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Chapter 5
Chapter 5
"Thank you Sensei for teaching me," a student said while bowing.
"Rise young one, there is no need for that instead I am thankful for you because you are the only one that has survived training or not quit halfway through. And for that, I feel joy." an Aura Master said while he chuckled.
from the farthest mountains near the Trostian regions of Ulfenheim, Alvin had been training very hard to master the use of his powers. Being a half demon is nothing easy, and being a half demon is an even different story. The Colonel then descended from the mountains feeling the great chilling air of the Northern Regions.
"Alright...Claire, I am coming for you next..."Alvin said descending further down the icy terrain.
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Meanwhile, back at Karthus, a dove came to up the walls of the city. Guards aimed their crossbows at it, and eyed it down very intently. It had been 2 weeks since the attack of the shapeshifters, and the Karthusian army were now on full alert in ensuring that no shapeshifter enters or escapes the kingdom. Animals were now inspected for any trace of magic. Livestock were counted everyday, and are supposed to have documents and papers to have a record of them. A brand of knights were even created to specialize in Karthus's fight against shapeshifters inside the city. Known as the White Knights, they were still fairly small, but they had capabilities of fighting even better than the normal knight.
The dove landed in the castle. And Kindred was called to read it. When the red general opened the papers, he now understood what is currently going on...
"We should go back to Ravena as soon as possible." He said, with a slight smile, and a trace of worry in his face. He explained that he received word of an order that the Republic of Vontur has sent their troops to encircle their former kingdom. Which would make sense why Aeryth never returned. He then called upon his men to rally behind him to prepare for more training.
The rest of the regiments soon followed suit and Kindred began to walk along the past home of Uri. There he saw the young noble wearing the leather uniform of the Red Blood Regiment. He looked at him, now with a smile. As the time will tell, he was not just a noble anymore. But a man who truly wished to sacrifice his life for the people.
"I will miss this sir." He said, looking at the broken door, the hole in the ceiling, now being rebuilt by his workers. The boy still had a lot to learn. But his mindset will ensure his survival. All he needed was to learn more, push harder, never give up, and keep on striving for rationality and knowledge. At least, from Kindred's perspective, that's what made him an assassin back then. But that would be for another story. There is still work to do.
They both walked up the stairs to see a familiar figure sitting in one of the chairs of the second floor. Wearing green and black, it was the only Clan member they knew that has not killed them yet... at least for now.
"Null?"
"Ah....." He said, with a snicker in his voice. "Did you like Crescentia's present?"
Kindred looked at him, then stared at his eyes, he could see that he was messing with him. He could try to mess around with him as well, but he threatened Morticia last battle. He will not let his guard down at this state.
"I believe that present was too large for me. I'd rather let her keep it, the same with letting her keep her head if she decides to free Ravena." The General said.
Null looked at him in a bit of puzzle and awe. It's as if he half-expected it to come out of his mouth.... not too soon perhaps.
The other men seemed to be too busy discussing what is currently going on. Kai explained that he was not willing to trust Null especially on what he did. But Uri was willing to learn more before acting. Thomas however was heading upstairs to talk to Kindred. "He still seems suspicious." Uri said to Kai in a low voice. "But we will wait."
Thomas then arrived at the scene, just as when the Clan Captain and the Red General were about to finish talking. "Sir, I must take my leave." He then said.
With a smile, the general permitted him. There was nothing much to do in the kingdom anyway, now that the issue of the attacks have been solved. They won't be bothered as much now.
"We will end this conversation now Null." He then said with a slightly serious face. then standing up and turning around him to head downstairs.
"Even if.... Ichikari's been acting strange lately?" the captain replied with a smirk.
"What do you mean?" Kindred stopped. Holding his stance. Then looking slightly to his left. Null then answered...
"She has been crying every night.... for days. She just went out of Ravena lately. And I suppose that because she can't enter the kingdom now because of what's currently going o-"
"Stop."
"But Kindred.."
"Null."
Kindred turned around, looking at him. Slowly, he then walked towards the captain. His comrades had their weapons then put to their hands slowly, but Kindred put his hands up telling them to stand down.
"Let's not continue this anymore. You've served the people well. But I am not rational enough to discuss about this situation."
"Ah... General Kindred. Where's the fun in that?"
Kindred then looked at him, a bit of rage then began to build up. But he stopped. He then remembered the words of his former mentor at Masyaf.
"A man who speaks, must act. But a man who acts, does not need to speak."
The general's anger begin to move away. It was still there, in which it needs to be redirected. But not now, not at this moment. He didn't want to cause a scene, especially at this state. He then said...
"Do you know the reason why you are still here?"
Null looked at him puzzled. Kindred then realized that he still didn't know. He smiled at this and said...
"I have given you special permissions to let you stay since you haven't harmed my men... yet."
Null seemed unsure of what to answer, so the general continued by saying...
"I had a slight trip with Lady Ailyn last time. And she did tell me about you at some point. She then told me something afterwards." He then started to walk as he left him, and while heading downstairs, he said...
"Keep your eyes open. The Black Valkyrie is watching you..... always."
---
It has been 3 days since Thomas left Kindred. He stepped into a new town which he has been in before. The new air of the town was refreshing on his skin. A man then spotted him with a welcoming smile on his face.
“Welcome weary traveller, what brings you here to our humble town?” He said. His skin was ageing, and his face looked as if he was in his mid 50's. He was carrying a stick in which he used to balance himself. And as his clothes would suggest, he had the crest of a particular university of Karthus. But Thomas would not know, as he could not read.
“Oh me? I’m just on a journey right now, is it okay if I stay here for a while?” He smiled with full glee. With his backpack at hand, and messy orange-red hair, his eyes was very welcoming to the man.
“Righty-o, wherever you’re headed, make sure to say hello to the people around here first.” The man stated. He then continued to walk as his stick helped him to continue on.
Thomas looked around this strange part of Karthus. A stall was found on this part of town, appearing to be belonging to someone who sells paper. As his curious self would determine, he decided to investigate this. There seemed to be nobody behind the counter however, which left him scratching his head in confusion. He then asked himself...
"A stall with no seller eh? pretty strange if I were to ask."
"Hewo sir, would you want some newspaper?" A girl said. This sent Thomas to suddenly jump back a bit slightly in his shock. A little head then popped up from the behind the counter,
“Would you want some newspapwer?” The voice revealed to be belonging to a small girl, who seemed to be very young and still have trouble in speaking the common tongue.
He was startled from this, but then when he realised what was happening, he nodded. The little girl smiled and began to go down the counter to scramble for some newspaper.
“Lemme get you some then.” She said while looking through the shelves of her stall. Pretty shortly, she grabs a copy of the newspaper, “That will be wun coppwer sir.”
Thomas handed her a coin, gaining the newspaper in return.
“Thwank you sir, my pawents will be vewy happwy.” She smiled with joy, now even bigger than before.
He nods, turning as he walks away and looks at the newspaper. He scratches his head,
“You’ve got to be kidding me….” He groans in annoyance, “I forgot I can’t read!”
He sighs, now looking up and around. “Shouldn’t be a big problem, I’ll just ask someone to read it for me…”
He now walks around the town in search of a person who isn't busy. He finds a boy, about his age. And as he saw him, he then walked towards him and asked “Excuse me, can you read this for me?”
The boy looked at Thomas a bit confused on why a random man would suddenly approach him. Karthusian Culture is more introverted than most kingdoms, so this was a bit uncommon for him.
“Uh… Sure thing.” The boy picks up the newspaper and reads the headline out loud. “Red Blood Regiment rescues Lord Uri from his kidnappers.” The boy then pauses, “Is that all you want me to read..?” pertaining to the headline.
Thomas just nods. He does not need to learn the full story. Besides, he can always talk to his comrades about this. “Yes, thank you, thank you, have a good day.” he then told the boy.
“Okay, here you go then…” He handed the paper back to Thomas, “I have to go now, someone’s waiting for me…” He pointed at the other boys calling him. Thomas then realized that the boy was younger than what he estimated, which then made him smile at their innocence and peacefulness. Karthus was indeed a good place, it would be a nice dream if they would stay here. But enough about that. Thomas looked back at the newspaper, “Geez, they’ve been busy, haven’t they?”
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