“I was furious.” Jadar laughed reminiscently. “The cheeky bastard thought to steal my bounty!”
Yoshihiro taunted Jadar every day, reminding her she didn’t stand a chance and occasionally the two would spar and train together, Yoshihiro and his sword would always defeat her!
“His strength and skill mesmerised me!” Sighed Jadar. “I wanted to be that good! I wanted to be him!”
For weeks, the troll had not attacked, and both Yoshihiro and Jadar had assumed the troll had changed territory, until one night the monster attacked!
The giant troll that easily stood at thirty feet, attempted to ravage the village during a bloodthirsty berserk like rage. Many of Yoshihiro’s men were eaten and killed and the War Hogs suffered heavy losses. Astaroth and Ragrim had grabbed the attention of the troll, allowing for Jadar and Yoshihiro to mount a sneak attack. They coordinated their attacks and targeted the legs of the giant troll, slowing it down and weakening it with stabs and slashes from sword and spear, until, in one powerful swing, the troll grabbed hold of Jadar and began to crush her.
The troll’s legs were heavily wounded from the relentless attacks from the heroes and it had dropped to its knees, but not before it managed to grab hold of Jadar. The troll began squeezing Jadar within its giant fist, and as Jadar’s life began to slip away she blacked out, only to wake days later, wounded in a bed with the village healer by her side.
“What happened,” barked Hiroki like an excitable child.
“The bastard saved the day didn’t he! The villagers told me of how the troll had taken its eyes off Yoshihiro to finish me off!”
Jadar stood up and stared into the night sky with a smile of gratitude. She concluded the story and told of how Yoshihiro had mounted the troll’s back as it fell to its knees, he slashed and stabbed at its eyes, blinding it and Ragrim and Astaroth joined in with Yoshihiro to deliver the finishing blow.
It wasn’t pretty but the heroes managed to do the unthinkable, they managed to kill a troll.
“What Yoshihiro did after is what grasped me!” boasted Jadar passionately. “On the floor next to the healer was the diamond! He could have taken all the reward and left me with nothing, but he didn’t. Under the diamond was a note that said.”
you’ll always be second best, when compared to the greatest swordsman that ever lived, nonetheless you have earned a little reward. I hope to see you again soon brave warrior, yours truly Yoshihiro Hiroto.
Jadar’s eyes filled with tears and she laughed loudly, Hiroki laughed too as Jadar continued the story, further glorifying Yoshihiro. “I left the diamond with the villagers as I desired something more than riches. I was still in so much pain but that didn’t stop me from leaving, I mounted a horse and fucking chased after Yoshihiro and his War Hogs, needless to say I finally caught up with him, and the rest is history!”
The story filled Hiroki’s heart with an immense pride for his sensei, Hiroki could not wait a single second and rose up to make his way to see Yoshihiro on this last night of peace. He knew he still had to meet Angelika, though he felt Yoshihiro calling him spiritually, and truthfully, being alone with Angelika intimidated him as she was the first love of his young life.
Before parting ways, Jadar and Hiroki embraced, a warm embrace no different to that of a brother and sister and Jadar spoke passionately. “I don’t know if the centre can stand up to those cunts of the East and I don’t I know what endeavours await us tomorrow, but I do fucking know the War Hogs hold the key to the survival of the Centre Plate. If there is any chance of survival and unity to be had, then I will stand by Yoshihiro as I always have. Fate will have a different path for you though, Hiroki, you and your dragon Thunder. Now go, meet Yoshihiro on this night of celebration, for tomorrow will mark the dawning of new paths for us all.”
Hiroki left Jadar and made his way to the nearby hill to meet Yoshihiro
Chapter 12:
Tomorrow We Shape the Future
Having obtained his black headband, Hiroki’s status shifted dramatically within the War Hogs, no longer was he viewed as the young boy training under Yoshihiro, he knew great responsibility would be on the horizon. Yoshihiro was to treat Hiroki as a fully-fledged commander in the clan, not just because of his successful duel earlier in the day but also thanks to many successful previous endeavours on the battlefield.
Hiroki was thrown into battles and skirmishes from the age of twelve and it was at this age he killed a man for the first time. Hiroki remembered his first kill all too well and by this time he had trained with Yoshihiro for many years, he had lost count of the lives he had taken. Hiroki’s first kill remained permanently embedded within his mind. Many years ago, the War Hogs were to attack a band of travelling cut throats who were terrorising small villages, they were led by a man named Tariq, a big brutish man who had expertly mastered the war hammer and used it to crush the innocent with ease. Villages were pillaged, women were raped, and young boys and men slaughtered as a result of Tariq’s plunder. A bounty was put on Tariq’s head, the local warlords though wicked themselves feared Tariq and his followers, sensing they could become targets themselves should Tariq draw his attention to their territories, and so with the War Hogs reputation growing an offer was made to Yoshihiro to rid them of the monster, Yoshihiro obliged.
The War Hogs met Tariq’s small army on an open and wet moorland during the winter season. The field was heavy with mud due to the rain and it felt more like quicksand then moist soil, the smell of fresh wet grass, saturated mud and the feel of the icy cold winter wind that was blowing ferociously had etched itself into Hiroki’s memory to this day, though this wasn’t just his first battle, it would mark the first of many lives that he would take as the young student learning under Yoshihiro’s violent tutelage.
Hiroki was thrown into the front line which shocked everyone as Hiroki was a mere boy, he remembered Yoshihiro’s cold words that day. “I’ve trained you for years now boy, if you fall today then you were nothing more than a waste of time. Pick up your sword and fight like a man, I may keep you with me, if you prosper.”
The battle commenced and Hiroki charged at Tariq’s first line of defence, Tariq was protected by a wall of mass kite shields and spears that looked more like a giant wall of pending death to the young inexperienced boy, and therefore the first charge did very little. Hiroki, along with his comrades, slashed with swords and spears and pushed as hard as they could but to no avail, Hiroki knew great sacrifice would be required to breach this wall of ice-cold shields and spears.
Hiroki was small and light, he turned to the man to his right. “Throw me over,” he shouted to the tall brute.
Hiroki remembered the look of shock on the man’s face who perhaps felt this would result in certain death, however the man knew Hiroki being tossed over the opposing enemies shield wall would cause the distraction needed to perhaps breach the defence.
The tall man dropped his weapon and placed both hands around the exposed lapel of Hiroki’s kimono, he threw the small boy over the shields and Hiroki landed abruptly behind the shield men who had formed the seemingly impenetrable wall. Hiroki was quick to his feet with his sword still in hand, and it was at this moment time seemed to stand still as though it were a dream, a dream that would replay in Hiroki’s mind repeatedly throughout his childhood.
The shield wall is a common defence technique performed by most armies and small bands of warriors, one man would stand at the front of a line with his shield covering him completely whilst putting his body weight behind it, making it impossible to breach or push back. A second man stands behind the shieldman, armed with a spear to plunge into all who charge and try to breach the wall, this combination of defence and attack had always proven effective when used in the right conditions.
Hiroki had landed behind this organised defensive formation and charged towards them, he would never forget the look of shock on the faces of the men he charged at with them knowing their lives were to come to an end, and in sheer shock of s
uch a broad tactic by the War Hogs. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as Hiroki plunged his sword through the chest of the spearman before he had time to turn, Hiroki looked into the spearman’s eyes and saw the life drift out of them, it was as if the eyes were talking to him. The spearmen coughed blood into Hiroki’s face which spread to his lips, the taste of blood would become a common occurrence for the young boy. The spearman dropped to his knees and Hiroki slashed across the neck, the head did not sever completely, as at the time Hiroki was a young boy and lacked the required strength of a man to take the head off a body with one swing. Hiroki charged again, only this time at the shieldman who was no longer protected and had his back exposed, Hiroki plunged his blade through the back, he heard a crack as the sword penetrated through the spine and the shieldman screamed in agony before falling.
Their War Hogs burst through newly created breach thanks to the brave young boy and so the charge commenced, the shield wall had been beaten and Tariq was now exposed.
With the taste of blood still in his mouth, Hiroki transformed into a feral version of himself, he cursed and hacked and slashed at anything that did not bare the War Hogs symbol, Hiroki thought he felt the rain when in actual fact it were beads of mass blood that began caressing his skin from all he had slaughtered. The War Hogs wiped out Tariq’s defences and Hiroki had dropped to his knees due to fatigue and the trauma of the reality of battle. Hiroki looked up, Tariq and his three most dangerous warriors came charging towards him, rather than retreat Tariq seemed to inherit the warrior’s spirit and would rather die than run like a coward, and as Tariq approached with his war hammer to take Hiroki’s life, Astaroth came crashing down from the sky, picked up the young boy and flew up high again.
“Today’s not your day young one,” roared Astaroth. “You fought well, and your sensei has recognised your sacrifice. Look down and witness the greatest swordsman to ever live!”
Hiroki looked on in shock and admiration as Yoshihiro engaged Tariq, the three fearsome warriors who stood at Tariq’s side had been defeated by Archie and Ragrim, and now a lone duel between Yoshihiro and Tariq had begun.
Yoshihiro moved swiftly and quickly, avoiding the bone crushing swings from Tariq’s war hammer, Yoshihiro dodged effortlessly and seemed to be able to read his opponents movements seconds before they were performed. Yoshihiro’s attacks were too quick and in the heavy mud a heavy weapon such as a hammer was a poor choice and it cost Tariq his life, Yoshihiro cut him down. As Tariq turned to swing, Yoshihiro had closed the distance in less than a second and slashed across Tariq’s stomach, his stomach was opened, and entrails exposed. Hiroki remembered this sight, as it was a cold day and the steam from Tariq’s now exposed entrails was visible, Tariq fell and laid on his black, Astaroth flew back down with Hiroki and landed next to the dying bandit.
Tariq glared at Hiroki and spoke his last words. “A shield wall of grown men . . . beaten by a child’s intelligence and bravery. This can’t be happening!”
Yoshihiro interjected, “He is more than a mere child, he’s my student and he will surpass even me one day. As for you, you would have lost anyway as you are a bandit that preys on the weak, not a warrior. Look around, the soil is moist and slippery, and your clan was dressed in heavy armour and used heavy weapons; even you foolishly chose a war hammer for this battle. You lack intelligence, your poor judgement makes you weak . . . now it’s time for you to sleep.”
Yoshihiro brought Tariq to his knees and turned to Hiroki. “Now watch this boy, get used to this . . . this is war and only the strong prevail.”
Yoshihiro took the head of Tariq with one swing, the head spun twice in the air before hitting the floor. Hiroki didn’t scream at this site or cry, this battle had made him numb to such horror, he felt nothing but only disappointment at the fact he was still not strong enough to bring down a tyrant like Tariq himself, this was how a swordsman should feel.
That battle seemed like a lifetime ago and as Hiroki approached the hill, he could vaguely make out Yoshihiro’s figure standing in wait.
Yoshihiro could sense Hiroki approaching and spoke telepathically. “Come quick Hiroki, we have much to discuss!
As Hiroki stepped forward, he felt a gush of wind overhead, Thunder had appeared seemingly pleased and chirpy following his talk with Davorin.
Thunder’s golden scales were glowing radiantly, and he looked more like a shooting star in the dark night rather than a baby dragon, he landed in front of Hiroki and sneezed, a blast of dragon fire shot from his nose, Thunder still had much to learn regarding the control of his power.
“Caught ya!” joked Thunder. “Let’s see Yoshihiro together.”
Hiroki petted Thunder and spoke to his bonded dragon. “How was your talk with Davorin? Not too boring I hope!”
Thunder laughed like a giggling child and responded cheerfully. “Davorin is amazing, he told me he thinks I can grow big and strong and become a grand dragon like Storm!”
Hiroki responded merrily. “You’ll be the one looking after me then. Now let’s see sensei.”
Hiroki made his way to Yoshihiro, Thunder had taken flight and arrived a few seconds before, the golden dragon was positioned next to Yoshihiro who was petting Thunder on his head. Hiroki saw that smile again, the out of character smile that Yoshihiro would present when happy and carefree. Hiroki couldn’t help but wish, I hope one day I can see him like this all the time, no wars, no battles, and no fears. After all the violence and battles Yoshihiro has been through, he deserves a time of peace more than most.
“Sorry to keep you, sensei,” spoke Hiroki respectfully before bowing his head. As Hiroki lowered his head, he noticed footprints in the moist soil, Gargoyle footprints followed by smaller humanlike footprints Astaroth and Bellethiel have met Yoshihiro already. Did they tell him of their pending departure?
Yoshihiro addressed Hiroki as a peer rather than a student. “Your no student now Hiroki, you have the black headband and defeated me in a duel, you’re no longer a child, no need to address me as sensei anymore.”
“You honour me. Thank you,” replied Hiroki.
They both smiled at one another, and though Yoshihiro rescued Hiroki as a child, the father and son bond was clear but never spoke of.
Yoshihiro donned his usual black kimono and green headband, his sword remained by his side and his hair was long but not tied back, it blew slightly in the night breeze as he must of recently bathed, and he wore a thick wolf pelt to keep him warm on this night that was turning colder by the hour.
Yoshihiro spoke with a reminiscent smile. “I remember when I found you Hiroki, your parents were dead, slaughtered right in front of you and you were covered in their blood, yet you did not leave their side. I wanted to leave you there or take you to a neighbouring village, but I looked into your eyes and saw a rage . . . a rage beneath the sadness.”
“Their deaths still haunt me,” replied Hiroki.
Yoshihiro continued, “I was thrown into this swordsman life without a choice, I had to kill to survive and prosper and indeed I’ve slaughtered many . . . I looked at you and thought perhaps I’d try my hand at something nice . . . it felt strange.”
Yoshihiro turned away and looked up at the moon, it was as if talking lovingly and openly was embarrassing for him, and yet he continued whilst staring into the moon. “I wanted you to become as skilled as me but better than me as a person. I was hard on you and trained you strictly but allowed you to enjoy the happy things life had to offer. I looked on whilst you grew into a young man.”
“It’s because of that tutelage I stand here now, a skilled swordsman.”
“The Cursed Bastards also tutored you well, and you became great friends with people your own age such as Angelika and Bellethiel. I watched upon you with great pride. You have indeed become the man I had hoped.”
Hiroki’s lips began to tremble, and his eyes started to fill with tears, the kind words from a teacher who had put him through brutal training seemed to cut through his heart l
ike a katana sword. Yoshihiro could sense Hiroki’s emotions. “Do not cry!” ordered Yoshihiro sternly. “This praise is overdue and dark times are ahead, dark times that will become worse than nightmare. This is what I trained you for. The east will invade, and we will have to fight it alone, or with a unified Centre Plate.”
Thunder could not help but ask a question, clearly still young and incapable of reading situations Thunder asked Yoshihiro. “Do you wish Hiroki was your son?”
The awkward silence was deafening, Hiroki was in shock at Thunder’s question and wished deeply he had not asked such a thing.
Yoshihiro laughed and turned back around to look into Hiroki’s eyes. “Thunder, you talk too much! Being bound by blood to a child does not make a father, instead, a father or a mother is quite simply a being that raises a young life as their own, trains, protects and nurtures it. For this . . . yes, Hiroki is my son!”
“Thank you,” whispered Hiroki, he was shocked and could not say anything else.
“Come now, let us plan our future,” responded Yoshihiro with purpose. His smile had vanished, and the cold stern look re-appeared.
They both sat in front of one another, cross legged with Thunder sprawled out next to Hiroki. The time had come for Yoshihiro to reveal the next conquest of the War Hogs.
Hiroki’s suspicions were correct, Astaroth and Bellethiel had visited Yoshihiro to inform him of their departure in the morning and their reasons to venture into the East. To Hiroki’s surprise, Yoshihiro welcomed the bravery.
Yoshihiro admitted to his anger at losing two of his most trusted commanders but also understood what was needed. Yoshihiro explained clearly that he had been monitoring the situation in the East via meetings with wise travellers and thanks to the spy the woodlanders had in place at Marius’s side, Yoshihiro also confirmed the vampires had indeed aligned with Marius in secret and offered their full support.
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