THE LAST KEEPER

Chapter 335: 335. BOUGHT TIME

”I plead that the Kai of the south give us more time. Return the good with good that Sagiri did.” Kiuga said, slapping his fist to his chest. Well, this was not a part of his plan, but things had gone completely south, and right now, even he could not do much about the situation but buy time and hope that Sagiri was not dead and he could show up.

He had even come for them in the Boni valley. He won’t fail this time. He won’t die that easily, could he?

”I should have stayed away from this matter.” Zifara cursed under his breath.

”I ask that you delay this matter until sundown. You are a man with resources, and you can.” Kiuga pleaded.

”We ask that you delay this matter until sundown.” Banga and Kaka said in chorus behind Kiuga.

”Zifara stood there for a moment, his hand resting on his weapon as if he was contemplating whether to kill the three or kill himself, before he sighed.

”What if he is not back by sundown?” Zifara asked.

”Then, as you can see, I am dressed like him. Most people don’t know him or his face. I will take his place and die.” Kiuga said.

”You already said if you all die, he will wipe out the city?” Zifara said.

”He will be back before then. We all have our roles to play. I will write a note only for those who can understand, explaining how hard you worked to keep us all alive.” Kiuga said.

”So I will save my own skin and let everyone die.” Zifara said.

The situation was getting harder and harder for everyone, and Kiuga was a little wicked. He knew that Zifara could not let the city be wiped out, and helping them at the moment was inevitable. Asking him to pay a debt was giving the man some face.

No matter what he chose, now this was a lose-lose situation. If he bought time and sagiri did not come back, then it was futile. They were all going to die, and Sagiri could not be held back by a mere note. If everyone were dead, then even Zifara could not be a general of corpses. The worst was that the crowd did not understand who they were dealing with, and neither did the council. They perhaps had heard rumours, but they did not fully understand Sagiri. He was the worst when he did not have anything to lose.

”He will be back before sundown. I know it. If he is late, it will only mean something of importance is holding back.” Kiuga said.

”More important than everyone dying?” Zifara sighed.

”So you are not really going to tell me where he is, are you?” Zifara said.

”I dare not. It will only make things worse for everyone. Besides, you will soon find out.” Kiuga said.

”Okay, fine. I will hold the execution of your friends and yours till sundown. If he isn’t back by then, you know my hands are tied.” Zifara said.

”Thank you, General. We will be indebted to you for life for this life.” Kiuga said, a nervous smile taking over his face.

It is now or never, Sagiri. You better not be dead.

”Don’t thank me yet, but you can tell me who raised you. I don’t for one second believe you are from Tatani. Your manner of speaking and making strategies is unrivaled by many.” Zifara said, and Kiuga froze. Had he outdone himself that much?

”My father was a general. A retired one, and he taught me everything I know. Rest his soul.” Kiuga shook his head and added a dramatic pitch to his voice as he spoke the last words.

At this, Kaka could not take it, and Kiuga could hear him mutter

”shameless” under his breath, but kept his head lowered.

”He must have been a great general of...”

”Safaya. He is from Safaya. They met with my mom during the last war between Tagayia and Safaya. My mother is from Tagayia.” Kiuga continued holding that grieved voice, and he was surprised that Kaka had not punched him yet.

”Shameless.., ridiculous,” Kaka muttered.

”I see. May their souls rest in peace. You may stand. No wonder that N’folu keeps you close.” Zifara said with a strong voice, only that of a warrior who had seen his friend die time and time again.

”If I am to help you, then I need you to do something for me?” Zifara said as the three rose to their feet.

”You need to keep acting like him,” Zifara said. Kiuga had been dressed like Sagiri all day, but Zifara had just caught him at first glance and asked where Sagiri was, so plan B did not even take motion. The man could even tell who someone was by looking at their shadow. He was not a man to be trifled with.

”As you wish. What do you need me to do?” Kiuga asked.

”Go stand on the roof where everyone can see you,” Zifara said before he turned around to leave.

Five hours after dawn, Kiuga stood alone upon the edge of a rooftop overlooking the inner city. Wrapped in Sagiri’s cloak, his face hidden beneath the shadow of the hood, he looked enough like the real thing that anyone watching from below would be convinced.

The city beneath him was in turmoil. The broad avenues of the inner district were packed with people chanting for Sagiri’s death. The hood concealed most of his face while the cloak hid his frame. Below him, the city had descended into chaos. The broad streets of the inner district were packed with people. Nobles, merchants, warriors, and common citizens alike filled the plazas and avenues between the council halls and lordly estates.

Angry banners waved above the crowd. Voices merged into a deafening roar that echoed between the stone buildings. Kiuga watched groups pushing toward the council district, pointing toward the fortress and shouting demands. Some called for arrests. Others demanded executions. More than once, he heard Sagiri’s name carried by the wind, followed by curses and accusations.

Every faction seemed to have its own version of the truth, and all of them wanted someone to blame. Armed warriors lined the streets in an effort to contain the swelling crowds, but even from the rooftop, Kiuga could see their discipline fraying. The tension hanging over the city felt like a bowstring stretched to its limit.

One wrong move and the entire inner city would erupt. Kiuga rested a hand on the rooftop ledge and looked down at the sea of furious faces. For the first time since putting on the disguise, he was beginning to understand just how much trouble Sagiri had managed to accumulate in a remarkably short amount of time.

He could not imagine being on the receiving end of such hate from his own people.

Poor Sagiri.

Somehow, the scene made his heart ache.

Perhaps killing them all won’t be such a bad idea.