Chapter 4

The overhead sun pressed down on the body like a great weight. The heat threatened to squeeze the water right out of them, squeeze the life out of them. The sun overhead attacked from above, and the continuous walking made things difficult for their fatigued bodies.

Clenching his grip around his bloodied sword Kylian looked over his shoulder to spot any of his pursuers. He could have escaped alone but his chances would have been thin. In these past two months, he had observed the Jeyan's enough and they weren't a threat, strong definitely but a peaceful race only raising their blades when necessary.

Three Jeyan's escaped with him out of five remaining. The two were injured beyond saving and volunteered to stay behind. Sacrificing soldiers outside battle always felt nasty to Kylian but helping them or staying behind wasn't an option.

"You ride... says father." 'Hodor spoke in his usual broken tongue. Kylian glanced at him. The Jeyan was unusual, different from the rest of his tribe, he was unnaturally light-colored even for Jeyans, a pinkish-tan under his bright eyes. He was smarter than the rest, smart enough to understand Ablon language in just two months, could even speak in broken sentences. He even saved Kylian once from a blade, he was the only person Kylian got himself to trust after being slaved.

"Horse is too Weak" Kylian replied avoiding the Jeyan's sharp eyes, he pointed at the horse who was already struggling beneath 'Odor's weight.

'Hodor listened to Kylian attentively he always did, then turned to his injured father and translated in 'Xylphika', the language of Jeyan's. The language sounded more like whispers and tongue clicks, Kylian often wondered why Xylphika was the only language he wasn't taught in his training.

"Father is grateful" 'Hodor spoke again, trying his best to form a smile like 'otherworlders'. 'Hodor was the only Jeyan he had seen smile. Others seemed just incapable of showing any kind of expressions or emotions.

'Grateful for these bands ?' Kylian screamed within but returned a weak smile and shook his head. After contemplating for a while he finally voiced his concern of a month-"Why don't they all try and kill me ? I bet they might have been sucessful."

His question was met with a quizzical expression. Kylian took a deep breath and spoke again, this time a bit louder and clearer- " Don't they all want to kill me ?"

"Why ?" replied 'Hodor, his eyes on Kylian trying to look further into him, it was because of his keen eyes and observations it felt like 'Hodor could look through him.

"Because of this ." Kylian spoke pointing towards the slave band that had gone dull post the fight.

Kylian could still feel the gash in his gut, 'Odor had given him in the duel but eventually, he had prevailed over the chief of the tribe 'Odor.

'Hodor took a pause, longer than he generally took, pointing his finger at Kylian he spoke in his broken tongue "Not wrong...." then he snatched off the dull band from his arm"....this evil...." then tossed the band away.

Kylain looked at the pink Jeyan amazed yet again, he was wise, wiser than most of the men he had met.

"They wrong ....'friend' not you..... you a warrior."

Kylian twitched at the word 'friend', he could never get used to the ring of it. It sounded so familiar yet so distant. The only family and friends he ever knew were long lost but the memories of his failure clung to him like it was just yesterday.

Even though Kylian had not shown his disapproval but 'Hodor had somehow noticed Kylian's subtle change in expressions, he always did -".....Good Friends.." 'Hodor clasped both his hands gently and formed a smile again.

'Hodor was unpredictable with words as well as his actions. And in these past months he realized that he was not taught well regarding the Jeyan's and their ways at all.

After taking a long pause and searching for the right word 'Hodor continued-"...Jeyn mystery ..... to ourselves.... even...."

Kylian furrowed 'Hodor has done it yet again. Sometimes he just spoke what was going through Kylian's mind and he did not like being read like that. Kylian shook off the unnecessary thoughts, this was no time to think of such things, they were nearing the peak and he was in no mood to be taken off guard.

"Be on guard." Kylian spoke under his breath and took the lead. It was the first time in years he have had such a long conversation and it was exhausting.

They were approaching the peak of the hill and he had learned the hard way to look out for attacks from places one could least expect, especially from the places one expects the least.

He walked up the slope cautiously, on reaching the top Kylian carefully inspected his surrounding, it was just like the one they had crossed, just more barren rocky land.

Kylian narrowed his eyes as he spotted a small settlement at the very foot of their hill. There were scores of straw huts built, spreading loosely over the land. Kylian could feel something was off about it, although it was uncommon to have a settlement in no man's land but the settlement was well hidden. 'Too still', even at midday he could not spot anyone in or around that settlement.

His eyes were still on the settlement when the group behind him broke out into whispers. He turned around and watched his pursuers with indifferent expressions, he was expecting them.

'Five horses, six soldiers,' only a fraction of what they sent last time he tried escaping. The enemies were riding down the hill beside theirs, with their mounts they would catch up in no time.

Kylian glanced at the Jeyan's, all of them battered only 'Hodor was in a condition to fight.

'Six of them'. Right footing is what will matter in the battle to come. Kylian inspected his surrounding, even if he ignores the uncanny village and continued walking, the enemies would catch them before they could reach the huts and he had to fight uphill which would be disadvantageous. Walking towards the enemy and taking the slope for their advantage was a good idea but it would turn against him if the enemies had ranged weapons. It would be best to make a surprise attack and take on the enemies on equal footing.

" 'Hodor" Kylian called out "ask everyone to take this ridge and hide. Be ready to sneak away when I have engaged the enemies."

"No.... we fight" replied 'Hodor instantly, which came a bit of a surprise to Kylian.

"They are not in any condition to put up a fight." Kylian spoke his eyes on the nearing enemies.

"No... we fight..."

Enemies were hasting towards them and any delay would only foil the surprise attack. Kylian took a deep breath and nodded in agreement.

" Take the ridge and be ready for an attack." Kylian gave away orders which were soon translated by the pink Jeyan to the others.

Kylian glanced at his enemies one last time and took the ridge.

The stillness of the cliff was disturbed by the continuous clicking of the beasts' hooves on the barren land. With each passing second the sound was closing in, Kylian held his breath, the first few seconds in the battle would determine the wind of it.

Kylian could one of them, 'ten strides'. Settling his grip on the hilt, he got ready to make a lunge on the enemies. His ears on each and every moment of theirs.

There was a thud on the ground, followed by nearing footsteps of a single person.

'.....eight stride.....six.....three...now' Kylian looked up as masked men casually peeped down the cliff. His uncovered eyes filled with horror and disbelief washed over his face as he watched a sword cut through the air, aimed right at his neck.