by Paul A Jones
Stocks of the poison were running low. No living enemy had been sighted in hours. Most of the city had been sprayed in the gas and it was only meant to take on average fifteen minutes to kill. The Gall Regiment requested to be the first to enter the capital and they reported no living monsters in the first kilometre. Not many dead ones either. They reported most appeared to have died in the buildings. Two regiments were sent into the city to set up a perimeter and explore the buildings. No living Keratha were discovered. Parts of the city were a tomb. It was decided to remove the dead alien bodies onto wagons and pile them outside the walls to burn.
Sergun entered the capital on the fourth wave of troops. Though he hadn’t seen any evidence of a large-scale population when he’d stayed there, the sight was macabre. No living Keratha to be seen wherever they looked. The guns were still firing gas sporadically. It wafted in Sergun’s direction and though not toxic to humans it was bitter to the taste and unpleasant.
So far the battle had gone relatively smoothly. He half expected Spear Thrower to appear and talk to him. Were the Keratha leaders really dead or had they fled elsewhere? Was this really the beginning of the end of the Keratha near Tharne lands? It would be an outcome no one thought possible.
He’d ridden at the joint head of forty people less than a year ago. Now he rode back as the leader of an entire Tharne Army. Unable to take the artillery into the city they rode over the debris of battle and the smashed bodies of their enemy. Though he feared and hated the Keratha to see so many intact bodies dead was a shock.
Heavily armoured and armed men and Galls carefully explored the fallen city. They sent orders back to continue firing at the north with poison. Slave pens were found with living people. Sergun was relieved, wondering if the Keratha would have killed them all before they perished.
Thousands of slaves appeared speechless and in shock. Many seemed afraid of the soldiers but others rejoiced at the sight of so many dead aliens. Sergun wondered how many of the male Raiders would return to their homes and fight against his side. Age old hatreds were difficult for many to forget. Supplies were sent up for the former slaves who eagerly ate and drank.
There were so many dead Keratha it was as if no more must be left alive. There was no honour in such combat but then death was death and no way was truly honourable. The Tharne and their Gall allies had captured one of the Cities of the Gods in open combat, a day that would go down in history. The oracle’s knowledge had been put to great use. No more would they fear the Keratha, no longer would the six-legged creatures have any human slaves on the continent of Isph.
47. Aftermath
They went north of the city following the great river which flowed. Harbours and abandoned boats were found. Jehran was sent with a force to explore. He was in a great mood. To be back with a powerful army, in a position of power. He personally killed two Keratha in combat and to see their capital captured was an unforgettable experience. True, many of his side had died but to expect to defeat the aliens easily was only for the stupid to think of.
At the estuary, they found a great port with docks for many ships. The first troops met the Keratha and called for artillery support. Poison gas was in short supply and mortars were used. The Keratha lay dead, succumbed to the explosions, shrapnel and spears of the troops of Tharne. They captured the port and took control of several abandoned alien ships and flame weapons which guarded it.
The next day he rode along the coast and saw the truth; all Keratha were killed or had fled the continent. Such a feat his ancestor’s long dreamed of. He wondered how many aliens had left for the other continents but he couldn’t know that.
It was as far north as he’d ever travelled. If they went east for a few days they would be deep into the northern Raider lands. Most Raiders they freed from slavery chose to go back to their homes but thousands asked to go to Tharne instead.
The ocean opened up to the rest of the planet but Isph was the largest continent and the most heavily populated. The distant lands of Kathern had never threatened his people. It was a wonderful feeling to know the Keratha were vanquished from his lands.
He was shocked to discover back in the captured alien city surviving Keratha had attacked troops and managed to kill several soldiers and fatally wounded General Kall before they were vanquished. There were deep tunnels under the City where the gas had not penetrated. Warnings and orders were passed on for everyone to remain vigilant due to pockets of resistance while the gas was pumped underground.
He met Lord Chromosol back at the Capital Alien City. The Lord was living in the Emperor’s Palace surrounded by armed guards. The Palace had been checked extensively. ‘Like our new home?’ He was sat on one of the thrones the Keratha rulers had used but there were cushions to make it comfy. He was contented and cheerful.
Sergun remembered his visit earlier in the year. The Slave girls, Precca, the hunt for Jannesse. The slave pens and the revolting hunt. He wished that compromise had been reached with the Keratha leaders for reform but it was too late now.
‘This place will never feel like home. My home is a long way south. I’ve memories of being here twice and it was a relief to leave both times.’
‘We control two of the original cities on this land. We’ve doubled our territory in under a year. Captured a new northern port and captured many enemy weapons. It’s a mighty feeling to be here and to have destroyed so many of the enemy. The Oracle is a wonderful aid to us all. ’
Drinks were called for and this time it was no slave girls but upbeat officers from his own Army helping. After refreshment, he asked to explore the Palace. Chromosol offered him guards and Sergun accepted despite knowing the place had been searched many times. He didn’t want to finish his life with a Keratha appearing from a hidden door impaling him. Four bodyguards – two Galls and two large men accompanied him. Under the palace he revisited the slave prison cells. It was a hellish place to spend your days and he counted more than fifty cells. All were now thankfully empty and he hoped all those released were happier than they’d been before.
He didn’t revisit the room he stayed in with Kall. He explored as far as the fourth floor but didn’t want to look any further. The smell of Keratha was present. All bodies had been cleared but such a place would never be one to make into a home.
He travelled back through a devastated land. So many riders and wagons churned the land up. Alien bodies were still scattered as if they were dropped from the sky. He half expected them to rise up and start fighting again. It was too soon after the battles to feel the future was coming. He could still picture the noise of the guns, the huge explosions, and smoke. Maybe in a hundred years, there would be new towns all the way to the old Capital. Children would be told of the aliens who had lived there and might think it was only a story to scare them.
He saw former slave girls and men who had set up their home by the side of the tracks. They were sat drinking and eating next to open fires. Perhaps they would live here and Raiders would populate this land. He thought of the women who left with them after the attacks on the Raiders. Kall was lucky with Jersa. Raider women could be quite wild. He longed to be in the arms of his sweet wife again. She was still more than ten days away.
He fell asleep in the carriage. He dreamt the Keratha rose up from their graves and underground homes at night and hunted those who usurped them. They slaughtered them without mercy, tearing them apart. He found his home under attack and fought against them, defeating one but his luck ran out and more appeared and as he died he heard his wife and children scream. He awoke in a sweat, confused and relieved when he realised it was a dream. He looked out of the carriage window to confirm.
Grer and Jehran have at least survived from the battles. His old friend was alive and was happy at the defeat of the Keratha. He would return to his lands now with epic stories to tell his people. The Keratha were long-term foes of the Galls and he realised that the Galls might be friendlier towards his peoples now. The future looked bright. War did not fix
all the problems, it created new ones and friends died along with enemies and innocents. With the Cities defeated, the Keratha slaughtered and the Raiders losses the future looked good for humans and Galls.
Jehran sat on the Veranda of the house he’d bought. Sarish looked fine in the local dress and with her hair down. She would never be a farmer. Had never worked manual labour in all her life. Was now too old to be an assassin. He no longer wanted to be a soldier. It had been a worrying time smuggling out the treasures from the Keratha. With his reputation already dodgy, if he was found with booty he was sure to have been hung. Fortunately, Sarish was good at acting as a well-bred lady and she managed to find good buyers for their finds. He bought a bar and did not need to work again as his friend Sergun had obtained a full pension for him and the restoration of his service record.
He would always have an eye for the local maids and pretty girls on the street but unless she wanted to let him stray he didn’t intend to be unfaithful. With his history and experiences now was the time to settle down. Sarish wouldn’t be a good person to betray. She was handy with a knife, good with poison and he didn’t want to wake up with a knife to his throat or stare at his glass as he died. It was a good feeling to live with such a woman rather than a simple-minded girl. He had a life of stories to tell of epic battles, disgrace, being an outlaw, finding true love and hunting a man down to bring justice to many. Then the war against not just the Four Cities and the Raiders, but helping to vanquish the Keratha from his lands.
‘Jehran, I have a task for you tonight.’
It sounded interesting.
The smashing and crushing of the Keratha and the alliance with the Galls meant Tharne was now safe for the future. There were still Raiders who opposed them but nothing would be achieved riding against them. No treasures and he had a wild lover already and didn’t require another. The Army was his past. He’d achieved redemption and now had a pardon for his previous actions. He was an official hero. In the bar, there was sure to be the odd loudmouth who wanted to fight him. He would always be ready to use his sword. The sun shone down. Sarish’s hair glinted in the light.
Epilogue
General Sergun Arash arrived home with blood and death on his mind, yet the beginning of warmth and love arising. He could not believe he was going to see his family until he arrived and saw the buildings intact and touched his wife, children and dogs. He got Valiant to gallop and he ran seeming to recognise his home. Crops were in the fields, and smoke came from the chimney. He grinned as he got closer. He recognised the scent of the fields and felt he was already home.
Hersh ran out first and called, ‘Sergun!’
‘Herash,’ he cried, as he leapt from Valiant.
He knelt and hugged the large dog and smelt his fine scent. ‘I missed you. We must hunt tomorrow and play.’
‘Yes!’ Replied Hersh with excitement as he pushed against his pack leader and friend.
‘Welcome home master!’ Said Michael, as he strode towards him with a big smile. ‘You’ve had quite an adventure. Let me take Valiant. Everyone has missed you.’
‘Thank you Michael. It’s a fine feeling to be back.’
Tears came as he sighted his wife. She looked shocked, opened her arms and they held one another tightly as though it was a competition to see who could hold the longest and tightest. They finally let go and kissed. He was overjoyed to be home.
As he unpacked his goods, he found the book he started to read before the journey became dangerous. He stared at the cover and smiled; it has survived several battles, water, and fire. He would sit down and finish it, but not today, there were too many people to see.
For those, left behind there was sorrow in his heart. Kall; it would be his turn to be a legend. He hoped Jehran and Sarish found the happiness they sought in their outlaw life and found it in their new roles.
He had the rest of his pack to see, hunt with and play again. He looked at his tiny son and knew he would tell him one day the tale of a General who went on a mission to find and save a young woman. He would have to edit it for his son and he would make it far more fun and less bloody than it had been. Only when he was much older would hear the real story. Sergun wasn’t sure even that was a good idea.
He’d missed the birth of his daughter, and a litter of pups. He thought to all he would share now and smiled a genuine grin of happiness.
Sergun Arash formerly General of the First Division and commander of the Third Army who longed to retire from battle and then longed for action once more found peace. He couldn’t predict history but as for his own future; love, family and tending to the home and farm, as well as hunting all seemed a great way to spend the rest of his life. There had been enough bloodshed to last more lifetimes than he cared to count. To live for the future of them all was what counted. To a happy future for all.
‘My dear, I nearly forgot, there is an important letter for you.’
A letter! Sergun thought of the official ones which had led him away from his family and helped cause the deaths of so many. True they were great victories but he was promised there was no more to be asked of him. He was fearful the Government had betrayed their promise. His hands shook as he went into his study. He didn’t think he could endure any more killing. The elimination of the Keratha from the continent was completed and his name was sure to be associated with the slaughter.
He sat down and closed his eyes. To be afraid of what a letter might contain was a new experience. It wasn’t pleasant. He hesitated as he opened his eyes. It didn’t appear to be from the Minister. The handwriting on the smaller envelope was different and looked feminine. Curiously he opened it, and the letter inside made him smile. It was from Yurul, who was home, loved and safe. She wanted to thank the good trader Sergun for his kindness on their journey back to Tharne and told him she would never forget him. He thought of that gentle girl and she had returned to a good life. He thought of the slavers who ruled the Cities who had been crushed, the Keratha who kept slaves had been vanquished. Children would be able to grow up without facing slavery.
The oracle was confident the humans and Galls would conquer the Keratha across the world. The construction of naval ships was massively increased and the enormous factories where the weapons were produced worked all day and night. Sergun believed his lands were safe and no human would ever be a slave again. He’d done all he could for the fight and lost too many friends. This was a retirement he never wanted to end.
He put his arm around Sharis and felt her reciprocate. Nearly the whole continent knew peace and soon the whole world would. They had given their all and no one could ask for anything more.
Author’s note
I hope you have enjoyed reading this fantasy story.
I’m happy to have feedback about this book and my other stories.
You can post reviews on the Amazon site, or you can contact me via my contact page on my website:
www.pauljoneswriter.co.uk
Table of Contents
1.Sergun Arash
2. Leaving
3. Edge City
4. Land of the Keratha
5. The Capital
6. The Hunt
7. Raiders
8. A Meeting
9. The Attack
10. Victory
11. Jehran
12 Escape!
13. Jehran and Sarish
14. Revelation
15. In Love
16. The City of Dreams
17. Impasse
18. An Unexpected Friend
19. A Plan
20. Attempting to Rescue Jannesse
21. Captured
22. Rescue
23. On The Way Home
24. A Meeting
25. Homeward
26. Home Kingdom
27. Northtown
28. The Search for Treasure
29. The Ancient Artefact
30. The Attack
31. Close to Destruction
32. Return to Tharne
33. Revenge is Sought
34. Inventions
35. A Meeting with Minister Thorne.
36. A Grim Place
37. Counter Attack
38. Destroying the Enemy
39. Return to the City of Dreams
40. The Beach
41. The Secret
42. The War Council
43. Preparations.
44. The Expedition
45. The Battle
46. The Battle Continues
47. Aftermath
Epilogue