The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

MANNERS

Souna sat in the large hall, her attention split between the Yahurian´s words as he discussed his plan of action with King Savghor and the fact that Axe was playing with other children for the first time ever since she'd known him.

There had not been much of a chance for him to coincide with kids his age while they were busy trying to free their land. So, she kept her eyes trained on him as he clumsily interacted with a few of the palace's infants, under the vigilance of their courtesan mothers.

Apart from the clueless child, there were a couple of young boys that seemed to be brothers, judging by their similar looks. There was also a younger, squeamish girl with impeccable clothing that carried herself with proud, measured movements as she held a beautiful hand-made doll, her hair neatly tucked in an elaborate coiffure. And a tiny baby boy, barely able to walk by himself, who giggled and trashed all around after her.

While she tried to focus on Ussiariah´s words, her attention kept wandering towards the toddler and his clear lack of social skills, as he struggled to interact with the other children, who mostly ignored him when he eyed their toys and reached towards them, without having much luck at being granted the chance to use their beckoning trinkets.

Souna winced when she noticed that Axe was following the girl all over the place, his hand extended at the large doll, intending to take it away from her arm, evident curiosity dripping from his eyes once he caught up with her and tugged forcefully at the stuffed piece of cloth that formed the figurine's body.

-No! – She heard the girl irately cry out while resisting the obstinate toddler's grip and pulling back with a stronger clasp, making him lose his balance and land hard on the ground.

She rushed to stand up at the sight of this and head towards them as fast as she could, but by the time she took her first step it was already too late. Axe was raising his hand at the oblivious minor, her small body immediately being suspended in the air and thrown violently across the room, her head hitting harshly on a nearby column with a sickening thud. The panicked screams of the alarmed women around immediately bursting into terror.

-Axe! – Souna called out, running to the mesmerized kid who was keeping his arm extended out as he raised his palm up, the unconscious girl levitating off the floor before the petrified look of her mother, who uselessly tried to pull her down by the arm -Stop!

-Monster! – One of the ladies accusingly screeched, pointing her finger at him – He is a demon! Kill him now!

-Please Axe, put her down – She begged into the enraptured kid's ear, but he remained immobile with his arm still stretched – She didn't mean it, please don't hurt her!

Her desperation grew deeper when she noticed that the kid was not paying any attention to her, his eyes hooked on the knocked-out girl as he kept her suspended in the air.

She quivered instinctively as she sensed the storming pacing of the Yahurian rapidly approaching behind her and pushing her gently aside. Then she saw him immediately pick the kid up, forcing his arm down with ease, the girl finally dropping to the ground violently.

-Mind your manners, young man! – He ordered, restraining his movements – That's enough! You are grounded, kid!

-That is not a kid! That is a savage beast! – The girl's mother shouted out, enraged, recovering from her initial shock and looking indignantly in the king's direction – We can't allow them to have this devil around! He almost killed my baby!

-Your girl needs to learn a thing or two about sharing – Ussi replied, holding the child, and staring severely at her – I saw what happened, and she was the one who started it anyway.

-Who cares who started it! – She exclaimed, infuriated, holding her dazed child and pointing her finger at them – He is a danger to all of us and his sorcery needs to be cast out of this realm for good!

-The child is with me, and he stays as long as I do, woman – The Yahurian shook his head sharply at her, his attention shifting to the other present women and nodding – I promise he is being duly reprimanded and that this will happen no more. But I am not letting you come after him because of that. They're just kids in the end, and kids fight.

-Are you seriously going to let this pass? – The choleric courtesan yelled, looking at the fat king in an exigent tone and growing angrier at his passive demeanor - This is outrageous! It's unbelievable that he gets to stay after what he did!

She turned around fuming, picking her girl up and heading outside, deliberately stomping her feet on the tiles as the other women promptly took their children and followed her as well, leaving the warrior standing there with the infant in his arms. Souna finally gathering her wits and getting on her feet beside him.

Ussi spun on his heels and faced the monarch, who was staring at him with shocked intrigue.

-What kind of witchery is present in this child, Yahun? – The ruler finally asked, eyeing the kid mistrustfully.

-None of your business – The Yahurian replied, shrugging and heading towards the door, carrying the infant – As I said, this won't be an issue anymore. Now, if you excuse me, I need to have a word with this one.

-Wait! Where the hell do you think you are going? – Savghor called out with puzzlement – We were in the middle of a conversation! What about the rest of the strategy?

-Souna, would you please? – The warrior paused, sighing out loudly before continuing walking away.

-Axe – The Yahurian spoke, looking into his eyes and massaging his temple while he sat before the quiet child in a large empty room – What was the first thing I told you when we started training?

-We don't hurt innoshent people – The toddler mumbled timidly, looking down at his lap.

-Yes, and how do we know that they are innocent, kid? – Ussi asked, nodding at him.

-They… don't try hurting first -He whispered, nervously biting his lip.

-That's right – He nodded again at him with a serious look – Today you broke that rule and injured another child. What do you have to say about that?

-She… She – The child muttered with a faltering voice – She didn't lend me her toy and I fell!

-That is no excuse to forget about your manners, Axe… And you know that – The Yahurian shook his head gravely –Tell me kid, what do you think your punishment for this unacceptable behavior should be?

-Hum … No sweet bread? – The infant offered tentatively, staring back at him with a doubtful look.

- Fair enough. No cocoa or desserts either… And you'll be having only greens for a full week – Ussi agreed, tilting his head towards him – Also, no more tricks while we are here kid, they scare people away. Understood?

-Yes – Axe responded in a very small voice as the warrior stood up and extended his hand for him to take.

-Good. Now come with me, you are still apologizing to that girl – He exhaled deeply, dragging him outside – And remember child… In the future, I expect you to play nice.