By the late hours of the morning when all Scouts has had enough of the training section, Commander Devon and a squad of footsoldiers took them outside the compound, where they began their long jog into the forest.
They were at it for a very long while with no stop or any idea of the final destination, some of the Scouts fainted while those unable to continue rested.
Surprisingly Liam was still striving to push forward, winded out, drenched in sweat. Derek, Alexander and Taven had to slack behind with him, not willing to give up on him.
"Don't you dare…give up on me chubs." Derek warned, his breath heavy.
"We are too far behind." Alexander spoke with a gaps. "There's no sign of second commander. What if they make a turn away from the trail?"
"I doubt." Taven cuts in. "As you can see, we've being following this track since we started, this was made after years of trampling."
"Interesting, I'm glad you are on our team." Alexander spoke highly.
Taven had mentioned he came from a long line of hunters during their talk time, as such being a tracker was a necessity as a child of the Isaac family.
After a short while they finally arrived at the stop point, the Scouts that made it there were already seated, catching every possible breath.
Liam dropped to the ground immediately, laying on his back as he took in deep loud breath.
There was a general laughter by a corner, reverting the attention of Derek, it was Rave and his squad, which now has ten members.
"Team handsome and chubs finally made it." Rave quipped. "Better dish the fatty before things get serious."
Derek glowered at them, he has always hated bullies, right from Olives and now he knew he could take all ten of them, they were not even up to the notorious Silent wind gang he faced back in Amon, this was going to be a walk in the park. Alexander held Derek's shoulder, as though he knew what was going through his mind.
"That'll be a mistake." Alexander spoke calmly.
"See you later boys." Rave greeted then walks up ahead, his squad priding themselves behind him.
"I'm going to punch his face one day." Derek promised himself.
"He's not worth it Derek." Taven guaranteed, "Rave has always being like that since he's grandfather became lord of Nevia."
"Now I'll love to punch him all the more." Alexander smiled at his fist.
"Listen up greenhorns." Devon yelled from ahead.
Derek along side Alexander and Taven had to leave Liam behind as they went further into the crowd.
Commander Devon stood before a large lake, clear and glistering that the stones underneath it could be seen. It occupied the entire glade.
"This is were you all will be having your baths, prepare to do this exercise every evening. All those who couldn't make it will start off again, failure to comply will lead to disqualification. Be quick with your baths and head back to camp, we are done for today."
As soon as Commander Devon left his position, everyone began rushing towards the lake.
"This makes no sense," Taven thought out. "Such a distance, just to take a bath?"
"Not at all Tav," Alexander replied. "This exercise will help us build more stamina."
"Liam?" Taven called out a little, not paying attention to Alexander.
Derek and Alexander searched Liam out, he began taking of his shirt as he strides towards the Lake breathing heavily, how unblemished his skin was, no folds or slacking, he was a meaty wonder.
"Why his he this kept?" Derek wondered.
"Liam uses a lot of ointment, well placed on his table." Taven spoke carefully.
"Well we can't be left behind, can we?" Alexander began taking off his shirt as he hurried towards the Lake.
Derek and Taven glanced at each other then followed behind.
For a month and some days the hand combat training section continued, alongside self defence training not excluding the hike to the Lake, even climbing of trees was introduced, all Commander Devon said about it was, its a necessity. Other activities set in also - making camp fire, story night with the Commanders and various other orientation on history that were needed as a member of the Azma ranks.
The history of Azma was an unclear riddle, as Alexander joked about it to Derek. The land known as the Kingdom of Azma was once known as the Southern Lands - divided amongst themselves only driven by war and riches. It took seven brothers from a city called Ramalon - dwelling on the surface of the Southern Seas, hidden at the end of the South, to conquer the Southern Lands.
For centuries other Kingdoms refusing to acknowledge Azma tried to bring it down, either with combined effort or individually. Yet even in defeat and Victory, Azma stood firm; it was as though each reign of Kings ruled more effectively than the previous, with power revolving round the seven brothers which became the seven families.
The Leo Family, the Accipita Family, the Vulturs Family, the Cervus Family, the Aquilae Family, the Bobus Family and the last of them and current ruling family, with a record of three consecutive reign, the Zion Family.
It was now day forty-seven of the Regiment, the bell sounded earlier than usual and everyone was out, exhausted and winded out from the training section of the previous day.
"Give it a rest already." Derek spoke rubbing his eyes.
Alexander took a squat holding his head, "I need a good sleep."
"Just join Liam, don't ask too much." Taven adviced, his eyes drowsy.
They all gazed at Liam, he was fast asleep on the dirt, snoring away his burdens.
"How can he be so relaxed?" Derek watched in admiration.
"On your feet lazy lumps." Commander Devon shouted at the top of his already loud voice.
Everyone jacked up into formation immediately, no one still willing to take a punch for disobeying orders, even Liam was up.
"What's the occasion?" Derek whispered, for Devon and Kanlor were fully clad on their armor.
"Swear your alliance." A clear gusty voice yelled from the side.
"As the moon slays the night, the stars shall keep it's life." The Scouts saluted - standing at ease, their hands clenched into a fist behind them.
It was very obvious someone with higher power had stepped in, both from the Azma rank anthem as well as Commander Devon and Kanlor saluting.
From the left, a war horse trots through the first row. Mounted on it was a pale young man, short auburn hair thriving with his well trimmed side beards to his levelled moustache underneath a flat nose and a goatee resting underneath his chin - all auburn as his hair. His eyes were hooded and his gaze welcoming.
There was no doubt about it, Derek recognize the auburn hair in Alexander's description of the Bobus Family.
The young man dismounts his war horse then began inspecting the Scouts, from the first row.
"Why are their presence always so tense?" Derek asked, feeling unease.
"That's a fate we can't fight." Alexander was certain.
"You know him?" Taven asked.
"That's a royal, a prince of the Bobus household." Derek spoke.
"I heard the Bobus family are one of the kindest." said Liam.
"Doesn't matter, a royal will always be a royal." Alexander's eyes were fixed on the Prince.
The Prince was now at the fifth row, that of Derek and Alexander; he stood before Derek, and he confirmed the prince was a bit taller than Alexander, Derek refused to break the gaze, he kept on staring - trying to play the dominance game, the Prince smiled then moves to Alexander.
He squints his eyes, prying intently at Alexander, he drew his face a bit closer, peering into his eyes, he looked unsure and Alexander knew that was trouble, there's a possibility of this Prince recognizing him as the son of Thomas Majes, especially if he was close to his father.
The prince withdrew then ruffled Alexander's hair, he glanced at his hand, rubbing his fingers. Alexander tried as mush as possible to maintain a straight face in all that happened.
"Where are you from boy?" He asked calmly.
"Amon Sire."
"Intriguing," The prince smiled.
He bent over to Alexander's ear, whispering to him before moving over to the next Scout.
Derek could see the fear and uneasiness ravaging Alexander's face, this Prince knew who Alexander was, despite the disguise, it wasn't still enough.
"Dammit" Derek muttered under his breath.
The prince continued his check then went before the Commanders.
"I am Captain Ramsey Bobus."
His words sparked up everyone as they began murmuring.
"QUIET!!!" Commander Kanlor screamed, silencing everyone.
"I am the Captain of the twentieth Azma Unit and of this esteem camp, you are all welcome, I am glad to see three hundred and seventy Scouts made it this far. Not the highest we've had but the highest in a long while. All those whose shoulders I touched has been chosen by me, when the time comes you all will be my page, remember yourselves. Once again, welcome, today will be a training free day, rest well."