" Thank you Boye" Rajah said in a weak voice as blood oozed out from his mouth.
" Stop talking, we need to apply some medicines on your wounds." Boye helped him up. Slowly, they walked back to his room.
" You can't fight Gad. You might die." Rajah spoked as blood oozed out from his mouth.
" Shhhh! Boye whispered a yell. " The more you talk, the more you'll bleed. Relax, I need to apply pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding." Boye placed a clean piece of cloth on the wound to apply pressure. Afterwards, he applied some medicines on it.
" Ouch! It hurts." Rajah screemed in pain.
" I'm sorry, but I've to apply the medicines on your wounds, it will help reduce the pain and swelling.
" You don't have to do this Boye. You're no match for Gad, you might die"
" Don't worry about me, I can handle Gad. Do you hurt somewhere else?" Boye asked.
" No. I'm more concerned about you right now." Rajah replied in a sad voice.
Boye puffed. " I know defeating Gad won't be easy. I don't care about the outcome as long you're safe."
" Why are doing this? Why are you risking your life to save mine? I'm not worth it Boye. I made the mistake, so let me take responsibility for it."
" Don't be silly. You're bearly ten years old. Besides, I owe your brother a lot. Take it as a way of showing my appreciation.
" Thank you. I promise to pay you back in the future, if there is any for us. He puffs. " Peradventure I could not repay you in this life, I promise to do so in the next.
" You should rest now. You lost a lot blood earlier. You don't have to worry about working today. I will ask someone to cover up for you. I will see you later at dinner." He pats Rajah on the shoulder.
" Don't die."
" I promise. I won't." Boye replied with a smile on his face.
Boye walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Outside the door, a boy about the age of sixteen stood there resting his back on a pillar with his legs crossed.
" You don't have to do this Boye. I understand that you feel guilty, but It wasn't entirely your fault."
Boye puffed. " You don't understand Zebulum, I owe his brother a life. Even if I die today, I won't regret it.
" You're doing this out of guilt Boye. Do you think sacrificing yourself will give you some sense of peace? You're being stupid Boye. It wasn't your fault. We had no other choice but to do as we were told. I know Taj was your friend, but he won't had think twice before taking your own life.
Boye shaked his head in disapproval. " Nothing can change the fact that I killed my own friend. I will never be able to forgive myself."
" You didn't intend to. It was a one-on-one combat, and he lost. We all lost someone we loved that day. You don't have to be too hard on yourself. Getting yourself killed won't change anything.
" I know. At least after I die, my soul will be at peace."
" Does he know?"
" No. Not yet. It is better he doesn't find out. He will be devastated once he does."
" If you should survive today, then you have to tell him the truth about his brother's death."
Boye nods in agreement. " I hope he doesn't hate me afterwards." He puffed " I won't blame him if he does, anyone in his shoes will react in the same way.
" We should get you ready brother." Zebulum nudged his shoulder. " I wish you good luck."
Boye replied with a weak smile. " let's go."
They both walked out of the corridor. The door was opened. Rajah walked out of the room, his eyes were filled with rage. He was standing by the door the entire time.