Chapter 6

The next morning the boys were up with their things ready to leave. Mecks was waiting for them downstairs and when they found him they left the tavern. They left their horses at the stables and walked down the main road while admiring everything in the city. After a little longer, they came upon the open gates of the castle.

"Only noblemen or people with scheduled meetings may enter," said one of the guards.

"Show them," said Mecks while lifting up his shirt.

The guards looked at the marks, astonished and excited to see a Norael.

"You may pass," said the guard before letting them through.

From in the gates they walk through the castle courtyard and into the castle halls. They asked a servant for directions then they walked into the throne room.

"Who does enter my throne room unannounced?" Asked the Lord sitting on his throne.

"I'm sorry my Lord, but this is urgent and cannot wait," answered Mecks while bowing.

"And why is that?"

The boys lifted their shirts along with Mecks to show the Lord their marks.

"Everyone out!" Yelled the Lord to the surrounding people.

After everyone was out the Lord walked up to them.

"No need for bowing to anyone while you're here? Where are you staying currently?" Asked the Lord.

"The Fox in the center of the city," answered Mecks.

"Well, I hope you brought your things because now you stay here. Now may I ask of your nobility in Tryous?"

"Thank you, my Lord, and yes you may. I'm the current Forest King," answered Mecks.

"So the war continues. Now if you are the King's brother then who may these young men be?" Asked the Lord.

"They are Jake, Derk, and Kelric. Three of the five sons of the King of Tryous."

The Lord looked at the three boys for a moment before bowing.

"I've been waiting for this day for years. So Nate did complete the quest. See, my Kings, I remember learning of what your uncle had caused when I was growing up. When I became Lord of Letslon your father eventually came here. He bared no sons or daughters so I offered him any of the servants I had. He took the one he thought most beautiful. So from there on, he gained his five sons. One boy, two boys, then after the third year two more boys.

The rare thing is that a King like him wouldn't fall in love with a second woman, your father did. The way you could tell was that the King would only have one maybe two sons with a few or more different women after his first love. If he had five with one then that meant that he loved her," said the Lord.

"Can you tell us where our mother is now?" Asked Kelric.

"Yes, years after you were born your father came back and took her to stay with him at his camp in Tryous," answered the Lord.

"Impossible, you may only go through if you have the mark," said Mecks furiously.

"Nope, he discovered a way to make it work. Although I don't remember it well, something about putting some of your Tanel into the love-making process lets her bear a mark I think."

"He figured it out," said Mecks smiling suddenly.

"Well, my Kings, me servants will for your pleasures after they bring you to their rooms. Come at night for supper with me," said the Lord as they as the servants lead them away to their rooms.

"We will my Lord," said Kelric.

They followed the servants through the castle to four different rooms which were separated between all of them. After they unpacked they met up and walked around the castle, exploring. Later in the afternoon, they walked to the grand dining hall where noblemen and noblewomen have gathered along with the Lord.

"Ah, we may begin supper now that you have joined us. Men and women, please quiet down as I announce the guests of the evening. From the Land of Tryous are these for men. Three are the sons of the King of Tryous. The other man is one of the Five Kings, the Forest King. Please treat them with the utmost respect while they stay here. Thank you for your attention and please enjoy the food," finished the Lord before sitting down.

They waited for a little bit until the food arrived. Some of the best food in Gilric was served in the cities. Five giant hogs lined down the table. Wine was poured everywhere as dinner began.

"My Lord, I had one request," said Mecks.

"Anything for you. What is it you wish of me?" Asked the Lord.

"I would like the use of the courtyard for just me and my nephews, no one else," requested Mecks.

"May I ask why?"

"Yes, for training purposes. If anyone wants to watch then they must stand on the pathway that goes around the courtyard, no closer than that," answered Mecks.

"I will see the arrangement made soon. But tonight enjoy the food and wine," said the Lord laughing happily.

An hour later is when they finally departed to their rooms, a little out of mind from the wine but also happy at the night they had.

"Sleep well, for tomorrow we train all day. That goes for the following days as well," said Mecks.

Mecks woke them up bright and early for training. He found different types of armor and weapons from the guards' armory. The weapons included swords, daggers, even a staff, and some other weapons. After getting to the courtyard they were surprised at all the people around the outer path of the courtyard.

"Get used to it for people will be here every day, some days more than others," said Mecks.

They dropped all of the weapons before putting on and tightening some armor.

"There will be stations. I have my own weapons so I don't need those, they are for you. The first station is the fighting station. Whoever's turn it is at this station is to fight me with their weapon of choice or a sword. The second station is where you use whatever your Master's weapon is and you practice your combat skills with it. The last station is the workout station. All you do is run right on the inside of the outer path that surrounds the courtyard or work your arm and stomach muscles. But for now Jake is with me, Derk practice and Kelric work out," finished Mecks.

Derk grabs a bow and some arrows and begins to shoot a wooden pole that's helping hold up a balcony. Kelric starts to run, and Jake grabs a sword and confronts his uncle.

"Be patient and let's see how you do with a sword," said Mecks before unsheathing his own.

Jake holds his sword up, readying himself to swing. He looks for a small opening and swings his sword at a slash towards Mecks. His uncle quickly strikes up, knocking the sword from Jake's hand and onto the ground.

"Keep a grip on the sword Jake and make sure to counter my block even if it doesn't seem possible," said Mecks waiting for Jake to grab his sword.

After he picks it up he immediately jabs at his uncle who quickly blocks it, Jake then slashes back. Back and forth they swing at each other, blocking or parrying here or there. Kelric was worn out by the end of the day and Derk had eventually shot his arrows three dozen times.

"Tomorrow you switch around, Kelric with me, Derk workout, and Jake practice. Also, meet me in my room in about an hour or so Jake," said Mecks motioning for them to leave.

They hear clapping from the courtyard as they leave.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in," said Mecks while sitting in a chair.

"I have come as you as you told me to," said Jake as he closes the door behind him.

"Good, come sit next to me. The night is not yet over so I may still teach you."

Jake sits down and notices a book in front of Mecks.

"This is bloodline and elven magic words. I will teach you some of the bloodlines tonight," said Mecks.

He then opens the book to a page with old written words on it.

"The first word I will teach is Lerick, meaning lightning. The second is Ecks, which means heal. The third will be Troung, this means thunder," said Mecks waiting for a response.

"Alright, I think I'm getting it," said Jake.

"Don't worry, you are. All Norael that wish to hear or remember something will until their deaths. It will come to you only in a time of need though. I'm not going to teach you every word of the bloodline, only ones I think you will need to know."

"Thank you for your help."

"It is always offered. That's all I wish to teach tonight, practice these words tomorrow on half of the courtyard and make sure not to direct it towards any citizens," said Mecks.

"Alright, goodnight uncle," said Jake before leaving the room.

The next day they ate breakfast and went to the courtyard where more people were. They all went to their stations and began to do what they needed to do. Derk began to run and work out, Jake ignored the staff and instead grabbed a medium-sized spear before striking at the wooden poll that Derk was shooting the previous day, and Kelric walked up to Mecks with a dagger in each hand.

"Ready?" Asked Mecks.

Kelric only nodded.

They started walking in circles, making sure to be ready to block the other's attack. Kelric struck first, spinning while swinging the blades out at Mecks. His uncle simply grabbed one of Kelric's hands and blocked the blade in the other hand with his sword, and then he pushed him back. Kelric stumbles and gets a little mad, spinning the blades in his hands.

"Don't let it over you so quickly Kelric," said Mecks.

Jake spun the spear in his hands and jabbed the blade into the poll before ripping it out and spinning and jabbing the blade back into the wooden poll again. He then looks at his spear and at the dirt around him, his mind thinking of some words before his eyes turn blue.

"Darsk," said Jake as he forms a rock with his hands.

"Eveglath," he then lights the ball of rock on fire.

"Lerick, Troung!" He yells.

Mecks stops at the sound of this, watching the sky as a lightning bolt mixed with thunder strike down on Jake's little rock.

"Vralen," said Jake before letting his eyes turn back to normal, his rock turns to small pebbles.

"Are you crazy? You could've killed someone or even yourself!" Yelled Mecks furiously.

"I controlled it though, I controlled my Tanel," replied Jake smiling.

Mecks stared at him for a moment with nothing to say.

"Fine, each sword can only be used once a day. Use the rest of your day with the spear," said Mecks before going back to training with Kelric.

Jake turns and spins his spear in his hands again, still smiling.

As Derk runs he notices a girl staring at him through the gates to the castle. No girl had ever caught his eye besides that one random girl looking at him.

When training was ended Derk went up to Mecks.

"I'm going to walk around the city for a little while, should you need anything while I'm out?" Asked Derk.

"No, besides the wonder of why you're going out there," replied Mecks.

Derk told him about the girl and waited for him to say something.

"Fine, but be back no later than midnight as it's your turn to fight tomorrow and you'll need your sleep."

"Thanks," said Derk while walking away.