Chapter 19
Captain Yang
I try to prepare myself for this, but no matter how many mental tools I call upon, it’s not enough.
I follow the Princess back into the palace, and into an enormous room. There’s nothing in it save for multiple sturdy training mats, all new and glittering blue.
Then, at the far end, a door opens. Three men walk through.
I recognize one as the head of palace guards and the other as General Qor.
As the third approaches, my gut twists.
It’s Castor.
For a single second, he stares right at me, and I see the same threat dancing in his gaze.
But just as soon as that look hardens his jaw, it’s gone.
Princess Mara steps forward and bows low. “I am told you are the legendary warrior Castorious Barr. It is my privilege to receive you.”
I wait for Castor to scoff. After all, from what Yin told me last night, it seems as if Castor thinks nothing of the Royal Family.
Yet, with only the slightest pause, he returns Mara’s bow. “The honor is mine, your Highness.”
I watch Castor, waiting for him to slip up, but he doesn’t.
If I didn’t know better, he looks exactly like the loyal servant he’s meant to be.
.…
Maybe Garl was right. Maybe once Castor realized what the army needed him for – the training of the Savior – the legendary warrior mellowed.
Still, I can’t take my eyes off him. As for Castor, however, he barely glances my way.
“They tell me you haven’t trained anyone in 20 years,” Mara says as she nods politely. “I hope I am a worthy student.”
I look keenly at Castor now. We both know he’s trained someone in the past 20 years. In fact, it seems as if he has spent those 20 years doing nothing but training Yin.
“That is true. Apart from my apprentice herbalist, I have not formally trained anyone in the arts of combat,” Castor says smoothly.
It isn’t an outright lie, but it isn’t exactly the truth. Yin has to be more than his apprentice herbalist – she melted Mae’s shoes, for god’s sake.
Still, I hold my tongue. Not only is it not my place to talk, I don’t want to draw Castor’s ire again. Like it or not, Mara needs him. I will not jeopardize her training as the Savior.
“Instruct me, and I will follow your orders,” Mara says as she bows in the traditional manner of a trainee facing their master – with both hands pressed together and eyes directed at the ground.
As is customary, Castor does not return the bow. Instead, he strides onto the mat.
There’s total silence in the room. Which isn’t surprising – Castor’s reputation precedes him. He single-handedly modernized and reformed the entire training program for the Royal Army and was personally responsible for training some of the greatest men to have served with her in the last half a century.
He’s the closest thing to a living legend.
.…
No, Mara is now the closest thing to a living legend, considering she is the very embodiment of the Savior myth.
But the fact still stands, Castor has knowledge and skills far beyond that of most men. So there’s total silence in the room as he prepares to train the Princess.
“We will begin our theory today, but before we can properly train, we will need to find another, more appropriate space,” Castor says in a calm but authoritative voice.
“There are many rooms in the palace, Master. I’m sure we’ll find one to your liking,” Mara begins.
“No, not in the palace. If you are to learn to become a warrior, you must train amongst them. The training square of the Royal Barracks is by far the most appropriate space,” Castor says.
Mara looks surprised but nods her head. “As you wish. I don’t usually venture out of the palace—”
“Castorious,” Qor clears his throat, “that may not be appropriate.”
“It is best we keep the Princess’ training secret,” the head of guards adds.
“I understand these factors, but I must still recommend training in the square. To instill in the Princess the proper discipline she requires she must be amongst warriors. We can’t afford to take this lightly – the fate of the world rests on our shoulders. I realize it may not be appropriate to take an ordinary princess into the Royal Barracks and have her train amongst our soldiers. But Mara is no longer ordinary. Her fate requires we are bold. We must ensure her training is as quick and efficient as possible – we do not have time to waste. While we could bring all the equipment we require to the palace, and ship in the best warriors we can find, all we seek is already at the barracks. I suggest we don’t make an already hard task harder, simply for tradition’s sake.”
I watch the head of the guards pale slightly. Qor looks quickly between Castor and the Princess.
Castor has given a compelling argument.
Nevertheless, it’s a smoke screen.
I wager the reason he wants to take the Princess to the barracks has nothing to do with training her amongst warriors, and everything to do with Yin being there.
Before Qor and the head of the guards can protest, Mara steps forward and nods her head. “Very well, it is decided. I will train at the barracks.”
“Princess,” Qor begins.
She raises a hand to silence him. “It is decided, General. I trust Castor. I will follow his judgment in this matter. Now, Master, let us begin,” she nods again.
Castor nods too. Though his mouth is obscured by his beard, I swear he gives the smallest of smiles.
I tried to warn Garl about Castor, but Garl did not believe me. Yet as I stand and watch, I realize I’ll have to try again.
Castor is most certainly up to something.
For the rest of the training session, I stand and watch.
Castor runs through basic theory with the Princess, teaching her nothing I haven’t heard before. So it provides me with an opportunity to stand there and think.
And think I do.
Not about the Savior and the end of the world, but about the mysterious Yin and her legendary Master, Castorious Barr.
Though I should not have the time to spare, I declare to myself that I will find out what’s going on.
No matter what it takes.