10 Chapter 9

"So what's up lad, why are you looking for me?"

We are now currently sitting under the shade of a tree with a certain distance from the camp.

"Fuck you, you punch me so hard that I could barely speak." I complained.

"Stop wincing like a little girl, will you? Besides, it's your own fault."

"Pshh, I guess I deserve this but when I remember your face earlier, I think it's worth it. Hahaha---aw shit I can't even laugh properly."

"Hahahaha, I gotta admit, you got me there lad. You have some guts, huh. Honestly, I don't think I will be able to sleep peacefully in the next few days because of what you did. It taste like--"

"--shit?"

I ended the sentence for him and then we burst in laughter.

"Yeah, hahahahahhahaha!"

"Hahahahahahahah"

We laugh so hard that we began to choke and coughed. After calming ourselves, Tristan finally spoke.

"Say, we can join forces and have the boys taste our shit."

Tristan grinned while wiggling his eyebrows up and down.

Hearing his suggestion, my eyes lit up. He will be a good shield if things go south.

"Deal, my friend. Hehehehe."

"Hehehehehe"

"Hehehehehehe"

"Now with that settled, let's get back to the topic. Why are you looking for me?"

"You know I'm leaving the company right?"

Tristan nodded.

I activated my 'Eloquence' skill and started my persuasion.

"So what's in it for you guys when you join the company? For money? For power? Glory?

I bet you guys have a certain goal and benefits to claim once you succeed. However, at what cost?"

That's right, I wanted to talk to him so I could persuade him to join me instead. So if I want to get the boys to my side, I gotta start with the leader of the pack.

"To tell you the truth, Tristan. Of all the days the boys and us, we've spent together, I came to know the lot of you. I grew fond of you. You guys treated me well despite my reputation of being a coward and I've come to gradually treat you guys as my brothers from another mother. The camaraderie, the fun, the companionship we shared this past few days, it means a lot to me. I can't accept the fact that you're all going to war someday and die for someonelse cause not getting the things you truly want."

"All men must die, lad."

"Yeah, but not the way you want. Are really just satisfied with that?"

"Fuck no but what can I do? What can we do?"

"There's something we can do. My vision for us is to someday get a place we call our own. Build the army consists of our own. We will be feared in the battlefield. We will gain our glory and gold and women. All I ask is you trust me and let me lead you guys to that vision. I may sound arrogant but one way or another, I'm gonna provide you a way to richness."

Tristan looked into my eyes trying to see through any fecade. I didn't steer away from his gaze so he could feel my sincerity.

"Stand up, Lad. If you can defeat my sword, I will follow you and the brothers under my command. I only follow the strong."

I solemnly stood up from my seat and accepted his challenge.

"Good thing I always carry two swords with me." Tristan said.

He hurls the other sword at me while I was able to grab the hilt in mid-air. Tristan saw this and smiled.

I waved to the sword swinging it left and right to feel its balance. Then I turn to look at Tristan.

"Ready, lad?"

He initiated the attack by an overhead slash.

Clang!

I deflected it easily and tilted the force to the side before I sidestep to create some distance.

"You better be serious, don't insult me."

I sighed and nodded at him. I think it's time to show him my true skill. I'm now in my correct form holding the hilt of the sword pointing the tip at him. This time, I initiated the offensive.

I went for a stab targeting his left shoulder. He blocked it by slashing diagonally deflecting my blade. I followed the force in a circular motion slashing to his side. He evaded it by backing up but I relentlessly followed my attack to every part of his body. Toes, legs, elbows, all of them became a target of my attack. His rythm was broken so he can only defend with difficulty. Five minutes and I'm still attacking him, sidestepping into his blind side. He was panting heavily not giving up the fight.

Suddenly, I felt a pulse in my middle finger.

I was stunned for a moment because of it. He took advantage of the opportunity and almost graze me in my cheek.

'Did I just brokethrough?'

Shoving the thought at the back of my head, I continued attacking Tristan. This time, it seems... easier?

I managed to easily find an opening and I smash the flat of my blade into his butt.

"Dead."

"Okay, stop stop.. God I'm so tired. Why in the hell are you not out of breath?"

"Because my friend, I trained with my stamina. When I run every morning and sunset, my stamina improve I won't get tired easily. This is very important in order to stay alive in the battlefield."

"Fuck! I knew it! I fucking knew it! So you defeating Marq Mandrake wasn't a fluke. I had my suspicions but you hid it well. You are a wolf in sheep's clothing. Fuck you, lad."

I watched him vent his heart out and I didn't mind him cursing at me. I just shrugged it off and waited for him to calm down.

"Why do you have to hide your skill?With it, you can easily earn a place in the officers rank."

"Why would I show it? They will just dump a load of responsibility in me. Besides, do you think they will let me go if I show this?"

"That makes sense. Is this the effect of your fall? Cause I don't see you practice before."

"Yes, I learned fast after the fall."

"If that's the case, I think I would like to try it too."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Instead of a genius, you might become an idiot or paralyze all the way down. Imagine if you can't feel your dick anymore?"

I literally saw him shivered with the thought.

"Here." I hurled his sword back to him as he rested.

I approached him in a relax manner and said, "So I guess you'll follow me from no---- whoa whoa whoa what are you doing?"

I was in the middle of my sentence when he suddenly knelt in front of me.

"What the hell, are you going to do? Suck my dick? Why are you kneeling?"

"I'm pledging my allegiance to you." He was confused why I stopped him.

I kicked him in his kneeling position causing him to stumble to the ground.

"Fuck you, no ones kneeling to who. You're my brother, not my men. You can only kneel to me if I'm dying you bastard."

I offered him my hand.

It appears that he was touched by what I said but all of it was the truth and sincere. He glance at my hand for moment before grabbing it with a grin on his face. I pulled him for hug clasping his shoulder.

"Brother." I said

He nodded and replied, "Brother!"

After that, we burst into laughter.

We sat down again under the shade of the tree. I couldn't help but smile. It's mission accomplished. I now have a private army but they weren't still ripe for taking.

"So what's the plan, my Lord."

I gave him an annoyed look and said, "Just call me by my name. Auron should suffice. Lad is okay as well. Or brother that would do. If we became a proper army, you will be its captain. As for me, I'll be your commander. When we're not in battle, call me brother. We will be the most famous sellsword army in Essos and Westeros."

"That's a mouthful speech but, okay. What's the plan? Do you want us to go with you?"

"Nah, you need to stay here for the time being. I need to set up the stage outside for us. I will send you a letter when the time is right for you to join me."

"Aye, but how are you going to send me a letter? We don't have Ravens ourselves."

"I will find a way, don't worry."

"By the way, can I join you in your training?"

"What training?"

"Running, around the camp. In terms of swordskill, I think we're just evenly matched. You only beat me because I was tired. I think I need to work on that."

It seems this bloke can't still accept the fact that he lost to me. Well, it's not that I care. I won't shatter his confidence and spirit for my ego.

"Oh that! You should."

"Your swordskill, is that all you've been hiding for us?"

"You know, brother. I don't wanna hurt your feelings, okay. It's best to keep them hidden for now."

"Come on, spill it out. I'm a man! Do you think I have a glass heart? It's just a skill. We're brothers, it's better to know more about you."

I sighed and relented.

"I matched with Balaq in archery. I also know tracking, skinning, high Valerian language and old tongue.. hey where are you?"

When I turned around, I saw him sitting in sorrow, scribbling something in the mud while murmuring inaudible sounds. May be he was cursing me now.