Threads of Vengeance

Part 1 Chapter 2

Border of empire, near crystal belt

Kanth staggered out of the forest, exhausted. He had lost his quarry, which had fled into the forest and later had found himself lost as well. It had taken him about a week to find a way out. His clothes were dirty and his favourite shawl was in tatters. His jet black shoulder length hair was now a mud coloured mess.He had no clue where he was. Still, out was better than in he decided. To his left, he saw smoke rising. Using a fallen branch as a makeshift cane he headed in that direction.

Sounds of cheering and laughter greeted him upon arrival. A festive atmosphere hung around a small village. Dozens of people milled about eating, drinking and generally having a good time.

Delicious smells arose from nearby stalls. His stomach growled loudly in response. Last he ate was a rabbit he had accidentally caught three days ago. He knew had no money, but he patted himself to check anyway. He was met with disappointment. Moving closer to a stall, he wistfully stared at some baked goods wishing he could eat through his eyes.

“Hungry?” a voice asked in his ear.

He jumped, startled by the sound. A young man about an inch or two taller, stood next to him. He hadn't heard him move next to him. Maybe it was the hunger. He nodded.

“Two of those, please,” the man addressed the stall owner, pointing to what Kanth had been staring at.

He handed one to Kanth, who promptly wolfed it down as fast he could. Once he was finished, he studied the man who had only just begun to eat. Like Kanth, he looked to be in his early twenties. His features were delicate and his hair cropped close.

“So what's going on here?” he asked the man.

“Shouldn't you ask for your savior's name first?” the man retorted.

“Kind sir, what would be the name of a brave soul such as yours?” he asked mockingly.

“It would Keto,” came the reply.

Both of them laughed. It felt good to be back among humans.

“I'm Kanth” he introduced himself. “And now, would you mind telling me what’s going on here?”

“A group of mercenaries called Cobra mercenaries are hiring” Keto said pointing to a gathering in the village centre.

Kanth raised an eyebrow. “In the middle nowhere?” They were surrounded by mountains one side and a forest on the other.

His acquaintance shrugged. “Word spreads among our kind. Besides, they're pretty famous. One of the only group of mercenaries to have crystal bearers. Come on, It's fun to watch.” Grabbing Kanth's hand he dragged him towards the gathering.

At the middle of the gathering was a small clearing. Two men in armour faced off, both sweating profusely in the glare of the midday sun. One wielded a curved sword and buckler and the other, a giant that towered over his opponent held a spear.

The giant moved with his spear, lunging forward while thrusting the spear in a series of attacks with surprising speed for a man of his stature. The smaller man calmly dodged the first blow and deflected the next one to the side with the flat of his sword. In a second he slammed his buckler on the giant’s head and brought the sword to his throat.

“I yield,” snorted the giant, panting heavily.

The crowd roared. Keto pointed at the small man. “First one to yield loses, if you're both standing when that small incense burns out you still win. Not bad odds, eh?”

“What do I get if I win?” asked Kanth.

“Two meals a day and money in your pocket so long as you stay with us,” Keto replied.

“Us?” Kanth looked curiously at Keto.

The man in question shrugged. “Didn't I tell you? I am one of the mercenaries.”

Two meals a day, that sounded like heaven. Kanth rolled his head and shoulders slowly “Can I use any weapon I want?”

“Sure you can. See that rack over there? Use any weapon you like or bring your own.” He looked at Kanth and added “ Doesn't look like you have any though.”

Kanth stepped into the clearing amidst cheering and pulled his swords out from inside of his clothing. Sword, was a very vague term to describe them. It was a handle from which two very thin, long and flexible blades half a thumb wide emerged. The blades were about five feet long. He had kept it coiled around his waist. He now held one such weapon in each hand.

The two men acknowledged each other with a nod and began. Kanth spun his weapons around him. Slowly at first and then faster and faster till it was nearly invisible, but for a shiny glint when sunlight struck it. He leapt into the air and struck downwards at his opponent who crouched low and blocked it with the buckler.

Kanth landed and without giving a pause, he continued attacking fiercely. His opponent blocked every single one of them and pressed forward with blinding speed, close enough that the whip like motion were no longer effective. Kanth quickly flipped backwards to evade the oncoming curved sword and created distance to attack once more.

Every time, his opponent would make it close and Kanth would create distance to once more attack. There was no room for error. They danced round and round the arena, for how long, he did not know. He knit his brows and attacked, trying unsuccessfully to get past the buckler. His arms grew heavy and sweat poured into his eyes. At long last a bell rang somewhere and the fight stopped. Huge cheering erupted from the audience.

“Welcome to Cobra mercenaries,” His opponent smiled at him. “I'm Anar.”

“Kanth,” he replied with a smile of his own.

Grinning he made his way back to Keto. Who stared at him with his eyes wide.

“I didn't know you could fight like that,” he said.

“Well, we only just met,” said Kanth.

“Still, you should have told me!” He pouted “I lost money thanks to a certain someone.”

Kanth laughed.”You shouldn't have bet against me.”

“Who would you bet for? Someone you have seen in battle or a ragged beggar you just picked up?” asked Keto. “Besides, what are those swords I have never seen them before?”

“They're called Aara,” he said handing one to his new friend.

Keto swung it experimentally.“It tougher than it looks to use it.”

“My master could use one with five blades.” Kanth took it back and grinned. “I snuck out and tried it once. I still have scars all over.”

Keto bought them both drinks grumbling all the while about the money he lost gambling. And so they wandered about looking at the stalls till sunset. At dawn all the mercenaries gathered and left with the new recruits. They would move from battle to battle and only come back the next year.