Chapter 184 - Handling the New Material

The following morning, Gustof got up before daybreak and went to gather the sap of every Osage Milkweed tree near the military camp. The best quality of the sap was the one collected before sunrise. The tree would flush out the uncollected sap every day when the sun had set and would begin producing sap again after that. 

The new batch of sap was must be collected an hour before sunrise to get the best quality. The discarded sap turned into fertilizer for the grass and nearby plants. 

Gustof prepared five containers for the sap collection. He asked some of the servants to come with him, and they brought a big carriage with them. They finished collecting the sap in a matter of time. 

'This much should be enough.'  

They loaded the containers in the carriage and head back to the Anisen Manor.

Ruvin woke up earlier than usual. Ovid told him that they would begin their training at dawn. He wanted to see Ruvin's skill and make an assessment. Vaughn and Zenia were still sleeping.

When Ruvin got down, he saw Renaria and the maids preparing breakfast.

"Ruvin, you're up early. Are you looking for Ovid?" Renaria asked him warmly.

Ruvin liked it very much – it was like he was with his own family.

"Hello, Madam Anisen. Yes, today is the day that Master will begin my training. I hope I won't disappoint him." 

"I'm sure you will be just fine. He's already in the training ground. Go and look for him there."

Ruvin bowed his head headed to the training ground of the Anisen estate. In Ruvin's estimate, the entire estate was much bigger than the one his family had in Gretia, but the manor itself was a bit smaller than what they had in Gretia. However, the entire manor was cozy and pleasant. Ruvin felt like he could stay there for a long time.

When he got to the training ground, he saw Ovid practicing his moves. He still moved the way he remembered it when he saw him once during his younger years in Venetia. Ruvin and his family came to Venetia upon the invitation of the King of Venetia. His father at the time was one of the most trusted aides of King Tarendino. 

Venetia had always been neutral, but they still encountered some problems with other kingdoms from time to time. On that day, the King of Venetia sent an invitation to Tissuria and Ishelon to ask for help. They clearly stated in the invitation that a representative from Tissuria and Ishelon would come. Both kingdoms still agreed, and the King of Venetia was glad about the outcome.

The King of Venetia asked a demonstration from Ovid, and that was when Ruvin saw it all. Ovid's every move was swift and precise. He could always read the opponent's move and countered it effectively each and every time he was attacked. Everyone clapped after the demonstration, and Ruvin had nothing but pure admiration for Ishelon's Military Advisor and Commander at the time. 

Ruvin also knew that Ovid Anisen was a righteous man. From that day forth, he always tried to know more about Ovid and his achievements. His resentment toward Zenia before meeting her was not only due to the rumor that she was a good-for-nothing, but also because she was tarnishing Ovid's reputation. Even though he was from Tissuria, he did not want to hear anyone speaking ill of Ovid Anisen.

Ovid already sensed Ruvin's presence when he arrived in the training ground, but he kept going. After a few more minutes, he stopped.

"It's good that you're here. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, Master, I slept very well." Ruvin wanted to add that it was the first time in years that he was able to sleep peacefully at night.

"You warm up first and let me see what you got."

"Yes, Master."

* * * * *

Damien suddenly woke up panting and sweating profusely. He had another nightmare. It had been weeks since he kept having the same dream almost every night. He dreamt that the Left Minister was laughing at him, and his sister was the one who inherited the throne. His sister ordered his execution.

He had no idea if it was a bad omen or a manifestation of his fears. Even though it was impossible for his sister to inherit the throne, it was still possible for her to order someone to eliminate him. He had sent a team to investigate Odette's activities. His men reported that the Left Minister had entrusted the matter about the masked man to Odette. 

Damien was the one who introduced the masked man to the Left Minister, but his grandfather had called the shots ever since. He knew that the Left Minister may have made a deal with the masked man regarding his private army. He asked the masked man about it, but he did not divulge anything. 

'He trusts Odette so much but not me. We are both his biological grandchildren why does he treat us differently? Odette is not even close to father. She holds no power.'

"What's wrong?" Damien's concubine opened her eyes when her hand was not able to touch him when she reached for him.

"Go back to sleep, I just need to deal with something." He got out of bed and wore his robe before he walked out of the door.

The woman knew that it was best not to get in his way and did as what she was told. Damien called out for the shadow guard and gave an instruction to know about the whereabouts of the Left Minister, who did not say a word about his sudden trip to Prazia. Even Odette had no idea that her grandfather had left the capital.

Damien got a bottle of wine and went outside. He drank the whole bottle of wine in one go and smashed the empty bottle on the ground.

'Odette, don't blame me for being merciless later.'

He clenched his fist and fury could be seen in his eyes. If he could not make the Left Minister admit where it was, he would just make Odette spill everything.

Back in Ishelon, Zenia woke up when she heard the sound of the creaking wheels of the carriage. It sounded like it was carrying a heavy load. She suddenly got up from the bed and ran to her window. She smiled when she saw Gustof and the servants unloading the containers.

She put on her robe and was about to dash out of the room when Vaughn caught her hand.

"Where are you going? It's still too early."

"The new material for the prosthetic is here. I want to check." Zenia removed Vaughn's hand and tucked it back inside the blanket.

She kissed his forehead and uttered, "Go to sleep, and I will wake you up when breakfast is ready."

"Hmm." 

Zenia went out of the room and ran to Zekiah's room. She knocked on the door and called out his name.

"Zeze, Zeze, the new material is here."

Blag!

She could hear the rushing footsteps to the door. She knew that he fell out of bed…again.

"Did you see it already?" Zekiah asked excitedly as he tidied up his clothes.

"No, but I saw them unloading the containers from the carriage."

"Let's go," Zekiah pulled Zenia by her hand, and they both rushed toward the stairs.

Zander was about to go out of his room when…

Woosh! Woosh! 

A pair of siblings rushed past him. He almost staggered, but he still managed to get out of his room.

He shouted after his younger siblings, "What's the rush?"

"The new material is here!" Zenia answered back excitedly.

Zander smiled. He felt like they were back to how they were before when his younger siblings would cling onto him and did nothing but run around the manor.

"Do you think it will work?"

"We will soon find out, but I hope it does."

They went out of the house and ran to where the containers were placed. Gustof was smiling at them when he saw them. In his eyes, they looked like a pair of excited children. He could clearly see that Zenia and Zekiah had a very good relationship.

"Brother Gustof is this it?" 

"Yes, Your Highness. We can still get more while the sun is not up yet."

"These containers are enough for now. Thank you for your hard work."

"Yes, thank you." Zekiah echoed Zenia's words.

"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Okay."

Gustof bowed his head and left the siblings. They opened one of the containers and a foul smell assaulted their noses.

"Eww, it smells really awful. Can you work on that?"

"Brother Gustof said that the smell would tone down after it dries up. I hope he's right."

"Then use a thick face mask when you mold it. And use gloves too."

Zekiah glared at Zenia, "Why am I suddenly the only one who will do it all? You should wear a thick mask and a pair of gloves too."

"Who says I won't help?"

Zekiah shook his head. After all these years of being with Zenia, he had learned his lessons – he should always make the vague things clear with her before agreeing to it.

"Help me set up the work area. Go get the large mat in the weapons room and lay it on the ground."

Zenia did as she was told, and they had everything ready soon. They wore their masks and gloves. They soon set to work.

"Oh, it's soft and easy to mold to how you want. It's perfect if not for its smell."

Zenia kept working on the new material that she practically forgot the time. They were so engrossed at what they were doing. They did not even notice that the smell of the Osage Milkweed sap was beginning to stick to their bodies.