Chapter [07]
"Hosuh... I love you~" a relatively alluring voice moaned in my ear. I felt extensive pressure in my spine, "AGH!" My eyes erupted free, feeling immense agony in every inch of my essence. I forced my limbs to sit me up, but I suppressed the urge to whimper, "I AM SO SORRY FOR STEPPING ON YOUR BACK!" I caught Josephine with a panicked stare; I took many subtle breaths till it was bearable. "It's fine." I forgave her and then grasped my satchel- cramming it with garbs.
I proceeded to shout- "UP UP! SOLDIERS! A NEW DAY AHEAD! GET GOING!" Doors drifted wide, spooking Josephine provoking her to attach tighter to me. "FINALLY!" A vibrant tone hollered behind me in the corridor. Shortly, Liam fixed to our discussion with his arm resting atop my scalp. "You should devour more grub, boss. Ya still haven't grown." Josephine giggled at his comment, aggravating me. "Remove your limb, or I would be delighted to slice it off." "No thanks." I groaned, "You were tardy on recall- somethin' happen?" Afore I could clarify, Liam gasped, "HOW DARE YA GO NIGHT TRAINING WITHOUT ME?!"
"W-what-" "Don't ya fib, I recognize the bloo-" I cupped Liam's mouth and nudged my finger to my lips- implying a private matter. "Huh? Hosuh-" I cackled, grinning at Josephine. "It was a gag!" I told her, "Yea... Sorry for the tricks." Liam assisted me, entirely uncertain about his actions. "Oh, okay! I'm starving- I shall feast." She pranced away. "I-" "Ya don't have to justify yer reasons to me, but I am your friend. You can confide in me..." I nodded, "Speak later on." He wandered off.
Josephine and I arrived at the lake, "Why are we here?" "You require a cleanse-" I confessed as she disrobed, influencing me to divert my attention. Not long after, I heard a splash- "You can look now." I peeked to be sure it was secure, "You- twist." She turned, gazing far into the distance. I brought out some bathing wash, scrubbing it in her hair.
"Where does water appear from?" "Perhaps Mother Nature?" She glanced at me, curious. "Who?" "Mother Nature constructed the grass, water, soil, air, and even the fire." "But, didn't the lord create all objects?" I chuckled, "There are numerous gods, some of power, creation, and more." She sparkled, "Wow, I only know my god and Mikai the Intelligent." She hit my interest as I disinfected her arms- "Mikai the intelligent?" She beamed.
"Mikai the intelligent was the smartest being ever to live; he built and inspired various of today's inventions! He would have risen our era to the future! Sadly, he passed before any of it was feasible..." Throughout the story of Mikai, Josephine always held a smile, but near the end, it slightly dissolved. "He sounds unbelievable." I cheered her up, "I hope to live up to his legacy." She acknowledged me.
"Do you wish to exceed a mentor?" I triggered flashes of memories with Marcel... "I wanted to be like my father- he's only ever been serious, one of those men who never smiles and performs actions out of his benefit-"
I decided to remove my shirt; it was damp... I brushed my lower back and detected blood dripping from my hands. "He was a blessing, charitable, courteous, and supportive. He may have looked heartless, but he was much more than that, and I miss him..." "I'm sorry, I'm sure he's in a happy place." I agreed; she placed herself deep into the water, rinsing off. I seized this moment to yank a cloth from my satchel, dousing it in water and cleaning the blood off my back. I flung the fabric away, bandaging my abdomen- "Are you hurt?" I noticed Josephine was a bit fearful since blood was sliding down my thumbs. "I'm well, and don't worry your pretty little face about my wound." She sighed.
Josephine wore a green sleeveless tunic, brown tudor trousers, and leather footwear. I proceeded to display my armor, striding into the palace with Josephine gawking at every lavish possession of Beau's. It didn't take long for us to be outside the studies, knocking.
"COME IN!" I nudged the door, having Beau embrace me. "HELLO, BROWN SUGAR!" He glimpsed at Josephine, "And baby brown?" "It's Josephine." Josephine attempted to assert as Beau shrugged, "I did not ask." Beau took a seat, providing me with papers.
"What's on the agenda?" My fingers flipped through the forms. "We are receiving some recruits." "For when?" "This evening." "Today?!" Josephine shrieked a bit excitedly. "Ah- with all due respect Beau. We have two cubicles in the tower left-" I disclosed, "You're the chief, Hosuh. I retain no interest, either way, do as you wish." "But this is incredibly soon-" I underwent anxiety, "You'll do flawlessly, and I maintain all faith in you." Beau gave a warm smile, "O-oh, much appreciated... Adieu, Beau." I shyly mumbled, fleeing.
Josephine and I were on the outskirts of town, near the wilderness against a tree, concentrating on the path into the village. Plopping down on the grass was an inviting impression, staring at the light blue sky, inhaling the fresh air- it all felt remarkably calming. "May I ask a question?" Josephine proclaimed. I nodded, "Why am I here?" I thought of a reply, "I prefer you to be close by, and I hope you learn something..." "Learn what?" "Perhaps, self-defense?" I smiled.
"But... why?" Her brows narrowed a bit, "Women this day and age aren't safe, and I can't be with you forever... I would feel assured if you knew how to fight." "I understand... but I don't want to harm anyone." her knees curled, tugging her legs into her chest. "Josephine, I won't force you to perform anything you wish not to do but at least learn to block and dodge. You will not get hurt, and neither will anyone else- try for me... Ok?" she nods. "Fine... BUT I WANT ICE CREAM!" She grins as I clasped her into my chest with a chuckle. "Deal!"
"Hello- may you be Hosuh Driscoll? The commander of the Cunningham Kingdom?" I saw a group of guards. Josephine and I leaped up, dusting off our clothes of grime and whatnot. "Hello, Follow me."
Our walk through town was timely and compressed, with multiple concerns based on the exam. I left it to a secret till we stood on the training field behind the guard tower, "Stand in formation, folks." I ordered as they all posed next to each other, prepared. "I shall set you all into three groups of two- from there on, you spar till there are three left." I paired them up as they all attacked each other; it was a bit horrifying.
Two out of six refused to use any weapons while the others gladly sliced the two with their blades, "Will they be fine?" Josephine consulted as I gradually analyzed them- they were flinching, nailing their opponents down.
The final three arose, "Three-way battle, first man down is done." They rapidly rushed at one another. "He is cute..." Josephine whispered to me, referring to the man with purple, light blue, and black hair under his coal bandana with purple eyes. His outfit was classy but durable, with pale skin, thin pink lips, long lashes, freckles, and earrings on his earlobes. I admit, something was abnormal about him... My eyes squinted to his neck and chest- I grinned at my realization. "Sure is a pretty thing..." The second one had a helmet covering their appearance, but their techniques were up-and-coming. Finally came a young man with burgundy locks and black eyes, tan skin, and a determined stare.
From the start- each of them were at one another's throat, but swiftly both the other guards ambushed the burgundy man. He was tackled into the dirt, face first with the blue-haired boy clenching his arms, with the helmet knight standing on his legs. "AGH! THIS CANNOT BE FAIR! COMMANDER, IS THIS ALLOWED?!" All stares landed on me as I smirked a bit, "The only rules were first down is disqualified. And it appears that you have been defeated, Harold Forbes." The other two let go of Harold, standing proud as Harold crawled back to the others in failure.
"Speak your names." The fellow with blue hair recited first, "I am Ellis Salem. Top 2nd guard in my league from the Guard Training Institute of Eldham." Impressive. The other guard tossed their helmet, revealing long luscious red, orange, black hair with red eyes and bronze skin. She held a giant smirk. "Campbell Finch, Top guard in the league from Eldham village." "Well, Ellis and Campbell-" "I prefer Bell, thank you," Campbell mentioned a bit condescendingly. I gave a flustered bob of my skull.
"Very well, Ellis, Bell, you are both welcomed arms open to the Cunningham troops! Let us bring you to your new home." The sun was setting, and we went inside the tower. I got settled as Josephine continued to bug the newbies, especially Ellis. "Your daughter's very adorable," Ellis said to me, but I only nodded and moved on. Josephine noticed my silence but uttered nothing in return.