Chapter 40

“And kill these two as well.” Commander Eiga said.

Their lives and horse’s life was same in his perspective. The beheader also paused to see whom Eiga was referring to but resumed slicing after getting to know.
Shinji dropped his sword and elbowed Fujimoto to do the same but Fujimoto was too scared to understand the sign language. By the time Fujimoto dropped his sword in surrender, the soldiers were close.
“We were not here to attack you!” Shinji said to the man approaching towards them.
“You shouldn’t have been here in the first place.” Commander Eiga said as the soldiers brought them down by their chest.
One soldier pulled Shinji’s hair to expose his neck. His neck cracked due to the strong stretch. He knew well that beheading was the method which Wernh’An’s soldiers preferred as an execution method.
“We are worshippers of Lord Wernh’An.” Shinji said when panic set in him.
His effort went in vain. Commander Eiga didn’t even hear him.
“Tetsu told us something before he died!” Fujimoto yelled as the sharp edge of dagger touched his neck. He could not imagine how painful it would feel against his trachea.
Commander Eiga didn’t exchange words but the soldier about to decapitate him said, “Rather die silent than by spilling out lies.”
“Slice us up and you will regret this for rest of your days.” Fujimoto got courage to say, “By days, I mean days.”
Shinji glanced at Fujimoto then at Commander Eiga. Eiga somehow had decided to listen what Fujimoto had to say. Shinji didn’t know if he should be taking it as a miracle or just stretching of anxious time.
Commander had signaled the soldiers to stop. Shinji felt more scared than ever by realizing how close he was near to death.
“What did Tetsu tell you?” Commander Eiga spoke.
“He said he had weap-”
“I am not asking you.” Eiga knelt towards Fujimoto, “You tell me about the weapon your friend was talking about.” He asked Shinji.
“Weapon? Err.… Tetsu had weapon- No! Nobukazu has a wea-” Shinji struggled to compose lies.
“They are lying.” Commander Eiga stood up, “They have lies for their defense.”
“Nobukazu has a weapon which can kill any enemy.” Fujimoto screamed, “Tetsu even told us what it is before he died.”
“You two look familiar.” Commander Eiga said, “You must be among the cut-throats sworn to protect Chosokabes.”
“Nobukazu killed our friends. Why would we protect him?” Shinji said in soft voice.
“So the bodies here….” Commander Eiga scanned around.
“Yes. Our friends.”
The soldier who was told to behead Tetsu’s corpse came with the head and showed it to Eiga.
“Neat cut.” Commander Eiga said, observing the fleshy part, “And you two. Did you murder Tetsu?” he questioned while his man was putting the head inside a sack.
“First we tricked him to speak the secret then killed him so that nobody else could get wind of it.” said Shinji.
“Death with such lies. What a shame-“
“I think he has killed Wernh’An already. Otherwise he would have been here with you.” Shinji interrupted him.
Commander Eiga’s pupils expanded.
The soldiers listening to him looked at each other and somehow found agreement written all over their faces.
“Tie them.” Commander Eiga said, “They are going to Hilcastle.”