My sojourn continued.

From the wilderness of Gooldon, I journeyed up North to Midburth, a small town around Kedrone.

I remained there many days only anxiously waiting trouble be sparked again. From Dakor's plan, it shouldn't take long now. I knew he had big schemes for Kedrone.

Meanwhile, as the tension of insurgence heated in Kedrone, Karmadin, now the great King, was living up to my speculation of him as a diplomat. He had made Amlyxone a republic, and was now in fact seeking to Amalgamate Kedrone and all entities of the North together.

The man was a mad man with ravaging ambition as big as his ego. His appetite for power I couldn't fathom anymore.
But what I knew plainly, the men of the Mountain Plains would rather die than be unified with any kingdom. Gezon, I could wager my life on would be last to concede to this madness.

But if I knew a thing about Karmadin, it was that what flew around the region as news, wasn't always the reality of his scheme. The man's contrive was larger than any ones imaginations. I had been sheer victim to it...and so had my arch enemy.

Their was indeed more Karmadin was scheming

Prince Brone and Prince Jeron now oversaw the affairs of Kedrone. I could imagine why Dakor would seek to trouble Kedrone now. The Kingdom was in hand of mild administrator's.

For weeks Dakor was large and still making trouble with the Kedrone empire. More often now there had been series of clashes with Dakor and factions of Kedrone's forces. And in each clash, Dakor always came delivering a brutal blow on the contending troops.

For now, Dakor was growing in size and sophistication steadily. This was always the plan: to grow his forces gradually, through raiding towns and villages -- recruiting young men with enthusiasm and mouth washing them. Once an army is raised in this way, he could easily challenge any stronghold.

He had more pressing agendas; like weakening Kedrones forces and building his, before riding with his men to take Kedrone.

I knew now the dangers of going at him as a solo wolf. I would scarcely pass half the men before I am put to sleep eternal.

There was little I could do from a distance, and even alone. The way that seemed productive enough was joining back the Kedrone forces. Aye, but not as the officer I once was.

I needed to be discrete amid the temptation of returning to Kedrone and assuming my former position. I would even be most resourceful to them now with Dakors plan in my hand.
But I couldn't risk it. If Dakor even had the slightest imagination that I was joining in commanding Kedrones forces again, he would be blown off the wind and remain in hiding almost for eternity.

Besides, if I fought as an infantry soldier standing front lines my chances before Dakor for a single combat was larger. So I was resolved to enlist as an infantry soldier in the Kedrone's forces when of course the time came.

It wasn't long now...

As I speculated, Kedrone was running out of men from Dakor's blows. Karmadin was yet silent, playing the diplomat for sake of whatever scheme he was brewing. Kedrone was now in dear need of men. So when recruiting had began and I and others enlisted, we were chosen at once to join a faction of the kingdoms troops.
 
Our military camp was southern Kedrone, Hamdire. The encampment was an overcrowded one. This was because the barracks was accepting all kind of men in. From my casual appraisal of the recruits, they were more of men seeking food than fighting ones.

A crash training program had to be set in place for us,  and we were further grouped according to how we excelled in the training. Every man knew how to hold a blade and thrust...but not every man was versed in handling rare weapon as a firearm.
  
Yet, behind the shadows of training men, I knew the military were merely seeking men to die at the front lines with Dakor's hoodlums.
It couldn't change my resolute on remaining in the camp.

But my luck kept shifting on better grounds. I was stationed to a faction of forces whose commanding Captain had been charged in chasing for Dakor and his companions.
It was great relieve to be out that camp and in fact back to action. Howbeit, my sorry tales returned only quickly...

For many days we pursued Dakor and his men, through day and darkness, rain and scorching sun, wind and cold, forest and the deepest wilderness, but it was always on a disappointing end.

Dakor was now desperate than ever, ready to sacrifice any of his man to survive. At few occasions he had abandoned his crew and fled, and those who weren't smart to join were left to pay the sacrifice.

The only consoling truth now was that he wasn't far away from us anymore...and even he knew at some point our forces would catch up with him and the two forces would have to settle it fiercely.

                                  ¶¶¶
We received tidings that Dakor and his men were marching due East. And so on that very day, we moved out to catch up with he and his supporters.

Sometime in the afternoon, Dakor too led his men to meet with us. We had sighted them amidst the scorching sun and it made their brandished weapon of all sort, glisten dangerously.

Horses reared and capered, kicking up dust, while the men on foot flaunted all sort of crass  weapons.This with all surety was fated a brutal battle on the white valley!

We paused once we had seen the enemies whom we were once chasing now riding intently for us. Any rational mind would ponder with uncertainty at the drawing foes.

At the sight of the enemies, the Captain Barkwood called the halt and then held a brief consultation with his lieutenants. We couldn't hear what our officers pondered over, but from their tensed expression it spelt no good. It was almost seeming like we were loosing the fight before it even began.

After the quick deliberation, the Captain gave a sharp order and then we formed ourselves into a square, then we were given whispered commands to hold fire until the charging enemies were within eight yards of us.

There they were, an army at least twice our number, and there we were, standing as prey before the brutal sun, like men without a cause.

While our enemies poured at us in their number, yelling brutally like the very beasts from hell. Their horses groaning and panting hardly...we waited, like these cruel beings were paying us friendly visit.

But now as they came within range the Captains arm came down swiftly in a way of declaration and then...we let the enemies have it in the most cruel and savage style.

There was no close range confrontation yet, but once the order had come, the archers and those with rifles let the turbo out declaring cruelty and rage to the enemy. They dropped out foes like droplets of rain.

Where I stood, locked in the middle of the formation my anxiousness heated harder and I did pray.

Shocked by our performance, Dakors men called a quick retreat only to reform, and attack yet again.

The blow this time was even more severe and they suffered greater losses.

The air was thick with dust. The field littered with the bodies of fallen men. Vultures were already hovering overhead. But Dakors men were regrouping, and our forces now were the ones doing the praying. We prayed now that the coming horde do not swallow us, now that we were running low on ammo.

Albeit, for me, this was exactly what I prayed for -- that the fighting became a hand to hand affair, so I could meet Dakor by good fate and face him in the old fashioned way, and not he being killed by a random flying bullet.

The order to draw swords and fix bayonet came at last. The battle had drifted just exactly as I'd hoped. Neither our forces nor Dakor's was ready to call a quit and retreat.

We took formation quickly, making a wall with our shields as we anticipated the nearing foes.
In bellows and guttural cries, the enemies pronounced their presence in the most audacious manner, crashing hard into us.

Captain Barkwood had maintained we hold the shield wall. For every man front line that fell, another quickly took his place to cover the gap.
But the battle took a different shape when Dakor's Calvary appeared. They tore the shield wall like it were a mere sheet, and then the true contention began.

The smell of blood and the sight of companions dying all around was upsetting.  My eyes darted hither tither for the enemy was truly everywhere. Every man paired with a foe ready to preach his fate or receive his cold verdict. Men cried from the others infliction -- entrails spitting out, blood spurting forth, and so heads rolling off

I let loose and broke from formation and began driving into enemy line, with all gallantry I perceived myself have. But I was sincerely hoping as I drove deeper that I in fact see Dakor.

But my hopes were soon fading. I knew Dakor well, I knew how crafty he could be. He would never fight front line like a true commander...that was even if he was in the war!

I had contradictory thoughts. But my madness had already been ignited, I could as well feed my gore lusting rage.

In my killing streak, suddenly my luck changed again. It probably was the only good thing fate had done in many months.
For before me, the large framed man deviously strode and was eager for gore. That familiar scar on left cheek would only indicate further...Dakor!

He had ripped out the throat of an enemy soldier when I took him to sight. From a distance amid the unsettled grounds of running men, our gazes collided. He was completely dumbfounded by my presence....even though he strived to mask it up with the sinister smile.

At least I was wrong about something; he sure had the sheer decency to be in this war and fight desperately. Howbeit I was determined that this wouldn't be the best moments to prove his competence as commander, for I was desperate to rip his throat out.

The large man obviously was growing fond of me. He would not seek to run, and the stance he took only hinted that at last I was sure to be gifted my fair fight.

He rushed at me in pure fury, and so did I, with the fierceness of my blade. The tiny ringing clang brought reality strongly on me -- this was that fight, my fight!

Keiya, vengeance would come this day! 

For moments we struggled hardly, almost having each other at some point. Dakor was more coordinated than he had been in the months I chased him. But I too was methodic -- holding my guide and issuing death strokes, even though my foe was competent in assuaging the blows.

However I knew a clear fact -- if the fight continued longer, Dakor won't be able to persevere. He was a rash fellow with almost zero patience.

Dakor shot his steel, I stepped aside allowing it sink into empty air. I lashed at him but the quick man ducked running under my slash.
I was almost lunging at him again when an absurd sound froze us suddenly.

The blare of the conch filling the air abruptly, it sent fresh shiver and fright through Dakor and his men.

Dakors men had sensed danger and by the feeling of uncertainty began to flee...and then we saw why.

A company of Kedrone troops had cut them off from the rear, offering them no alternative.

Dakor's eyes flashed in strange fear.  The fierce leading commander who was fighting frontline as tactics to raise the spirit of his men had fallen defeated by the brusque intrusion of the forces.

Uncertainty wrapping him up as a cloak, it gave no room for my amusement....for just like his men all that was ringing on Dakor's expression, was FLEE!

I wouldn't let him go. He was twice desperate now. He slashed his blade at my holding hand. I dodged the strike and in a simple move tackled him to the white grainy sands.

We tussled a while. I gained on him and mounted. Without hesitance, I stabbed. His cry sent a consoling sensation through me.

But the cold man's eyes darkened. By an absurd surge of power, he threw me from atop him, and drew out my stocked blade from his flesh. Droplets of red fluid fallen off the steel...in a heart breath, he plunged it on my left thigh. I screamed as the bitter pain stung cruelly.

Without a second thought, Dakor sprung hobbling away to be reunited with his fleeing brethren. He was gaining his exit alas. But my leg hurt to much to pursue.

He knocked down a man from his ride and then mounted the beast.

Dakor was always at his best in desperation. My methods didn't ever matched that. And now again it was proven. I knew this truth afresh as the foe fled...again!

The consoling prize of this battle was that the terror of Kedrone had escaped with barely a hand full of his men. Still it didn't change the reality of my loss. Dakor was gone!