16 I Refuse (1/2)

”I don't understand Your Majesty, why my son? And if so I have two other unmarried boys that are far more suitable-”

”Are you telling Her Majesty what to do?”

David and Jakob were kneeling in front of the three veiled ladies, Agnes, Julia and their mistress. Their mistress was seated in Jakob's chair while her attendants were standing by her sides.

No longer pretending to be drunk, a Fatty in a suit approached his father's office. The moment he arrived at the door he opened it with a confident look. When he opened it he was greeted with the visage of this odd scenario. His Father was a Lord thus there were few who he would kneel to, let alone sit in his chair. Even David wasn't allowed that right.

Seeing that someone entered the door without knocking Jakob was about to shout, but when he saw that it was Fatty he was shocked and thus his reaction delayed a bit. Fatty avoided his office like the plague and never came in without being summoned. Why on earth had he entered his office of his own volition? And at this time?

Jakob regained his wits a bit too late. In a manner unbecoming of him Fatty knelt just like his father and brother. ”Kylerius de Watzer greets Her Majesty the Princess.” His actions and words made gasps spread across the room.

The princess raised her hand and everyone became quiet. She stood up and walked toward Fatty. ”How did you know? I only mentioned this to your father a few moments ago.” She said with her silky smooth voice. Fatty kept looking down and smoothly responded. ”Responding to Your Majesty, nothing happens in this territory without me knowing.”

”You insolent-” Agnes was cut off by her mistresses hand. ”Oh really? Tell me then Fatty. Who am I?”

”Responding to Your Majesty, you are Ruva men Rashe van der Euphoria, Fifth Princess of the Kingdom of Euphoria,” said Fatty, Confidently.

The Princess sat on the desk and crossed her arms, underneath her veil she could not help but smile at his reaction. ”Correct! Well said, one more question. If you answer this correctly you will gain a gift beyond your wildest dreams. Now tell me why am I here?”

But his response made her and everyone in the room nearly trip. ”Responding to Your Majesty.” Fatty then stood up and walked to the Princess slowly. Her attendants were about to move but once again were stopped by their mistress.

Fatty smirked as if this was well within his expectations. When he arrived in front of the Princess he lifted her veil with an arrogant expression and said, ”To ask for my, the most handsome and intelligent man in the country to marry her.”

Faces contorted all over the room, but the Princess's stunning face smiled mischievously. ”And his answer is?”

”Responding to Your Highness, the answer is obvious. I refuse.”

…

Days turned into weeks, weeks turned into months, and months turned into years.

Just like that four years passed in the camp. In the wee hours of the mourning, a young man was doing sit-ups while holding a dombo in his hands. Every time he sat up he would rotate his upper body left and right before going back down again.

After doing hundreds of these the child would continue to doing squats. Once he did a thousand he would move to doing 200 one armed push ups for each arm. Suffice to say that each of these exercises were done with practiced ease.

The past few years had changed Taku. His body had been completely remodeled. He was now much taller than he was before. Instead of the little seemingly malnourished child, he was now the peak of physical fitness for a fourteen year old.

His face was neither handsome, nor was it ugly. He had short hair, with average limbs. Out of the remaining children in the camp, he was without a doubt one of the most average looking.

”Attention! Training has started!”

”Move it! Move it! Mooooovvvveee iiittt!”

”Why the heck are you modeling in front of us? You think we are gay? Move it maggots!”

Taku heard the voices and moved out. Now there were quite a few differences compared to four years ago. Only a few hundred of them were left. Each of them had survived through the gory training of the last four years. Even though they were teens, they gave of the temperament of battle hardened warriors.

Now instead of walking the children ran with their fasted speed. Their target mountain had been changed multiple times. Now it was a mountain four hours from the camp. One that was much higher and much more dangerous than its predecessors. Not to mention the journey was now much more perilous.

Within the Gutu Empire were many savage beasts, beats that were incredibly vicious and powerful enough to match the Gutu themselves. Everyday on their way to the mountain the children had to pass through a portion of forest that was filled with many vicious beasts, thus it was only natural that battles ensued.

”Roar!”

As Taku ran, a lion with a mane that was on fire appeared in front of him and roared.

”A fire lion? What a bother. ”

Taku snorted in disdain and ran straight for the beast. The other children were entangled with their own opponents thus no one cared about Taku. Those who had no opponents simply ran.

The lion ran for Taku and lunged straight for him.

”Hmph!”

Taku ducked, then using the combo as a weapon he hit the lion above him. Over the years many uses for the dombos were discovered by the children, one being a weapon. The lion's belly caved in and it immediately vomited blood while it was in mid air. By the time it's body hit the ground, it was a corpse.

Taku did not need to look back to see the results of his work. He kept running because he knew that there was not time to loiter around. Unfortunately for Taku a large Buffalo with skin like bronze appeared in front of him.

”Bronze Buffalo! Why am I so unlucky?”

Taku knew this would not be an easy battle for him so he slowed his steps. This was a beast well known for its impressive defensive abilities. Taku was not intending to fight it head on thus he turned tail and ran in the other direction. The buffalo bellowed in rage and followed suit. The beast was powerful but its speed was lacking when compared to its defensive capabilities.

Despite this Taku did not intend to give up on battling it, instead he intentionally moved somewhat slower than his full sprint in order to make sure the beast would have him in its sights.

”Stupid cow. ”

Taku snorted in disdain as he looked back at the buffalo, causing it to get even more angry. The stronger a savage beast was, the more intelligent it was. Although the buffalo was not as smart as a human, it knew well enough when it was being mocked.

Taku passed by a few of his fellow camp mates as they were engaged in their own battles. After a few hours of running, a mountain range came into view. The first mountain was so large its peak pierced through the clouds above it. This was their current target mountain.

It was known as the untamed mountain, the reason being of the legends surrounding it. The mountain top was sharp, like a sword piercing into the heavens, and the grandness was more than enough to intimidate even the average Gutu, but Taku and his camp mates were far from average.

Taku sprinted up the mountain with a smile. Bellows of a mad beast would follow from time to time. Taku could not help but be impressed at the creature's stamina.