CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER FIVE

Kuya Zouli took me to the camp’s headquarter and training center. The place was meters away from the camp’s heart. It was filled with training materials and equipments, with obstacles around the ground and some weapons hanging by the sides. It was not the first time I entered the camp’s headquarter.  This would probably be the fifth or the sixth time, but I was here before for the reason of bringing packed foods for the trainees.

I patiently waited for Kuya Zouli to spill the reason why I was brought here but he didn’t even talk to me along the way. He was just ignoring me. He would always treat me like I was some kind of dirt in his shoe.

”Morning, Amara!” some greeted me when they saw us walking.

“Morning too! Don’t forget your lunch.” I greeted back. I was like a parrot repeating its words again and again every time we encountered someone along our way to Master Dante’s office.

“Will you please stop talking and talking? Just nod to them and everything is great.” Kuya Zouli complained. I didn’t know why he’s mad at me all the time. I remembered nothing that could make him hate me that much.

I just ignored him and continued to greet back.

“So stubborn.” I heard him whispered.

After Kuya Zouli knocked twice in front of his father’s office, he opened the door and let me enter first.

“Good Morning, Master Dante.” I greeted as I entered.

He stood from where he was seated.  

“Morning, Amara. I apologize for calling you here.”

“It’s fine with me. No need to apologize.” I said, smiling.

“Please have a seat.” He offered me the seat that was just in front of his table. He then looked at Kuya as if he wanted him to go out from the room.

I went silently to the seat and made myself comfortable. It was made of hard wood.

“I’ll wait outside.” Kuya Zouli said while looking at me. I nodded while telling him okay without making a sound.

After the door closed, Master Dante started to speak his concerns.

“I know it’s just been only two months after what happened back in your town. But we need you to start preparing yourself for the war that we are facing, not just mentally but also physically, Amara.” he explained.

I knew how hard it was for him to say those, as I could clearly see in his eyes and the way his voice hesitated that he was having a hard time.

“What do you mean by that, Master Dante?” I asked.

“We want you to undergo physical training. You need to learn how to protect yourself from danger. You need to practice how to fight and how to use weapons, Amara. There will be a time that you’ll face death alone, and no one will protect you except for yourself.” he explained with so much concerns in his voice.

I also thought of that every time I saw women training in the field. They were running, shooting and fighting. And now that Master Dante mentioned it, this might be the right time. I don’t want to be a burden anymore.

”I understand, Master Dante.”

Starting from that day, I visited the headquarter everyday not to bring packed foods but to undergo training.

“Zouli here will assist you for the whole duration of the training. He will guide you along your training sessions. You can count on him, Amara.” Those were the words of Master Dante during my very first day as a trainee in the headquarter. I was very nervous during those times up until now.

“Aw!” I yelped.  I was pushed to the ground by Kuya Zouli.

“It was just a light push yet you fell like a child.”  He claimed while standing and looking down on me. He never went easy on me. He was harsh and becoming harsher and harsher each day.

“I was not yet ready!”  I complained as I gathered myself to stand.

“You must be ready all the time. Your enemy will not wait for you until you’re ready. Understand?!” he said without remorse.

“You’re so mean..” I whined.

“Stop making cute face and go back to your stance. I am not buying it.” He said with finality.

Every after training, my whole body would ache like hell. I would get bruised around and Aunt Agatha would complain all the time.

“Can you just skip this training, Amara? You look like you’re being tortured. Look at your arms, it’s swelling.” Aunt Agatha would always react like that every night. She was with her herbal poultice.  

“It’s fine, Aunt Agatha. It will heal in no time.” I assured her. It was always been fascinating that my healing time was faster than the normal. My mother learned about it when I was around two or three. My scratches would heal overnight and it would leave no scar or any sign that I was injured from yesterday. The wound that I got in my arm from the royal guards’ arrow also left no trace.

“Okay, you win.” Kuya Zouli announced after his sword was thrown away from his grip while the end of my sword was pointing at his throat. It was our last sparring practice for the day and I finally won a battle against him.

“Finally!” I exclaimed as I was raising up my arms in midair, still holding my sword. I was so happy. It was a fulfilling feeling after all the struggles.

After months of training, I could say that I improved my skills. I strived hard every day just to prove everyone that I could do more than just packing food, more than just being my father’s daughter.

The plan to attack the palace and reclaim the crown was made. It took everyone years of hiding and preparing to get to this point. Spies were already placed in the palace and from time to time they were giving us updates. People of the Calla Empire were suffering from theft and corruption. The poor became poorer and the rich became richer. The amount of slavery increased over the years of exploitation. And it was all upsetting.

“You will disguise as one of the new cooks. Pack this with your things.” Kuya Zouli handed me a white apron with the royal symbol embroidered at its center. It was a peacock.

“Stop worrying and have a good sleep tonight. Things will get rough for the following days.”

He advised before leaving me in my room. Days like this would always soften Kuya Zouli’s heart. He truly cared for me but he was just shy of showing it..

Tomorrow, our quest of bringing Augustos’ reign into dust will begin. A week from now, a large festivity will be held at the palace. It will be Princess Zahriya Calla’s twentieth birthday, Augustos’ daughter, and it will be perfect for our grand entrance.