The Hero's Chamber

by Ian Newton

Kaya heard a small scream and shook her head. Her memories of home still clouded her vision like an early morning fog. She almost waved her hands in front of her face to chase them away, but she remembered her place.

  After following the small group of three men through the Wastelands for the past two weeks, she was ready to reveal herself. After her reveal, she would lead them through the canyons, ensuring their safe passage through the broken and dangerous landscape.

  This was the moment she had been waiting for. She was dressed in her grandmother’s Shadow Cloak, it was just before first light, and she stood upon the tallest ridge of sand for several miles.

  As she struggled to clear the visions in her mind, Kaya saw the older man with his arm out stopping the younger one with broad shoulders. They were both staring at her, and the older man was pointing. The smallest of the three men stood only twenty feet away, and he looked absolutely terrified.