Hard Sands: Warlords of Atera

by Kyle, Celia

  Could she be the symbol of hope for these people? Nakan and the other Aterans looked at the humans as some kind of gifts from the goddess, but hearing Nakan describe the problems the Hard Sands faced… Kalinda realized there was so much more to the situation. It wasn’t just that Aterans were superstitious, seeing the ship fall from the heavens as some kind of divine omen. They were a people on the brink of war—desperate for some sign. The crash had been the catalyst they needed, the spark that would set them on the path to change. Hopefully for the better.

  She didn’t have to believe in the Ateran goddess to see how important this “omen” was to them. No matter what happened over the coming days, the spark of hope had already been set off. The people of the Hard Sands would look to the human refugees in search of guidance—even if that guidance came in superstitious signs, omens they saw out of pure desperation. Even if Kalinda did nothing, her mere presence would cause drastic changes to these people’s way of life.

  Perhaps the only right thing to do was to attempt to guide those changes in a positive direction. She already had thoughts about using her knowledge to bring new advances to the Aterans—helping them accelerate their technological development beyond their current levels. As Lady of the Hard Sands, she could do more. She could be a voice to the people, a voice for peace, bringing a message of diplomacy and virtue from beyond the stars. She wouldn’t even have to lie and claim her message came from Eana. She would simply have to speak, and superstitions would take care of the rest.

  She crossed her arms and lowered her head. It was a lot to consider. Despite her best intentions, becoming some kind of prophet to the Aterans was a burden she wasn’t sure she was ready to shoulder. Was she even wise enough to know the right things to say or do? She could preach for peace but still say the wrong thing and end up bringing them further down the path to war. She was a simple woman—an engineer. She didn’t know the first thing about leadership.

  She struggled to find a way to voice the thoughts that tumbled through her mind. Nakan had already raised a chisel to the stone wall, prepared to carve her name into the cliff. Kalinda took a breath, prepared to protest and have him wait.

  Except a pair of thick arms wrapped around her from behind, yanking her off her feet and a scream of utter terror escaped her lips.

  Chapter Twenty

  Chisel in hand, Nakan was ready to carve his kode’s name into the cliff. He paused for a moment, allowing her name to roll through his mind as he sought how to best spell Kalinda using the Ateran alphabet. It was such a sweet sounding, foreign name, so unlike the hard, blunt sounds of the Ateran language. It was almost too musical to be translated properly.

  He touched the chisel to stone, arm pulled back and hammer prepared to strike metal as he carved the first character when Kalinda’s scream ceased his every movement. Nakan whirled, chisel gripped tightly in his fist, ready to wield it like a dagger against whatever threatened her. His first instinct was to expect a stonecrawler—a many legged insectoid that grew several arm spans long. They were not overly dangerous, but could be quite frightening to look upon, especially for an off-worlder who had not aged with the beasts.

  Instead, he found a sight he had never considered. Chaze stood at the ready, three other Ateran warriors at his back. One held Kalinda, hoisting her off her feet from behind. The others closed in on Nakan, long curved swords raised in a clear threat.

  Nakan growled, body tense and ready to fend off his attackers.

  “You should have died in the cave, Nakan.” Chaze brandished his blade. It was a heavy weapon of an older design, more suited as a wall trophy than to be used in battle. He was surprised to see such a blade in Chaze’s hands.

  “And you are a fool, Chaze. Even if you defeat me, do you think you will have the support of the people? No,” he shook his head. “You could not. If you believed you were fit to rule, you would challenge me with the Right of Ka’Eana. We would duel with honor in front of the warlords in the Great Hall. Instead you try to kill me beneath the ancestors.”

  Chaze growled, flicking his blade forward. Nakan deflected the strike with the chisel with ease. Chaze’s movement was merely a feint meant to test Nakan’s reflexes.

  “I do not need the support of the warlords when you take your last breath.” Chaze kept his blade leveled at Nakan. “I will have the gift of Eana.”

  Chaze smirked and Nakan’s eyes flicked to his Kalinda, the male’s implication clear. The other male planned to use Kalinda as a symbol—a tool to convince the people that she had been sent to Chaze, not Nakan. If Chaze’s ploy were successful, it could gain him a great deal of support.

  The moment Nakan’s eyes left Chaze, the other male rushed forward, striking out hard with his blade. Nakan ducked, but not quickly enough, and the sharpened metal slashed his shoulder and drew a gout of blood.

  Nakan growled in pain. He dropped to a roll and got to his feet a short distance away, adding space between himself and his assailants. One of Chaze’s companions rushed forward in an attempt to close the distance. Nakan hurled the chisel like a throwing dagger, embedding the piece of Red Sands metal into the warrior’s gut. The male grunted and grabbed at the chisel, his eyes wide. Before he could pull the weapon free, the male fell to the ground, his life’s blood already staining the stone plateau.

  Nakan pulled his sword from his back and brought it forward to parry another of Chaze’s blows as he drew nearer. The blades rang with a clash of metal on metal that echoed across the cliffs. Despite the volume of the fight, they were too far from the city for there to be any chance the battle would be heard.

  Nakan made several quick swipes with his sword, knocking Chaze’s weapon aside again and again and forcing the male to retreat. He grinned as he urged his opponent back.

  “Your blade is too heavy, Chaze, an archaic design. You should have brought a more modern weapon.” Nakan made more rapid thrusts and swipes. His own sword was a cunning, modern design made from alloys that made it stronger than common Red Sands material while still weighing less. It was far more suited for this duel than the heavy blade the other male wielded.

  “I carry this blade to honor my ancestors.” Chaze made a large, hefty swing. There was so much strength behind it that Nakan was forced to jerk back to avoid the heavy metal. It had been a long time since he had dueled with another who carried such a heavy blade. What Chaze lacked in speed, he made up for in strength.

  “What honor is there in your family?” Nakan sneered. “Had you any true honor, you would have issued a formal challenge.”

  Chaze spat on the ground. “My family is of an ancient and sacred bloodline. Do you not know, Nakan? Have you not guessed?”

  Nakan circled in an attempt to get nearer to Kalinda. She watched the battle with wide eyes, still struggling in vain to throw off the iron grip of her assailant. The Ateran warrior held his hand over her mouth, keeping her silent, but her eyes pled for Nakan to rescue her.

  “I know what you are.” Nakan continued to keep an eye on Chaze as he circled toward Kalinda. “You are a fool.”

  “No,” Chaze raised his blade high. “I am Chaze ni Charon na Chuto, descendant of the warlords who once ruled the Hard Sands. I shall reclaim what was stolen from my ancestor!”

  He rushed at Nakan then, taking a might swing. Nakan barely had a moment to duck, knowing the heavy blade would be too difficult to block or parry. He recognized the blade now and understood Chaze’s choice in weaponry. It was the sword of the Warlord Chuto—ruler of the Hard Sands in generations past until one of Nakan’s ancestors had defeated him in battle. The heavy, curved blade was more than just a relic. It was a symbol of what Nakan’s family had taken from Chaze’s all those years ago.

  Nakan flicked his blade out and nicked the scales along Chaze’s thigh. The male seemed to barely feel the cut. He rushed at Nakan again before recovering from his swing. He barreled his shoulder into Nakan’s chest, and Nakan grunted, the wind knocked from his lungs as he stumbled across the plateau. He
knew he was quicker on his feet, but he had not anticipated Chaze’s raw strength. He could not face this foe head-on.

  He attempted to put some distance between himself and Chaze, but Chaze’s companion swiped in Nakan’s direction, removing his path of retreat. His back was now to the precipice at the edge of the plateau while another warrior blocked him from the right. Nakan had nowhere to retreat and his only choice was to face Chaze and try to outmaneuver the male.

  “Give up, Chaze.” Nakan tried to buy himself more time. “Even if you defeat me, the people will know you did not challenge me with honor. They will not submit to your rule.”

  “Bah!” Chaze spat and rushed forward once more. He took a mighty swing at Nakan’s chest, drawing blood. While Nakan remained off-balance from the blow, Chaze swung out his leg and kicked Nakan in the chest. He stumbled backward, unable to regain his footing.

  Kalinda’s scream echoed around him as she struggled to get free.

  Then his feet slipped off the edge behind him, finding only air. His blade tumbled from his hand to the chasm below. Nakan reached out, fighting to grip the edge of the cliff, but his claws merely scraped against stone, unable to find purchase.

  The last thing he saw before plummeting into the chasm was Chaze’s victorious grin as he watched from above.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Kalinda screamed, throat burning with the shout as terror overtook her every thought. Her heartbeat stuttered and then raced, unable to believe what unfolded before her eyes. Nakan tumbled over the cliff edge and it felt as if her soul were torn in two. She had never considered how deeply he had penetrated her heart until it felt ripped in half as he was thrown from the ledge.

  The fight left Kalinda in a great whoosh with Nakan’s disappearance over the edge. She slumped in her captor’s arms, the weight of Nakan’s loss burying her on all sides. She didn’t have the strength to remain upright. The only thing that kept her from crumbling was the warrior still holding her.

  A hand closed around her wrist and Chaze yanked her close, bracing her against his chest. “You belong to me now.”

  Kalinda glanced at him, unable to understand his words. The shock enveloped her so fully she couldn’t find her voice to argue with Chaze. There was nothing she could do now. What was the point of fighting the disgusting Ateran?

  Chaze dragged her, Kalinda’s feet stumbling over the stone and legs refusing to hold her weight. Her vision was blurry and cloudy with tears, blocking her sight so she was unsure where she was being taken.

  “Return to the tunnels.” Chaze ordered his companions. “Tell no one of what happened here. I will make an announcement when the time is right.”

  “Yes, Warlord.” The warrior touched a fist to his heart and gave Chaze a short bow.

  That was wrong. That was only reserved for Nakan.

  The two living warriors knelt beside their fallen comrade, the male Nakan had managed to kill before being thrown to his death. Kalinda didn’t see what they did with the corpse as Chaze dragged her back down the treacherous mountain path—the same one she had walked with Nakan such a short time ago.

  Halfway back to the city, he took her down a different trail, looping through a series of pathways that looked rarely used and neglected. Eventually they reached a tunnel Kalinda had never seen, one that led them back into the mountain through a route that kept them isolated from populated areas.

  By the time they reached the tunnels, some of her shock had eased, leaving nothing but rage and sadness in its wake. This rage pushed the agony of Nakan’s loss to the side and took over her mind. Once her thoughts cleared, she turned her attention to escape.

  She couldn’t physically fight Chaze. He was far too strong and powerful—a trained warrior. She also didn’t know the tunnels well, so running would be futile. She would likely get lost in the tunnels and Chaze would find her easily again.

  Her only hope was calling for help once they reached populated areas. Surely there would be Aterans loyal to Nakan. Maybe Aarom would rescue her once he realized the truth. At this point, she would even put some faith in a random stranger as long as they weren’t loyal to Chaze.

  “Where are you taking me?” She spoke once she found her voice again. Discovering his plans might allow her stall for time—time to think, time to get help.

  “My quarters.” Chaze leered at her.

  Kalinda tensed and on instinct, pulled away, but he yanked on her arm to keep her close.

  “You can’t touch me.” She glared at him. “I’m not your kode. You can’t… you can’t get aroused by me. I don’t stir your blood.”

  Chaze sneered and stopped in the middle of the tunnel. He grabbed a fistful of her hair and forced her head back, silently demanding she look at him. “You know nothing of Ateran biology, little one. You may not stir my blood as a true kode, but that does not mean we cannot have… fun together.”

  One of his hands strayed down, curving around her ass. Her stomach revolted and clenched, a slimy feeling of disgust spreading through her body. She could imagine the number of ways Chaze might violate her, even if he didn’t actually fuck her. For someone like him, a male who craved violence and pain, it wouldn’t even be about sex. He would want to make her scream and cry, forcing her to feel powerless and helpless against him. It would thrill him to have that power over her. He would get off on her suffering one way or another.

  Chaze returned to dragging her down the corridor and her thought went to Nakan—his gentleness and the way he had worked to earn her affection. He had never tried to force anything or pressure her into taking a step she wasn’t ready to take.

  In that moment she regretted how hard she had resisted him. She’d had the urges to give in. She’d desired him and craved his body. She could have let those desires overcome her, mate with him so their bonding was complete. Now that it was too late, she found herself wishing she had taken a chance on the caring alien. She should have let him claim her.

  With those thoughts consuming her mind, she touched a hand to the ambroze pendant Nakan had given her, the most precious gift she had ever received.

  When her fingers wrapped around the stone, she found it warm to the touch. She frowned and gripped it tighter. It’d never seemed so warm in the past. Almost as if it were some sort of omen. As if the Ateran goddess watched over her and tried to send her a message.

  But what message?

  She was jarred from those thoughts by voices up ahead. She straightened her spine and tensed her muscles, ready to run if the voices belonged to a potential rescuer. She held her breath as they rounded a corner, coming face-to-face with a small group of warriors.

  Her hopes were dashed when the males bowed to Chaze. “Warlord Chaze, the other warlords are gathered in the hall as requested. We merely await a few stragglers.”

  “Good.” Chaze’s grip tightened on Kalinda’s arm. “Tell no one of what transpires. I will address the warlords soon. Make sure none leave before my arrival.”

  “Yes, Warlord.” The male gave another short bow.

  Chaze led her onward, but she looked back at the gathered males, scanning their faces while hoping to find an expression of sympathy in one. Several appeared determined, even angry, and her spirit withered beneath the heaviness of those stares. No doubt they were some of Chaze’s strongest allies. A spark of hope flickered to life when a few near the back appeared confused and uncertain. Perhaps they weren’t sure about the events unfolding in front of them?

  “Help me!” She locked stares with one of the warriors. “He killed Nakan. You’ve got to do something!”

  The Ateran warriors exchanged looks, one to another to another. They murmured to each other and she didn’t think they knew Nakan was dead.

  “Silence,” Chaze hissed at her and then turned to the warriors. “Do as you are told. Return to your duties.”

  Several moved away, but everyone stopped when one of their group spoke up. “Warlord Chaze, is it true? You have slain Warlord Nakan?”

&nbs
p; Everyone froze, all looking to Chaze and awaiting his response.

  Her captor hesitated, shifting on his feet as if uncomfortable with the question. Kalinda wasn’t sure what was going through Chaze’s mind, but it looked like he’d been caught off guard. Perhaps he hadn’t been ready to reveal all just yet. He had probably wanted to make a big announcement to the warlords before speaking with the common warriors.

  “That one is Nakan’s kode,” one of the warriors whispered, his attention on Kalinda.

  “Then it must be true,” whispered another.

  “Return to your duties,” Chaze ordered again, raising his voice with the demand. “All will be made clear. Go. Now!”

  The warriors scattered though more than one hesitated, concern painted across their faces as they headed down the tunnel.

  “Wait!” she tried again, struggling to break free of Chaze’s grip. “Please, help!”

  “Be quiet!” He yanked her closer and raised his other hand, smacking her across the mouth. Kalinda staggered, the strength of the blow causing her head to spin with dizziness and confusion. He continued to drag her along, hauling her onward despite her attempts to escape.

  Kalinda dug deep, searching inside herself for the courage for one last shout. “Get Aarom! Someone, please, tell him what happened!”

  The warriors gave no sign that they heard her pleas and Chaze had already dragged her out of sight down one of the side tunnels on the way to his quarters. Unable to break free, Kalinda sobbed, knowing what fate lay ahead of her.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chaze slammed Kalinda against the stone wall outside his quarters, knocking the wind from her lungs and leaving her struggling for breath. One hand around her throat, he used his grip to pin her to the wall while his other hand roamed her body, making her skin crawl with his scaly touch.