Blades of Death

Chapter 11

In the bright daylight, through a dense forest, a wagon could be seen being pulled by two horses while thirty soldiers were escorting the wagon to safety because inside it was the King of Krimagha.

Khizo and Cloris were among the soldiers too. Their face was not visible due to the helmet they wore. Kota was accompanying them too. The sole purpose of bringing him with them was because it was his plan. However, he too had to be disguised like a soldier.

The council was taking place in a land that lay between all the kingdoms that were part of The Great Alliance. No single ruler had claim over the pact of land that lay in between the cities. It was a common land for all the kingdoms.

Very soon, the magnificent sculpture of the Palace on Heavens could be seen. It's pearl white walls could be seen shimmering from even a distance. However, the most attractive thing about the palace was the huge dome that was made from pure gold.

The Palace was just a few metres away from them when the sound of horse hooves caught the attention of all the soldiers. A man in simple white clothes was heading towards them on a horse.

Khizo was about to draw his sword out but Triston stopped him.

"He's our messenger." Triston said.

The man stopped in front of Triston and handed a parchment to him. He bowed to Triston and then headed back to Krimagha.

"What does it say?" Khizo asked.

"That's not good. We were being spied. Davis knows about our plan now. He's not coming to the council but rather sending an army of hundred to kill down all of us including the king."

"How do you know about it?"

"They are not the only ones who know how to spy."

"What should we do now?"

"We need to block their way." Kota interrupted.

"Block their way? How?"

"As far as I know, there's only a single path leading from Petuk, Davis's kingdom to this palace. We can lay traps on the path and ambush on them."

"You think you can do it?" Triston questioned.

"I need soldiers on my side." Kota replied.

"Very well. Take nineteen." Triston stated.

"That will leave only ten people to carry out the killing."

"We will have to improvise." Triston replied. "But you don't worry about us. You have another job to do."

Reaching the path that connected Petuk with the palace wasn't easy. If someone didn't like crossing through dense bushes, the only way to reach the path was through Petuk or the Palace. Unfortunately, Kota and his small band of soldiers had to cross the dense bushes to reach the path.

"What traps will we lay to stop the army from advancing." one of the soldier, whose name was Gary, asked as they made their way through the dense vegetation.

"I can't say until I see the surroundings." Kota said with a grim tone.

"You have a strategy for every situation. Must have been part of lots of battle."

"I have only been part of one battle and in that too, I was terrified. I can't bring myself to kill people. Even when I know that they are wrong and don't deserve to live. I just can't."

"So you will not fight off the Petuk soldiers when we ambush on them?" the soldier frowned.

"I am sorry if it seems like I'm a coward but I will remain hidden during the battle. I am here just to make the plan." Kota replied.

"We have arrived." one of the soldiers announced interrupting the conversation Kota was having.

In front of them lay a path that had been made by cutting through the forest. It was just wide enough to let a wagon pass through it.

Kota looked around, observing his surroundings and thinking about ways to stop the army.

He was thinking about what to do when the sound of horse hooves entered his ears for the second time in a single day. However, this time it was clear that there was not one horse. There were many.

"This can't be...." Kota looked ahead and caught a glimpse of an army of cavalry coming towards them from a distance. The army had arrived. It was too late. There was no time to lay any traps. He had failed everyone.

"What should we do now?" Gary cried.

"There's only one way left. We need to buy Khizo as much time as possible." Kota then turned towards all other soldiers. "It's time for you to do a deed for your kingdom. To serve the king who had been kind to us. Lads, I give you a chance to sacrifice your life to protect your people. I give you the chance to die for Krimagha!"

The soldiers looked at Kota with a frightened expression. Nobody wanted to die but they also didn't want to give away the little freedom their king had still managed to give them despite being a puppet in the hands of alliance.

After a pause, all soldiers shouted in unison, "For Krimagha!"

"That's the spirit. Get ready for the battle. We need to knock those Petukians off their horses." Kota commanded. "Form a shield wall. Infantry on the front and archers on the back."

The soldiers immediately obeyed Kota's command. Nine soldiers raised their shields in front of them while the archers stood behind them. Kota joined the line of shield and raised his own shield in front of him.

As the cavalry came closer, Kota shouted, "Archers! Fire!"

The archers responded to Kota by shooting arrows at their enemy. 8 people were knocked off their horseback. Kota however hadn't seen the attack. He had closed his eyes tightly, unable to bear the sight of bloodshed.

The arrows had slaughtered the front line of the Petukians. However, the rest of the soldiers regrouped and galloped towards the shield wall with full speed.

Kota was ready for it too. As soon as the cavalry had almost reached the shield, Kota shouted his next order and all the soldiers pushed their shields, knocking Petukians off their horses. The archers shot again at the disorganized Petukians killing more soldiers.

"Attack!" Kota yelled, his eyes still shut.

The soldiers broke their shield wall and charged at the Petukian army which was taken back in surprise.

By the time the Petukian army came back to their senses, they had lost more soldiers. However, once they were back on their senses, Krimaghans started having a difficult time.

Kota spectated the battle from behind. Most of the time his eyes remaining shut. However, he would risk a few glances to see what was happening in the battle. The Krimaghans were badly outnumbered. Every Krimaghan soldier was fighting three Petukians at least.

The Krimaghan king hadn't just taken any soldier with him. He had chosen his best soldiers for the mission. They were strong enough to kill an army of hundred. However, as Kota watched the Petukians fight, he realized that Davis had sent his best soldiers too. It was quite clear that the battle would barely last for a few minutes before the Krimaghans get be killed. 

There was only one way to win the battle. The fight could be won only if I get over my fear, Kota thought. With trembling hands, Kota took out the sword from his sheath and charged into the battle!

His way was blocked by a Petukian soldier who lunged forwards at him.

Kota remained still as the soldier came forwards. His hands were shaking so badly that he was on the verge of dropping his sword.

However, as soon as the soldier was very close to him, the trembling stopped. He delivered a master's stroke to the enemy and he collapsed, never to get up again.

Kota then advanced towards where the battle was taking place and unleashed all the training Brojok had given him. He turned into the killing machine he was trained to be.

Enemies charged at Kota but they were no match for Kota's moves that were passed down to him from one of the greatest legends of swordfighting. 

Hands were sliced off, swords were thrown away and armors were pierced. Anyone that came towards Kota couldn't live to tell how good he was fighting.

The more Kota killed, the more aggressive and confident he got. Very soon, he found himself charging straight at ten Petukians without showing a glimpse of fear.

After taking a few major injuries and getting his armor pierced from various places, he managed to kill all of them.

The fight had left Kota exhausted. His armor had been tainted with blood and his sword retained no trace of its silver colour. It was completely stained red with blood. When he looked behind him, only a few Krimaghans were left; bravely fighting the Petukians.

Kota regrouped with the remaining soldiers in a final attempt to kill the remaining Petukians.

They charged at the Petukians but the outnumbered Krimaghans were no match. Very soon, Kota was the lone survivor, surrounded by eight Petukians.

Just a little more, Kota thought.

The Petukians formed a circle around him and slowly advanced forward. They raised their sword to tear apart Kota's body but before they could, Kota slid away from the circle that had been formed around him.

Once he was on his feet again, he turned back only to find the remaining Petukians racing toward him, eager to end the fight.

A smile spread across Kota's face as he charged at the remaining soldiers, knowing well that this was his last fight.

He was in no condition to fight but he still didn't stop.

Swords pierced their way through his armour but he continued to fight, bravely slashing the enemies. However, he had reached his limit. After receiving another stab he fell down to the ground. Only three soldiers remained standing.

"You have failed." Kota let out a final laugh at the Petuk soldiers before drifting away into endless sleep.

Author's Note

Guys, don't kill me please. I swear I am sorry. Let me live! Please!

Sorry for killing Kota.