THE INSUPERABLE: a close betrayal

Part 4: The fall

The Persians started wheeling out barrels of ale, song and cheer filled the air. Their celebrations however were hankered when they noticed a rather large, imposing man, without a thread of clothes, walking up the hill. "Commandant Ervin sir!" a Persian archer yelled from the ramparts, "You might want to have a look at this". The Commandant marched up the ramparts and grabbed the archer's looking glass. "What is he doing?" he asked. "He appears to be coming this way." The archer sounded confused. "Why is he naked?" the Commandant asked. "I am very confused sir, maybe he's a messenger?" the archer said observing the man. "The man is built like a minotaur what messenger looks like that?" the Commandant exclaimed. "Should we send someone down to hear what he wants sir?" "Very well," the Commandant sighed, "Send down a few men but make it quick I'm in no mood to prolong this affair any further."

A small company of Persian soldiers emerged from the gates, they marched towards the large man. When they reached him they halted addressing him. "In the name of emperor Farhad, we greet you spartan please relay any messages or demands, so I can deliver it to the appropriate ear," the commanding officer said courteously. Kalib never faltered in his stride nor did he look at the scrawny Persian company, he simply continued on his way. "Errm...sp...spartan," the perplexed officer's terrified voice rang out, "You are to relay any messages unto me!" Kalib stopped dead in his tracks, turned his head, and looked straight at the now shivering man. "Can I help you dear man?" he asked politely. "I'm... I'm here to listen to your demands spartan sir," the officer asked with a stutter. "Demands?" Kalib's dark head tilted slightly.

"You have me confused Persian, I'm no messenger but I do have a message for your leader," Kalib said with a calm tone, "And what might that be sir?". The officer asked caution creeping into his eyes. "Tell your Leader to start firing if he has any hopes of surviving this day," the ominous voice rasped as dark chestnut eyes caught hold of the now frightened gaze of the young officer. A long gasp escaped the officer's lips, he turned around and ran back to the fortress. His men followed close at heel.

"They're coming back," the commandant noted wearily. "He looks like he's seen a ghost sir," the archer blinked nervously. "SHOOT, SHOOT HIM!!!". The retreating officer yelled as he ran towards the gate. "What's that oaf going on about?" the commandant asked annoyed. " It almost sounds like he wants us to shoot sir..." "Plow it! I'm in no mood for this, shoot that big bastard and let's be done with this day!" the commandant ordered. "With pleasure sir. Archers... arrows at the ready!" the archer commanded. The Persian archers pulled back on their bowstrings and aimed their bows directly at the oncoming Kalib. Kalib however did not falter from his course nor did he flinch. Not once did he cower or raise his arms in defense, he merely kept marching on.

"He's a dead man," general Achates expressed concern from their safe vantage point. The king remained silent, simply observing what was unfolding before his eyes.

"FIRE!" the clear order rang through the now silent afternoon. Hundreds if not thousands of arrows came flying through the air, casting a dark shadow over Kalib's face as they drew closer. The archers erupted in cheer and laughter, marveling at their second victory of the day. However, those same cheers and laughter soon turned to an uncomfortable silence when the commanding archer shouted aloud: "Commandant Ervin! He's...he's". He could barely speak, his eyes, large as boulders. "What is it, man? Speak up!" the commandant asked irritatedly. The archer was struck mute, staring down at the battlefield. "Do you have dung in your ears? What the hell is going on?" The commandant rushed towards the ramparts but froze as he looked down. "It... it cannot be..." the words fell from his lips with great difficulty. "Sound the horn, everyone at your stations; archers ready your arrows and prepare to fire, once more!" the commandant shouted orders left and right, soldiers were running around frantically and confused.