9 Chapter 9

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I woke up lying on a soft surface with the wind blowing through my hair... The sound of leaves rustling in the wind and the flapping wings of birds above me. It was nice. I closed my eyes again to take in my environment. I was lying in the shade of a tree.

CLICK CLICK CLICK.... The sounds of horses pulling a carriage.

"Hey boy!" The horses stopped as a voice called out to me.

I lifted my head to a military convoy pulling a carriage with a fancy design and a gold trim all around it. It looked like a work of art. I lay still. I was way too tired to move. My body ached all over and I was hungry. I went back to sleep.

I woke up again it was a little cold and dark. I heard a group of men talking and the smell of food. I got up to investigate.

"Oh, your awake?" A voice came from beside me.

A girl with long silver hair and dressed in a full suit of armour was sitting beside me polishing her sword.

"It seems so..." I stood out stretching my arms behind my head.

"What were you doing sleeping here?"

The question hit me like a brick as many questions raced through my mind. Where am I?, Who am I?, Where is here?...

"I guess...." I stopped whilst I considered my answer. "I was tired.."

She was taken back by my answer and just laughed it off.

"So stranger.. What is your name?"

"My name?..." What why don't I know my name? "I.... Don't know..."

"Well that's not a problem." She put her hand on my chest. "Status..."

A blue holographic panel came from me and was suspended in the air.

Name: Yuki Fujimoto

Race: Human

Age: 15

Health: ???

MP: ???

Affinity's: ???

Skills: ???

"Yuki Fujimoto?... Hmm that's strange."

"What is strange?" I leaned over to take a look.

"Is that me?"

"Yes but your stats are unknown for some reason."

My stomach groaned.

"You wouldn't happen to have any food would you?"

"Oh your hungry? Here follow me" She stood up and gestured me to follow.

We walked to a camp. There were about 20 men all dressed in armour sat around drinking, eating and talking with each other.

"Hey captain come drink with us." A voice called out, and the atmosphere changed as they were waiting for a reply.

"Ok sure." She called back as we walked over. The men started to cheer and went back to their routine of being drunks. There was a large open fire with a pot over it. She handed me an empty wooden bowl and spoon and pointed to the pot.

"Help yourself."

"Ok I don't mind if I do." I took off the lid and scooped some of the contents into my bowl. It was a soup with potatoes and meat. I ate the food well the rest were chatting. I placed the bowl on the floor when i finished. I was startled as a hand patted me on the back. I turned around to see an older looking man also wearing armour but it was shinier than the rest like it had never been worn. It had a gold trim and an lions face on the chest plate. He was holding out a cup in my direction.

"Hey kid. Come one drink with us."

"Ok." I took the cup and smelt it. It was fruity and sweet. I didn't get the sent of poison so i drank it all in one.

"Whoa kid you sure like your booze don't ya?"

The group of men started to laugh.

He then refiled my cup with liquid from a glass bottle with a long neck. It was red as it came out.

"Here try this one." It smelt like grapes and also sweet.

I drank it but slower this time. I leaned back and lay on the floor. I closed my eyes for about 30 seconds.

I opened my eyes. It felt like i was moving. I shot up. I was inside a carriage. it was a bit bumpy but the cushioned seats dampened most of it.

"How did i get here?" I asked out loud. My head was aching and i felt swore.

A roar of laughter came from in front of me. "You got drunk and passed out." He said wiping tears from his eyes. It was the same man from last night. The one who handed me the cup.

"I don't mean to be rude but who are you." I asked still holding my head.

"I didn't introduce myself did i? Well i am Salviorn Alexander Silverhorn."

"Oh hi I'm Yuki Fujimoto." I suddenly got an elbow to the ribs. It was the girl from last night.

"Bow you idiot..."

"Wait why do i bow?"

"Because he's the king."

"Wait like an actual King?"

Another thunderous roar of laughter came from the man in front of me.

"Oh your quite entertaining." He said whilst laughing. "So i see your already acquainted with my knight."

"Your a knight?"

"Yes does that surprise you?" She said whilst looking a bit pissed.

"Honestly i would expect a knight to be a bit more.... You know."

Her hand moved down to her side were her sword was. She swung it towards me in one swift action. She was actually pretty skilled with a sword to be perfectly honest. My body reacted by grabbing the sword by the blade disarming her with a single movement and stabbing the sword into the wooden panel beside her head. I jumped back in shock.

"Oh crap I'm sorry i didn't mean too..."

"Well this is a shock.... They're aren't too many people with the skills to best Mia so easily."

The girl stabled herself before puling out the sword and re sheathing it. The rest of the ride was pretty quiet it felt really awkward. Before the man said.

"So Yuki was it?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering... You don't have a place to stay once we get into the city do you?"

"No i don't."

"Great. Then why don't you stay at my palace. Just whilst you get yourself settled."

"Sure.. I would feel rude to refuse."

The Knight beside me objected.

"Wait Sir you can't just... We only just met him!"

"I don't need your opinion Mia."

"Yes Sir!" She silenced herself and went back to remaining quiet.

"So what is your actual reasoning behind this?"

The atmosphere changed.

"I see. So you saw through me so easily."

The knight was now looking confused as the king was speaking in this serious tone.

"Well I would think you don't just pick up any stranger at the side of the road and ask them to stay at your palace."

"And you would be correct in thinking that. Honestly I was planning on just dropping you off in the city at first. But then seeing how easily you bested Mia I couldn't let this chance slip."

"Ok so what are you asking exactly."

"Well currently my country is at war with the demons. But we are at a standstill currently. And after seeing you demonstrate your strength I was hoping you would help us fight. So will you help us. Don't worry you will be rewarded of course."

"No..."

I see..." He clearly didn't get rejected too often. I could see it in his face. It was a mix between confusion and disappointment. "Well if you change your mind I would greatly appreciate the help. But i won't ask again. Anyway.... Do you still want to stay at the palace?"

"I would but I think i should plan on getting a job. So I'm sorry but no."

He Looked at me like he was planning something.

" I actually have a job available i think would suit you perfectly... You see my daughter is i need of a personal body guard. I promised that when she turned 15 I would allow her to leave the palace grounds without a convoy. But the catch was that she would need at least one body guard.... Say Yuki how old are you?"

I had to think for a moment.

"He is 15 also Sir." The Knight answered for me.

"That's perfect... You should get along well."

"Before I decide on anything. How much will i be paid?"

He learned towards me before whispering in my ear. "50 platinum coins a month."

I still didn't have a concept of money so i decided to up the price a bit.

"70." He sat back and looked at me with sheer shock.

"60...." He said before taking a deep breathe.

I could see it was causing him distress for some reason.

"Sure that sounds fair." I said before sitting back in my seat.

We arrived at the gate of the palace....