CHAPTER 10

KLEIN POV

"Get down! Run! Hide quickly!", Uncle Leil urges me. I dismounted and I run inside the forest while he continues to ride his horse. I could hear sounds of hooves coming towards my direction and it is getting louder and louder. I saw a cave hidden amongst bushes behind a big tree and hide inside it, and then I heard it, the scream of a horse, the sound of it falling down. I heard commotions, hurried footsteps coming from all directions looking. I held my breath, not willing to let any sounds betrayed where I am and then it starts fading, the footsteps are getting farther and farther away, I could hear them mounting their horses until there is no sound. I walk out of the cave and run, looking for any sign of Uncle Leil, and I found him, right beside the wounded horse, lying with blood. I ran as fast as I could to him. He is no longer moving, I tried to wake him up to no avail. I am losing hope. I could barely feel my tears falling down because I am feeling numb. If I hadn't live with them, this wouldn't have happened.

"Uncle Leil, please, please wake up!, I said desperately. He is a very important person to me.

I suddenly feel a movement, his hands have touched mine and he slowly opened his eyes.

"Uncle Leil!, I said happily, knowing that there is still hope that he could live.

Uncle Leil struggled to pulled something. I try to stop him as he is losing blood at a faster rate but he insisted on doing it. He had gotten it at strenuous effort and he handed it to me. It was a badge and documents that I don't bothered to look at, my hands are at his wounds trying to stop the blood but he insisted. He used a lot of strength to hold my wrist, to urged me to get it at the cost of further blood lost. I took it as fast as I could to go back to stopping the blood but Uncle Leil continued to hold my wrist still.

"Klein," he said looking intently to me "that should be your name now. Don't ever let anyone discover your real name. Understood? No, not until you can already fight. Go to eighth, live there. I have hope that you will be where you should be.

The sound of hooves are getting nearer again, I could feel Uncle Leil squeeze my hand, signaling me that I should go. We both know that he could no longer make it. I took one last look at him, and he smile at me but I could see sadness and resolution in his eyes. It took all of my strength to stand but I know everything will be in vain if I stay here.

I woke up with a start. It was a dream albeit a real one. A recount of my past. I stand, no longer in any mood to sleep. It was still dawn, I walk outside to breath a fresh air and climb a tree to rest there. My mind is still on the dream, my past. Replaying what had happened years ago. Soon the sun starts to rise but I haven't realized it, too lost in my mind when I heard something. A melody. I look down and that's when I see Lady Jane. She was gliding along the flowers and humming. She has a good voice and the more I listen to her, the more my mood changes for the better. It feels like looking at a painting, her in the middle of the garden humming, like the garden was made for her. I admit Lady Jane is aesthetically beautiful, she could easily hook the soul of the weak men. She looks so precious, so fragile, the kind that can urge you to protect her no matter what. I usually seen her in battle gear or training dresses that I had not notice this side of her. She might have a chance to win this selection and the probability of her being chosen by Prince Jasper is also really high.

JANE POV

I wake up feeling really refreshed. I opened the window and saw the flowers in the backyard like it is inviting me to join them. Fine, I'll go there, if there is one thing I have learn, it is to find enjoyment as long as you can. Joy. It is as very precious.

The flowers are more beautiful at closer look. The ambiance was so great that soon after, I was singing and gliding with the flowers. It is when Sir Thomas make an appearance.

"Lady Jane, it seems like you are so happy today, Sir Thomas said with a smile.

"Sir Thomas!, aren't the flowers so beautiful? Did I wake you up?, I am sorry, I shouldn't have sing too much!", I said.

"No, not at all, you have a nice voice. We are actually here to listen, but unfortunately we need to get moving", said Sir Thomas.

"We?" I asked wondering who is listening? I look around and saw an unfamiliar man looking at our direction, leaning in a tree. He is a masculine one and an aura of authority is surrounding him.

"Klein, Moore and I", answered Sir Thomas.

"Klein?" he is my attendant?, I asked aghast. Klein is undoubtedly a resident of eighth

"Yes, sorry I have not tell you. Your attendant would be Klein", Sir Thomas said.

I look around again, but I could not find him, instead I found Moore. "Sir, Moore could have been fitter for the role than Klein", I said however even as I said this, I remember that day in the forest and I think that he may have some skills but things may not look good if we are in the same team. Not to mention that he is lacking in a lot of things!

Sir Thomas laughed at me and said, "You shouldn't judged Klein based on his appearance, he'll surprise you one day. As for Moore, he is the one I said who is not level eighth resident. He just tagged along with us".

My mood had gotten sour knowing that the probability of me winning may be impossible. I take a look around again but I couldn't find him. There is nothing I could do with it, me coming from the eighth, I shouldn't expect quality but I couldn't help feeling upset. I nodded to Sir Thomas and followed him back. I am still upset until it was time for us to continue the journey. I was waiting for him, to talk about him being my attendant, I will train him if need be. I heard footsteps knowing it was him, as he is the only not yet here, I raised my head and I finally saw him but I got surprised and have not been able to say a single word for a moment. My tounge is somehow stuck. The Klein I saw is different from the one I used to see him, though I don't usually seen him often. However, everytime I saw him, he usually had his hair covered with mud, and sticking out everywhere. His clothes were baggy and dirty. His face was also not an exception. It is most of the times had bruises and swollen, but it is always dirty. However, now, his face is free from swelling and bruises, except from the cut in his left eyebrow. He had his hair combed back, and he has a chiseled face. The clothes his wearing are now appropriate and it has suited him well.

Klein raised his eyebrow at me and I realized that I had stare too much. I am hoping, that I have not blushed. I cleared my throat and turned to enter my carriage without words.