Forgotten Conqueror

by Za1d3

  They found the hideout and eliminated most of the bandits eleven days ago, but the leader and a couple of his underlings escaped their grasps, vanishing into the forests. Splitting up their mercenary group, he had chosen to lead the hunting party and had been chasing them ever since.

  After eleven arduous days, only 3 of the bandits remain. As they followed the direction of where the three fugitives have gone in the darkening forest, fire light could be seen up ahead.

  “Prepare for an ambush.” He notified his subordinates as they approached the light.

  In front of him were the three they had been chasing. “No matter how many reinforcements you have, the results will be the same! Give up!” He shouted, his tone: deep and commanding. His men made a small formation beside him, ready for any surprises.

  “I don’t know about that!” a man with long gray hair countered, stepping aside to reveal a small figure at sword point. “One move, and the boy gets it.”

  “You-” He stopped.

  ‘What is going on here?! Why is there a boy here?!’ his mind shouted in confusion. A figure: small enough to be a young boy of 10, cloaked in dark red, wearing a hood that concealed the upper half of his face. The boy stood in the middle of the three bandits.

  “I don’t know what you’re playing at, but let the boy go and I will give you a merciful death!” He shouted back. “You don’t want to do this!”

  “You destroyed our hideout, killed our brethren, hounded us for days, and you expect us to just lie down and die?! NO! You move, and we will kill this boy right here!” the gray haired bandit leader shouted. “I don’t know what the gods have in store for us, but this is undoubtedly a gift from them! You will all stay here and allow us to leave, or the boy joins us in the afterlife!”

  “What do we do captain?” a subordinate asked from his side.

  Taking a closer look at the figure, the small boy did not look scared nor was he nervous and shaken up. Instead, a calmness exuded from the small hooded figure.

  ‘Could this be a ploy?’ He wondered. ‘People like these have no qualms about killing children, but this boy could possibly be one of their own, planted here for this exact purpose. It is incomprehensible that a child would be here alone at this time of day.’ He persuaded himself.

  Not yielding to the other party’s demands, he took a step forward.

  “Stay back!” the bandit with a bow shouted, inching his sword ever closer to the boy’s throat.

  He glanced at the boy once more. In the flickering light of the fire, he saw that the child’s mouth was curving upward into a smile. He hesitated for a second then move forth with his gut feeling.

  ‘Sorry if I am wrong, but I cannot let these men go.’ He apologized to the boy in his mind.

  He lunged forward, closing in on the bandit who was holding the sword to the boy’s throat.

  “Helto-!” The bandit leader called out, then suddenly stopped.

  His target attempted to jump back, but froze for an instant. Not letting the chance slip, he brought his sword forth from a low angle and sliced upward in a half moon slash in front of him. The wiry bandit was cleanly cleaved in half.

  His subordinates had also moved as soon as he made his move. The bandit leader and the bald armored bandit to the side both fell without making a single sound.

  “So much for being the leaders of their band of brigands, they didn’t even put up a fight.” his subordinates scoffed.

  It was quite puzzling that they did not even attempt to defend themselves. Without a second glance at the three dead bandits, he turned towards the boy. “Are you alright?”

  “Yes, thank you.” a polite reply. A childish voice, befitting his small size.

  “What are you doing here at this time of the day?” He asked the child. Gesturing the dark forest around him

  “I am sorry, but I must be on my way. Thank you for your help.” the boy replied, taking a step towards the darkness.

  A lone boy in the middle of these forests. The closest road is at least a day of walking distance away, and dangerous animals roamed the forest. Yet here the child was, undaunted by everything that had just occurred around him. Something wasn’t right.

  “Who are you, and what were you really doing here?” He pointed his sword at the boy, recalling the eerie smile earlier.

  “Captain what are you doing!?” one of his subordinate called out at his actions.

  “I’m not with them, if that’s what you’re asking.” The boy calmly replied, staring at the three dead bodies.

  “What is your name? Where are you from ‘boy’?” He inquired in a serious tone, keeping his sword pointed at the child.

  “Who I am or where I’m from is irrelevant.” The boy replied. With the hood obscuring most of the boy’s face, it was impossible to determine what the boy was thinking.

  “I can see that you all are bounty hunting. Put that sword away, or none of you will be returning to collect on those bounties.” A low voice unlike that of a child’s squirmed through the air, whispering death into his ears.

  His senses went up in alarm, and he took a step back falling into a defensive stance, uncertain of what just happened. Although unsure if they heard what he heard, his men saw what he did and they too, readied themselves for an ambush.

  After a span of time with nothing happening, the boy turned away from the fire and began walking into the darkness.

  “Stop!” he shouted, but the boy kept walking.

  “Pazilr, apprehend that boy!” he ordered one of his men.

  The man obeyed, and dashed towards the boy, bringing his arms out to grab onto the child. With a sudden motion, Pazilr was sent flying back at the group, grunting in pain.

  All his men angled their swords, ready for a counter attack.

  The boy turned to face them.

  “I implore you to not try that again. The next one will be joining those three.” the boy warned them, pointing to the dead bandits. “I appreciate what you’ve done, and as a token of my gratitude, there is a boar over by that tree. Feel free to help yourselves to It.” the boy pointed towards something hanging from a tree before walking away again.

  “Halt!” He shouted. The boy stopped and turned to look at him again. “I am Captain Zikale Lorvak, leader of the Droxxon mercenaries. I gladly welcome death.” he charged to apprehend the small figure. He was confident in his abilities and those of his men. They would capture and question the boy.

  He stormed forward, ready to counter whatever the child may throw at him. As he loomed over the child, his hands went for the boy’s hood. Before he could grab the child, his body froze for a second. In that brief moment, with a wave of the child’s hand, he was blown sideways into a tree.

  He was dumbstruck at what just happened. Quickly pushing himself off the ground, he yelled for his men to stop what they were about to do.

  “You… that was magic…” he spoke in astonishment. Even if the child’s magic had taken him by surprise, a mere child blew him away like he was nothing. Armor and all. He himself knew a little magic, but what just happened was beyond his understanding. Not to mention, a mere child held such power.

  “You could have easily taken care of those three… they did not move to protect themselves because you stopped them while we killed them…” He rationalized what happened out loud. “How is it possible that a child… Who are you?” he questioned again.

  “I am just a traveler.” The boy replied before stalking off into the darkness once more.

  This time, he stopped his men from attempting to follow the boy.

  ———————————-

  Away from the group, making sure that no one was tailing him, Kaidus took to the sky.

  He had wanted to see who the group chasing the three bandits were before exterminating them all.

  The second group was a group of seven.

  Six of them dressed in leather armor, each wielding a slim short sword, perfect for quick attacks. Two women and four men.

/>   The seventh man adorned a full plate of armor, covering his entire body from head to toe. He held a longsword, unlike that of the other six. His sword radiated a soft orange glow as if it had just been taken out of the forge. An intricate pattern of runes ran along the side of the blade, giving it an ornate design.

  His impression was that they were bounty hunters, considering the dialogue between the two who he deemed the leaders.

  In the brief fight against the bandits, as soon as the armored man moved in for an attack, he had immobilized the three who were threatening to kill him—resulting in a one sided slaughter. The seven did not look like bad people, but he was uncertain about the circumstances that brought them to his location.

  The man began questioning him, and a quick exit did not seem to be an option. Even after offering his boar, it did not appease the armored man’s curiosity.

  ‘Droxxon mercenaries. Captain Zikale.’ It clicked in his head instantly after the man had shouted out his name and position.

  The man was Zikale the Red, one of the Ten Captains in the Darsus mercenary guild, and Troyle’s former captain from his mercenary days. He had heard many great stories about the man from his parents.

  As the man charged him, he could not bring himself to take the life of his father’s old captain. He willed Zion to blow the man away as a show of his domination over the group. His plan succeeded and deterred any further actions.

  He was thankful that in the darkness—and with his hood on—none of them had seen his face. Moving away from the fire, he was also glad none of them had followed him.

  ‘Next time will be with swords.’ he mused to himself, recalling how he had used magic against the unsuspecting man. He smiled.

  He had wanted to clash head to head against the man in a test of skill, but tonight was neither the time nor place.

  Three days later, he walked out of Ferrent’s proximity village where he had spent the first night of his journey. Having rested and refreshed himself during the day, it was time to return to Ferrent.

  Kaidus walked into the woods away from the village as the sun descended over the horizon. In the dark of night, he soared south, following the road to Ferrent.

  Chapter 41 – Happenings

  Adalina finished cleaning the kitchen and entered the living room, only to see her daughter in a sullen mood.

  Anise was quietly turning the pages of one of Kaidus’ book.

  The girl waited for Kaidus all evening yesterday, but he never came back. It seem school was keeping him busy.

  “Cheer up darling, I’m sure Kaidus will be back as soon as he is free.” She reassured her daughter. “How about we go out and get you some of those sweet mulse cakes you love?” Adalina asked as she picked up the girl.

  “Uhn…”

  “Let me finish my letter, and we’ll go. Okay?”

  “Kay Mommy.”

  The little girl attempted to give her a strong reply, but she knew her daughter was sadden that Kaidus didn’t returned. Adalina gave her daughter a hug, bringing the girl along with her upstairs.

  Setting Anise on the bed, Adalina continued her letter.

  She was turning 29 this year. It has been almost 15 years—half her life—ever since she ran away from home on that fateful day by the riverbanks.

  With that single decision, she left her life in the village of Nultulk behind. She lost her mother, father, siblings, and friends, along with any connections or contacts to them.

  Her subsequent years with the mercenary had her yearning for home, but she was afraid of what may happen if she returned to them. She feared that her family would scorn her, thinking she ran away because of the sweet words of a dashing mercenary.

  With the birth of Kaidus, her worries vanished, and her yearning for home slowly disappeared.

  Only after Kaidus left the house last year—to attend the academy—did she realize how painful it was. To see someone whom you’ve poured all your love into ever since they were born leave your side, it was heart wrenching. Although he was only going to the academy; that first night when he left, she stayed up half the night crying while Troyle consoled her.

  He was too young to be apart from them, but she knew he was a brilliant child. She knew he would be wasting his potential if he did not grasp at the opportunities offered to him. It was why she told him to enter Zorin academy after he refused the invitation. The inquisitive look he gave her that day, a look of not wanting to leave her side was seared into her eyes. He was truly a gentle child.

  Her quill moved endlessly, writing whatever came to her mind.

  The letter was for her formerly estranged parents.

  A few days after Kaidus left for the academy, she had sent a letter to the village of Nultulk. She hoped against all odds that it would find her family.

  Four turns ago, she received a reply from her mother. As she expected, the letter encompassed all the disappointments the family felt, and her mother even noted that her father did not want to even acknowledge her selfishness with a reply. After persuading him, her mother was able to draw up a reply, seeing how she was now herself a mother of two and understood their feelings.

  Not only did the letter tell her of how heartbroken the family was at her actions, it conveyed to her how worried they were, and how happy they are hearing that she was alive. That they were truly glad she was safe and happy.

  Her younger brother who was only 10 when she left was now already a father of three himself. Her youngest sister who was only 7 at the time, was also now married with two children.

  Ever since that reply, she continued sending letters to her parents, keeping in touch with them.

  This letter was another of those.

  Finished, she dabbed away any excess ink with a cloth, and folded the letter before sealing it with wax.

  Turning to look at her daughter, the girl was patiently waiting.

  “Let’s go.” Adalina smiled at her daughter.

  “Five shweet cakesh pleashe!” Anise told the lady who was running the bakery.

  “Hello, little Anise.” the woman greeted back, giving her a sweet smile. “Good morning, Adalina.

  “Good morning Beine. Here’s 2 and 4 for the cakes.” Adalina replied, placing the money on the counter. 2 erns, and 4 kuis.

  “Thank you.” The woman thanked as she picked up five palm sized mulse cakes and placed them into a piece of cloth. “Here’s another for always coming by.” The woman added a sixth cake before tying up the piece of cloth and handing it to Adalina.

  “Thank you.”

  “Thank you!” Anise also gave her thanks.

  “Please come again.” the lady saw them off with a smile.

  Back out on the street, Adalina untied the cloth and handed one of the cakes to Anise.

  Taking it, Anise delightedly enjoyed her snack. Her sullen mood from earlier was already gone as she bore into the fluffy cake.

  Enjoying one herself, Adalina held her daughter’s hand as they moved away from the shopping district and towards more of the community district where the library, community center, and delivery hall resides.

  ———————————————————-

  A young girl with long brown hair tied into a ponytail was in her room. She was swinging around a blunt metal practice sword, customized to fit her small build.

  She swung it with raw, unrefined finesse as she practiced the eight forms taught to her. A fire burn inside of her as she moved, weaving, spinning, piercing, and slashing. She wore tight fitting clothes that were unusual for a young lady of her status, and swung her sword with a sense of purpose.

  She is Naleen, the daughter of renowned swordsman Huin Xoras Ravon, and her venerated grandfather is Gelrin Teralt Ravon, Royal Knight Commander of the 11th ward knights.

  Her newfound interest in swords started half a year ago due to envy, but she was now earnestly practicing it.

  Ever since meeting the strange boy, she has been hearing many things about him from her grandfat
her. Praises that went beyond any that he’s ever given her or her older brother. Her grandfather even liken the commoner boy to himself as someone who will surely become a pillar of strength. That: “The boy will one day be the prosperity of Ferrent with his name known throughout Darsus, and maybe even the world”. Her grandfather had never openly declare such admiration to a commoner before.

  Wishing for such praises herself but too young for her magic to have awaken, she could do nothing about it. With some deliberation, she instead begged her father to teach her the sword. It did not require her to know magic, and she did not know if she would be like her brother who was already 17 and still magic-less.

  As if heredity in being born into a family of knights, she took to it extremely well.

  After learning for only a couple turns, even her grandfather had praised her budding skills as a swordswoman, motivating her to continue her training.

  Naleen lowered her body.

  She fell into a guard stance then transitioned to a parry stance before unleashing a flurry of slashes awkwardly against an invisible foe. She evaded and bobbed around, countering the invisible opponent; putting into practice what her father taught her.

  ‘Guard, slash, strike, thrust, evade, kick, thrust, kick, evade, backwards transition, parry’ the movements resounded in her head as she attempts to adapt each motion, trying to make it flow into the next.

  *knock knock* without waiting for a reply, the door opened and her mother walked in. “Naleen, your teacher is here. Go get ready and meet her at the entrance. I hear you two will be going outside today.”

  “May I refreshed myself first?” She asked, putting down her practice sword.

  “Of course darling, pick one of your dresses for walking and head to the washroom. I’ve already had the maids draw a bath for you.” Her mother replied with a gentle smile.

  Her mother had been against her education in the art of swordplay, and wanted her to grow up into proper lady. Unfortunately, being surrounded by such respectful male figureheads, she had grown up to be more of a tomboy than what her mother expected. With her strong sense of justice and incessant begging, her mother relented, allowing her to learn swordsmanship from her father.