POT

Chapter 25

RAIN AND TIME

“Sir Elmo, please hold me tight!” Julie requested.

“Julie, I hope it isn’t too late for me to admit what I felt for you…” Elmo started to confess.

“Hush my handsome Prince! Just hold me and let the night be the witness of our love.”

“Julie wait isn’t this too hasty?”

Julie put her finger to Elmo’s lips.

“Elmo!” Julie snapped.

“Yes?” Elmo answered.

“Elmo!” Julie said in a louder voice.

“What is it Julie?”

“ELMO!” Julie started to shout.

“Julie pipe it down! Hey what’s that… hey why are you showing me that dagger.”

Elmo’s POV

Suddenly Julie shouted my name in a louder tone and transformed into a heinous flesh-eating monster. She was still shouting my name when…

“ELMO MOSES MAGALONA, you lazy kid! Wake up! You’re already an hour late for your class!” Loree said in a very loud voice.

“M-Mom?” No wonder there was a monster in my dream…

“No it’s Santa. Get up! Look! It’s already 8 in the morning!”

“But Mom! It’s Sunday!”

Mom paused for a moment… “Oh yeah, sorry I forgot!” Loree realized and flashed her cheeky grin.

“Very nice!” Elmo went back to his bed.

“Oh no you don’t, young man! You’ll help me with my orchids today. Get up! Get up!”

“Why me? Where’s Dad?”

“He’s tending the pigs. He won’t be back this morning.”

Elmo whined and scratched his head.

Perfect! Just perfect! I was already enjoying my moment with Julie but because of Mom, a monster appeared and now I am going to help her with her orchids. Just great!

“After eating your breakfast, go to the garden immediately okay?” Loree exclaimed.

Elmo nodded.

***

1312, Dusk

“I thought you already quit knighthood!” Julie opinionated.

 “Not because I am old means I’m not capable.” Thomas laughs.

“But why did you chose to be my personal servant! You’re an arch knight!”

“I owe my life to your parents. During our youth, we were tasked to guard the front rivers of Saint John against the Turks. My fellow knights were already dead and the lord knight of swordsmanship was already then waiting for the heavens to welcome him. Only me stood ground and held that place for two days. I already lost hope, but it is where your parents came to save me.” Thomas said,

“And that is the same event where Thomas acquired the title of ‘master of crafts’.” Manfred interfered.

“Thy highness.” Thomas vowed.

“Lord Thomas may look old but his skills are immeasurable.”

Julie’s POV

Who would suspect that a gentle old man like Thomas is the arch knight of Saint John? This honor is rarely given to exceptional lord knights who have mastered all the arts of our country. Even my Father, whom has mastered Swordsmanship, Archery and Cavalry, has not acquired such title. In my case, I am just an apprentice in Cavalry and a regular guildsman in Music. If Sir Elmo is here, I wonder where he would fit in.

“My title is nothing to the debt I owe thee and the queen.” Thomas smiled.

“Humble as ever.”

“So does it mean you can still carry me on your back?” Julie realized and laughed.

“I am not a Master in carrying Princesses.” Thomas joked.

“So unfair.” Julie pouted.

Hmm. Maybe Sir Elmo is preoccupied. He hasn’t answered my greetings yet. Julie stared at the book.

***

2012 

Elmo’s POV

At last! I am done! Mom sure took my whole Sunday with those orchids. Sheesh! I was even planning to spend it at Butch loots. Too bad Mom wanted to finish everything today.

Opens the big book.

Oh Julie wrote something for me! “Sir Elmo! How art thou? Can thou provide me some assistance?- Thy Beloved Princess, Julie.”

Wow! She went back to her old English again… hmmm… ‘Thy beloved princess’? Now that’s sweet! Wait does this mean that she also likes me? Oh boy! Oh boy! Maybe my dream will come true… well, maybe not until she turned into a monster. I better answer her immediately.