Stone Warrior

                                                              (part 1)

Nine hundred and sixty five years ago a boy was born in the town of Talavia. Even at birth he was a big baby. In fact he was a giant baby. When his grandmother saw him she shouted in glee. She said, “My, my, he is such a big boy. In his own time he will surely be big, strong man; he will be as strong as Zzaraan.  Let us name him Zoran.”

Zzaraan was a legendry warrior who had killed hundreds of dragons and demons when they had attacked Talavia two thousand years ago. People of Talavia worshipped Zzaraan. Every man wanted to be brave like Zzaraan. Every father wanted a son as strong and powerful as Zzaraan

Zoran grew into a strong boy. Even at the age fourteen he was seven feet tall; he was big and strong as a bull. He could with one blow of an axe cut a huge tree. He could with bare hands kill a huge bear.

His father was a simple shepherd. He wanted Zoran to look after sheep and goats. He wanted Zoran to become a good, simple shepherd. But Zoran wanted to become a soldier. He wanted to fight the enemy and defend his beloved country. He wanted to kill the demons if they ever dared to attack Talavia. He wanted to be as brave as Zzaraan was.

One day, without telling his father, Zoran presented himself before the King. The King looked at Zoran and said, “My boy, why don’t you become a soldier? My army needs brave and strong men like you to defend our country.”

Zoran said, “My Lord, my father wants me to look after his goats and sheep. I must not disobey him.”

“We will persuade your father. He will agree,” King said to him.

 Zoran’s father got persuaded and he became a soldier. For two years he trained and trained hard. He learnt archery; he learnt to fight with swords and daggers; he learnt to use spears and lances, hammers and clubs. After two years of rigorous training he could fight and fight fiercely with every weapon. He became a fearsome fighter. Every soldier of Talavian army held him in high esteem.

The King too was pleased to see Zoran in his battle gear; he looked so majestic and fearsome. The king appointed him as one of his personal body guards. But Zoran was not pleased for he wanted to be on a border post to defend the country.

When his father saw him he felt proud of his son, “I think you did well by joining the army. You are a born soldier. Always fight the enemy like a tiger. Then they will all fear you for your strength and respect you for your bravery.”

One night when everyone in Talavia was asleep, soldiers of Brasia attacked. Talavian army was taken by surprise. Brasia was a friendly neighbour and in last one thousand years its army had never attacked Talavia.

Talavian soldiers were not well prepared; but they fought bravely. They were outnumbered. A messenger rushed to inform the King and to request for reinforcement.

The King was taken aback and did not know what to do. Zoran requested the King, “My Lord, let me go and fight the enemy. If we dither we are likely to face a huge defeat. I will take just ten of your guards and beat the hell out of Brasians.”

The King had no option but to accept the suggestion of Zoran. All Talavian soldiers were in far off posts and no reinforcement could be sent immediately to fight Brasians.     

Zoran went with ten of King’s guards. But by the time they reached the battle ground Talavian army had already been beaten. Talavian soldiers were retreating.  Brasian army was regrouping to enter the town.

Zoran let out a huge battle cry. He and the King’s guards attacked the Brasian army. They were brave soldiers. But Zoran was exceptional. He fought like a tiger. He moved on the battle ground like a whirlwind. Brasian army just could not withstand this onslaught.  No Brasian soldier could match his strength and ferocity. They began to lose the ground. The tide of the battle turned and Brasian soldiers began to retreat.

Talavian soldiers who had retreated came back and joined the battle.  

(To be continued)

 © i b arora

You can read next part of the story here