Chapter Twelve

Five years later

Wentose

Notice to everyone

On behalf of king Xander, Ruler of all lands, all boys who are 10years and older must be taken to camp for a physical training immediately. This training is to produce the king's guard ( a group of soldiers dedicated to protect the king).

"What else do they want from us?" Arun said after reading the notice. Everyone around him were not happy either. "The king really wants to make things hard for them all. What enemies are they fighting again asides one other. He has conquered all. Why can't he leave them alone?" Arun thought. "At least we won't be able to see Luke again. He is 13 now right? He will be drafted easily" a man shouted at Arun. Arun looked the man and shook his head. "So will your son" he answered. The man wanted to throw a fist but he was blocked. Arun left the scene and headed home. "How would he convey the message to his wife and son?" He thought.

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" Megan! Megan! Where are you?" Arun shouted on getting home. "I am here. Come to the backyard" Megan shouted in response. Arun saw her cutting leaves for breakfast. " How was the meeting with the town council? " Megan asked. Arun was asked to appear before the council because Luke had been accused of stealing. Something he didn't do. Arun was able to convince them due to some black members in the council. "He was allowed to go this time. Some blacks intervened" Arun explained. "Why won't they accept him since all these years? It's been 15years" Megan said painfully. " Why is your face like that? Is there something else? " She asked. " Where is Luke?" Arun asked. " I sent him to get something for me" she said. "He can't stay with us" Arun said without looking at Megan. Megan was surprised. " Where will he go? What nonsense is this? I can't allow that" she shouted. " I want him to stay but I can't. There is a notice in town saying all boys who are 10years above to go to camp for some physical training to be the king's guard. There is nothing we can do" Arun explained. " Can't we hide him? I have no other child" Megan lamented. Arun came closer and hugged her. He didn't know what to do also. "Maybe going to camp would save Luke from all these shameful acts towards him. Maybe meeting black kids like him will encourage him" he thought and hugged his wife closer.

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"Why must I go?" Luke asked his father. "It's the king's order and we can't stop it. Besides it will be better than this place" Arun explained. "How sure are you dad? No one loves me here. Even the officials who have my skin colour don't interact with me. They think I am an abomination. I can't go" Luke protested. " You are my son. You are not an abomination. Remember you are special and nothing can stop you" Arun reassured him. Megan came closer and hugged Luke. "You are my gift from the gods" she said. Luke was not happy. He has grown to be a fine young black man but his training isn't complete.

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The boys were all gathered together and directed to their different wagons. Luke had to stay apart because the jeers from other boys were disturbing. He knew most of them. The younger ones were careful but his agemates and older ones expressed their minds. Luke waited for all of them to be taken aboard before he joined. He saw a girl being taken into another wagon. She was in a long white robe with petals around her hair. She had blue hair and her skin was yellow and tender. She was beautiful. Luke was completely drawn to her. He looked around and noticed the other boys were drawn to her too. His eyes met one of them. "Luke wants to date a yellow beauty. Your kind is hated" the boy said. Luke knew why they hated him. While growing up, he thought he was deformed but the stories from other kids and adults made him know why. People with his skin are the evils in the world. They kill and plunder. They were hated. This realization made him overlook their hatred. He has only ever been a Wentosean( someone from Wentose). That's his roots. He laid back and rested his head on the iron bar. He can't wait to see what camp feels like.

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Icy caves

"What are the news?" Xypher asked his commander. (Xypher is the ruler of Nijerees-winged creatures). "They have made barriers around their hideout but our scouts has seen ways to penetrate the village. The dwarfs haven't noticed our scouts yet" the commander answered. " Good. We attack them by morning. Gather everyone" Xypher ordered and watched the commander fly away.

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"Come down woman. You are no princess. You are here as a healer" a black soldier told Afua. Afua came down from the wagon and was surprised with what she saw. The land was open and wide. There were houses but most of the open spaces were training grounds. She was taken to the clinic so she can settle down and fufil her duties as a healer. Everything was made available to her. Her five years at Wentose has taught her the healing ways. Healing came naturally to her. Maggie noticed this and taught her all she needed to know and she was very good at it. Maggie gave her the opportunity to live her life and she won't waste the chance. She changed from the long robes into a comfortable wear. At thirteen, her woman features were noticeable. Her breasts were plum and her butt were big for her age. Her facial features were cut perfectly and her blue eyes complimented her blue hair. She adjusted the blouse so her breasts can fit in.

After doing that, she sat down and arranged her tools for treating people.

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"Are you from Burspor?" a black kid asked Luke. Luke was surprised to see boys who had his skin and hair colour. His bullies didn't have his time as they themselves were being bullied. One of the bullies approached him and asked him that question. "No, I am from Wentose" Luke answered. "Is your father a leader in the colony there?" The black boy asked again. " No, he is a citizen of Wentose" Luke answered again. " Why are you now black and not white?" The boy asked. "I don't know. I am a special case" Luke replied and the black boy looked at him dejectedly. " You are insane" he said and left. Luke didn't mind him. The camp was too big and he needed to look around. He left where his peers were and moved around. He came across a small river and heard splashes. He moved closer and saw a young lady bathing in the river. He could not believe the sight. The wet body and drenched hair was intoxicating. He kept looking until his eyes made contact with the lady's. "Oh, I am sorry. I didn't see anything" he said quickly and averted his eyes. "liar. You have been staring for minutes" Afua said and covered her body. " What are you doing here? This place is forbidden to trainees?" She asked. " I was looking around and I got lost. Sorry" Luke said. "Black cunt. Might as well rape me." Afua said and ran away. " Black cunt? Who is she?" Luke thought and walked back. The image he saw has stuck to his memory.

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"Chief! Chief! We are under attack!" Nuus said as he entered Xhom's tent. "Attack? From who?" Xhom asked. "Winged creatures. What should we do?" Nuus asked.