Author's Note:
Hey all, hope you're enjoying my story so far. Remember all feedback is appreciated. My extracurricular activities are done for now, so I hope to write a lot more. Hope to see you at Ch. 13!
Chapter 12: "Training"
"You mean to tell me that you're the all-wise prophet we've been looking for. Frankly, I would have expected the prophet to be a kind old man, not some grumpy grandpa!"
Beth yelled,
"Yes, am I am the Prophet, and if I'm not what you expected, then too bad. The world isn't what you think up off the top of your head, besides that's no way to treat anyone, despite my 'bad attitude'," He responded,
There was a long period of silence which consisted of me, Beth, and Makar exchanging glances with each other, and occasionally with the Prophet. The Prophet finally got impatient,
"Well, I extremely doubt that you came all the way up this mountain, and getting captured by moblins just to track me down and mock me. Come on! Out with it,"
He blurted,
"Well, you see sir, we were sent to look for you up here by the caretaker of the sanctuary down near the castle. He said that you'd know more about the legendary prophecy and how to acquire the master sword," I explained,
Again, there was a period of silence, the Prophet stroked his long, grey beard, then spoke,
"I'm trying to figure out why he would have sent you up here, especially after the weapon of evil's bane. This task is not for a bunch of kids,"
"We're not kids! We're older, braver, and smarter than you make us out to be!" Makar protested,
"You're also quite foolish! Although, if the caretaker had enough belief in you to send you up here by yourselves, then there might be a chance,"
"So, you'll help us get the sword?" Beth asked,
"I never said that, although, it might be worth my time to see if you three even stand a chance. You all seem audacious enough,"
He stroke his beard again, grunted then told us to follow him.
We travelled through the course of the day through strange fields of cacti and other small patches of vegetation. It was late in the evening before we reached the home of the Prophet. It was overly extravagant for a single hermit.
He took us inside and had drop our supplies off in a corner while he went to light a fire. We went over and sat by the fire and began to talk about many things. Me, and Makar were still too suspicious of the Prophet, but Beth seemed to slow warm up to him.
As the night dragged on, I talked with the old Prophet about all that I knew about: The Wizard, the Princess, the Tri-force, the Master Sword, my Uncle, and other odds and ends. As we talked, Makar paid attention, but Beth fell asleep almost instantly as we started talking; although, it wasn't too long before Makar followed.
The conversation between me and the Prophet went on until extremely late, it was finally ended when the Prophet told me to get some rest and that I would need it for the days ahead.
I assumed I had changed the Prophet's overall opinion of us during that talk, but that was just what I hoped. I dozed off in my comfy sleeping pad and enjoyed the soothing sounds of the fire crackling and the Prophet humming soft tunes.
I awoke late in the morning to the old man reading, my other companions were still asleep though. I sat up on my pad when I jumped to the sound of the Prophet's voice,
"Good morning, you seem to be better qualified then your companions,"
I didn't understand, it could have been that I was still half asleep, or that I didn't know what I was 'better qualified' for.
"Better qualified?" I asked,
"Yes, only one of you can go ahead to take the tests and one day wield the sword of evil's bane, and you seem to be the better pick,"
"You mean my friends can't help me complete the tests?" I asked,
"Your questions will be answered in due time come on my boy, but now get your sword, for we will begin your training,"
I got my sword and followed him out to a small, flat, deserted area,
"Now, show me your best sword skills you possess,"
"Sir, I was only raised a simple farm boy, I don't -"
"No excuses, you will need improvement any way you go about it,"
The next couple of our featured me attempting my best at his assignments, lecturing, demonstrations, and then repeating the cycle with each new skill. Beth and Makar came out once in a while to see my training; although, they did not speak. I assumed they knew I was ultimately going to be the one to carry out this task.
During our sessions, we stopped for lunch and dinner. The Prophet forced me to eat a special set of meals he prepared himself, which he claimed was the diet of a warrior. I was hardly convinced. The meals were bland, and simple.
We continued our training late into the night. When we finally returned, we found Beth and Makar both fast asleep on their pads. We continued this routine for a few days more when finally, the Prophet said proudly,
"You are ready; I will tell you what you need to know,"