They ended up walking through dawn, but the boys finally made it to the camping grounds. Bryan took half the group to set up on the east and Kai, with the remainder, to the west. The plan was to make two mini camps with at least an acre in distance. It'd be safest if they were attacked, not being bunched toghter and all. Unfortunatly, the camping grounds had one ... major default.
It was an open field.
It basically set off the whole mini group idea, but they kept to it just the same. With the odd tree for shade, it was the best they could ask for.
It was rather surprising that the King would send them here, to an open field. Although, King Max did have very little military knowledge compared to his father; Gods rest his soul. However, he did have more common knowledge then Johnny.
After much fustration, Kai had finally decided on the only possible explination. Max had thought that if they were sent into an open field, they'd have an advantage. How so? Simple. An on-going attack would be more visible in a open terrain then in a place shadowed in lumber. Although this did help them in patrol, it also helped shatter their defence.
' Well it was one or the other.' Kai thought as he looked into the sky. The streaked colors were finally fading into blue.
Looking back down, Kai scanned gray eyes across his camp. He was taken by surprise when he saw most of the tents were already set up; in rows too!
A smile slipped onto his lips when he saw Miguel was showing Travis how to do it. If his eyes weren't decieving him, Travis looked extremely flustered. With the tent in one hand and the other carrying a pole, he looked almost ready to beat the next person who bothered him. Miguel didn't seem to notice. He was too busy showing off his friendly smile and great paitence in the best way he knew how. To teach.
" See, Travis? You just slip the pole into here and- oops! Looks like I'm not very good at this either." Miguel's voice traviled into his ears as he watched the tent fall in the distance.
" Guess we'll just have to try again. Oh well, the first try made it look mutant anyways. What do ya say? Wanna hold the tent cloth up this time? Try with both hands holding the corners. That's it! Now keep it up-"
"They all settled in?" Bryan came up behind him and eyed the camp.
" Most." Kai replied in his famous one-word responces.
" And Travis? How's he fairing?"
" Seems alright. He chose to bunk with Miguel but their having trouble with the tent."
" I can see that. They'll get it up in no time."
" How about the others?"
A growl. "The most annoying brats I've ever meet! This is the only time I wish they still had the botanz."
That caused Kai to smile. Leave it to Bryan to think of painful punishments. The botanz was a thick wooden paddle that was used on smart-alick soldiers in training. It was banned over 50 years ago because one soldiers parents had become enraged when they learned that their boy was being beaten regularly. The Council voted against its use; much to Kai's surprise. Personally, Kai didn't believe that the Council had a single sympathetic being among them. Just a bunch of rich elders that thought their word was command.
"Pathetic." Kai mumbled to his thoughts instead of Bryan.
" What? I'm happy that they didn't have it for us otherwise ours bones would still be aching. These boys on the other hand are in deprite need of a good beating. Just give the word and I'll gladly knock those pests upside the head." Bryan ranted.
"Nah. If we did that, we'd have even more trouble with them."
" Well yeah, but it also gives the chance that they'll become so scared, training 'em will be a snap!" Bryan grinned.
Kai chuckled to himself and shock his head. " Good try, but no. Why don't you go get your boys? We should start training immediatly."
" Fun." He replied sarcastically. " Then again, we do get to be the bosses this time! Haha, this is going to be a great 6 monthes!"
.:VWV:.
Anko walked quietly down the stairs to the basement. It was past dawn and Tala had wanted to leave before then. In the darkness of the cold base, she highly doubted the redhead was even awake. Waving the lantern around, her feet soon meet the ground.
In the very corner of the room, Anko could see a tiny, orange glowing speck. The candle. In order for it to still have its light, someone would have had to just blow it out. Or it was the damn leaking roof.
" Tala? Jason?" She called names; completly unsure.
Jason had slept down here with Tala because, even in his sleep, he wouldn't let go. Tala had Jason as a cling on. Anko thought it was cute and rather wierd. Jason had become attached to Tala very quickly. Normally, Jason was shy and would rather spend his days locked up in his room alone then meet new people. Anko was nothing like that. She loved meeting new people. Strangers fascinated her.
Anko stepped towards a blanket on the floor. It was thin and scratchy but it helped keep the damp floors from chilling your bones. On top of that bed was a boy and a man. A smile spread across her features as she viewed them. Jason was curled up on Tala's chest. He had the cover blanket across his torso and a shirt around his shoulders. Lifting the lantern closer, she realized it was Tala's blue shirt. Jason was sucking on his thumb when Anko eyed Tala. Bare-chested and calm, Tala looked to be in a deep slumber. His two red bangs fell over his nose as his head tilted to the side. One hand was supporting his head and the other looked to be holding Jason close. The most Tala got of the cover blanket was what Jason was using and one leg.
Silently, Anko admited to herself that Tala was even better looking now then when she had first encountered him.
Staring back at Jason, Anko let out a soft 'aww'. She ran her fingers over Jason's hair and cheek. The boy stirred. His eyes flickered then squinted close at the sudden burst of light.
" Hey there, sleepy head. Rise and shine. Time to get up." Anko spoke in a whisper.
Jason stiffled a yawn as he lifted his upper body. Anko could only smile down at him. The bluenette dropped down almost instantly.
" But it's cold ..." He whined and curled up with the blanket.
Tala seemed to be extremly numb to his squirming. His expression remained completly unmoved.
" Maybe it would be warmer if you had put your nightshirt on." Anko pointed out with a grin as she placed the lantern to the side.
Jason let out a moan of protest, followed by a cry when she tried to pick him up. The cry was a little bit too loud. Tala's eyes flickered open instantly and he shot up clunching Jason to his chest. When he saw Anko, he let out a sigh.
" Well good morning. Sleep well?" Anko smiled at him and let her hands drop.
Tala didn't respond as he stared down at Jason's slumbering face.
" Safe." He spoke through a sigh.
A moment's pause.
" I slept quite well, thank you. You didn't have to offer me a room." Tala stated.
Anko sent him a smile. " Nonsence. You didn't exactly seem like the assasain type anyway."
" But- I could have just been a good actor."
Anko blinked at him, then smiled. " Your no killer. I can tell."
Tala looked away and back at Jason. " You shouldn't judge people too quickly. One day you might get hurt."
Anko went silent for a while, before she let out a laugh. This, of course, surprised Tala. " Trust me, you are not the first to have pointed that out. My curiosity and love of the unknown tends to get me into a bundle of trouble."
" How so?"
Anko paused before motioning her head towards Tala's chest. Jason.
" But beside that, it's past dawn. Sorry for the late wake up call. I didn't exactly sleep much last night. So if you'd put your shirt back on, we can get going."
Tala shock his head as he lifted Jason from him. " We?"
Anko took Jason without hesitation. " Yeah, we. I'm coming with you."
Jason clamped onto Anko with a magnetic force. Tala sighed.
" This isn't your trip."
Putting on her stubborn expression, Anko protested. " Your right, it's our trip. I'm coming with you rather you advize it or not. I want to find the Bowls of Blood as much, if not more, then you do. My past is hazzy too, Tala Volkav. Uncovering it has been my goal for a little over 5 years. If I have to follow you, so be it."
With that, she ran up the stairs with only silence to follow her.
.:VWV:.
Walking across the field of his land, Lord Hiro pulled at his cape unconsiously. A sign that something was on his mind. Lunario was going to be another pointless season.
(Note: Lunario is a time of year. It happens four times a year to mark off the new season. Lunarie(Spring, Birth of the World), Lunareh(Summer, Planting of Crops), Lunario (Autumn, Harvest of Crops) and Lunarir(Winter, Death of the World) are the four seasons of time.)
Master Mystel along with a few others had been on his case about marriage for ages. Hiro never wanted to wed anyone whom he couldn't choose himself. Besides, with the start of his war, he didn't see how having a woman at his side would change anything. If he wanted to hear from a woman's point of view, he'd see Mistress Ming Ming about it.
Ah, Mistress Ming Ming. She'd been loyal to the Kotan Clan the day she was born. Quite the little bundle of joy and such a talented spy. Her wide variety of skills aloud her to fit into any situation. Something Lord Hiro admired about her.
His argument with Master Mystel still troubled him. A camp for the young? How could their King be so cruel? Master Mystel was correct when he said they'd be easy pickings. That was exactly what caused him to regect the proposed attack. It was too easy. It could be a trap for all he knew and he wasn't about to risk the lives of his men to test it.
However, he wasn't on his way to chatter with Mistress Ming Ming, Kotan spy, or Master Mystel, Captain of the Kotan army. His thoughts needed to be challenged by one of the few who dared stand up to him. And his temper for that matter.
Lord Hiro came to a giant white tent. After staring at it for a moment, he pushed the entrance flap aside. Inside were two long rows of feathered mats over green grass. Some of these were occupied with men, many were simply land clouds. Scurrying about the tent, were many woman. Each was wearing a long purple robe, tied with a wheat rope. Kotan Healers.
As one hurried past him, Hiro stopped her. She looked up at him and bowed her head. She had beautiful brown skin with long hair. The upper part, just below her shoulders, was blond with the rest a dark black. A single set of sparkling brown eyes finished her facial features.
" Where has Mistress Julia situated herself?"
The woman bowed again and extended an arm towards the far back. "Last I had seen of her, she was in the Potion Room with Master Micheal, my Lord."
A smirk appeared over Hiro's features as the woman smiled. " Best to call before you enter, my Lord."
" Thank you for the warning, but it was not needed."
She smiled warmly at him again. " They seem to have trouble keeping their relationship quiet."
Hiro let out a laugh. " It's not all that surprising since Master Micheal tends to brag more then nessesary."
The smile flipped into a wide grin. " I am certain Mistress Julia has given him what for."
" Quite so, Miss-?"
" Waters. Miss Melanie Waters, my Lord."
Hiro sent her a smile. " Thank you, Miss Waters for your help. You may go now."
Melanie bowed as her hair fell over her shoulders. "Pleasure was all mine, my Lord. May Sister Moon guild you through the day."
(Note: Remember all my talk about the Gods? Well you just got introduced to one. Each Kingdom or Clan worships a single God. Either Father Sun, Sister Moon, Mother Earth or Brother Sky.)
Hiro simply nodded as he started towards the Potion Room. Master Micheal. He had been one of his undercover agents. Over seven years ago, he had been the Healer for Trisault Kingdom. At the end of King Johnny's reign, Prince Max had let him leave to his hometown. Little did Max know that Micheal belonged to the Kotan Clan. With his time there, Micheal had learned how their Kingdom ran. Something Hiro could use to his advantage.
Coming to the end of the tent, he exited and came to a badly constructed potion shed. The wood that created the structure was pinned with wheat ties and oak bolts. With the constant change in weather, erosion had made them very weak and it would most likely collapse soon. Hiro noted this and put it on his mental to-do list. Fix the Potion Room.
Lifting his fist, he rapped on the door gentilly, almost scared the door would fall off. There was a rustle inside. Scrapping of boots. Clanking of glass. Hushed whispers and someone clearing their throat loudly.
Without waiting for a responce, Lord Hiro pushed on the plank of lumber, hearing a small crack as he entered. Sure enough, Micheal and Julia were both there. He caught a brief glimpse of Micheal straightening his blond hair and Julia tugging at her purple robe.
Hiro tried his best to hide his smile and came out winning. Both Healers bowed at his presence.
" M-my Lord. What a surprise!" Julia chuckled nervously.
Her slate-hair was rather messy. The upper orange fringe was fuzzy and out of place, however the lower brown half has neat and shining as always. Her current pink-toned skin gave her pale face a gentil glow but her hard green eyes gave her apperance some additude.
Micheal on the other hand looked proper as always. His blond hair fell over one eye with nothing out of place. Hiro honestly didn't know how that was possible. His blue eyes held as much innocence as they could handle, leaving it to pour down his cheeks like invisible tears. He too wore a purple robe although, currently, the long sleeves were rolled up. The blond obviously noticed this as well because he slowly inched them down.
" Anything particular you were looking for, my Lord?" Julia questioned, sounding a lot more calm.
Hiro gave her a small smile. " Just someone to talk to."
Julia smirked. "Well I'm all yours."
Micheal cleared his throat and pointed towards the door. "Umm, I'll just- uhh be- umm going."
He bowed his head as he passed Hiro, closing the door behind him. He watched the door for a while before Julia spoke again.
" Now I'm completly yours without inturruptions." She jumped up onto a rather strong counter top and swung her legs.
Hiro nodded. " Lunario is only a few days away."
A sly smile appeared over her rather swollen lips. " The marriage, am I right!"
" Not only that, but this new camp that Master Mystel has informed me of. A camp for the young seems sadistic." He implied.
Julia nodded sternly. " I honestly don't see how this gives them an advantage in battle. The young scare easily and the brave will only fall to the tips of our swords."
" It could be a trap set up by the King himself."
Julia disapproved. " That Prince doesn't have the military knowledge of the King before him. His kingdom will fall if he doesn't learn soon."
" Is that so?" Hiro raised an eyebrow in her direction.
A simple nod. " It's the Council that is holding that place togther! With that pathetic Prince running a few lives, he's barely a bit of compatition."
" If you don't stop soon, I'll start thinking you have a bit of a plan."
A sly smile.
.:VWV:.
Roaming around this a cold glare and empty chest didn't really help sooth Alex. Every step she took seemed to crumble with her broken heart. After what seemed like another set of seven years apart, Alex decided to venture into a nearby town. She'd tried a few shops before in past towns but with no luck. Everyone just ignored her.
Along with the Trisault Kingdom of which she same, most of these towns were noticeably sexist. Women were respected only to do as they were told, reproduce and to be treated like animals.
Pondering on this, Alex felt herself not only anger but trremble in loss. Tala had acted just like all men were supposed to. Kai had loved Salima for who she was not what she was. Alex respected and loved Kai for that. He seperated family from work, aided in the raising of his children, he didn't treat his sons like soldiers and he never bothered to hide his affections towards his beautiful wife. Now Tala on the other hand ... his additude was extensively different. He was consistently pushy with the occasional soft touch. Rough around the edges but he was so darling towards the end ...
What was she thinking? She was starting to doubt that she'd ever find him. She had to! Not to mention seeing Travis with him would be the most stirring sight to her swollen eyes. Father and son ... maybe soon even a mother. She wondered if Tala was teaching him all the important things in life. Maybe Travis had gained great knowledge and used it towards making their world a better place ...
Within in meer flashes, Alex nearly stumbled into a door. Shaking her head to erase the doubt, she stuck out her hand to pull the door open. The thick oak panel nearly smashed into her nose as it swong open from the opposite side. Two drunken men bid farwell to the tiny cottage, leaving the door wide open.
Cinnamon iris' passed over the interior before they took a step forward. The luminosity of this dwarfed hut was blinding and with the many waves of grunts and shouts; deafening. Sidestepping a few flying mugs that clanked silently behind her, Alex slowly made her way towards an impossibly small counter.
' That so-called counter can only fit two grown men ... who are idiots since there trying for seven.' Alex rolled her eyes.
Walking up behind the group, Alex pocked her head over, trying to gain the men's attention. When apperance didn't work, she pushed her finger repeatedly through his cloak. The man only continued talking. It wasn't until about the fifth try that she saw the man shiver. He cast a single glance backwards, looking through Alex as if she wasn't solid.
" Excuse me, sir! I was wondering if-" Her voice was cut off by another victory cry and the man's attention was snapped away.
Alex scowled and tapped her foot. " EXCUSE ME!"
No reply came back to her in acknowledgement. Alex lifted her hand to pock him more but was replied in a venomous way. The man whipped around almost instantly. He was out of his seat in seconds and towering over Alex. His gaze however was lifted above her.
" Got a problem, half-breed? Your kind aren't welcome here! Go home."
Alex blinked. Half-breed? Wasn't that someone who was half human, half dem-
The man's hand reached for his waist band so quickly that Alex jumped back in surprise. She hit something solid and slid back a few feet. The man raised a sword to his torso so the part Alex could see was the tip. The rather sharp point. The man started pacing towards her and her heart started racing. She froze. Alex Moren did not freeze when she was about to be attacked! But if her legs didn't open their ears soon, she'd be run through!
.:VWV:.
Author's Note: Sorry for the delay. Many of you (and myself) had been wondering what happened to Alex; in her adventure and thoughts. A bit of a lift.
Please R&R so I have feedback for the next chapter! Negative or positive, I'll take both.