Training

Hana had immersed herself in training. She was now being trained by Zeno while Archimedes was riding on his own and practicing advanced combat moves. "Use your sword as a shield" said Zeno. You need to block the swift attacks of the enemy with both your shield and sword. "the shield is too heavy uncle" complained Hera. Then we will make a lighter one for you, replied Zeno.

A group of the strongman marched towards the summit of the mountains along with their chief. Where are they headed towards uncle? asked Hana. To train, replied Zeno. Train there? she asked again. Yes, to climb the mountains and also climb the mountain down. To use the sword while doing so, said Zeno. As the strongman walked to the summit, some of the other warriors of the Marakese also followed them. Zeno smirked. "The spirit of the Marakese live on" he uttered. As the Marakese were all in training, Demarius approached him. Hello Demarius! greeted Zeno. Hello General, replied Demarius. How can I help you? asked Zeno. These mountains, said Demarius "They are getting a bit cold for us " Zeno understood what he meant. Thank you for fighting on our side, he said to him. It was our pleasure to fight along such honorable people, replied Demarius. If I may ask, where are you headed? asked Zeno. That we do not know, replied Demarius " We travel until we find a land that can accommodate us" Zeno looked at Demarius his friend " You are more than welcome to stay here with us " he said. I know that general, that you would give us a place to inhabit" but that would not be a reasonable thing for us do, said Demarius. The rock people are too honorable to take shelter , they would see it as alms. But it isn't alms, said Zeno. I know that my friend, said Demarius. But my people would not simply understand. That there are good people in this world who would give us something without expecting anything in return. "They simply would not understand General" said Demarius. Farewell Demarius, said Zeno." If the wind blows in our direction, do not forget you are more than welcome to return home" said Zeno. Demarius eyes now were firmly fixed on Archimedes "There certainly would come a time when our time is needed, as long as that man rides a horse" said Demarius and walked away from the mountains along with his people.

Darticus....

Woke up in the middle of the night, waking himself from a nightmare. What is it dear? asked Angela. He gasped in terror and felt his chest and moved his hand to this heart. He sat up fir. What is it Darti? asked Angela. He managed to control his breath and managed to blurt out a few words. " My wife, My wife, she!" What are you saying Darti ? asked Angela. My wife, she put a dagger through my heart. Calm down, she said and went to get him a glass of water. When she came back, Darticus was not on his bed. Afraid that he had ran away like the last time, she called his name out, Many times and there was no reply. She searched everywhere and finally went to the balcony. He was there, looking blankly into the darkness. She handed him the glass of water and told him to drink it. He gulped it down and held the glass in his hands. He was crushing it slowly and Angela at once took it away from his hands. You know Angela! he spoke. What troubles me most is not death, not losing my power. But turning into a man I so despised. I'm afraid that I'm turning into my brother, he said to her. You are nothing like your brother, she tried to comfort him. How do you know that for certain? he asked her. Is it not the same blood that flowed in his veins that flow in mine? Is it not the same mother that gave birth to him, gave birth to me!? What you don't understand Darti is that your brother was born evil, said Angela. No, replied Darticus with a fury. No, he was not born evil. He became evil because he was abandoned. Just like I'm being abandoned. You know Angela. A bastard is a bastard no matter how far he goes or how long he lives. If you are born a bastard, you live a bastard. And when for one tiny moment you try to forget it, the word reminds you the next second. I may see myself as a king, but I see it in the eyes of others. They still see me as a bastard!