Anything For You
Chapter 68

In far away areas away from land and waters where only the sand and dust was visible with no human and animals, let alone trees in sight of the observer, there was only the sounds of hot, scorching and gushing wind which could blow away anyone in its way and

melt down glaciers like it carried immense grief and pain which was enough to drown anyone in agony filled emotions.

But something was strange today as it was t oy the sound of wind, but also of something and someone else who made its presence here after many many years. The neighing of horses could be heard mixed with the galloping sounds that their feet were producing along with whooshing wind. But after some minutes, the galloping was replaced by trotting sounds and then it came to a halt with only the sounds of whizzing air slapping on everything.

From afar, it was clear that the horses weren't force-stepping into this deserted place but we're being guided to do so by the group of men riding their backs which gave off a feeling like someone was their leader and the rest were following him. Ignoring the odds and all the adverse conditions, that could eradicate every single human and animal in this land which looked more like a graveyard with skeletons and corpses of dead animals scattered at certain distances may be partially because of lack of food and the rest because of weather, the leader of that group passed his orders to march forward.

All the soldiers felt like they were hit with lightening in this killing hot atmosphere where even a single droplet of water wasn't found. They very well knew what marching forward meant for them. DEATH!!!

It was the only thing that was going to accompany them all or most in this deadly trip which started off because of chasing an unruly deer from their kingdom and lead them into this forbidden land.

Never in their life, any of them had thought that they would someday come across a situation like this when they would want to disobey their young king, but would end up gulping their saliva and throwing the words of defy in the deepest pits of their respective stomachs because of the oath they had taken back when they joined the military services promising themselves and their kingdom to follow their king no matter what it takes.

Sighing helplessly, the one soldier in charge of leading the troop further, stepped ahead after giving a soft kick to the side of horse causing it to canter slowly and stopped one step behind his young king. He knew what he was going to do was flogging a dead horse because the young kind had always been determined to do what he had decided once, still he thought to give it a try.

"Your Majesty, Pardon my boldness but the land ahead looks barren and totally out of life. We have encountered almost 30 dead corpses and skeletons of animals in our way that was on the green area but the area ahead is just sandy and dusty. The horses need rations and water which we don't have much left.

I think we should back off and return to the castle. The atmosphere here is very hot and killing. The animals won't be able to make it. We can come here some other day. Also, you must be tired too after riding for so long."

The young king still siting on the horse back gave off a 'Don't you be a coward general' look to the man who just made a request which looked like pissed off the king and stepped down the horse.

All the soldiers gasped in fear and astonishment and immediately landed down holding the collar rope of their horses avoiding them to run away and were looking muddleheaded. They knew that the young king wouldn't back off at any cost, even if it was going to risk his own life when he was so determined to invade this forbidden land to look for any human lives and save them at any cost.

Scooping a handful of hot sand from the ground in his fist and then letting it drop to the ground slowly witnessing it getting spread in the opposite direction because of fast blowing wind, he parted his lips to ask his general....

"How much ration do we have, general?" still looking ahead with his sharp eyes as if trying to find someone in that remote and deserted place.

"We have enough for two people and three horses, Your Majesty." Told the general politely after scanning through the eatables and water which were tucked to the back of horses.

"Hmm... Then you should go back to the kingdom and I will march forwards." Said he not caring what would be the outcomes of this one decision of his and how they would be reacting.

"No, Your Majesty.. I can't leave you here alone. Sim, I give you the order to take back the troop and take the charge for the time being when I will accompany My lord in this trip. Leave one extra horse and the rations after taking enough for you all to have during the ride back to home." Ordered the general to one of his fellow men who was below him in the rank and was the most suitable candidate. He passed the order after showing his badge which meant that they all were bound to obey it no matter what. "You can also go back, general." Said the king softly hoping for his men to be back home safely. Although he didn't care about himself but his men were precious and their miserable death was the last thing he wanted to witness and be the reason behind it. "Let's go, Your Majesty. We have to cross this land before sunset fastly because we don't know how far is it having its borders touching the ground." Said the general stepping back on his horse after tucking the another horse with it showing determination that he would never leave his king alone no matter what he say.

This was his character. His general Akhim was the one of bravest soldiers, the young king had ever had. He wasn't that old and the king himself recruited him in military when he himself was just 10 years older. Akhim was a general, determined like himself, and could be the best of friends only if you didn't rage him. But for the young king, he was more that that. For him, he was like a father figure and was always there to assist him whenever he was in dire need of it.

Today too, he proved that his decision (the young king's) was correct of getting this man recruited in the military. He was a trustworthy man. For Akhim too, the young king was not oy king, but also a determined man like him who was way more brave than his age and he treated him like his own son, because he didn't have any for he didn't marry and devoted his whole life for serving the kingdom after the then king's (the young king's father) demise.

He was protecting the nation and assisting the young king initially because of the promise that he made to his friend, the then king on his death bed. Although Akhim was quite young to be a friend for The then king, yet they two hot along very well after Akhim saved the then king in a deadly situation and nursed his wounds after the war. To the king, he was like a little brother who helped him in his bad times and hence, he could only trust Akhim with his son and nation's life.

And here he was, doing his job without asking any questions. It wasn't always the happiest scenario with the young king, but still he followed this 23 years old lad because it was his duty to do so for he took the oath and also promised his dying friend.

He knew perfectly well that the voyage they had set themselves for was dangerous and could even deprive them both off their lives. But he chose this and in his life, he never regretted his decisions. He was hoping the same this time too, because he was scared for the first time ever in his life. Not because he was roaming his life, that was the least of his concern, but an unknown ominous feeling was lingering in his mind and whenever it happened, it caused havoc.

The same feeling was there when he assisted the young king's father on a war which lead him to be injured badly and he ended up losing his life. The only difference this time was that, the feeling was even more threatening and inauspicious which was making him feel scared yet be maintained his composure and whispered to his horse or to himself, only he knew that ....

"Let's hold on to the end."

~ DESTINY LAND~

"Sister, that book is so good. It can not only play the story, but it can talk also and did .. did you just see that, the words ... all the words are forming out of those beads.

Woooaahh...!! I wonder who wrote it!" Exclaimed Choice looking down from heavens at the book that was displaying the words of second story in front of that old Empress. "Father.." murmured Destiny to which Choice just gasped a mouthful of air into her lungs getting surprised.