Chapter 9
Van and Allen observed each other carefully. Even if Valgus had been their teacher, they had very different fighting stiles. Van was fast and aggressive, relaying on his speed and strength. Allen was precise, fast also, but he relied more in his endurance and technique. All in all, every time they sparred they ended being evenly matched, and they were both known as the best sword masters on Gaea.
Just as Allen was preparing himself for the next attack, Gaddeth erupted in the glade, followed closely by a pale young woman and the soldiers' Lieutenant.
-"See here, Boss! The fishing is rather good around here isn't it?''
The goofy man grinned openly at his Commander, only to get smacked by the thin blond that was standing by his side.
-"YOU MISERABLE LITTLE TWERP! HOW DARE YOU TALK ABOUT ME AS IF I WERE A FISH! AFTER YOU SO RUDELY DRAGGED ME AWAY FROM MY POSSIBLE DINNER! I'M GONNA FIX YOU FOR THAT ONE, YOU …''
Allen had to noisily clear his throat to get the girls attention. Van, in the meantime, had been checking out their visitor, or prisoner if he believed what she said.
She looked around his age, was at least 5 inches smaller than him; extremely slender; with ivory-colored skin, long golden-colored hair and navy-blue eyes, even if he could see a slight greenish tint to them.
Allen had also noticed her attributes and had to agree with his second in command. This young woman was a beauty, but she seemed to have one hell of a temper. There was a lump already forming on the back of Gaddeth's head, so he decided not to make any comments about the success of the fishing, at least while she was around.
-"Gaddeth, what is this child doing here?''
-"Well, Mica here found her by a little stream on a nearby clearing. It's weird that she's here, since there are no farms or cities near, so…''
-"I insist, it is non of your business why I'm here, OK?''
-"Hmm, Miss? Would you like us to see if we can get you some decent clothes?''
Van had to control himself while speaking. Laughing in this girl's face wouldn't be a good idea.
He didn't need to worry, she was busily checking out her outfit. It seemed to have been once a long white dress, hanging loosely from her shoulders, held at her waist by a ribbon that might have been golden-colored in better times. She was also wearing a pair of battered sandals that may have matched with the ribbon.
At last she looked sheepishly at him and said in the tiniest voice
-"Do you think you could help me?''
Van smiled, as did the others. She was a girl, after all, no matter how rudely she spoke or behaved.
-"My name's Van Fanel. This is Allen Schezar; his second in command, Gaddeth, and our escort's Lieutenant, Mica. What's your name?''
-"Hmm, I'm Amaya.''
-"Don't you have a last name?''
She sweat dropped.
-"I'm afraid that's as much as I remember, sir.''
-"What is that supposed to mean, wench?!''
-"Mica!''
-"I'm sorry, your Highness.''
-"Highness?''
-"I'll explain later. So… why can't you remember?''
-"No idea, I woke up this morning, and all I remembered was my name, and some sort of mission, but I don't understand it.''
-"What do you mean, a mission?''