BK1 Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

The canvas village remained in place for the next five days. With not much else to do, Callan had me training non-stop. I had wanted to protest more than once, but I knew training was my best option for surviving the rest of the trip to Zromore, the capital. As each day passed, my ability to pinpoint the best spots to strike with my dagger improved, and my handle of the weapon increased. I grew more adept at moving to avoid the strikes his water clones would launch, their arms elongating into whips. As I improved, so did his water clones. They began to take on a more human-like appearance in the shell of water. Eerily they looked more like Callan every day, down to the small dimple on his left temple and the scar on his right hand.

I dodged a whip as it struck to my left. Rolling, I quickly slashed out as it came back, cutting it neatly in two. I learned it could not reattach them if I severed the limb completely. Instead, they had to be regrown anew, which was a much longer process. Now one arm down, I launched myself forward and stabbed at the water clone's chest, ripping the blade down much like Callan had done to me in my second life.

The clone popped as it disintegrated in a slosh.

"Not bad. You need to get better at getting behind your opponent. It will make it more difficult for them to attack you" Callan gave me pointers as he shook off his arms. He no longer had to hold them out straight to control the clone.

"I need to increase my speed to do that", I sighed, readjusting the loosened tie in my hair, letting it fall around my shoulders.

"You need better stamina to do that," Callan said as he drew his Jian. "I will be training with my team now, so I expect you to keep this up." He patted my head and lightly rustled my hair "Good job", he smiled, and I nodded, happy to be praised.

Ever since the attack from the snake, Callan had been unusually sociable with me. We often ended our training with him patting my head. The more I put in my training, the more his likeability for me increased. It had steadily been increasing day by day.

Vishka's Guidance System

Callan Heversham

Likeability:-4% (+5%)

I smiled at the new number. It was so close to 0%. I was finally near a fresh start with him. My life of demands and spoilt tantrums, which had caused his low opinion of me, was slowly washing away with our improved interactions. I felt a little warm and fuzzy knowing I was so close, ever hopeful that the scenario of my second life was growing further away from recurring.

Rubbing my legs for circulation, I took a deep breath and began to run lightly at a steady pace around the training circle we had created. Alongside our battle training, with the lack of marching, my stamina growth had staunched, so I had taken to running daily to try and keep it levelling. My muscle twinged less and less each day as I did so, and I found that I could keep going longer, achieving more laps. I was steadily growing my body's strength bit by bit, but malnourishment was still a large issue. With only scraps of dried meat and rice left, the camp was running out of viable food options after our week stationed here. Some of the Summoner's had formed hunting groups, and we occasionally were lucky to get the leftovers from demonic beasts, but it wasn't much. As trainees, we only got what was left after the trained soldiers took their share.

Teresa and Harold had created a regular sparring session. Despite Callan's protest, I lent her my Jian when she asked, and she had also grown considerably in using it. Now, she was skilled enough with it to spar with Harold instead of using her dagger. I watched as they fought nearby during my run. They sparred with one another with a skill I could only hope to achieve one day. Harold was incredible with his Sai blades. Having had training with them since childhood, he used trickery and feints often to surprise Teresa, who was honest and straightforward with her attacks. She was not as good as Harold, but her speed and fluidity with the Jian were obvious as she dodged Harold's swipe and returned with her own, having skidded behind him.

Garret eventually decided to train as well. He slighted our efforts for the first two days claiming it was pointless for me to even try as my future was to marry him and be a housewife. Callan had quickly aggravated Garret though, advising him to mind his own business in the politest way he was capable of. I smiled, remembering Garret's face during that conversation. He had not been pleased but could not argue against the son of a Viscount.

As the rest of the Trainees also began to train with their teams, Garret caved and also began to practice with his Sabre. As much as I hated to admit it, he was also very skilled. Like Harold and most of the nobles, he had been taught his weapon since childhood. His handle was heavy, specializing in frontal overhead strikes with strength I could only imagine having. Rian Thornfax and Kit Balburn often sparred with him. Their familiarity with each other's abilities showed they had often sparred together in childhood.

"Lynette?" an unfamiliar voice grabbed my attention, so I slowed my pace to a stop.

"That's not her idiot", another spoke, and the sound of a slap on a shoulder followed. "Why would she be here of all places" I turned around to see a man with tawny hair roll his eyes.

"Hugh? Jacob?" I said, unsure myself and they both froze mid-step.

"You see! It is Lynette!" Hugh joyfully cheered, running over to me, his arms filled to the brim with scrolls.

"Well, I'll be dammed" Jacob rubbed his tawny hair, surprised, following his fellow foot-soldier.

"You joined the Army?" Hugh said, his eyes were wide, and his brown beard cracked with small spots of mud stuck to the fuzz.

"Yeah", I meekly nodded, "I joined the morning after our card game" I smiled, remembering how Hugh had passed out from alcohol during our game in the tavern.

"You could have told us! Jeez, we're always looking for card players," Hugh laughed, nearly dropping his scrolls.

"I think she has been a bit preoccupied for card games, Hugh" Jacob shook his head in mirth.

"Does Nate know?" Hugh asked with a glint in his eye.

"Um, yes, he does", I answered, feeling shy from the look he gave me

"Hmmm, then you absolutely must join our next card game" he grinned mischievously.

"Ignore him", Jacob swatted Hugh on the head. "He just wants someone to beat Nate again."

"But he always wins", Hugh moaned, making me laugh.

"Who are you two?" an arrogant pest interrupted us. Garret quickly stomped over to us, placing his hands on his hips as he glared at Hugh and Jacob. "What are you doing talking to footguards? Is one commoner not bad enough, Lady Heversham"

"Excuse me?" Jacob stepped back with a frown.

"Lord Asher, you are being rude", I commented, stepping away from him myself. These last few days, Garret had been watching me like a hawk, inserting himself into my business wherever possible. After my declaration to become a commoner rather than marry him, he had grown very tense.

"Rude? I can say what I want to a commoner. No noble is a grey cloak," Garret sniggered, stepping closer to me again in unwanted protectiveness.

"Lady Heversham? Lynette, are you a noble?" Hugh asked quietly. I could see the shock in his expression.

"Yes, my full name is Lynette Heversham. I'm the daughter of Viscount Heversham of Talbour," I informed them unwittingly, as I knew Garret would have if I didn't.

"The Crazy Cerue?" Jacob scrunched his eyebrows. "But you're not at all as horrible as the rumours say."

"Ah-well", I coughed into my hand and looked away, embarrassed. So there were rumours about me outside of Talbour? Gosh, had I been that awful?

"Rumours can't always be trusted," I said, knowing that these particular rumours were probably true. I had been a very difficult person in my youth.

"As your fiance, I will make sure such rumours are squashed", Garret, once again, stated that unneeded bit of information. He had been announcing it to anyone who asked, despite my claims against the matter.

"Fiance?" Jacob raised an eyebrow and shared a look with Hugh, who shrugged. They both then looked at me expectantly.

"I am not his Fiance", I grumbled. "Lord Asher believes otherwise."

"It has been agreed with Viscount Heversham. Stop pretending already, Lady Heversham," Garret scowled at me, frustrated I still hadn't conformed to his wishes.

"That is good to hear, Lady Heversham" Jacob bowed his head to me with a smirk toward Garret. "I am sure Lord Hudson would not have been pleased to learn of such of thing."

"Indeed", Hugh caught on and mirrored Jacobs's attitude. "Lord Hudson would have been rather upset."

"Lord Hudson? As in Captain Hudson? Why would he care?" Garret asked defensively.

I saw what they were doing, and as petty as it was, I took the opportunity. "Please give Lord Hudson my greetings Jacob, Hugh. I have missed him these past weeks as he has been occupied with his duties."

"Of course, Lady Heversham, he will be happy to hear from you. After all, you are so close" Jacob smiled as Garret paled.

"Quite," I said, enjoying the look on Garret's face as he realized just who I had spent the night with, sullying my reputation.

***

Garret's clinginess to me became much less after my conversation with Hugh and Jacob. Instead of following me around announcing our engagement to all who would listen, he now sat far away from me, offering me the occasional glare. I had thought my scandal had not been a success in deterring him, but it turned out, by the luck of Vishka, Nathaniel Hudson had been an excellent choice. Having realized that I had spent my evening with another noble and not a commoner, his arrogance had deflated.

"How is it that this is black on the outside but barely cooked?" Teresa plopped beside me, prodding a charred piece of meat in her metal dish.

"Beats me. Mine isn't much better" I showed her my attempt at cooking the demonic beast we had been given, which looked similar to hers. Our breakfast was pitiful.

"I can't wait to get to the capital", she sighed. "Maybe then we can at least get something that won't poison us" She grimaced, took a bite gingerly, shrugged, and then continued to eat it.

"It's at least better than the rice" I nodded in agreement. I was growing weary of the lack of calories in our food.

"I heard we may be moving out soon. The higher-ups finally got a plan together or something," Teresa stated, hopeful.

"Have the injured all recovered?"

"Most of them," she said with an upset undertone. Not all of them had made it.

Suddenly a horn blasted throughout the canvas village. We all stilled, unsure if this was a horn to announce danger.

"Listen up, Trainees!" Lieutenant Cragborn's voice hollered over our group's small camping area. "Pack up. We leave in an hour. Anything not packed will be left behind."

Teresa and I both looked at one another. We quickly shovelled our charred meat into our mouths and got up to put our things away in our backpacks.

We all rushed. Soldiers from all directions were running to pack up their things. Tents were pulled down, fires stamped out, and earthen creations destroyed. I don't think I had ever seen such fast movement before as the entire brigade cleared away the canvas village.

Ahead of us, soldiers regrouped into their formations, having cleared away faster than we trainees had. Lieutenant Cragborn lorded over us as we scrambled and barked at those being too slow or commanding others to leave items that had been found during our respite.

Eventually, our team stood in front of our group of twenty, Lieutenant Cragborn stood directly in front of us. As he had told me, we were going to remain at the front so he could keep an eye on us. The rear guard followed up behind us as the last of our group assembled. I spotted Hugh and Jacob amongst the foot guards, and they flashed me a smile. I returned it, but a gnawing feeling sank into my gut, seeing the lower numbers of their troop compared to what there had been before.

The horn blasted again, and we were off.

***

We marched consistently until late in the afternoon, with no break this time. Lieutenant Cragborn instructed us as we marched that there was going to be a break soon. It turned out our delay and the reason for the canvas village had not been just for the injured. On our planned route to the capital, a scouting party had returned with the information that a grade seven demonic beast had set up its nest directly in our path. The snakes we had fought had only been grade one, so hearing such a powerful beast was blocking our path was terrifying. The commanders had been discussing what to do about it for the past week as they waited for the injured to recover. A plan had apparently been put together, so we continued our march. Our next break was to coincide with the commander's attack on the beast.

"Halt!" Lieutenant Cragborn called as the soldiers in front also slowed to a stop. "Alright, this is our break. We could move again at any moment, so stay prepared and keep vigilant" he turned and headed towards Lieutenant Sharpclaw as they quietly discussed matters not for our ears.

"Scary isn't it" Teresa whispered, her hand clutching her dagger, "A grade seven is no joke."

"We should be safe here", I tried to comfort her. "We are surrounded by Summoners, and the action is upfront this time."

"It would be wise to remain on guard" Harold pulled out his water skin. "A grade seven is incredibly rare. It is extremely unlucky that we have come across one at all."

"This whole march has been unlucky", Garret gruffed.

"At least we are closer to the summoners this time" Teresa nodded to Callan's team on our left and another ahead of us.

"Right," I agreed, pulling out my own water skin and basking in the relief the water gave me. I had tried to limit what I used as I hadn't had a chance to ask Callan to refill it this morning.

As we waited, Teresa and I sat to rub our feet whilst we could, and I spotted a few others doing the same. Rian Thornfax being one of those, we hadn't spoken much during this whole trip. She had avoided me as much as I had avoided her, and that had been best for us both.

"Sign", I called up my skills to check them over, hoping to have gained some more stamina.

Blood Sign

General Information

Name: Lynette Heversham

Age: Twenty-One

Rank: Daughter of Viscount – Talbour

Traits: Beast born Hidden

Occupation: Trainee of Zopan Empire Army

Covenants: Zopan Empire Army Blood bond: Guidance of Vishka Hidden

Progression

Core Innate Grade: 0.02

Core Condensation Grade: 0.02

Affinities: Unknown

Skills

Aether: 0

Combative: 2

Jian - Flowing Water: 4 – (Novice)

Dagger strike: 8 – (Novice)

Body : 3

Poison Resistance: 15 - (Initiate)

Pain Resistance: 23 – (Apprentice)

Stamina: 7 - (Novice)

Mind: 3

Research: 12 - (Initiate)

Herbology: 57 - (Adept)

Alchemy: 7 - (Novice)

Spirit: 1

Beast Taming: 1 - (Novice) Hidden

General: 1

Social: -2 - (Novice) Hidden

I hadn't raised my stamina any more than it had been yesterday. I closed it, biting the inside of my cheek. How difficult was it to raise my levels for body and combative? I had trained so much, but they had barely moved overall. At least my dagger skill was increasing at a steady pace.

As I sat rubbing my feet, a vibration in the ground and an echoing roar froze all of us. Silence hummed, and all chatter paused as the roar enveloped our brigade.

"It's beginning! Get ready to move," Lieutenant Cragborn rushed back to us. We all stood quickly, putting our boots back on as the ground rumbled.

"Just what is the Grade seven?" Rian asked, unease lacing her voice

"A horned Baildon", Lieutenant Cragborn answered, looking ahead.

"A what?" I asked, seeing the fear on the noble's faces

"It's like a Kreshna", Harold whispered, his hand shaking ever so slightly on his Sai blades. "Except a hundred times larger, they control Earth."

"Earth? So the ground shaking…."

"Yes, they burrow in the ground to make their nests and ambush anything that passes atop. Their skin is as dense as rock, and they can swim through the ground like you or I can in water."

My face paled, joining the others in comprehension of their fear. "how terrifying", I squeaked, just trying to imagine such a thing. I didn't feel so safe anymore.

We all jolted tense as a figure came running toward us. It was oddly familiar. As it grew closer, I saw a flash of blue in the late afternoon sun, and familiar silver eyes pierced my way.

Eduard.

He stopped with ease showing no exhaustion.

"Captain Heversham", Lieutenant Cragborn greeted him with a salute, "What news?"

"The commanders have begun the attack. I will be relaying any orders from here. For now, you are to remain stationary with the Trainees" he glanced at me before swiftly moving to inform Lieutenant Sharpclaw and the other Summoners. I watched him as he approached Callan's team and saw him harden his expression. Eduard then spoke with Callan separately for a moment before moving on again. Callan's team immediately left their spot and came closer to us. All of them had drawn their weapons. I couldn't take my eyes off Eduard. It was so strange. There was no number floating above his head.

"Stay close to us. There's a chance the Baildon could try to escape this way," A young man from Callan's team with a neatly trimmed brown beard informed us all.

"Of course, Lord Cavendish", Lieutenant Cragborn answered, drawing his weapon, a hulking spear.

We all drew our weapons at this new information, mumbles of panic echoing through the group. I dreaded thinking about what the commoner group might have been feeling right now.

"Captain Hudson is preparing a defence", Eduard reappeared, his head still empty of a floating number, I tried squinting at him to see if I was maybe unable to see it for some reason, but it wasn't there.

"Why is he different" I mumbled, trying to focus on this rather than a possible impending attack.

"Water clone", Callan whispered suddenly beside me. "He's very good at them. I'm surprised you noticed."

"A water clone? But he's conversing with the Lieutenants?" Callan's clone had no thoughts or any signs of intelligence. Plus, they were obvious water images. They did not appear as flesh and blood like the Eduard here.

"He can split his conscious between them", Callan sulked. "That's why he's upfront of the march."

"It's incredible" I studied it further. I probably wouldn't have noticed anything differently if it hadn't been for the lack of a number over the water clone's head.

"I'll get there with mine eventually" Callan frowned, seeming a little upset at my praise of Eduard's skill.

Our attention was quickly drawn to the front of the brigade as a sudden flash of lightning pierced into the sky. A sound of a loud boom followed the crackle as it intensified.

"Lord Elkart", Callan watched with us all.

"He uses Lightening…." I mumbled, watching the flash of repeated sparks littering the sky.

"He is god blessed, a member of royalty, and a poor match for a Horned Baildon", Callan frowned, raising his Jian. "If he has gotten involved, things can't be good."

It was as though Callan's words had drawn the calamity. The ground under our feet began to shake uncontrollably. Several trainees fell over, unable to keep their balance, myself among them.

Callan grabbed my arm, his grip tight and forceful, before throwing me to his right.

"Dodge!" he screamed as suddenly the ground around us began to split apart, and a horn the size of my whole body protruded from the spot I had been standing.

Trainees and Summoners scrambled out of the way as the earth was ruptured. A hulking mass forced its way up, shovelling dirt sideward as a bleeding and charred demonic beast emerged. As Harold had described, it did indeed look similar to a Kreshna, with two large curled horns beside floppy ears on its head. Its snout was like a bull. Its legs and torso were made of muscle coated in dozens of spiked scales. A row of horns lined its back down to its short tail.

The beast was humongous.

Earth Summoners rushed over and raised columns of the earth to hold back the soil it was shovelling from burying the trainees and footguards nearby. A huge pile was caroming my way, and I quickly rolled as fast as I could toward one of the blockades. In my escape, the hilt of my Jian rammed into my stomach winding me.

Shouting of orders for each team interlocked with one another, so I struggled to hear Lieutenant Cragborn's but saw he had a gathering of Trainees who had escaped the ambush grouping together with him.

I pushed myself up and ran past Summoners, shooting fire, water, wind, and earth at the Horned Baildon. The creature didn't even flinch at the firepower being directed towards it and instead swiped its clawed hand in a circular motion directly in my path.

Earth washed like a wave where its claw directed, swallowing the Summoners and many of the foot-guards, the tidal billowing towards me. Sliding, I leapt to get out of its way, landing flat on my front as the earth wave avoided me by inches.

"Lynette!" Rian Thornfax grabbed my wrist and hauled me up, and we shared the same look of panic with one another.

"This way", I huffed, trying to get oxygen back into my begging muscles. We ran together as Summoners sprouted from the earth that had just swallowed them, whips of fire launched at the beast, wrapping around its feet, toppling it over. It crashed into the ground with a wallop causing Rian and me to stumble, but we kept going.

Nathaniel Hudson flew through the air as he slammed his flaming halberd into the side of the Horned Baildon. On impact, the flames seared and sharpened, splintering in all directions into the beast's gut. It screeched in pain and rocked its body in our direction again, rolling away from the flames.

We had nowhere we could go. There was no way we could outrun it as its body loomed above us. I felt Rian shaking as she gripped my hand, and I squeezed it back, understanding her fear.

We continued to run, afraid of what was inevitable.

I saw Callan and Eduard's water clone running toward us, but it was too late.

We couldn't get away in time.

That's when the ground opened up beneath us as we fell, tumbling down a tunnel into darkness.