7. Warrior's road

"after swiping just that room, Sir Alestor asked me if i have a place to stay." Alec explained while Noah and William busyed themselves with customers.

"Did you tell him you're living with us?" Aileen wiped the cups with a handkerchief.

"Yeah, so he told me to just stay with him since I'll have to get up very early."

"Un-huh. So , you're gonna leave?" She handled the costumers while talking.

Alec nodded and sat on a stool next to the counter table.

"Since it's like that, I'll be there untill my aim is achieved."

Aileen lowered her voice as she glanced down at Alec.

" Something tells me that...your aim is not being a swordsmaster." Her eyes searching for any type of reaction from Alec.

Alec felt her piercing stare and unconsciously became alert. Although There wasn't any danger. But something told Alec that her gaze was something to be afraid of.

"What is it that you want to gain? " Then with a smile, she added,

"Of course you don't have to tell me if you don't feel like it."

At her sweet smile, Alec felt relif but at the same time, a bit afraid of her. There was more to her than what she showed.

But at this point, Alec had to smile and say what she wants to hear.

"No, it's not like that. My real aim is not that big, do I don't think it'll be good to say it."

Aileen shifted her gaze and continued to pretend like nothing just happened.

"If it's like that, I won't force you to say anything. By the way, do you need help with the packing?"

Alec got up from his seat and waved to her. "No, I'll be fine."

Aileen watched him go upstairs with a smile. Alec walked in his room and packed some clothes and other useful things. He didn't forgot to pick his sword that was given to him by his aunt Collen.

He traced his fingers on the scabbard. Although his sword was old but it was his first ever sword, so he charished it a great deal.

He tightened his grip on the scabbard and got up to leave.

From then on, begun his road to becoming a swordsmaster.

Early in the morning, Sir Alestor would wake him up to cut the fire wood. At first he had difficulty with cutting the wood and would get tired soon, but he had to do it.

Sir Alestor gave him very small or difficult tasks which had nothing to do with the sword.

"Put away your sword. Pick it up again when you're worthy."

Alec had to climb the steep mountain everyday to bring water from the stream running egind the mountain. Sir Alestor would make him bring water five times in one go. After that, he had to bathe the horse and take care of it.

Alec became quite fond of it. It's name was Iris. She also liked Alec and was an understanding girl.

After his hours with Iris, Alec would clean the house to crystal clear. At night, he would cut the wood again.

After a week of doing this work, Alec started to doubt if his training was to make him a swordsmaster or a housewife.

But since the rule was to not question his mentor, he remained silent. His day's work was done and was resting round the fire behind the house.

'i wonder how long will it be till I'm 'worthy' of the sword.'

He haved a sigh and leaned back. His eyes looked at the starry Sky. His eyes reflected the brightest star. He recalled his early conversation with Sir Alestor.

"Why do you seek your goals through sword? It takes as much as it gives."

Halting from cutting the wood, Alec looked at Sir Alestor.

"If that's the case then im ready to bare whatever it give or takes." Alec swung the axe and the log of wood fell into two pieces.

" Your aims seem high, but your strength is still far from enough."

The old man narrowed his eyes and watched as Alec cut another log. Sweat dripping from his head, his chest going up and down without a steady rhythm.

"Keep cutting the wood. Once you've done at least fifty, go and bring more water from the stream." He turned his back towards Alec and headed inside.

"Try to be faster than this."

Alec watched the old man leave and once again , continued with his log cutting.

To be faster...to be able to cut in one go...to have piercing aim...to struck with more power...

He struck his axe on the wood. One by one, cutting all of the given wood into perfect logs.

All the time while Alec was gone, William worked at the shop with Aileen and Noah.

During his time there, William became the second person that Noah would talk freely to, after Aileen.

At the day time, he would work while at night, he would borrow books from the local library and study them.

Their days went by very quickly. Time flew and before they knew it, three years had passed.

In these three years, the two brothers only saw each other once in a while. Alec had become taller than William. His physique become better and his body tanned. He grew more mature looking and less child like.

Compared to Alec, William looked like a ghost. His skin pale, dark circles covering his eyes, thin body and deathly face. He looked as if he was lost in the woods while Alec was away.

After three years, Alec had come back to the Capital to find competition. His training with Sir Alestor had ended.

"As the last lesson, go find challenges and fight. Remember, a warrior's journey never ends. You can go wherever but never forget what I've tought you over the years. Now go and do what you must."

Alec gave him a respectful bow and left his master. The past three years were not easy to fight with. It was a long way to come this far.

"It has been an honor to be your student. For I shall never forget your teachings."

Alec picked up his stuff and left the mountain. He opened the door to Aileen's shop. His tall figure instantly caught attention.

Aileen was surprised to see him. For a second, she didn't even recognise him.

".. you're..Alec?" There was joy in her voice that she rarely showed to Alec.

"Hey. I'm back, where are the others?"

Aileen quickly wiped her hands and walked up to him, mentioning him to go to his room upstairs.

"Noah and William are gone to buy some stuff for the shop, they'll be back in about an hour. "

Alec smiled and quietly went up to his room. Aileen watched him go with a big sibling feeling, like Alec was her brother that came back after so long. But she soon dismissed the thought and went back to her work.

When William and Noah came back and met Alec. Both had different reactions. William was stupified, looking at his and Alec's hight difference. While Noah could only hide behind William as he got more scared.

This was, but a brief reunion.

For now, Alec had other tasks to attend to. After this point, Alec wandered in the Capital, looking for a challenger.

In his attempt to find someone to fight him, he went to see some other masters.

The blacksmith tought him how to forge and care for his weapon, the retired swordsmaster tought him how to defend while a notorious swordswoman tought him the unique 'wind style'.

Just like that, two months passed. One day, when Alec,along with William and Noah, was cleaning the tables. The shop had closed as the sun was down and the moon was up high.

The door knocked, Aileen put her apron on the chair and opened the door. The man Infront of the door was quite weak.

"Is.. Alec here?" He tried to sneak a glance inside.

"What is it? You can tell me, " she closed the door behind her . "I'll deliver your message to him."

********

Aileen came back and locked the door. She was calm and collected. Noah looked at her, putting down the cloth he was using to clean the table.

"Sister...who, was it?"

"Hm ? Oh, it's nothing."

She walked inside while Alec and William also gathered.

"Who was it, though?" William asked the same question.

"It's nothing for you two, he was there for Alec." She casually pointed at him.

"That man said that there's a challenger who wants to fight with Alec."

At the mention of that, everyone became curious and alert.

"Did he mention the name?" Alec didn't knew why, but he had a strange feeling that it was nothing good.

"Yes. Apparently, it's Sir Richard."

"Ugh I should've known." William didn't even try to hide his disgust. "I can even imagine the grumpy face he might be making right now."

Alec chuckled and added, "well, he might just be looking for me because of what happened when we first came to the Capital."

"He's being petty, for sure." Aileen took a seat and rested on it.

"Well whatever, when did he say the dual would be?" William asked just to be sure.

"He said in two weeks."

The atmosphere between them didn't change. They were all calm. Either it was because they didn't think it too much of a challenge, or it was because they had expected Sir Richard to be like that.

Either way, they had accepted the challenge and would fight for victory.

After two weeks, on the day of dual, Alec and Sir Richard stood face to face. Surrounded by a whole crowd of people. There was even a royal guard in case something happens.

The scorching sun was right above their heads. In about five minutes, the match was to begun.