Chapter 3 - Training begins

  Jared wakes up to a bright morning. He's very excited for training. But also a bit scared he never held a sword in his hand before. He starts with breakfast and starts working on cleaning duty.

  Jared " ahhh.. it's already lunch time."

  After being done with lunch Jared immediately sets of towards the Oasis.

  He runs and skils happily along the way with a small wooden sword swinging by his side. After reaching the Oasis, he finds himself alone. He becomes a bit sad. "So, they aren't here yet. I hope they come before I get to leave. Meanwhile I should start practicing."

  Jared starts his training with his sloppy posture and loose swings. Yet there is soo much passion.

  Suddenly from behind someone jumps on his back..

  " Aahhh, it hurts. Who is it?" Jared screams.

  Gret " Maul that was uncalled for. You shouldn't attack from behind."

  Maul " I was told that most unpredictable attacks happen from your back, so you need to have eyes on your back as well."

  Jared " Still that hurts. You made zero sound and jumped on my back."

  Maul "It's fine. It will heal. Jared you are very frail. Before we can train your sword you need to train your body."

  Jared "ammm. I don't know how to do that. Can you help me?"

  Gret "Teach me too"

  Maul "Okay, from today call me your master."

  Gret eyerolls Mauls "fine I'll do it, if it means I'll get better."

  Jared "I am in too."

  Maul "Okay I'll tell you exactly how my father made me train everyday. First we need to run 2 miles daily. Then some pushups to train upper body. Okay so let's get right to it. Run to northern gate and come back, that should be around 2 miles."

  Gret " Northern gate? It's very far. Just reaching there would be equal to 2 miles. Then returning would put us to 3 miles."

  Jared " It would be 4miles total Gret not 3. 2 miles to go and 2 miles to come back."

  Gret "Oohh, you are very smart Jared. I wouldn't have thought of it that way."

  Jared " thanks. Maul it would take too much time. I think we should just go to eastern gate, that's a lot closer and it would be about 2 miles for a round trip."

  Maul " hmmmm, okay I approve it. But remember you need to be running the entire way."

  Both " okay, let's start then."

  Jared and Gret starts running but Maul is still sitting on a boulder. He isn't interested in running again after he already ran in the morning.

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  Jared and Gret both get tired as soon as they leave the Oasis. They aren't used to this kind of training. They start gasping for air. Their speed is reduced but they still go for it. Finally make it to the eastern gate. And turn back.

  Some time later they return and immediately fell on the ground panting excessively.

  Maul " You guys are really weak. See you need to get stamina to run. Here have some water."

  Gret "I can't do this everyday. Running 2 miles everyday is too much"

  Maul " actually 2 miles is just starting point. I run all across the town daily. It's about 6 miles."

  Jared admiring " Maul you are great. That's why you are soo strong. I'll run 2 miles everyday."

  Maul " Good, good. Then shall we begin with pushups?"

  Gret and Jared both are visibly exhausted.

  Maul "ammm. I think we need to wind up here, anymore and you guys will die."

  Gret " Agreed. I am already half dead. Let's continue tomorrow."

  Jared " yeah let's do that.

  After sitting around resting for a few minutes they all depart back to the city.

  Jared goes to orphanage before going back to military camp to meet with Kahl. Jared finds Kahl playing around with a few kids from the orphanage.

  Jared " Hey Kahl"

  Kahl" Brother Jared, You are here."

  Jared "How are you? Seems like you made new friends. I am very happy for you."

  Kahl "i made many friends, everyone is my friend here. But I still miss mom. Brother did you find mom?"

  Jareds eyes starts to water. " Not yet Kahl, I need to get stronger, so I can get her back."

  Kahl "You are already very strong brother. Please get mom back soon."

  Jared " I promise I'll. Now u can go and play.

  Kahl "Okay. Byee."

  Jared starts to weep and mumbles to himself, " I need to get strong very soon."

  Come evening, sun has almost set. Jared reaches the camp. He's immediately summoned by General Dali. And he goes right away.

  General "Anna is awake now."

  Jared "that's great news general I'll go meet her soon."

  General " She won't meet you."

  Jared " Why, what's wrong general?"

  General "Jared, you need to be honest here. Who exactly are you?"

  Jared "what do you mean by that? I am Jared."

  General "Anna says the village was attacked because of you. They all died protecting you."

  Hearing this Jared is shocked.

  General Dali " Jared be honest with me, who exactly are you. Who's your father?"

  Jared crying" gen.. general, I don't know my father. My mom said he was a bad man and we ran away from him a few years ago."

  General " Where did you stay before coming to the village?"

  Jared " me mom and Kahl all used to live in a large mansion. But we ran away. I remember that day."

  General" Jared you are from Kingdom of Hosam and your mother was a refugee we took in years ago. That time it was peaceful and there were no hostilities. I think you are of noble birth. That's why they came to get you back and attacked the village."

  Jared "What? Everyone died because of me?

  General "Now don't be soo hard on yourself. It's not your fault. You are just a boy."

  Jared starts to cry.

  General "You need to pick yourself up and serve this nation now. I'll help you get your mother back. But you can't leave the city for now."

  Jared "I can't leave?"

  General " I have orders from above."

  Jared is sad and crying but is told to leave and so he does.

  Vice general "What do we do now General? you know his father won't sit still."

  General "Yeah, Can't believe they are the sons of the Duke of gual. This is going to be a mess."

  Vice general Husdam " the Duke, is currently gathering men and arming them well. He's right across the border. If he tries attacks we can't survive without kingdoms help."

  General "That's why his sons are important to us. Keep an eye on them entire time. Don't let them slip. I don't like to say it but they are like our hostages now. We can't let them leave the city."

  Husdam "Yes sir."

  To be continued