Summoner Of Death

Chapter 5

Guiche couldn't help but think the last two days had been both the strangest and most frustrating days in his life. All his attempts to apologize to Montmorency failed, she refused to hear his words, storming off whenever he attempted to apologize. He hoped the fact she hadn't demanded her perfume back was a sign she would forgive him in time. Still, the fact that she hadn't spoken a single word to him in the last two days, even in the same class was distressing.

His apology to Katie had gone slightly better, though they weren't on the best of terms for the moment.

The strange thing was the sorcerer-king had invited him to continue training, over the last two days as the sun began to set Guiche would meet the sorcerer-king in the clearing. The Sorcerer king would summon more of his bizarre skeletal servants for Guiche to train with. He could feel himself improving, while the undead summons had a frightening appearance and aura, they weren't overly agile.

He could now confidently swing and parry with his sword, while he was still learning the basics he was pleased with his progress. Still, a more agile opponent would surely find his skills lacking, yet the sorcerer-king never seemed displeased with his slow progress.

While Guiche felt incredibly grateful, he was also paranoid. He couldn't grasp why the sorcerer-king was helping him. Why would a king be so willing to train him? What did the king stand to gain? Why did he demand Guiche kill the undead after his training was done for the day? Why had the king asked about legends and enchanted weapons? Why had the king asked about martial arts of all things? Why would a king want to know about unarmed combat?

Still despite Guiche's doubts during their interactions he sensed a pure form of nobility and kindness he was unfamiliar with. The king had offered him water from a magical jug he pulled from the void. Beyond a few questions, the king always seemed rather aloof, watching his progress with a critical eye. The kings gaze spurred Guiche to try even harder, each time his skeletal foe knocked him down or disarmed him he felt even more driven to succeed. To show the king that his faith hadn't been misplaced.

The sorcerer-king had informed Guiche that he wouldn't be able to help him train for a few days. Guiche had desperately wished to know why but did not wish to disrespect the kings will by questioning him. Still, it did leave Guiche's afternoon entirely free as he only had morning classes today, the training had served as an excellent distraction from the pain of Montmorency still not talking to him.

Pushing aside these morose thoughts he finished his lunch, leaving the dining hall he planned to walk around the academies grounds to clear his mind. It was during this walk that he came upon a strange sight, professor Colbert standing by a wooden carriage. The stables were near and he was examining the horses. It seemed bizarre because last he heard the professor had absconded from teaching classes to assist the sorcerer-king. The carriage itself looked expensive, made of fine oak and luxuriously upholstered.

Why was the professor organizing a carriage? Perhaps he required supplies from the city?

Though that left the question of why he required such a high-class carriage? While the professor was respected he wouldn't need such luxurious transportation unless he planned to visit with high-class nobility. Pushing these thoughts aside Guiche resolved to ask the teacher himself. His approach was interrupted as a familiar black hemisphere formed behind the teacher, the figure of the sorcerer-king emerging from it.

"Colbert, are our preparations complete?" The king questioned as his eyes wandered over the carriage, seemingly unimpressed with its fine craftsmanship.