The successor : warrior of north

Chapter 28

ZANDER

The Siagran boats calmly finding their way to the shores thinking that no one's watching them.... Except everyone is. Iguro clan's best fighters were under the river with only hollow bamboo sticks to suck air from the surface. They know about the underwater pits and waves which we will never understand in this lifetime. I often send my soldiers to train under Muki. Fighting them underwater by holding your breath along with waves is something you'll take years to master. I never liked waters, until Zara once fell into this river and I couldn't save her. It was Muki who saved her despite the violent flow of the river. Soon after she recovered I joined him for training. But still not good enough but far more better. Same time Kai trained with Tao Ming. The boats were about 10 meters away from the bank.
                       There were small noises and boot stomping on the boats could be heard. Some on them jumped into the water out of terror. Then there was loud hissing in the middle of the night.
Snakes.......
They slipped some snakes into their boats. Some of them are not moving from where they're lying. Some others have seizures andfoams on their mouth. Others who escaped from the boat that's our prey. There are about 20 of the boats containing atleast 10 Soldiers each. Snakes were swimming in the water and attacking those who were in water. We were strictly prohibited from entering the water. Iguro Clan, they're also poison masters. They don't die with the venom of these snakes they're trained to endure this. The clan members will take care of those who are lateral to us. And those who set their foot on this soil will be sent directly to hell. The clan members who where hiding rise upto the surface with their swords. They call it serpent wings. The sword itself has curves and does not look clean. I know it because I trained here for half an year. The brownish unclean part is the venom mixed with a gum like plant substance. It does not go away unless it comes contact with blood. The venom reacts with the blood and they'll die within 5 minutes, given they're trained soldiers I'll gives them about 10 minutes if they're lucky.
                             As they fight on both sides of us, 1st soldier set his foot on the ground. We looked at him without making noise, soon a dozen others joined him. Seon and two others started from my right side and we all , soon came out of the dark and let the moonlight show our bloodthirsty looks.
Riham....
I stopped at the sight of my friend. The general in commander of Siagra. None of the soldiers accompanying him is not fighting. They dropped their swords to the ground admitting defeat. This is weird. Siagrans fight till their death, they'll never admit defeat. The Iguro Clan retrieved from their space and crowded to my sides. Soon I saw three or four boats with a lamp attached in the front, definitely not fighters.
" Those are our remaining families."
Riham said with pain in his words. He looked up towards the sky trying to control his tears, this blue eyes met mine.
" Kill us Zander. And give refugee to our families. And let the Siagrans think that you are keeping them as your slaves. Please.."
The boats reached the shore and the clan successfully took back their dear pets. A small girl resembling Riham ran towards him and hugged his left leg and peeking me. I smiled at her. She's so much alike him. A lady with terror in her eyes was also scrutinizing me with a baby in her arms. As I assumed it's his wife.
" Take them to Neik territory." I told to Seon. Everyone left except for Riham.
We looked eachother like the old times. He hugged me and let out a deep breath and I hugged him back. Damn.... He's beaten, his back is covered in blood and still he managed to step into the forest.
" What happened?"

                           ******************