Kun placed his hand on Elijah’s shoulder. “If we stick together, we have a chance,” he said, nodding.
“I know. You’re right,” replied Elijah as they made their way through the cheering and chanting crowd.
Antilles shouted out. “Welcome to the Mosick clan games!”
Elijah turned to the crowd roaring around him.
Antilles continued. “Today, we have two warriors from around the world who are going to show us how real warriors fight! We even have one that killed the ghoul of the gorge!”
Kun’s eyes grew wide. “You killed a ghoul?” he asked.
“I had a lot of help,” replied Elijah quietly.
“But we are a fair people. If you can prove that you can survive, then you will receive your reward! Now, tell us your names, and what reward you seek…if you survive?” quizzed Antilles.
Elijah and Kun exchanged glances.
Suddenly, Kun stepped forward. “I am Xing Kun Yi. I wish that I may have my freedom,” he declared.
The crowd immediately exploded in laughter.
Antilles beamed brightly. “Of course! The common answer for all our victims,” he countered, now laughing. “And what of you, stranger?”
Elijah crossed his chest with a closed fist. “I am Elijah, and I am here to receive some Anglican root. My friend is dying, and I need to retrieve it so that he might live,” he declared.
Antilles eagerly nodded. “I am impressed, Elijah. If you survive, not only will you save your life, but the life of your friend. Now, let the fight begin!” The crowd again erupted, applauding wildly. “Bring them out!”
Magnus quickly motioned across the distance. A muscular man, decked with a cow skull on his head, emerged wielding an enormous axe. Only his right side was covered in thick armor, keeping him free to move his other massive arm in any direction. Behind him sauntered a tiger, growling and baring its fangs.
Elijah and Kun could barely speak as they stared at their opponents. “Any ideas?” blurted Elijah, hoping that Kun could even hear him.
Kun shook his head. “Not one.”
Suddenly, Magnus lifted his hand and tossed a blade and a spear toward Elijah and Kun. Sand flew everywhere as they settled nearby.
Kun eyed Elijah. “Which one are you better at?”
Elijah, heart racing, thought for a moment and finally shrugged. “I don’t know. Which one are you better at?” he asked.
“Both,” was Kun’s reply.
Elijah swooped down. “I will take the sword,” he said as he gingerly picked up the weapon.
Spear in hand, Kun assumed fighting positions with Elijah.
Antilles shouted out. “Ready?”
The man with the cow skull stood before the two and swiftly pounded his chest to the roar of the tiger.
Antilles shouted again, “Fight!”
The man thrust out his arm and the tiger sprinted toward Elijah and Kun at full speed.
Chapter 40
The tiger leaped just as Elijah crouched and thrust his sword through the air. Its claws glistened in the sun, causing Elijah to gasp. He glanced down at a fresh tear in his pant leg. Kun fought bravely by Elijah’s side, ducking away from the violent slicing axe. He watched the axe rise again and drop effortlessly as Kun sidestepped, only to find the axe back in the air. This time, Kun’s blank look was followed by his spear in the air with both hands. A moment later, the mass of metal slammed through the wood, and shattered it into two pieces. Kun fell back, both pieces still in his hands. Another loud growl captured Elijah’s attention, forcing his eyes away from Kun. The tiger lunged, but Elijah stood his ground as he thrust his sword just like Aiken had taught him. The beast barely moved. Elijah took a step sideways toward Kun, but the tiger stood in his way. Kun swung both parts of his spear at the beast tamer, spinning them wildly. Over and over, they slammed into the cow skull head, causing a crack to form. The man wouldn’t stop advancing.
The tiger lunged, mouth gaping, fangs bared, aimed for Elijah’s sword-bearing arm. With no time to spare, Elijah stepped back just as the beast dove for his leg. Elijah sprang into the air, his leg just high enough to avoid the searing fangs. This was the gap that Elijah needed, allowing him to sprint toward the beast tamer and his swinging axe. With Kun in front, Elijah could sense the tiger right on his heels as he lunged for the tamer’s broad back. His blade ripped through the armor, releasing a gush of red down his side. The man screamed, but wouldn’t stop. The axe flew into the air and down toward Elijah. His quick reflexes caused him to trip on his leg, as he avoided both axe and tiger, throwing him face down.
Kun launched the wooden piece straight at the beast tamer head. The massive axe came up and blocked it, but he staggered backward under the impact. Kun quickly ran over to Elijah, and in one swift flying motion, jumped in the air, reared back his small spear, and thrust it into the neck of the beast. The crowd went wild! The tiger roared and clawed violently toward Kun’s leg. Kun yanked out the spear and jumped back, allowing Elijah to quickly slam his sword deep inside the roaring tiger’s mouth. The beast gargled blood, and collapsed in a bloody heap. The frantic cheering wildly continued while the enraged beast tamer shouted out in anger. Intensely scowling, he swung wildly at Kun and Elijah together. Elijah ducked, flipping forward, and then springing onto his feet. Elijah grinned when he stood up, blade in hand. He had never felt this much confidence in battle. The beast tamer charged again just as Kun launched his small spear. It hit its target, driving completely through his upper leg. Elijah ran forward just as he started to stumble. He slashed upward, directly through the man’s neck and chin, driving the hilt as far as it could go. Airborne, he quickly fell onto his back, motionless, in his own pool of blood. The crowd screamed out of control!
Elijah took in a deep breath and glanced at Kun. Both men’s chests heaved violently as the cheering continued. Elijah walked over to Kun and threw his arms around him.
Kun beamed!
Elijah exclaimed, “We did it!”
Antilles raised his hands. The cheering slowly subsided as he spoke. “Impressive! Well done!”
Elijah ran up the stone steps. “I have played your game. Please, I beg you, let me have the root so that I may save my friends life,” he pleaded.
“I have never met anyone like you, boy. You will receive your root, and you may leave peacefully,” exclaimed Antilles.
“Thank you!” replied Elijah. Kun continued to smile as he bowed to the ruler.
“If you don’t mind, I need to be heading back as quickly as possible,” asked Elijah.
Antilles replied, “Of course! You will receive your root.”
Chapter 41
The opening in the thorn thicket was a welcomed site as Elijah walked through. Still thronged, this time he wasn’t bothered. At least, no one wants to hit me over the head and drag me around, he thought. Kun followed him closely, and soon, they were up and over the low mountain at the end of the valley. Elijah stood for a moment and peered off into the distance. Before long, they were trudging over dune after dune, in search of the crusaders. Elijah kept thinking about his victories, the ghoul and the cow skull man and his tiger. If only he could have won Natalia, he thought. She would have been thrilled to see how well he had fought.
Kun had just finished telling him about some of his ventures. Elijah smiled. “I was really impressed with your fighting ability today,” he said.
Kun replied. “Thank you. I was taught since I was but a child.”
“I can tell,” answered Elijah, nodding.
“How much further until we get to Habarga?” Kun asked.
“Probably two days. I will go half way with you, and I will give you the directions,” said Elijah.
Kun frowned. “Why can’t you come with?”
Elijah paused for a moment. “I, well, I am exiled fr
om that place,” he said.
“Really? What did you do?” answered Kun.
Elijah grinned. “Rescued a crusader, loved a princess. You know, just the normal thing to do to get exiled.”
Both men chuckled as Kun continued. “Really? A princess?”
Elijah smiled. “Yeah.”
Kun grinned. “How many times have you told this story?”
“Too many.”
Kun nodded as they continued across the sands.
“What about you? Been exiled much?”
“No. I have not,” replied Kun frowning.
“So does your caravan just travel the world?”
Kun looked at the ground. “Yes. It is the only thing I could do to get away from my country.”
“Where are you from?”
Kun’s voice suddenly lowered. “I belong to the Sun Empire. It is corrupt and has been since our new emperor took over.”
Elijah glanced off into the distance. “I am sorry to hear that. Seems like no place has honest leaders now.”
“When I was a child, we were very prosperous. But when Emperor Sun Lou took over, everything seemed to fall by the way side,” said Kun.
“I am sorry, Kun.”
“I have been meaning to go back. However, when that child stole our precious artifact, it delayed me,” said Kun scowling.
Elijah continued. “Are you looking forward to going back home?”
Kun shrugged. “Yes and no. I am looking forward to seeing my friends and family. However, I received a letter that my sister was kidnapped. I was planning on leaving immediately. But, right when I read the letter, our artifact was stolen! I am afraid the universe was against me that day.”
Elijah quietly replied just as several soaring birds cast their shadow in front of them. “Well, I will be thinking about her, Kun. I pray that everything will be okay.”
“Everything is corrupt. Even the guards and army are corrupt. If someone goes missing, you cannot count on the law to help you. But, you must do it yourself. So when I get back, I will be hunting for my sister,” said Kun.
Elijah paused again. “I wish I could help,” he said.
Kun bowed slightly. “Thank you. What about you? What will you do?” he asked.
Again, Elijah shrugged. “I don’t know. I ran into some crusaders heading over here. This is what the root is for,” he replied grinning and raised up Antilles gift. “After that, I was promised that all my heart’s desires would come true. I am starting to doubt it now.”
Kun glanced at Elijah as he paused.
“Maybe, I will just be a barbarian, and explore the desert for the rest of my life,” said Elijah laughing.
Kun grinned. “I am sure the universe has bigger plans for you.”
“Perhaps,” said Elijah as he stared of into the distance.
A female voice suddenly caused them to turn around. “Wait!” she said.
Kun said, “Who is that?” as he shielded the sun.
“It’s the girl that fed us in the pit!” exclaimed Elijah. He thought how he could never forget someone as beautiful as her. Maybe, this is a dream, he wondered as the image grew before his eyes.
Kun agreed. “You’re right. It is!”
By the time she reached them, she nearly collapsed trying to draw in another breath.
Elijah stared at the sun shining off her silky blonde hair. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“Yes, I am fine. I am coming with you,” she declared.
Elijah glanced at Kun. “Uh… what about your family?”
Her eyes grew wide. “My family does not care for me. I want to go with you,” she replied.
Elijah paused. “Sure, well, I mean, …,” Then he looked back at Kun. “You don’t even know where we are going.”
Her timid voice replied. “Any place is better than home.”
“What’s your name?” asked Elijah.
“My name is Sameen. But you can call me Sam.”
Elijah reached out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Sam, I am…”
But she quickly interrupted. “I know your names,” she said still huffing. “You told everyone at the arena, remember?”
“Oh, right. I guess I did.”
“So, why do you want to come with us?” asked Kun.
“I am supposed to avoid marrying Magnus, you know, the guy that knocked you out when you first arrived?”
Elijah scowled. “Yes. Thank you for reminding me.”
Sam continued. “You’re welcome. Well, I am too young to have children, and he says he wants 12. So I ran away.”
“Oh, well. I completely understand.
Kun stared. “Is that even possible?”
“I don’t know and I don’t want to know,” she exclaimed quietly.
“Well, won’t he be looking for you?” asked Elijah.
She replied evasively. “Maybe. But I know he won’t find me.”
Elijah listened as Kun replied. “The last thing we need are those barbarians chasing us down.”
“You’re right,” added Elijah.
Sam threw her shoulders back. “I can handle him if he does. Please let me go with you? I need to taste freedom,” she pleaded.
Elijah paused again. “Sure… That will be fine,” he finally said.
Suddenly, the beautiful girl from the desert jumped into Elijah’s arms. “Thank you so, so much!” she exclaimed.
Kun shook his head. “I hope you are making the right choice.”
Elijah grunted. “I haven’t made a right choice in so long, I think I forgot how to,” he replied.
Still shaking his head, Kun said. “Well. I still make right choices, and this doesn’t seem to be one of them.”
Sam beamed. “I won’t slow you down. I promise.”
Elijah held out his canteen. “Do you want some water?” he asked.
She smiled and nodded. “Please.”
While she drank, Kun turned to Elijah. “How much further to the crusader camp?” he asked.
Sam suddenly spit out a mouthful of water. “We are going to a crusader camp? Are we going to kill them?” she asked smiling.
“What? No! They are friends of mine,” blurted out Elijah.
“You are friends with crusaders?” asked Sam in disbelief.
“Yeah. They are all not that bad,” replied Elijah grinning.
Kun looked at the stunned girl. “Will you be okay with that?” he asked.
Sam smiled. “Oh, yeah. I have never actually had a conversation with one. I am sure it will be…fun…” she said.
Elijah let her slide to the ground as he turned. “Well, come on!”
Chapter 42
For some reason, today’s heat didn’t seem as bad to Elijah as his hand moved across his forehead. Suddenly, he broke out into a smile. Chuckling to himself, he felt so free, more than he had in a long time. He realized that he had nearly forgotten his back pain. The taste of freedom, not only from the Barbarians, but also from the chains of his old life made his heart yearn for more. He shook his head and smiled again when he pictured Kun thrusting his short spear into the tiger’s neck. His eyes grew wider as he replayed his own sword piercing through the tiger’s throat. What a great move that was, he thought, but not as good as when he took down the warrior with the cow skull on his head. Each step through the shifting sand seemed weightless compared to these thoughts of victory. Edward and Aiken would be so proud of him when they heard, he pondered. I wonder if Aiken ever had a fight like that? he thought.
The cooler air in the mountains was a pleasant relief today, but the loose rocks weren’t. Elijah and Kun had slipped several times, and their hands and knees showed it. Each wincing step reminded them of the smoothness of the sand, far below. As Elijah watc
hed a bouncing heard of mountain rams scale the cliffs nearby, he wished his footing was even close to theirs. An ear splitting ‘CRACK’ shattered nature’s silence when two males smashed, head on, in their brutal mating ritual. Ouch, thought Elijah. I think I’d rather face a tiger and cow skull any day, he said to himself grinning.
The small, blonde barbarian worked hard to keep up, but she never complained. Elijah wondered if she would. He wondered if he would have to carry her, but she held her own. She walked in between Kun and him, giving him pleasant relief from the monotonous scenery. He marveled at how fit she was. Her legs were far stronger than Natalia’s, and so was her back. She must have to fend for herself a lot, he considered. Suddenly, Sam lay sprawled before him. He quickly ran and lifted her light body upright, grinning. He licked his finger and rubbed in against her knee, cleaning the small cut as best he could. She nodded, but neither said a word as they continued down the loose bits of shale.
Kun stopped abruptly and pointed. Elijah stared for a moment and realized that their journey was about over. “There it is,” he shouted, scrambling faster toward his goal.
He heard Kun’s sigh as he sped past him.
Sam held back. “They won’t hurt us, will they?” she said timidly.
Elijah stopped. “No, of course not. They are my friends,” he said smiling.
They drew close just as one of the crusaders quickly disappeared, shouting, into one of the tents. Suddenly, nearly the entire group of crusaders appeared. “It’s Elijah!” echoed into the weary group’s ears, causing Elijah to smile.
Sam quietly fell back behind Kun and Elijah as they approached. Elijah scanned for Aiken and spotted him coming out of Edward’s tent. Aiken, grinning, waved excitedly. Elijah’s arm shot into the air, and then he was surrounded by his awaiting friends.
Elijah felt a warmth spread throughout when he heard Aiken’s familiar voice. “Elijah! You’re alive!” said Aiken. “I can’t believe it! You’re alive!” he said, throwing his arms around his friend.
Elijah suspended the bag filled with Anglican root in the air. “I got the root, Aiken!” he shouted.
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