Chapter 21: Crooked
Moss managed to get up again at dawn. His body was a mess, yet he felt strong. He descended the stairs in an awkward gait, heavily resting on the handrail, and followed the hallway to the internal courtyard. Lauren was finishing her workout. She ended a set of explosive push-ups, got back up and wiped sweat from her face before noticing him.
-'Hey, back on your feet already?'
-'Somehow. You sure train hard.'
-'Just like you.'
-'Older people have to work harder to keep up with young ones.'
-'Excepted that I am the one having trouble to keep up with you.'
That surprised Moss.
-'Oh, are you thinking about what I did earlier? Our techniques are different. It is only normal for me to have the upper hand physically.'
-'Maybe, but that does not explain everything. I am not complaining you know, it is good to have someone to look up to.'
Someone, to look up to? That took Moss even more unaware.
-'You will make this old man blush. What do you want for dinner? The usual? You have to eat properly if you want to keep up with this expert.'
She laughed.
-'I am already starting to regret those words. Fine for the usual.'
They had been provident enough to store food in case the wolf would come back. That situation could not last forever though. Their access to water was limited. Thinking about that, the peasant clenched his fist. Now that he was stronger, would he be able to keep up with those beasts? Six was a lot. But did they have a choice? Well, he would see about that on the next day. For now, they needed to replenish their strength.
He took care not to use to much water to cook. The girl soon joined him. They both only had one cloth set so she had to keep her sweaty garb on, but she did not complain about it.
-'What about eating in the courtyard? That way I can keep training on plants.'
-'Fine.'
Her spiritual training was a curious sight to behold. At first, there was nothing much to see, but you soon noticed the leaves of a small tree were raised on one half and down on the other. Small details like that.
-'You can keep training on me if you want.' Moss offered.
-'I don't want to disturb your meal.'
-'Don't worry about that. I know that this is important for you.'
Her presence was stronger and more dexterous, he could immediately tell. Images flashed in his mind.
-'A flower. A stone. Me. A tree. Some emblem. A text... Wait, this is weird.'
-'What?'
The princess took a short moment to understand. She had transmitted him the image of a poem. She knew how to read but he was illiterate. When sending suggestions, what was sent was more subjective than objective. The commoner's eyes had widened.
-'That text... I could understand what was written on it. But now that I try to remember it, I can only remember the words and the image, not read it again.'
He had an uncertain smile.
-'Now you know how it feels to read.'
-'Yeah. Almost.'
After that, they continued to practice for some time, until a rat showed himself at the opposite side of the atrium.
-'Sister, see that? Maybe you...'
-'On it.'
The animal suddenly stopped on his track as the girl focused on him.
-'Its mind is quite sophisticated.' She said. 'Ah, I lost him.'
The small thing started to run again, faster than earlier.
-'Wait.' The girl ordered.
It stopped again for a few seconds and even approached them on a few meters.
-'Can you see me?' Moss waved his hand at it.
This time it flew for good. She hit him on the arm.
-'Shut your trap, old man! I can't concentrate!'
-'Sorry, sorry. So, did you?'
She thought about headbutting him.
-'... Yes. It was quite blurry. There was some weird colour that I had never seen but it was quite bland overall.'
-'Your technique is crooked.'
-'I am going to headbutt you.'
She did not and just went to sleep. For Moss, it was the usual. That night his progress was steady. As the moon grew darker, the exercises became easier and his efforts more rewarding. In the morning he felt full of power.
-'I think we should try to directly confront the wolfs.' He said to her after their morning tasks.
-'Are you crazy? Have you forgotten how big they are?'
-'I know. But I think we are ready to try. We must come out anyway. Our supply of water is already short and we don't want to face them already weakened by thirst.'
She could not deny that.
-'I agree on taking an expedition outside but actively seeking them is unwise for now.'
-'Okay then. Let's just sneak our way to the pond.'
From the side of the buildings, they could not see any signs of the wolfs presence. They had vanished again. The disciple carefully opened the doors. Elahago was on his usual spot. He greeted them.
-'Hello! Have you come to try again?'
-'Not this time, senior brother.'
-'Okay.'
Lauren stopped when they passed near him.
-'You were not of great help yesterday, but thank you for warning us.'
That made him smile.
-'No worries. But do rely on me too much, even for that.'
-'I know.' She answered.
By the time they reached the pond, it would have been easy for the wolfs to cut their escape path, but they did not show up. Had they left? The disciples took a quick bath and filled their pots with water. No problem arose on their way back either. When they went by their senior again, he addressed Moss.
-'I think that you should sharpen your reflection technique by a bit before challenging me again. It will prove to be excellent practice.'
The commoner bowed.
-'If senior says so.'
When they successfully stored their haul, Moss took his leave for the high building. The door was almost closed like he had left it. Inside everything was silent, so he went upstairs. But as he reached the first floor, three shadows emerged from hidden corners. Two from downstairs, and one from the room they had used to pass their first night there.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone