Valerian, The Legendary

Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Under Current.

It has been two weeks since Valerian started training with Quies and Priscilla. He was not having an easy time when the lady came and added to his troubles. She would suddenly cast spells to make obstacles in the path.

Quies would not tell him what to do, he did not want Valerian to develop a set pattern of reactions to deal with obstacles, so he did not even react till the boy fainted from tripping in a fire pit.

Thankfully, the maid took away the flames in a blink or Valerian would have become a mound of ash. Priscilla came to the pit and picked up the fainted boy. She said, “I did not expect him to be so strained by the flames.”

Quies walked forward and said, “It is not that he was scared, but he has been sweating a bit too much, and that is why he fainted from dehydration. Do not worry, he will be fine.”

The man had a water bottle in his hands, and he raised the bottle to his mouth and slowly made Valerian drink small sips of water.

Priscilla suddenly noticed something and asked, “His lips, were they not parched and cracking a moment ago?”

Quies nodded and said, “Warriors have the ability to heal on their own, and battle mages have it too. The level of their regeneration is ten times higher than the normal warriors.”

.....

The maid nodded, and suddenly sensed the child in her arms waking up. She let him on the ground, and Valerian asked, ‘Sir Quies, why did I faint all of a sudden?’

The man handed him the water bottle and said, ‘While running, you develop your lungs but also shed sweat and this sweat is what makes you dehydrate. That was why you fainted.’

Nodding his head, Valerian understood what was happening and drank a few mouthfuls from the bottle. He passed the bottle back to the man and asked Priscilla to continue the training and then he ran forward.

...

Just like this, a month had passed and Priscilla was shocked to see, that Valerian had never fallen for the same trick twice in this month and also, she made sure to not cast the same spells too consistently.

Quies commented from the said, “His reactions are very flexible, he can adapt very quickly. The speed is also picking up.”

Priscilla nodded and said, “This boy is surely a talent, his growth rate is terrifying and at the same time look at his body development. The weight training has made him gain a lot of muscle. Finally, he looks like a normal child and not malnourished.”

Quies nodded, “What I am concerned is not this child but the situation faced by Her Highness.”

His statement made the mood between the two people very hesitant. The maid nodded and said, “The Second Prince, I did not expect him to be so cunning.”

Quies nodded and wanted to say something when Valerian arrived in front of them. He picked up the towel on the side and cleaned up the sweat on his face and neck. He had caught some words of the conversation but he did not know what was happening inside the palace.

He was sleeping in a corner near the field. He used his hand signs and asked, ‘What happened?’

The two men shook their heads, the boy would usually leave them be but today he asked, ‘Tell me, what happened to her highness, I might be of some help for her.’

Priscilla said, “The Second Prince sent a messenger yesterday, if the princess does not give up the trial in a week’s time, then he will take it as if she was running for the throne. That means he will treat her as an enemy.”

Valerian nodded and asked, ‘What about the first prince? What does he have to say to this?’

Priscilla asked him, “Why would the first prince say anything about this, he is more focused on the throne.”

Valerian looked at her and rolled his eyes. He said, ‘You know there are two people in a war, the two princes are in a cold war against each other. They both want to sit on the golden chair to look down on the other.

You once told me that the first prince is not a favorite of the courtiers because he does not believe in rules. So, his supporters are low, if the second prince is liked, that means he follows rules. This letter does not seem very righteous to me.

What her highness can do is write a letter to the first prince and with it, she can send the letter she got from the second prince. This way the first prince will have a chance at poaching some talented people and shine. He can argue that no matter how unruly he might be, he does not keep a dagger in his sleeve.

Since they do not care about their sister, then let them suffer a bit.”

That said, Valerian began to run again. The two people did not react for a few minutes, but when they came to their senses, Priscilla said, “Sir Quies, I will now go and inform her highness about this.”

The man nodded and watched the maid rush away to the palace. He did not expect this young guy to be so apt in politics. Since Quies has forbidden him from reading magic books, Valerian had started to read about anything and everything else.

After Valerian finished the last round of the track. Quies said, “Come, we will begin your fighting skills training starting tomorrow.”

Valerian was having mixed thoughts after the initial surprise. Quies said, “I will be your opponent. After I have an idea of your strength, you will fight with magical beasts. You will not be allowed to use the animal speech.”

Valerian nodded and said, ‘Fine. You all have gotten a taste of bullying the weak and pitiful.’

That said he entered his tent and fell down on the mattress. He was drained, he flung off his shoes and then went to sleep.

The time passed quickly and a few days later, when the sun came up on the horizon, Valerian found Priscilla looking at him with a big smile on her face.

Valerian did not like her much but it was not to the point of killing first and talking later. He asked, ‘What?’

Priscilla said, “Her Highness sent the letter to the first prince, and the result is exactly as we predicted, just a slight change, The first prince showed the letter directly to his excellency. Can you imagine the impact? The news was circulated and now the camp of the second prince is not peaceful.”

Valerian smiled and said, ‘You think too lowly of the first prince.’

Priscilla froze in her place and asked, “What do you mean?”

Valerian said, ‘Who do you think is to gain the most if the princess was harmed by the second prince?’

Priscilla replied, “The first pri... Shit.”

Valerian chuckled and said, ‘I do not mind you calling them shit, but you are correct. The first prince might have already moved his pawns.’

Priscilla asked, “What to do now, the strength of the people here is comparable to donkeys. What to do now?”

The maid panicked after she heard these words. Valerian smiled and said, ‘Tell the second prince, that if the princess was harmed in any way, then the first prince will exploit that fact to trip him off.

Have the second prince seek the audience with his excellency and stare at his features, and then with the permission of the old man, mobilize a unit of the princess’s personal guards here. This will ensure that the two princes do not harm the princess. As for the throne, they can cry over it all they wish.’

Priscilla asked, “Why are you so smart?”

Valerian shook his head and said, ‘You are the dumb one does not mean I am smart.’

The maid was shocked and wanted to retort but she gazed at Valerian running away barefoot. His shoes were put away in the name of training his feet.

Priscilla fell into thought and then she moved back to the palace and met Azula. The maid could tell that the lady was sipping tea on the surface but she was feeling anxious after the word she has received from the sources in the capital.

Priscilla approached and said, “Your Highness, I have some words from Valerian...”

Azula turned her head around and asked, “What is it?”

Priscilla narrated the scene to her and the princess was surprised but then she became excited. This was not going to be easy, but she had to try or her fate was sealed.

She said, “Priscilla, bring me the quill and the paper.”

The maid bowed and said, “Yes, your highness.”

Quickly and ink stone and quill were placed on the table for the lady to write to her brother, since the was the person who started the undercurrents, let him experience a little headache as well.