Chapter 30 Preparations

“This time you really outdid yourself, young master.”

Thomas was helping Josiah wear his leggings and a cheap piece of armor he bought from his economies which he saved throughout his years.

Josiah himself didn’t feel very pleased with the situation, but he tried not to let it through:

“Outdid myself? why? Weren’t you the one saying you were to support me and that it’s my choice where to go to?”

“I did say that. But I didn’t know you were to join Eneris’ army in a hurried manner like that.”

Josiah finished wearing his leggings and armor. It all felt a little heavier than he was used to, but he was a strong boy. It was not too heavy for him, even at his age. Thomas continued:

“When Heraclis told me your decision I thought you were sure plotting something and that you’d try to pass him behind.”

“Do you wanted me not to go, Thomas?”

“I… Naturally I expected to be at your side for a couple more years, but…”

“Don’t say it like that. I’m going to be back whenever I can.”

“I must say, I am not regarding it as a bad idea, overall. In fact, we could use this. When you first left the castle, you were a crying little baby. Now you are a grown-up little boy. And as your name hadn’t ever been told to anyone in the castle aside from me and Beata, it’s safe to assume nobody is going to know who you really are, even being that close to the supreme leader. If you can manage to grow big and draw the attention of Eneris for yourself, we can try to make our ways back inside the castle.”

“Yes. That’s what Benson said.”

“Benson?”

“You never told me Benson was someone who worked with mom. Why is that?”

“He was…?”

Thomas’ tone of inquiry sounded genuine.

‘He was not…?’ Josiah asked inside his head. ‘What was that old farmer saying the other day?’

“The farm owner stopped me the other day and came telling me he knew all about my secret. That I am the legitimate son of the emperor, that I must seek to avenge mother… And he told me I should try to blend in the army if I wanted a chance to become stronger.”

“What? When was that? I never heard any of that!”

“He also told me about controlling the blood…”

“So you have heard about it…”

“Why were you hiding such an import thing this whole time?”

‘In my world, people couldn’t control their blood flow, I just never assumed it was possible, even though it seemed completely relevant for the way the fights go around here’ Josiah thought.

Thomas crouched down to match Josiah’s size.

“Listen. Remember when I said you should never bathe your weapon on your own blood in order to make it stronger briefly? Because it is bad both for your weapon and for your health?”

“Yes…” ‘But I might have done it once or twice…’ Josiah thought within.

“The art of control is the same. There is a proper way of learning it that doesn’t damage your body, but learning it in a rushed manner and forcefully will only lead to disaster, and ABOVE ALL: if you try to learn it as a young kid.” He pronounced those words slowly and very emphatically.

Josiah gulped.

“The art of control is about understanding the flow within our body, but a body of a child is not steady, it grows, and the veins grow together with it, causing the bloodstream to be seriously hard to follow. That’s why I never mentioned it to you. I don’t want to fill your head with such nonsense when you can’t study it and I know you: if I tell you about a power to obtain you are going to try and obtain it no matter what!”

Josiah diverted his look to the walls.

“It is very important that you concentrate on the form; on sword skill in this period you are in the army. Also, if the opportunity arrives, try to work on your manners and charisma. Those two things are going to be essential on your way of taking back your acclaimed throne. Of course, the blood control is also essential, but we are going to focus on what we can handle first. That way we have the time to focus on the remaining one later when we can train it. You hear me?”

“Ok… I understand…”

“Now about that piece of paper The Magistrate gave you, with the list of the things you should bring, have you gotten everything?”

Josiah took a last look at the list on the paper above the dresser.

“Sleeping utensils, clothing, ear protection, personal warfare items, documents, personal hygiene… I think I have everything I need for the first week or so. If I ever need something, I can ask you by mail, right? If you are busy you can send Lenny to bring me the stuff.”

“Then I think we are ready for parting ways, young master. The sun is about to rise. We should never break the words we traded with another man.”

“I know.”

Bringing everything, they both walked from the inside to the outside of the house. Josiah gave it a long, last look.

“Are you going to miss the place?” Thomas asked.

“Thomas…”

“Yes?”

“My mother is really dead, isn’t she?”

“Why this only now? I told you I saw her die in front of my very eyes. You were too young to remember, but she was holding you before she pronounced her last words…”

“Yeah… You told me that,” Josiah said quietly. ‘And on top of all, I remember as well…’ he completed on his head.

“Is that all? In this case, I bid you farewell, young master. May you never forget those years we spent together. It was an honor serving directly the son of lady Mirild.”

Josiah dropped his things for a second and gave the old man a hug.

“Don’t say it like we’re never seeing each other again. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I look forward to it.”

“Stay safe, old man. I want to see you alive when I’m back.”

“Rest assured.”

The man helped him lift his heavy bag of things once again and they finally parted ways after a final wave.

Josiah was now headed to begin a whole new era of his life inside the reserve.