The Adventure of Myrr and Te Nightingales: 6

Chapter 6

“You’re totally not going to believe this!” Lach tried not to shriek as she was holding a piece of paper. “We’re in the same pair!” She leapt with joy.

Myrr jumped with joy too as both of them were dancing gellfully. “This is great! I can’t believe that we’re going to be in the same pair!”

“Congratulation to both of you,” said Struer who just came from behind.

“Thanks, Struer. Oh, who’s your partner, by the way?” asked Myrr who was still smiling broadly.

Struer sighed and pointed to her twin brother. “Hittan.” She made a solemn face. Myrr and Lach couldn’t stop giggling.

“What with that sour face, Struer?” Hittan frowned furiously, his hands on the hips.

“I never thought I will end up pairing with you,” Struer said in a bored tone.

“Well I was thinking the same thing. Never mind, then. I guess we have to stick together until the end of the hunting test. But remember this, I’m going to be the leader and you must listen to everything I said,” he said with his chest high.

“Hey, who said that you’re going to be the leader?” This time Struer who had her hands on her hips. “I’m older than you,” she poked her finger to Hittan’s chest, hard.

“It doesn’t mean that you’re two hours older than me, you can be the leader. I’m a man, and the man is supposed to be the leader. Not a girl,” he answered back.

“Stop it, you two. If Mr. Reopan knows that you’re arguing, he will cancel your names on the list,” warned Myrr.

Both of them stopped mouth-fighting and went back to the class without talking with each other. Myrr and Lach laughed because Struer and Hittan were always fighting over the small thing.

The hunting test will be held on the next week so Myrr and Lach were preparing themselves to hunt the Dummy Ghouls. Myrr was waiting for this since she enrolled the School of Nightingales. Houle will be proud of her if she passed the test. She wanted to show him that she was capable to handle the Ghouls on her own.

They went back to their seat as their tutor, Reopan came in. He smiled warmly to his students. He put a stack of papers that he carried when he entered the class. He cleared his throat politely and the students were in silence, waiting for him to explain.

“Have you found your partner?” asked Reopan. The students nodded while saying yes. “Good. Now, I want to give two pieces of paper each. This one,” he lifted up a blue coloured paper, “is your parents’ permission. This test is quite dangerous since this is the first time you guys will be using your own weapon. You’ll get the permission first, and then you’ll receive your won weapon, alright?” He handed to the President of the Class.

“And this one,” he lifted up a green coloured paper, “is your fitness check up. The Healing Squad will come tomorrow morning and you’ll have your fitness check up. You are compulsory to undergo a fitness check because it is essential for you to know whether you’re really fit or not. Those who have any illness will undergo another medical test before you are allowed for the Hunting Test. Any question?” he looked around, searching for the raising hands. “No. Good. You can scramble back to your house; get your parents’ permission. See you again, tomorrow!”

The class cheered and everyone was eager to go back home after they got the two pieces of papers. Reopan knew that this was what they were waiting for. The test will show their bravery and skills. He waited for the whole class to dismiss. Myrr walked up to him as he was getting ready to leave.

“Excuse, Mr. Reopan. Sorry for not raising my hand just now. Can I as you about the parents’ permission?” asked Myrr politely and showed the blue coloured paper.

“Yes, sure, Myrr,” he smiled.

“Do I have to get the permission from my Uncle Shatter or from Houle?” Myrr looked at him, waiting for the answer.

“You can ask them both. If you stopped by your uncle’s mansion, you can get his permission. Either, you can get Houle’s permission. He’s your legal guardian so he has the right for allowing you or not,” he replied.

“Oh, okay then. Thank you, Mr. Reopan,” Myrr smiled broadly and bowed to him. Reopan chuckled and patted on her head.

“Now go home, little Myrr. See you again, tomorrow,” he waved at her as she’s leaving.

Houle was drenched in sweat. He was panting hard while gripping the sword. Ever single muscle in his body was aching. He wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand and gripped the sword again. His vision was getting blurry but he didn’t want to withdraw. He could barely stand up for his legs were getting wobbly. The room was tropically hot.

Feoh knew Houle couldn’t continue any longer. He lowered his sword to show that the training was ended. “That’s enough for today, Houle. I can see you could barely stand,” said Feoh.

“Please, Chieftan Feoh,” pleaded Houle while panting hard. “Just a little longer.”

Feoh shook his head. “No, Houle. We must stop here or it’ll affect your health. You can come by in next two days. You need rest,” said Feoh in serious tone.

Houle understood and loosen his grip to the sword and lowered it. His wobbly legs made him stumble on the floor. Feoh handed him a bottle of energy drink and Houle gulped the water down. Feoh patted Houle’s broad shoulder to tell him that he has tried his best. Feoh knew that Houle was training very hard to get stronger and he was proud of Houle’s determination and effort. For two years he trained him and he knew Houle was improving his sword’s skill day by day. He wanted to train him more even when Houle was suited to have his own sword. Sometimes he will let Houle sparred with his son, Joind for he was very skilful in sword fighting.

Houle took a rest for a while before heading back home. After drinking the energy drink and took a shower at Feoh’s mansion, he got back his strength. But still his muscle was still aching a little. When he reached home, he was surprised to see Myrr was cooking, guided by her cousin, Arwe.

“Welcome back, Houle,” greeted Myrr while stirring her soup. “How’s your training?” she asked.

“Not bad but my body is sore,” he replied and sat on the chair. “What’s cooking?”

“Chicken soup with mixed vegetable. Arwe taught me,” she smiled. Arwe nodded and told to stir the soup until it mix well with the vegetables.

“I heard you’re having a special training with Chieftan Feoh,” he said, pulling the chair in front of Houle and sat down.

“Yeah. But it’s not easy. He’s very skilled in sword fighting and I can’t even scratch him one,” he ran his fingers to his flaming red hair.

“Of course, you block head. He’s the toughest and the strongest among all the Chieftans. A person like you couldn’t defeat him,” he smirked irritatedly to Houle.

“What did you say?” he growled and stood up to punch Arwe in the face.

Myrr turned around and scowled ferociously at both of them. “Stop it or no lunch!”

Both Arwe and Houle timidly nodded and got back to their seat. They knew what will happen if Myrr got mad.

“We will be having a Hunting Test next week,” said Myrr while eating her lunch. “I was partnered with Lach and we’re going to be the best pair!”

“Well, that’s great. We hope you’ll pass the test,” Arwe smiled proudly.

“Arwe is right. The test will be held at night, right?” asked Houle.

Myrr nodded.

“I’ll be cheering for you,” he patted Myrr’s head and smiled.

“Oh, before I forgot,” Myrr jumped off the chair and took a out a piece of paper inside her bag, “ you need to sign the permission paper. Reopan said that I can get the permission either from you or Uncle Shatter.”

Houle took the paper. “Okay. I’ll sign it after this.”

“Yes!” Myrr threw a punch into the air. “Thanks, Houle!”

“You’re most welcome. Now finish your meal. You too, Arwe,” Houle glanced at Arwe who almost finish his lunch.

Arwe chuckled and after that he helped Myrr to wash the dishes. Houle went up to his room for he was very tired. He really needed some rests before having another extra training with Feoh in three days.

“Okay, let’s do a little check up,” Pelle smiled cheerfully as Myrr entered the room.

“I can’t wait for the Hunting Test, Pelle. It’s going to be awesome! I’ve been waiting for this in my whole life!” said Myrr excitedly.

Pelle giggled. “You remind me when I was your age, Myrr. I, too, couldn’t wait for the test. And guess who’s my partner?”

“Reles?” Myrr guessed.

Pelle shook her head. “It’s Esclice. I was so excited that time,” her smile subsided. “That night was the first time I fell in love with him.”

Myrr stared at Pelle and patted her hand. Pelle smiled and did the check up. Myrr didn’t say a word about her brother, not in front of Pelle. Pelle was her brother’s fiancé. They planned to get married as soon as Myrr finish her Junior year. When she received the death news of Esclice, she was crying bitterly in her room after the funeral. She loved Esclice so much and she felt that her world was crumbling into dust. But when she saw Myrr who was feeling down at that time, she promised herself to be strong. She promised Myrr to be her sister where she’ll have a shoulder to cry on.

When the medical test was done, Myrr and Lach went to Reopan’s office to submit the permission paper and medical test paper. Reopan gave them inspirational words before they left the room. Then both of them went to the Blue Forest to train.

It was a freezing cold night. Houle was wandering in the middle of nowhere. The air was thick, as well as the fogs. His feet were getting cold for he didn’t wear any boots. He looked around but he couldn’t recognize the place. He continued walking until he heard voices. The fog cleared little by little and the voices were getting louder. Houle searched for the voices.

Then, he stopped. He saw grey brick arch, standing tall in front of him. Dried grasses filled the along the path and he saw four crows were crowing loudly. He took a step forward, feeling scared. Then, he heard those voices again. His paced was getting faster as the voices were getting near. The bright moon shone upon the path and he was terrified of what he had seen. Skeletons were everywhere and the wailing and crying voices could be heard loudly.

He couldn’t move. His feet were stuck on the ground. The spirits appeared from the rotten skeletons and swirling around him, yelling to him that he was a murderer. The spirits kept on yelling and yelling, accusing Houle for being a murderer. Houle’s ears couldn’t stand the yelling and he covered his ears with his hand.

“No! I’m not a murderer!” he shouted but the spirits ignored him. “Leave me alone! Leave me alone!”

Houle jerked up from the bed. He was sweating hard. He looked around and he realized he was inside his room. His breath was getting calm. He was having a nightmare. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and opened it. It was Myrr. She ran toward him with a worry look.

“What’s wrong, Houle? I heard your scream just now,” she asked worryingly.

“I’m having a nightmare,” Houle replied in a hoarse voice. “Sorry for waking you up, Myrr.”

Myrr hugged him. “It’s okay,” Myrr looked at him and wiped the sweat with her sleeve.

‘Thanks, Myrr. I’m fine now,” he patted her head.

“Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?” asked Myrr, holding his hand gently.

Houle shook his head and said he was fine. Myrr kissed his cheek before going back to her room. Houle lied on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He never had that kind of nightmare before. He didn’t want to continue sleeping. The feverish images of the rotten skeletons and the angry spirits were playing in his mind. This was the first time he felt terrified.