Noah
I wasn't so convinced about Alex. How did he know about the contest? Is it well known amongst everyone? Why did he offer to help us? It's mind baffling but then again, I want to go for it. Maybe the Gods are on our side. I smiled at the thought. If it be so, then I'll put in all the best I can to win.
"That was really great. Now we have someone who would train us better" Caleb said with so much excitement as we walked back home.
"We still don't know who He really is and his intentions." I said deliberately adding caution to Caleb's free spirited nature
"Does it matter? He's going to help us and that's what matters. The Gods are on our side" He smiled and patted my shoulder.
I smiled and threw my arms around him as we returned home.
Alex
In twenty years since I was coronated as King, I have never felt this happy within. It felt like old times, the times with Mia. Mia. I had hope and had faith that very soon everything would be as I had always wanted it to be. I should have made actions earlier. This I know now, I should have done earlier.
He looked just like me. The smile on my face refused to seize. Indeed I am happy and I could not wait for the next day to arrive. I longed to see him again.
"This smile... It's been long since I last saw it" Clint smiled. "You're happy" He said
"I am Clint. I really am. I closed myself up for too long and clouded by the fog of my mistakes. I couldn't forgive myself but seeing him, gives me every reason to try again. He's my hope." I said realizing that tears had dropped from my eyes.
I am free. The tears flowed from my eyes like a stream. Clint came closer to me and hugged me.
Thank you Clint, Thank you for being there for me. For staying by my side. For being my best friend.
***
Mia
"You're going out again?" I asked with worry
"Yes mother. I have to practice for the contest" He said hurriedly as though he had to catch up with someone. Caleb maybe
"Won't you wait to eat? I'm sure Caleb can wait" I said as I held the bowl of soup.
"No mother I can't. Caleb already left and I wouldn't want to keep Alex waiting" he kissed me.
What! Alex? No it can't be the same Alex. It has to be a coincidence.
"Mother? Are you okay? You look confused" He ask with worry.
"This Alex... How.. How does he look like?" I asked with tears already in my eyes
"He's...um...He's somewhat elderly, like your age. He's auburn haired has blue eyes and tall." He described.
The plate in my hand fell as I sank to the floor. After so many years, I knew he would come back. He came back.
"Mother!" He kneeled to support me by shoulder.
I looked at him and couldn't hold the tears in my eyes.
"Hurry son, don't keep him waiting. I'll be here" I smiled.
"No I'm not leaving you" He said.
I have to be strong. I shouldn't break down this way. I took his hands away from my shoulder and got up from the floor.
"Go my son. You have a contest to prepare for" I smiled.
"Mother" he called.
"Go now" I pushed him slightly as I walked inside to avoid him seeing my teary eyes.
I know he'll be confused and want to know more. He'll find out eventually.... that Alex is his Father. The King of Scotland.
Noah
Mother's stance had me confused. Who is Alex to her? Had he done something to her in the past? Ugh! These many questions and I can't answer them. I left to where the others were.
"Why did you take so much time?" Caleb questioned as I arrived.
"I had to deal with something" I said with rage all over my face.
I wasn't happy. And especially because Alex had something to do with my mother.
He had worry on his face as we made eye contact. I didn't hate him but his presence had a lot of questions to me and I couldn't have an answer.
No I need to focus. The contest is most important now. I will address the rest later.
"I apologize for my late coming. My mother was unwell and I had to run some errands for her" I lied.
"What!" He said with shock but quickly regained his posture. "Is....is she better now?" He asked with concern
"Yes, she's getting better" I said.
"Alright then" he smiled. "Let's begin today's lesson." He added as he drew out a real sword.
My mind snapped back to the reality of the training.
Clint tossed a sword to Caleb and I and we watched Alex as he trained us.
"The first thing to realize in a battlefield is the state of your mind. It is in fact the most critical weapon you have and without it, you can die." He said sternly as he paced. "Your mind builds your focus, your concentration, your reaction, and mostly your defense. If you lack these basics, you're not ready to be a warrior. So our first lesson would be mind training"
"What is the state of your mind?" He looked at me
Anger
"You can't have a mind of Anger and except to win, you would only be filled with a push to attack without defense or tactics. You need to think" he said without blinking.
He moved to Caleb
"You need to be firm and strong in your heart. The ability to face challenges that come your way, they are not greater than you." He smiled.
How....He's good. I smiled.
"The state of your mind must always be peace. Even in the midst of the war, your mind must be at peace. To be able to think, to reason and walk with them" he said. "Once your mind is in that state. You're good to go" he smiled as he lifted his sword and without further words he launched at us.
Defense
My sword blocked his and he smiled. Was he impressed? Swiftly he withdrew himself and launched at me once again. I took careful steps back as he got closer.
Peace of mind would guide my way.
My sword hit his as I began to gain confidence. I kicked his leg as he lost his grip shortly but he was so swift to regaining stamina. He swirled and quickly he was behind me.
He's fast.
I turned sharply to attack but his sword met my neck.
"Wrong move" he smiled.
Panting heavily, I was ready to learn everything he had to teach.
With Caleb and I, he taught and made us understand all that we needed to for that day.
â â â
"One more beer" Clint roared and we laughed.
We dined after practice at a local inn. Alex chose to treat us well after a good practice. I knew I still had a lot to learn with him now in the picture. He had a lot and he is very skilled. But why? Why did he choose to teach us?
"Is there something you want to say to me Noah?" He caught me starting at him.
I adjusted my poise to avoid looking awkward.
"No..nothing." I blurted.
Silence filled our table as though they all somehow knew I wasn't telling the truth.
"I was just wondering why...why you chose to train Caleb and I. There's nothing we have to offer you. We're just mere peasants" I said truthfully.
He smiled. "Seeing you alone is more than enough" he said.
What did he mean?
"Alright young lads, we have to leave now. Duty calls" he added quickly as he stood up with Clint "Tomorrow" he added and smiled as he left.
I really needed answers.
"He seems to be really interested in you" Caleb said.
"I know. But why?" I asked
"I have no answer to that?" He chuckled. "He must really like you"
"We should go home" I sighed.
"Not until I'm done with this chicken" he rushed and I laughed.
Francis
"Good day Father" I bowed as I entered his Chamber
"Hello son" He stopped reading.
"I am here to request something from you Father"
"And that would be?" he asked curiously
"I want to be part of the contest" I bowed quickly.
"Hmm why? It's not designed for royalty. It's simply for those who desire to be part of the palace soldiers" he said.
"I know Father. What good would it be if we have faults in our soldiers and they are not able to defend our kingdom?"
"Make yourself clear" he said.
"I want to make the final decision for any mere person coming into the palace as a soldier" I said clearly.
"My judgements are not good enough?" He asked
"I don't mean to say that Father, I just desire for us to have better. You can trust me with this activity Father."
"I will think about it son. Me being the king already covers that position. But you being my son, I shall have our discussion considered." he stated
I felt my fist tighten. Am I really His son? I feel mistreated. There is never a time we have had a fatherly son conversation. It's always neutral like an ordinary person. Am I even the next heir? All my life, I try to please him but all I feel within is nothing but distance.
Mia
"Mother, Alex is back" I said as I caressed her hair.
She was silent and sighed peacefully.
"Fate has it's way of returning things back to normal" she said. "Don't run away from it, even if it hurts badly"
I heard the door to our home open
He's back
"My son" I called
"Mother" he embraced me "how are you feeling now?" He asked
"I'm better my son. I said
"Grandmother, I hope you're well" he asked
"Ever better beloved" she smiled.
"How did your training go?" I asked him with curiosity
"Very well. Alex has very interesting martial art skills and with his training, I'm bound to win the contest" he said joyfully.
I was happy with his progress. I was satisfied. At last the unity I yearned for as finally come. Eventually and gradually he would know who Alex really is.
"I'm really happy to hear that my son" I supported.
"But mother, why does he seem to have so much interest in me? And it seems to me that you know him and he does as well." He looked at me
My heart could not stop panting. Was I to just tell him that Alex is his Father?
"Is he someone you know?" He asked
I paused "Yes. I know him. He was a good person to me, a very long time ago. Someone I hoped to get married to..." I smiled at him
Telling him now that Alex is his father would do him no good. He'll find out after the contest. By then, I'll tell him the truth.
"Is there something I need to know mother?" He asked anticipating "Is Alex my....my father?
Mother chuckled to clear the tension around us
"Oh Noah, you desire so much to see your Father. You'll see him soon, for now focus on the contest and stop having your head in the clouds" she smiled
He looked disappointed hoping to have some questions answered.
"Alright Grandmother. Good night mother" He said as he left
This is better and safer. Alex will show who He really is.