First Camp
We begin our training with a session of Tai chi in the early morning and proceed to spend the rest of the day having duels and trying different techniques...
Each Liutenant takes care of their assigned squadron, giving orders and directions to the soldiers under their command.
As we train the few servants around us begin building up the most important tends, along the stall and "kitchen"
At least today our lunch won't be just berries found on the way or fishes caught while letting the horses have a break.
I keep repeating again and again the same moves following the instructions to the point of not even being serious anymore...
Just my body moving on its own.
As for sword sparring, I do find it a bit more challenging but not too much...
I send my opponent a few centimeters back, he doesn't fall tho but instead stand up straight...
-You're doing quite good to be this young, Miss...- says the man with whom I'm training.
He's not that bad either, it's quite different from the Nobles in the section, that's for sure... Now I can see why they wouldn't let them onto the battlefield yet.
A few strikes and half of them would have died.
-Where did you train?-
-On a mountain or similar places... It's not a school, I know, nut it still did its job-
-Yeah I think so... Well as long as you can keep up with us it won't be a problem right? That's all that matters here- he smile getting back in position
We lastly train with arrows.
Everyone's good of course, most of them never fail to hit the centre, except a few men who are more suitable with a sword...
-And... Shoot!- tons of arrows get shot, before the men on the first rows leave the place to the second ones...Then the third, the forth and so on...
We couldn't take many targets with us, nor a single person can monitor so many soldiers at the same time, so we are forced to line up and switch places.
If I didn't count wrong there should be 15 lines of aroun 10 soldiers each for this squadron... But we are obviously a lot more in the whole Armada.
-You say it...-
-No you!-
-It was his idea, let him say it...!-
Begin murmuring a few guysz pushing eachother out of the line
-Is there any problem?- asks them Qin Luo
-Uhm... Sir... We were think if we could try something different...-
-Like what?- he stare deeply at the man, making him gulp
-Like... Maybe with our eyes closed or a competition... I thought it would be beneficial to push ourselves more... If I may make the request...-
-We are not here to prove anything to anyone soldier, but to keep our bodies trained for surviving on the battlefield-
-But... Actually many of us thought that...- he states
-Well then... Cover your eyes and show us- he mocks him -Everyone! We will be following this man's advice for today!
Be ready to take responsibility for your actions later- warns him the Liutenant
-Hehe now we'll show that woman that she isn't a match for us...- whisper one of the guys turning to take the arrow.
-A man... That's unfortunate...- says a soldier comforting the one passing him the bow
-Ah... It's fine... It didn't went too far from the target at least- sighs one
-Well goodluck... I know you can hit it!
-Woah! Have you seen that?! I hit the centre!-
-Amazing dude!- exult a group, lined on the right side of ours
-Oh my...! Look at that!- jumps happy a man on the left pointing at his arrow
"Not bad... Many did hit the target and a few men hir the center too" I think holding my chin
-Here you go... Goodluck Miss- says the man in front of me, worried
-Thanks-
I take the arrow and tie the bend over my eyes, before getting 3 arrows ready
-What is she doing...?- -I don't know... Why 3?-
-Stand a bit back, please- I ask them
-Uhm... Sure-
I take a few steps behind, before turning my bow flat horizontally
-What kind of technique is that, Sir...?-
-Shh, let's see what she's got...- stops the man Qin Luo
I aim and... Shoot!
Letting the 3 arrows fly over the field, going to hit not only my target but the 2 beside it, as a loud crack can be heard
-It...!-
-Oh my gosh...-
I push down the bend looking pleased at the result... One for each of the targets.
The 3 arrows all hit perfect centre breaking the arrows already there, splitting those in half...
-H h How...?!- yells one of the guys who proposed the idea
-What? Not the result you had in mind?- I mock him, before passing the bow to one of the men in my group
...
We stop around dinner time and tidy up the whole mess from the different trainings, before heading to the dining area.
-Miss Ying...- I find Qin Luo blocking my way with crossed arms, forcing me to stay behind as everyone else line upin front of the pot
-Sir...?- I ask, getting worried at his serious expression
-Tz! Come here you mad woman!- he chuckles, dragging me over his seat and pushing a bowl in front of me -Eat and drink, you deserve it!
To think you seriously did that... I'm wondering if I really need to look after you now-
-There's no need to tho...-
He shake his head -I would be disappointed in myself if I didn't, even tho it's useless I will still do it... Also to avoid a drama with your brother.
Anyway... You knew those guys were just trying to ridicule you, uh?-
-Yeah... Sorry for going all out Sir-
-It's fine, you didn't hurt anyone so I don't mind.
But let me tell you, that was really impressive... I have much hope for you-
...
As I was sleeping an unusual sound woke me up...
I stand up to wear on one more layer, before leaving the tend silently...
Outside everything is silent, only a few soldiers can be seen, keeping guard half asleep.
The cold breeze hits me, making me hug myself in search of warmth...
-Uh...?-
Again that sound, I can hear it more clearly now, It's like the sound of wind chimes moving in the wind...
I follow that odd melody as it interrupts from time to time...
I reach a vast river, so big that a couple of small islands lays in it.
But what's odder is that someone is seating on the ground there...
I hide behind a rock to observe the scene.
It's a man...
He's dressed in white see through clothes, still leaving a few spots of white pearly skin exposed tho.
Defined muscles can be seen between his clothes, he's not excessively big but neither too slim nor petite.
He has golden ornaments all over... A necklace, many bracelets and rings, hairpins and other hair jewels, alonge a pair of anklets full of little pendants...
He's seated under the moon which enlighten his hair, making them almost looks gray or turquoise, as the pure water reflects light all around...
He's playing a Xun with his delicate, slender fingers...
"What is a man like this doing here...?"
A movement on his left catch my eyes?
A wolf...!
A wolf crawling behind the trees, toward him...
Without a second thought I stand up and throw my knife in one single motion, hitting between his eyes from the other riverside
The man turns around, finally noticing me and jumps in the water swimming away under the surface
-What... Was that...?-