Kingdom Fallen

Volume 1 Part 5: Mister's Power

We walked the back roads. Few people in the city even looked at this path much less walked down it. Our cabin was at a rather remote location in the city so there were no neighbors to speak of and no visitors outside of Mister Jacob and Ms. Mary. Though it was remote the cabin itself was a nice sized with a large yard with many things littered across it.

Mister was very frugal so he grew everything we ate on his own, he also made everything in the cabin, from the beds down to the small kitchen utensil. He had in fact built the cabin and the multiple targets that littered the yard

"Boy, go get a shower and prepare for lessons," he said

"Um Mister," I said

"What is it?" he asked

"Can I ask you something?"

"If it is in regard to the banquet, my mind has remained unchanged" he declared

"It's not about that," I said

"Then speak your mind, Boy," he said

"Those knights. They caught the little boar, they are going to kill it, right?" I asked

"Indeed , it is likely that it is already dead and inside their stomach as we speak," he coldly said

"But why did they kill it?" I asked

"That's the way of the world. The real question is why did you not kill it?" he asked

"I couldn't do it. It didn't do anything wrong," I asked

"Neither did the adult boars. The only sins they had committed was being desired and being too weak," he said

"That's so cruel," I said

"Such is the way of the world. In this world the only sin is having something desirable without being able to protect it,"

"That's so evil," I said

"Is it really? They were hungry and lost. If you were in that situation, are you certain that you wouldn't kill the little boar? Those men are coming from a place where much crueler things have happened for less. So, give them some understanding"

"He tried to attack me with a sword," I huffed

"I never said forgive him. Just understand," he said

"Okay," I unwillingly said

"Good," he nodded

"Um Mister, I have one more question,"

"Last one, you have to shower and then begin your lessons," he sternly said

"What was that mist that was the arrow you shot," I questioned

"What are you talking about?" he asked

"It's like a faint white mist that was on your arrow?" I asked

"What did I tell you about asking about such things?" he sternly questioned

"But, it's just the two of us," I sheepishly said

"Still, I don't want you speaking about it to anyone. Not just your eye, but what you see as well. No one should hear about it; do you understand me?"

"But why? Why all the secrecy for this stupid eye? Why won't you tell me anything?" I asked

"Because I said so. Now, go get a bath and get ready for your studies," he demanded before marching inside.

There was no room for discussion, not that it would've mattered anyway. Mister was hardly ever swayed by anything I said so the only thing I could do was sullenly remove my dirt and mud ridden clothes. After scrubbing myself clean of all the dirt and mud and dressed, I stepped out into the yard where Mister was awaiting me with his bow in hand

He stood in his usual sturdy stance as he pulled back the string of the bow and held the position. He had done this practice every day and whenever he would do so I would secretly remove the cloth from my eye to watch

Again, the removal of the cloth had caused the entire world to brighten and everything became so clear to me. Looking at Mister with my golden eye, everything seemed so different.. Now when I looked at him there was something new, a white flame in the center of his chest. The flame seemed alive as it grew and shrunk with every breath that he took. Then suddenly the flame started to spread over to his arms and into the bow, you could feel Mister's grip tighten as the bow made of the best redwood c***k under the pressure. The longer he held the bow, the more cracks appeared and just as it was about to shatter, he released the string and with a roar like thunder the arrow tore through the air and struck the middle of the target and with a boom everything shattered into pieces. The arrow, the target and even the tree that target hung from were shattered. I stood there in awe as I looked at the aftermath. I didn't say anything so the place was eerily quiet when the wind had calmed down.

"Boy," Mister said breaking the silence

"Yes," I said quickly wrapping the cloth around my eye and rushing over to him

"Put this in the shed and get me another log and my equipment," he ordered dropping the bow in my hand The bow was heavy, but I was extremely strong for my age so carrying it had not felt like more than a chore. As I walked over to the storage, I looked at the bow that was filed with cracks and splinters and I thought crossed my mind. How had Mister managed to do this. Even in its damaged state, it was hard for me to make a dent much less cause such c***k. Putting down the bow I looked again for a new log. Mister always goes early to go to Redwood Forest once a week when no one was around to cut down a single tree before returning to wake me up and heading to the Wandering Forests

There was another piece of that tree and had already begun to be cut. I grabbed the axe and the log and dragged them out to Mister

"Good, now you should go resume your studies. Mary has brought you a new book that you should read," he said dropping the book in my hand.

The book was a thick hard cover book titled 'The Great Flora of Esteria' written by Asterian author, Lily Bloom

"More studying?" I groaned

"Yes, is there a problem?" he asked

"No, but it's really boring. Can't I practice archery with you?"

"No. Herbology won't be boring when it saves your life. Now, go study," he ordered, ending that conversation. Sighing, I made my way to the porch where I sat and read the book. While reading I would look up and steal glances at Mister as he cut the log into pieces and fashioned another makeshift bow from the log and more arrows to be used. He then went to practice, while he did so I removed the cloth once more. Many things were easier with my golden eye, I could memorize everything perfectly that I looked at even once so reading the book was easier as I would have the contents stuck in my head. So, after flipping through the book and memorizing it, I pretended to read it while actually looking at Mister. I forced everything in my mind: the way he stood, the placement of his hands, where his eyes were looking and even the way he breathed. I had everything committed to memory for that moment when I would be able to do it myself.

So there once again Mister took the stance again and I could see the fire ignite and move. This time it went up to his eyes and his arms, he rose his bow to the air and soon the cracking started again then he released it. The moment he released the bow it shattered into pieces with a roar like thunder and gust of breezes blowing the grass in the yard and arrow tore through the sky rapidly vanishing into the distance. I had no idea what Mister was firing at, but I knew deep down that he had hit it.

That was the most powerful shoot that I've ever seen Mister fire and I was so awestruck that I didn't realize that Mister was looking at me

"Boy," he said sternly

"Yes," I jumped wrapping the cloth around my eye

"Get me another log and wire then we are going to tend the plants in the garden." he said

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Published November 1