“Is he a threat?

You sure? The Tribes moving in worry me.

All right I will head back right after”

Gion ended the conversation with Padvor by touching the runic tattoo on her arm. Its dull glow slowly fading. She smiled, even after 173 years he still made her heart flutter.

Gion was promoted from a regular front-line infantry soldier to an Estarte in only 4 years, she had made her mark on the battlefield with her trusty partner a War-sword she named Lust. She was assigned to protect a field medical unit as part of her first sub-command. That was when she first met Padvor another Estarte at the time. He quickly became most stubborn, obstinate man that she had the displeasure of working with, surely a trait from the tribal side of his family. Yet she eventually fell for him, succumbing to his stupid grin. They had eventually retired from the Legion together and decided they wanted a simpler life away from the jungle cities of Rakan. That however was likely to change if the tribes were moving in.

The New Kingdom or Rakan, now that was a joke. It hadn’t been new for at least 4000 years. Connections and Family were everything in Rakan, there was almost nothing anyone could do to get ahead except for joining the military. Even then, becoming an Estarte was as high up as most common born folk could hope for.

Still the modest pension of 10 gold each a year was more than enough for them to live a comfortable retirement and was the reason most enlisted. The two of them had theirs safely tucked away accumulating in Rakan bank. There should be around 140 gold in there now, more than enough to buy a nice home, perhaps even a place on the ocean in Leece. She remembered it from her honeymoon, clear Blue Ocean, white beach on one side and jungle on the other, there was a city.

She sighed… Turning her attention back to the water and waited. The water was clear and Gion could see right to the bottom. All she need to do was spear a few more fish, and she could go home. Then she noticed something odd, where did all the fish run off to? She was puzzled for a moment, they were just… Gion dropped her fishing spear and drew Lust from its sheath.

A slight chill sent shivers of anticipation up her spine, her senses sharp as ever.

Four transparent spear like objects rose from the water darting right at her. She leapt back on the boat to avoid them, another one came straight at her from behind. The previous four were only meant as a distraction. She narrowly dogged it as three more shot out from the water heading towards her. She was trapped and had nowhere left to run.

The Cooah was a deadly aquatic creature that looked like a cross between a crocodile, shark and octopus. It primarily hunted prey in the water but it was not unusual for to hunt on land. A Cooah preferred silently stocking and studying a potential meal, before attacking from either above or below. A Cooah could swim without disturbing the water, move through the jungle without leaving a trace, it could even climb while blending into the tree.

The Cooah was now dead, a sharp cold object being removed from its head by a smiling woman. It was unexpectedly attacked from above without knowing what had killed it. Gion had used the creature’s attacks to lure it directly under the boat. It was then a simple matter to figure out its exact location and stab Lust down through the bottom of the boat and into the creature.

“How do you like the place, it’s small but comfortable?” Padvor had come by to check on Kaden.

“It is not bad, I have been on the road so long I haven’t slept in a real bed for a while” Kaden scratching his head. “Is there any place to get some more appropriate clothes around here? Possibly some well-fitting boots?”

“We usually just make everything as we need. When Gion gets back she can show you how to hunt for leather around here. Are you any good with Tannin?”

“To be honest I usually just buy clothes in the city, I am not use to life out here.” Kaden admitted

“You don’t have to worry about that, Gion, has a way of teaching things. You will pick things up really quick around her.

She may only look 40 but don’t let that fool you. Gion was a veteran of well over a thousand battle fields, between training and experience she knows much.” Laughing Padvor continued, “We use to tease her a lot, the commander especially. She would leave in the morning pristine, not an ounce of dirt on her. When she would return after a mission or battle, she would be lucky if anything she wore maintained any semblance of its original colour.

The commander once said to her, you know Gion there are two constants with you, first that stupid smile you always have after a battle and second your face to your toes are dyed in blood.

Of course that stuck with her, I think the entire platoon nicked name her Gion Blood after that. Which is a euphemism for…” Padvor had to stop himself mid-sentence, “well you may be a little young for me to tell you what that means”

Kaden swallowed, “Sounds like she gets into her work.”

Padvor couldn’t stop laughing, “She definitely takes pride in it. By the way she will want to take stock of your skills. So be ready for a workout when she gets back.”

Kaden smiled. “I was wondering, do you have anything to read around here. I want to practice my Calang”

“I have a copy of Korins Jungle Survival Guide I keep around for reference, it is informative but dry. I think there are a few more books floating around. I will ask and see if anyone is willing to let you borrow some” Padvor smiled and said goodbye as he walked away.

“She sounds like fun, I look forward to her “taking stock” of your skills, and I have a feeling you will be spending a lot of time getting to know the forest floor” Sofia chimed in when the coast was clear.

Kaden did not seem amused at the remark.