In a cold, deserted area. Vast and eerie, the wind howled through the scarce grasses on the ground, picking up sand.
The night moon's glow reflected on the small pond that rested on a small piece of land at a corner, shimmering faintly.
In this deserted landscape was a lone tower, old and ruined nestling in the distance. The tower appeared old, some parts of it broken. Cracks ran along its walls at some parts, and the wind whistled through its windows.
Deep within this tower was a large room, lit dimly with a few wooden torches hung to the walls. In the middle of that room was a round molded wall, resembling a table, but its inside was filled with water.
Almost like a well. Seated round this table-like well were seven figures.
Their shadows stretched behind them, their faces and bodies hidden beneath the black cloaks they were draped in. Even on their hands were gloves. Not a single part of their skin was left uncovered.
The cloaks poured over their faces, masking their identities completely.
They were seated rigidly, like ones gathered to discuss an important matter. And the air about them was ominous.
"He still lives," a quiet voice spoke from among them.
"We can all see," another said.
Their voices were low and quiet, as if they didn't want to cause a disturbance, even though the place felt like a graveyard, with only the howling wind reaching their ears.
"But why?"
"Is that not the reason we're gathered? We're all surprised as you."
Their gazes were cast low, focused intently on the well, or table since they were seated round it.
Inside the water that filled the round wall, the image of someone played like a live broadcast, Koul.
The figures watched him with intense focus as he slept peacefully on his bed.
"This is unusual. It's never been seen," one from among them spoke with concern, a woman.
"Indeed. But the pressing question is how? We were sure he died. We watched him die."
"We should've kept watch over him even after we saw him die. Maybe then, we would have seen how he came back to life."
"Nothing seems unusual about him either. The only thing is that he's been more quiet, but I can't say. Experiencing death does a whole lot, after all."
"So? What will be the plan?"
"We have no choice but to keep watch over him. We'll see soon enough if his fate would repeat itself, or…. bend to his will."
"Then…. let this departure not be the end of our gatherings."
The water broadcasting Koul on his bed stirred gently, fading away the image and returning back to ordinary water.
The figures rose and like ghosts, they faded into the wind, disappearing from sight.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The next day, slow repeated knocks stirred Koul from his sleep. He raised his head slightly, eyes squinted and drowsy.
Then a soft voice drifted gently into his ears. He didn't know for how long it had been repeating but he knew it had gone on for a while.
"..jesty. Your majesty. Your majesty?"
Koul's face wrinkled lightly as he recognized the voice to be the vice captain's, Kanstiv.
He was deliberately knocking low and calling out to him softly because he knew his wives were also in the room with him and didn't want to disturb them.
Koul withdrew his hands from beneath them. They felt numb from their weights that had been on them for so long.
"What is it?" He asked.
"The duel, your majesty. The prince is already awaiting your arrival in the coliseum."
So early? The fuck!
"Why so early? It's still early morning, is it not?"
"It is, your highness. But the prince is already out there and demands you come for the duel."
A wave of headache hit Koul.
"You… show yourself while I'm talking to you," he demanded sternly.
Kanstiv pushed open the door and entered. With a bow, he responded.
"Yes, your highness."
"How long has he been there?"
"About 10 minutes."
"Tsk! Let him continue waiting then. It's too early for me to rise for a duel. I need breakfast."
"Yes, I'll ask the maids to prepare it right away."
With that, Kanstiv left.
Koul exhaled aloud, his gaze shifting to his wives. They seemed deeply asleep.
He wondered why they didn't even stir and were still sleeping so soundly. His only guess was that they probably don't get enough sleep in their quarters.
So he let them be.
Koul had his breakfast calmly. He couldn't care less that the prince was waiting for him outside.
Even if he agreed to the duel, he wasn't about to entertain a selfish man's inconsiderate behavior.
It took about an hour for Koul to finally agree to go to the duel. Everyone that had gathered murmured and thought he had chickened away and decided to forfeit.
And prince Armin was gravely angered. He sought to burst into Koul's chambers to drag him out but Koul's knights wouldn't let him near his chamber.
He had no option than to wait.
When he arrived there, he wasn't surprised to see the many faces that were present. He was just quite amazed that this many people could gather up in such a short period.
Even more elders than he knew were present. Apart from the several of them he knew, some he wasn't yet acquainted with were there.
And again, his wives were also present. As were the knights, the villagers and so on.
When Koul arrived at the coliseum, Armin's rage mounted. While Koul had a calm face, his was drawn tight.
Without any greeting or proper acknowledgment, he raised his sword and pointed it at Koul.
"Prepare. I will strike now."
His tone was thick with rage and the seriousness behind it couldn't be denied.
One of Koul's knights immediately ran forward and handed a mini wooden sword to Koul.
"We weren't able to carve a proper dagger in time, so we got you this mini sword instead."
Koul took it with a smile. He was quite glad his men knew his preference now.
He returned his gaze to Armin.
I have one thing to my advantage. And that's that Armin isn't aware I've changed since the last duel.
He doesn't know I've been training and I don't know for whatever reason, but he hasn't sensed or noticed the change in my body.
Because of this, he'll continue to underestimate me. And underestimation paves way for victory, even if little.
With a calm voice and composure, Koul replied.
"Sure! Come at me."