“Good morning! Do you remember me? This is Angelique Vosce, the, um, the Alishen?"
No answer. Angelique straightened her collar trying to look inside the door of Sumiatra’s estate. Minnielle, crawling around the side, looked into the window behind a few bushes.
“Well, is anyone home?” Angelique tried again. The door clicked and a maids face peeked out.
“My Lady will not come to meet you.”
Angelique lifted a plate to the maid's face. "What if you tell her that I have cookies?”
The maid was not amused and slammed the door in her face. “I thought that would work...well, that's unfortunate.” Minnielle moved to her and tugged on Angelique's shirt and pointed to an open window. "There's always another way!"
“Um, that's not very nice of us to do. Breaking in?” Angelique stared at it, the curtains blowing out, inviting her. “Eh, I want to drop off these cookies, so it shouldn't be so bad. Minnielle, you stay outside.” Angelique walked over to the window and climbed up the wall, hopping down onto the carpeted floor inside. On the far wall, a large picture of an elderly man was sitting, and the tall walls were decorated with weapons, some still tarnished with blood.
Angelique walked to the center of the salon and placed her tray of cookies down, dusting off her hands. “Hopefully Sumiatra likes sugar cookies.”
She turned to leave out the window when something flew past her. It was sharp, and metal, and stuck itself into the wall.
“The next fork I throw at you won't miss, so stay still.” a young woman's voice ordered.
“If your next shot will surely kill me, shouldn't I move to avoid it?” Angelique chuckled, turning to face Sumiatra. The two locked eyes and the room went silent. Sumiatra had hair to her back, black as tar, and her eyes were a piercing red.
“Do you mind if I invite you for a talk?” Angelique grinned. ‘She truly is a member of the impressive Swirche family of fighters and military leaders.’
Sumiatra Swirche, the head of the Swirche family, and one of the kingdoms top military strategists and fighters. She managed to avoid losing her family home to Angelique, but lost heaps of money.
Sumiatra was in a training uniform typical of her own personal troop of soldiers, dark red with gold lining. It shone as she sat across from Angelique and Minnielle. “I'm only be letting you in because of the fact you returned all my stolen money. But if you are here for some other reason, like a ‘best princess award’, I won't be giving you any glowing reviews.”
Angelique seemed to only grow her smile. ‘This woman is so cool.’
“Of course not! I am only bringing cookies!” Sumiatra stared at the golden white cookies, the glistening of sugar sparkled from the sunrise. “I don't trust you enough to believe you haven't poisoned them.”
Angelique covered her eyes with one hand, and grabbed a cookie with another, taking a bite. “All good! So please, have some!”
Sumiatra didn't eat, she sat, stretched across her seat, eyeing Angelique. “My, how the mighty have fallen,” she said. “Angelique is reduced to rags, riding her own horse with a measly personal maid. Where's your golden carriage, your train of attendants, your bridal gown of silk. This is rather sad, don't you think?”
“Yes, but I don't mind! I'm not a fan of extravagance anymore. But, I do need to ask a favor from you. I would like to be your student, in exchange for my abilities."
Sumiatra raised a sharp eyebrow. “Pardon?”
“Yes, I only request that you train me to fight. I need to protect myself better, and I need your help with it. You are the master of sword fighting in the capital, right?” Sumiatra lifted her hands to stop Angelique.
“I don't like training children such as yourself, you wouldn't last a day.”
“If you’d care to humor me, I will pay you what I have to offer, and I won't double back. So, Sumiatra, what's your favorite food?”
Angelique raised her hand and procured a magnificent red lobster tail with green garnish. “I am a Sorceress, I’ll exchange these powers for your training. These food items can relieve pain from your soldiers, and yourself.”
Sumiatra looked unimpressed.
‘I just showed her real magic and she seems like she’s watching grass grow!!!’
Sumiatra stared at Angelique's magic trick. "I've seen plenty of magic users around the kingdom, I am not shocked by your measly dish." Angelique blinked at Sumiatra.
"There are other magic users?!"
Sumiatra nodded. "Yes, three, they work at the palace of the Emperor as his personal guardians. Though I don't blame you for not realizing, few people outside the security department realize they exist."
She grabbed the tail of the lobster and took a bite. “It works, the headache your voice gave me is gone. I'll take this deal, as long as you prepare all the meals for me and my soldiers.”
Sumiatra stood up and walked out of the salon as Minnielle and Angelique celebrated. Sumiatra shouted back at them, “Hey, idiots, follow me to the training grounds”
…
Sumiatra threw a spear at Angelique. “Take it in your hands tightly,” she ordered. “I am going to test your ability with 3 different weapons. The spear, the sword, and the bow.” She lifted her own spear and planted her feet into the ground. “Do you know how to use any of these?”
Angelique shook where she stood. “No, haha.” Sumiatra relinquished her stance with a sigh. "It is seriously like training a baby.”
Angelique held the spear point to Sumiatra. “At least I’m a baby, with magic powers.” Sumiatra let out a small snort.
She stared as Sumiatra guided her on how to thrust the spear. “You are not skilled at using a spear, and I doubt you ever will be.” She took the spear from Angelique’s hand and threw it to the side. “Now, the bow.”
Sumiatra pulled Angelique’s arm back and showed her the proper technique. “This is...promising, but not great.” She said as the arrow flew a few feet and fell to the ground with a depressing thunk.
“Um, Sumiatra, if I don't have any practice in these tools how can you tell accurately whether I’m good or not?”
A sword fell into her hand, heavy and strong. “I have an eye for these things, trust me.” Sumiatra guided Angelique to the proper stance. “And my eyes see a promising swordswoman in front of me.” Angelique let out a glowing laugh. “Really!”
She swung the sword around playfully. “So cool!” Sumiatra grabbed the swinging sword with her hand, stopping the blade.
“This is no toy, it is a tool of destruction. And you will learn everything I can teach you about it very soon. But not now, it's lunchtime.” Sumiatra took the sword from Angelique’s hands and tossed it in the pile with the spear and the bow. “My soldiers are probably starving, this is what they need in their meals” Sumiatra passed Angelique a small menu of the regular food items. 'Potatoes, beef, pork, chicken. This is just sad...and tasteless.' “This is it?” Angelique said, struggling to find the proper nutrition within it.
“We’ve managed with what we’ve got for generations, so don't ask questions, make food. I have 18 soldiers on the grounds today, and each one gets their own full meal.” Angelique sighed and lifted her hand and made 18 rotisserie chickens, each with a side of 3 baked potatoes.
Sumiatra laughed and clapped Angelique’s back. “I must admit, I’m impressed, Angelique. And I can't believe you hid the ability of your magic so well! Normally, magic users don't have enough soul energy to even move a pebble more than 3 times a day, but you make food faster than a fully functioning kitchen staff.”
Angelique fell back onto a chair and created a sandwich tray for Minnielle and her to share in the corner. “Glad to help,” she said between large bites.
Angelique gulped down her lunch and stared up at Sumiatra as she ate her own chicken. “Do you mind if I stay at your estate while I train? I don't have a place to go with training grounds as wonderful as yours!”
Sumiatra stared at her and nodded. “You may, but don't miss a meal, hear me?”
“I’ll train and work hard! You can count on me!” Angelique said, pumping her fist. The soldiers ate while Angelique and Sumiatra left for the training grounds. Straw scarecrows were lined up in the corner. “Hold your sword tightly, like this. Plant your feet, but do not lock your knees.” Sumiatra whacked Angelique’s legs with a small stick. “Focus!”
The midday sun was hotter than ever, and Angelique could feel her sweat drip down her face. She had just learned the basics of holding and handling a sword. And now she was preparing to practice with controlled attacks.
She lunged towards the scarecrow, swinging wildly at it, but the heavy sword offset her balance and she fell. “Your arms and core are not strong, and your hands are soft. Continue to practice and exercise for tomorrow. Dinner is 6.” Sumiatra turned and left Angelique alone on the dusty training field.
Angelique worked until dinner, prepared the same meal as everyone before, and sent Minnielle off to sleep. Instead of joining Minnielle, Angelique returned to the training ground, the cold night closing in. She practiced till morning came, and Sumiatra entered to inspect the field.
“Angelique! You’re out early!” Sumiatra jogged to stand beside Angelique, only to see her eyes with dark circles, and her hands bleeding from torn skin. “I appreciate the dedication.” She said, reaching out her hand and grabbing Angelique’s sword away. “But this is just foolish. Come with me, let's bandage those hands of yours.”
Angelique smiled back at Sumiatra. “Don't worry, I don't feel anything.” Sumiatra shook her head. “I’m worried you’ll get an infection, I have some water and bandages just over there, come with me.” They both sat at the edge of the field as Sumiatra bandaged her hands, eyeing the old bandage on her left wrist. What's this?” She said, slowly removing her wrist bandage.
The bandages fell off and the wrist was unscathed and healthy. Angelique gasped. “How surprising! It healed faster than before! It was my old broken wrist, I’ve had it for half a month.” Sumiatra stared at Angelique's face. “How peculiar... can you come with me?” She asked, lifting Angelique up and taking her away.
“Just a few days ago we had an accident in training, someone broke their arm and had multiple flesh wounds.” They entered Sumiatra’s medical tent to see a man with bandages. “Feed him.”
Angelique handed him baked potatoes and he ate them slowly. “Now, Reginald, how is your arm?” The soldier named Reginald lifted his broken arm, and it swung out and back in. “Good as new!” he exclaimed, moving it around and turning his wrist.
“That doesn't make any sense..” Angelique gasped.
Sumiatra laughed to herself. “I guess you can not only dull pain but heal people. I'm starting to admire your powers even more!”
“But, why was I healed after two months if he only took 2 seconds?” Sumiatra tapped her chin.
“I’m going to guess it's either that your powers don't work as well on you, or it’s a mental blockage. I can't be sure.” She clapped her hands together. “But this is good news! Now I can also heal my men, as well as ease their pain!” She laughed maliciously as Angelique and Reginald both stared in confusion.
Sumiatra and Angelique both walked back to the training grounds for breakfast.
“This is turning out to be the best deal I’ve ever made. It’ll be a shame when you head back to your husband's house.” Angelique laughed at that statement. “Who says I’ll return, they’ll have to drag me from here kicking and screaming. But hopefully, I’ll have a trusty sword to protect myself and Minnielle.”
Sumiatra whacked Angelique on the back. “As long as you continue to work hard, you’ll be an expert at the sword in no time, trust me.”
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