CLOSE ENEMIES

Etrigon

The sky was pitch black allowing the tiny clusters of stars to flicker glossily, the full moon itself mingled into the night creating a beautiful illumination on the town. Eighteen-year-old Elroy looking rather exhausted, trots his horse up a hill path leading to the cottage of Orlanda Ramsey.

On getting to a point of view were the cottage could be seen, the cottage door was wide open - first time such had happened; the only source of light was the flame lantern hanging outside which was almost fading out. Keeping the bad thoughts on check Elroy quickly got off his horse; walking gently towards the cottage, his heart was troubled with every step he took.

Suddenly, in the melancholy of the intense atmosphere Luna staggered out of the cottage but gained balance on the wall, giving Elroy a bit of relief.

“Luna,” he called out quietly “why is the…” Elroy paused with his speech, shrinking back, his eyes opens wide in despair as he noticed the large stain of blood around Luna’s belly, “Luna,” he yelled out.

Drained of blood and partially passing out Luna dropped to the ground, Elroy hurried to her and knelt by her side, tears flooded his eyes as he begs Luna not to die on him, his hands kept shaking while he applied pressure on the deep wound but it was to no avail, the blood only kept gushing out like he had stimulated it more.

By the time Elroy looked back at Luna’s face her eyes were still, the light in them sniffed out.

“It had to be done,” a known voice spoke from behind Elroy.

Elroy instantly turned around, coming face on with Orlanda Ramsey who held a sword, Elroy was so focused on the sorrow he felt, he couldn’t bring himself to notice the blood dripping from the sword.

"What’s going on?” He asked with a heavy voice, tears running down his cheek.

“I don't need you to forgive me El,” Orlanda spoke with a cold gaze.

Something felt wrong, but that didn't matter anymore, Elroy couldn't avoid it completely, the slash came swift and long, placing a surface cut on his chest.

Yet the pain from it forced Elroy to cry out, pressing hard on the cut, a firm side kick from Orlanda to the side of Elroy’s head, threw him of balance, landing him hard on the ground. Only then did he realize his years of training with Orlanda were only a joke.

Gasping for air as well as trying to get a grip of himself Elroy tried standing up to get away from Orlanda but fell back to the ground, his body quivering.

Orlanda, not willing to back down stabbed his sword into Elroy’s leg, he screamed out in misery, his cry pleading to be spared.

“All for the greater good.” Orlanda plunges the sword deeper that it pierced through into the ground.

Elroy shrieked out more, his body trembling rapidly to the torture.

"That’s it, grab hold of hate, feel pain and regrets, all will be clear soon." Orlanda gloated at Elroy, he grabbed the air then blew a sparkling dust on him which knocked him out despite the pain.

In that moment two figures vested in gray hooded leather armor rode their horses out of the willow forest, halting behind Orlanda.

"Give me good news." Orlanda scowled at them.

"Jerrod Rooks has been spotted in the Western plains." One of the riders spoke, "The kingdom of Riana."

"Nice hiding spot step brother, kill every man and woman, take the children as captives.” Orlanda ordered.

With the given command the riders rode their horses down the hill, towards the now scorching town of Etrigon - echoing with wailing and death cries.

BEGINNING OF THE END

The Kingdom of Riana

The royal chamber of King Eric, it wasn’t a king size room as pictured by outsiders, it was a portable room yet befitting for a King; looking straight at the oak door was a four poster bed at the end of the room, adored in blue blinds to match the colour of the room, aside the six portrait painting of past kings on one side of the room, a dark-blue steel plated armor was stationed with a spadone sword; a straight, double-edged blade which looked light yet long enough to make it heavy, along side it was a large portrait painting of King Eric vested in the dark-blue armor.

King Eric paced to and fro drinking from a goblet in front of his bed, he was lost in thoughts not noticing when Atari walked in. She shut the door behind her, obliging King Eric to turn towards her, Atari welcomed his eyes with a wink.

“You shouldn't be here Atari." King Eric stood firm.

“Who would know my Lord.” Atari replied, loosening the lace holding her robe, taking gentle steps towards King Eric.

Noticing her movement King Eric sipped from the wine, he took his eyes to hers, her hair well spread on her shoulders, now there was no calming the desires plaguing his thoughts.

“Why don’t we just spend this victorious night wallowing in our desires," Atari spoke softly, gently untying the lace holding King Eric’s black robe, her eyes holding his.

“Come on Ari, Richard may come in anytime.”

“Oh forget him,” She takes the goblet from King Eric then pushes him to the bed.

Lying on the bed with his robe wide open he smiled at Atari, “I thought you had your fill last week”

“Last week is in the past,” she drops the goblet on a table by the corner.

She slowly lifts her black robe up to her lenient thighs then sets herself on King Eric, who held her waist firmly.

"With three of King Orrick's assassins dead, King Isaac will be an easy target.” She smiled at King Eric, slightly caressing her fingers on his hairy chest - slowly swiveling her hips on him.

Not willing to hold back neither in the mood for her talks, King Eric quickly turns Atari over to the bed, laying on her, his lips latched unto hers, exchanging a lax wet kiss.

BEGINNING OF THE END

At the far end of the Southern Lands, another kingdom independent of the Southern Empire, the Kingdom of Vencia, burns up under the scorching sun. Cries and screams of agony echoed from every corner in this once peaceful kingdom; the streets were flooded with blood and corpses, both knights and peasants.

The kingdom of Vencia is a small kingdom, compared to others in the South. Vencia is ruled by Prince Alfred Basil a man in his late thirties. It stands between two hills; with the royal compound in the middle of the Kingdom, which now stood as the only safe haven in the present crisis.

The royal compound had several three floored horses in it - well built with stones and fine wood, the compound surrounded by a firm palisade wall, with a battlement at the north section, where the large gate leading into the compound stood. On the battlement a good number of archers stood guard, just meters away from the gate stood two troops of Vencian knights, dressed in splint-mail with a touch of white. They were all awaiting command from Prince Alfred who stood in front alongside Commander Malach.

“How long do you think we can hold them back.” Prince Alfred asked curiously.

“If luck stays on our side, before dusk.” Replied Malach.

“God help us all,” Prince Alfred waves the sign of the cross, “you are in charge of the troops Malach.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Alfred Basil.” A yawning audible voice cried out from over the wall, bringing Prince Alfred and Commander Malach’s attention to the battlement.

“My Lord,” one of the archers called out from the north wing, “they are approaching.”

Prince Alfred quickly walks up the stairs to the north wing, he looks down the battlement, looking back at him was a huge bald man mounted on his black armored warhorse, his long beards fluttering in the breeze. Behind him were hundreds of Drokan warriors awaiting the next command.

“God help us.” Prince Alfred prayed under his breath.

“Aku dadi Commander Lafiki, pisanan dadi tentara Drokan. (I am Commander Lafiki, first in Command of the Drokan army.)” Commander Lafiki cried out in the northern tongue.

“I speak not your Pagan Language Commander.” Said Prince Alfred.

“Then learn it Prince, you may need it.” Commander Lafiki replied.

“You are on the rough end barbarian, surrender or die.” Prince Alfred proposed.

“Well lucks on your side, I was about saying same thing.”

We have the advantage, Prince Alfred thought, the walls and gate were strong enough to hold a siege, if the archers begin their drill, it is enough to take out half the warriors; Prince Alfred was certain and confident, yet his heart was troubled as though warning him to reconsider.

“Archers ready!" Prince Alfred ignored the feeling, "Brace!” Prince Alfred cried out, influencing the archers to nock their arrows - aiming towards the Drokan troops.

“Your last chance pagan.”

“No Prince, you have one last chance, you refused to hid my warning before, now look at your Kingdom. Don't be foolish, save what’s left of your Kingdom.”

“To a false god? No!” He declined with the shake of his head, “my God will fight with us and overcome.”

“Again, again, again and again with this deceitful hopeless blabbering.” Lafiki bows his head then slowly lifts it, “do not be a fool Prince.”

Prince Alfred drew his sword then points it at the Drokan troops, "Let it be written in history today, the day Prince Alfred Basil sent the Drokan dogs packing. Loose!!!"

Arrows went flying at the command, there was no time to take cover, Lafiki was quick enough to evade an arrow but other warriors on the front line fell to the arrows, still the rest were unshaken.

Prince Alfred raised up his sword, urging the archers to ready an arrow from their quivers, awaiting Prince Alfred’s signal.

“Gulung tembok iku (Bring that wall down.)” Commander Lafiki yelled out.

Before Prince Alfred could give the order for another strike, three flaming boulders were lunched into the air from three catapults far behind the Drokan troops, Prince Alfred and the archers were transfixed in shock, beholding the spectacle of the whirling boulders covered in flames; for they have neither heard nor seen any weapon of such intensity before.

Two flaming boulders crashed unto the wall with a devastating blast - crumbling it, while the third flaming boulder laid waste in the middle of the royal compound, the impact was withering, tossing men engulfed in flames into various corners as they wailed out their last.

With the north wing as well as the gate broken down the Drokan troops charged into the royal compound with war cries, slaughtering every Vencian Knight still breathing.

Prince Alfred crawled on the ground struggling to reach his sword devoid of the Drokan warrior following him behind, before the warrior could strike him Commander Malach cut him down then supported Prince Alfred on his feet.

“Go my Lord, your family and the rest of the citizens await you in the crypt, please join…” an arrow pierced through his neck from behind.

Unable to morn Malach or react, Prince Alfred watched in despair as Malach fell to the ground, giving view to a young boy vested in green-cape, holding a bow; by looks the chap should be in his early teenage year, but his physique says otherwise.

Prince Alfred glared at him, his face flushed red, his jaw clenched as he tried holding back his tears, clinching his fist round the hilt of his sword.

The boy tossed the bow aside then drew two knife like weapons from his side, having three sharp metal prong - with the side prongs curved and the middle straight and long, enough to measure a long knife blades.

Revenge filled thoughts, Prince Alfred went all in at the boy, his anger gave him an advantage in strength but the lad seemed to know every swing before it came.

Prince Alfred swung his sword towards the lad but he was nippy enough to slide under it, cutting Prince Alfred’s torso as he did.

Moving forward languorously, Prince Alfred squeals in pain as he holds on to the bleeding cut, making a quick turn with all his might he struck down at the boy who checked the attack with one blade, stabbing Alfred’s neck with the other, bringing him to his knees.

“Muga-muga sampeyan ngerti yen sampeyan kalah ing perang iki nalika sampeyan nyerang dhisik. (Hope you realize you lost this battle the moment you attacked first.)”

Prince Alfred tried to speak but kept choking on his blood, giving him a quick death the boy dragged the blade across his neck, cutting off Alfred’s head.

Approaching from behind Lafiki knelt before the boy, “Apa sing sampeyan propose Juragan Covin (What do you propose Master Covin.)”

“I perceive more underneath these buildings, sort them out.”

Commander Lafiki bowed in agreement while Covin walked away.