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Prologue

There was a boy named Karx who live in the village of Skylkyn near the Red sea, he was a very strong boy who hunted often in the woods with his spear and knife, he was the most courageous boy in the village and everyone respected him.

When Kahless came to the village, he was greeted by the people and the city wanted to prepare a great feast for him, the men were sent out to hunt to find animals to roast at the feast. Kahless was sent with the boy named Karx out into the woods. Kahless was impressed with the skills of the boy and he believed that the boy would make a formidable warrior, so he decided to train Karx to become one.

Kahless spent three weeks in the city of Skylkyn, training Karx to become a great warrior. At the end of the training, Kahless said that, to become a great warrior, Karx had to face death and overcome it.

Together, they built a raft and went to the river of Blood; the river of Blood was a great, turbulent river which was long and dangerous to navigate on. It was a great risk to navigate on the river and Kahless believed that it would be a great test of Karx's ability to control his fear and face death.

They navigated upon the fury of the rapids for half the length of the river. But then, even though the boy was courageous and made no mistake, the river was far too powerful and the raft was destroyed against a rock which protruded from the river. Karx fell into the river, and the rapid currents pulled him down to bottom of the lake.

He drowned.

Kahless returned to the city, when the people asked him where Karx was he told them that the boy had been killed. The reason...? It was no because of lack of skill, it was not because of lack of courage...It was because Kahless had made a mistake.

Red flowers grew along the shore of the river after that day, red like blood...

* * *

"Even though Kahless was a great warrior, that doesn't mean he couldn't make a mistake. In war, in battles, mistakes are frequent...The greatest mistake of all is to believe that you can't make a mistake. That shall be your doom. When you are fighting, it is essential to know yourself...to know your limitations. When you begin to know yourself, you will manage to stay clear of mistakes...But be careful! Staying clear of mistakes doesn't mean you won't make any every again. Everyone makes mistakes."

Today was another cold day in the monastery of Boreth; the young Klingons were sitting in the main hall, listening intently to the stories about Kahless the Unforgettable. The flames from the torches were the only things bringing heat to the Klingons.

A hand raised amongst the younger Klingons, the teacher--whose name was Kalor--pointed at the hand and said: "Yes?"

"Kahless...He should have known that the river of Blood was too dangerous for the boy. Why did he not see?" The student asked.

"I have already explained this, Doksath." Kalor said patiently. "Kahless was a great warrior, but he still made mistakes."

"Any old idiot wouldn't have taken such a risk." Doksath said.

All eyes in the hall turned to the student, Kalor was frowning deeply: "Kahless was not an idiot, Doksath. Be cautious with what you say."

Doksath frowned: "I say what I want to say, you cannot force me to think the way you want."

Kalor flexed his jaw muscles in annoyance; he said through clenched teeth: "Your impudence is highly disturbing, Doksath...I must ask you to leave."

"I leave by choice." Doksath said, rising from his seat. "I prefer to leave than to continue listening to senile old honor less Klingons who believe in a poor fool that kills small boys because of his idiocy."

Doksath walked slowly towards the exit, the gazes of everyone in the room following him. He stopped just before leaving, he turned to face Kalor and said: "The story of the river of Blood tells us of what Kahless really was...As the river brought an end to the life of Karx, the river shall bring an end to yours."

And he left...

Go to Chapter One