Ajax was wondering what to do during the travel. By the amount of stuff they packed, he was sure that it would take a few days maybe more than a week. Such a long time without doing anything is new for him. He had never travelled for such a long time without doing anything. As a prince, he never travelled that long and as an agent, he always went over the mission briefing or reading something or on a device.
"How long is it going to take? Are there any stops in between?" asked Ajax.
"It has been just two minutes. I have seen kids with more patience," said Raban to which Derek started laughing.
"I am not asking if we can go any faster. I am just asking about the travel plan," replied Ajax sounding cross.
"No big stops in between. We are going to reach the territory in about 10 days. We camp out or in small villages along the way at night," came an answer from Derek in the front.
"How did you reach the fort when you came here?" Derek continued.
"I didn't come from south through any town," said Ajax. "I just had a map and was already close to the fort when the bandit attacked. I was lucky enough to come across a few kind people along my way who helped me occasionally with some food. I also managed to take shelter in a small camp."
"Huh. You have been really lucky if that is how you managed to reach the fort," said Derek. "There are a lot merchants who might look like good people but would tie up unknown children and sell them."
"I know. I kind of sneaked into the camp and slept between the horses for shelter. Most merchants don't check there after dark," said Ajax in an attempt to cover up.
"Huh," said Derek. "I will remember that. Might come of use."
"Cool," said Ajax shrugging. "So, what do you do to pass the time during travel?"
"What did you do when you used travel with your parents?" asked Derek back.
"Oh, for the first time, I wish another person knew about my real identity," thought Ajax as it would prevent Derek from asking this questions.
"Hmm.. We used to talk about various goods and wares. How the prices are affected? The villages along the way and other things. Dad talked of a lot of things," said Ajax making things up.
"Ok. In that case, why don't you tell us about those. It will be enlightening to all of us," said Derek.
"I screwed up," thought Ajax as soon as he heard that. "I am being forced to think about scenarios I never faced even as an agent," he thought.
"If I could remember even a bit of that, I would. I am not really a talker. I spent most of the time checking the goods with my mother in the back," he added looking at Raban and tilting his head towards Derek indicating for help. Raban knew about his real identity and so he could help with his case.
"At least with this, I could escape," thought Ajax. "Without any wares which the sell in the wagon, I wouldn't have to act."
"Let, him be Derek," said Raban understanding Ajax's predicament. "It looks like he doesn't want talk about stuff that reminds him of his parents," he said so that Derek would avoid those stuff related to Ajax's cover.
"Oh! I am sorry, Ajax," said Derek. "Would you like to drive, sit along side me in the driver's bench? It beats sitting in the wagon with wind hitting your face."
"It is fine, Derek and thanks for the offer. I would like to drive. I wasn't ever allowed to do it before," said Ajax moving to the front and moved through the opening to sit on the driver's bench. Ajax was glad to take the chance as it wouldn't blow his cover and also he could actually learn to ride a wagon. He was sure that he would need to do it and it was best to learn as early as possible.
"Don't keep driving all day long. Return to the back within an hour," said Raban.
"The drivers take rest at night along with the horses. You guys will need to keep guard. So, you need to sleep during the ride," explained Derek.
"Just keep a weapon or shield on hand," said Raban. "Sometimes, we have some random cur, cat or bird trying to get to driver."
"What? Is it true?" asked Ajax surprised. "I thought we are moving along a commonly used road. Would we really find some beasts coming across a well trodden path?"
"Of course, not. He is pulling your leg," said Derek. "The trainer was just making a joke."
"But you never know when a stupid pack of beasts or bandits might cross paths. You know strange times these are. So, just be prepared," he added slapping on the sword which was hanging off his belt.
Ajax sat beside Derek and took the reins. He did ride a horse before both as a prince and as an agent, but he never drove a horse wagon. Controlling the horses was the same on the wagon as when he rode a horse. He quickly picked it up and five minutes later, Derek let him take over completely. All he needed to do was maintain the pace as he followed the others.
Initially Ajax had to concentrate a bit, but after some time handling the reins became easy. He didn't even need to focus on it. He was just able to do it by instinct. After that he began to watch the plains around him, he began to feel the cold fresh air, the smell of grass and nature. He took deep breaths and began to the ride.
"It has been a long time since I took a pleasure ride outside in the nature," thought Ajax as he continued to ride. He was so lost in enjoying that he lost track of time and only realized it when Derek tapped his shoulder.
"It has been some more than an hour, Ajax," said Derek as Ajax turned back.
"An hour," said Ajax surprised.
"You should relax more," said Raban suddenly.
"What?" asked Ajax not understanding why he said that.
"You are always working and trying to improve. You even sleep for shorter durations than others. Your body and mind need to relax. You are still young and just started cultivation. You need to relax and forget all your worries when asleep. Else, you will find yourself lagging sooner or later," explained Raban.
"Ok," said Ajax. It was true. It was universally accepted even in his past life. As much as he worked, it was always a part of routine to find a safe place and relax completely occasionally. Else, all the worries would heap up and it would cause both mental and physical troubles. This was also medically proven in his past life.
Even though he is stronger in this world, he could hardly find much difference at least till now between the bodily functions. So, it would make sense to occasionally let go and relax in a safe place. Otherwise, if he was on a mission and he lost track like he did now, he could be in real danger against sudden attacks.
"I understand," said Ajax again nodding at Raban who was looking at him. He immediately went into the cabin of the coach. He already found Rick and Asha sleeping inside the cabin. He also took a seat and went to sleep.
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After a few hours, Ajax had woken up to find that the caravan had stopped. The coach was devoid of the others. He could clearly see from the window that it was very bright outside.
Ajax realized that he had overslept and it was close to lunch time already. His training as an agent made him alert and disciplined. He had never slept so long before and it was his belief that such long sleep would only make him lethargic.
He had continued with the same belief after he remembered his past life. So, he only slept about 6 hours a day atmost and trained or worked the rest of the time. His mentality was tuned to be like that due to his past memories, but clearly his body was not. He realized today that his body was still trying to catch up, but his mind never allowed him. Today, he relaxed even mentally and thus went into such a long much required sleep in the middle of the day.
As Ajax got down, he noticed that they had all stopped and a temporary camp was made. A few small fires were burning and they were clearly cooking lunch on the fire. He could see Syam, Derek and few others huddled around a fire with a big pot of stew on it. They were serving themselves in small iron mugs.
They were beside a small stream of water and about 40 tents were visible in the camp. It was clear that besides their group there were other mercenaries and merchants who joined with them to make a temporary camp at this spot.
"You finally woke up," he heard Raban's voice from the side as soon as he got down. He found Raban standing right beside him looking at him carefully.
"Sorry, I don't know how I overslept like that," said Ajax.
"It is fine. You have been working hard and this life is drastically different from your life in the palace," muttered Raban.
"It is not that. I just haven't been that relaxed in a long time," said Ajax.
"Ya, I guessed. Ever since that little kidnap of yours in the fort, you started lack a sense of security. Your friend hardly even realized that he had been kidnapped, but you have clear memory of it. So, you were alert constantly. With us beside you, you let yourself go and relax. It is fine," explained Raban.
"Will it ever go?" asked Ajax.
"It will not. Most of us have that problem," said Raban. "More so for commoners who don't manage to form a mana core. It is not only see in among soldier, but also mainly among many artisan professions. Many a apprentice try their best to focus and practice their skills, but they don't realize the toll it takes on their body. Some even crash down while practicing their skills. The toll reduces after they form a mana core, but it is still there."
"So, it is commonly seen?" asked Ajax.
"Very common. Seeing that you have been focused on both cultivation, improving your skills in hunter training as well as cook, I was kind of expecting it to happen. I would have advised you to tone it down a little, if you didn't," said Raban.
"The others.." started Ajax.
"They already know. It isn't unknown to them," said Raban.
"Why does it reduce with a mana core?" asked Ajax.
"With a mana core, it passively circulates a small amount of mana through your body whenever you are working. Most don't even notice it, but that affects one's stamina and resilience," explained Raban.
"Whoa! Finally, awake your highness. You just missed the first place. No reward for second," said Syam joining them with piece of meat in one hand.
"First? Second place?" asked Ajax confused.
"Well, we had a bet that who among the recruits will be awake faster," said Raban.
"Go eat, before the others finish up the food. We don't wait. Probably, the others will not have any lunch if it continues like this," added Syam.
"Couldn't you guys wake us up?" asked Ajax.
"Kids, huh," said Syam chuckling.
"This is all training. You don't expect us to look after you, right?" asked Raban. "When the coach stops or if there is too much noise you guys need to wake up. Else you lose food. That is the punishment. In our division, till you get a few missions done, you are always being trained, tested and punished. We are not like regular army and try to make sure you are fed well and in good shape. You need to do all of it on your own. Else, you are in the wrong division."
Ajax quickly understood. It was a kind of practical training. It was similar to the agent training. When in missions, they would need to be capable to do every thing on their own. If anything unexpected happen, the capability to find food and shelter are the most basic of things. Most youth don't get such capabilities on their own and these methods were considered one of the best ways to teach such things.
"Ok," said Ajax as he began to run towards the stew. As he went there he was given a mug of stew by Pete, who was also wolfing down food. Ajax went towards the step pot and saw that there was only a few pieces of vegetable and meat left with mostly gravy remaining in the pot.
"So, you were the first to wake up among us," asked Ajax as he quickly served himself some pieces.
"Ya, still I already missed the grilled birds. Only some stew is left. Even Jean wasn't woken up. They are going to starve," said Pete.