Chapter 23

There were a few reasons Kylian had decided to confront Cenetaur at the entrance of the gate.

First even if there was a commotion at the entrance, it would take soldiers and guards a lot of time to reach the outer gates.

Secondly, the inside of the city was too crowded, and Cenetaur would be staying in the rich circle, it would have been impossible for Kylian to even get close to him inside there.

Third reason was a bit psychological, people tend to ease down a bit when they see their destination reached, so Kylian had better chances to catch Cenetaur off guard.

Even though the fat Guild master had informed about Cenetaur's arrival at night, but Kylian positioned himself early in the morning. He had waited far too long for this day and the opportunity was too great to be missed, and being late was the stupidest reason he could think of.

The outside of the gate was ideal for Kylian's sneak attack, there was just a single pathway leading to city gate, and around that path stood two cliffs, the slope of which was neither plain nor too steep. And the best part was large boulders spread all across these slopes.

Kylian had positioned himself almost eighty strides from the entrance, on an elevated ground behind a huge boulder, the pathway from his location was enough to get a clean hit on anyone. The vicinity of two hundred strides around the gate was visible from where he stood, enough for Kylian to catch upto anyone, even if his target was on horseback.

'Hodor had assured Kylian that he could spot Cenetaur even from a distance. So both 'Hodor and Benn were on much higher grounds, from their position they could see the path as far as a mile.

Even though there were not many visitors or nobles exiting the city, because of the Honourless Guild incident. But Kylian stood there like a statue throughout the day, countless throwing knives all hidden, probably the most he had carried at one time.

Kylian had no idea how strong the mage was and fighting a battlemage head-on was suicide. Kylian had a simple plan, without alerting Cenetaur try to get him with a throwing knife or at least injure him severely. Then if need be engage him, even though Kylian wasn't sure if any of this would work but it was something that has to be done.

It was past dusk by now, Kylian could see light from the Rich circle illuminating the whole of the city, like one big lamp.

Kylian felt a shiver as he heard movement behind him, without even looking he knew it was time.

"Kylian he is.... here," Benn spoke trying to catch his breath and speak at the same time "Ten minutes....Two people...on horseback....one in white robe...the other his guard....good armor." Benn looked at Kylian hesitantly, even though he did not wanted to jinx Kylian before the battle but he could not stop "Are you sure about this Kylian ?"

Kylian gave Benn a simple nod, even if he wasn't he had to do it, there was no other way.

"Go hide there." Kylian pointed towards a large stone, several strides behind him "If you see me missing my first hit, you run stealthily towards the top and escape, make sure they don't see you."

Benn looked at him in horror, he could hear Kylian was uncertain about the outcome "You don't have to do -" Benn was just mid-sentence when Kylian cut him.

"Go" he spoke sternly. There was no changing his mind then. Benn quickly did what Kylian asked and made his way to the boulder.

Each passing minute felt like an hour, countless possibilities and thoughts flooded his brain, not a single one of them was to flee.

All the thoughts evaporated as he heard the clicking sound of the horses' hooves against the ground. Kylian reexamined the spot where he would make the attack and tightened his grip. Kylian then hid in the shadow that the huge boulder casted, he made sure not to give away any movement.

Soon the sound closed in, and the two horses came to sight.

Kylian's expression bittered as his eyes fell on the first rider, it was definitely him, the battlemage that burned away his happiness, Cenetaur Tremeur.

Even from such a distance, Kylian could feel his violent aura, even his face looked the same.

Kylian then looked at the guard following him, Benn had done no justice to the armor when he said 'good armor', the armor was gigantic the most intimidating piece Kylian had ever laid his eyes on. There was even a dull blue glow to the armor.

Kylian hesitated for a second, but soon dismissed all the unnecessary thoughts, at such time even a slight distraction could turn out to be fatal. And he just had to get Cenetaur from a distance.

Kylian carefully looked at the mark, where he could get Cenetaur from his blind spot.

When Cenetaur's horse was twenty strides from the mark, Kylian held his breath and slowly stretched his knife hand back, ready to get him.

Just as the horse was two strides behind the spot, Kylian hurled the knife with a fast swing of his hand, aiming for Ceneteur's head.

The moment the knife left Kylian's hand, both Cenetur and his guard's head turned towards him. Kylian knew instantly his attack was seen, but the knife was aimed perfectly.

The armored man leaped from his mount, the horse beneath the man sprawled on the ground by the sudden pressure. Within just a heartbeat the armored man covered five strides and with a flick of his arm veered off the knife aimed at Cenetaur.

Kylian's eyes opened wide, he had not expected him to be that quick and that too with such armor.

Everything happened within seconds.

Kylian quickly took out two more knives and aimed both of them towards the two, one for each head. Even though he knew he could not get through the armor but keeping the armored man busy was enough.

Without any change in expressions, Cenetaur stretched his arm towards Kylian, the air wreathed around his hand, and a fireball as big as a man's stomach formed and instantly launched towards where Kylian was.

The fireball met the two knives midair burning them to nothing. Kylian quickly took cover behind the boulder.

"BOOOOMMMM" the fireball crashed into the boulder.

Instead of a boulder that was at least 5 feet thick before the attack now stood just inches of a thin sheet of burnt stone.

"Don't mind that insect, your majesty" the armored guard spoke "I will take care of him, you must meet Scilias Mallor inside the city. We are already running late."

Cenetaur looked at him and spoke through gritted teeth- "Make sure to crush him Garrick"

Garrick was the rogue God Plate bearer from Otron Kingdom, who was now a part of Cenetaur's army.

Kylian twitched when he saw Cenetaur leaving, he shifted to the other end of the rock or whatever was left of it and quickly tossed one more throwing knife at Cenetaur.

When Garrick realized Kylian's intention, he moved swiftly and blocked both of them, this time not even bothering to use his arm, the knife hit his chest armor and just deflected. His smiling eyes were visible through the narrow space in his helm clearly mocking Kylian for his futile attempt.

Kylian got out of his cover and unsheathed his blade while slowly walking backward, he wanted to take as much advantage of the slope as he could.

Garrick charged at Kylian like a bull. He did not even stop or change direction even for the burnt boulder and rammed through it, shattering it pieces. He wanted to show their differences in strength.

He then came to a halt, ten strides from Kylian.

"Hahah" he laughed "What makes you think getting your guard up could save you from me." he mocked Kylian.

Kylian was unfazed and a bit vexed too. This man was the reason Cenetaur had escaped.

When Garrick did not get any reply, he rushed towards Kylian. He was bare hand, gauntlet were his weapons.

Kylian quickly did a side roll and struck Garrick's leg, it was not effective as Kylian had expected, he could tell the man did not even feel the strike.

Kylian quickly got up and slowly backed away, taking height and trying to maintain as much distance as he could until he find some flaw in his opponent.

This time Garrick did not just rush towards Kylian, with quick steps he closed in and threw a jab. Dodging the punch Kylian thrusted a knife towards the man's eyes, the only exposed part.

"Claggggg" the sound echoed and Kylian's hand ricocheted.

Garrick had covered his eyes with his free hand just in time.

"You smart" he said and dived forward at Kylian for a grapple, Kylian pushed himself back and while falling landed a hit on his helm. "Clanggggg"

Both of them fell to the ground. Kylian had got what he was looking for, a flaw. The whole armor had just a few joints, and one was at the neck. He had seen the helm move just a bit, when he landed his last hit.

Kylian quickly got up on their feet, and again started moving backward.

Garrick was irritated by now, he could not believe Kylian was still moving and even managed to land a hit on him. Garrick lunged towards Kylian, this time he was ready if his opponent tried dodging.

But this time Kylian did not move, he dragged his foot on the ground and kicked the soil towards his opponent. Garrick's vision blurred and he felt an itch in his eyes because of the dust and soil particles. He quickly moved a hand to block his eyes, the only exposed area Kylian could get him through.

"Clang.,.Clang...Clang" Kylian landed three heavy blows on the neck of his helm.

Kylian could see the helm jiggle slightly, even Garrick felt it this time.