Chapter 27
The next morning, Gerda was out with Kai and Luta near the academy of Rollan taking from the outside a look at the interior of the place. Kai glanced at the fence see on the other side all students practice their sword skills. Kai leaned his head on the fence squinting his eyes to look at the students dueling each other, beginning to look for Rollan, which is supposed to be present.
„Are you sure this is the place? I can't find your boyfriend anywhere," Kai noticed, then Gerda gazed through the holes of the fence to look at the students at the field trying to spot her boyfriend.
„Well, I understand your difficulty in looking for him. Almost everyone there has black hair," Gerda mentioned, then Luta, which was on the ground widened her eyes and climbed the fence up and pointed throughout the net towards a teen wearing a brown shirt and black trousers. „Luta found him," Gerda warned seeing Rollan fence with a raven-haired student, which got pushed away from Rollan with the sword, and later on he helped the boy up and got patted on the shoulder.
„Good and now what was your and Luta's plan?" Questioned the younger brother.
„First we need to know where this guy keeps that book Rollan talked about. Just then we can move on in obtaining it," Gerda explained.
„And how are we going to see that from here?" Kai asked, then Gerda moved her arm down at Luta. „Well, except for this plan,"
„I already told Luta what she has to look for. Otherwise, Rollan is in there too. He may as well know where to go to make it easier for us or at least distract the others from her,"
„Okay, then I guess she can move along," Said Kai, then Luta looked up at Gerda, which nodded and the weasel climbed up the fence, jumping down on the other side making her way toward the group of men sword fighting. Luta stopped looking around the boys, then watched Rollan fall down on his back after being defeated by his opponent and Luta approached the raven-haired boy and stared at the boy, giving out a squeak.
„Hey," Rollan greeted the weasel, then someone picked Luta on her back shrieking her, and behind her stood a teenager, which was curious to see her.
„Hey I have never seen one white weasel before," The boy commented making Luta growl, then the opponent of Rollan held his sword in front of the animal.
„Watch out Antonio, it may attack you," Warned the boy holding the sword at the throat of the weasel shrieking Rollan, which grabbed Luta and held it close to him.
„Hey she hasn't done anything," Rollan warned as Luta growled at the students, then she got calm as Rollan spared a possible fight between her and the teens.
„You're not afraid, she might have rabies or anything else?" Antonio asked watching Luta analyze Rollan's hand with her nose and she grabbed his index finger and looked up at the boy.
„I'm going to drop her down at water barrel at the shooting range," Rollan commented getting up from the ground, taking Luta into his hands, and placed the sword on the ground. „I'll be right back," Rollan proclaimed walking along the field getting closer to the building, then looked behind to search for Ernesto and Enrico, which were occupied fencing other opponents, and Rollan dropped Luta on the ground and opened the door for her and left it open. „Okay look Enrico placed his backpack at the wardrobe along with us all. If you see a brown backpack with a blue book in it with the wishing stone on the front of the book, that's the book we're looking for. Be careful, that no one catches you. I don't think most of the guys are willing to let you escape with life," Rollan whispered earning a nod from Luta. „You're the best, I owe it to you," Rollan said watching Luta enter into the wardrobe of the shooting range, then she looked at all the present backpacks and spotted the first one in brown and opened it to find a jacket in it, thereafter she continued watching around to guess, which backpack could belong to the enemy and she opened up again a backpack to only find another jacket on it, including a package with cookies. Luta moved on to the next backpack finding it empty, only and she moved on the ground and noticed a brown backpack, which was half-open due to having a book hidden inside it and Luta ran toward it and removed the cover to see the wishing stone looking upside down, then she smiled and dropped the bag and pulled the book with her mouth.
Meanwhile, outside of the academy, Gerda and Kai watched Rollan fly on his chest as his opponent dodged his attack making Kai chuckle.
„Is Rollan just terrible during our presence or is it just a coincidence?" Kai asked glancing at Gerda, which covered her mouth from seeing her boyfriend fail.
„I'm more worried about how they all fight without protection," Gerda mentioned. „How isn't Rollan or anyone else injured by it?"
„Luck or faith," Kai responded watching a teacher walk through the students to see them fighting and he looked over at Kai and Gerda, which were watching. „Hey are we actually allowed to be here?"
„Why shouldn't we?"
„That teacher there is looking at us and began to walk up here," Kai explained then Gerda saw the teacher come up in their direction.
„Don't worry, I just tell him, we're looking at the training, just play along," Gerda offered making Kai shrug his shoulders then the lieutenant got close to the fence.
„Good morning, I've noticed you two gazing down at my student down there practicing. You two must be really impressed," Roberto said making Kai fake a smile.
„Yeah totally," He answered.
„My brother and I heard about it and wanted to take a closer look. They look very talented from this far," Gerda said making the lieutenant smile.
„We don't have planned for now to have any kids or classes pass by to watch us, but I can make an excuse for you two. Just follow me there to the door and I'll lead you to our group," Lieutenant Roberto announced, then walked along the fence and Kai looked at Gerda.
„That was easy," Kai responded.
„I wasn't expecting it to be easy. Do you think he will lead us to Luta?"
„I don't know, but what if she's not done and they go to the building?" Kai asked.
„We'll take a look when it comes to that," Gerda answered reaching the door, which got opened up by the lieutenant and he accompanied the siblings up to the students, which were fencing.
„Here you see my entire class fencing against each other. Being able to use a weapon is one of the most important parts of our job. I have them all work on their sword and shooting skills. It doesn't matter if they're not great in both. They get to practice every day here, "Roberto explained earning a nod from Gerda.
„Random question, have you got students, that are like your favorites or out of them all very skilled or something?" Kai asked making Roberto ponder about it.
„In fact, I do have a few," Roberto announced. „Marina, Fernando, Rollan, Ignacio, Felipe. Get here in a line," Ordered the lieutenant making a few students stop, so their called opponent could leave and meet the lieutenant.
„Wow, raven-heads are ruling here," Kai commented making one of the boys chuckle.
„This is a coincidence my boy. Those five here fought hard to be here, where they are now. Marina here is one of our first women from the newer generation to be here in our academy. Since day one she has proven everyone here that strength wasn't the only thing to matter here," Roberto said making Gerda nod.
„Fernando's father and grandfather are guards from Valencia and he earned his father's cunningness and his grandfather's fighting skills. Has been training since his 14th birthday with a sword and with 16 his dad finally taught him how to use a gun and now he's deepening these skills," Explained the lieutenant approach the first boy, which stood on the right side. „Felipe has a great memory and high IQ. His reflexes are quite great for his young age, his only lack, for now, is the gun usage, but he doesn't have any problem with a sword," The teacher moved to the two last boys and stood behind Rollan and a raven-haired boy. „Ignacio is a very fast runner and handles the gun better, than anyone else. Ignacio's family owns a ranch and he's able to ride horses, which will be useful for him in the future and now to Rollan, he had a bad start here at the academy, but he made it to improve with the days that have passed by and quickly became one of my favorites. Additionally, he used what he learned here on the outside to catch a criminal. If anyone else here is also as able as he is in doing that, this means what we're doing here in the academy is useful, am I right?" Roberto asked patting both raven-haired boys on the shoulder watching all nod.
„That's cool," Kai commented making Gerda nod.
„You're all quite interesting. I really would love to hear more about it," Gerda faked her interest in the task making Rollan chuckle recognizing his girlfriend trying to play as a curious person.
„I could walk you around here if you wish" A brunette boy suggested taking a step forward. „I'm also known by certain women as a great kisser," Ignacio flirted making Gerda snort at his comment.
„Sorry I'm not interested," Gerda announced, then three younger adults came along to check on the guests.
„Don't listen to that weirdo. He's got things with more than one woman. Tick him off the list and look for a decent man," A brunette boy said giving Gerda a smile.
„I'm a decent man. Me llamo Dante," The boy said and Kai began to chuckle at the boys showing his sister interest.
„Guys, guys, guys I think you are all exaggerating. These two here are already lovebirds," Roberto commented making Gerda chuckle.
„Excuse me sir, but we're actually siblings," Gerda corrected making all guys there sigh in relief.
„Ignore the others, I'm the one you should get to know better," The third boy suggested and Marina began to laugh and looked at Rollan, which was confused about everyone suddenly showing interest in his girlfriend.
„It's sweet how you're the only one not showing her any interest like the others," Marina complimented watching Rollan frown getting annoyed at the boys. „Don't pull that face. It's a good thing,"
„Guys, guys, please, take a few steps back," Gerda asked, then they stepped back in the line.
„Y'all all going too far," Said a fourth boy getting in line. „You probably don't even know her name,"
„Right…we said ours, so actually it's your turn," Dante commented making Gerda snicker.
„That's right. If you're interested, my name is Gerda and there's no need to try any pickup lines on me or any other flirt attempts. My boyfriend's here and I don't think he likes to see all this," Gerda explained making all boys look perplexed at her, then slowly point their index finger at themselves with the exception of Marina and Rollan, which were bewildered at their reaction.
„Uh….." Kai commented, then looked at the shooting range Luta come out pushing her book with the paws.
„Sister, I need to pee," Kai warned, then Roberto pointed at the shooting range.
„Around the building there we've got a stand to urinate," Roberto announced. „Otherwise you need to go somewhere else,"
„Your first option is good enough for me," Kai answered leaving Gerda back, then she walked forward toward the group and stopped by Rollan and all looked at the boy in the brown shirt surprised.
„Good morning, mi Amor," Gerda greeted the boyfriend and pecked him on his nose.
„That's Gerda?" Marina asked surprised earning a nod from Rollan.
„Yeah. The one I talked about," Rollan responded placing his arm behind her back. „I uh…..wasn't expecting to see you here"
„Yes, I wanted to…..surprise you," Gerda commented winking at Rollan, so he would know both were working on the plan to help Luta. Gerda watched in the far Kai pick up the book and hide it under his shirt, then he grabbed Luta to make his way back.
„Gracias," Rollan thanked grabbing Gerda's hand and leaned his forehead on hers. „How are you doing so far?"
„Great," Responded Gerda, then Kai showed up with Luta, which nodded at the blonde making the girl smile. „Good job you two," Gerda commented, then Rollan saw Kai and Luta, then Kai rolled his eyes down signaling the book to be hidden under his clothes.
„How long are you planning to stay here?" Questioned Rollan watching his girlfriend exchange looks with the brother.
„Maybe for a few more minutes. We don't want to waste your time you have to practice," Gerda commented.
„Okay, we will see each other again after my day is over," Rollan commented earning a nod from his girlfriend.
„Yes and afterward or even tomorrow in the afternoon we could all go swim together…... Or what would be cool is, if it would be you, me, Kai and Alfida…..what do you say?"
„I like that idea," Rollan responded, then Kai got between the two while Luta leaped at Gerda's shoulders.
„Hey, I have read that one book you borrowed me. When should I give it back to you?" Kai emphasizing his question placing his hand on his belly, where he had the book, then Rollan got what he was asking.
„Oh uh…..you can keep it for now. Important is, that no one sees it," Rollan responded earning a nod from Kai, then he nodded and turned around.
„Shall we go?" Kai asked earning a nod from the older girl.
„Don't overwork yourself here,"
„I try," Responded Rollan with a chuckle making Gerda smile and give him a kiss on his lips and Luta hopped at Rollan's shoulders to bite him on his ear. „Luta!"
„You didn't say thank you I guess," Gerda mentioned holding her arms out for the weasel to jump down at her hands.
„I try to look for a mouse or something to give it to her. I won't forget it,"
„See you later," Gerda said leaving along with her brother making Rollan smile.
„Hasta la vista, mi Amor, " Rollan said, then he looked at Marina, which watched with a little smile the blonde girl leaving.
„I did imagine Gerda a little different in my head. She looks really nice,"
„She's amazing, Marina. Gerda is one of the kindest persons I have ever met," Rollan gushed making Marina nod.
„That's sweet," Marina admitted, then noticed half of the group make their way to the shooting range to begin their next task. „Look the others are heading to the range. Shall we go?"
„Yes…..oh and let's build a group with Pastor," Rollan added earning a nod from the girl and they joined the last students, following them to the building.
On the inside of the shooting range, a few students were sitting at the wardrobe and Enrico had shown up along with Ernesto and the raven-haired boy ran to grab his backpack to open it and shrieked as he saw the book was gone.
„Ernesto. Where did you put the book?" Enrico asked getting up with his backpack, then Ernesto shrugged his shoulders.
„What are you talking about? You're the one, who kept it" Ernesto responded.
„I had it inside her, it can't just disappear like that,"
„Could someone else have taken it? Or didn't you lose it?"
„It was here before I left for the practice," Enrico responded.
„What about Rollan? Didn't you warn him you would use the book against you?" The brunette boy asked, then both heard Pastor laugh along with Rollan as they entered into the wardrobe, then Enrico frowned and walked with his backpack towards the trio, that was entering the place and he threw it against Rollan.
„Oye idioto! Dónde está el libro?" Ernesto asked watching Rollan stare at him due to his deed.
„What book?"
„You know, what I'm talking about, you've stolen it from me,"
„I haven't done anything with your book. I was out there the entire time" Rollan told watching Enrico look at all the bags on the floor and picked out one, which belonged to Rollan. „Drop down my bag, I told you I don't have it," Rollan commanded watching Enrico open the bag to empty it to only see cookies, a towel, a comb, and a portrait of Gerda. Rollan frowned and picked up the towel and the comb, then as he picked Gerda's picture, Enrico picked it up too, trying to pull it away from him.
„I told you I didn't have the book," Rollan warned losing toward the boy the portrait of his girlfriend.
„Oh who's this?" Ernesto asked. „Your girlfriend?"
„Give it back to me. That's a gift," Rollan complained pulling it away from him, while the blue-eyed boy tried to take it away from Rollan.
„Enrico, just stop this," Ernesto ordered standing beside his friend, while Marina and Pastor got behind Rollan, then watched Ernesto smirk and let the picture go, so Rollan loses his equilibrium to fall on the ground, then Enrico took the image to look at it.
„Hey isn't that the girl, the other guys saw before?" Ernesto asked making Enrico chuckle.
„This is your Greta or wait…...Gretel was it?,"
„Gerda," Rollan corrected getting up to see Enrico laugh.
„She doesn't look so special as I've heard," Enrico commented watching Rollan get angry at the boy, then Enrico shook the painting to irritate the Spaniard.
„She's the bravest and most selfless girl I have met in my life. You have no reason to judge her or anyone else like that without even knowing them,"
„That's good I don't, cause if I did I wouldn't be able to do this to you," Enrico said breaking the painting shrieking Rollan at his deed.
„Enrico, why did you do that?" Ernesto asked. „You don't even have proof of it,"
„He's the only one to know about the book. Who else should have done it?" Enrico asked throwing the broken portrait at the ground making Rollan fume up and ran against Enrico, but before Rollan could raise his fist towards the boy Pastor and Marina packed Rollan by his arms to pull him away from the other Spaniard.
„Calm down, man," Pastor said. „He's provoking you, so you'll get kicked out of here,"
„Rollan, it doesn't matter what this douche thinks of your girlfriend. What matters is what you do," Marina said, then Rollan wanted to raise his fist to get at the bully, but Pastor used his other hand to pull it down.
„Hey, I don't think your girlfriend would like to know you would hit someone like that. No matter how much he deserves it," Pastor changed tune looking at Enrico, which was pleased with Rollan's temper.
„You're welcome," Enrico replied and walked away, leaving a disappointed Ernesto back along with a few students, that attended the fight.
Pastor and Marina took their arms away from Rollan, which got down on his knees to grab the broken painting, gazing at it with a sad face.
„Gerda gave me this six months after we started dating," Rollan told. „Now it's broken,"
„Don't worry, if you want we can tell her, what happened. She will understand you," Marina assured patting him behind his neck.
„Here put it back in your bag," Pastor added giving Rollan the backpack and helped him to put his stuff back in it. „We better train together far away from them. Before they decide to take another chance in raising Rollan's anger on purpose again,"
„Gracias, Pastor," Rollan replied and the boy sat down in front of him being around with Marina watching him slowly calm down.