Chapter 11

(12 years back)

A wail echoed off the stone walls and startled the ravens forcing them to a flight. 'Dislocated shoulder ?' but there was blood, maybe a deep cut ?

"Quiet !" the command was followed by cracking of whip against skin, and muffled crying. "You cannot afford to be heard, you cannot let show of your emotions, at any time, even if you are hurt."

The boy of six stifled his cries, showing any emotion further would only lead to further punishments from the master. He had been careless on his footing, really careless. If he had balanced his weight properly and hadn't rushed at the last moment he would have avoided the fall.

Always expect danger where you expect it the least, he had been taught several times. His empty stomach had only acted as a catalyst to his irrationality. It was his cry that had made his punishment worsen, showing emotions was a sign of weakness.

A shadow fell over him as Master Zekov towered above him. His face blazing with fury. "Explain."

Kylian cleared his throat, his shoulder was still burning - "Wrong footing, foolish dash, display of emotions." Kylian was feeling light his consciousness was fading. Losing consciousness would only mean no breakfast, he dug his nails to remain conscious, but the pain on his shoulder was excruciating.

Kylian looked over his shoulder to check only to find his shoulder bone jutting out from his back. As soon as his eyes fell on the bloody edges of the bones peeping through his flesh, he gave a deep screech. "Master, I cannot."

Master Zekov looked at him with unfazed emotions- "Then, you die. There will no one to help you, you are all alone. No one will care for you, you have to be strong really strong. Stop crying now and get yourself healed by Master Maya. No breakfast for you." Master Zekov scoffed at the sobbing child- "No lunch too, if you keep crying."

"Sorry master." Kylian took a deep breath and with careful steps walked towards Master Maya's chamber. The pain was still there and with every step it only seared more.

"Make sure to be awake through the treatment. I will be checking with Master Maya later."

"Yes master." Kylian replied but he wasn't sure if he could even make it there without losing consciousness.

(Current)

Kylian woke up to the bustling noise of the villagers outside. He rubbed his eyes and let out a yawn. It was morning already, he felt much better, the soreness in his joints all gone. Kia had sent for fresh clothes and some water for cleaning just after he went to the hut. He could not remember the last time he felt so fresh or slept so well, the air felt so good without its metallic touch.

Kylian jumped out of his bed to see what the noise was about.

'Are they going somewhere? Everyone ?' he was surprised to see everyone was busy packing up whatever little they had. Faces were brimming with excitement and the children giggling and running all over the place only made the settlement more lively. Kylian wanted to ask the villager for the reason but their expressions only dulled seeing him.

Kylian strolled through the village enjoying the liveliness around, it had been almost a year since he saw such sights.

Kylian heard someone really close behind him. He turned swiftly one of his hand on his sheathed sword, only to find Kia.

"Ummmmm...Sorry for disturbing you." Kia spoke immediately. She looked at least ten years younger than she did yesterday.

"It's nothing" Kylian replied. "Is this your daughter?" Kylian looked at the kid beside Kia, no more than five. She had the eyes same as hers.

"Yes thanks to you, she is all fine..... We both want to thank you for what you went through to help us." she spoke with a wide smile.

"It's all fine, and thanks for these clothes they fit me perfectly" Kylian replied a bit embarrassed, he wasn't used to people thanking him.

"Have you seen 'Hodor and others?"

"Three huts from our's " she instantly replied, smile not leaving her face even for even once.

Just yesterday she looked so pitiable. Kylian thought

"I will show you come."

After walking for a while they reached her hut- "There" she pointed towards the giant.

Kylian was left surprised to find 'Hodor surrounded by children of different ages all around him swarming like bees. One small girl on his shoulder clutching the Giant's bald head -"Look I am the biggest of you all." the girl shouted stretching her free arm. A wide smile on her face.

"My turn" ..."No its mine"....."You already had yours Murphy."

"....Lets play later....little people." 'Hodor said as he noticed Kylian, he gently held the little girl, his hands as big as her stomach, then placed her down on the ground carefully.

"Thank You, Mr 'Hodor" all the children greeted the giant and ran away with chattering.

"That was some sight" Kylian walked up to 'Hodor and spoke.

"....Little people funny..."

Kylian nodded in agreement -"What is this all about. Are they all going somewhere ?"

"...With father..... 'Dicor..."

"Why ?" Kylian asked a bit surprised, was 'Hodor now taking the whole village with him including Benjamin ?

"....All in danger... assassin guild..."

" ? " 'Hodor's words were only complicating things.

"Hey Kylian." Benn called out casually from a distance. His hands, full of hay for the horses.

"He..llo" Kylian replied quizically, unsure what changed since he slept.

"What is happening here ?" Kylian questioned Benn as he walked towards two.

"Everyone is leaving... to the Borkun mountain. His father is a chief or something of a tribe there." Benn spoke excitedly.

"Why?"

Benn looked around and spoke in whispers- "Assassin's, the honourless guild we fought up the hill. 'Hodor says they might come here to interrogate and things can get bad for them."

"Is it even a guild? I have never heard of such." Kylian responded.

"You don't know them, are you living under a rock." Benn asked surprised "They are one of the most ruthless guilds, they have eyes and ears everywhere in Ablon. Everyone shudders to their name and they are the worst to have as enemies." Some of the hay fell from his arm as Benn talked dramatically.

Kylian's information network was lagging, he had to admit that. For five years he wasn't fed any new information. But an assassin guild couldn't rise to become one of the strongest in such a short time and the assassins he fought over the cliff weren't elites.

"What about Sacred hand ?"

Benn burst into a fit of laughter. Throwing hay all over the place

"....Farmer don't....throw...." 'Hodor pointed towards the grass which was by now all over the ground by then

"Sorry...sorry." he then looked at Kylian amused "I did not take you to be a funny man Kylian."

"What ?"

" 'Sacred hands' seriously, it's all myths and fantasies Kylian. It's a children's story." Benn wiped the water off his eyes- "Now you would say even the Ancient is real."

Kylian looked at Benn and wanted to tell him of the reality, but he decided otherwise. He had other major worries and the most important of them was his lack of information. Five years worth of crucial information he was lacking, during his training his masters had made sure to keep him updated of the outside events.

But now he did not had anyone and With such a lack of information, he was sure it would be impossible to find that mage.

Misunderstanding Kylian's silence for fear Benn spoke further "Don't worry Kylian, I am sure you could slip through the borders. Just make sure to stay away from Mattidis city."

"What of Mattidis city ?"

"You seriously don't know about them, Kylian do you ?" Benn spoke mockingly but was met with Kylian's twitch.

"They have their main guild there, in Mattidis city." Benn spoke immediately.

"They operate openly ?"

"Yes they do. Why ?"

Kylian was now sure, the guild must just be just a low tier or middle tier , no elite guilds operated so openly. But if they had a good information network, it would be where he would start his search.

"They have a good information network you say, Benjamin." Kylian asked again to get reassured.

"Yes the best among the assassin's guild and they are ruthless."

"....What plan ?....." 'Hodor spoke from a side.

How could 'Hodor read him so easily Kylian often wondered, but there was no reason to lie.

"I will give them a visit"

"ARE YOU INSANE." Benn screamed in disbelief.