In the well-lit main hall, General Liyaqat sat on a high seat upon a dais. On his lap was Nursena and below the dais was Ossian, standing like a statue with a rope tied around his waist and linked to Liyaqat's wrist.
"Amidst all kinds of magic that exist, I fancy the binding one." Liyaqat said, playing with Nursena's tresses. "If only I could cast such a spell on the entire kingdom of Barqat, I wouldn't have to be irritated by assassins, democrats and commoners. Everyone would be under my command for the rest of their lives. My rule would be absolute."
"This is not a kingdom. You are not a king." Nursena said tersely.
"Hahaha! Essentially it is now. I am its king, you are its queen." Liyaqat said, stroking her thigh with the other hand. Nursena cringed visibly.
"Enough nonsense! What have you done to Ossian?" Nursena asked, gloating Liyaqat. Although she had already figured out that the rope binding Ossian was a magical artefact, but she was hoping for some loophole that Liyaqat might spill.
"I like your fierceness. You will be a fitting queen," Liyaqat purred; then glanced at Ossian. "This rope binds anyone to my bidding. As many people that can be bound with it, will obey me. It's just rather inconvenient holding onto this rope though."
Nursena glowered at the rope, wishing to cut it off along with Liyaqat's hand, but all her weapons had been confiscated. She looked longingly at Ossian who stood like a statue. His eyes were hidden in the dark recess of his skull helmet. He was trapped with magic and only Nursena could hope to release him. No one else would bother. Perhaps not even the democrats, for once they see Ossian's lich-like appearance, a fabled undead creature, they would not want to release him.
Sighing, Nursena made up her mind to do everything in her power to help Ossian escape. He had nothing to do with this country anyway. She herself on the other hand was obviously more engrossed with it than what she could reveal to anyone.
"What gloomy thoughts are you cradling my queen?" Liyaqat asked smiling faintly. He ran his hand on Nursena thigh making her cringe visibly. In an angry reaction to it, Liyaqat continued the caress while glaring at her, showing off his control over her.
"A month ago, you sent an invitation to our land of Kismat." Nursena said to Liyaqat aloud so that Ossian could hear her. She owed him an explanation. "You asked for a noble girl in order to establish marital alliance with our nation."
"Yes, and the Kismat monarchy sent the crown princess Nursena to me." Liyaqat beamed, "That sets our alliance in stone and proves that Kismat favors me."
"Wrong." Nursena said icily. "I was sent to discuss with you the terms of our alliance. My hand is not up for grabs General Liyaqat. You have already breached decorum by arresting, manhandling and harassing me. You will have to pay for it in blood." Nursena glared at Liyaqat in the eyes, setting him uncomfortable at once; but he quickly recovered & smirked.
"Heh…it doesn't matter with what intentions you were sent to me. You are here now under my rule. You will obey me; now and after our marriage, for the rest of your life. Our political alliance is only a matter of fact." Liyaqat said. "Let's not forget that you came here to assassinate me. That alone grants me full pardon for whatever indecency I might do to you."
"What evidence do you have that I came to assassinate you? That man there is my personal guard. Your soldiers attacked us in the city earlier and we escaped after a skirmish. Here tonight I came to demand answer directly from you but you captured us." Nursena bent the truth.
"Hehehe, I'm sure testimony of those rebel democrats will suffice for evidence against you." Liyaqat said.
"It won't. They are all your citizens. Their testimonies cannot be trusted." Nursena said expressionlessly, fighting against all odds to prove her verbal dominance.
"And? So what of it?" Liyaqat sneered. He wasn't having any of Nursena's threats. He knew he was in full control.
"…" Nursena clenched her jaw in frustration and inhaled sharply. "I will relent to you if you grant one wish of mine."
"Oh?" Liyaqat's eyebrows arose in surprise. "What does my queen requests?"
"Free Ossian and let him leave the land of Barqat." Nursena said.
"Hahaha!" Liyaqat burst out a cackle. "You're offering your submission in exchange of this Lich's freedom? Who exactly is he?" Liyaqat glared at Ossian; his gaze holding equal parts curiosity and anger.
BOOM! Suddenly there occurred a deafening roar of a cannon, and vibrations shook up the walls and the floor.
"General! There's a rebellion! It's those old coots!" A soldier shouted as he rushed in from a dark corner. Possibly a spy, to have been so rapid.
Liyaqat frowned and glared at Nursena who carried an astonished expression. Realizing that this wasn't a plan she was part of; he arose, forcing her off of him and gestured to his soldiers.
"Take the princess to my chamber and lock her in." Liyaqat said before tugging at the rope that bound Ossian. "Come, my minion. It's time to put your powers to better use."
---
A mad rush of people flooded into the castle gate. There were more already having infiltrated from the walls. The democrats had riled up a sizeable amount of populous for their mutual cause: Democracy. For it, more than 500 citizens were willing to die. The rest were causing an uproar in the city. Torchlights lit everywhere. Depicting a riot, if not a revolution. Soldiers rushed over from the army camp and the citizens engaged them in combat with fists, knives, crowbars & sticks. They were a poor threat against the well-trained army with standard issue swords, but their ferver for reinstating democracy granted them just enough strength to push the soldiers around.
General Liyaqat glanced down from the gate onto the crowd and snorted.
"Take aim, and kill those rebels." He commanded Ossian who stepped forth and stood over the small wall that flanked the road. He could see the rebels skirmishing the soldiers. He wasn't a great marksman but he could not reject Liyaqat's command. He raised both palms and unleashed death upon the victims. Innocent civilians and soldiers alike.
Bone spikes rained down, killing the men & women alike, stabbing anywhere. The darkness of the night made it a difficult shot. Ossian's gaze burned with immense rage. He who wished to fight against oppression was now the one oppressing others! This cruelty against his will filled him with vengeance. He wanted nothing but to tear Liyaqat apart limb to limb!
At this moment there was a thud and then rustling sounds as multiple old men emerged out of the darkness, attacking the guards on the heads with canes and rendering many unconscious. The rest of the guards swiftly fought the old ministers but many of them pushed through and surrounded Liyaqat.
"You scum! You dare turn our ally against us? Your callousness knows no bind!" Aysha growled.
"Hahaha! Continue culling the sheep, Ossian, I will gut these old cronies myself." Liyaqat said chuckling as he unsheathed his sword while Ossian kept assaulting the people with his bone spikes.
"You're quite brave for your age and occupation. Or have you unanimously decided to die today?" Liyaqat taunted the ministers.
"Every intellectual is always willing to die for democracy." An old minister said proudly.
"Hmph! And I'm just as ready to kill them all." Liyaqat smiled and leapt at the man, hacking with his sword. Two ministers jumped in to block his move but proved weaker and the sword left a shallow slash at the targeted minister's chest. He winced and retaliated with his sword, aided by his allies. Swords drew in from all sides and Liyaqat parried them all off by leaning backwards parallel to the ground and swinging his sword arm in a full circle.
Aysha bent low and jabbed at Liyaqat's waist but he kicked it aside, striking the blunt surface of the blade. Two men hacked from behind but Liyaqat went forward, getting out of their range while hacking at two men left and right.
Blood flowed, screams echoed. The ministers overdid themselves fighting against an experienced warrior but they only incurred injuries and eventually their heads began to roll on the ground, splattering blood everywhere.
Aysha screamed, stirring up Ossian; urging him to help her but he could not break out of the rope's magic. He was bound and accursed to witness massacre of his allies.
Clang! Clang! Shwak! Liyaqat parried off a few feeble attacks and then stabbed Aysha in the belly. Then pulling out the sword he prepared to behead her but the remaining ministers lunged at him together.
Liyaqat spun on his heel, swinging his sword in an arc, fending all the ministers back. They all toppled backwards. All except one.
Liyaqat's eyes bulged when he saw Ossian pressing a metal sword against his.
"You! How did-" Liyaqat looked at the rope that connected him and Ossian. It had been cut into pieces and was strewn around.
Nursena waltzed over from the side and took a stance behind him. She apparently had been freed by some rebels directed by the democrats while they ambushed Liyaqat. Nursena then had taken advantage of Liyaqat's distraction to free Ossian. Alas she was a bit late. Most of the democrats had fallen and the rest were gravely injured.
"Enough of your vileness, Liyaqat. You fall tonight." Nursena snarled hatefully.
"Should not have made me harm the innocent." Ossian growled. "You will pay with blood, Liyaqat."
"Hmph! Come at me! I'll eat your livers for dinner tonight!" Liyaqat shouted hatefully and attacked Ossian who parried with a metallic sword. He wasn't conceited enough to not admit his shortcomings. His bones could not rival metal. He had thus picked the enemy's weapon against him.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Sharp metallic sounds echoed as Liyaqat fought with Ossian and Nursena who attacked him from opposite sides. Ossian lacked the fineness that Nursena possessed, thanks to her formal training in combat; but he had a bone armor to protect him, a healing aspect and he was an immortal. Nursena was deft at her feet and wrists. She lacked power but could do well to distract and was capable of decapitating Liyaqat at any opportunity.
Liyaqat had fought many battles and was a natural prodigy at fighting since childhood. He kept the duo on their toes. His sword moves were swift, and his skill honed for years.
Swish-swish-clang! Liyaqat fought Ossian faster, giving him rapt attention while fending off Nursena's expected attacks. This gave him edge over Ossian and frequent cuts on his back and side as Nursena took full advantage of his strategy.
Blood seeped down Liyaqat's back and thighs, soaking his clothes while perspiration ran down his brows and temples. Ossian managed to land a few well-timed bone spikes at Liyaqat's shins and thighs. They were winning. They were winning!
Suddenly Liyaqat squatted and swiped speedily at Ossian's stomach while turning on his heels and moved his waist and arm deftly. Ossian took the hit and stumbled back, still secured by his bone armor. But, Nursena was felled in that one spinning swoop of the sword that cut open her belly, and her entrails burst out, splattering blood. There was utter disbelief on Nursena's face before she screamed aloud.
"AHHH!!"
"Nursena!" Ossian bellowed and leapt towards her but was thwarted by Liyaqat who attacked him fiercely.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Swoosh! Clang! Several moves were exchanged speedily. Sparks flew as the swords clashed. Liyaqat outmanoeuvred Ossian within moments and unarmed him.
As his sword fell away, Ossian summoned two bone javelins and he stabbed them at Liyaqat. One was parried away, but the other lodged deep in Liyaqat's gut.
The General plucked it out and attacked Ossian more ferociously; determined to bring him down with him. But just as Liyaqat drew close, Numerous bone pikes jutted out of Ossian's whole body and stabbed Liyaqat everywhere on the front.
There was a moment of silence. Ossian looked like a white porcupine with bone pikes all over him while Liyaqat had been caught in the move. His blood flowed down dangerously.
Ossian shed his bone pikes and they clattered all around him, revealing numerous holes in his clothing. Liyaqat fell like a dead bird, unmoving. Ossian rushed to Nursena who was lying in a pool of her own blood.
"Nursena! Nursena!" Ossian shook her strongly, making her open her eyes weakly.
"Ossian…" Nursena uttered.
"Nursena, stay awake. I…I'll fix you up." Ossian said unconfidently. A simpler wound, he could shut close with his bone power; but an injury of this type couldn't be fixed without proper expertise in surgery.
As Ossian fumbled with the open guts futilely, the old ministers gathered all around, supporting each other through grim injuries and carrying expressions of sorrow and pity.
"…ssian… Ossian!" Aysha exclaimed, snapping him out of his trance. "You should hear her last words."
"…Bring a healer." Ossian growled after a pause.
"One of us has already gone for it but, she stands no chance…" Aysha said, "please…"
Ossian frowned and sighed. His chest falling, and he trudged up to Nursena and sat by her head, taking her hands in his. The exoskeleton covering his hands retracted up his wrists. His skull helmet cracked and fell apart, revealing his healed face and black hairs that fell over his forehead in messy bangs. His glassy eyes stared into Nursena's.
"Ah, you…have a normal…face?" Nursena said with difficulty. Ossian exhaled a sad scoff.
"Did you think I was really skull faced?"
"I wondered…" Nursena scoffed too, weakly. Her lips curling up in a smile.
A moment of silence and sadness passed between the two.
"Don't die." Ossian begged.
"I would have, eventually someday. Mortals die, Ossian…" Nursena said somberly. "But I'm happy that you won't. You're immortal after all... Promise me something."
"Ask away…" Ossian pressed her hands.
"Remember me…for…ever." Nursena exhaled and didn't breathe again.
"How can I not?" Ossian uttered as his silent tears dropped on Nursena's face while her open lifeless eyes gazed into nothing.