Senji woke up Shui as the morning sun smiled, shining upon the world once again. The new dawn brought with it a new life. Shui was initially worried about Kali and Maki since they might have waited for him to return last night. Then he dismissed the thought since he knew Kali was sensible enough to understand.
But, speaking of Kali, the words of the decree must have reached him. It would be quite the trouble if the king decided to call for all the able men.
As Shui was lost in his thoughts, he saw Senji outside, and it seemed like he is talking to someone.
It is two of them maybe, atleast the shadows said so. As Shui stood up, something hit his leg, making a clanking sound. It was some kind of ornament, maybe. Shui thought as he bent to look at it.
Sensing that Shui had got up already, Senji entered the room hurriedly. He noticed whatever Shui hit onto, frantically picked it and threw it at a corner of the room, lost among the loads of things that lied there.
"What was it?" Shui inquired.
"Uh... That...it wasn't anything much important. Ju... just a ya know, some old stuff... Hehe...!" Senji tried to laugh it off. Even so, his flustered tone said it all. It wasn't something normal.
But, well Shui didn't want to press him. Who was he to stick his nose into someone's private business. Especially, they weren't even that close to begin with. And Senji was also kind enough to invite him over for the night.
"Then shouldn't we be on our way?" Shui smiled. Senji was smart enough to understand. Even if they met yesterday, Senji strangely felt an intimidating aura from Shui, yet it wasn't the kind of dominating. It felt rather contradictory but, Senji was sure of his instincts.
"Yeah! Let's head out." Senji smiled back.
Together they head out towards the palace. On their way, they meet with others aspiring to get in the royal armies. All had their own reasons. By the time they reached the training grounds with the officers present, most of them were already quite friendly to each other.
Shui noticed that there were fairly quite a number of people with tanned skins around them. Shui assumed them to be from where Senji came from, but, they didn't look to fit together. None of them seemed to be together, as if all had different reasons to head to the same path. Probably, it is in the culture, Shui wondered. Maybe, they came from different parts of the same country, who knows.
All of them were then to be divided in groups for the tests and each group was assigned to one captain. While the process had just begun, Senji poked Shui as he pointed his finger, to look towards something. Shui turned his head in the direction his finger pointed and could see a guillotine.
"Why was something like that there? Well, it is the royal training grounds, it might be needed somehow." he whispered, more like talking to himself.
"But, there is no need of such a thing in training an army." Shui turned to Senji who was speaking in a low voice.
"I... I mean, it is for execution, right? Why'd they need it here? And look they're even making preparations." Senji looked a little nervous.
"Maybe they're want to demonstrate the use of it to the newly recruited soldiers." Shui replied trying to convince Senji. And himself.
Soon they were put in different groups and instructed to stand in definite order. Then arrived the king. Dressed in shimmering clothes of gold and a crown over his head, affixed with diamonds and rubies gave him quite the elegant look. A serene look on his wrinkled face, made his age evident. The sword around his waist in its graceful sheath looked befitting of a royal.
The officers had instructed them on the conduct towards his majesty. And as the officers greeted the king, thumpings of foot in unison shook the ground as the soldiers saluted the king, with their heads bowed down. Since they were new, their uneven stompings and an unstable salute greeted the king, but it was inevitable.
The king didn't seem interested in this ceremonial presentation of respect and simply raised his hand suggesting that they stood straight. All stood in attention as the king moved to the podium by his side.
"I welcome you all who have aspired to join the royal army. It is indeed a pleasure to see so much youth and vigor in you people. So, are you all prepared to lead a life of a soldier? There might lie countless hardships on your path but, there will be countless opportunities as well. Are you ready to take on such a life?" The king had almost transformed into a commander, his words kindling a fire in their spirits.
A cheer followed and it answered the king's questions. Everyone felt fully prepared for the upcoming test. The king then took his rightful place on his seat.
As they awaited the announcement for the test procedures, they noticed a movement. All of them stood there in astonishment as they saw a captive brought forth. His hands were chained down, face covered with a jute bag. His clothes were in tatters. They presumed it to be an enemy soldier or maybe a traitor.
They were soon to be surprised by an inconceivable event. The commander of the army, with a distinguished air rose up to the podium. Saluting the king, he addressed everyone standing on the grounds,
"To all the soldiers and you to-be-soldiers, the first and foremost duty of a soldier is to follow the king's orders with an unquestionable loyalty. Failure to do so not only strips you of your status, but, depending on the gravity of the situation, you may be labeled as traitors."
The new ones gulped anxiously on the mention of the word 'traitor'. Shui felt a little uneased about the whole situation. The commander continued,
"No good citizen would like to defy the king and incur his wrath. But, setting an example is necessary too." The commander gestured the soldiers holding the captive to bring him up to the guillotine in the other side, as he started again,
"This man here was one of the highly classified people, whom the king trusted and yet, he, in his pursuit of power defied his majesty's wish. He dared to obstruct his majesty's ideas of development of our motherland."
"And one who betrays the king has already betrayed the kingdom, and anyone despite his status or position will be severely punished. And this man here will serve as an example."
"He was ranked among the highest of the officials, the former commander-in-chief, Tenjiku, but, his fate was sealed the moment he went against his majesty. He has been sentenced to death. And you all are to witness this exemplary event and bear in mind the consequences that await you. Of course, only if you defy his majesty."
The crowd shuddered in fear. Shui could see that the commander did a great job to instill fear among the newbies. This way, probably, they could avoid any mess of this kind.
As the commander concluded, all eyes turned toward the chained man standing beside that merciless instrument with the humongous blade hanging above. The soldiers removed the bag covering the battered man's face.
Most of the people recognised the men. The soldiers looked down, as if in disdain while the new ones stared in disbelief.
The moment Shui saw the face, a yelp escaped his mouth as his eyes stared in bewiderment!