As the sun began to set, I left the camp behind me, heading down a worn path through the woods. The air grew colder as I walked, the camp's noise fading into the distance. For most people, it was a time of rest, but for me, fatigue was a familiar companion. There was one person I knew I could turn to for clarity, especially when my thoughts got tangled.
The professor's tent appeared, the tent itself patched and reinforced with ingenuity, and around it, things and objects of an earlier time like a rusty helmet, a broken rifle on a shelf, and what looked like the fragments of an old drone.
I pulled the tent cover back and stepped inside. The air smelled faintly of leaves and gun oil, a strangely comforting combination. Inside, there are books, maps and charts that speak of the mind of a man who lived for knowledge.
"Roy. I wondered when you'd show up, where is Andrew. You come alone?" his gruff voice came before I even stepped inside.
The professor, the only person I feel completely comfortable with beside Andrew, whose name was Charles Lorac, turned from his workbench, where he was fiddling with a broken compass. His silver hair was combed back, his posture relaxed but alert, a neat white mustache giving him a charming, wise appearance, and his sharp gray eyes met mine with familiarity.
"I came alone." I nodded.
"Is there something on your mind or are you just here to admire my collection?" he asked, pointing to a display of World War III artifacts neatly hung on the walls.
I closed the cover behind me. "Both, maybe," I said. "I just need to clear my mind."
Charles nodded and said, "Let me guess. A riddle you can't solve, or a battle you can't win?"
"It's more complicated than that," I admitted, and I sat on a nearby chair. "We got a princess as a prisoner, but she's… different. She's stubborn and unpredictable. There's something else, but I can't put my finger on it."
The professor rubbed his chin. "Ah, the complexities of human communication. Emotions intervene and the mind stops, Roy. Sometimes the toughest battles aren't fought with swords but with words and choices. What exactly is bothering you?"
I hesitated before answering. "She's hiding something important. I'm sure of that. But the way she talks, the way she looks at me… it's like there's something I should know, but I don't remember anything."
Charles smiled. "If she has a secret and she refuses to tell you, it's either because she doesn't trust you, or because she's afraid of something. Either way, the only way forward is patience. Trust is built, not forced."
"What if she's just playing around? Buying some time," I replied.
"So be it, surely answers can be found" he replied. "But something tells me, this isn't just about the mission. What do you really want from this Roy? Do you just want answers? Or is there something else?"
I remain silence, unable to express my feelings.
He leaned forward and said, "You've been through a lot. So, now you know when someone is lying and when they are in pain, trust yourself my boy."
I nodded, feeling some weight lifted off my shoulders. Then I said "Thanks," and stood up to leave.
"Roy," Charles said as I reached the cover. "Don't forget, you're human too. It's okay to feel these feelings."
He glanced toward a small table near the corner, where a single steaming cup of tea sat beside a collection of some strange jewelry. "Next time you come with Andrew, we'll sit and have tea. I've got a few new treasures to show you both, and I believe they're worth a story or two." His voice carried a warm, hopeful tone, and a soft smile formed beneath his white moustache.
I paused, the weight of his words dropping in, then nodded with a little smile drawn in my face and said "Sure thing…" then stepped out. With Charles's advice, I knew what I needed to do next. I headed toward the cell to face the princess once more.
The return to camp was quieter than usual, and the professor's words were still on my mind. The path winded through the outskirts, as the trees began to thin, and the faint hum of camp activity reached my ears.
As I stepped onto the main grounds, a strange sight caught my eye near the training ground. Andrew and Sophia were training, not with their usual weapons, but in unarmed training. Andrew's heavy steps were in sharp contrast to Sophia's graceful, precise movements. She slipped under his sweeping punches, wrapping her arm around his arm and flipping him onto his back in one smooth motion.
Andrew looked up into the sky. "Well, I admit it, you're scary without a spear too."
Sophia smiled and extended her hand to help him stand. "It's not the weapon, it's the skill. Maybe you'll catch up with me one day."
Andrew smiled. "Maybe, or I will always let you win."
"Sure," she replied softly.
I really like how Andrew is being too gentle with Sophia. I stepped closer, crossing my arms. "Are we training or flirting here?"
Andrew smiled. "Why not both? We need to keep things interesting."
Sophia gave him a sharp look, but her cheeks blushed. "We're just training. I thought we'd work on some hand-to-hand combat techniques for a change."
"Looks like you're the one who needs training," I said teasing Andrew.
"Oh, my little brother is in a good mood," he replied. "Next time, it'll be your turn on the floor."
"Sure," I said. "I'll let you dream."
Sophia looked at me, her expression turning more serious. "You're going to see her, right?"
I nodded. "That's the plan."
I hesitated, then said softly, "Good luck."
I turned to let them continue their training. And not so far from the training area, I found Yuri standing near a tent, talking to one of the soldiers. When he saw me, he dismissed the soldier with a nod and walked off.
"How's it going?" Yuri asked, his gaze as sharp as ever.
"She's not talking," I admitted. "But I'll try again."
Yuri studied me for a moment, then said, "Roy, you've done enough for today. If this doesn't work, don't push yourself too far. I can intervene if necessary."
I shook my head. "No. This is my mission. I'll do it to the end."
"Don't let your pride get in the way," he said. "Sometimes, stepping back is the smart and right move"
"I'll keep that in mind," I replied.
Yuri's expression softened. "You have a good mind, trust that. But don't be afraid to rely on the people around you Roy."
"I know," I said, nodding my head.
After that, I left Yuri and the others behind and focused on the task ahead of me. The princess wasn't going to make this easy, but I had to find a way to overcome it.