Gays and Dragons

Chapter 16 - Training Part II

"Eyes on the target. Focus… relax… Then, release." She whispered since she's so close to me and checking my position. This is harder than I thought. I'm sweating like f**k for I don't know why. I'm not even exerting much effort.

I released the arrow and the same thing happens, of course, I didn't hit it. What do you expect? It's the eleventh time and no progress at all.

"Alright, try again." She said and I pulled another arrow.

I took a very deep breath and aimed for the target. She held my right arm and raised it a bit. Damn, her touch is electrifying. It makes me feel more uneasy.

"Think of it as your worst enemy, a thing that you hate the most, a memory that you want to forget, or something that you want to get over with. And, try to close your other eye." She told me while I closed my eyes listening to her voice.

I opened my right eye and point the tip of the arrow at the stupid pumpkin. It's bigger than an apple but it's further like ten meters away from me.

"Right," I muttered and released the arrow.

Then, I was surprised when she suddenly hugged me.

"You did it, Car! Yes! Haha! I told you, you can do it." She rejoiced and looked at me in the eyes. She's so happy and her smile is contagious. I finally hit it.

"Wow! That felt so amazing." I said happily and she went to the target to pull out the arrow.

"Now, try again and again, until you won't miss for about five arrows." She instructed and I did it for the next hour.

---

"Wow, you are perfectly doing great, Car. Now, let's put on some difficulty." She let out and went to the target, and then, put an apple above the pumpkin.

She then started to pick up the arrows that I've wasted. And, I ran to her and helped her in collecting the arrows. Some are very far and reached about thirty meters away.

"Now, try to hit the apple." She stated and moved away from me.

I did the same thing over and over again until I can hit my targets with no wasted arrows. This is getting easier. I didn't know that you just have to close your other eye.

"Alright, that's enough for now. Let's take a break. Later, you'll learn about how to use a sword." She let out and we went to a big tree, then, sat under its shade.

"How do you feel about your improvements, Car?" She asked while she moved backward and lean on the trunk of the tree. I did the same thing and our arms are almost touching. Can we get closer?

"Well, never been better. It's just that you are a really good trainer." I replied and she nods her head as she looks up at the clear blue sky.

"Hmmn. You just learn fast. Just half-day and a whole-day." She said while looking at me with a wide smile on her lovely face. Is she taunting me? Then, I just laughed at it and she did too.

"Yeah. Really fast. I just... Uh... My focus is just not really… on... the target." I stammered. Where was my attention focused earlier?

"Ah, so, you're distracted? By what factor? Is it by the surroundings? The thing that is used as a target? Or is it by me?" She asked and a good thing that she included herself in the choices.

"The latter," I answered and she looked at me in surprise.

"Oh, is that so. I was... uh... Do you think I should not be around when you practice? I can just umm… not be near you." She stuttered. I know she got disappointed with that. Damn it, why did I even tell her that?

"No, no... I uh, it's just because I was not really giving all my attention to my training. It's okay that you stay around, actually." I stated and she got a confused look on her face.

"And why is that?" She asked curiously.

"Because you have something in you that makes me nervous… no, umm... You make me feel uneasy. That's it." I said not knowing what to say anymore. I'm making myself sound so stupid, but it’s the truth.

"Hmm... So, I should not be… with you? Or what? Because I could just umm… distance myself from you." She asked and said. And, that is not what I wanted.

I combed my hair with my fingers out of frustration. How should I say this?

"No, please. It's not like that, Your Highness. I don't know but I kind of--" I said but she cut me off.

"Please, can you not call me like I'm someone that has royal blood? Please, I just want to be treated normally like anybody else, even just for a while. Even with just with you, Car." She begged and I understand her.

I just call her that because I have big respect for her position in the community.

Back in my time, some girls our age or younger wants to be or dreamed to be a princess. I never thought a real princess would just want me to call her by her name and treat her just like everybody else. And that makes me fall for her even more. What am I thinking? Alright, fine. I like her.

"Oh, yeah. No problem, Mel." I stated and she gave me a warm smile.

"Thanks! Now, what are you about to say?" She said and asked me. She doesn't have any plans on getting me out of the hot seat, I guess.

---

"So, how's your training with the princess, Maddie?" Chrys asked me excitedly as we ate a slice of watermelon for dessert outside the house.

I have escaped from my very uncomfortable situation earlier because Chrys called us for lunch. He's my hero.

"It went well. I just need to practice by myself more." I replied and spit out the seeds, then, took another bite.

"Mmm. Are there no steamy details? Come on, there must be something romantic that has happened." He said and I almost got choked by this juicy fruit. I think I swallowed some seeds.

"I wish there was, but none so far," I answered and spit the seeds in my mouth to him.

He blocked it and he's acting disgusted.

"Eww, Maddie! I could get your virus." He retorted and I just laughed at him.

"What virus? You're afraid that you'd be infected with my gayness overload?" I asked him jokingly and he scoffed.

"Hah. I'm immune to it already." He let out and we laughed.

"So, you accepted that you got a big crush on her?" He asked and I acted that I'm thinking.

"Hmmn, I don't know," I replied and his smile grew wider.

"That answer will lead to yes one of these days. Trust me. You really do. And, you need to tell Princess Mel about that." He said and maybe he's right. Maybe I should, or not because if everything will be fulfilled here, we're just not gonna see each other anymore. I don't know why this is really hard.

"What do you need to tell me, Car?" Someone asked behind us.

It's Mel who is carrying with her my sword and hers. Alright, time for training.

"Uh... Well, I need to uh... Tell... You… That um... I'm thankful that you are teaching me... us... about everything we need to know to defeat the dragon. Yeah, that's it." I stammered and Chrys face-palmed.

It's just really hard to compose a sentence when she's staring at me. And, I can't tell her yet.

"You're welcome. I just have to do what I can to help you." She replied and she handed me my sword.

Chrys said goodbye as he is going to be trained by Vida with archery, but he wished me good luck. I actually needed that, lots of it.

———

"I guess you are more comfortable with the sword. I saw how you used a wooden stool against those men's knives at Tehori." She said, and she remembered that?

"Yeah, it would be just like my arms have an extension," I answered and pulled my sword out of its case. It's so shiny and sharp. Damn, I have never tried one, but I think I can handle it.

"Let's start. Focus this time. All we are going to do is I will attack and you will defend, then we exchange. Ready?" She instructed and I'm a bit nervous about this. I don't want to attack her. I don't want her to get hurt.

We started and I'm a bit nervous and hesitant.

"Come on, attack me, Car! Don't hesitate to hit your opponent." She yelled and geez, is she mad?

All I do is defend myself from her very sharp sword. Attack. How? I don't want to hurt her.

"I'm trying. Gosh, this is dangerous." I cursed and I'm so terrified now.

I keep on stepping backward until my back touched a tree trunk. s**t! She's not joking at all. Help me, God. I need to move away from this tree.

"Come on, tree hugger. Use your sword to attack." She yelled while attacking me, and I am breathing heavily now.

Then, I stepped to my left and she's about to hit me with the sword. I ducked and crawled away from her. Thankfully, her sword got stuck on the tree, then, I stood back up quickly by lifting my whole body using my hands. She's effin' serious with this.

"Focus. Eyes on my sword." She instructed and I kept on moving backward again while defending myself.

Then, I got a glimpse of Chrys and Vida. They have been watching us from afar.

Suddenly, I tripped by a rock and my back is on the ground. She's about to hit me but I got my sword blocked.

Then, I pushed it to her and I rolled away and stood up quickly. Now, I'm panting and sweating like f**k.

We're both out of breath and she seemed ready to attack again. I finally got the courage to attack her, and damn, she's really good.

"Great! Continue doing that." She complimented and I attacked her again.

---

We kept exchanging attacks for a while and there's still no winner.

"You're doing good. Now, I won't take it easy with you. Be ready, Car." She said, and what? She has been taking it easy? What the--? She attacked me with a stronger force now.

Damn, she's a total mad girl. I hope I will still see light again.

I did all I can but I was pinned on the ground with the tip of her sword an inch away from my neck, while my sword is five feet away from me. I swallowed hard as I am catching my breath.

And, I looked at her and she has that smile that could make you feel okay and refreshed. She retrieved her sword and offer me a hand to stand up.

"That's a great match. You learn fast. Just don't hesitate to attack next time." She remarked and put back her sword to its case.

"Well, I thought we're gonna learn the basics?" I asked and she just chuckled. Like, come on, where are the basics in that? She wants to kill me already.

"That was just basic. That's enough for now, let's take a rest. We'll continue tomorrow with a higher intensity." She let out, and with that, I just stood there with my mouth hung open in disbelief.

I just can't believe this woman. Damn, I just hope that I'd still be alive for tomorrow's session.