CHAPTER 33 - WE'LL BE LOOKING LIKE SHRIMPS.

Lucian and Nate looked so exhausted. Their breathings were ragged with audible gasps as sweat trickled down their faces. They had taken the weight and blindfold off.

Nate sat on the ground looking like he had given up.

"Arthur, can we end here? I think my bones are shattering... And am so hungry. I reckon on the day of recruitment in five years, we'll be looking like shrimps... And no girls would like us..." Nate complained almost in tears.

"Hahaha..."

Arthur laughed and Lucian shook his head, but he agreed with Nate tho... They were certainly going to look like shrimps.

"Okay, I think we will end here and continue tomorrow. You two have done quite well... We'll do a little fighting with the weighted sacks on you tomorrow. I want you to get used to it until you don't feel it at all. "

Arthur said and attempted to collect the wooden swords on the ground for the tired boys but froze. He had seen the boys fight with the swords but had not had a proper look at them. The handle of the wooden sword had a symbol he was very familiar with carved on it. Although it has been so long, there was no way he would forget that symbol. It was a symbol Andrew had created with his sister Anna. The symbol was a burning rose flower. Although it was carved very little on the wooden sword, he could still see it. Was it Andrew or Anna that carved these wooden swords or it is just a coincidence?

"Err...Arthur are you okay??" Nate asked seeing how he kept staring at the wooden swords in his hands.

"Did your Father carve these for you?..."

Arthur asked furrowing his brows.

" No, Lucian's mother did that for us, isn't she cool..." Nate responded with a grin.

" Lucian's mother? Lucian, your mother carved these?" Arthur asked facing Lucian, his expression was unreadable.

Lucian stiffened. He had become so sensitive to anything related to his mother. He didn't know why Arthur was suddenly asking, but he also knew he had no ill intentions even without reading his mind. The life force around the human soul always darkened when the said person was brooding evil.

"Yes, my mum made them... Why do you ask?"

" It has a symbol on it that an old friend of mine created. I just got curious when I saw it on the wooden sword. Who's your mother?" he asked curiously

" Ooh, she's the most beautiful woman and her meals are always delicious. And she's my favorite aunt..." Nate responded enthusiastically, even before Lucian opened his mouth.

"Really! Guess I'll have to visit her too. After all, I've been training you guys and I haven't met your parents. It will be good to show myself to them so they know am responsible for your training and also for anything that happens to you both during the training..." Arthur said, handing them the swords.

He had to see Lucian's mother if she was the one who carved these swords. It may be a clue to finding Anna. Andrew was living in the palace, there was no way he would have carved these swords. Back then he only did them because Anna loved carving out swords and toys. Ever since he was exiled he had searched for Anna but still got no clue of her whereabouts.

He was starting to think she was even dead... Lucian's mother might know something. To date, he still regretted leaving before Anna's wedding. He had been in love with Anna and had wanted to marry her, only for the king to announce her sudden mysterious marriage with another man.

Andy had told him it was Anna and Andrews' plan to marry that man a long time ago and that Andrew had never truly regarded him as a friend and Anna had never loved him, because he was not worthy of marrying a princess.

He got furious and had gone to throw a tantrum at the palace, hurting Andrew in the process which caused him to be exiled.

After leaving, he heard Anna had escaped on her way to her man and thought he had probably been wrong.

Hence, he had been searching for Anna to this date and had not had the confidence to ask Andrew what happened.

"Lucian, do you mind??" Arthur asked, he had noticed the little change of expression on his face when his mother was mentioned. Did he have a problem with his mother?? It felt like he was being cautious.

" Am okay. You can come with us to see her tomorrow..." Lucian responded calmly.

"Great, we'll go after your training tomorrow..."

Lucian and Nate got to the cottage and met Anna sitting in the parlor. Nate saw that Lucian's mother wasn't looking so good. She looked like she had been worrying over something.

Also, he wasn't seeing Grandmother Liz. He had not seen her yesterday and he wasn't seeing her today. Was everything fine here? He knew Lucian was keeping something from him. But he didn't want to force it out of him. He would wait till he brings it up himself...

Lucian realized the magic in the room had become much denser. Sooner his grandmother will be activating whatever she was planning to do. He had to inform Nate about this.

His best friend must have realized something was off and there was no way he could hide it from him either. He had wanted to prevent Nate from worrying about him...but guess he still had to know, so he will be careful of his words and the people that show up in this town...

"You both stink, I wonder what training you've been having?? Alright go wash up, I'll make your food ready..." Anna said when she saw them arrive. She wrinkled her nose and waved her hands at them to enter the bathroom.

The boys laughed and Nate dragged Lucian into the washroom.

They came back and ate the food Anna prepared for them...

"Mother..."

"Yes..."

"Our swordmaster wants to come and see you tomorrow, you don't mind right??" Lucian asked, looking up at his mother

"You have a sword master?? Who is so tired of life to teach you two?" Anna asked putting more rice in Nate's bowl.

"....."

"....."

Nate chuckled. " Well, we are the unlucky ones. He is the reason we stink and looks so exhausted when we get back... He is very evil..."

Nate said with a crunched-up face, as he suddenly remembered the weight they had been carrying the whole day.

Lucian laughed hearing what Nate said. " He's truly strict tho..., but has been very helpful. With him, we are certain we'll be recruited into the Academy. " Lucian said sounding confident.