Chapter 14: A Hoe from a Soldier

Anger was a peculiar thing. For some, it meant a heavy fog of negative emotions clouding the rational mind. In a way, that was pretty accurate. Rage makes you more prone to lash out, to hurl hurtful words without caring about the consequences. In that state of mind, consequences are the last thing you'd think of.

A dragon's anger is one of the purest forms of destruction because it erupts vociferously. The fury is vented through roaring flames and the swipe of sharp claws. It was useful in times of war, but now in an era of peace, it was often viewed as unprofessional. For those of Ayu's status, they were taught to keep their anger in check. Think of it as locking an animal in a chest. It doesn't go away, nor does it calm down, but it allows those around them to stay unsinged.

Unknowingly, Irene bore the brunt of the emotion as tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn't know how to manage the influx of anger, so she stomped away from Everett, leaving the castle behind.

She eagerly ran into the embrace of the forest, dropping at the foot of the statue as she sobbed.

"Why am I so angry?" She hiccuped, pressing her hand to her mouth to stifle the sobs.

King All-Yagnin watched her solemnly, his shadow cast long behind him as he remained unmoved. Thankfully, the hatred began to abate. Like the lifting of a veil, Irene blinked away the last remnants of the tears and breathed normally again. She pushed herself up, suddenly embarrassed by her undignified display in front of a royal statue.

"Sorry, don't tell anyone," she mumbled bashfully, picking at the moss growing at the plinth.

Well, she couldn't sit here or simply go home, she needed to make it up to Everett.

The girl bade the statue farewell again and decided to find a better tool that could help her with her current dilemma. She didn't need to walk far.

X

Keith wasn't a really good soldier. He was but a country bumpkin when he first moved into town. Uneducated and unhealthy, it was hard for him to find a job.

His widowed mother only him as a child and was steadily getting older. She who used to be able to effortlessly carry him into her arms had her hands weathered down by soaps. She scrubbed the clothes of the rich to pay for the food on their table, feeding him into the strong adult he is today. Keith took advantage of his age to apply for the army.

Unsurprisingly, he wasn't accepted. However, beggars can't be choosers. He did not give up hope and continued to apply for years after.

Finally, after 5 years of continuous reapplication, he was granted a chance. He walked into the palace and participated in the interview with General Kolfor, the scariest dragon second to only Duke Wythe with scars of fire. He didn't really know what made the dragon look at him and deem him worthy of a candidate. One nerve-racking interview later, Keith was undergoing training with the rest of the new recruits.

He had a naturally skinny build and couldn't manage to develop a muscular physique even after intensive training. In terms of tactical combat, he wasn't anything to look at either. He was slow compared to other dragons, he was weaker and he bled more. He was part of the human minority in the army, but even there, he was the weakest link. Other peers were stronger or had some form of speciality that made dragons respect them.

So how was a good-for-nothing cadet that trained with the royal army and practically lived in the palace all year going to react when he sees a delicate child with redden rims around her eyes looking out of place?

He screamed and flailed his arms around.

"Sir!" squeaked the child. "I need your help!"

"Wha- How- Okay, what do you need help with?" Keith stuttered.

The child gave him a beautiful smile. "I need a tiny hoe, for the soil. I can't carry a heavy one," she explained.

Though Keith's mind was swarmed by questions of whats and whys, he agreed. When he parted ways from her, he wondered why he was doing this deed. This was only a 20-minute break session before he had to get back to patrolling, and he certainly did not envision spending it searching for a tiny gardening tool.

Still, he wandered around the royal gardens in search of something that would meet the child's needs. He didn't think he'd find one that could satisfy her, but he'll do his best before she goes running in search of her potentially, politically powerful mommy daddy to have him discharged. He found a small spade lying beside a hose and thought it was the best fit. Hopefully, she'd be happy with it.

He returned back to their meeting spot and was relieved that she still remained there, waiting patiently for him by the bushes. He waved the spade in the air, earning a blinding grin and an excited wave of her hands.

"Thank you so much, sir," she said. She accepted the spade like a treasure and bounded away into the forest, leaving Keith standing with a dazed look in his eyes.

Well, back to work, he thought deprecatingly.

X

"What is so important that we must discuss it in the library?" asked Ayu once the door closed behind her. The words had been itching to come out of her mouth so they sped out of her lips without restraint.

Kolfor sighed and took off his helmet, resting it on the table with a soft clink. "The council is getting impatient. They've spun tales of His Majesty's sickness and talked about a replacement."

Ayu's nails dug into her palm. To say she was frustrated was an understatement. Such gossip came with the importance to her father, but it was infuriating as his daughter to listen to strangers spouting lies as if he warranted their ghastly attention. Her mind detoured back to Irene, who although had knowledge of her father's predicament, said not a word about a replacement and instead worried about her father's health.

The thought made her fingers undo themselves, she retained a professional persona henceforth.

"What do you suggest?" She asked.

Kolfor made his surprise at her change of attitude known with the raise of his eyebrows, but he wisely chose to not comment on it.

"I believe it's important we coronate you as soon as possible. Though you are young, you are an heir by blood. You have no siblings, and therefore, no one to directly contest you. If we stay silent, we will let their schemes fester for too long and it will build up to a much bigger predicament. What say you?"

Ayu ran it over her head and had no choice but to agree.

As the heir, she would have a rightful claim over the throne. Her inexperience would be clear, but she trusts Kolfor's insight and has no doubt that within the snakes, there would be a pride of lions to support her. She is still uncertain about it, but it is a task she is willing to shoulder.

"When would be suitable?" She asked.

"In three days' time, there would be an eclipse. It would be the most auspicious hour and before then, you are not allowed to roam around," he stared at her pointedly, "and that means no fraternizing."

She unabashedly snorted. "I am aware of the dangers, I shall remain in the confines of this palace until then. Make haste with the preparations, and I shall rely on you to inform me about the council meetings."

"Yes, your highness."

X

"Everett!" yelled Irene as she pushed the door open.

The petite dragon jerked in shock at the interruption. The liquid vial in his hand took a tumble, but thankfully, the glass did not shatter as it made contact with the wooden surface. He quickly caught it and placed it upright again, thanking the stars that he had the foresight to cork the vial before examining it.

He turned around with a vehement glare. "What is it you twat?"

"Now don't be like that, I've done as promised. I have here a tool that I can use, although no hoe, I can do what you did earlier. Just you wait!" With that declaration, she ran towards the clearing and began spading at the soil. Her tongue stuck out in pure concentration as the nicked the few stubborn weeds out with her bare fingers, cupping a considerable amount of dirt under her pinkish nails that were dyed a dark brown.

It took far longer to finish this time, but Irene said not a word of complaint. Her shoulders ache and sweat was running down her back, but she persisted in her job.

"... here."

A glass suddenly appeared in front of her. Irene glanced up, wincing at the crick in her neck.

Everett gave her a glass of water, but the dragon himself was turning away as if he was observing something else in the distance. She wiped her hands on her skirt, not caring that she was tainting the fabric again. She accepted the glass gratefully and downed it in one go.

"Thank you," she chirped. The water had indeed revitalised her. Her spirits were back and she continued to work with vigour.

Everett watched her with an unreadable expression for a while before turning his attention over to the now dirt-stained cup in his hand. It was a mystery what the dragon was thinking at the time, and a mystery it shall remain for a long time to come.