"Get a hold of yourself." Wallace muttered. "You look pale."
Of course, I haven't ever learnt to fight, let alone a battle and a war. What's eating me up is that will there be only I and Wallace fighting?
"Are there more people apart from just us?" I asked him, throwing a glance at the others who looked bored or tired to be here
"No. It's just us." Wallace leaned back on the wall. We were in a room now, Master Abel told us that since the sun's already down, we'll be allowed to rest from our long journey. Master Enoch, the one who had been with Master Abel all the time silently will be addressing us before we were assigned our rooms.
"How are we going to fight Vadon?" I asked expecting a plan, a strategy, anything to help us defeat him. But Wallace was getting annoyed again.
"That, I will tell you."
Master Enoch entered the room, hands loose behind his back and a peaceful smile on his face almost as if his kindness was pouring out.
The nobles straightened, but I could only sulk.
We're gonna die.
"I'm Enoch. Or, you could call me, Master Enoch. You can bother me with little things anytime." He was tall and lean. His robe was far too big for him, but who knew, maybe he had a thing for working out too like Wallace. "I'm glad I survived the war. As you all know, Vadon has retreated."
No one spoke or cut him. They were listening, and that, they were listening carefully. I couldn't help but notice how Master Enoch's smile fell.
"He retreated about a month ago, but it's not over. His men are probably lurking around the kingdoms trying to find Nobles." He informed, but his smile soon found its way. It was getting creepy how his kindness looked fake. "So, it's hard to say if anyone of you are from Auris clan."
No way, it's been one month since Vadon retreated? Why didn't anyone know? Why didn't I know all this time?
And what is this about anyone of us being an Auris noble?
I scooted a little away from Wallace. What if it's Wallace?
I'm not a coward, I'm just trying to survive for Aenor.
Judah, Eden and Ronan pushed their sleeves up, and kneeled in front of Master Enoch. "Master, We're true nobles from Scaldris." The spreading fire on their wrists lit up like bracelets. Earlier I had only seen Ronan do it, but it was fascinating to watch all of them do it together, as if they had done it several times before.
"Master," Vanola got down on her knees next to the Scaldris nobles. "I'm a true noble from Necos clan." She pulled her hood off, to show a .. I couldn't see what she was showing, I could only guess by the looks of it, it was probably on her forehead. What was it, fire again?
"Very well," Master Enoch nodded. "How would you guys like to prove yourselves?"
"Eh?" Wallace frowned. "You can believe me or whatever. I'm still a half noble from Necos Clan."
Wallace clicked his tongue and I was dumbfounded by his words. Not just me, but the others too.
Master just shook his head, that kind smile of his never leaving his face. "No can do, Wallace."
Wallace groaned, pulling out a gold crest. "Here's something you get only if you're a member of the royal family in Necos."
Master Enoch nodded understandingly, and turned to me. "What about you?"
"H-Huh?" I bit my lower lip. I don't have anything to show like Wallace, nor do I have anything related to Mora Clan.
He watched me as I made no move. To think he'd definitely suspect me of being an Auris clan member.
"Do you have the sword?"
"Sorry?" I thought I misheard it. "Ah, yes, yes I do." I took it off my back and showed him the very weapon, still in its cover. Wait what did you call it? A scabbard or something.
"Did you swing it on anyone?"
"What? No way." I chuckled as sweat rolled down my neck. "I can't even hold it right, it's heavy."
There was a long pause and I wished I never said it out loud. Of course, who am I kidding? All of them present here probably were involved in the battle with Vadon.
"You'll start with the strengthening." Master Enoch told me and then his gaze shifted to Judah. "You will help him, since nobles aren't allowed to fight. You still can train, through."
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. I would have not survived even before I fought Vadon if it were someone else who would be helping me. Judah was the only one who had smiled at me till now.
The nobles sat back down from when they were knelt.
"You didn't tell me, what am I supposed to do?" Wallace asked, addressing master Enoch directly. I wish I had that confidence.
"We'll get to that tomorrow." Master Enoch walked a little further behind, and leaned on the wall, watching Wallace frown again. "Now, the situation assessment. Since you have an idea about what's been going on, tell me, what would your next move be?"
"Kill Vadon." Wallace said. "Isn't that what this is all about?"
"But it's not that simple." Ronan's words were directed towards Wallace and if was the first time he spoke in a while today. "After you kill Vadon, what's the guarantee his men will give up?"
"They might," Wallace pursed his lips. "Unless there's one more among their army who's giving orders along with Vadon."
"Right." Master Enoch clapped exactly twice. "Before Vadon left the battlefield, he ordered all his troop to retreat. But few still remain in the kingdoms, as I said earlier. That means, we have to be prepared for the battle to continue even after Vadon's death."
This was definitely going above my head.
"I have a question." I raised my hand, "How are we going to kill him in the first place?"