Chapter Six

The Strength of Kimball

After returning to the cottage Kimball answered as many questions as he could without revealing his secret. Before long Tibet came to the cottage and told him it may be a good idea to leave tonight. That he didn't want anymore accidents to happen. He stared directly at Shamira who looked down at the floor. They a gathered their things and left in just a few minutes.

"We must train harder now." Kimball said once a good distance from the village.

"Were they trying to kill me? The ones that attacked the village?" Bardia asked.

"No majesty they were not. They will no longer be hunting you."

"What do you mean? Who will they be hunting?" He asked.

"They are looking for a weapon. This is tiring conversation let us speak of something else. Bardia, recite for me all the elements in the earth."

They traveled like that for days. They would practice during the day, sleep in the afternoons and walk at night. Shaylee came by from time to time to update them on the latest rumors. The latest one, being Morrigan was recruiting an army.

A month later Bardia was no longer the same gawky teenager he was when they first set out. He seemed to have grown and his face no longer resembled a child's. His skinny arms had much more muscles and his posture now showed his muscular chest. Facial hair came in fuller, but Kimball told him to either keep himself shaven and clean, or grow a beard in completely, which Bardia did not want to do. He gained more control over his abilities. He understood that using his abilities drained him of energy. The harder the task, the more energy it used, just as it did physically.

Shamira and Nuri kept with their training, and even began to learn more advanced moves. They sparred nearly every day, and now even Bardia sparred though mainly with Nuri. Kimball told them it was because of Shamira's habit of showing off, he did not let them know it was because of Shamira's advancing. She had become stronger, faster, and smarter in the weeks of travel, quicker than anyone Kimball had ever seen. Many times during the afternoon he would find her meditating. She had rarely done this without a lesson being involved somehow. She said she was learning things from her surroundings, feeling the aura's in the air and teaching herself all their meanings.

By the time they had reached the next village along the way, a shipping village on the port of the Putna sea, the leaves had already fallen from the trees. This village, the village of Quinton was more like a city. There were stores, bars and inns to stay at. Everything was much busier than it was at the Village of Innocense. While walking through the streets most people rushed by them without noticing who they were. A few people nodded respectfully to Kimball. There were things happening in every direction, fights over money, people shouting the items on sale today, couples arguing, kids playing and much more. They passed one stand were it seemed as though it was some sort of auction. A young boy maybe ten years old stood on display while the auctioneer rattled off numbers to a group of well composed people. While walking by Bardia turned to Shamira confused by what was taking place. She looked down sadly.

"It's a slave trade." She said.

"Slavery? You mean they still have slaves here?" He said a little louder than the others wanted him to.

"Sh. Yes. It's one of the issues that need to be taken care of after this whole demon problem. Unfortunately with attacks in every direction there's a pressure from the public. And just like in earth, the rich hold the cards. Slavery was outlawed years ago, but stipulation were made for funding."

"That's terrible." Bardia said in disbelief.

"Ah, yes, but one thing that can be changed once you are king." Kimball said quietly.

"Was their always slavery?"

"Of course not sir. This is what happens because of greed."

Bardia decided he did not like this city, but Kimball told him they may have to spend a few nights in the inn until the frost finally came and the weather stabilized.

"You'll be glad we stayed once the weather changes. It's gonna be hard times once winter sets in. Take a warm bed, a hot meal, and a nice bath to your advantage." Whispered Nuri, who got a nod of agreement from Shamira.

Bardia assumed they were right and agreed to put the subject to rest, but could not shake the image of the boy being sold out of his mind.

They spent a week in the city, mainly bartering for more supplies. The beds at the old inn they stayed at were the most comfortable things Bardia had ever slept on. Shamira explained to him that they really weren't that comfortable, but after weeks of sleeping on cots and the ground anything would feel that comfortable. The night before they prepared to leave Kimball allowed the three to enjoy the evening down in the pub. The rush everyone seemed to be in gave them enough space to hide their identities in case traitors were around.

Excited to be able to just relax for some time they started by have a few drinks. And then some more. That's when they met another group of young boys, the one in front making it quite known he was a warrior. They walked in as if they owned the place and pushed their way through the crowd. They were rude and inconsiderate to the bar tender and the inn keeper. This bothered the three of them enough, but it wasn't until the boy really started bragging that things got a bit carried away.

"I was sent on an assignment to watch over Mr. Regand's ship while it sailed from Quinton all to way to the kingdom of Murza. Father was quite proud of me. We were even attacked by water demon. Of course, I didn't panic." The pompous looking, and sounding boy bragged to his friends.

"Must have been dying anyway." Shamira said louder than she meant to Nuri, who agreed.

"What did you say?" The pompous boy asked, obviously hearing what she had said.

"What I said was, the water demon must have been dying anyway." She answered taking a big gulp of her drink.

The boy scoffed.

"Do you have any idea who I am?" He asked.

"Nooo, I do not have any idea who you are." She mocked, "Do you have any idea who I am?"

"Shamira!" Nuri whispered in her ear.

She waved her hand at him to shut him up.

"Well I must say I have no cares as to who you are. I am Domar, son of Welcos, the second richest man in Quinton." He said superiorly.

"Whoooa, watch out boys. Rich boy over here thinks he's better than us."

"Thinks? My silly female, I know I'm better than you. And I'll prove it. I am a warrior."

Shamira laughed sensing he still did not realize she was also a warrior.

"You find this funny?" Domar asked insulted. "I can snap you like a twig."

"Yeah?" She said slamming her empty glass down on the bar. "Go ahead."

"I'm warning you. I will hurt you."

Shamira got up from the stool she was sitting on and walked towards the boy. Nuri stood up and stayed a distance behind her just in case. Bardia leaned over to Nuri.

"What is she doing?" He whispered.

"Don't worry. This kid needs to be taught a thing or to."

"Come on rich boy. I thought you said you were going to snap me like a twig. I'm waiting. Snap away." Shamira challenged.

Domar looked around becoming more and more nervous.

"Why should I waste my energy on someone as pathetic as you. I'll save that for something important."

"Well, if you're scared."

"Scared? I am I warrior, I'm not ..."

"Well then let's get going. I tell you what. We'll make a little wager out of this. If you can bring me down to my knees, I will bow to you and make an announcement that you are better than me, to everyone here. But, if I bring you down. You buy the entire bar a round, and tell everyone how you got beat by a girl."

The bar grew very still and quiet. Everyone was now watching them, waiting for Domar's answer.

"Ha! Very well then. Prepare to bow down!" He said running at her.

She easily moved out of his way and he knocked into a table behind her. He composed himself and tried again this time moving slower. He swung at her with a fist, and with only moving her upper body dodged the punch. It went on like that for a good ten minutes. Finally Shamira grabbed his fist in the air and spun his arm around.

"Ah!" Domar yelped.

"Now, now, rich boy, what have we here? I seem to recall you saying something about snapping me like a twig?"

She released him. He stared at her loathing her. He brought his hands up slowly and pushed them out in front of him. A stream of water poured out from his palms. In an instant, and it seemed as though she hadn't even moved, wind came rushing out of Shamira's hand and forced the water back at Dorma, soaking him. She waited until he was able to wipe the water away from his face before advancing towards him. He back up quickly and stumbled over his feet. The bar laughed.

"Come on! Don't tease us now! We want our round!" Someone shouted for the crowd of spectators.

"Sorry rich boy. Gotta give em' what they want." She said to him.

She punched him in the face, not hard, and grabbed his arm behind his back pulling it upward.

"Ow! No please! Please let me go!" He begged.

"I say it's time you give up." She whispered in his ear.

She loosened her grip enough for him to drop to his knees. The crowd roared with laughter especially from Nuri and Bardia. Dorma picked himself off the floor red with embarrassment.

"You'll all pay! You just wait until my father hears about this!" He tried to yell over the crowd with little effect.

"Now. About our deal." Shamira said, and everyone quieted down again.

"You can just forget it." He said.

"A warrior with no honor? Just wait until word get's back to your master."

His face turned red. He hung his head low and stepped onto a chair.

"I've been beaten by a girl." He said in one quick breath.

Before jumping down he threw a pouch of coins onto the bar and raced out, his friends right on his heals.

"Good show!" The bar tender said through his laughter. "I must say that boy's been nothing but trouble since he was born! It's about time someone did something about it."

For the next hour or so everyone was intrigued by Shamira, Nuri, and Barida. They didn't use their real names for fear of traitors, their drunkenness hadn't affected that sensibility. Now everyone wanted to watch them show off. Shamira and Nuri did all sorts of tricks, and even Bardia added a few things he learned. Some of the men arm wrestled with Nuri and were skeptical about doing it with Shamira. By the fifth man, their were no more questions about her strengths. Everyone clapped and a few men wrestled with her and Nuri. Nuri showed Bardia, some unconventional moves for situations such as this one. When everyone had their chance and several drinks later Shamira started to boast.

"That's right no one can beat me. Anyone who thinks they can step up!" She said.

"I'll try." Said a calm voice from the door which Shamira had her back to.

She closed her eyes and slowly turned around. On her way around Nuri was already bowing. Kimball was in the doorway. The bar silenced as Shamira got down to a bow.

"Master, I ..." She started to say but was drained out by whispers that suddenly erupted from the crowd.

"That's Lord Kimball." They were saying.

Shamira looked up to see Kimball approaching.

"Well, come on. You said no one could beat you. Let's have a round." Kimball said, only it wasn't with anger, or disappointment.

He himself had also been drinking and had been watching for a long time. Shaylee was suddenly by Shamira's shoulder.

"Shamira, he means it. He want's to spar with you. He said to tell you to not hold anything back."

Shamira got up and looked at Kimball who smiled back at her. Nuri and Bardia moved to the sides and started moving people away. She nodded. He nodded back.

"Begin." He said.

Shamira back up quickly and gracefully has Kimball came towards her. He was incredible, faster than lightening. She got out of the way and jumped forward landing on her feet. But Kimball was already in front of her and kicked her feet from under her. She landed hard on the floor and rolled to the side avoiding his next kick. She leaped up and swung backwards but he bent back, her fist sailed right across his chest. Shamira sent wind towards him, but he moved the ground to block the gush then set it back down. It looked like it had never been touched.

"So, Kimball's from the star of earth too?" Bardia asked Nuri.

"No. Just watch." He answered mesmerized by the fight in front of him.

Kimball raised his hands much faster than Shamira had and wind came at her, knocking her back, but not down. She recovered quickly and brought herself in the air with a tornado and took a kick at his head. He moved out of the way, just in time and grabbed her foot bringing her back down. She landed gracefully and was able to punch his stomach, causing only a moment of discomfort.

He stopped and stared at her for a minute before saying.

"I told you not to hold back."

In an instant she was in front of him again swinging at his face, each punch closer to hitting him. She landed one or two in the face. It was obvious to Bardia now why Kimball was the greatest warrior. He seemed to always be one step ahead of Shamira, yet somehow Shamira was almost just as fast. Then there was a thud. Kimball caught Shamira off guard and punched her in the face. She fell to the floor and scrambled back, still not beat. She grabbed for her sword and charged at him, her eyes beginning to unintentionally turn red. He put his staff up blocking the glowing sword. Shamira had begun to transform against her will. It seemed as though Kimball had decided to end this then and faster than anyone could see knocked Shamira down and pinned his staff against her chest.

"Dead." He said quietly.

There were no cheering this time. Everyone was completely stunned and amazed by the match they had just saw. Kimball leaned in toward Shamira.

"Excellent." He said to her with a wink, straightened himself back up and said loudly. "Keep practicing."

Shamira smiled at him, the transformation had stopped and she was at ease, but very winded. Kimball excused himself and went up to their room. At the top of the stairs out of everyone's sight he winced.

"My Lord. Are you alright?" Shaylee asked.

"I'm not as young as I used to be. In a short time, she will be able to beat me. I just hope her choices and as good as her skills." He said.

People started to slap Shamira on the back telling her how amazed they were.

"That was incredible. He was so fast, and you almost kept up with him." Bardia said.

"Almost." She responded.

"Oh come on you should be proud of yourself. You know damn well out of all of us you're the only one who could have done that."

"My, my. Who are you and what have you done with my dear prince? Complimenting me?"

"Yeah, well, it's the drinks. Don't read too much into it."

Shamira smiled and guzzled her fresh drink.

"Hey, I wanted to ask," Bardia started, "How is it that Kimball had the ability to move the earth, then blow wind too? I thought you could only have one ability."

"Well, that is exactly what makes him the best now doesn't it?" Shamira slurred.

She had stopped moving around for the first time since Dormas had left. The drinks were now getting to her.

"Ah ha friend." Nuri said stepping in, the drinks getting to him as well. "You see Master's from a special star. He can do everything."

"Yeah, but unfortu, unfortunately sooo can sthomday elth." Shamira stuttered.

"Who?" Bardia asked, feeling drowsy as well.

"Our favorite 'king', may he rot in pieces."

And then everything went black.

Shamira woke up in her bed a few hours later. Not long enough to sleep away the affects of the alcohol. She knew something had woken her up, but she was too disoriented to tell. Her head felt like a pile of bricks and her body ached from head to toe, but she couldn't figure out why. She had the vague memory of sparring with Kimball. Suddenly she knew what woke her up. It was almost silent, and the halls were dark. Footsteps. Someone was coming up the stairs and was now in front of the door, the glow of their lantern shown from the cracks in the door, about to knock. Kimball woke at the knocking and got up to answer the door.

"My Lord," the innkeeper said rushed, "I'm sorry for the intrusion, but since you've been the best patrons I've had in years I felt I must come and warn you."

"Yes go on." Kimball said fully alert.

"Well, after tonight's little show, and let me tell you it was great fun, people got to talking. There are now, well I can't really say for sure what they are, but they are most definitely not men, in hoods asking many questions about you. This is a big city, and unfortunately big cities are the perfect place for the traitors to be. There's only a matter of time before they come here."

"Shamira. SHAMIRA! Get up." Kimball yelled.

Shamira groggily forced herself to sit up in the bed.

"Shamira?" the innkeeper asked surprised. "No. No it couldn't be. Only one child was ever named Shamira, and no one would reuse such a treacherous name."

He held up the lantern and the light flooded the room making Shamira's head feel even worse. She ignored the innkeepers questions.

"Master?"

"There's someone in the city looking for us. They've found us. We must leave at once. Help get everyone up."

"Oh couldn't we just fight them. I can do it." She said, the alcohol still taking hold of her.

"Shamira you are in no condition to fight. Do as you're told and wake up Nuri and prince Bardia."

"Bardia?" the innkeeper chimed in again. "Prince Bardia? He was sent to the safe place. Somewhere with a warrior. He couldn't be here!"

"Please sir, as you've said before we are good patrons. We've done nothing to harm you or your business."

Shamira grumbled getting her achy body out of bed and over to the others. She slapped Nuri hard on the back.

"Ow!" he yelled leaping up. "What'd you do that for?"

"Come on Nuri we have to go. There's someone looking for us." Kimball said.

"My goodness you are her! You are the wind star demon!" the innkeeper said.

Shamira spun around and gazed at him.

"At your service." She spat out with a grim smile.

"Oh this whole week that monster ..."

"Monster? Oh now I'm a monster! Downstairs when I was giving you lots of business I wasn't a monster! All week long I wasn't a monster! Now I'm a monster!" She yelled.

"Shamira please. Mind your temper."

"Mind your temper." she mimicked. "What about his temper? What about everyone else's temper. No, it's only my temper. Me. The monster's temp..."

Her rant was cut off my Kimball smacking her in the face knocking her already aching body to the ground. She couldn't get up at first. Her chest began to burn, but with her body being in so much pain, she had no power to do what the burning sensation wanted her to. She just started up at Kimball.

"Shamira Kella we do not have time for this!" Kimball shouted.

Nuri was helping Bardia to get up and the innkeeper stood in the doorway not sure of what to do next.

"Please sir. If there is another way out. If you'd be so kind to show us." Kimball asked politely.

He finally came to his senses and nodded.

"Come this way. There's an secret escape route. Hasn't been used in years, but we keep it stocked. Whoever it is looking for you will never go in the same direction."

He lead the way to the other end of the hall. There was a pile of barrels stacked up next to the wall.

"Under there is a door, but you must move the barrels of course."

"Shamira. Nuri." Kimball said without looking at her.

They stepped forward and moved the barrels as fast as they could. Once they were gone it looked like only the floor.The innkeeper then stepped down three times on a board and a trapdoor lifted open revealing a ladder.

"The ladder will lead you into a tunnel. The tunnel goes for a day. Follow the tunnel straight through to the other end. You will come out in Vealen Woods facing east. Here take the lantern. About five miles into it there is a bunker with some food we've kept supplied in case of emergency's. There are two beds as well. I suggest you get some sleep. I'll move the barrels back once your safely down. Make haste. There are plenty of people willing to turn you in for less then money."

"Thank you sir, for everything. You've done more than we could have ever hoped for." Kimball said, given him a small pouch of coins. "Nuri, you go first."

After the innkeeper shook his hand, Nuri took the lantern and headed down.

"Sire, you next." Kimball said.

"Your majesty, if only I had learned earlier of your true identity you would have been given your own private feast, free of charge of course. I hope your stay here was pleasant." the innkeeper said bowing.

"It was. Thank you."

Kimball started down next after receiving a slight bow from the innkeeper. Shamira took a deep breath and started climbing down. Someone grabbed her arm. She looked back up at the innkeeper. He just stared at her as though trying to decide something.

"I apologize madam. It was rude of me to speak of you like that. You have never wronged me. I hope you can find it in your heart forgive a foolish man." he said genuinely.

Shamira was dumbfounded. Not once in her entire life had someone asked her for forgiveness for the cruelty they showed her.

"I, uh. Sure." She said and climbed down the ladder.

From above you could here the old man pushing the barrels back into their place. The walked in silence. Mainly because sound would hurt their heads, including Kimball's. After five tormenting miles they reached the bunker. He was no liar, it was full of food to eat, and a barrel full of water. Shamira, being the sickest wanted to stick her head in it, but out of ceremony had to wait her turn, and after her hideous performance back at the inn, it came last. They ate until they were full. Bardia didn't wait for conversation, but fell right onto a cot and fell back to sleep.

"Keep an eye on everything Nuri. Shamira and I have to take a walk." Kimball said slowly leaving the bunker.

Shamira closed her eyes feeling sorry for herself and sighed. She forced herself to get up and follow her master. They walked for about a mile before Kimball said anything.

"Shamira Kella I cannot tell you how strongly disappointed I am."

"I know Master. I, I should have lost my temper back there."

"No, no you should not have," he paused, "But I understand why you did, after drinking especially. Shamira you must understand that if you cannot control your anger you will be completely out of control. I'm sorry I must punish you. Here."

He handed her the two buckets of rocks again.

"Walk back with these. And you know, that I am being lenient."

"Yes master. I know." she said honestly.

When they got back Nuri was fighting to keep himself awake. Kimball made a got for him and got into the other one. To Shamira he gave a blanket. He put it over her after she laid down on the floor and passed back out.