Sign of the Zodiac: Aries
[Sign 1: Aries] Speed

In the morning of the third day of training, Anaru's body was already better. His muscle pain was not as severe as before and his blistering back wound had already improved. Anaru felt like she was reborn. That day he started running alone before being told by Airyung. The girl was absent when Anaru opened his eyes. It seems Airyung went to collect dew and food from early morning.

After two days of being forced to run after – or chased by – Tsagan, the riding horse Airyung, Anaru is now a little used to. His legs felt lighter and according to him, his running speed also increased. He circled the dead forest for a few moments, until finally the sound of horse racing was heard approaching.

The sun was already peering in the eastern horizon when the figure of the Airyung riding Tsagan appeared near the Anaru. Anaru reduced his running speed and came to Airyung.

“Today you woke up early,” Airyung commented once both of them were in a short distance.

“My body condition is improving,” replied Anaru. “It feels like I'm a little stronger.”

Airyung grunts small. “I didn't know that you turned out to be a satisfied fast person.”

“Not so I mean. Maybe because of your story last night, I got more excited.”

Airyung still smiled faintly hearing Anaru's reply.

“Fine,” Airyung's orders later.

“Where are we going?” ask Anaru while obeying Airyung's orders. The young man climbed on Tsagan's back and sat behind Airyung.

“We change the atmosphere,” replied Airyung then sighed his horse ran north.

“You have no intention of taking me back to the village now, do you? I haven't done anything to fight!” sergeant Anaru is worried.

“I'll take you somewhere else. We will train there.”

It turns out that Airyung brought Anaru to the sea. Airyung's chosen coastline is on the East side of Khitai island. The beach was quite close to the village where Anaru lived, but not many people visited because it was far from the residence of the fishing group.  Tsagan's roar was damped with sand. The horse slowed down after reaching the shoreline.

The beach was surrounded by a high coral wall that broke the waves producing a loud pounding sound. A collection of marine stigi grows on the east coast, extending to the coral mountain next to it.

Although close to his village, but Anaru had never been to the beach solely because there was no business in that place. The herders generally like to venture out on pastures rather than on hot, sticky beaches. The sea breeze made the skin of Anaru uncomfortable.

“Why did you bring me here?” ask Anaru as Airyung begins to stop Tsagan's steps.

“Come down and take a bath first at sea. Your body is very dirty,” Airyung said as he jumped down from his horse.

Anaru followed him down from the saddle. True also, after two days of sweating due to speed training – finally Anaru gave a name to the unreasonable exercise the last two days – Anaru has not cleansed himself.

Generally Anaru rarely bathe when shepherding sheep in distant fields. But he usually does not do a lot of activities that can make him sweat a lot. Back when the wells in the field were still giving off water, Anaru usually washed himself there. Now all the springs in Khitai have receded, even completely gone.

“Come, shower! You smell like a dead rat.” Airyung frowned because he saw the melting Anaru.

Anaru according. He has been bare-chested since yesterday because his clothes are not worth wearing so dirty. While carrying his dirty clothes, Anaru immersed himself in the water. The sea water was so soothing. His body was washed by the freshness he had long forgotten.

“Airyung, when did you shower?” ask an Anaru plain.

Airyung raised next to his eyebrows in response.

“Don't dream of being able to peek at my shower,” sergeant Airyung is still busy washing Tsagan.

“Not so. I mean, you've always smelled like a tropical forest. And you always look clean, too. Even your fur-filled clothes do not look shabby at all,” replied Anaru.

“Ah, therefore,” Airyung replied short. The girl then walked towards her saddlebag lying in the sand. After taking a small brown package, Airyung approached Anaru.

“You can wear this. It's a citrus skin synthesis potion and some other ingredients I brought from Giyatsa. Use it on your body then wash it with water,” Airyung explained handed over the small scented package.

Anaru received the package and opened it. Inside there is a dark yellow powder that feels slippery when exposed to water. Anaru tried to use the powder on his body and miraculously the powder spewed out foam as it rubbed against the skin.

“What is this soap powder? I never knew soap could taste as good as this,” comments Anaru pleased. He immediately rinsed his body with soap powder from Airyung.

“You can wear it as often as you want. I have a lot,” said Airyung who honestly wants to encourage Anaru to clean up more often. The young man was really dirty and to be honest he could barely bear the pungent aroma of Anaru. But it seems that Anaru did not know Airyung's hidden intentions.

After he finished cleaning himself, Airyung returned the little dagger Anaru had taken during the choguru attack the other day. Anaru received the dagger and rubbed it attentively as if meeting an old friend.

“Try to attack me with that dagger,” Airyung said later.

Anaru looked puzzled at first, but his face turned enthusiastic. He became excited because Airyung would finally teach him in earnest. He will have an open fight.

Without answering, Anaru immediately lunged at Airyung while blasting his dagger. Nimble, Airyung dodged easily. Anaru again pulled a dagger towards Airyung. Once again Airyung jumped evasive. To the right, left, top, bottom, wherever the direction of Anaru attacked, all Airyung could avoid as if the girl could read his movements.

For some time Anaru refused to give up. He started kicking, trying to hit with his left hand, but in vain. The air moves like the wind. It easily even jumped almost flying. Airyung movement is very light. While Anaru had difficulty treading firmly because of the density of sand that buried his footstool.

Anaru's getting frustrated. He shouted furiously and slammed his dagger violently. He sulked like a child who realized he was being bullied. Airyung picked up the dagger cast by Anaru with an amused expression. It seems like it's gone too far today. But of course Airyung will not admit that he was playing with the young man.

“The key is speed, Anaru. Not strength. You're wasting your energy on launching an attack, but not paying attention to the speed of your movements. Standing on sand like this is good for training your horses to be more sturdy,” Airyung explained at length.

“How do I increase my speed?” ask Anaru later.

Airyung pick up branches of stigi trees that are large enough and look heavy. The branch he cut into two and tied to both arms of Anaru. Airyung did the same on both feet.

“Now, attack me again,” Airyung command later.

“You must be joking,” Sergah Anaru who now both hands and feet are burdened with heavy branches that are very disturbing. But Airyung said nothing. Anaru finally launched his first attack. 

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