13 Six Months
<Part 2: War>
***Kairo's POV***
My eyes snap open. Checking the clock on my wall, I see that it's 6:00 am sharp.
Stretching, I stealthily reach my hand under my pillow. Feeling the worn leather hilt of my knife, I pull it smoothly from its hiding place and press it against someone's throat.
Glancing over, I see that Burch is there, looming over my bed with a crooked smirk.
Giving a sigh of annoyance, I slide the knife back into its sheath hidden under the pillow.
"What is it? You haven't done this since the first month of my training."
"How long have we been training together for?"
Giving it a few seconds of thought, I tentatively answer.
"It's been about six months, right?"
"Bingo. Today is the day for your final test."
A surge of excitement floods within me.
Springing from bed, I energetically start gathering my things.
"So what happens if I want more training?"
"You can always come back and request for more training. However, it'll 10 Silver for a week and 35 silver for a month."
"That much?"
My reaction in noticeably different than it would have been six months ago. In fact, a lot about me is noticeably different from six months ago.
My voice has deepened slightly, and now I'm absolutely shredded, while I was just muscular before. A few extra inches and shaggier hair, makes me seem almost like a totally different person.
"Well, as the saying goes, money is the only replacement for time."
"I'm not sure if that's the saying…"
"What else would it be?" Burch says with a smirk.
Scratching my head in thought, I can feel it on the tip of my tongue, but it escapes me at the last second. I lower my head sheepishly.
"Never mind."
"Exactly what I thought. Are you done packing?"
I shake my head and turn back to my bag.
"Not quite yet. After this, I still need to grab all my weapons from downstairs."
Sighing and shaking his head, Burch walks out of my room, reminding that breakfast would be ready in 5.
Giving a grunt of understanding, I shove the rest of my clothing into a bag and get dressed
Walking over to a shelf, I grab the souvenirs from my training.
A broken knife, a shard of glass made from the training arena in the dungeons, and other useless stuff that I'm needlessly attached to.
I gently place it all in a second, smaller bag.
Slinging the bags over my shoulders, I give my now empty room one last look.
I probably won't see it for a while, not until I come back for training at least. With a sad smile, I slowly close the door.
I don't want to admit it, but I'm gonna miss it here.
After placing my bags at the foot of the main staircase, I follow the heavenly smell of crisp bacon to the dining room.
Burch is already sitting at the table, eating the delicious looking breakfast feast with a minuscule look of glee on his face.
Plopping down across from him, I pile my plate with bacon, eggs, fresh strawberries, blueberries, and pancakes.
"Where is everyone else? I figured at least Theo and Sassa would be here?"
"Missions and quests. Now eat your grub, we're in a rush."
Immediately I dig in, focusing on the heavenly food.
Three plates later, I finish and push my chair back.
(Now to pack up my gear!)
Heading to the staircase at the front of the house, I twist magic-crystal lamp on the right side.
A door in the side of the staircase opens with a click, but it's quickly clicking back closed.
At the bottom of a short flight of stairs, there's a door with a single slot in the middle of it. As I slide my temporary key into the slot, the door automatically opens.
It doesn't take long for me to walk over to my equipment room.
First I put on my leather armor. It's not much protection, but the hardened leather on the shin guards and forearm bracers help.
Next are the knives strapped all over my body and a bastard sword to my back.
The hand and a half hilt that peeks over my right shoulder is wrapped in black leather, matching my armor.
After everything is securely in place, I toss any other weapons left in the room into a bag.
With a grunt, I sling the bag over my shoulder. My ears pick up the soft, padding of feet as I exit the room.
Burch walks up to me, also fully equipped and holding a saddle.
"I see that you're already geared up. Good. We've got an emergency quest from the Guild."
He passes the saddle off to me and turns around to grab another one. I follow him, heart racing after the news.
"What for? There hasn't been an emergency in the six months I've been here."
He turns back to me with his usual, neutral expression.
"We'll see at the Guild. That's where we'll be briefed. Now get your ass in gear and mount up!"
