The Day We Choose to Die

Around noon at one of the gates of Bintan, the guards were busy doing their usual patrol. The Sulten had instructed them to be extra vigilant in their duties and to report anything suspicious. For the second week since the instruction was given, they had not noticed anything.

"Anything strange today?" one of the guards, who had just resumed his watch on the city gates alongside another guard, asked the guards he was about to relieve.

"It's the usual," one of them replied. "I doubt anyone is going to invade Bintan anytime soon. There is news that there will be a battle in either Hadia or Sworis. According to rumors, both armies will face each other soon. There's no way they would have time to invade Bintan now," the guard explained.

Sigh, "I just hope everything is really as you said and Lord Rashid is just spooked after he almost lost his daughter."

"Well, have a nice shift," the other guard said, and left with his partner.

After both guards left, the guard who had spoken to the previous guards began to speak to the guard beside him.

"You know, there's no way for Bintan to remain neutral while the rest of Wize tears itself apart. Not with the amount of resources Bintan has," the guard began.

"Every time I'm in constant worry about what will happen if an army marches on the city. Will we be able to defend it? We couldn't even prevent assassins from sneaking into the city," the guard said.

The second guard grumbled under his breath, trying to signal to the other guard that he would rather do his duties in silence, but his partner ignored him and continued talking.

"You know, if only there was a way to just end all this. I just want to leave quietly with my family in peace, if you get what I'm saying," the guard said.

"You're not the only one wishing for some peace and quiet," the second guard muttered under his breath.

"What? Did you say something?" the talkative guard asked.

"No," the quiet guard replied.

"Oh, okay then. You know, my daughter always says she wants to become a seamstress. She sometimes says she'll one day leave Bintan and go around the world learning about the different clothes and fashion choices in each kingdom. Can you imagine, my daughter out there on her own? How would she survive? Sometimes I wish she would just stop growing up..." The talkative guard rambled on, and the quiet guard could only listen in silence, hoping he would wear himself out very soon.

As he was listening, he saw a shadow rising in the distance. He didn't know what it was, but a few seconds later, multiple shadows could be seen until it became visible that a large number of people were approaching the City of Bintan.

The quiet guard immediately turned to his partner, who was still rambling.

"Shut up! There is—"

The talkative guard suddenly covered his mouth and spoke.

"Shhhhh, I'm sorry, I have to protect my family."

Those were the last words the quiet guard heard before a sharp pain invaded his chest and blood began to pour out from the wound the talkative guard had inflicted.

The quiet guard didn't even let out a sound and fell, lifeless.

The same thing was happening all around those guarding the gate. Some of the guards had killed their allies. In a single minute, they had succeeded in killing those that were loyal to the Sulten of Bintan. All they had to do now was open the gate for the army that was now approaching.

In the Jasim family mansion, Rashid and Ramon were in Rashid's office, both wearing armor. Ramon sat on his chair and was as calm as ever, looking at the mysterious piece of paper he had found at his doorstep three nights ago. He had been trying to figure out which of his men, a member of the elusive Sum, one of the king's legion, was in his household. It could have been anyone—from the maids to the guards, the cooks... It could have been anyone. After a while of thinking, Rashid could only sigh regretfully. A few seconds later, the door opened, and one of his men walked in.

Ramon dropped the note and turned to the guard.

"Is everything ready?" he asked immediately.

"Yes, my Lord. Everything is ready."

"And my wife, is she out of Bintan?"

"Yes, my Lord."

"Good."

"Ramon, let's go," Rashid said and walked out of the office. The three men walked quietly through the halls of the mansion until they finally got outside, where three men were waiting for them.

"Rashid, Ramon," one of the three men greeted the Sulten and his guard with a smile. The man was taller than Ramon and a bit older. He had tanned skin, and black hair, and he wore a well-refined black armor that made him look like someone from a noble and prestigious background.

"Ha, Karkal, it's good to see you again," Rashid greeted the tall middle-aged man, with two swords strapped behind him.

"How is Lord Argos doing?" Rashid asked.

"Ahh, you know Argos, always pissed at someone or something, and when the fool isn't, he'll be pissed at himself," Karkal replied.

"It's good to hear he's as healthy as ever," Rashid replied.

"Well, you did send a lot of gifts, which also did well in putting him in a great mood, somewhat," Karkal said.

"By gifts, you mean six months' worth of Bintan's wealth and resources," Rashid replied almost bitterly.

"Well, you asked for the best. It's only right that you pay the right price for it. Do you think me and my men would come cheap?" Karkal asked.

"No, I know you are worth every dime. But still, I'm a greedy man," Rashid replied.

"That you are," Karkal said with a smile. "You know, I was shocked when you asked for me specifically. I wasn't expecting it. Are you really planning to remain neutral throughout the war?" Karkal asked.

"Why not?" Rashid replied. "Let me ask you this, Karkal. If a rich man lives behind a barricaded iron gate, and everything he owns is kept safe behind the walls, and one day thieves come and ask him to either open the door willingly and have only his property stolen or refuse and allow them to come in, making them do it forcefully, after which they would kill him and then take all he owns—what is the rich man meant to do?" Rashid asked.

"I don't know, I'm a mercenary, so in that story of yours, I'll probably be one of the thieves, so either way, it will be a good day for me," Karkal replied with a loud laugh.

"Yes, Karkal, you are a mercenary, and a mercenary should earn his keep—so should a thief. If he needs to steal anything, he should do it through blood and sweat like a thief should."

Rashid had thought of his options long and hard. He had considered them before getting to this point, so, there was no going back.

'If the usurper Jai or Hadia wished to take Bintan, then they should at least earn it through their blood and sweat', Rashid thought.