Ways to go

Hey now, what's your birthday?

Because i read in the book

That my most compatible month is May

The Regrettes

Three days for the hawk's festival

Probably, i mean, for sure, i fell out of bed while i slept. Not only my head, but my whole body was sore. The collar of my shirt was completely ruffled and my hair was covering my face.

— I have a thirsty opinion about it. — I pushed the hair out of my face. Brassara was on top of me, with his arms around his waist. — Did you have a night like that or…?

I took a book under my bed and threw it on her, both of us laughing.

— I think my days are starting to get… — I got up and winked at her. — Counted.

— You can stop there, Beatrice what did you do yesterday, to end up like this? — She asked, making a terrible imitation of my father's voice.

I started to get used to the pain in my body, but when i tried to remember my head started to throb even more.

— Hey, you ok? — She put her hands on my shoulder and my waist. — You are making that On'Me face.

— I'm fine. I think i'm just hungry or i got up too fast. — I said, patting my head to get the buzz out.

— Well… Anyway, get dressed, we have work to do. — She turned, staring at the wall to give me privacy.

— Sure, captain, what is about? — I asked.

— Wait, don't you remember? Me and Albion we will go together with you!

I stopped in the middle of putting on my pants. Oh.

— Ok, i think i will accept the fact that i just forgot yesterday. — I took my staff from her hand and fitted it to the buckle of my pants. — So, what's the plan?

— Get some food with albion and then meet me at the beach. — She went to the window and jumped off the balcony. — Your workout starts todaaaaaaayyyy!

I ran to the window and looked down. Snowflakes floated and sparkled in the summer sun.

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The Thunderville flag waved in the sea breeze when I passed it. Normally on a Friday morning everyone would be in their respective homes minding their own business, but in three days it would be one of the most important festivals for the village and also, for my father's reputation.

Pennants with the Thunderhawk's symbol were being hung:

— No, don't put it there, on the other side, on the other side!

Tents were being set up:

— Come back here with these swords, kids! Julia, take the dagger from Luke's neck!

And products were being revised for the thousandth time:

— Oh, hi, Bea! Want some beer? Ah, look, rhymed!

Albion wore his usual helper costume. A few wooden barrels were scattered around the On'Me tent. The gnome was on top of the barrel that Albion was screwing the tap on, using a wooden spoon to stir inside. He wore bizarre black glasses and raised them with his hairy hand when he saw me.

— Ah, if it's not Beatrice! So you mean that you, Albion and the Ice Princess are going on a journey with no destination?

I frowned and looked at Albion.

— Man, why did you tell him? Wait, did the Beatrice of the past say that everything was fine?

— Don't worry, your secret is kept with me! — He raised his spoon and only now i noticed a bearded old man sitting on the floor. He took the spoon and put it in his mouth, making a jewel sign right away. — Oh… This reminds me from the young Gary when he left on his first trip to the king of Crest Hill… And i think i'm getting old.

Albion untied his apron and took a basket from under the counter.

— Hungry? — Asked taking a chocolate from inside.

Whenever i wake up in the morning i get really hungry, having the feeling that i can eat anything. But at that time, for some reason it felt like i had already eaten a few minutes ago.

— Not really… Albion, yesterday did you notice anything strange about me? — I asked, both of us heading towards the beach.

— Uh… No? Like, you were really excited about this. — The smell of fresh bread and other treats attracts children like a flock of moths. Albion held the basket tight to his chest. — You even went talk to Breina. Oh, my, you went talk to Breina! You found her?

— That's the problem, i don't remember anything i did… All week?

— Oh, yeah, that happened to my grandmother before we moved here! Died 3 days later.

A shiver ran through my body and i was sick. Until i saw Albion's face. I elbowed him in the rib. He ran, laughing, and went after him.

The beach was also being prepared for the festival. Some people ran back and forth helping as they can and others helped the Aerileon soldiers unload boxes from the rowboats. For a first day of preparation until it was not going as badly as the organizations of the previous festival. Yeah, definitely something was going on.

— ...And then she was aiming to shoot the guy, but then Hera stopped her, you know, she is against… Wait a minute, Bea and Albion!? You guys grew up a lot!

Rave ran up to us and wrapped us in a nice tight hug. He smelled like he had just committed murder on a dozen fish.

— Ugh… Yeah, we were also missing you, big guy. — Said Albion, turning his face absently to the side.

— I was just telling Diane about some adventures i lived in Aerileon! — He put both of us on the ground and his tail started hitting the sand. — I don't even know where to start… But first, you have an appointment with the Ice Princess over there!

He pointed to the shore. Brassara was training with a peculiar Trident, turning and making some movements, cutting the air. For some reason, the way she spun with the gun mesmerized me. I could stay there for a long time, enjoying the beach and the breeze that was coming from the sea, just watching her train.

Her trident shone briefly when she waved at us.

— I admire this girl's will´power and courage, but isn't that one of the main weapons in the Gepharth's arsenal? — Asked Rave.

— I guess we gonna figure it out. Wanna come? — I asked to him.

— Oh you know, i'm full of captain things to do! — He made a movement with his hand, as if he were boasting of his soldiers scattered on the beach and started walking over to where supplies for the festival were being placed. — Who knows later, right?

We stood in the same place watching him move away.

— Lucky bastard…

— Remember when he was just…?

— Hi guys!

Brassara appeared next to us with another one of those tricks. She wore a white tank top that matched the color of her hair and carried the trident using both hands.

— What's up with the giant fork? — I leaned over to touch it but but restrained myself shortly thereafter. I could feel Pawold's cold in that thing. — Holy…! Where did you get it?

— I stole from my parents! — The sand was literally freezing under her feets. — Pretty cool right?

I could have lost my memory but the reminder about the constant presence of Brassara's parents was, in fact, a brand that will not disappear anytime soon. Their warning started to burn in my left arm.

I exchanged glances with Albion, who was certainly thinking the same thing.

— It's okay that we are going on a journey with no destination at all, but i would prefer to leave on this road trip without the two most powerful beings of all Erlee's behind us! — Exclaimed Albion.

— Relax, they will never know! And even if they find out what they're going to do, exile me? Each of us had been planning to ''self-exile'' for a long time!

— Technically i lost my memory, so…

— It doesn't matter, let's go! — A cold of literally freezing the bones, came over me when she took my hand and we showed up where she was training before. That feeling passed faster than it came.

Brassara had the trident pointed in my direction. I took my staff from my waist in time to defend an attack when it came at me.

— Hey, what's that for!? — I asked. She spun the weapon and i lowered it in time to not get hit in the head. I felt some strands of my hair freeze in the process.

— Your first lesson is about combat! — She took a step back and leaned on the trident. — As you don't have the lightning, it becomes easy prey out there.

Albion came close and sat on the sand, preparing the picnic spot.

— And what about him? — I pointed. — He's not a guard either!

— I don't need it. — The sweet smell of the juice that was prepared in On'Me's tavern filled the air, when he picked up the bottle and took a good sip. — I'm already cool!

— The fact is, of the three of us, you are the worse.

— Ouch dude, my self-esteem! — I got up taking the staff in the sand and pointed at Brassara. — So the only way to go with you guys it's kicking your asses? Fine.

— Ooh, that's the spirit girl! While you two train, i will be right there talking to Rader… HEY, RADER! WANT SOME JUICE!? — Albion got up and walked to where the kiosks were being set up, shaking his juice in the bottle.

— So… You guys set up some kind of scheme? Because…

A huff of cold air shook my hair and i fell on the sand a second time. The trident sank into the sand when i managed to roll back. Wait… How i did this?

Brassara was too busy trying to get the frozen block of sand stuck in her weapon to notice. Apparently the training with Gary was having an effect, even though he is a training dummy.

I put my hands on my hips and a smile on my face.

— Yeah, i think it's you who need training.

— Shut up! I just need. To. Get. USED TO IT! — The newly formed block of ice refused to break, while Brassara repeatedly hit the trident on the sand.

Taking advantage of this moment, i took a look around. Some crabs were unknowingly trying to steal our picnic basket. The beach was also busier than before, with some people from the village greeting the soldiers and helping with the festival's preparations.

Kamie and Nelly were under an umbrella, fully protected. I looked at Brassara, who was now in a strange position, still trying to destroy the block of ice.

— Well, looks i bet you in the training. Later! — I put the staff back on my waist and walked over to the witches.

— Wait! You will not get away with this easy, your training is not over yeeee…! — Her new hammer made weight, making she fall backwards into the water, making me burst out laughing right away. I watched as Brassara teleported to who knows were, causing some snowflakes to appear in the water.

My stomach still hurting from too much laughing, i walked over to Kamie and Nelly.

Briefly, Nelly took her eyes of her book, when she saw me.

— The no-lightning girl. What you seek today?

I was not a sorceress, but anyone who came close to those two, would feel the evil energy around them. I tried to keep my face as serious while i was around them.

— I need a favor from you guys. — I said.

Kamie built a sand castle using his own hands. She took a small flag and stuck it in one of the towers.

— Ok, one thing you need to know, ''favors'', we can not give to anyone. — She held out her hand and numerous sand soldiers appeared, saluting her. — So you need to give us something special.

The soldiers entered the castle in rows, soon, assuming their respective positions and shouting orders.

— Sure, what i need to do? — I asked, not paying much attention to the consequences.

The two exchanged a suspicious look and their teeth showed. I followed their eyes to Albion and Brassara. The Ice Princess hair was soaked, as were her clothes. Some algae were stuck in your hair. Rave laughed at the top of his lungs as Albion tried to break the ice hammer.

— I don't get it, you want the new hamm…?

Albion's muscles contract whenever he made an attempt to break the ice cube, leaving his spotted muscles on display. It was no surprise that he had an impressive physique, consequently, attracting a lot of girls to him.

Oh...

— No. No, no and no. No way! I will not sacrifice my best friend just to know what happened to me! — I exclaimed.

— Hey, relax. — Nelly put their fingers to her lips and turned a page smoothly. — It's just for one night.

— And besides, we already know what happened to you. — Said Kamie.

I put my hands on my hips assessing the situation. Kamie and Nelly would end Albion at the first chance they had, depleting all of his vital energy. Yeah, delivering Albion was out of the question.

Still, i know how to play.

— I will invade Snirie's Forge and steal one of his diagrams.

The energy that surrounded them both fell for a brief moment. Nelly looked up from the book and raised her eyebrows.

— And how exactly you planning to do that? — She asked, her voice emotionless.

I stared her back.

— Watch it. — I stepped deep into the sand walking towards my friends.

Albion was still trying to break the cube with loud laughs from Rave. Brassara hed her hands on her hips looking at the sand at her feet, probably thinking about the kind of problem she had.

— Hi guys! Does anyone want to go with me to invade the Snirie's Forge to stole a magic diagram? — I asked, being very straightforward.

— Sure, why not! — Albion lifted the weapon and tossed it towards the ice princess, who caught in the air without difficulty. — Brassara will serve as a distraction!

— Wow, wow, wow, wait, why me!?

— Because, now you have a hammer, instead of an extreme powerful weapon and Snirie it's the only one who can fix it! — I raised my hand and gave Albion a High-Five. Genius minds, think alike.

— Am i the only one taking this journey seriously? — Asked Brassara. She wrapped her arms around me and Albion, focusing.

— Can you guys bring me a new sword? The Snirie's swords are the…!

The temperature dropped and before Rave finished talking, we disappeared.