Fist of Zamorak

Chapter 9

It was particularly hard to quench the thirst - and the hunger to master combat. We returned back to 'Threehal' as our mother would call it. None of us spoke much, ambitious thoughts and an urge of achievement occupying us both..

Few minutes, that apparently appeared like hours, passed by and Rovasko initiated putting an end to the silence.

"Dragon-head Cysto can help us to a great extent."

"Dragon head?" I enquired.

"Ye, anyone who is exceedingly good and experience at combat is honoured with that title. The title is passed down generations through a duel competition known as Enzosmus."

" So we ask Cysto to help us? And what makes you say he will readily train us?"

Rovasco beamed and it seemed he was prepared for this one,

"Dragon head Cysto, being Father's close friend was also the General in our kingdom. Being a man of morals he could not withstand Mokif's tyrannical rule and thus resigned. The fun part, Enzosmus is supposed to take place later this year and Mokif has all eyes on the title. Cytos is both old and weak to fight Mokif anymore, leave aside retaining the title. He will try his best to stop Mokif from getting the title and I'm sure he will agree, you're the only one that can match his strenght."

"That sounds fun." I didn't really meant it, aware of the responsibilities that lay on my shoulders. I was nervous, yes, but I was determined even for the hardest of training Cysto provides me with.

That night I visualised numerable ways in which Cysto would torture, I mean, train me in. I tried to console myself, "A thousand push ups- no big deal for someone who has defeated a dragon. And running miles cannot be worse than sneaking into that castle or walking all the way to Daynor, bewildered."

Above all that, I was unsure if Cysto would even readily train me. "He will decline. He will know I'm too weak for Mokif, I don't even remember the simple teleporting spells Rovasco uses. Yes, he will never train me. I could not defeat Mokif then, what are the chances of doing so now."

I woke up to find Rovasco's hand on my forehead staring at me.

"What are you..."

"Nothing, just trying a charm to read your mind, and your dreams." Rovasco replied.

We went downstairs where Rovasco had made us some breakfast. I hope to do that for him someday... if I weren't a terrible cook.

"So Rov, the dream-reading thing, one can do that?"

"If one knows the spell, and yes, enough concentration. Worried about the whole 'defeat Mokif' thing, right?"

I gave Rovasco a nod after which he continued, "It all depends on you Zamorak, not interfering with Mokif is an option you can use."

"No, I'm all set... Its just not about me, its about our family, Meherock and all the provinces under the kingdom's rule."

"That's almost the whole world! It was hard to find a place like Crandor, a place untouched by the kingdom's rule. But I've heard Mokif's after it too..."

"That's strange Rovasco; Crandor lies just in the centre of the ocean and ruling it would be such a benefit."

"Oh right, you don't remember anything. You see, our ancestors never captured any land by force. They would rule it, provide proper administration and benefit everyone. Somehow the Crandor royalties did not like that and we were told not to interfere."

I took some time to understand as this was truly complicated. Even worse, I once happened to know all of this.

"So Mokif is trying to expand the kingdom by force?"

"Yes, with the help of the very army once formed for defending the state."

We spoke about everything from spells to the folk tales related to our family. It was funny how Rovasco had to give me an insight about my own family. "Next time at war, I'm definitely wearing headgear."

Rovasko who was packing some bags in his room came running towards the dining table, "Oh and I forgot to mention to yer, Leeps came in the morning asking for ye"

"Me? Why? And you didn't tell me?"

"Yer were sleeping! I did not want to disturb ye, it cant be anything urgent or important, can it?"

"You are right, we have hardly ever spoken. So I guess I'll go pay her a visit.."

"I'll pack us food and necessary equipment; meet me outside her house in a moment" he replied.

Rovasco's hand had brought me luck and I'd say he should read minds frequently. I swiftly ran towards her house in both anxiety and excitement. But I couldn't figure out why she came asking for me. "Maybe she just wants to talk. This would be too early, but I hope she feels the same about me."

I knocked the door twice, for Lee took quite a long time to respond. She finally opened the door.

"Greetings, you wanted to see me?"

She stepped forward, closing the door behind her.

"I was wondering if you knew where the Meherock castle was, since I'm new to this place myself."

"Oh yes, of-course!" Meherock castle was exactly where Rovasko and I had gone the previous day.

"So you have been there?" she said with a smile.

"Yes I..."

Just at that instance Rovasco called me from behind. This was the second time that he had interrupted us, unintentionally of-course.

"I guess you should go.." Leaps hurried like she had got all the answers she needed.

I observed her bruised hands. The mark around her wrists were similar to mine, in the dark manor in Crandor. Before I could inquire, she walked away closing the door unpleasantly.

Something doesn't feel right. I ran back to Rovasco who had been waiting long enough.

I wondered if I should tell him about the way Leeps reacted, her bruised hands and her blood covered wrist. But then again, she was here to learn combat and maybe she is training too hard.

Rovasco leaned forward, "I hope you are ready for a long long walk."

"Always. Just out of curiosity, why aren't we teleporting?"

"Cysto lives on a small island, claimed as his own where teleportation is barred. There is a huge bridge at a small distance from here that will connect us to the island. Cysto believes, only the ones who can cross the whole bridge deserve to meet him."

"Sounds interesting" I replied.

An hour passed before we found ourselves on the bridge. We could not see anything but blue sky at the end of the gigantic bridge.

"Your training has begun..." I whispered to myself.

-------------------------------------

Thanks a ton for reading so far. Sorry for the wait, stay awesome, happy reading.