They continued roaming around the public market, trying to see all the products that were displayed. There are old products, new products, recurrent ones and bewildering ones. The sky started looking warmer as they arrived back at the center of the market. Individuals started crowding around what seems to be a group of performers. Sol didn't think twice and pulled Tobias towards it. There were three of them. One playing the harp, one playing the flute and the other one seemed like a singer.
The sky turned dark and the bonfire in front of the performers was lit. The thickening crowd surrounded the performers.
Then, a note was played by the harpist, signaling their first piece. The flutist followed and the singer soon graced the performance with his soulful voice.
Now I can't live without you,
I'm nothing without you.
Now I can't live without you,
I'm nothing without you.
If I go away from you,
I'll be away from myself...
I live for you everyday,
I give every moment of my life to you.
There's no moment without you,
There's your name in every breath...
Because it's only you...
(Tum Hi Ho by Aditya Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor )
As the song went on, even without looking at each other, Sol and Tobias deeply felt the message of the song and the presence of each other while listening to such a wonderful piece.
When the song ended, the performers were given an overwhelming applause. As they played their second piece, someone tapped Tobias.
"It's really you, Tobias," an excited Ka-el exclaimed as soon as Tobias turned towards him. Beside him is Dorn.
"Good evening, Sirs," Sol immediately greeted them.
"What are you doing here?" Tobias asked his friends.
"Well, we were on our way to the nearby tavern when I caught a glimpse of the two of you," Ka-el explained, "Why don't you join us?"
Tobias looked at Sol who nodded back at him.
Ka-el and Dorn then led the way out of the crowd towards the Tavern. Tobias and Sol closely followed them from behind with Tobias' hand gripping Sol's. They arrived at a well-known tavern. As soon as they step inside, they can already recognize the people who are already having their beverages.
They are members and officials of the defenders. Several ministers were also present.
They then went to find a table.
"By the way, what brought you and Aspirant Moraii to the Capital?" Ka-el asked Tobias as soon as they took a seat, teasing them.
Tobias and Sol looked at each other and turned towards them.
"Um, I went to take a break here when I coincidentally saw Captain Karsh. So, we decided to walk around together," Sol answered.
"Aspirant Moraii came to take a break here. How about you, Captain Karsh? I don't think you came here to have fun."
"I have some errands to do."
"Mmm," Ka-el responded and then looked at Sol again, "You're here to take a break, then, where are your friends?"
"Ha?" Sol remarked, caught off-guard.
"Sir Braegen, there are times when you want to be alone, just like the times when I don't want to hear your loud and talkative voice," Dorn stated.
"You're so hateful," Ka-el said as he gave Dorn a stern look. He then chugged a cup of wine.
He then poured a cup of wine for his friends and for Sol.
"Come on, drink it all," Ka-el urged them.
"How many years have we been friends, Sir Braegen?" Tobias asked.
"Um...I don't really remember. All I know is that we have been friends for a long time."
"It's four years," Dorn stated as he also took a sip from his wine and looked at Ka-el, "And in those four years, he never took a sip from any wine or liquor."
"Ahhh. My bad! My bad!," he said as he chuckled nervously and then called for a waiter, "Please get us a cup of tea!"
It is said that if you want to make ties with the ministers and other government officials, drink tea with them. If you want to make ties with the defenders and defender officials, drink wine with them.
It just puzzled Sol how Tobias got by without drinking wine which is nearly impossible since he is surrounded by defenders.
Ka-el looked back at Tobias and let out a cheeky smile. Then a tall, beautiful and well-toned lady approached them and sat beside Tobias.
Sol curiously peeked from beside Tobias and stared at the lady. Her undercut (shaved sides) peeked from her long silver tresses that flowed until her waist. Her skin tone is also one shade darker and she could infer that she's strong with how she walks. She immediately knew that she is a defender and is in league with Captain Tobias.
Moreso, a defender who is close with Tobias.
"It's been a long time Tobias or should I say Captain Karsh," she greeted him.
"Mm. How have you been?" he asked.
"Well, kinda heartbroken."
"Mm."
"Ask me why?"
"I don't intend to listen to love stories."
"But this one concerns you."
"Haaa?"
"Intrigued right?"
"If you don't plan on spilling it, I would appreciate it if you would go back to your table."
"My, my. The Captain is still hot-tempered. Okay, I will spill it."
As they continued talking, Sol couldn't hold her curiosity and went to sit beside Ka-el.
"Sir Braegen, who is she?" Sol asked Ka-el, whispering to him with her eyes not leaving the two people in front of them.
She has this formidable appearance but when she smiles, she really looks adorable.
I bet that anyone who sees her smile will fall for her immediately. Well, she's really beautiful from the start.
"She is Captain Atalanta Himenes, she is the second strongest next to Tobias."
The second strongest? As she continued staring at her, Sol finally recognized her. She's the companion of Tobias during his dinner with her father.
"Do they have any intimate relationship?"
"Ah. Well, there's been endless rumors that they are together as they look perfect together."
"So...are they together?"
"Well. We never know, they never confirmed it and we still haven't caught them. But I can say that they are still close. "
"Oh."
Sol felt a faint pinch in her left chest. She felt like drinking a lot tonight but she doesn't want to bother her captain. Thus, she continued stuffing her mouth with nuts.
"So, I have this talented aspiring defender. When she heard that you are the training officer at the Northern Camp, she decided to transfer there. Thus, I am heartbroken. How can she leave me for you? I am even kinder and tolerant than you."
"So, when is she coming?"
"Wow, you didn't even sympathize with my pain. Well, she will be there this coming Monday."
"Okay, let's see if she can take my training methods."
"I bet she can. She adores you."
"Oh. Is that all? Then, you may go back to your table."
Atalanta let out a chuckle and then glanced at the people opposite them who were busy drinking.
"My, my, I forgot to greet you, Dorn and Ka-el.. And.. Who?" she asked, referring to Sol.
She has a nonchalant face but very expressive eyes.
Tobias also glanced at Sol who was already sitting beside Ka-el.
Why did she sit there? I thought she's beside me.
"Ma'am, It's Sol Moraii, an aspiring defender."
"Oh, nice to meet you. I am Atalanta Himenes, one of the training officers of the Bloody Cloaks Division at the Southern Camp."
"Nice to meet you as well, ma'am."
"You say you're an aspiring defender, are you training under Captain Karsh?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"I didn't know that Captain Karsh could be this close with an aspiring defender?" she stated while giving a teasing look at Tobias.
"Mm, you got a point there," Ka-el uttered.
Tobias never had a close relationship with the aspiring defenders, his juniors and even with his colleagues (aside from him, Dorn and Atalanta). Thinking about it, Sol broke a liquor bottle on Tobias' head, she also challenged him and there were times when she didn't know her place; and yet, she wasn't given any harsh punishment as Tobias always does when someone crosses him.
Ka-el let out a chuckle.
"I didn't realize. Congratulations, Aspirant Moraii," he said while tapping Sol's back.
"Huh? What do you mean, Sir?" Sol asked with complete innocence.
"For getting close to our Captain without breaking your limbs."
"Ah."
Sol, with his blushing face, looked at Tobias who's currently staring at her. She immediately lowered her head.
Why can't I get used to the Captain's gaze? My heart is about to burst out from my chest. By the way, why is he staring at me?
Sol looked up and glanced at Tobias once again. However, he is currently looking at Captain Himenes. She doesn't know if she's just clouded with jealousy, but it seems that Tobias' face softened while talking to her.
Sol stood up and whispered to Ka-el that she will be visiting the comfort room. However, she didn't go to the comfort room, instead she went outside the tavern towards the empty public square.
As she gazed up, she saw the stars brightly shining down at her.
She let out a sigh.
She went out to cool her mind and calm down her heart. She doesn't want to be petty towards the Captain and his lady friend just because she is jealous.
Does jealousy always come with falling in love? I don't want to be jealous since I still don't have the right. I hope the gentle breeze will make me rational.
"It is so beautiful that it calms my heart," Sol uttered after letting out another deep sigh.
"It is indeed beautiful," a deep voice said.
Sol turned around to look for the source of that familiar voice.
There he is- the man with raven -dark tresses and midnight blue robes.
"Captain?! Um, what brought you here?" she asked the man.
"Mm. It's kind of warm inside, that's why I decided to feel the breeze outside."
Truthfully, Tobias followed Sol as soon as she left their table. He is kind of worried about her since she doesn't look alright. Then, he found her continuously sighing while gazing at the stars in the middle of the plaza square.
"Oh I see. It's kinda warm inside, Captain."
"So...are you alright?"
"A-about what Captain?"
"You didn't look alright earlier. Do you want to go back to our camp now?"
"Oh, it's quite late Captain and I bet that you're tired. Let's stay here for the night and we could go back to our camp tomorrow."
"Okay then. So, let's go back to our table."
"Yes, Captain."
Back at their table...
"So, w-where h-have y-you been? The t-two of you? It's been a-an hour since you're gone?" Ka-el asked, who's already flushed red.
"We just strolled around," Tobias answered.
"Ah, I just remembered. Aspirant Moraii right?" Atalanta asked while looking directly at Sol.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Be careful from traveling alone now. There is a group of thugs from the South that targets the Wishbones," she warned her.
"Who would dare to attack a Wishbone? Unless they are Wishbones as well," Ka-el commented.
"Based on the stories, they are a group of Largusan thugs and they are also strong, especially their leader. And they seem to target the Wishbones only."
"Then, are there any casualties?"
"They have injured 5 and killed 1 using bolos."
"Then, t-that means t-that there are r-rare p-people who can go a-against the W-wishbones," Ka-el commented, even in his drunken state.
"They may belong to the old bloodline of Largusans. I heard that they are really strong," Dorn said after being silent for most of the time they were together.
"Oh, you have a point. They are stronger than regular Largusans but they can't take on more than one Wishbone. That's why they only target Wishbones who are wandering or traveling alone."
"But why would they target their own fellow men? It would be understandable if they take on the mixed or foreign people," Tobias uttered.
"One of the injured Wishbone said that that group thinks that the Wishbones are the real oppressors," Atalanta replied.
"They m-must be o-out of their mind. The Wishbones a-are the saviours of this land," Ka-el said before his face fell down towards the table- knocked out.
"Then, thank you for mentioning that. I'll remind my Wishbone aspirants. For now, me and Sol will leave now to rest," Tobias said and then he looked at Dorn, "How about you and Sir Braegen?"
"We'll follow you in a while, Captain," Dorn replied.
At the inn, they were given a room with two bedrooms.
Tobias went to the bathroom to cleanse himself from the dirt and smell of the tavern.
It's already deep in the night when Tobias went back to their room. He needed to calm down, so he took a quick walk around the inn earlier. Before deciding to retire in his bedroom, he decided to check on Sol.
When he opened the room, he saw Sol already deep in her sleep. He noticed Sol's damp tresses.
"How can she sleep without drying her tresses properly?" he muttered as he pulled a towel from the shelf.
He then walked towards Sol and sat beside her bed. He then gently dried her tresses. He then touched her forehead with the back of his hand.
"She doesn't seem sick. Then, why does she doesn't look alright earlier? Maybe she's tired."
After drying Sol' tresses, he also went to his bed. After several seconds, he already fell asleep.
XXX
In her bedroom, Sol opened her eyes when she felt that the Captain had left the room.
"Huh, I can't breathe," she muttered as she gasped for air.
The moment that the door opened, she immediately closed her eyes and the moment that Tobias approached her, she held her breath.
Tobias' hand on her forehead is so cold that it awakened all her senses.
"Why does his hand feel cold? Mm, maybe he caught the cold air outside."
After some time, Sol couldn't sleep anymore. She then decided to get up and walked towards Tobias' room. She opened the door and entered the room.
She glanced at Tobias who's sleeping in the nearby bed. Unconsciously, Sol walked towards him. She also sat down on his bed and gazed at the Captain.
"Captain, your face is really like a sunset. It is warming my heart."
She then reached out towards Tobias' face and held it gently.
"I'm sorry for sneaking up to you like this. I'm sorry for holding your face without your permission. Even if I don't have the right... Do you know that I felt jealous earlier? When I saw how close you were to her, I felt like you'll soon be gone from me. But don't you worry I'm trying my best to control this negative emotion. I will also do everything I can to show my best self to you. So even if you won't come to me, I will not regret anything because I did my best."
XXX
After that date, Tobias and Sol were able to arrive at the camp safely.
The next day, during their early formation, Tobias introduced a new aspirant before them.
"Today, we have a transferring aspirant from the Southern Camp. Let us welcome Aspirant Dana Craig," Tobias announced.
An applause echoed as the new aspirant went beside Tobias. She is a part Wishbone aspirant-raven dark tresses, gray eyes and darker skin tone. She's just like Tobias.
"Good morning. My name is Aspirant Dana Craig from the Southern Camp. I transferred here because of Captain Karsh," she said and then looked at the Captain, "Captain, I look up to you so much and I want to train under you."
"Mm. Then, do your best."
"Yes, Captain!" she exclaimed with determination and she went to join the formation.
XXX
Just after the dinner, Dana decided to take a walk around the training field. As she walked further, she saw two figures at the center of the field. One is doing the drills in the way of the sword while the other stood still watching the other.
She then approached two aspirants having their tea while watching the two figures.
"Who are they?" she asked.
"Ahh. Captain Karsh and Aspirant Moraii," Serga replied.
"What are they doing? I thought that the training ended."
This time, Reicha replied, "That is a special training for Sol."
"Why? Is there an incoming competition?"
"There is none. The Captain gave her a special training since she's 'lagging' behind," Serga replied.
"Oh, it's really hard to be a Pure-Blood."
"But she's a Wishbone," Reicha corrected her.
"Huh?"
"She's dubbed as the weakest of the Wishbones. Her strength and agility is at par with the Pure-Blooded," Aries, who's currently listening to their conversation, chimed in.
"Impossible. How can she be weak like that?"
"It's a rare case," Aries replied.
"Oh," Dana can only say as her gaze traveled back to the two figures at the center of the field.
It may seem that she agreed that it's a rare case; but she couldn't wrap it around her head.
How can a Wishbone be that weak? Or maybe she's just doing that on purpose to receive special training from the Captain? If that's the case, this Sol fellow is clever.
XXX
Tobias just finished his special training with Sol and he's on his way to his quarters, when an aspirant blocked his path.
"Captain..." the aspirant called out to him.
It's the transferee.
"Yes?"
"My training from the South is a bit more relaxed compared to your methods. If I may shamelessly ask a favor from you, Captain, I also would like to have a special training from you. I want to cope up with your training and I really want to do well."
"Hm. That'll be weekdays only. After dinner."
"Noted, Captain."
"Okay then," he said and went on his way.
Dana followed the retreating back of the Captain with her fervor gaze.
Soon, I will be at par with you, Captain.
Not far from her is a curious gaze from the Captain's admirer-Aspirant Sol Moraii.
What did they talk about? The Captain seemed kind to her.
Sol let out a sigh as she walked towards her quarters.
XXX
Lunch time at the Fort Amethyst Training Camp.
Karisha was still in shock to see Dorn sitting in front of her. She was silently eating alone when a defender sat in front of her.
"S-Sir Allegros?" she burst.
"How have you been, Aspirant Grasi?" he asked with a small smile.
"Uh. I'm doing fine sir, I think. By the way, what brought you here, sir?"
"Well, I said that I would help you master the lyre harp. Are you fine meeting during Saturdays?"
"Saturdays, sir? That would be fine."
"Um. You can meet me at the Everlasting Tea Shop at 10 am."
The Everlasting Tea Shop is located at the midpoint between the camp and the capital.
"Yes, sir."
Awkward silence.
"Let me get you a meal ,sir," Karisha finally said.
"No, it's okay. I can go and-"
Dorn was not able to finish what he's saying when Karisha disappeared from his sight. After a while, she brought him a meal.
"Thank you," Dorn said and started eating, "By the way, do you know someone named...Dong?"
"Dong...?" she asked, waiting for the family name.
"A-axukixi. Dong Axukixi."
"Mm."
"D-do you know where he-" Dorn started but he stopped. He wanted to know where he is living now but he seemed not ready to find out about it.
"Haa?...Sir."
"Nothing. Continue eating," he said and smiled at her.
Karisha was still in daze when she arrived at her quarters. She just had her dinner and her heart is still beating very fast even after Dorn left several hours ago.
She sat down on her bed and just stared at nothing.
Did he have to come to tell me that he is going to help me master the lyre harp? He could have just sent a messenger.
Uh, by the way, why is he asking about uncle Dong? Is Uncle Dong involved in a case?
Oh no.