As Azeviche prepared herself for the forthcoming summer training camps in Muddy Peaks, the words of the enigmatic witch, Jia, continued to reverberate within her mind. The pendant, adorned with the unblinking eye of a dragon, dangled from her grasp, serving as a tangible reminder of the mystical encounter she had experienced and the profound wisdom imparted by Jia. It was a symbol, a connection to the supernatural, a constant admonition to take Jia's cryptic counsel with utmost seriousness.
Clad in her unassuming blue dress, and her cherished white socks—whose well-loved nature compelled her to mend them with a crimson thread to conceal the evidence of wear—Azeviche felt a palpable sense of readiness. Her choice of attire, complete with a broad leather belt she affectionately referred to as her "combat belt," conveyed a resolute demeanor. Her obsidian hair, meticulously combed and gathered into a precise ponytail secured with a blue elastic band, bestowed upon her an air of determined purpose.
Azeviche had long held a personal belief in the profound truth that wearing one's favored socks, regardless of the location, evoked a sense of home no matter where life's journey might lead. This philosophy had been gleaned from the pages of an ancient tome she had discovered within the library of the orphanage.
Joining her on this journey to the training camps were her companions, Robert LuckyFeets and Ansley Archibald. Robert, destined for the training station nestled amidst the rugged peaks, bore the weight of expectations as a future defender of their homeland. Ansley, on the other hand, had been dispatched to Muddy Peaks with the charge of instructing the youthful recruits in the intricate art of war tactics. These summer training camps were a pivotal rite of passage for the children of Muddy Peaks, a crucible in which they would forge the skills required to safeguard their beloved homeland.
Robert had grown to be more than a friend; he was a brother to Azeviche. Ansley too, had become part of their household, taking refuge at the Silver Sword ranch after their home was ravaged by the White Wolves. The expanded family dynamic had woven itself seamlessly, further enriched by the presence of Halv-Har, the Elven king. His stories, shared during the winter nights, had become a cherished part of their lives, and he had, in essence, become an honorary member of their family.
But now, the season had arrived for the children to embark on their journey to the training camps. It was high time that Halv-Har let his people know he was still alive and continued to reign as king of the Elf nation.
Ronna ascended the stairs, cradling a collection of clothing in her arms: T-shirts, pants adorned in camouflage patterns, a matching vest, and an olive green cap sporting a small bronze coat of arms with the letter 'A' at its center. These were the uniforms designated for the camp attendees. With a knock, she entered Azeviche's room, where the young girl was already absorbed in the pages of "The Chronicles of Oluf."
Upon seeing the new attire, Azeviche inquired, "Why can't I wear my own clothes?"She noticed Ronna carrying a bundle of clothes and asked, "What's that you've got there?"
Ronna replied, "These are your uniforms, dear. I sent your measurements to the camp, and they sent your kit."
Ronna, a hint of amusement playing on her lips, responded, "Certainly not. How do you intend to participate in Army training in dresses, my young lady?"Azeviche laughed heartily. "I've never had a problem with that."
"This is amazing! They even put my name on the uniforms!" Azeviche exclaimed with a beaming smile.
Ronna chuckled. "You mean they 'embroidered' your name on the uniforms, dear."
Azeviche, still thrilled, replied, "I don't know, but whatever it is, it looks brilliant." Her eyes sparkled with happiness, and she couldn't stop smiling. She admired the bronze coat of arms with the large letter A, surrounded by five letters: NDSMD."What's this fancy lettering?" Azeviche inquired. Ronna explained, "Non Draco Sit Mihi Dux. It means 'The Dragon will not be my guide.' It was on Saint Benedict's cross. I want my daughter protected from evil forces. Always remember, when you go to battle, never let yourself be deceived by the Draconites."
Azeviche's eyes welled up with tears as she heard Ronna refer to her as a daughter with such affection.
Azeviche exclaimed, "Oh, Ronna, I'm so happy!" She hugged Ronna tightly, causing her arms to tingle.
Ronna, her eyes also filled with tears, replied, "So am I, my darling. We love you so much."
Azeviche quickly put on her new uniform, consisting of pants, a T-shirt, and a cool vest with "Azeviche" embroidered on the left side of her chest. She was about to slip on her worn-out boots when Marcus appeared at the door. "Wouldn't you like to try these on instead?" Marcus asked, waving a pair of black boots. Azeviche could hardly believe her eyes – these sparkling new boots were a dream come true. She held them carefully, as if they were delicate glass slippers.
Marcus chuckled and said, "You don't have to be so careful with them. In a couple of weeks, they'll look just like your brown boots."
Azeviche contemplated the boots for a moment and then said, "Maybe I can take my brown boots too, so the new ones last longer."
Marcus nodded and advised, "You can take your brown boots if you like, but I recommend wearing the new ones. They'll eventually take the shape of your feet and be comfortable in no time."
With the cap on her head and her new boots in hand, Azeviche made a salute and decided to don her full gear. Agnes appeared carrying a military rucksack. As Azeviche looked at herself in the mirror, she could hardly recognize the uniformed girl before her, a symbol of pure happiness.
Agnes complimented her, saying, "You look outstanding, soldier. Here's your rucksack so you can pack your uniforms, your diary... do you keep a diary? Girls usually keep diaries." She observed Azeviche with curiosity.
Azeviche shook her head. "No, I don't keep a diary. But I will take 'The Chronicles of Oluf' with me," she declared.
Agnes sighed and said, "Well, I won't beat around the bush on this one." She sat on the bed and began helping Azeviche pack her things.
"I know very well what people think about him. But I don't care," she shrugged, holding the book with both hands.
"That's the spirit, dear. That's the spirit," Agnes nodded in agreement.
Azeviche carefully placed the book in her rucksack, signaling that she was ready to go. Just then, they heard footsteps in the hallway, and soon LuckyFeets appeared at the door, also dressed in his full uniform.
"Hey, Viche, look at my uniform—" They stood face to face, clad in identical trousers, T-shirts, and vests. They looked like twins, except for the initial on the coat of arms of their caps. LuckyFeets wore the same cap as Azeviche but with the letter "R" on it.
"I see you got new clothes too. You're looking fancy with those new boots," Jet said, playfully moving the tip of her foot up and down to show off her own boots.
"I was so used to my old boots that I barely knew how to walk with these. Look how they catch the light," Robert remarked, gazing down at his feet. Laughter filled the room.
Agnes, Ronna, and Marcus couldn't help but smile at the sight of the kids, excited about their new uniforms. They had worried it might be challenging to convince them to go to the training camps after a winter full of adventures. Together, they all made their way downstairs to the living room, with Robert and Azeviche carrying their backpacks and chatting eagerly about what their summer at the camp might entail and who the other teachers might be.
"What activities do they have on weekends?" Robert asked, curiosity twinkling in his eyes. "I
I heard they put students through stress tests like standing in a box without drinking water for two days or hanging upside down for a week. There are even rumors that teachers force students to drink pee in survival classes."
Azeviche rolled her eyes at Robert's exaggerations. She knew those were just wild rumors. They were there to learn how to handle weapons and prepare to fight against the Draconites. In her imagination, the summer at the camps would be an opportunity to make new friends and engage in exciting training exercises.
"They actually make you drink pee," Robert continued as they descended the stairs.
"Shut up, Robert. No one's going to make us drink pee," Azeviche retorted, hands on her hips.
"I learned this from reliable sources," Robert replied with a serious tone.
"It's 'reliable sources,' silly," she corrected him.
"People say it tastes like green tea. I'm packing a few sugar cubes just in case. Everything tastes better with sugar," Robert joked.
"You're going to make me puke," Azeviche replied, covering her mouth in mock disgust.
Halv-Har and Ansley entered the room, both of them donning new clothes. Halv-Har sported a stylish orange cotton shirt, with two buttons casually undone to reveal his chest, paired with handsome brown trousers.
"Ah, here they are. Looking good in your uniforms," Halv-Har remarked.
"Alright, guys, put your stuff in the Buckwagon; we're running late. I'm a teacher, and I can't be late on the first day," Ansley urged, looking a bit tense.
"You seem a bit on edge, Ansley. Try to relax; everything will work out just fine. The ranchers of Muddy Peaks have agreed to make a joint effort to rebuild your house. By the time you all return from the training camps, your house will be as good as new," Ronna assured her, placing a comforting hand on Ansley Archibald's shoulders.
"You've both been amazing. I don't know what Robert and I would have done without your help," Ansley expressed her gratitude, wiping her eyes.
"We would all be in dire straits if we hadn't joined forces against the White Wolves. Ansley, you're a teacher; take this first lesson to your students," Ronna said, offering words of wisdom.
"How about you, little king? Will you still be here when I return from summer camp?" Azeviche inquired of Halv-Har.
"When you come back, I'll have already departed," he responded resolutely. "I must warn my people about the impending dangers, reclaim my kingdom if necessary, and perhaps even engage the white wolves if that's what it takes to regain my throne."
"Farewell, pink cub," they shook hands, solidifying their newfound bond of friendship.
"We should get going; it's a long walk to the training camps," Marcus advised.
The summer had arrived, and the forests surrounding Muddy Peaks were a stunning shade of green. Vibrant flowers painted the fields with a kaleidoscope of colors, resembling a watercolor painting. The morning air carried the refreshing scents of damp earth and grass, and the excitement of the children embarking on their journey of study and training momentarily dispelled the looming shadow of the Draconites that hung over them all.
Old cars rumbled slowly through the narrow streets of Borderline City, running on alternative fuels far less effective than gasoline. These rusted machines spewed thin gray smoke into the air, casting a perpetual haze over the town. The trusty buckwagons, powered by horses, navigated the fetid, dark alleys, leaving behind the pungent odor of dung. Drunken men staggered along the sidewalks, their voices raised in raucous song or their fists clenched in brawls outside the infamous Cracked Skull Bar, the most notorious establishment in this forsaken place.
Squeezed between the Brothers Petrucky Cigar Shop and The Blue Smudge, an intriguing establishment adorned with oriental motifs beckoned passersby. The sweet scent of clove and cinnamon incense wafted from within, mingling with the noxious odors of the streets, creating an oddly enticing atmosphere. At the entrance, a shrill voice could be heard.
Coconuts, perched within the helmet of an ancient Chinese suit of armor, chattered away, intermittently scratching the long yellow feather sprouting from the back of his head with a paw.
"Aaah! Viche, come back!" Coconuts exclaimed loudly. "The ants go marching eight by eight, hurrah, hurrah," the bird sang, causing quite a commotion. Hai Yun hurried to the door to prevent the bird from drawing too much attention by calling out the names of unsuspecting people. She made an attempt to catch him, but Coconuts darted to the back of the store, all the while continuing his disruptive tunes.
"Old Marcus had a farm, E-I-E-I-O," Coconuts perched on a bookshelf, humming another inconvenient song.
"Shut up, Coco!" Hai yelled at the bird. "Be quiet, or I won't give you any more cookies." She removed her green cap and wiped away the sweat trickling down her forehead. While she had grown accustomed to the training camp's uniform, her new boots were causing discomfort for her toes. She had no intention of chasing Coconuts around the room at the moment.
"Mum is leaving for the camps. Get down here and say goodbye like a good boy," she scolded the bird. Reluctantly, Coconuts lowered his head, ceased his singing, and decided to heed Hai Yun's command. Gently hovering in the air, Coconuts alighted on her shoulder, and she planted a kiss on his head.
Jia approached them silently, adorned in her resplendent red robe embroidered with a golden dragon. The garment accentuated her curvaceous figure, and her sleek black hair was elegantly styled, revealing the pale expanse of her neck. As she observed her daughter, she also noticed two men across the street, who were eyeing Hai Yun intently. Jia's intuition told her that these men were not the usual assortment of perverts and drunks from the Cracked Skull Saloon. They seemed more like observers, keeping a close watch on every move and likely reporting back to O'Ridley.
"It's time for you to head to the training camp. Let's go to the back of the store; I have some final recommendations for you before you leave," Jia instructed, turning on her heels. Her gaze remained fixed on the two men, and she noted that one of them departed while the other whispered something in his companion's ear.
"We're under constant surveillance. Coconuts seem to have attracted quite a bit of attention lately," Jia remarked as they made their way toward the room at the back of the store. Hai Yun was already dressed in her full uniform, with her backpack ready to go.
Her shiny black hair had also been tied up in a ponytail, similar to how Ronna had styled Azeviche's hair. It was a standard practice for the girls.
"Mother, I already know what to do. I have to protect that silly little girl from anyone who tries to hurt her," Hai Yun replied with an air of contempt. Jia caught her daughter by the shoulders and turned to look into her eyes.
"You cannot deviate from the task I've given you. This is of utmost importance for our future and for the future of this island. I know you're eager to go to the training camps to see your boyfriend. When I was your age, I had this porcelain face too." Her hands gently caressed Hai Yun's pink cheeks. The girl closed her eyes and nodded. Hai Yun's eyes were still closed when Jia raised her hand in the air and slapped her across the face.
"What was that for?" Hai Yun exclaimed, her face turning red with both pain and confusion. She clutched her jaw, unable to understand why she was being punished.
"Mother?" she said, fear creeping into her voice.
"I'd rather wake you up with a slap in the face than have any of our enemies catch you off guard, my love. You need to change your attitude toward this girl; she's not as weak as she appears. Her strength comes from sources we have yet to understand. I don't want you to doubt my words—especially not you." Jia glanced over at her daughter, and Hai Yun lowered her eyes. She recognized that she had been acting arrogantly lately.
"They will come for that girl, my love," Jia said, tenderly touching her daughter's hair. "They will come for that boy, LuckyFeets, too."
"Yes, mother," Hai Yun replied with newfound respect.
"They will send O'Ridley or someone worse to try and finish with this girl. I pray they don't send Cufur in person. If that happens, you should call for me. Don't try... you heard me. Do not try to deal with him alone." Every time Hai Yun heard Cufur's name, it was the only time she saw fear in her mother's eyes. That was enough for her to understand that she should not fail in her mission.
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