Loki stood in the mirror observing his face. It had been three weeks since the duel with Ken. His wounds from that battle had long healed. Entering the bedchamber he wore a shirt, knelt by his bed and whispered, "Dear Mari, look after us from above and please keep Tars safe out there."
He walked out of the room with his hands in his pockets, whistling on his way. He knocked on the door next to his and entered.
"Hey Ken, wake up."
He walked towards the bed and shook him. "Man, you have got to get up." Ken tossed on the bed and sat up, looking at Loki's face. He patted him on the shoulder. "You have got to stop acting like we are friends," he said as he walked towards the bathroom.
"We are friends, you big bird," Loki said as he walked out.
He arrived at the hall where they mostly took breakfast. No one was there. Looking at his watch it was 6:10 in the morning, probably everyone was still getting ready he thought, as he climbed the stairs heading for the library.
As he entered, he saw white haired Lisa sleeping on the desk with books spread around her. Beside her was Mary. He passed by them slowly so not to wake them up. Looking at the two sleep, he noticed they had the same facial features. They really looked alike, he thought, as he approached a bookshelf with the words "Duo Wisdom" written on top.
Taking a book from the shelf, he sat down beside it. The title was "Past Lives." Loki turned to the page he had to read for the day. Written at the top was Day 20. He breathed out slowly and read the words on the page.
Darling Blue
Life goes on, my dearest,Sadness fills my heart each day,Oh Darling Blue.
I traveled the world hoping to bring home treasure,I sailed across the oceans,My Darling Blue.
Days and nights the storms hit,I grew sick on the rolling seas,Oh Darling Blue.
Found the treasure at last,My Darling Blue.A distant land where men grew horns and tails,They placed it in my hands,Oh Darling Blue.
I came home to find our house destroyed,I called out, where is my Darling Blue?Gone, they said.
I took the treasure, oh Darling Blue,And horns I grew.I drenched our hometown in blood,Darling Blue.
It's been years now,And still I ask,Was this treasure worth it,Oh Darling Blue?
Loki wiped the tears from his eyes and closed the book. Reading this over the past weeks had really calmed his mind and soul, he thought. Looking at the time which now read 7:00am he walked towards the exit of the library. He noticed Lisa and Mary had left and the desk was cleared and neat. Sighing, he walked down the stairs. "Darling Blue, oh Darling Blue," a man's voice kept ringing in his mind. He was very relaxed as he entered the hall.
Lucas and Ken were sitting by a table eating breakfast. He joined them, taking a seat beside Ken and patting him on the shoulder. "Good day, One Eyed King," Loki said as he sat down. Lucas with his eyepatch responded, "Hothead, coming from the library I guess." Loki nodded as he bit into the bread and brought the tea cup to his lips. "Past Lives is truly an interesting book, Sir," Loki said. "Hahaha! It is. Reading it really opened my mind and the words hammered into my soul. And please, One Eyed King is the name," Lucas said, placing the empty cup on the table and standing up. "Today you two are going to go on a little walk with me outside the gate." He walked outside. Loki stared at the blue jacket and cutlass hanging on his back. "You know Ken, you haven't even tried reading the books Lucas recommended," Loki said.
Ken placed his empty cup on the table with a bang. "Well, I'm not much of a reader. Besides, the two of you always discuss what you read every day so why should I waste time doing so. I already know all 19 chapters of Past Lives you've read so far," Ken said as he patted Loki on the back.
Loki shook his head and placed his empty cup on the table. "Well, I read chapter 20 today. It's been three weeks since Lucas became our coach, since Tars and Pan left with the Captain, Joycelyn and Jon to train in the valley. Guess we finally get to step outside today," Loki said as he helped Ken clear the table and stack the dishes at the end of the hall.
"Loki, you know it's still strange who cooks and washes for us," Ken said as he placed a plate down.
"Well remember we don't need to worry about that. Even the upper team doesn't know how those things work around here," Loki responded as they headed to the basement.
"Hey, I haven't seen Mary and Lisa today either. Are those two even here," Ken asked.
"Oh, they were at the library this morning. I'm sure they slept there," Loki said. "But those two really do look alike. I can see Mary in Lisa you know," he added as he opened the training room door.
He walked towards his locker and took out his crystal embedded gloves, pulling them on. Ken was at his locker and took out his twin pistols and strapped the round belt of crystal bullets around his waist. Closing his locker, he walked with Loki towards the exit of the training ground, then stopped and looked back.
"Loki, you know training with Lucas these past weeks, learning to use the pistol and dueling with you was pretty good."
Loki turned back and patted his shoulder. "Yeah, well we have to get to the gate before he beats us for being late, friend."
Ken pushed Loki's hand off his shoulder and said under his breath, "Not friends."
"Huh," Loki asked.
"I said not friends!" Ken shouted as he walked away. Loki's mouth curved into a smile as he followed him.
At the gate leading outside the fortress, Lucas stood watching as Loki and Ken approached, discussing something he couldn't hear. He smiled. Three weeks ago when Ray assigned the two to him it had been a real headache. They fought all the time. Especially Loki, who was dealing with a lot since Tars left.
He had recommended the "Duo" section of the library to them both. Loki always made time to read something every day. Ken however was more interested in training and sleeping. And eating, Lucas thought as he shook his head.
"You ready!"
"Yes," both Ken and Loki responded as they got closer.
"Alright. This is a walk into the southern part of the valley to pluck some medicinal plants. We will take routes to avoid most danger. You two must stay by me at all times. And what is the best way to learn?"
"Observation is the best way to learn," both responded.
"Good," Lucas said with a smile as he pulled his hood up. Ken and Loki did the same. He placed his watch on the gate and after some cracking sounds it swung open. "We head out." Lucas dashed forward. Ken and Loki followed. The ground was green with grass and tall trees. Both gasped as they leapt from tree to tree following Lucas into the forest.
"Hothead, what do you think about Darling Blue?" Lucas asked as he dashed from one tree to another.
"I think Zeus gained the treasure but lost his family. Him drowning his hometown in blood means they probably killed his Blue," Loki said as he dashed behind Lucas.
"Well said. However, I think there is more to it, Hothead. Zeus's treasure might be the reason we are all here." Lucas said. "Every treasure requires sacrifice. Some you pay yourself, some someone else pays, some you get lucky and some your descendants pay." He said as they dashed forward towards an open field. Ken nodded as he dashed after them.
Within minutes of leaping through trees and open fields they arrived at a small garden. Loki felt very alive as he caught his breath, his exhausted strength returning as he stood among the herbs. Various plants he had only seen in books grew all around him.
"Wow, this is so—"
"Quiet." Lucas's voice cut him off. He watched Lucas draw both cutlasses, eyes scanning the tree line. "Be on guard. We have company."