Chapter 6: It Is Time for Training
Two weeks had passed since Niel's arrival in the Kingdom of Duston.
Two long weeks.
Two weeks of waiting.
Two weeks of rejection.
Prince Henry had announced throughout the kingdom that a generous reward would be given to any trainer willing to take Niel as a student and transform him into a warrior.
The reward was substantial.
Large enough to tempt even the most ambitious men.
Yet despite that...
No one accepted.
Not a single trainer stepped forward.
Every warrior who heard the offer came to the same conclusion.
It was impossible.
Niel had never fought on a battlefield.
He had never trained with a sword.
He had never worn armor.
The young healer could barely hold a blade for more than a few minutes before his arms began to ache.
To the trainers of Duston's kingdom, the task was laughable.
It was like asking a farmer to become a king.
Or a fish to learn how to fly.
Inside the royal palace, Prince Henry stood beside his father.
The prince folded his arms and released a weary sigh.
"Father," he said. "It has been two weeks."
King Duston remained seated upon his throne.
His massive frame looked almost too large for it.
"And?" Duston replied.
"Every trainer has refused."
Henry shook his head.
"I have spoken to them personally. None believe it can be done."
He paused.
"To be honest..."
His gaze drifted toward the training grounds outside.
"I am beginning to think they may be right."
A loud chuckle escaped Duston's lips.
"My son."
Henry looked at him.
"You worry too much."
Duston leaned back comfortably.
"I already solved this problem days ago."
Henry frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Duston's grin widened.
"I sent for Adams."
For the first time, surprise appeared on Henry's face.
"Adams?"
Duston nodded.
"The very same."
Henry fell silent.
Everyone in the kingdom knew that name.
Adams was a legend.
A veteran warrior.
A master trainer.
One of the men responsible for producing some of the strongest soldiers in Duston's army.
Years ago, he had trained countless warriors.
Including Prince Henry himself.
"But Father..."
Henry frowned.
"Adams retired years ago."
"He left the army."
"He lives quietly now."
"I doubt he would return simply to train Niel."
Duston laughed.
"He will."
His answer was immediate.
Confident.
Certain.
Henry raised an eyebrow.
"What makes you so sure?"
Duston's grin deepened.
"Because he already answered my message."
The king rose from his throne.
"And he is coming."
Hours later...
The palace guards announced the arrival of a special guest.
The great doors opened.
A tall older man entered.
Though age had added silver to his hair, his posture remained straight and proud.
The scars across his arms and face told stories of countless battles.
This was no ordinary old man.
This was Adams.
The man who had trained warriors feared across the kingdom.
Duston welcomed him personally and escorted him to his private chamber.
A room reserved only for people of great importance.
The moment Adams entered, Duston rose from his chair.
"Welcome, old friend."
Adams bowed respectfully.
"My king."
Duston gestured toward a seat.
"Sit."
Adams obeyed.
For a moment neither spoke.
Then Adams finally asked,
"You did not summon me here for a social visit."
Duston laughed.
"No."
"That would be a waste of both our time."
Adams allowed himself a small smile.
"Then why have you called for me?"
Duston's expression became serious.
"I need you to train someone."
Adams remained silent.
Duston continued.
"A young man from my brother Garron's kingdom."
"The boy has no combat experience."
"No training."
"No battlefield knowledge."
"But Garron wishes for him to become a warrior."
Duston leaned forward.
"You are the only man I trust with a task like this."
"Name your price."
"You shall have it."
Silence filled the room.
Adams lowered his head and thought carefully.
Several moments passed.
Then he slowly stood.
His eyes met Duston's.
"I will train the boy."
Duston smiled.
"Excellent."
"But..."
Adams raised a hand.
"I do not want gold."
Duston blinked.
"You don't?"
"No."
Duston rubbed his beard.
"Then what do you want?"
Adams' expression softened.
"I want a contract."
Duston frowned.
"A contract?"
"At your age?"
He looked genuinely confused.
"You wish to return to the battlefield?"
Adams shook his head.
"No, my king."
"My fighting days are over."
"Then who is the contract for?"
A proud smile appeared on Adams' face.
"My daughter."
Duston immediately understood.
"Sky."
Adams nodded.
"She is my youngest child."
"I have trained her myself for years."
"She is powerful."
"Disciplined."
"Fierce."
"If I succeed in turning this boy into a warrior..."
His voice became firm.
"I want Sky to receive a contract and take my place."
Duston exchanged a glance with Henry.
Then he began stroking his beard thoughtfully.
"Adams..."
The king leaned back.
"You have told me this before."
A smile appeared on his face.
"You also said the same thing about your other daughters."
Henry chuckled quietly.
Duston pointed at him.
"Three daughters."
"Three powerful warriors."
"Three women who promised to serve my army forever."
Adams sighed.
Duston laughed.
"And every single one of them fell in love."
Henry laughed as well.
"They married our soldiers."
"They had children."
"And disappeared."
For the first time, Adams looked slightly annoyed.
His face hardened.
For several moments he stared at the floor.
Then he spoke.
"This time is different."
Duston raised an eyebrow.
"Different?"
Adams nodded.
"Sky is not like her sisters."
"And why should I believe that?"
Adams folded his arms.
"Because I asked something of her."
"What?"
"I asked her never to fall in love."
The room became quiet.
Henry blinked.
Duston stared.
Then...
The king burst into laughter.
The sound echoed throughout the chamber.
"You asked a woman not to fall in love?"
Duston laughed even harder.
"That is like asking the sun not to rise."
Adams remained calm.
"Perhaps."
"But Sky gave me her word."
The king studied him carefully.
Eventually his laughter faded.
"Very well."
Duston nodded.
"I accept."
A smile appeared on Adams' face.
"Then we have an agreement."
"We do."
Duston extended his hand.
"When Niel becomes a warrior..."
"Your daughter shall receive her contract."
The two men shook hands.
The deal was made.
The very next day, Adams took Niel and departed from Duston's kingdom.
Far from the roaring training grounds.
Far from the endless noise.
Far from the Kingdom of Beasts.
Their destination was a small village nestled between open fields and distant mountains.
A peaceful place.
A quiet place.
A place known as Greenland.
Unlike Duston's kingdom, Greenland felt alive.
Children played in the streets.
Farmers worked the fields.
The wind carried the scent of fresh grass instead of steel and blood.
When they finally arrived, Adams led Niel toward a modest home.
The front door opened.
A woman stepped outside.
Her warm eyes immediately settled upon Adams.
"Welcome home."
Adams smiled.
"Neela."
She embraced him.
Then her gaze shifted toward Niel.
The smile slowly faded.
"And who is this?"
"Niel."
"A student."
"A student?"
Adams nodded.
"He will be living here."
Neela stared.
Long.
Hard.
Then she grabbed Adams by the arm.
"Outside."
Before he could protest, she dragged him away.
Niel awkwardly looked elsewhere.
Several meters away, Neela lowered her voice.
"No."
Adams blinked.
"No?"
"Send him back."
Adams sighed.
"Neela."
"I mean it."
She pointed toward Niel.
"Look at him."
Adams looked.
Neela folded her arms.
"He is tall."
"Well groomed."
"Polite."
"His hair is black as night."
"And he's handsome."
Adams looked confused.
"That's the problem?"
"Yes!"
Adams stared.
Neela groaned.
"Have you forgotten?"
"Our daughters."
A look of realization appeared on Adams' face.
"Oh."
"Exactly."
Neela pointed again.
"Sky is our last daughter."
"I refuse to watch history repeat itself."
Adams suddenly started laughing.
Neela looked offended.
"You think this is funny?"
"Very."
He wiped a tear from his eye.
"Our daughters fell in love with warriors."
He pointed at Niel.
"This boy can barely lift a sword."
"Sky won't even look twice at him."
Neela remained unconvinced.
"She gave me her word."
Adams smiled confidently.
"She will not fall in love."
Eventually...
Reluctantly...
Neela gave in.
A room was prepared for Niel outside the main house.
That evening, Adams slaughtered one of his sheep and prepared a large meal.
The family ate together.
Then rested.
For Niel...
It was the first peaceful night he had experienced since leaving Newfields.
But peace never lasted long.
The next morning—
Before sunrise—
A loud voice shattered the silence.
"Wake up, young Niel."
Niel groaned.
"It is time to train."
His eyes slowly opened.
The room was still dark.
For a moment he wondered if he was dreaming.
Then he saw her.
Standing before his bed.
Arms crossed.
Eyes sharp.
A fierce expression on her face.
A young woman.
Strong.
Confident.
Beautiful.
And completely unimpressed.
Niel sat upright.
The young woman stared down at him.
Without blinking.
Without smiling.
Then—
A voice echoed from outside.
"Sky!"
Niel froze.
His eyes widened.
Sky?
The young woman before him simply folded her arms tighter.
And for the very first time...
Niel met the daughter of Adams.
The woman who had promised never to fall in love.
End of Chapter 6