Blades of Death

Chapter 1

Fifteen years later

A tap on his shoulder made Khizo to wake up in an instant; his eyes widened as he looked around.

"Calm down, it's me." Cloris, his foster brother, laughed.

"Sorry, I just had the nightmare again." Khizo said.

"Again? You had the nightmare again? Oh Khizo, I am starting to worry that the dark incident may haunt you forever." Cloris said with concern.

"It's okay. I will get over it sometime." Khizo said, getting up. "I'll go and help father in the field, now."

Khizo freshed himself by splashing water on his face from a bucket and then went out of his house.

His foster mother, Maybel and father, Roger were working on the field.

"Can I help in any way?" Khizo asked.

"Yes, you can. Feed this to the horses." Maybel requested, passing him a tray.

Khizo took the plate from her hands and went to the stables.

His family owned three horses who were named - Aron, Cal and Bin. Out of all these, Khizo was most attached to Aron. His favorite time pass in childhood was watching Aron eat for hours.

Khizo stroked Aron's muzzle gently before feeding the horses.

As soon as he was done feeding the horses, Cloris entered the stable.

"The food is ready." Cloris announced.

"Sure, I am coming." Khizo said, coming out of stables and entering their house that lay in the middle of the small plot of field they owned.

The food was eaten in silence. Only Khizo's father spoke from time to time, explaining the situation of the field to Maybel.

Once the food was done, the entire family helped in the farm.

It was only in the evening that Khizo and Cloris got some break.

"So, ready to go for our ride?" Cloris asked as they made their way to the stables.

"Sure." Khizo replied.

Khizo mounted on Aron while Cloris mounted Cal.

"Ready to race to the tower?" Cloris asked.

"Of course. My Aron can beat your Cal very easily." Khizo smirked.

"Let's see." Cloris took off without saying anything giving him the early lead

Khizo started out late but went faster, slowly reducing the gap between them.

The horses continued galloping through the muddy roads of the outskirts of Krimagha.

By the time they reached the old abandoned tower, Khizo was much ahead of Cloris.

"What happened? I didn't saw you waiting for me by the tower." Khizo gave him a challenging look.

"It was because you didn't fed Cal properly today." Cloris muttered.

"Stop the excuses." Khizo said, getting off his horse and looking up at the tower. It had been abandoned for ages and damaged from sides. However, it was Khizo and Cloris's favorite spot. Whenever they would get time, they would go to the tower.

The long stairs up was as always the worst part but as soon as they reached the top of the tower, the entire city of Krimagha spread in front of their eyes.

They sat down on the floor, enjoying the view.

"It's been so long since I have visited Krimagha. After the 'incident', I had only visited it once." Khizo remarked.

"You should be glad we live here, safe from all the politics of the city." Cloris said.

"But I was told that the king of Krimagha is kind."

"He is, but Krimagha had a rivalry earlier with The Great Alliance. That proved heavy."

"The Great Alliance? What is it?"

"Five of the most powerful neighbour kingdoms who have joined hands. They can destroy Krimagha in just a few seconds. Thus Krimagha had no other option but to join hands with them and let them exploit Krimagha."

"But I was told that earlier, Krimagha had some special people."

"Yes, Kodus Warriors. I had heard that they were a group of extremely talented warriors who served the king. They spied on all the neighbor kingdoms and killed people who could become a threat to Krimagha. But then, I heard that they all were killed. As soon as that happened, Krimagha's king had to enter into alliance with The Great Alliance and let them exploit Krimagha."

"You know a lot about what's going on in the city."

"Father told me. He also told me that the outside world is full of dangers and that we shall be glad to be cut off from that world."

"Yes, but somewhere in the outside world, the killer of my family may still be alive."

"Oh yes, that incident. I had always wondered one thing. Why have you never tried to find the one who did this to your family? If I would have been at your place, I would have set out to find the murderer. Even though I just now said that you should avoid the outside world."

"I sometimes want to go out too but I don't know how I will be able to find that man."

"But someday you have to go and try it. And better do it when you have the gift of youth with you."

"Maybe I'll do it one day." 

"You have to do it now." Cloris placed his hand on Khizo's shoulder.

"Well, but I don't think I'll be able to find that person anyway. I just have to forget that incident."

"Well, it's up to you." Cloris said, "Anyway, it's getting dark. We have to return now."

"Yes, we should." Khizo said getting up.

By the time they arrived at home, it was already dark. Maybel was waiting for them.

"Eat this and then go to sleep. Tomorrow will be another busy day in the field." she said, passing them plates.

The food was eaten in silence and after that, already tired with their small trip, Khizo went to bed immediately. It didn't took him much time to fall asleep.

He was back at his old house, once again following the trail of blood which led him to the kitchen.

He could see his family murdered in front of him just as he had seen that time. But this time, a man was standing there, carrying a dagger covered in blood. Khizo could see him very well but couldn't make out the details of his face.

The man smiled at him, showing off his dagger.

"I'm waiting for you. Come, find me."

The next moment, Khizo found the dagger stabbed to his gut, blood gushing out uncontrollably.

Khizo woke up, drenched in sweat, panting rapidly.

"Are you fine?" Cloris asked, rushing into his room.

"Yes, I am." Khizo replied, taking a deep breath.

"Remember what I told you yesterday evening. Consider it. If you go in search in of the truth, maybe the past won't come to scare you." Cloris said.

"And what if that man is already dead?" Khizo questioned.

"Then you will at least feel good knowing that you know what happened to him." Cloris said.

"I will think about it." Khizo finally said, getting up from his bed, trying to avoid the subject.

For the rest of the day, Khizo remained absorbed in himself. Even at field, he seemed to barely paying attention to his work. Maybel noticed it.

"Is everything okay?" Maybel asked, interrupting Khizo in his work.

"Yes, mama, why?" Khizo enquired.

"I know it very well that something bothers you."

"It is just that Cloris suggested that I should go out and find out what happened to my family. Then I had a nightmare which provoked me to do the same."

"So we are talking about that incident. I can only imagine how it may have affected your mind. Seeing a sight like this at such a young age."

"So what do you think I should do?"

"You should go out, find out what happened to your family. Find out why were they killed. But don't go any further than this."

"So I should go?" Khizo asked.

"Yes, you should." Maybel nodded.

"Thank you, mama. I should go and talk to Cloris now." Khizo said, abandoning his work.

He found Cloris feeding the cattle.

"Cloris, I have made the decision." Khizo said, running to him excitedly.

"What decision?" Cloris asked, puzzled.

"I have decided that I will go." Khizo declared.