your dosage today?”
”Yes Master!”
”Are you sure? The last time I told you to take it you forgot, and I end up spending White Angel on you.”
”Yes Master. I don't want to have any broken bones again. I don't want to experience that kind of pain ever.”
”Good. Prepare yourself. You won't get any rest today.”
”Yes Master!”
-------ooO0Ooo-------
”Yosh.”
”Yes, King Kyrin?” he said arriving at the opened front door of his chambers being befuddled to his great senses knowing he's there before he even tried to knock. He saw him tinkering something on his table at the far end which he deserted immediately after seeing him there standing.
”I'm afraid there has been terrible news,” he said standing up inviting him to enter, ”I think you should sit down first before you hear it.”
Yosh gently walked inside his grand room. It is wide and spacious with bright lights as if the sun is shining in every window-like opening, which is surprising since they are underground in the lair of the Dwendells. He stopped and noticed roots forming up transforming into a wide chair. He sat hurriedly so as to hear the urgent news and got a little distracted as he noticed the unusual softness of the roots as if it has perfectly mimicked a cotton upholstered divan which is quite impressive. He was about to give commendations, but he remembered why he was sitting.
”What is it King Kyrin? Did I do something wrong again?”
”Oh, dear Prince Yosh, no. You did not do anything wrong, except - well - I told you to call me just Kyrin. You've been ignoring that for days now.”
”I can't help it, sir. It feels awkward having to talk to you like an equal - you are king after all. And besides, I'm not raised to talk like that. Mama will beat me senselessly losing those words of respect.”
”Yes,” he smiled trying to contain his laugh, ”your mother. She's merciless and violent to her enemies yet kind and loyal to her friends. Very few people lived to tell how they dared to be on her bad side. They even gave her the name Destroyerto commemorate the kind of utter destruction only she can do when she is in a rage.”
”You know my mother?”
”Yes, but we unfortunately met under different circumstances. You know that I have to fight her when we first met just to keep my son Iyom alive after he accidentally poisoned Prince Artemus. But that is a story I would glad to reminisce some other time. I'm afraid I have the responsibility to relay to you what's happening on the other side.”
”What happened?” asked Yosh being alarmed with Kyrin's seriousness.
”Yosh, your kingdom is going through a difficult situation right now and honestly, I'm afraid keeping you here would make me selfish and petty.”
”What's going on?”
”Your father is ill; Very ill to the brink of death as my sources confirmed.”
”What!?” he stood up concerned almost frantic.
”And that's not all. Your grandmother, well, she's been hanging by a thread because someone tried to assassinate her in her own quarters. Though my sources cannot confirm this, the fact still remains that the Queen's presence haven't been seen for quite a while now giving weight to the alleged assassination.”
”Well I have to get out of here! I have to know what's going on!”
”Even as we speak, Dwendells that are in charge for your departure have been stacking up supplies for your journey home. We know you need to go to your family in this difficult time, so we've readied you up with a month-long ration for your journey back to the north.”
”How did you know?” Yosh beamed squinting, suspecting he heard something about what he and Nine discussed during lunch yesterday.
”That you don't want to go to the Palace? Don't worry Nine didn't tell me this. It's something I've known for quite some time.”
”And what about your people? Who's going to protect your life trees?”
”Thanks to you, the harvest of our life tree has been averted this year. It'll take a long time for them to try again. And besides, we got Iyom and Nine for that. They are not called the unrestricted Dwendells for nothing so they can manage to help us when needed.”