Chapter three

They stood facing each other. Both men held a sword in their hands waiting for the other to strike. It was a tense atmosphere between the two as both soilders knew the other very well. Neither were willing to strike as they once used to be best of friends each soilders giving the other a chance to back out at least that was what O Cleirigh did. Though he didn't believe in spiritual things, he did believe there was a God whom everybody served and for the sake of that God and the love he had for his friend he tried reasoning with Lanclan, hoping against all odds that he may see sense and return to the place of light. The place where he will receive hope,joy and peace but as expected it was already to late. Lanclan had fallen deep into the dark side, he'd fallen to a point of no return and there was no going back for him.

As expected, Lanclan took the lead in attacking O Cleirigh.

He took fast strides towards him and in the blink of an eye clashing sounds of swords could clearly be heard in the quiet atmosphere.

Lyall had anticipated Lanclan's attack and as expected the man came at him, gushing forward like a maniac. He could see it in his eyes, the intensity of hate and height of madness. Lanclan attacked with no mercy, giving no breathing space as he struck O Cleirigh over and over again but to his disadvantage, O Cleirigh was no less of a great soilder. He was aware of his every move, every attack and anticipated every trick to which he dodged gracefully. This further angered Lanclan and he tried something, tried attacking in an opposite way of which no soilder would have ever expected as to the rules of the battlefield, his trick was frowned upon but O Cleirigh wasn't just any soilder. He was a great emperor and he forthseaw the move Lanclan made and in the nick of time he dodged it with his sword. Though he was quite shocked at Lanclan's move as his friend knew no such treachery but he was yet to be reminded that Lanclan has been under the guidance of Cromwell.

"Lanclan lad, how could y' do this? A haed never expected this from ye o' all people lad." O Cleirigh said shaking his head disappointedly. If it weren't for his quick thinking and keen eyes, he would have been divided in half as the move Lanclan had made was forbidden to every soilder and was against the rules of the battlefield.

This move was one they called the the "forbidden rebellion" as in this, while a soilder is recovering from a ferocious attack one seizes the opportunity and strikes left, moving the sword backward goes to the right and when the soilder least expects, you attack from the head, dividing in half. If one didn't know better, due to the arising of dust from the right, left strike, they'd lay dead on the ground divided in halves as it would have never been expected. This move was one used in bloody and treacherous battles where one gains victory through the act of betrayal and treachery. It was discovered by the revolutionist Cromwell and has since then been put in use by most of his armies who cared less about fighting fair. They preferred a dirty fight as they loved and enjoyed playing dirty but that is something no honourable soilder would condone.

"Aye? I'm sure y' didn't expect it lad, fer under the guidance of Cromwell, A learnt such. But curse y',

Y' bloody fool, no matter what a do, y' refuse to back down. Y' just won't surrender, will y'?" Lanclan retorted spitefully.

For a moment a wave of sadness hit O Cleirigh. This was his beloved friend, his ally who now hated him so. He would have never expected nor believed any man if they told him Lanclan could do such a thing as he would have beheaded them before they could ever get a chance to speak. If he'd known from the beginning that Lanclan haboured such hatred in his heart for him, he would have tried seeking his forgiveness. If Lanclan had voiced out his anger instead if turning to betrayal, he would have given him the power he sought for. He didn't only feel sad but also regret. He rued that he could have been so foolish as to have not seen it in his eyes. Maybe if he'd seen it earlier, it would never have come to this and he might have still had a friend.

Shrugging of the pain he felt, he rebelled Lanclan's sword and in one swift move, he had Lanclan on his knees, back facing against him as he placed his sword on his throat.