Jacara returned to his room slamming the door behind him. He grabbed an easel from the corner of his room, placing an empty white canvas onto it, and grabbed a filled palette.He sat in front of the empty canvas, illuminated by a lantern attached to the ceiling, holding a small fan brush. He was frozen, staring at the blank canvas.A few solid knocks on his wooden door, caught his attention. “Go away Father.” Jacara said furrowing his brow at the empty canvas.“Have you ever known your father to knock?” Urkse said through the door. Jacara chuckled shaking his head. “Come on in Uncle.”Urkse entered in holding a jug of mead wearing a open cotton t-shirt and loose baggy silk pants. He took a seat on Jacara’s bed, inspecting the canvas.“Haven’t seen you use one of those in a while.” Urkse said taking a sip from the jug.“I thought you gave up, trying to draw the last two cards.” Jacara glumly nodded and lowered the palette and brush down.“I did, but I wanted to try again.” He said with
Yamada carried Jacara up the stairs, leaping up five at a time. Each step landed with a ting of metal on stone, and then a rushing of air. He slid across the stone of the Third Ring, with a satisfied puff.“Alright, we can start training now.” Yamada said slightly out of breath, dropping Jacara.‘This guy is an absurd freak of nature.’ Jacara thought, catching his breath, and stepping away.Yamada raised his visor, inspecting the staff. “Is this made out of Orichalcum?” He asked. Jacara nodded. The staff turned into a long sword, the steel a burnt orange blade, with a golden cross guard and pommel.“Wow! I didn’t think that would work!” Yamada said astonished, flourishing the blade with deft precision. ‘Are you fucking joking?’ Jacara thought glaring at him.“Give that back to me.” Jacara said annoyed. Yamada tossed the sword haphazardly towards Jacara, the long sword instantly reverted back to a bo staff, to his surprise.Jacara leapt back avoiding the staff crashing into the ground.
The sun rose on another day, Yamada slept peacefully in his bed, with Gwyneth dressed in her armour standing outside. She approached the handmaidens, still attempting to salvage Yamada’s Kāṣāya, holding her hair ribbon.She sat down with them, to their surprise, holding her blue hair ribbon. She stared intently at the ribbon, entering a deep trance. The handmaidens kept their heads down, peeking up occasionally, to see if she changed.“Girls.” She said still staring at the ribbon, ignoring the outside world.They all perked up to meet her gaze. “Tell me, and be honest. Do I look better with this on?”“Well, it’s like a garnish.” One of the handmaidens said, with the others nodding. She looked up puzzled.“You yourself are a exquisite meal, and the ribbon is a garnish, not necessary but a welcomed one.” Another one said. “Why do you ask?” The handmaiden asked.“I’m just curious.” She said quickly trying to hide her expression. Gwyneth pouted puzzled at Yamada’s delirious words. ‘Why gi
Yamada perked up. “Wait, what’s happening?” He asked baffled. “Don’t worry about winning or losing, just do your best.” She said gently pushing him into the courtyard.“I’ll make sure nothing bad happens to you.” Her words filled with determination and warmth. Yamada looked up to her warm smile, the sight of it, made him smile.With a new sense of invigoration, he clutched the hilt and a heavy grunt, he ripped the great sword out, resting it over his shoulder.He entered into the courtyard, with Fervias smirking at him. “Guess Abaddon was right, only a Forsaken Knight could carry that thing.” He said reaching under his cape.Yamada planted the sword by his feet, and performing a deep bow. Fervias chuckled, his vambraces now covered in long burnt orange chains.Yamada looked at him puzzled, as Fervias pulled two Deiridium edged axes, from his cape. The chains wrapped around the base of the Orichalcum handles.“Are you ready boy?” He asked spinning the axes on the chains, wearing a big
Gwyneth returned to her quarters in the dead of night. Yamada bellowed out a heavy throaty snore. He laid sprawled out over the straw mattress, the blanket kicked off to the side.She tittered at the sight, before removing her armour, and slipping into her bed. Gwyneth felt exhausted and drained, but she couldn’t sleep.Not after seeing the devastation in Groggic’s town. The dead bodies littering through the streets, their eyes burnt out, with faces twisted in agony.She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and closed her eyes. The visage of the massarce remained.Gwyneth let out a frustrated grunt, leaping out of her bed, carelessly stepping on Yamada. He curled forward letting out a pained groan. She let out a cute demure yelp.He opened his eyes to the dark room, clutching his sore stomach, waiting for his vision to adjust. “Yamada, are you okay?” Gwyneth asked softly, kneeling down.Yamada shut his eyes tightly, dropping his hands down by his side. “Are you naked?” He a
Morning came and Yamada was awoken by an unfamiliar and strange sound. He perked up to see Gwyneth, snoring in her night gown sprawled over in her bed.Her cleavage bulged out of the night gown, and Yamada quickly covered her with his blanket, leaving the room breathing heavily.He slapped his forehead repeatedly, suddenly hearing the hand maidens giggling and looking down at him. Yamada went bright red, he had forgotten that he was bare to them.He quickly summoned his armour, slapping down his visor.“Lady Lockhart left you a set of instructions.” The handmaiden said, giving him a piece of parchment paper. The writing on it was elegant and beautiful, each stroke of the quill was perfect.However the cursive writing was too advanced for Yamada, and even under his visor, the handmaidens could tell he was lost.“Do...you need help with reading it?” One of them asked hesitantly.Yamada slowly gave back the parchment. “I got the numbers, but not the words. The letters are all so loopy an
As dusk arrived, Yamada completed his last drill, dropping Harbinger off his shoulders. The great sword shattered the ground, burying itself half a metre deep.He trudged over to the large wooden barrel of water, dragging the wicker basket behind him. The top of shattered into dust.The wind kissed the sweat glistening on his naked body. He breathed a great sigh of relief, raising the large barrel over his head.The cool water gushed over him, and he fell to the ground. Exhausted beyond belief, he mustered the energy to still be modest, and drape a single shirt over his groin. He closed his eyes, a wave of accomplishment filled him. It washed away the exhaustion and pain. He wore a big grin, staring up to the beautiful pristine sky, raising his hand to the air.The scars of his past stared out at him, still slick with the water. “Can you see me Mum? I’m actually at the Citadel.” He whispered to himself filled with pride.“I’m training with best Grand Knight. Her name is Gwyneth Lockh
The sun hit its peak. Jacara stood in the cavern still attempting to defeat his father’s challenge. His magic reaching a few centimetres further than before.The squires and mages not chosen as scouts, were now drilling battle formations. However Yamada and Gwyneth were absent from the second ring.Aerith and Urkse entered into her quarters, the kitchen table had two meals prepped, with the handmaidens flushed and short of breath.“Where are Yamada and Gwyneth? Encara wishes to know why they aren’t training.” Urkse said with a stern voice.The girls giggled covering their smiles, looking over to her room, and pointing.Urkse and Aerith gave each other a concerned glance, before cautiously approaching her door. He reached for the doorknob. Aerith stopped him.“What are you doing?” She asked giving him a puzzled look. “Opening a door?” Urkse said giving her the same look.“She sleeps naked, everyone knows that. You go stand over there I’ll handle this.” She said pushing him away.“But.”