Blades of Death

Chapter 3

A moment of silence spread over the room as Khizo stood dumbstruck in front of Laing and Kota.

"I can't believe this." Khizo declared, breaking the silence.

"But Khizo, it's true. Your father really was a Kodus." Kota convinced.

"But, I thought.... I don't think he.... It's just so hard to believe." Khizo enunciated.

"I know it is, but it's true. And I hope you get it that we can't challenge The Great Alliance. They're far more powerful than us." Laing explained.

"But tell me what happened." Khizo requested.

"The Great Alliance. We had been a constant obstacle for them. We were one step ahead of them every time. But then, someone from our own group betrayed us and told The Great Alliance about the locations of all our main Kodus Warriors and of course your father. The Great Alliance killed them and those like me who were remaining had to go into hiding." Laing said.

"Who was this person who betrayed you? Because I want to teach him a little lesson." Khizo clenched his fist.

"His name is Gayde. He's seen roaming the nearby markets often with his guards at his side. That traitor is now enjoying his privileged life. He now works for Asjata, one of the kingdoms of The Great Alliance. He keeps a check on Krimagha and ensures that the influence of Asjata stays here." Laing said,"But, you don't want to have a rivalry with The Great Alliance. So, you should just return back to where you come from. Don't enter the politics going on here."

"But this person was responsible for ruining my life. My father was a hero, and yet he suffered injustice because of this person. I can't go just yet." Khizo said, walking out of the house.

"Khizo, wait!" Laing shouted, running after him, but by the time he came out of his house, Khizo had disappeared from sight.

"Oh no, this boy is going to get himself killed that way." Kota muttered.

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Khizo took heavy steps to the market, convinced that killing that man would give peace to his mind.

The market was a very crowded one with small shops and crowd everywhere.

"How can I find my man in this crowd?" Khizo grumbled.

He sat down on a bench and then waited for his man to show up.

His target indeed showed up after some time, escorted by a guard.

Khizo got up from the bench and then blocked the way in front of the man.

"Are you Gayde?" Khizo enquired.

"Yes, I am. Now get out of my way." Gayde hissed.

"I know what you did. You murdered my father, you traitor." Khizo shouted and then charged at the man, delivering punches to his face until his nose started to bleed.

The guard charged at Khizo but before he could do anything, Khizo snatched the dagger that hung from Gayde's waist and pointed it at Gayde.

"One more step and your master dies." Khizo warned.

The guard stopped on his way; eyeing Khizo with rage.

Unfortunately, the moment was short lived because suddenly, Khizo received a kick from Gayde making him fall down.

The guard rushed at Khizo with his sword drawn out and that's when Khizo realized what he had done in his vengeance. He had never even been in a fight before and suddenly he was in a life and death situation.

As the guard raised his sword in the air, Khizo found himself stabbing the guard on his gut with the dagger in a reflex.

The guard dropped to the ground, his body motionless.

Khizo stood frozen for a moment. He had murdered a person. But, now was not the time to think about it.

He got up, raising his dagger in front of his face, threatening Gayde to back down.

But Gayde charged at Khizo delivering a punch to his gut before Khizo could even react. He then grabbed Khizo's hand, trying to snatch the dagger from him. But, Khizo applied more force, thrusting the dagger inside Gayde's throat. Blood gushed out of his throat and then Gayde fell to the ground, motionless.

He stared in disgust at the dead bodies, his hands badly shaking from fear. But then he realized that the crowd was watching him in horror.

He took off from the area, but when he did, he found guards on his trail.

He increased his pace, trying to outrun the guards, but they weren't ready to give up yet. One even shot an arrow at him which missed Khizo's shoulder, barely by an inch.

As he continued running, he realized that he was heading back towards his old house. Suddenly, Khizo had an idea.

He continued running until he reached his old house and just in front of the house was Aron.

He climbed up Aron and then took off, making Aron go faster than he ever had.

It didn't take him much time after that to outrun the guards.

Once the guards were out of sight, Khizo got off his horse and entered a narrow lane.

He changed into a new pair of clothes and covered the lower portion of his face with a scarf. Then he hopped on Aron again. He was going back to Laing's house.

He knocked at the door and a very frightened Laing opened it.

"Khizo!" Laing shouted, "I was so worried about you. Do you know that the guards are after you?"

"Yes, I know. I'm sorry. I should have listened to you." Khizo apologized, entering the house.

"Now is not the time for that, Khizo. We'll have to keep you safe. You'll stay inside the house with Kota while I will go and find out how things are going outside." Laing said, exiting the house.

"Sit down now, Khizo. How are you feeling?" Kota asked, pointing to a chair.

Khizo sat down on it and then replied, "I just killed two people. I don't know why I did that, but suddenly it was just...."

"I know, Khizo. After just fighting in my first war, I swore to never fight in another war. Its just the sight of people dying. I couldn't bear it. That's why I didn't join the Kodus Warriors."

"I wish that everything will be fine." Khizo concerned.

"They will not, unfortunately. There's a lot of politics going here in the city which should be avoided. But you just messed with one of The Great Alliance. What are you planning to do now?" 

"I am returning back to my family."

"But you know that the man you killed wasn't the actual murderer. The real murderer of your father is still out there. You don't want to avenge your father?"

"Not anymore. I don't think I should continue in this vengeance path. I just wanted to find out what happened to my family. Now, I do."

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From the top of a building, Laing spectated the market where the dead bodies were still there.

After waiting for an hour, he saw King Vostok, ruler of Asjata arrive with his convoy in a wagon.

He got off his wagon and then stared at the dead bodies.

"May I ask what's going on here. This man was the symbol of Asjata in Krimagha and some boy kills him in front of a whole crowd and you couldn't even catch that man." Vostok shouted.

"We're very sorry, my lord." the guards apologized.

"You Krimaghans are worth no good." Vostok spat, "Now, does anyone know this boy?"

"I know him. He's the son of a peasant." Maig, one of the guards spoke up.

"Very well. Put wanted posters of that boy." Vostok announced. He then turned to the Maig, "You Krimaghans are worth no good. So, you'll lead my soldiers to that boy's farm and they will kill his family. Let Krimagha know what happens when someone messes with The Great Alliance."