Chapter 09: Old Soul

"Can you trust an enemy?"

Pisces Code - 3:8

Behind the imposing city mansion was a superb garden, extending to the front gate, clearly carefully taken care of. From the height of the santan, the budding of bell flowers surrounding a gazebo, the neat green grass and many more wondrous distinctive trees and flowers splendidly aligned.

In front of Pepin was a young man meditating on the ground. It was his first lesson from Pepin.

Pepin was contemplating a plan that would suit a man who had never held a weapon before. He had been teaching the child for almost 10 years, but the child's progress could barely compare to half-months of blood and sweat. He noticed something was different from the child when he noticed him for the first time, but he couldn't pinpoint it.

Until now, he was hoping to find that sparkle he found when they first met, but it was just for naught.

He learned no substantial pieces of information about him, but he felt attracted to him as if the young man had something he desired the most, but he couldn't figure it out.

The young man in his slim body, opened his eyes beaming with enjoyment from his first lesson as he admired his teacher upon execution of straight stances, careful and precise thrust and swing of the sword as if he was in his youthful period.

Just a certain distance away from them was a middle-aged man comfortably sitting at his chair occasionally sipping his wine. His broad smile seemed not to diminish and will not diminish even if news of the end of the world was delivered to him. He was already thru that ordeal when his sons almost died, but thanks to the 12 Almighties, his sons were alive, better than before. His sons were his only bane.

An attendant approached him but hesitantly delivered the news afraid he might ruin the good mood of his highlord, "The commander survived at the Auster, your lord. Now, he is staying at a hotel with the esteemed guests."

That was news that can ruin any man's great mood, but Homobono was different. His amiable smile told the attendant to speak what he was intending to say as he didn't leave soon. The attendant parted his lips in obeisance, "Young master Bien is asking for your presence. He is with the esteemed guest, Physician Clio."

Clio has no idea that they already named her physician.

Homobono nodded, "Lead them here."

The attendant moved backward, fist on his chest and head was down. He slowly vanished at his sight. Homobono continued to watch a wondrous play over his eyes. His son, frail for all those years, was now broadly smiling as he crudely swung his sword with the command of Pepin.

After a while, Bien and Clio emerged at the garden, approaching him.

Homobono offered her a seat while Bien found a seat for himself.

Bien heard a clashing of metal, clearly from swords. He searched for its origin and found out who was sparing who. His mouth agape as he watched his brother crudely swung his sword and obviously panting.

Homobono noticed his reaction. He explained, "He insisted on doing it when he woke up telling me he felt a strong energy and he needed to do something to use it up."

The father and son noticed Clio's indifference, whose apathetic eyes were fixated on the duo. Homobono felt horror at it, so he gathered his courage and asked, "Is there something wrong?" He was afraid that letting his son do such arduous work after just being healed was the root of her indifference.

Bein unconsciously gulped as he tried to calm her down, "Aaron might not know how healing works. I can talk to him if you wish so."

Clio shook her head. She picked up a fork which the duo thought she didn't mind Aaron's action at all. She really did not because the matter that was bothering her was not Aaron. Clio raised her hand with the fork and swiftly threw it towards the teacher of Aaron.

Homobono and Bien were surprised and it was too late to stop her. The fork flew towards the old man in visible speed, but if it hit him, it would surely strike his neck. Such precision surprised the duo and feared for Pepin.

Bien's mind was swirling with questions. When did she learn to heal? Why is she there at the battle site? How did she tame those beasts? And how could she exercise such strength?

"Look!" Homobono wished that it wasn't too late to warn Pepin.

As sounds traveled faster than the flying fork of Clio, Homobono succeeded in warning Pepin.

The old man's attention was caught by Homobono as his sight caught the sight of the flying fork aiming at his neck. His eyes flushed valiancy. He swung his sword to deflect it saving his neck from the wound but it left vibration at his sword to his hand. It frightened him but as a veteran warrior, he was good at hiding his fear. Whoever threw it wanted his life for sure, but how bold can he be? That strength was not something he had experienced as far as he could remember.

Aaron was dumbfounded at his master's action but soon found out why. A fork was lying on the ground, broken into two. His master's next action frightened him even more.

Through the exact projection of the fork, he found its origin. A young lady crossing her hands under her chest as her face decorating pompous looks. He squinted, eyes full of disdain. For all the fights he had seen, the most despicable and abominable one was a sneak attack. He threw his sword at a speed of a master level, but to his surprise, it flew at a great speed that he hadn't exercised before.

Bien froze, unable to digest what was happening, but Homobono swung his sword to deflect it but to his dismay, it was unable to stop the sword. His sword was thrown sideways when it hit the incoming sword and it left vibration at his hand. The sword came rushing at Clio and all he could do was to follow it with his wide eyes. They haven't yet digested Clio's earlier action and Pepin added it.

When the sword was just a hand distance over her eyes, Clio avoided it by slightly shifting sideways.

The sword struck at the wooden wall.

Pepin fumingly approached her ready for a fight. He asked, "What is wrong with you, young lady?"

Clio squinted as she pointed her pointing finger directly at his face, nagging him with her apathetic mien, "You really sneak out again. Stars! You humans, how can you not be satisfied with our blessings?"

Pepin tilted his head in confusion. He was already confused by his sudden strength, the sudden attack, and now the sudden outburst of a lady he had just met? He thought of rebuttal but soon noticed the presence of the two honorable men next to her. He immediately bowed in shame. "I'm sorry your lord and young master Bien. I have committed a sinuous crime throwing my sword near you. Please spare my life and exalt me instead."

Aaron followed him and had just noticed the presence of the three. He was absorbed at his training all the time. His face flushed red thinking all the ruckus was because of his sudden training.

Clio puffed air in disagreement, "Exalt? No way! Death is befitting to you."

The trio couldn't believe that it was coming from her, who always saves lives since meeting her.

Homobono raised his hand to stop their argument, "Master Pepin, you know that your life is not mine to decide, but I will not speak about this matter to them. Young lady Clio please speaks no ill of him. He was nothing but a good man."

"I know that is why I want him dead, right now, right here." Clio insisted.

The four humans couldn't find a word to rebut. They let silence rule the surroundings.

Pepin clicked his tongue. He raised the corner of his lips to his right cheek as he turned around perceiving that their conversation will not end decently. He waved his hand to Aaron to follow him, and he started teaching him once again.

'That young lady couldn't wait for my funeral at all.' He was old, and he knew that his days were already counted. But being brutally harassed with that matter was something that hit him hard.

Clio decided not to interfere once more.

After a moment, Homobono diverted the matter to their purpose of coming.

Bien was the one to explain her plan of going west.

Homobono already knew half of it.

As they spoke, Pepin continued to teach Aaron again, sometimes glancing at Clio in high guard.

"Oh! You wanted to continue seeking knowledge of medicine." Homobono summed up.

Clio shook her head, "I'm afraid you misunderstood your lord. I want to impart my knowledge, not to seek knowledge."

Homobono and Bien simultaneously stared at her, then at each other, and then at her again. Bien also thought she was going there to pursue knowledge. 'I think I need to modify my judgement of her.' Yes, she was young but she was able to save their lives and bring back his brother's health and used a fork as a deadly weapon. Bien winced thinking about all her character. 'What's more she has under her sleeves?'

Homobono chuckled, pleased! "You are a good young lady, magnanimous and benevolent. I will write an endorsement letter to let you be admitted as a teacher without much problem."

He rubbed his neatly combed hair, "But beware to wolves in sheep's clothing, young lady. The academy is surrounded with that kind of humans."

Bien on the side twisted his lips. If his father just knew who the wolves really were.

Clio simply replied, "I will keep that in mind, your lord. But you don't have anything to worry about. As long as they aren't outsiders, I will be able to tame it."

'Outsiders?' Bien was being unreasonable to his thinking as she spoke. For all the times he was with her, she had been speaking differently and indifferently. It was like she was talking in a mysterious way but transparent, but whatever discernment he did, he couldn't figure her out.

To ease her feelings about Giles, she decided to talk about it. "Your lord, how do you find it - me with that commander?"

Homobono already thought about it overnight whilst personally guarding his son in his sleep. When Aaron woke up in good mood and health, it also lit up his disposition not caring about petty matters anymore. He was in his right mind, so he commented befitting to a highlord, "It is a discomfort of mine to just free a commander of my opponent, especially I did the act without consulting the higher ups. That is for sure not willing to take the risk just because of my gratitude to you, young lady. Even if I assure them that you mean no harm, his appearance betrays it.

"The truth is, I am adamant to know if you have thoughts of bringing him back to his kingdom."

Clio nodded instantly but Giles needed to. His stone was sure in his own territory.

Homobono felt deep thoughts. Bien's mind drifted to the possibility of Giles' return. There was a big probability that his side would fight again against them.

"That is not mine to decide now, since I already handed him over to you. I will be honest, young lady. If he returns, there is a chance he will stand again against ours and I'm not sure what will happen next."

Clio leaned on the table. Her eyes were at the two sparing humans. "This is what I'm going to assure you. His return is the beginning of a new era."

Homobono found her words fleeting in his ears. He followed her gaze and ruminated, "I hope so, young lady. I'm worn out from these petty battles already."

Bien looked him in the eyes and found a hint of sadness. He followed his gaze towards the sparing two too.

Homobono started a light conversation, "Pepin is going to the academy too. He is a guest teacher there, if you might ask. I am thinking of admitting these two sons of mine, what do you think?"

Bien disapproved. "Father, I'm too old for the academy, but Aaron is just at the right age at his late teenager."

Homobono looked askance at him.

Clio patted his shoulder, "There is always room for learning, young man. Learning has no death and it is eternity."

Homobono chuckled, "Your wisdom spoke for your qualifications more than I think. You didn't cease to impress me, young lady."

Clio received his compliment with a nod.

"If I may ask again, can they study under your tutelage?"

Clio blurted out, "I can't." She wasn't going to stay there for long after all.

"What can I do to change your mind?"

Clio just shrugged. "I can't take them, but I can give them pointers if you truly wish."

Homobono beamingly smiled. "I don't know how to return the favor anymore. You have done so much for my family, but all I did was to attend to your needs. So, I hope you tell me your needs often."

Clio nodded.

"Is there anyone who wants to ask my opinion, for all I care, I don't want to study there." Bien refuted again on the side.

"Well, you can be taught even without attending class. Just be an attendant under Clio and you will be taught."

Bien heaved a sigh of relief, "That can be arranged."

"When are you going to set off?" Homobono wanted to be prepared when his two sons left him again but Clio seemed not to understand his intention not giving him a chance of admiration for his sons.

"Tomorrow your lord," she simply answered.

Homobono sighed, "Seems like I'm going to have a soiree alone."

⨳ ⨳ ⨳

When everyone dispersed, Pepin approached his sword that was stuck at the wall. His mind drifted as to how he did that precisely, as if his body recognized that action and the young lady deflected it perfectly.

He pulled his sword out.

⨳ ⨳ ⨳

Ostir, as well as his classmates, silently followed their teacher towards a specific room they had not yet intruded on as it was not even known to them. They walked at the farther end of a hallway dividing the upper and lower level of class where a wooden lattice was waiting to be open.

The fragrance of herbs whiffed their noses and it went thicker as they approached the door. Above the lattice was a sign board saying, 'Physician's Garden'. The teacher pushed the wooden lattice with his two hands and glimmering healthy herbs greeted their sights.

The teacher led them to one of the tables around a cluster of flowery herbs where pots with soil - but seemingly deprived from life - were arranged. He signaled his students to gather around the table as he continued his instructions, "A physician should also know how to grow a plant. These pots were planted with the same seeds of herb. Pick one and take care of it. You will be graded according to how healthy you make it grow."

The students picked up pots nearer to them as they all looked exactly the same.

The teacher went on to his discussion and as before, his students were eagerly listening to him. After who knows how many hours that had passed, he dismissed his class whose feet were cramped from too long of standing and he seemed not to notice earlier. "We will resume our class after lunch."

The students dispersed in their usual manner leaving Yamea behind.

Ostir wearily arrived at the canteen thinking only of food. He ordered the same food he had been eating since his first admission. The smell of the familiar food had not failed to entice him over and over again. His eyes were so fixated on the food that he hadn't noticed his missing bag until the urge to pay his bill drove his attention to it.

"Forgot!?" he blurted. Since he doesn't have money to pay for his bills, he was shoved by the attendant on the cashier because he was cramping the line. He was already weary from standing all morning and walking that far. Now, he was going back and forth because he forgot his back. He couldn't help but lampooned as he trudged back to the garden.

Most of the students were in the canteen or in their rooms as it was break time, so the main hallway wasn't that crowded earlier when they were dismissed. He arrived in front of the door before he knew it. He was going to push it when it suddenly cracked open and a familiar senior emerged whose face turned ashen when he saw him standing still and seemed surprised at his presence.

His senior was wearing the same cut of gown from his but with green linen and his crest was solid gold.

"Senior Pavel-" the senior scurried away, not giving him a time to show his respect. He tilted his head in confusion as his eyes followed the senior. He fetched his bag that was lying under the table and dashed towards the canteen afraid that it would close.

Their afternoon began inside the 'Physician Garden' and as before, they didn't have any stool.

The teacher picked an herb behind him and placed it on the table. He went on describing the plant when unknown to him, a smoke rose from behind.

"Ah, sir!?" Ostir interrupted him as he pointed out what he was seeing. His classmates were so engrossed in the discussion that they were only able to notice it upon his reminder.

The teacher looked back when suddenly an explosion took place sending everything around from that spot flying and tumbling away including them.

The surrounding became suddenly silent as his eyes were blurred. Ostir crawled aiming at the door but he just couldn't figure out where it could be as he fought against thick smoke. He coughed violently, unable to ward off the smokes whenever he inhaled. His head was aching as his vision started to swirl. Out of nowhere, someone grabbed his back. As fear reigned over him, he tried to struggle but soon stopped when a familiar voice whispered in his ear, "This way."

It was Sofer who helped him get out from that hellish smoke where he found his other classmates sitting next to the wall, coughing as he was.

He was dropped next to Ameril who was being tended by Yamea. He was going to say his thanks but before he could open his mouth, Sofer hurried back to the garden that surprised him. He thought of stopping him but Sofer's figure vanished on the smokes before he could even utter a word.

He scanned everyone trying to figure out why he returned inside. He bit his lower lip because of the ache from his head. His sore eyes hadn't seen the figure of their teacher.

"Oh! No!" His horrified eyes went back to the smoke coming from inside the garden hoping two figures would emerge soon. He tried to keep up his consciousness but he failed. Before he knew it, he lost consciousness.