The weariness pulled upon him quickly and he let himself fall asleep, perhaps she will return, was his last thought and excuse that allowed him to fall asleep on some inclined decking.
CHAPTER 6
ALONE
ALEX WOKE WITH a pounding headache. He rolled out of his position and looked outside. It was very bright, and was perhaps midday.
He knew he couldn’t stay there, the room was very warm due to the scorching flames that were on the deck above him.
Alex proceeded to exit the ship out the back. Every movement triggered a wave of pain in his head. As he reached the edge he observed two wineskin like containers. He was positive they were not there when he entered the ship. Opening the container he let a little bit spill into his hand.
“Oh hell yeah!” Alex quickly drank the entire contents of the container knowing there was a second.
Alex used the wire to create a multi looped bandolier to carry the wineskins, one of which was now empty.
As he jumped out of the ship the heat from the nearby fire was intense, forcing him to back away towards the far side of the ship. None of the Juntards were there. No dead bodies and that fire isn’t going to spread. That’s at least something, he thought to himself.
He quickly made his way freely to the front of the ship where the mound of dirt surrounding the hull grew higher. From his vantage point he could see the mound was stained red with blood. Not a person was in sight. As he crept up the side of the mound and he saw several large creatures on the other side, each was sliced open and pierced with many arrows.
Then he observed a group of men huddled in a semi-circle around a single man who was speaking. They struck Alex as different from the men that he had expected. These men seemed orderly, well dressed, clean and with shields. Something he didn’t see once while they sprinted by the chaos in the middle of the night.
A herd of Juntards were laying on the ground near the hull. All the soldiers were facing away from Alex except the speaker. Who apparently was very observant of his surrounding as he spotted Alex even over a hundred meters away. Alex wasn’t sure what the man had said but all those present turned and looked at Alex at once.
Alex slowly ducked behind the mount of dirt that blocked most of his body.
He wasn’t sure his weapons could penetrate the metal shields the soldiers carried and they were far too many. He descended on the other side several feet as he considered his options.
He looked at his newly obtained weapon. It was about a full inch wide and about twelve inches long, curved in shape, the handle was like a large semi circle and identical to the one he already carried. Alex realized it kind of resembled a candy cane. He knew they could be upon him at any moment so he took the only fully loaded firearm and wedged it between his butt cheeks allowing it to curve up and over his genitals. There was nothing comfortable about it.
It was not ideal, but he doubted they would find it if they decided to search him.
With the remaining weapon he approached the crest of the dirt mound once again overlooking the other side of the ship. Seven men were making their way up the other side towards him, two of them had bows at the ready but not drawn.
“Do you understand my words? Come down stranger we will not harm you!” Said the man that had once been standing in the center of the group.
Alex forced a sigh of relief as the men with bows lowered them and all stopped approaching his location. I cannot let them have these weapons. Alex thought to himself.
“I have very deadly weapons and I will use them if I have to.” Alex shouted.
Alex then fired the remaining rounds into the ground near his feet. Small plumes of dirt shot into the air. Alex checked the weapon, it displayed zero and a square next to it was blinking yellow. Alex thought that by emptying the weapon it might automatically release a hidden lever or something to allow a reload. Surely they didn’t create disposable one time use weapons. He questioned himself.
The leader from the back approached slowly while everyone else remained standing.
“I am sure you do. That is why you do not have to fear us. You were a member of the crew, yes? Are there any others alive?”
“No.”
The man stopped walking, but then continued.
The hairs on Alex neck stood on end. They know this was a spaceship. He tried to determine if that made them better or worse.
“My name is Deetur, these are my men. You have my word we will do nothing but provide for you and converse. Will you come down, and promise not to harm us as well?”
“I’m coming down.”
These people spoke the same local language, but there was certainly an accent of sorts, a sluggish speech.
“Are you men from Forex?” Alex asked.
“Yes, you have heard of it?” The man responded stopping at the base of the mound of dirt.
“I have.” Alex began to descend, the useless handgun still in his hand. He very visibly placed the handgun under his belt along the front of his pants for all to see.
“Most excellent, I look forward to having very exciting conversations. Come, we shall return to Forex and I will introduce you to many of people.”
Alex watched as the seven closest soldiers turned away from him and descended the mound of dirt.
“You can kill those creatures?” Alex pointed to the beasts.
“Yes but that was not our work. The beasts belly up on the surface when they overfeed. On the surface, they are harmless and easily killed.”
Completely disgusted with the thought that the beasts gorged themselves on human like flesh he tried to think about other things, in that moment of quiet he tried to sense them with his mind. His initial attempt had the same result he had every time he made an attempt on this planet, he could single out a mind but it was surrounded by a thick cloud and he couldn’t sense what was going on inside.
“My name is Alex. But, if you want me to go with you, I need to stop an army from destroying a village first. I came to retrieve this weapon and see that the village is protected.”
Alex had glanced down at the weapon in his belt and noticed the number seven off to the side, the yellow light was no longer flashing. He pulled the weapon out, and confirmed that the number was seven. Auto regeneration, he thought to himself.
“It is a … elegant weapon. How big an army do you expect to defend against, perhaps we could help you?”
“I do not know, the king sent his men against me and I attacked them as the villagers defended me. I let some of the soldiers escape and it’s said they will return in greater numbers.”
“We have heard a lot of things lately, some unbelievable things. Perhaps you can help substantiate the claims. We have heard that the king died recently. Was that your doing?”
“No he was killed before I arrived by a man name Unbiter.”
“So it’s true, Unbiter has usurped the throne.”
“So it would seem.”
“And the kings family, alive?”
“I… do not know for certain.” Alex felt was true enough. “Tell me, did you battle or encounter anyone on your way to the crash site?”
“No they all fled upon our approach… that way.” The man pointed to where the mountain ridge blended in with the flatland and rose out of the ground towards the mountain.
“I will go and fulfill my word.” Alex turned to leave.
“Then my men and I will go with you, my King will be most displeased if I allowed you to be killed.”
“Won’t the king of these lands… Unbiter, be upset with your presence?”
“If what you say is true, war is upon my people anyway.” Deetur looked upon his men.
“Letrick, I want you to prepare your men to come with us.”
“Flebitsi, your man are to enter the ship and fill their sacks with whatever they think is of value.” He stopped and looked at Alex.
Alex thought about the men ransacking his ship, but decided everything of value was buried on deck three or dest
royed.
“Do you have anything to eat?” Alex asked knowing they were sure to have some food with them.
The man smiled and yelled, “Food for our honored guest.”
Over the next few minutes Alex ate a variety of nuts and jerky. Once finished, they followed Alex as he crossed the flatlands with little concern of coming across additional underground creatures. The ride was uncomfortable, as Alex was still not ready to reveal his hidden weapon. He always liked to have a secret advantage and this was the only one he could have at the moment. As they passed the mountain ridge he picked up some static in his headset for a short time. After hoping for a few minutes the signal would clear up it vanished entirely. He lead the way around the ridge as they headed towards the small village hidden within the sparse forest.
Alex approached the village slowly from the south with about fifty men from the realm of Forex. It was midday and the village appeared busting with rushed activity. One of the villagers began to scream as they spotted the large group of warriors approach from the south.
“We don’t need to terrify these people, please wait here while I explain our presence.” Alex said.
For a moment Alex wasn’t sure if Deetur was going to obey.
“As you wish.” Deeter put both arms straight out at his side and those behind him stopped approaching.
Alex dismounted and approached on foot. He walked twenty or so paces before a few men with weapons appeared. Observing the peripherals of the village Alex noticed several Juntards fleeing the area in various directions.
“It is I, Alex, I have retrieved the weapon I sought, and have bought friends to help.”
Buitsi approached from behind one of the corners of the nearest building. “These men are not from Jebney. They are Forex, yes?”
“Yes they came to investigate my crashed ship.” Alex gazed his surroundings.
“Where is Alesti, I do not see her.” The man asked.
“Honest, I do not know she fled with Jubane and Keliseo as the Forex approached. We are here to help you defend the village.”
“Alex… You do not travel with the friendly sort and do you truly think you can hold off the numbers the king has sent against us?”
“We do not know how many the King has sent against you?”
“My scout has confirmed a number of one hundred fifty men approaching from the north. We are not staying, we are leaving the village, my people will scatter to the surrounding villages and hope for the best.”
“What should I do?” Alex asked not really expecting an answer.
“I don’t really care what you do, in fact I would be pleased If I never saw you again.” Buitsi turned and strode away. As did the few men who had hastily gathered scattered as well.
Alex extended his arms out to the side, bewildered as to what to do next. He wished Symboli was in range. I’ve got to find Symboli. Just as Alex was about to turn back towards his juntard, he saw the little girl from the schoolhouse peeking around the corner.
“Where is my father?” Yesla asked Alex.
“I do not know. Where is your mother?”
“Our mother died long ago. Will my father return before the soldiers arrive?” Yesla appeared very concerned.
“I am not sure.”
“I do not know where to take my brother and sister.” Yesla looked to her right and at all the men behind Alex.
“Aren’t you leaving with the rest of the village?” Alex asked, starting to get concerned.
“I am the eldest and I do not know where to go, or how to get there. I have no choice but to wait for my father or hope the soldiers do not harm us.” Yesla turned and disappeared behind one of the buildings.
Alex walked back to his juntard.
“The soldiers approaching will not spare anyone in this village if they have committed treachery against the King’s soldiers.” Deetur looked down at Alex from atop his juntard.
“What are your chances against one hundred and fifty?”
“Alex, I did not come here to fight your battles, I only help you because I know my king will want you alive and unharmed. If I must fight to ensure your survival then I will.”
“How do we get to Forex from here and will your people take in Yesla, her brother and sister if they come with us?”
“I can see they are taken care of upon our return to Forex, it is directly due North but so is the City of Rock and that we must avoid, so we must return to the mountain and then follow it North.”
“I will retrieve the children.” Alex walked out of sight from the gathered soldiers and watched Yesla enter a building two buildings over. A few moments later Alex followed in behind her.
“Grab your things, you three are coming with me.” Alex said as he blocked most of the doorway.
“I think we should wait for father.” Yesla said.
“Those soldiers the king sent are coming to kill everyone including you, to leave you here is to allow you to die. You must come with me.” He took another step into the room.
“We are not going anywhere. My family has been loyal to the king, they will not hurt us.” Said Yesla.
Alex reached over to pick up the youngest one who appeared to be about five. Yesla grabbed a little kitchen blade of stone and pointed it towards Alex. “Touch her, I stick you and scream for help, people will come.”
Unexpectedly stunned at the turn of events, Alex backed up slowly, turned and walked out of the building, “I was just trying to help,” he said on his way out. The sun was still high in the sky. As he considered his options there was static in his ear for a few moments but it went away again.
“Symboli?” There was no response.
Alex walked back to his juntard and climbed on. Deetur and his men looked on waiting for a response.
“There’s nothing for us here, let’s go.” Alex reached forward and barely squeezed the lobe.
With a wave of Deeturs hand they all began riding north through the village and beyond.
“Alex, we should go to the mountain, it will provide us cover during our return. We can ride either on top of the ridge or near the base.” Deetur suggested as he pointed towards the nearest ridge that paralleled north in the general location.
Alex was considering his options when they noticed a large group of soldiers heading directly towards them from the ridge itself.
“They must be Unbiters men, if they catch us they will kill us.” Deetur said looking at the horizon with Alex. “We must attempt to flee north into our land where we will be safe.”
“They are slightly ahead of us, they can cut us off that won’t work, but I have a plan.” Alex replied.
“I love plans, tell me this plan.”
“Well, we will wait for the approaching army, I will kill some of them and they will chase us as we flee north. Our Juntards will be more rested than theirs.”
“This sounds like a terrible plan, they will kill you and then all of us.”
“They will not.” Alex said sounding confident but he felt the likelihood of returning home dwindle like sand between his fingers. “We will have to fight them either here or further away, I like the idea of resting our juntards. It will be better for us if we have to flee the battle.”
Deetur didn’t make a reply as they continued a slow pace towards the approaching army.
Alex stopped the group and rode about fifty meters in front then waited nearly fifteen minutes for the army to approach. Raising one of his two weapons, he fired seven shots towards the group of fast approaching riders. He hit two juntards, and they collapsed into the ground, and one soldier. The large group of men were only about one hundred and fifty meters away and closing. Alex sat up briefly and exchanged weapons trying to keep at least one hidden from view from those behind him. He wanted to keep his second weapon a secret as long as possible. He fired seven more times with similar results.
Now only one hundred meters away and approaching fast, Alex reach forward and squeezed his juntard’s ear lobe directing it towards
the northern horizon. Looking back he could tell the plan worked as they all gave chase.
It was an odd feeling, Alex was in the middle of two opposing groups of men from two different realms. One group determined to protect him and the other determined to kill him.
It was about a minute later that Alex checked the weapon and watched as it changed from six to seven and the yellow light disappeared. With his non-dominant hand Alex fired all seven shots towards the chasing man about eighty meters behind him and slightly to the left. He hit two juntards, one was a direct shot to the head which downed the animal quickly, the rest of his shots were misses. After all his shots, the number of enemy giving chase had hardly diminished.
He focused on riding and squeezed the lobes harder. The animal grunted something terrible but did seem to speed up, if only a little.
At fifty meters away, Alex reached back again and fired seven more times. Three hits. Just then his juntard jumped over a tiny stream. Several but not all of the Juntards from the Forex Army stopped and turned back on their own accord.
“Nooooo.” Alex heard Deetur yell in his own language as his juntard was one of those that turned back.
Alex stopped his juntard and turned it around. Unbiter’s army of Juntards all stopped when they approached the tiny stream and began licking up water from it. Most of the soldiers dismounted and approached at a run. Most with pronged spears, short swords and some with death singers. As Alex’s juntard was no longer moving he took aim, making sure to keep one of the two weapons concealed, and fired seven times with careful shots at the men approaching, striking six men with death singers.
Alex turned his beast and took off to swing around to the rear of his supporting army and attack the enemy from the far side. While his enemy was on foot, he was still riding. A few Juntards from the Forex army that did not stop for water joined him. His beast, however, did not skip over the tiny stream a second time and came to a stop on its own accord. He squeezed the lobe hard, but the beast bucked twice and Alex fell off, dislodging the hidden weapon from his waistline. Holding both weapons, one still charging and one fully loaded he pointed to the closest of enemy soldiers approaching and fired seven times striking seven enemy soldiers.
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