Slow

Beirod watched the movements of Arakur that particular night. This time however he was observing him more keenly than he did the other days. Hana was set to arrive the next day ad he was getting prepared to finish his job. He watched over through the windows and waited till Arakur had slept. He jumped over to the rooftop and left. Hera had seen it and told Archimedes about what her eyes had witnessed. " There is a shadow that lurks in the corner " she said to him. I know, replied Archimedes. I have seen him here from the first time he lay his feet here on this ground. Why do you not do anything? she asked him back. I will do something when the time arises Hana, he said to his wife. Hana was a little concerned. Don't you think that he could cause harm to him, referring to Arakur. Maybe that is what needs to happen, said Archimedes. Hana was shell shocked by the words that came out of her husbands mouth. Archimedes? is taht you speaking those words of the ill? she asked him. I do not accept the war that is to come before us, he said to her. I do not stand it for it, neither do I couch for it, he said. Why do you change your stance now! she asked him fiercely. Is it because Arakanese and the others have deserted you, that you feel the war cannot be done? she asked him. Nothing of that sort dear! he said to her. The man has lost his wisdom, and maybe even his mind. I never truly believed that the war with the kingdom was the right thing to do. " Then why did you behave like you were going to lead the army?" she asked him. Because that is what was needed at that time, he replied to her. And now this time, it requires you let the chief die? asked Hana. What kind of man are you? she asked him. Archimedes kept silent. Hana had realized that she had spoken out of order. Her eyes became tender again and she touched the face of Archimedes. I'm sorry Archi, she said to him. You know what is right and what is wrong! she said to him and walked away.

Archimedes walked out of his home and stood in front of the hilltop that housed Arakur. He looked at the windows where Beirod had just stood before. He had made his mind up and there was nothing to do about it. He knew whose instruction Beorid had come in from. He looked at his horse that stood there a few meters away from where he stood. He walked over to his horse and trotted down the mountains that night. There were no stars, no moon. There was no light, just the shy glitter of trees that walked along the way. " A far cry from the blades of Arakanese that gave him light wherever he went". Seronn stood there with the sword in his hand. What is this? he asked Hurin. That is a sword that carries the history of the people of Arakanese, said Hurin. The rightful owner of the sword is destined to rule the kingdom, it is said. Seronn studied the sharp edges of the blade and strutted his fingers along it. Bloodline? he asked Hurin. Yes, their bloodline has always kept the sword with them, said Hurin. Seronn tossed the sword to Hurin. Strut your fingers along, the same way I have done, he said to him. Hurin hesitated and tried to keep the sword aside. Do as I say, he said to him. Strut your finger along, said Seronn this time with a more commanding voice. Hurin did as he was told! His fingers bled and it spilt ont he ground. Whose blood is that? he asked him. Mine! he replied. No, whose bloodline is that? he asked him. Hurin looked at the blood that spilt from his hands and he had no answer. No one's he said angrily and threw the sword down on the carpet. Derinn picked it up and handed the sword back to Seronn.

Philippe...

Philippe guarded the village like a fortress. He kept watch day in and day and day out and he had not slept for a very long time. His eyes grew weary, yet his heart was strong. There was a stutter in the leaves and he became alert again. He took his sword out and went into the woods to see who it was! He searched everywhere and there was nothing to be found. He came back to the village of the Harakans and stood guard as he had done before. Well into the night, he had closed his eyes after a very long time, but he still stood with the sword in his hand. An arrow had come in and struck him, right in the chest. There were a few blood drops that skimmed the surface of the ground. He twisted the arrow from the chest and removed it. There flew in another arrow and then another. He walked into the woods this time with the arrows coming in all directions. The enemies scampered and ran for their lives. As they did not believe what they had seen. He is not dead! They shouted to themselves and ran as fast as they could. One of the men realized who he was. That is the bloodline of General Marcus! he said and ran away. You fool! shouted another. Philippe ran as fast as he could and jumped over the trees, swinging one tree to another. He caught hold of one of them! He slammed him to the ground. Who are you? he asked him. He punched the face of the enemy that he lay there unconscious. Philippe realizing that this man barely had any breath in him. Ran again and hunted for the next man. He caught him. What do you seek? he said and drew the sword in his chest. Philippe saw a couple of the others running and leaped forward and caught them both by their necks and held them in the air. Who sent you? he asked them as he crushed their necks like they were of a birds. Their necks snapped and their lifeless body was tossed by Philippe on the ground. Only one arrow man was left. He was on all his legs like a wild animal who hunted his prey and caught the last man and put him on the ground! Who sent you? he asked him. Argos! he said and saw his life fly away before him.