Kosh had been in Greytown for the past two days, and he hadn’t stopped shivering anyti he rembered what happened back at that village.
His first task after he was set free was to make his way back to the tax station to inform the remaining warriors and squad leaders of what had happened.
They didn’t believe him at first. Who would? That their glorious captain was gone just like that? And the two squad leaders too? They first grabbed Kosh by the neck and threatened to kill him, but once he brought down the bloody sack from his shoulder and took out her head, they believed.
And what happened next were cries of outrage, and they demanded they march right to the village and wipe them out. Kosh had looked at them blankly and then laughed. He only asked them one question then. "Who will go? Who will defeat them when the Captain of the Tax Collectors failed to do so?"
There was silence then. The impossible had happened.
They all knew the answer to their question. Greytown. And since the Fifth Leader was responsible for this section of the region, they sent Kosh to pass the ssage while the tax station went under lockdown until they received new instructions.
And Kosh mounted up again the sa day and made his way towards Greytown. He got there at midnight, but his identifying badge allowed him entry when most wouldn’t have been granted that privilege.
But things beca different once he entered, and he’d been at the great hall of the Fifth Leader’s palace ever since. It had been two days now, and he hadn’t been able to pass his ssage across. The palace hall was filled to the brim with people. So even had higher status than Kosh. All waiting to be attended to.
The sense of urgency he had been carrying was completely useless here.
"I wonder if I’ll get lucky today and get attended to," one man sitting beside him said.
It’s not like they couldn’t pass their ssage across, but they wanted to see the Fifth Leader personally, or at least his Captains. Using ssages would take just as long and, to so, would lack the sa urgency as passing the ssage face to face.
Kosh resisted a snotty laugh. Instead, he criticized the man in his mind. ’Get lucky and see him today! You just ca here not long ago! So of us have been waiting for days!’
Just then, an attendant in a white and yellow dress ca out to call the man inside. Kosh watched the two of them leave in surprise, and he groaned! This was the other part he didn’t like! Where those with connections were given priority over others!
Kosh reflected on his actions. Maybe he should have let the squad leaders with higher status make the trip instead. But who would look after the station?
He sighed and turned to the gossip that was flowing around to pass the ti because who knew when he’d be attended to. It’s only natural for gossip to be flying around among those waiting because what else would they be doing?
"The tension is getting harder," one woman said in a loud whisper. "The Leaders are now keeping even more distance. My theory is that one of them is getting ready for a fight for another’s position!"
Another man scoffed. "That’s impossible. Right now, the Leaders are not equal. There’s a large gap in power between them, even if they are at the sa level! So who will fight whom? Maybe it’s another person who wants to beco a Leader!"
As per the law and rules, even ordinary people could beco Leaders if they managed to defeat one; then they’d take their seat. Over the years, there had been a constant shift in the Leaders, except for the First Leader, who had held the position ever since.
So it’s natural to be tense if one of them feels they are strong enough now to challenge another higher-up.
The woman glared at the man. "There might have been a big gap before, but now there’s nothing like that! Look out! There’ll be a duel one of these days, and you’ll see fighting."
The gossip continued, and Kosh was so caught up in it that he didn’t notice at first that the hall had beco silent. He suddenly jerked upright and straightened when he saw the silent hall and that people were looking in only one direction!
In front of him, a young man dressed in sleek armour was passing, and he was the cause of the silence. Captain Griffin of the Fifth Leader.
Kosh opened his mouth subconsciously, and all his worries lted away. This is a real Initiate-rank warrior! Look at the power rolling off him! He must have hunted a lot of monsters!
Kosh knew then that this was an opportunity he couldn’t let go to waste. From the bits of information and gossip, Captain Litha and Captain Griffin were very close, maybe even lovers.
He stood up and opened his mouth to shout just as the man was about to pass through the door. "Captain Litha is dead!"
He shouted with all the strength left in his body, and in the silent hall, his voice bood. People turned to him in horror and surprised confusion. Is this guy looking to die? Why’s he shouting like that?
Griffin flinched and stiffened. He turned to look back, and his eyes darkened even further. In a flash, he was in front of Kosh and lifted him up by the neck. "What the fuck are you saying? Are you looking for death?"
Kosh struggled. He couldn’t speak, and his eyes began to swell. Quickly, he dipped his hand into his pouch and brought out the head.
The mumbling hall grew quiet. The hand on his neck tightened as Griffin stared at the head, the lifeless eyes looking back. Pain rippled across his face, and he dropped Kosh, who coughed and gasped.
Griffin looked down at him with eyes that shook with anger. "Follow . You will tell all you know."
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