The King of Saminu

Chapter 26

 The wind slammed open the door of my new home as fast as I could sit up. My eyes wide, an acceleration to my breath. But my excitement was cut short when realization set in.
"Just the wind, I guess," I muttered, laying back down. Two weeks had passed. Two long, hard weeks. The door remained wide open, sunlight streaming in. Winter was coming to a close in Maeri, but Slifni held its chill.

"Close the door, Renny," Gamm groaned from his side of the room. I sighed, standing up on shaking legs. Living with the military meant living like the military. Gamm was smart to stay in bed. I wanted more rest just like he did. Sadly for me, I was the oldest sibling and Gamm liked to whine just as much as he always did. Some things never change. Gamm was always going to be annoying. Just as much as I had to be back.

Gamm yelled out his shock as I landed on top of him, pretending to wrestle him as we had once done when we were much younger. He froze up, instinct taking over, and his hands fell into place on my stomach.
"Ren, stop. I don't wanna hurt the baby," For once in his life, Gamm was serious, and I rolled my eyes.
"Gamm, there's not even a bump yet. I know our limits," Gamm frowned even deeper, then looked me over.
"I don't know... I'd rather be safe," Gamm moved around me carefully, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "What time is it?" He yawned, and I shrugged.

"Five," We both groaned. I got off of Gamm and stood up once more, offering a hand for my younger brother to stand. He slapped it away as gently as he could. It still left a mark.
"Kipt is gonna kick our ass if we're late. Again," Gamm muttered, and I nodded. We sighed as one, then rushed to get ready. Breakfast was going to have to be skipped. We were both out the door within the next few minutes, rushing over to the still charred field where everyone else was waiting. Everyone, except Kipt.
"You two are lucky. Kipt would have killed Gamm had he been late again," Tarka laughed. Gamm pretended to fight Tarka. Both boys ended up on the ground at the same time as my eyes rolled.

"I heard that Gamm was late?" Kipt's voice immediately caused an influx of breath intake, my own body growing rigid. The woman was a terrifying force. She was either Brann's height or maybe even taller, her arms resembling tree trunks in width. It wouldn't be difficult to imagine the woman crushing a skull with two fingers. Her hair was a brilliant red that stood out against the leftover remnants of March's snow. Everything from Kipt's personality down to the very color of her eyes screamed fire. I had been surprised months ago when I had met the woman. She had stayed back from the front lines? Somehow, even though she didn't look it, Kipt was nearing 119 years old.

"I wasn't late ma'am! I was here before you were!" Gamm announced, quickly trying to stand up at the same time as Tarka from their playful wrestling. Kipt's nostrils flared, an anger deeply rooted within her.
"I don't care if you were here before me! If Tarka said you were late, I'd reckon you were late, yes? Now before you try and give me any more lip, why don't you take five laps, soldier?" Gamm knew better than to argue. Before I could even breath, Gamm was running at high speeds to begin the five mile punishment run.

"Alright soldiers! Today, we'll be doing one versus one training. Pair up with the person next to you," I almost sighed, but with Kipt close to me, I wouldn't dare. However, just as Tarka opened his mouth to ask if I would partner up with him, a large hand clapped down on my shoulder.
"Ren, you're with me today. Tarka, you can join Gamm,"
"But Gamm's still out in the field, ma'am," Tarka questioned. Kipt raised a brow. Tarka sprinted away.

"Once you hit me, you can leave," Kipt announced. My eyes opened wide and I found myself shaking my head before I could stop myself.
"M-m-me? Hit you? Ninety percent of the men here can't even do that?" Kipt shook her head at me.
"Ninety percent of the men and women here can't hit me. Don't count all of us in with the dumbasses. If you keep thinking I can't, that's all you'll be able to do," I sighed. Kipt stood, not even bracing herself. Both of us knew how much of a joke today's training session was going to be.