Blades of Death

Chapter 12

From close up, the palace looked even more beautiful. As Khizo walked through the garden in front of the palace, there was no doubt in his mind that the garden was the most marvelous thing he had ever seen in his life.

When the convoy walked past the garden, the guards on duty hastily opened the door allowing them access to the palace. 

"The council will be held in the main hall. The door will be easily visible." The guards stated.

King William got off from the wagon and headed inside the palace, closely escorted by the ten soldiers including Khizo and Cloris.

The interior of the palace was even more breathtaking. The room was illuminated by the most expensive candlestands. Priceless paintings hung on the wall. The floor was carpeted with royal red. In front of them was another huge door guarded by soldiers of Mirton, the second most powerful kingdom of Great Alliance after Petuk.

"Enter through the West door." one of the Mirton soldiers spoke up.

There were five entrances to the council room for the five kingdoms that were part of it - One door in North, one in West and East and two on South.

William entered the council room through the western door leaving his soldiers behind. No soldier was allowed to enter the council.

The council was decorated as lavishly as the rest of palace. There were five golden thrones in the council with a round table around them. Servants were serving food.

Lourt, the king of Mirton, Gilbert, the king of Kimba and Henry, the king of Cevera were already present. The king of Asjata of course was not coming. The other seat that remained empty was of Petuk. The other kings weren't aware of the fact that Davis won't be coming.

William slowly walked to the seat where Vostok sat.

"Davis is expected soon. All the decisions will be made after he arrives but for now, we can discuss matters." Lourt spoke up.

"If we need to catch that assasin, Khizo, we need to take charge of Krimagha. Krimagha isn't strong enough to settle matters without our help." Henry proposed.

William balled his fist in anger but then calmed himselves down.

"What do you mean by taking charge?" William asked.

"We'll take the leadership of Krimagha until the assasin is caught." Henry said.

"No!" William snapped, "I won't allow this. I have the right to rule Krimagha the way I want. I will allow your soldiers to conduct the search and even put my soldiers to work. Nothing more than that."

"The assasin is from your kingdom so the death of King Vostok is your fault. Your poor leadership has caused us the life of our friend. You have no other choice but to hand over the leadership to us temporarily and also pay compensation in the form of gold to Asjata." Lourt declared.

"My fault?" William yelled, "It was your fault. You exploited my kingdom. You made my people unhappy. They will of course revolt."

"I am beginning to suspect that you hired that assasin. A few years ago you made that stupid Kodus Warriors to stop us. Is this your second try?" Henry spoke up.

"Is this why I was brought here? To doubt me and my leadership? You fools can't even keep your people happy." William shouted.

"Shut up! We can destroy your kingdom in a few minutes. Consider yourselves lucky that we didn't throw you into dungeon and let one of our men rule Krimagha. Also, your kingdom is weak only because you care too much about your people. Teach fear to your people and see how well they will fight. Your problem is th—"

The ruler of Cevera was interrupted by one of the guards who entered the room and caught his breath before speaking.

"My lord, the assasin is here."

"What?" Panic immediately spread inside the entire room. William too spread a fake panic over his face.

"He shouldn't escape this time. I want every soldier to look for him." Lourt declared.

"That's a ridiculous idea. The assasin is here to kill us." Henry said.

"Keep ten soldiers for your protection and send the rest to catch the assasin." Lourt then turned to William who had arrived with only ten soldiers. "I guess Krimagha won't be helping us in capturing the assasin."

In response, William summoned Triston inside the room and gave him the orders.

"I want every soldier we have to search for the assasin."

Alerting the guards was Khizo's idea. He had removed his Krimaghan uniform and helmet to reveal his face.

As soon as he showed his face to the guards, one chose to fight him while the other ran away to alert the council. As usual, the guard he fought was left injured and not killed.

The next step of the plan was carried out by Cloris. He, along with two more archers had wore a loose black cloth over his armor to hide the Krimaghan army uniform. Khizo on the other hand joined the remaining Krimaghan soldiers again and was back in his uniform.

As soon as the king summoned Triston, Cloris took off with the two archers. A few seconds later, a united army of all three kingdoms went after Cloris. Triston commanded his army of seven soldiers to join them.

Khizo feared that the other soldiers will notice that three Krimaghan soldiers were missing, arousing all suspicion to Krimagha. However, when they joined the mixed army of all other kingdoms, nobody paid any attention to them.

The chase took them to the beautiful garden outside the palace. Cloris and the two archers were far ahead of the army but still in sight.

The three ducked behind a fountain and started shooting arrows at soldiers, starting the most crucial part of the plan. The first volley of arrows killed three soldiers, one Mirtan, one Kimban and one Ceveran. The next volley of arrows were shot at the Krimaghan army, knocking down Khizo, Triston and another soldier, Ben.

Once the job was done, Cloris took off again while the remaining soldiers continued to chase them.

As soon as Cloris led the soldiers far away, Khizo got up. Triston and Ben followed next. The arrows used on them were the most blunt ones which could barely pierce through the armor, keeping their body safe.

Khizo wore the Mirton uniform, Ben wore the Kimba uniform and Triston chose the Cevera uniform.

"Let's go now." Triston said.

Inside the council, Gilbert, Henry and Lourt were protected by their soldiers while William remained standing unguarded, his sword drawn out.

Khizo, Triston and Ben came running inside the room in their disguise. The helmet kept their face hidden.

The three headed to their respective kings and took a moment to catch their breath.

"Is the assasin caught?" Lourt asked.

"Where are the other soldiers?" Gilbert enquired.

"Oh, come on, speak up!" Henry shouted.

In response, all three drew out their swords and stabbed the three kings of Great Alliance.