Chapter Fifteen: War: Grudges

Speed

Focus

Agility

Three steps I had to focus on while with the seer, Emhile, wasted no time in teaching. Despite this being lessons, she created them exactly like a battle but worse. I thought my father's teachings were harsh, thought that war was brutal in its own way. But This. This would have my man panting for a different way to live. In fact, begging to remain weak.

Within two sets, I had been begging for mercy and not received even a taste of it. Akeem had passed out more times than I could count but she'd give him mercy as for me. It was as if I was her enemy from birth and the only way to live would be in death.

"You are weak!" she screamed charging at me with the sword. Our swords clashed, the exhaustion and hunger pulling and overtaking me. I hadn't been fed in seven sets, the only thing I was allowed to do was sleep and drink water. Sometimes she'd be kind enough to give me soup that was barely enough for an infant.

"I am not!" I defended. Our swords were the only objects to alert the world that there was some sort of life. It should've been enough to alert someone, anyone but this damn witch has cradled the world into her arms. Anyone who dared step in it would face her, I feared for their life.

"Your thoughts are loud boy!" she laughed as she circled me. her speed and strength increasing.

"No one told you to listen!" I remarked trying to avoid more than defend.

"You'll die by his general's hand instead of the kings. You are so weak, you will lose and be nothing. She will be his and bear his child. You are a weak boy!" She sneered then laughed as she neared. It was clear as day that she would win.

"Armani would never choose him!" circling her as I raised another sword of mine, Armani would die by my hands or by the stars after bearing my heir. This witch was a deceiver.

"We are deceivers when we tell you prophesies you refuse. Like bitter wine you spit out, you hope we won't stain you with the truth. Yet we are your seer's when we give you the news you desire. You call us by name when we are in your good graces for the good visions. Hypocrite!" she spat as she circled me, cutting me on my arm and face. "She will choose another and you will die by another because of your stubborn heart." Right then I was brought to my knees, her sword by my neck.

"Your ancestors killed my mother. They ripped a bare babe from the dark hands of the feeder. When she had told your king the true reason for his fallen kingdom. Once, they overlooked it, twice they reaped but never once sowed but thrice I will not be shy. Though you are not to be blamed you will remember and bear their pain." She cried as she raised her sword to strike me.

"You forget one thing," I whispered.

"What?"

"I don't repeat the mistakes of my forefathers, I am not them!" I snapped as I brought my dagger out cutting her thigh, stomach and pushing the knife into her chest. She fell to her knees and I could see her struggling to breathe.

"Ho-w" she breathed out as she looked at me with shock. Gasping for air as she fell onto her back.

"My father taught me to let my words be silenced by my actions. That if anger is what was in me, to let the sword speak. If joy is what I felt to let my fists be raised like it but if pain is what I felt, to never utter the words. To only let the small dagger handle it because words ruin you and the sets were given to you. Just like a dagger, it seems small but it will kill you as much as words." I murmured as I sat next to her. Staring into her eyes that had tears falling out, she blinked and huffed. The pain overbearing her. The blood seeped from her melanin skin, like rubies found in an undiscovered cave. You could not stop watching with awe.

Suddenly everything faded and we were back at the home. The men looked at me with a small smile and nodded. She stood before me with food, not soup but enough like royalty. Unsure whether or not this was a trick I refused to move, cautious of her and her movements. She placed the food in front of me with a rising smile.

"Your father is wise and you have earned my respect. We are all different. We are all more to not be judged for the failed decisions of our forefathers. For once, in my years of living, I honor you. Never again shall I repeat the mistakes they have taught me. I am sorry." she said calmly. Rollin came from behind her and laying his hands on her shoulders. Instantly I could see her be calmer than the river.

Finding the soul mate brings many things and never once is it easy but each decides on their own. They are the only ones who calm you, intensify but also you are the one who gives them power over you. You are also the only one who decides whether or not to allow the power to stay.

"We must travel immediately when the set arises, she will face danger soon. We must find her but soon we will be separated." Rollin said.

"I foresee the worst coming in her journey," Emihle said as her eyes begin to immediately glow white.