The next day..
The night was peaceful without the group facing any problems. Ursula was the first to wake up, or so she thought. Standing Infront her tent she stretched her body getting it ready for the day, the faint light of the morning reached into the cave lighting up some part of it accompanied by the cold mountain breeze and songs of the birds.
Her eyes were yet to adjust to the morning when she saw a figure sitting next to the fire, rubbing her eyes with her hands she was able to see who it was. Their driver was sitting in a crossed legged position with his hands joined together and eyes closed, while sitting next to the orange flames coming out of the burning woods.
"Good morning mister"
Ursula said politely as she made her way to warm herself with the fire.
"Ahh, good morning to you too miss. I hope you have rested well enough"
The driver replied while still remained in his position, and eye closed with a smile on his face.
"So... what exactly are you doing?"
Ursula asked stretching her out to feel the warmth of fire while sitting next to the driver.
"Well... it's a special technique used in a fight. And it's the same one the kid used to beat you with"
The driver replied with a mischievous smile.
"I see. Well, I'll go ahead and prepare us breakfast before we continue on our journey"
Ursula didn't mind the driver's mischievous smile as she went on to grab the things needed to get breakfast done.
"I'm sorry for I'm currently busy at the moment so, you'll have to prepare it yourself. I really need to learn everything I can from the young master before our journey comes to an end"
The driver gave a slight bow.
"I didn't know he already took in a disciple"
Ursula was shocked by the driver's words.
The driver just smiled as he continued training. Ursula went on with preparing breakfast after looking at the driver for some time, with Stephanie and Quinton still sleeping.
The morning was so cold that when Ursula exhaled, it came out like a hot steam coming out of a boiling pot of water. And her hands and feet had wrinkles on them like she just woke up in an old lady's body. But as time passed and the more she moved, her body became hot and the wrinkles on her hands and feet disappeared.
As the scent of boiling vegetables and meat spread throughout the cave, Stephanie and Quinton who was still sleeping suddenly had their eyes open. They were like predators in a deep sleep, but once the scent of their preys is sensed they open those bloodthirsty eyes like they were not even sleeping at all. Hearing the sound of footsteps approaching, the driver turned to face them," So the young master is finally awake"
"Young master?"
Stephanie looked at the driver in confusion while covering herself with the blanket she brought out with her from the tent.
"Nice try. But I'm over here"
I(Quinton)said with a soft chuckle.
"I guess I still have a long way to go,sigh.."
The driver said with a depressed sigh.
"Don't trouble yourself over it, I'm sure you'll be able to figure out soon"
I gave the driver a thumbs up with a wide smile.
"Your words are kind, Young master"
The driver smiled while continuing his training.
"So when did the two of you become all master disciple thing?"
Stephanie asked sitting next to me.
"We'll.. it was after the dual between me and Ursula that he became interested in the style I used to beat Ursula. So I ended up telling him how to master the control of his hearing ability"
I replied looking Stephanie in the eyes confidently.
"So you mean to tell me, that the skill which your father master after ten years, you have already mastered it in what. Two, three months?. And the worse part is, you believe your friend there can master it less than the time your father or you mastered it?"
Stephanie asked while raising an eyebrow.
"Well I was able to master it after five months straight, so I think it will be possible for him to master it faster than me or my father. Like they say; Even the he dry seed grows into a new. So at the rate his training, I'm sure he'll be able to make it soon"
I replied while looking at the proud smiling face of the driver.
"If master think so highly of me, then. I swear I'll do my best to master it quickly as possible"
The driver said with a smile.
"I know you can. But can you just call me Quinton instead of master, I feel bad for letting an elderly man like you call me that"
I said with a guilty face.
"Very well, if that is what master wishes, I shall call you Quinton from now on"
The driver replied like a student/disciple, accepting the terms of his master.
"I just said.huhh..never mind"
I didn't want to continue talking about the master thing or he might never stop calling me that.
"Looks like the sleeping hungry beauties have finally awakened from their slumber ay"
Ursula came out of nowhere and stood behind me and Stephanie, with both hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry little sis, I'll make up by preparing lunch and dinner today"
Stephanie apologized, for whatever reason I wasn't sure about.
Ursula didn't say anything, she just stared at her big sister for a few seconds before checking out the pot. After a few minutes of chatting while waiting for breakfast, finally it was ready. Ursula served everyone's wooden bowl with vegetables, rabbit meat and not forgetting the hot spicy light golden soup. I have to say, that was one of the best meal I've ever had (prepared by Ursula).
"So.. what do you guys think?"
Ursula asked, taking a spoon full of the golden spicy liquid(soup).
"Well I have to say little sister, it's very good. It's almost like you poured all your effort into making this"
Stephanie said with a mouth full.
"Although it's spicy, it does have a sweet taste after every spoon. When did you learn how to make this, I'd love for you teach me some day"
I said in all honesty.
"Of course I'll teach you, but not today. For now it's my responsibility to take care of you as a maid, until you are old enough to take care of yourself"
Ursula replied, talking like a mother, advising her child about what's wrong and what's right.
"But I'm old enough already. See"
I said standing up, while trying to prove my delusion by tip-toeing.
"I agree, Quinton is old enough to take care of himself. He was able to prove it by defeating you last night"
The driver said firmly, breaking a smirk at the end.
"Shut it old man, I wasn't talking to you!"
Ursula shouted at the driver.
"Old man?. I'll have you know I just turned twenty five yesterday!"
The driver retorted but still kept his eyes closed.
"Really. I also just turned six yesterday"
I said in surprise.
"It seems fate has made it possible for you and I, young master"
The driver's face softened.
Stephanie and Ursula also realized that they had really forgotten all about my birthday, probably because of all the talk about traveling and the preparations.
I didn't want to remind everyone I just wanted to see if my parents and the maids would be able to remember, but turns out every body really forgot about it.
Back in my world, my parents never celebrated my birthday as far as I can remember. And everytime I see children celebrating their birthday with their parents and friends, I always wished it was me being in those groups. And my heart hurts just from watching, I've never received any present from anyone. The only presents I get are from the school-close-up, but that wasn't the kind of present I wanted. I want a present that will let me know and feel that someone cares about me.
My father was a teacher in one of the Primary schools in town. He was a kind person that helped many people who were in need of help and also a very energetic guy who always had a smile on his face. But when it comes to me, he always look at me like I was a piece of trash lying on the streets ready to be blown away by the wind. He's also an alcoholic who gets drunk three times in a week, and everytime he comes home drunk, ohh boy. He beats me up for no good reason, it's almost like I've become his punching bag. While I'm getting beaten up by my father, my mother doesn't even bother about stopping him or even try too. She sometimes just do her own thing like she wasn't seeing anything, and the only person who stands up for me is my little sister.
Unlike me, my sister was treated well by our parents. It was like that since we were both little, with me being the hated one and my little sister being their little baby girl. When I was seven, I sneaked out of the house while everyone were sound asleep.
After escaping from the room me and my sister share, I went to the kitchen grabbed some can-food stuffed them in my backpack with two 500ml water bottles. The night was raining heavily and it happened to be the best time for my little escape plan, as I made my way to the door I heard the sound small footsteps approaching from behind. I turned around and there was my little sister standing while rubbing her sleepy eyes with the back of her hand.
"Ahhh..where are you going big brother?"
My sister said in a sleepy tone.
"I'm just going... to wash in the rain"
I replied making up an excuse.
"But why are you carrying a bag?"
My sister looked at me with confused eyes.
"Oh yeah, I loaded my change of clothes inside so it would be easier for me to change outside"
I said in a whispering voice.
Without saying anything my sister approached me signaling me to lend her a ear, I bent down until I was at her eye level giving her an ear to hear what secret she was about to say.
"I understand, but why are we whispering?"
She said in a whisper.
"Well..I don't want mother and father to find out that I came out to wash in the rain in the middle of the night"
I replied giving her a smile.
"Can I join you big brother"
My sister asked.
"Well I really love for you to join me, but tonight's kind of really cold. But I promise if the rain continues until morning we'll both wash in the rain"
I said patting her on the head.
"You promise?"
My sister asked with a sad face.
"Well who do you think you're asking, aren't I your one and only big brother"
I said puffing my chest.
"Of course I know dummy. Pinky swear?"
My sister said giving me her pinky finger.
"Cross my heart and hope to die"
I said shaking her hand sealing our pinky swear promise, a promise which never came until today.
After our little deal, she returned to our room with me unlocking the door and walking out. As I stood outside the door I couldn't help but feel sorry for my little sister, she was the only person I look at as a family. My escape was my only way of paying her back for always standing up for me. I know it may not be what she wants from me but, I need to save myself first before I get killed by my parents. Once I'm able to take care of myself I'll come back and take her away with me, somewhere far away from our parents, far from their abuse.
Taking a deep breath I walked into the heavy rainstorm, I was about to walk out the gate when I felt like someone or something was staring at me. Turning around I looked to my room's window only to see my sister sticking her head out the window. From her face I could tell she figured it out that I just lied to her. We both looked at each other for a couple of seconds before I broke eye contact with her as I disappeared into the rainy night. As I walked out I heard her calling me begging me to go back, I felt my heart hurt it was almost like a piece of it has just been taken away from me. But I had already made up my mind, so there was no turning back. If I turn back now I'm definitely going to die from the beating I'm gonna get so it's best that I leave while I still can.
"Big brother!!. please come back!. Don't leave me alone I'm begging you, please come back!. I'll do anything!. Big brother....!!!"
That was the last time I heard her voice.
"Hey, you ok?"
I heard Stephanie's worried voice.
"Oh sorry, guess I spaced out for a while"
I said snapping out of my thoughts.
"But why are you crying?"
Ursula worriedly said.
"Really?"
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't realize I was crying.
"Quinton you know, it's much better to share your worries with others than to keep it all to yourself. Well that was what my mother always say"
The driver adviced.
"She must be a wise lady"
I said with a smile.
"Hahah... you can say that again"
The said putting a meat into his mouth.
Slowly whipping my eyes with the back of my hand I was able to feel the tears coming down from my eyes. After whipping my eyes my vision suddenly blurred from the uncontrollable tears that kept coming from my eyes and my heart started beating faster, I continued to wipe away my tears but they kept coming and my fast beating heart turned into pain. It was a pain I never experienced before, it didn't hurt like a tummy ache or even like being hurt physically. Instead it felt more like my heart was filled with many emotions that it couldn't even tell which one was befitting for my situation. I could feel them all inside me, trying to burst out at the same time.
Compared to my past life, I never really minded my parents treatment. I mean it does hurt to be mistreated by the very people who brought you into the world of the living.
"Hey I'm sorry that we forgot about your birthday young one"
Stephanie said with guilt in her voice.
"But don't worry we'll celebrate your birthday once we get to the city ok"
Ursula joined trying to comfort me.
"Hey you guys I'm fine, really"
I said with a smile.
"You know, I really want to believe you but. With all those years coming down from your eyes, I still find hard to believe you are fine"
The driver said worriedly.
"Look if it's something we have done to make you feel bad, you can tell us"
Ursula said in a sad voice.
"Ohh.. someone is about to cry"
The driver said while smiling at Ursula.
"I'm not crying you old man!. It's just that I wanted him to enjoy this journey not to make him feel bad"
Ursula retorted with a blushed face.
Her embarrassed face was so innocent and cute but that made the three of us laugh.
Anyways after making up a reason for me crying we had our breakfast and continued with our journey. This time Ursula and Stephanie took turns at driving the carriage because our driver who was practicing whole night needed to rest, plus there was nothing much to do so the sisters didn't mind taking over his role.
The day was bright but as we continued our journey the day began to become gloomy. Well that was after I woke up from my sleep, looking out the window of the carriage I confirmed that it was raining. I was reading while the driver was sleeping on the other side while the two sisters sat outside, I was busy reading but seeing our driver sleeping soundly was enough to make me fall asleep too that I didn't notice the change of weather.
"This is some rain, I thought father said it never rain this much. What are we going to do?. It doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon"
Ursula said
While the sisters were trying to come up with a decision I woke up the sleeping driver and told him about our situation, and damn how right I was in waking him up. After he took a good look at our surrounding he quickly went outside and took over from the sisters telling them to prepare for a monster attack. When the sisters told me about it, I felt shivers all over my body.
"The driver said that it doesn't rain this much normally, but only when the mountain trolls a hunting"
Stephanie explained while checking her daggers.
"Trolls"
I said in panic.
"Trolls are said to be ruthless killing monsters that kill anything they come across. But they aren't just stupid killing trolls, after their attack on their preys they clean up the place like nothing ever happened there. While lying in wait for their next prey"
Ursula said in a way that sounded like a forbidden legend being foretold, that made shiver even more.
Stephanie took me to her side as she scolded Ursula for making me scared.
"Don't worry young one, I told you before that I'll be at your side always, didn't I ?"
Her words was enough to make calm down a lot but her beautiful smile was telling me that she was hitting on me, it was enough to make me blush.
"You know it's not the time for romance Stephanie"
Ursula said jealously
"Hahahaha, it can't be helped you know. The kids just happened to be captivated by my beauty, to bad you don't have that"
Stephanie teased.
"Well it wouldn't have happened if you didn't try to flirt with him. And FYI we both know I'm more beautiful than you"
Ursula looked out the window with a puffed cheek.
"Hey I hate to break it to you guys but we'll be camping in another cave. We won't be able to out run the trolls in this muddy road, so it might be risky but that is the best choice we've got!"
The driver shouted over his shoulder.
Without delay Stephanie gave the OK to the driver. As we headed towards the cave the roars of the trolls could be heard on the mountain range. Aa the roars of the trolls where getting closer I couldn't help myself from shaking, Stephanie and Ursula was looking out the windows from both sides with their daggers at hand ready to fight. Our driver was doing his best to get us quickly to the cave, with his vision being limited by the rain he used his other hand to shield his eyes from the falling rain while steering with the other.
After a minute..
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief when we saw the cave but that lasted only a second when a dozen figures fell to ground blocking the entrance.
"Ahh... guys, we got company!"
Ths driver shouted back.
"I can see that"
Ursula said hanging on the side of the carriage.
Looking back at where she was sitting before, I was left speechless at the speed she was able to get outside so quickly without us even noticing.
"When the hail did you get out!!"
The driver asked in shock.
"The real question is what should we do now!!"
Ursula said in a serious voice.
Despite being just a kid, she was was more like a warrior ready to face death head on. There was not even a hint of fear that could be seen in her eyes, I wonder. Has she fought battles before, at a young age or is she just fearless.
"Just charge forward at full speed, and don't slow down!!"
Stephanie shouted.
"You got it"
The driver licked his lips as he struck the horses making them run even faster.
"Listen carefully young one. Lock the doors and don't try to open it until I say so, got it ?"
Stephanie looked me in the eyes with worry as she instructed.
I wasn't able to make a sound from my mouth maybe because of the fright that I was only able to give her a nod. Before going outside she gave me kiss on the forehead wich made me blush even more but it happened to calm me down again. Seeing my bright red cheeks she chuckled lightly before pinching it, opening the door while hanging the side like her little sister while pulling out a dagger from her thigh. The sisters can be cute but when they get serious it's on another level, that includes my mom.
Locking the doors I was curious to what the trolls looked like so I peeped through the front window looking over the driver's shoulder trying to get a good look at them as we were getting closer.
As we got closer I was able to see the trolls. Their skin was light grey and their hair was grey and green mixed together, perfect for camouflage on rocky areas or near a river. They are probably like two - three metres tall with macular bodies and their face were that of humans, but they looked rough and scary. And their whole body was exposed to the entire nature but only their private parts was covered with animal skin. Each troll was carrying a club that weighed like, probably twenty plus kilos. Well that's my guess.
"This is it guys, our lives depends on this fight. So lets give our all!!"
The driver shouted.
"We are like four seconds away from the trolls, that should be enough to brace for impact"
I said to myself.
Thanks everyone and See you again in the next chapter people
;)