Kouen lifted the metal fencing sword in his hand into the position the choreographer demonstrated. Koumei wasn't particularly fond of the physical effort required in this part of rehearsal. At least he was doing it without resisting now.
It was hot. Unbearably hot. The choreography was fast and complicated. Luckily Kouen and Koumei were both picking things up quickly. They spent two days working out all the kinks in the choreography so that it was flawless. Both Kouen and Koumei might have hit a bit too hard in practice fighting the antagonists. They still weren't over the insults to Kougyoku.
Kougyoku and Kouha are both working on more music for the movie. It was working better then before but neither of them liked the songs they were singing. It was a pain. Why was Al Thamen so demanding?
Kouen rode at the head of the army. The sun was brutal. They continued on for two days in the direction of enemy territory. On the third day they were met by an army of the enemy land. Both armies charged.
At first Kouen's army beat the opposing back. The fighting was brutal. That's when Kassim and another enemy general came to the front and attacked Kouen. Kouen held them off well, fighting others as well. His army was outnumbered though. His men were falling quickly. He could see blood everywhere. He focused on his two opponents completely. He cut down one, but Kassim used that chance to hit him. Red blossomed across his chest. Kassim watched as he lost consciousness. Kouen's army was quickly disposed of. Kassim and another soldier hoisted Kouen's body onto a horse and started to move back to their capital.
Kouen woke up in severe pain. His chest still covered in blood. The guards had thrown water on him. He glared them down. It didn't help anything. A dark haired man with a large, false smile stepped into the cell with a cart pulled behind him. Kouen could see the drills and knives on the cart. 'Torture. This isn't going to be fun.'
Knives were dragged across his skin. Poison was rubbed into his battle wound. It doubled the pain. The man shoved his face under water so he couldn't breathe. Pokers were heated and pressed against Kouen's skin. He went in and out of consciousness. He was stabbed. The guards came in and kicked him around. He couldn't tell how much time had passed.
A messenger brought a note for Kouha. He opened it, eyes widening in shock. "The general has been defeated. Soldiers found the bodies of his army in the desert. His is missing. They probably took him for interrogation. Advisor! We are to move the eastern army-"
"You Majesty, you have a message from the leader of our enemy."
Kouha's eyes narrowed. "What does he want?"
"He wishes to discuss the territory borders with you."
"He will use my sister against me. Will he ask for the dessert trade route? Or the entire nation. He must know I won't give him everything."
"Yes, but he also knows how much you value your sister. You cannot forget how open you are with your relationship."
The song begins. Kouha sings of war and politics. Kougyoku is singing of confusion and fear. She doesn't know where she is. The darkness around her is suffocating.
Hello!
I realized there was a formatting problem in my previous chapters so I will change that in the remaining chapters. Sorry about that.
Please Review!
Until Next Time!
-Kizuna
