6. The Foundation (2)

William put down a wooden box. Noah was cleaning a table when the door opened. Aileen came in and put on her apron. William patted his hands and walked over to her.

"Where's Alec? Didn't you guys went to that swordsman's? What happened?"

"Sheesh, don't bombard me with questions as soon as I come in. " She tied her hair into a low pony,

"I left him to talk alone. " As soon as she walked in, she started her work. She has to prepare the ingredients for cooking.

"I see." William walked over and started to peel potatoes with her. " Do you think the talk would go well?"

Aileen was quite impressed with how close these two were. Given the fact that Alec is actually his foster brother, they truly treat each other like siblings. Just like Aileen cares about her brother, they care for each other as well.

"Well, if the talk doesn't go smoothly, he'd be back soon. Otherwise..."

"Yeah.." he continued to peel the potatoes.

If Alec couldn't convince Sir Alestor into making him his mentor, most of their time would waste into finding another mentor. Because according to Aileen, Sir Alestor is the best veteran and a great teacher.

After a big war between two countries, he gave away his sword and never took any more deciples. All his students had died in that war. That gave him grave wound. It would be hard for Alec to make him his mentor.

If anyhow, things didn't go smoothly, Alec would return.

Their one obstacle was, Collen gave them 6 years of time. She asked them to come back quickly. Alec gave her his words that they would return home in 6 years. Although, this promise was hard, but it wasn't impossible. It still makes William mad, whenever he thinks of that stupid promise.

I mean, who can become a swordsmater in just 6 years?!

But if most of their time went up in finding a mentor, it would be quite a pity .

The three of them handled the shop the whole day. Aileen was happy to get a helping hand from William. At times when the customers were rude, Noah never knew what to do.

In the past, Aileen would take care of that, but now that William was here, he would take over and silence the rude customers for Noah. Like,when the customers are being unreasonable, they would complain endlessly just because their day isn't going well.

-What is this? Did I not ask for extra portion of soup ? Why isn't it here yet?

A middle aged man smashed his fist on the table to get attention. The plates on the table bounced with a loud chatter.

Noah quickly went over to calm the middle aged man.

"Sir, y-your order is just getting ready," Noah apologetically reassured the man.

"It-it'll be here soon."

He was stuttering which was caused by nervousness. But the man found it frustrating. His voice was loud and seemingly raged.

"I ordered half an hour ago! What are you people doing, not even doing your work properly?!"

Noah was visibly trembling but still tried to talk, his shaky voice betraying his composure.

"I.. we-we are doing our..work."

At the commotion, the inn went silent. The spectators were watching with anticipation that made Noah even more nervous. Some were watching as if it were a show while other were piting Noah.

At the silent inn and shouting from one person, Aileen was annoyed from these things. She mumbled something to herself before waking up to them.

"This is how you guys work? You can't even speak. The place is too shady and dirty. Do you even clean this ? "

At this point, the man was blabbering shitty comments and being utterly ridiculous. But Noah wasn't sure how he should handle it.

" I-i clean this place.. everyday."

The man looked at him with an eyebrow raised, "then why is this table so dirty?"

"It's because --"

"It's because a pig like you is sitting here."

All the eyes followed William as he walked over to Noah's side. His voice was calm and uninterested. The middle aged man seemed unfazed as he was too confident in his words. Aileen ,who was going to stop the fight, halt at William's approach. She narrowed her eyes and watched them argue.

"Who the hell are you? Do you even know who I am?"

"Oh, I know you."

The middle aged man showed a proud smile as he heard William's words.

"You're the street dog I forgot to pay attention to."

He didn't expected the insult to follow. Aileen also blinked several times to know what had happened. The people in the inn brust into laughter. While the middle aged man was fumming with anger. He gritted his teeth and glared at William.

"Who do you think you are to insult me like this?"

"Honestly, I really don't know you. But if you're rude to us, I'd remember you." William narrowed his eyes.

"I'd remember your face so no other fool like you comes in and be an example like you."

The man's eyes looked like they'd pop out any second now. He slammed his fist against the table.

"Screw you all !! See, if I come here again! "

He yelled while getting up to leave.

"It would be quite pleasant if you never return here." He even waved goodbye to that man.

The man felt a mixture of utter embarrassment and rage. He left the inn with a bang from the door.

For a moment, nobody knew how to react. But soon, the inn filled with cheers and laughter once again. Aileen walked over and patted William on his shoulder.

"What was that? You shut his mouth tight, he couldn't even think of a comeback."

William could only laugh awkwardly now that the matter was solved.

"Haha, it's nothing. He didn't come prepared enough." William felt his nose grow like pinocchio's.

Aileen laughed,

"You're right. But now I know, you have a really sharp tongue."

William chuckled and looked at Noah who was as pale as a paper. William got scared of his paleness.

"Gah! You look ghostly, are you okay?"

"..yeah," Noah was trembling with a smile. He looked quite stupid.

"Go easy, Noah. You can rest for a while." Aileen showed her concerns to her brother.

William quickly regained his senses and helped Noah go in the rooms to rest. He clearly was weak. Aileen watched them go and went back to the counter.

A few minutes later, the door bell rang. Aileen looked up to greet the person walking in,

"Welcome- oh, Alec! You're...back?" She was happy at first then became a little concerned.

At the name mentioned, William popped up his head from the room.

"Alec's back?" He walked over to Aileen and Alec.

Alec screched his head with a smile.

"Yeah, is it so surprising?"

Aileen rested her elbows at the counter table.

"It's not that surprising. How did the talk with Sir Alestor went?"

"Yeah, I wanna know,too." William was also curious about this.

Alec knew this was their reason for asking the first question. He thought about it and told them his exchange with Sir Alestor.

******

After Aileen left Alec by himself, he knocked at the door of the small house. The door cracked open revealing an elderly man inside. The man did not open the door fully, just a little ajar to speak.

"I told you people not to sell me anything, I won't buy."

Alec stood straight and cleared his throat. The elderly man had long white hair with wrinkled features. His eye were firm when looking at Alec.

"Oh, no..I'm not to sell anything. I'm here because I wanted to have a talk with you...sir."

The old man stared at Alec for any kind of response. His eyes were pricing. It felt as though he was looking through Alec.

After a few moments of silence, the Old man finally spoke,

"Hmm.." his voice was hoarse." Who gave you my address? Tell me what you need, here. I won't take any visitors."

A smile formed at his lips but kept his composure.

"I was sent here by someone in the Capital. Sir, I heard about your past."

Alec explained his reason calmly,

"I was looking for a mentor to teach me the ways of sword--"

"Then you're at the wrong address. I do not teach anymore." The old man intrupted Alec and signaled him to leave.

Alec held the door and continued,

"Please sir, I would really be greatful to you for life..! Please take me in."

"I said I do not teach anymore, or are you deaf?"

"But you used to, right? Please take me in, even as your last student."

The old man sighed,"look kid, you're young. You don't understand how scary it is to take the weight of sword."

He looked at Alec with genuine concern and helplessness,

"You have no idea what you can lose once you hold the sword up high....you are still young, you should charish your life. I once held the sword to the sky....the cost of it was too much to bear."

For a moment, there was silence. The old man turned away and continued,

"You can find someone else. Now go and don't waste my time."

Alec's eyes shone determination. He held out his hand and stopped the door from closing.

"Sir, you have the experience I wish to gain." Alec's voice was full of determination and confidence.

"You posses the wisdom of sword. Please Sir, just give me a chance."

The old man stopped and his eyes lingerd on Alec for five seconds before frowning,

"Wisdom, you say?" His voice was husky with a hint of regret.

"Boy, the only wisdom I posses is to put the sword down and leave the war." His eyes carried a strange kind of sadness.

"I've fought enough wars,buried enough friends...and killed enough lives. You're young, I do not wish to lead someone in the same hell I finally left."

In wars, there's no rules and definately no one by your side. In his youth, The great swordsman,Sir Alestor had fought for the country, for its people and for its peace. There were times when no hope would be found. At times like that, one thinks of never coming to wars in the first place.

"It would not be a hell for me." Alec declared, his eyes glimmering a strange darkness combined with fearless look. It seemed as though Alec had thought this over,before. The old man looked up to meet his eyes.

"There's something I wish to achieve. But I assure you...that I shall never rise my sword with ill intentions."

The old man was silent, seemingly in a deep thought.

"You are quite stubborn for your own good." The old man streched his head,

"You remind me of someone I used to know."

At the old man's words, Alec's lips tugged upward a few centimetres.

"Please, teach me your ways. I'm ready!" Alec was quite excited.

The old man haved a sigh and opend the door to let Alec in.

"Just one chance, if I see you unworthy, you're out." A warning was needed if he wanted Alec to work hard.

Alec walked in with a genuine smile pasted on his face.

"Don't worry, Sir. I shall prove my worth."

"We'll see about that. Pick up the broom and start swiping. Your training starts now."

Alec looked at the old man in confusion.

"Sir, you seem to misunderstand. I'm familiar with the sword."

The old man walked a few steps and threw a broom at Alec which he swiftly caught.

"Lesson no.1, no asking questions about my method. You do what I say and do it without any complaints."

Alec held the broom and nodded,

"Of course, I'll do what you say. I start swiping,now."

Saying that, Alec begun doing his work diligently. The old man watched Alec for some time before leaving .

"Keep swiping. Tell me when you're done."

"Yes, sir!"