My Grounds

The excited glint Ajab had before getting into the train grounds, disappeared as he got into the extensive grounds.

In the middle of this train ground, was Lord Halh, standing like a scythe as always, brooding every emotion known to be gruesome. And by his side drenched in sweat was Elmah–seemed he'd been getting a little too warmed up.

But all these were not what got the Prince in a sort of sour mood at the moment.

It was what he saw around –the presences that now drenched the place – that got on his nerves.

He was excited for today cause he could freely get to exercise with Elmah, and even more so, now that he'd unlocked his Ecnes eyes.

But now, this place was unnecessarily crowded, with certain individuals, generals Roah, Linh and Toah, ranking third, fourth and fifth in the top list of generals – not that the list contained any more than five – just below Generals Znoh and Yoab, who appearantly were absent, as they should, this floor was his train grounds, did it look like the King's Court?...Tsk... Ajab couldnt help but furrow his brows.

He wasn't the type to be bothered by an audience, he just didn't like unnecessary gatherings to watch him, like he was some sort of entertainment.

The most annoying part was that, the generals were not the only ones present, Duke Ecnes was here too, and so was his daughter, Lady Anya, the young mistress of the Ecnes family, the greatest family under the Royal family, having their honor in being the right hands of the Kings.

Lady Anya was also assistant commander in the army of Great General Znoh.

Who knew who she was representing with her presence here? besides she was also the big sister of the big-head Ecnes that was his attendant, who was standing in the middle of the grounds still drenched in sweat. One would wonder who asked him to be too into the whole thing –not that Ajab wasn't, just that he pretty much preferred to practice his poses than being drenched, besides it was Lord Halh they were given, he was another matter.

Each one of these people gathered around the train grounds right now watching, were forces to be reckoned with, each having great authority in their own rights, and highly respected too, and this respect wasn't a gift, but they all proved worthy of it all, with their own strengths, and accomplishments. But the heck were they doing on his train grounds? Leaving aside the fact that they were not even supposed to be anywhere around the capital –except Duke Ecnes– talk less of coming to watch him exercise or desecrate his grounds. And yes they were his grounds as long as he was the one to use it for the moment.

Just then another figure walked into the scene, and took on a highly positioned seating, a seat with authority above everyone present. Seeing her walk in majestically, everyone present bowed in respect and greeted "Your Highness"

To think she took a detour, or maybe here was her target all along, and probably just visited his room for whatever reason she had, or even maybe to steel screen time.

Queen Stiana, took her seat as she signalled everyone to raise their heads.

"Rise"

Whatever motherly charisma she had before had disappeared, and was now replaced with, firm steadiness, that came with an authoritative aura, but it had a certain grace accompanying it.

Yeah, and whoever forgot to mention the Queen was a warrior too, or rather a battle maniac – depending on who one asked.

Everyone seemed eager to watch whatever it was they came to watch, but like hell was Ajab moving a muscle without any explanation. Who the hell did they think they were to watch him exercise without his permission – he wasn't a snot or a brat, he just didn't like what he didn't like.

As if sent by the goddess herself, Lady Liah, came to his side to clarify him on the happenings

"Your Highness, they had come for a meeting with the King concerning some matters, and when they heard of young master Elmah, and how he had unlocked the eyes of Ecnes, being the first to do so, also hearing that he would be facing your Highness, they all got excited and came over to watch"

"Hmm"

Ajab nodded his head. Things now made sense, he himself would have been tempted to not miss this too. Elmah unlocking the Eyes of Ecnes, being the first to do so after their first ancestor, the progenitor of their household. It was indeed a remarkable feat, although he was excited for a different reason – an upgraded Elmah.

It is said that the eyes of Ecnes, if one could wield it, gave them, extraordinary edge, unfortunately that remains all anyone knows about it, since no one had unlocked it before, despite every born Ecnes going through the Ecnes Dipping – a technique kept within their house – that caused them to awaken their bloodline, leaving them with enhanced abilities.

Some awaken as awakened geniuses, like Duke Ecnes himself, the current family head, who maintains his position due to his brilliance. And some, awaken as fighters like lady Anya, and some, both, like Lord Halh and the drenched one, who was still standing at the middle of the train grounds, – this time, in a stance that Ajab knew quite well – but who could tell exactly, he was still growing, only unlocking his eyes few months ago, and his case was even a special one, not even lightening up at all till his glow.

Those present had mostly come to witness the eyes of Ecnes, and how it worked probably, and had expectations for the young lord of the Ecnes, and likewise what it meant for the Kingdom, as it would mean a greater rise for the next generation of King.

Ajab wasn't sure what they thought they'd come to watch, but during their last sparing, Elmah mentioned seeing movements in frozen pieces, which made his reaction speed increase by leaps, but he hadn't perfected it, he needed some huntings to do or so –whoever gave him that idea, and thus his recent night journeys, and the sneakings too. But of course the best way to spend a day was to think of a nice pose and demeanor, I mean look at the Queen, if that wasn't hard work, what would one call it? –He thought.