A painful memory

Hills of black awaited, luring me to the distant battleground, taking me back to that dreadful night that forever changed the history of Zaza. From afar, I could see their spears and sword. Ghosts of the past fought on the grounds, digging their heel into sodden soil as metal clashed against metal.

The brave warriors of Zaza, led by Army General Cyril and Crown Prince Brock Zaza, fought bravely at the hill of Omen to stop the invaders from gaining entry into the city.

The king and his family fled the capital of Zaza when their lives were at stake and had taken refuge in the mountains of Omen. Brock had sent a handful of soldiers along with them to protect the Royal family.

Paul, the Chief adviser to the king, was left behind to tend to the palace and maintain order. He was an excellent fighter, skilled in both swords and martial arts.

He was the perfect candidate to maintain order in Zaza and lead the Royal Battalion left behind to protect the subjects when the need arose.

Brock, I have received a letter from your father that you should take the royal battalion and head west to fortify the city, Cyril said as he mounted his horse, sword in his hands as he rode off with his men to continue the battle.

Brock was already in the city when he noticed they had fallen into the trap of the invaders. He quickly turned his horse back, and with full speed, he and his men rode back towards the mountain where his family were.

And just like he suspected, several masked men were surrounding the mountains with fire in their hands, intending to burn it to the ground.

How did they know the royal family’s hideout? It meant that they had a mole working for the invaders in their midst, thought Brock to himself.

Kill the royal household and burn the place down. We must find the treasure for our kings, or we will die.

A man which Brock suspected to be their leader shouted while the rest echoed the chat-

Kill them and find the treasure.

Brock fell back, settling himself into a defensive stance as he took in the faces of the invaders. Brock was wounded, and his men were tired from riding all night without food or water, but they were determined to fight till their last drop of blood.

With the rage in his heart and the will to protect his family. He shouted-

Protect the king’s household. We will not retreat for the sake of Zaza. We must fight and conquer.

And they did fight like a wounded lion, defeating the invaders that had come to kill his family.

He had secured the lives of all those taking refuge within the mountain. He quickly went inside to see if no one was hurt, but what he saw sent shockwaves down his spine.

He saw Daniel holding his twin sister, Daniella, shaking her violently and asking her to wake up.

Please stop joking and wake up already, Daniel said as he held her in his arms.

You are making me scared, Daniella. Daniel continued to shake his twin, but she lay there in her blood, unmoving.

“NO…….” Daniel cried in anguish.

Brock froze as he watched his brother crying.

He felt the guilt stabbing at his heart. He should have been here sooner rather than heading towards the city. He could have saved his sister if he had arrived on time, but now it was too late.

Brock went to where Daniella was and knelt beside her as tears breamed down his eyes, betraying the very lesson he learned in the military.

His instructor would have been mad at him for crying like a child. Death was inevitable and was part of the war, as Maddok, his instructor, would usually say.

Brock noticed a piece of fabric in Daniella’s hands. Brock took a careful look at it and found some words scribbled on it with blood.

Trust no one because the enemy is in our midst.

Brock, wake up, wake up.

I felt a hand shaking me violently as I awoke from my sleep and quickly fell back into a defensive position, wanting to eliminate the threat.

Calm down, son, my father said with a frown etched on his face.

Same nightmare? He asked, and I chuckled.

No, Father. Just reliving the past through my dreams. Brock laughed, but you could tell that it didn’t quite reach his heart.

He was well aware of the pain in his son’s heart, but he was powerless to do anything about it. He had hoped that his time away as an ordinary citizen for these past two years would help him heal, but it seemed like his judgment was wrong.

Son, I know you feel that we are forcing you to get married to Rose Bethmot, but a promise is a promise that must be honored.

With this marriage alliance, the two kingdoms shall become a force to reckon with. All the five kingdoms would have no choice but to ally with us. King Mopasa wanted him to see the importance of this union.

I have done everything you’ve ever asked of me, Father. I only want your support for me for once in your life. Is a political marriage of convenience greater than my happiness? Brock asked.

Son

I will choose my bride, and that’s my final decision. Brock commented.

He stood up and walked towards the window as he watched the soft glow of the moon across the pond in the garden, which made a beautiful view.

Alright, let’s talk about this in the morning. King Mopasa patted his son on his shoulder and retreated to the guest room.

Brock took his coat hanging on one of the nightstands in his room. He made his way towards the exit and walked briskly, looking behind him to ensure that none of his bodyguards was trailing behind him.

Brock walked through the back alleys. The light inside and outside the houses had blown out, leaving some parts of the city dark where the lights of the moon couldn’t reach. As the shadow continued to move on the wall, another person stood waiting in the dark.

Do we need to meet in a place like this, like wanted criminals who are evading the local authorities?” said a male voice in displeasure.

Quit with the whining, Frank, Brock replied.

We need to be more discreet with our investigations than before.

We still have not found out who among our people was working with our enemies. It’s been a decade now, and they have managed to hide themselves without leaving a trace, commented Brock.

What have you found? Quizzed Brock.

Timothy met with some officials from the council. It seems like he is still nursing the dream of becoming the ultimate Royal adviser of the Zaza kingdom.

Timothy and Elder James seemed to have something up their sleeves.

I overheard that they are planning to meet with the traders from the Northern Kingdom in the village of Black Wood Pine, explained Frank.

Brock nodded at this new information from Frank. He knew that something was up between the two men. He was only waiting for them to fall into the trap he set for them, and then he would strike.

Inform Mary that I want the annual birthday for my celebration this year to be at Black Wood Pine, said Brock with a mischievous smile.

You have never been interested in the annual bash thrown in honor of your birthday. What changed? Asked Frank, surprised.

Sometimes I wonder how you beat the best scholars in the whole Zaza and ended up becoming Elder Robert’s right-hand man when you are so slow in catching up with things right in front of you, said Brock mockingly.

Are you insulting my intelligence when I have been instrumental in rooting out the corrupt ministers and noblemen among the high council and the king’s cabinet? Frank asked, with his lips pursed.

Indeed! Your role in this kingdom cannot be underrated.

You should know by now that I find such elaborate parties boring. I hope to join Timothy and his business acquaintances in their secret meeting. Brock explained.

Oh! I see, came Frank’s reply as he laughed nervously.

Make sure no one is trailing behind you as you return to the palace, said Brock as he took his leave.