Fresh Bloods (1)

"Is that true, Grandfather? I can face anyone with this sword?"

He asked his grandfather as he swung his sword harder and harder. Even though he could feel the strain on his muscles because of the pain that he is feeling, he continues to persevere. Then he thought to himself as he asked that question.

"To get stronger than I can help my father fight those enemies of our family. I can help my father to be a Baron Heir. I can be a better ruler than anyone"

He looks up to the sky where he could see the birds free flying towards the direction of the south where they were migrating. Then his grandfather answered his question.

"If you get stronger than you can face anyone, but remember, power comes with great responsibility. I know you are still young, but maturing and guiding you early is the bed choice for a young boy who has a lot of potential."

His grandfather continues to teach James how to hold a sword. Teaching with the basics from what his grandfather has learned from the past. They practiced seriously, but even though they are doing it like that.

James is still a young boy that needs to be trained slowly. His grandfather knows that, but because of the eagerness to make his grandson much more compatible with the manifestation. He will take care of him as he grows.

1 hour has passed since they started their training early. His grandfather sits on his chair near the field where he can see his crops. The well-known Bismark clan said to be the sword master of the Era of the Golden Kings. Those kings who wanted to feel they are secure they hire the Bismark Clan to be one of the Royal Burning Guards back in the day.

He looked at James and said while he sat on the chair.

"Okay, you can take your rest now and go to your mother and help her. That is for today, you have done excellent. Tomorrow we will do your strength in endurance. Do you understand James?"

With his calm tone of voice, he asked his grandson while his eyes were gazing at James. After that, James nodded and put down his steel sword. Then he replied in a soft, calm tone.

"I understand grandfather, I will follow your instructions and go with my mother and help her. But I still wanted to learn more. Don't worry, father, I am still eager to learn your ways!."

When he ended his sentences, he smiled and the excitement on his face. James walks back to their house. When he entered the house, he saw his mother near the kitchen preparing for their dinner.

"Mother, do you need some help with preparing the food?"

His soft gentle voice made his mother turn around and smile, touching his face. And she replied warmly.

"Of Course my lovely son, help me cut these vegetables on the chopping board. After that, you put it inside of that pot over there so it would cook."

"Okay mother, I got you. I can do that!"

His jolly expression at the start of their chore is exciting. But as time goes James feels something weird inside of him. He felt like there was something lacking that he wanted to fill, but he could not. Luckily, he finished cutting the vegetables. As he already slides it inside of the boiling pot of soup.

When he returned to wash the dish that he used earlier while cutting the vegetables. He stopped briefly from washing the dishes. Then he looked at his mother, who was cooking porridge beside the soup.

"Mother, I miss my father. When will we return to the castle, mother?"

Her mother stopped when she was about to grab the bowl that she was about to place on the table. Then she turned to his son and placed the bowl on the counter near her side. And said with a warm tone of voice.

"I am sorry, honey, but I don't think that I will leave this place. And returning to the castle. That is because your father has something in mind. For now, let's help your grandmother and grandfather."

While saying those words, she looked at James and touched his shoulder. And then his face and she smiled while looking straight into his eyes. She knows the answer she gave is not enough. Even though that was the problem, James nodded and continued to do what he was doing.

***

The CD squad has arrived at the 2nd camp, which is nicknamed as the new blood camp. Where new recruits have entered the commando training. The recruits are simple workers like laborers, blacksmiths, artisans, and merchants that were robbed by soldiers of the empire. The march stopped and their squad leader turned to them and said with an authoritative voice.

"All of you take rest, while each vice comes with me. Because we are going to be planning what we are going to do with the fresh bloods."

On the far side of the camp, the fresh bloods sees the commandos battered by battle. They also heard the raid of the camp of the enemy. And they also have a feeling of eagerness to be trained as a commando. Then one of the blacksmith's bragging said.

"The training for me will be as easy as walking on a simple path. Because with my strength alone, I can take on any of those imperial soldiers. Imagine with these muscles of mine"

He shortens his sleeves and shows his muscles on his biceps to the other fresh recruits of the commando unit. Some got intimidated by his words and some laborers ignored his brag. Because they are too humble to show their muscles.

Then the squad leader of the CD stands beside them. While the fresh recruits were laughing and having fun because they arrived 1 hour early from the commandos.

"There seems to be a happy gathering here for recruits. May you guys invite me so that I can enjoy it too?"

His rough tone of voice, when heard each of the fresh recruits shut their mouths. Because when they turn their heads to the squad leader. They see an increase of aura that comes out that keeps them suppressed down. Then one vice of the squad leader shouted at the fresh recruits.

"YOU MONKEYS! WHY ARE YOU NOT STANDIN-G UP! ARE YOU A SENIOR OFFICER STAND UP MONKEY!"

Another shout followed it from other vices as they began the reception for the fresh batch of new recruits. The vices formed the recruits in a square formation, a 7 by 5 formation where the taller recruit is at the far left side. Then each of the new recruits started their exercises. First, they receive an order to do jumping jacks while the other recruits receive an order to crawl into the mud.

"SHOUT IT LOUDER I CANNOT HEAR YOUR DAMN ANSWER RECRUIT! ARE YOU GOING TO QUIT? ARE YOU?"

"THE TRAINING HAS JUST STARTED AND YOU ARE GETTING WEAK ARE YOU REALLY SUITED TO BECOME A COMMANDO? OR YOU JUST WANT TO BRAG YOUR MUSCLES!"

A vice saw a recruit decreased his momentum, so he shouted at the recruit.

"YES, SIR I WILL FOLLOW YOUR COMMAND SIR!"

"NO, SIR I AM NOT BRAGGING MUSCLES SIR!"

The vice keeps shouting at the recruits and keeps repeating their exercises. Until some of the new recruits collapse from their fatigue and exhaustion from their exercises.

"I NEED A MEDIC HERE SOMEONE HAS JUST COLLAPSED SOMEONE HELP ME HERE!"

The Vice called for a medic team to help him. The recruit suddenly collapses and drops to the ground.

"YOU MONKEY I CAN STILL SEE THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO RELAX THEIR MUSCLES CONTINUE YOUR EXERCISES! I WANT TO HEAR YOU MONKEY'S SCREAM!"