Chapter 18 Sea Prince

"I said higher!" Ace barked at me during our morning training. He's currently teaching me the basics of sword fighting. At first I was glad because it meant that my stamina is improving if they are willing to teach me something different.

Now, I was dreading it.

I wasn't sure if I was just a bad student or Ace was just venting out his frustration at me. You see, earlier this morning, his siblings had to go back, which means he has to part ways with Nora. This siscon wasn't happy to see his beloved sister go, and because he wasn't allowed to escort her since he has a duty to train me.

"Give her a break." Nate said gently as he stood beside Ace. Nate has no reason to stay here, but he actually stayed when he saw my worried look when I found out that Ace was teaching me about sword fighting. "Remember, she's just a beginner."

"She only swung 50 times!" Ace snapped. "When I was a kid I did 3000 swings!"

I don't know if he was boasting or not, but one thing is for sure. He's a monster who swings 3000 times. I wonder how much he can swing now that he's an adult?

I was already panting. My white shirt was already soaked in sweat. I ran 10 laps today and took a few minutes of break before my sword training began. My arms are killing me! No wonder Nate insisted that we do some arm stretches and push ups as warm up before. This vampire was actually caring.

I slumped on the ground and dropped the wooden sword. It was heavy even though it was just made out of wood. If I can't carry this then I wonder what would happen if I carry a real sword.

Ace regarded my slumped form and sighed. "It would seem that wielding a sword is not the right weapon for her. Let's drop it and change weapons." He said with a shrug.

I gave him a look like I wanna strangle him. If only my hands can move, then I would. 'So all my swings were for nothing!?' I wanna cry at this point.

"Then what weapon do you suggest would suit her?" Nate asked with his brow raised.

Ace looked at me and pondered for a while. "Most probably a weapon that can block weapons and attack at the same time. With her weak arms-"

"Hey!"

"- I suggest blades that are light. Something that she can swing easily. Twin swords would be nice but with crescent guards." Ace observed.

Nate took Ace's words in. "How about hook swords? It has a guard, a blade, and with her terrible luck, she can simply use it to trip enemies."

"You guys make it sound like I get into a lot of trouble." I complained.

At that, both Ace and Nate gave me a look with their eyebrows raise. A look that say 'Are you really asking that question?' I pouted and shut my mouth since my opinion doesn't matter to them anyway!

"I think the hook swords would work, but we have to be careful about the end blade. She could stab herself accidentally and die." Ace thought out loud. His eyes suddenly widened at the idea. He seemed pleased. "Let's give her the hook swords." His words were final.

I narrowed my gaze at him knowing fully well why he suddenly agreed. "You're actually hoping that I would accidentally stab myself and die, aren't you?"

Ace looked away. "It's perfect." He said firmly.

Why this...!

Nate chuckled nervously. "I do think that it's perfect. I mean, she can defend herself from the enemy even if they sneak behind her with the end blades. I'll just have to find a wooden version of it for training."

I honestly have no idea what kind of weapon they were talking about. But as the village idiot among them, I trust that they know what's best for me. At least I trust Nate's judgement and not Ace's.

"So!" I clapped my hands together. "If we're done here, can I go back and sleep?"

"Actually." Nate crouched in front of me to hand me a bota bag full of water. I took it from him gratefully as I started to drink. "I came here because I want to tell you something regarding your powers. The one that royals blooded tamers like you possess."

"What about it?" I asked after a few gulps of water. Sadly, I was still thirsty so I kept drinking.

"Royal tamers can take away a supernatural's power and turn them into human."

I spit the water that I was drinking at the shocking revelation. In front of me was Nate dripping wet from the water that I just sprayed. I gave him a sheepish smile as I apologized. "That..." I paused as I recalled the image of the large Custard eating smoke when he attacked the rogue. "Are you telling me that our spirit animals, royal spirit animals, can take the essence of what makes you...unnatural?"

Nate, after whipping the water from his face, nodded grimly. "Rose, the human civilization that you know of was actually created by the royal tamers."

I stared at him. "Nate I-" I suddenly looked at the ground, not knowing what to answer. I took a deep breath as I tried again. "You mean to tell me that the human civilization was created by the tamers. And that the humans were originally from this world, but having their powers taken, they were sent to that world?" I shook my head. "The why don't humans have any supernatural powers?"

"When a tamer takes their essence, then it is permanent. Their children cannot inherit anything that they no longer possess." Ace said and regarded me with a look that I couldn't read. "I guess that explains why you humans have stories about wolves, vampires, and other supernatural beings."

"Oh gosh." I clutched my head as I let this sink in. "This information is too much. In other words, the human world is just like a place for banishment in this realm!"

Nate and Ace exchanged a look as if they hadn't thought about it that way. "If you put it that way then I guess so." Nate scratched the back of his head.

"And that is why it is important for you to train your powers. You can actually take our essence if you are not careful." Ace said. "While the wooden hook swords are being made, we can practice on how to control your powers."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you even know how to train me despite having limited knowledge of my powers?"

"I'll teach you the basics of controlling magic. I am pretty sure the basics are the same." Said Ace.

"You'll teach me!?" I gasped and glanced at Nate for help.

Nate raised his hands in defeat. "As much I want to help you, I can't. Vampire's have physical strength and agility. We don't have magic - except for our fast regenerating ability."

"You know who else has magic? Fred!" I gleamed with hope.

"I'm right here." Nate leered at me and smirked bitterly. "And too bad for you. He's busy and he doesn't have the time to visit you." Then he started to pout and cross his arms over his chest.

Ace sighed. "Listen, I do not wish to teach your untrainable butt either. But we do not have a choice. If we can no longer protect you then you have to protect yourself. For now, you can't do that without your familiar. And all those times that you used your powers are when you're in danger. We can't have that. You have to learn how to control it. You know what happens when King Ferius gets a hold of you. It will become a disaster. You can potentially stop him but if you're weak as you are now then it is the end for us."

I looked at the ground. Sadly, Ace was right. In order for all of us to survive and to ensure the safety of the whole kingdom, I must not get captured. We can't let King Ferius release his chimera and repeat what happened in the past. "Alright." I said.

Ace nodded, pleased with my answer. He looked. "Hey, mutt. Get over here and bring that wolf." He barked his orders at Ren, who was peacefully sitting under the shade of a tree. Custard was sleeping on his lap as he stroked his fur gently. Poor Ren. After Dan left, he settled on petting Custard. He must have missed his twin dearly.

Ren looked at us and nodded. He got up and carried Custard, who was now awake, towards us. He settled Custard beside me. The little brown wolf yawned, but didn't go back to sleep. He must have sensed what was about to happen because he looked at me expectantly.

Ace crouched down in front of me. His hair slightly covering his eyes as he looks down to meet my gaze. "Close your eyes." He said. "And if you fall asleep then I will hit you."

"Well that's reassuring, teach." I muttered, but followed him anyway. I closed my eyes.

"Can you feel your bond with your familiar?"

"After locking me up after the ball? Of course I can." I said smugly.

I couldn't tell what Ace's face looked like at that time since my eyes were closed, but from his grunt I could tell that he wants to deck me. "One of the most basic skills that every tamer 'had' is to feel their connection. Just by thinking about your familiar, you can tell where they are."

"Um, he's right beside me." I said.

"You're not even trying!" Ace snapped. "Focus!"

I grunted and started to feel where Custard is. There was a slight pull to my left. "I can feel him, but he somehow feels far away? Am I even doing this right?" I asked and patted the ground where I last saw Custard when my eyes were open. It was empty.

"Don't you dare open your eyes. You're doing fine so just concentrate!" Ace sighed. "Another one of your skills is to see through your familiar's eyes and hear through its ears. It resembles my power, but yours is only limited to your familiar."

Tapping into Custard's hearing ability was easy since I already used it when I was eavesdropping on Dan and Liliana before. But seeing through Custard's eyes? It took me a while but I was finally able to do it. It felt weird seeing myself through Custard's eyes. He was being carried by Nate as they stood under a shade.

"Now." Ace continued with his lesson once I told him that I was successful. "Try summoning him. Make him appear beside you."

"Appear? How is that possible? And how do you know of this information?"

"It's in the book that I asked my sibling to bring." Said Ace. "Now focus!" He snapped.

Geez what a temper.

I tried to focus and urged Custard to to appear in my arms. Nothing.

"Can you give me a hint? It seems that it is not working." I said.

"Try again. Imagine him in your arms."

I tried. Nothing. Again.

I opened my eyes this time. "I don't think it's something that is possible? I mean no offense, but maybe the information in your book is a lie? Like some of the kings in the elven history, maybe the tamers altered some truths too." I suggested.

Ace wasn't happy, but he looked like he was considering that possibility as well. "You know, the queen should be the one to train you since she knows more about tamers bu-" Ace paused. His eyes suddenly widened in panic and fear as he looked into the forest. I followed his gaze and saw the forest dancing even in the absence of air.

"No." He muttered and started running to the forest. "Nora!" He yelled.

Nora?

"Hey!" I called him. Despite my aching muscles, I got up and ran after him. He was running towards the stables where our horses were running around in a large and enclosed fence. Ace let out a whistle and I saw Midnight's head perked up and ran towards his master. Midnight jumped over the fence to meet with Ace. The PRINCE, jumped and rode his stallion and into the forest.

I glanced and Cloud and tried to imitate Ace and whistle. Cloud did nothing and kept eating. Nate chuckled beside me and whistled. A few moments later and Ryde was in front of us along with Garius.

"You haven't trained Cloud yet." Nate chuckled and carried me to ride his horse. He hoped on Ryde next and placed Custard on my lap. "And you better ride with me this time. We don't have a saddle and you might fall."

Beside us I saw Ren getting on Garius and was glaring at us. Nate caught his gaze and returned the look. "Let's go." He simply said and we followed Ace into the woods. We were riding unusually fast and I was thankful that Nate was with me.

I was thankful that I was wearing trousers and high boots so I don't have to ride sideways. It was scary to ride without a saddle alone, and now we were riding like mad men while chasing a certain PRINCE. Ace was far ahead of us and he was getting farther and farther. Either midnight was just that fast or we were slowing down.

"We're gonna lose him." I said.

"That Midnight is too fast. As expecting of a wild stallion." Nate said. I suddenly felt Nate holding my wait to keep me in place. "Excuse me, but hang on tight." I felt Ryde suddenly increasing his speed and I had to close my eyes at the rush of win on my face.

It wasn't long until we were out of the forest that I felt like we were slowing down. I opened my eyes and saw that we were standing on a sandy beach. In front of us, I saw Ace hoping off of Midnight and running towards his brother, who were now unconscious.

"This is bad." Ren said as he got down from Garius. "I don't smell Nora anywhere."

Nate came down and helped me off of Ryde. The three of us soon headed to where the Feradin brothers were. Ace was trying to shake his brothers awake. "Eltur! Darem! Wake up." For the very first time, I saw concern on Ace's face towards his brother. I looked at Ren and saw him getting Ace a look of pity. I guess the scene reminded him of Dan. Again.

I placed a hand on Ren's shoulder to comfort him. Ren looked at me and gave me a warm smile. He placed a hand over mine and mouthed a thanks. I offered Custard to him, since he seems like he finds comfort in holding the little guy. He smiled and took Custard from me. Custard seems to like Ren now as he snuggled on the wolf boy's chest.

"Brother?" Darem woke up and coughed water out of his mouth. "Nora." He said weakly.

"Are you well enough to talk?" Ace asked in concern.

"Don't mind me. Help...Nora..." Ace placed a hand on his brother's forehead, then he started to feel his pulse. His brow started to crease. "You've been poisoned, haven't you?"

"It's just a paralysis poison. They...hit me with a small dose. Brother Eltur, on the other hand, took a lot when he tried to take on the Atla Generals."

Ace's eyes narrowed. "Did they take Nora?"

Darem nodded.

"Why?" Ace demanded. His voice sounded dangerous.

Darem looked at the ground in shame. "It's our fault. Nora wanted to walk on the beach. She said that she feels a lot of dark aura coming from the ocean. Distressed auras that it made her uncomfortable enough to go and look." Said Darem. His wet golden brown hair covering his eyes in shame. "Before we knew it, 5 generals from the Alta kingdom came and took Nora. Eltur and I tried to stop them, but we were powerless when fighting in the sea. I tried pulling them using my Physic ability, but they poisoned me. Brother Eltur's fire elemental spirit was no use so he decided to take them on in combat. As you can see.." He gestured towards a bloodied and badly beaten Eltur on the sandy ground. "We couldn't do anything. I'm sorry." He whispered. He looked at Ace then. "I know that you'll do it without me asking you but, Ace, please. Save Nora." Begged the second Prince as he cried in frustration.

Ace looked at his distressed brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's not like you did nothing. You were able to inform me of the situation. That alone in something." Ace said and this time, through gritted teeth he said, "And those bastards who took my sister will pay. They will regret the day that they set foot on land."

Nate, Ren and I watched as PRINCE Ace, guided and helped his brothers to ride on Midnight. Seeing their struggle, Ren came and helped carry Darem. They placed Eltur onto midnight and helped an injured Darem on him next. "Ride Midnight and find your carriage. Knock some sense into the guards for not following you. After that, go back to Thalia and have the royal doctors treat your wounds. I will come back with Nora." Ace said. It seems like Darem wanted to argue, but figured that in his current state, he could no longer be of use. With a curt not, he rode Midnight towards the direction where I assume is where their carriage is.

"So, what's the plan?" Nate asked.

PRINCE Ace gave him a look. "The plan is for you guys to go home."

"Ace-"

"PRINCE."

I gritted my teeth. "PRINCE Ace, this is Nora that we're talking about. Your sister. Do you honestly expect us to leave you alone knowing that your little sister is in trouble?" At this, Ace gave me a look. "And please, you should know by now that whenever one of us is in trouble-"

"Mostly you." The three princes cut me off.

I pursed my lips at the sudden alliance of the three. "Yes, I admit that I am an accident prone person!" I snapped and shook my head. "The point is, we are here to help each other. To help you. So again we ask you, what's the plan?"

Ace studied all of us. It was as if he was thinking whether or not we were joking. When he was satisfied, he gave us a curt nod. "First of all," He said and changed his gaze towards the large rock on the shore. "why won't you come out of your hiding spot, you little brat?"