Blades of Death

Chapter 14

"What are you both doing here?" Laing asked, climbing the ladder to Kota's roof where Khizo and Cloris had been sitting for so long.

"Just thinking," Khizo replied.

"You're thinking about Kota?" Laing asked.

"Not only that. So many other things. You heard the news about us?" Cloris asked.

"Yes, the news has spread quite quickly."

"I don't like to kill innocents but fighting in a war would give me no other option but to kill those people who were just following the orders given to them by their king." Khizo said. 

"I know. Nobody likes war but what other choice do we have? Davis is a dictator who binds his army by fear. They hate him as much as we do but they have no other option but to listen to his orders. You can command your soldiers to win the war by more peaceful methods but Davis won't go easy on us. If his army arrives in Krimagha, soldiers, women and children alike will be slaughtered. They will set the entire city on fire. So tell me, what other choice do we have?" 

"I guess you're right." Khizo smiled. "But sometimes I wonder what would have happened if I had never left my farm. It's just so hard to believe that I caused all of this. And now, I am stuck in a condition where I can't even back out. I started this mess and now I have to fix it."

"Khizo, I think it's time for us to not look back. I know things can never be right between us after what you did but for now, it's best for us to stick together." Cloris patted my back. 

"Thanks." Khizo smiled shyly. 

"I think it's time for you both to sleep." Laing said. 

"Wait, I need a favour from you." Khizo said. 

"What is it?" Laing asked. 

"How many Kodus Warriors are still left?" 

"Nine, including me."

"Can you and your warriors help us in the battle?" Khizo requested. 

Laing's expression changed. "I am sorry Khizo but we can't. That's something we all are retired from."

"But-" 

"I'll meet you both tomorrow morning to wish good luck." Laing said before departing. 

" We will not be getting any help from him." Cloris stated. 

"Shall we go to sleep now?" 

"In a minute." 

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Millions of thoughts flooded Khizo's mind as he put on his armour. He hadn't ever fought in a war. There were so many doubts and worries going on his mind. 

After strapping his armour, shins, helmet and gauntlets, he was all prepared for the battle. There was a huge variety of swords too in the room too where everybody was getting ready but Khizo chose to stick with the sword Kota had given him. 

"All prepared?" Cloris came to him. He was dressed in armour from top to bottom too. A large quiver full of arrows hung from his back and a beautifully carved golden bow stood in his hand. 

"Who gave you that bow?" Khizo asked. 

"A gift from the king." Cloris replied. 

"That's nice." Khizo said, letting out a long sigh to calm himself.

"Are you nervous?" Cloris asked.

"It's just that I have never ever been in a war." 

"You won't be fighting in the war." Triston interrupted them. "You both will just use the war to your distraction."

"But we have to make our way through the battle." Cloris replied. 

"Don't worry, you both will be fine." Triston assured. "Now, if you're ready, we need to get moving."

With the heavy armour, even the effort of coming out of the barracks and reaching the stables proved tiresome for Khizo. 

"Is he well fed?" Khizo asked the caretaker of the stables. 

"Don't worry about Aron. He is fine." The caretaker smiled. 

"Are you ready for the battle?" Khizo patted Aron's muzzle before jumping on him. 

"Are you ready, Khizo?" A voice came from behind. 

Khizo turned back to find Laing staring at him. 

"You stuck to your promise."

"Yes, I did. How are you feeling?" 

"Nervous. It's just that I have never been in a war before. It is different from the situations I have been in before."

"Yes, it is. In the war, you have to let your reflexes take control of your body. Keep all your senses open and you'll find yourself doing things you had never imagined before."

"We have to move now." Triston emerged from the barracks along with Cloris. 

"Good luck to all of you. Use my training, Cloris." Laing said before departing. 

Soon after, eighty soldiers came out, all armoured. 

Once every soldier was on the top of a horse, Triston shouted the order to move forward. 

As the cavalry made their way through the city in perfect formation, everyone stopped their work and cleared a way for them. The King too gazed at them from the balcony. 

Suddenly, a peasant burst out into a hymn and others joined him. 

O brave soldiers, fear not the foe

Who madly seeks our overthrow;

Dread not his rage and power.

And though your courage sometimes faints,

His seeming triumph o'er God's saints

Lasts but a little hour.

Fight for us once again!

So shall Thy saints and martyrs raise

A mighty chorus to Thy praise

Forevermore. Amen.

Another person then shouted, "For Krimigha!" and everyone else chanted after him. 

"This feels good." Khizo turned to Cloris. 

"Yes, it does. So many are depending on us." Cloris agreed. 

The chanting didn't stop until they all had moved out of the city gates of Krimigha. 

For some time, the familiar landscape of Krimagha countryside comforted them but after that, it became a journey across the way carved through dense jungle.

After spending half of their day journeying through the path, the entire army was overcome with hunger and exhaustion.

"Do we have any food?" Khizo asked Triston. 

"I have sent someone to ask for food from the king when he sends the siege weapon to us. But they'll take some time to come." Triston said. 

"Our men won't survive by then." Khizo said. 

"There are many mad people who live in these jungles. I'll send a group inside the jungle to search for any such cottage."

"How did such people end up there?" 

"This jungle lies in the middle of all six kingdoms. All those who are sent to exile end up inside the jungle."

"I don't really trust outlaws." Khizo murmured.

"Not much choice." Triston said. 

A group of five cavalries was sent inside the forest while the others settled down for rest. The search party came back after an hour with the news. 

"We found a man who agreed to provide us food for shiny things." the group reported. 

"We'll just pay him with coins." Triston said. "Khizo and Cloris, follow me."

The three ventured inside the forest lead by the search party. They soon arrived at an old cottage that looked on the verge of falling anytime.

"Greetings, brave men." A man was waiting for them. He was thin, had an eyepatch and walked with a limp.

"We came here for the food." Triston said.

"First I need the shiny things I was promised." The man said.

Triston took out a pouch containing coins. The man let out childish laughter as he slowly limped towards the pouch. He hurriedly snatched the pouch from Triston and showed his prize to everyone.

"Now, the food." Khizo reminded.

"Follow me." The man hissed.

He led Khizo to the back of his cottage where a few wooden containers were kept.

"There," The man removed the lid of a container to reveal scorpions.

"Get them away." Khizo almost stumbled to the ground as he backed away.

"You don't eat them?" The man innocently asked. "I got fruits too."

"Yes, that's much better." Triston said as he eyed the container full of fruits.

With the help of Khizo and Cloris, he carried the container back to the rest of the army.

"Are you sure we should eat them? I don't trust anything belonging to that man." Cloris said. 

"Either you die by eating the fruits or you die by hunger."

"Why couldn't the king just send us some food?" Khizo asked. 

"There was an unexpected delay in the making of those siege weapons I think. Otherwise, both food and weapons would have arrived on time. Get used to all of this." Triston said. 

Cloris was proven wrong as soon as he ate the fruits. They were sweet and refreshing but not sufficient to fill their bellies completely. Though the hunger was taken care of for a while.

"So, now that we have something, in our bellies, let's charge, soldiers!" Triston commanded.