Fire in the Heart : The Princess and the Bandit (9781629020112)

by Slaughterbown

  Karim grabbed him, smiling. “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” he replied.

  “It’s good to see you,” said Elijah, gently pulling back. He couldn’t believe that his friend was there and started wondering about the others. Suddenly a crash from the other room caused him to jump again. He couldn’t see anything in the dark until a tall shadow started to approach. He squinted as an older man appeared. A closer look told him that it was Markis, the shop owner. Elijah’s hand immediately felt the pouch that Sam had returned.

  Markis broke the silence. “I remember you. The one who wanted a necklace made for the prince,” he said snickering.

  Karim and Elijah chuckled. “Yeah! That was me,” answered Elijah.

  Karim reached out to Elijah. “What are you doing here?” he probed.

  “I’m here to take back the city,” he said.

  Karim’s eyes grew wide.

  “Where is everyone, Karim?”

  Karim walked toward the open window and stared toward the palace. “They are gone, Elijah. They were taken by Karam’s men.”

  Instantly, Elijah was by Karim’s side. “What?” he said.

  “He plans to execute them tomorrow.”

  Elijah clenched his fists. “How crazy is this man! Will he not kill the entire city?”

  Karim glanced back. “His bandits have complete control of the city. There is nothing we can do. He will kill them, the sultan, the city guards, and your precious princess.”

  Markis stepped closer. “He is the devil, I tell you! He is not a man! He’s a demon from the underworld!” he said scowling.

  Elijah’s fists grew tighter. “We will stop him,” he shouted.

  Karim pleaded. “How, Elijah? He is going to have the executions tomorrow! What can you possibly do?”

  Elijah grabbed Karim’s shoulders. “I have a plan and I need your help, Karim.”

  Karim immediately pulled back. “I have done nothing but help you in the past, Elijah, and nothing good has ever come out of it! In fact, it’s because of you that this all started in the first place!”

  Elijah’s eyes widened. “Then, let me fix it! I need your help, Karim! We can do this! I have help! I am not alone this time. Karam is going to get what’s coming to him. I promise you that!”

  “Elijah, quit…,” said Karim, shaking his head.

  “I rescued the city guards! I saved some crusaders, and now they are going to help us, Karim!”

  “What?” exclaimed Karim.

  Then Sam spoke up. “It’s true! He did! We have a small army now!”

  Karim’s eyes darted between the two. “Who?”

  Elijah quickly motioned toward his blonde friend. “This is Sam, by the way. She is a barbarian,” he said grinning.

  “A what?” answered Karim.

  Elijah’s face started to beam again. “We can do this, Karim. I know I let you down in the past. But this time is different. Let’s make our mark on history today and let’s save this city,” he declared.

  Finally, a smile crossed Karim’s face. “Well. I don’t want to sit around here all day while my friends are in need of help.”

  Elijah stepped toward the door. “Come on. I have some people that I want you to meet.”

  “Let me get my sword,” nodded Karim.

  Markis stepped back into a shadow. “If you don’t mind, I think I will hide out here for a bit. You know, keep a good look out?”

  Elijah smiled. “That sounds good to me. Here,” he exclaimed, and handed over the silver and the emerald.

  Markis’s eyes widened.

  Emphatically, Elijah asked, “Can you make me a necklace of a hummingbird, please?”

  Markis stuttered. “I…”

  “Thank you,” replied Elijah, smiling as he turned to go.

  Back by Karim, he quickly said, “All right, let’s do this!” And they left the hideout.

  B

  Elijah heard the commotion long before he turned the corner facing the prison. He peered around as the voices grew louder, hand outstretched. Karim and Sam pressed up against the dark wall. Ghais and his city guards faced the crusaders, all with their blades drawn.

  Darrel’s voice was unmistakable. “I will kill you where you stand, pig!” he shouted.

  “Crusader scum! Your death is near!” shouted Ghais, waving his sword.

  Elijah sprang from the shadows. “Hey! Stop!” he shouted.

  Aiken wiped his forehead. “Elijah! I am glad you came. We are just short of having a bloody fight right here.”

  “Enough, Ghais! They are here to help!” demanded Elijah.

  Ghais yelled back. “What! Help us take our city and then keep it for themselves?”

  Then Darrel stepped forward. “Look how many of us there are, you dope! There are not enough of us to secure a city! Oh, the stupidity!”

  Edward leaned hard on his walking stick. “Enough, Darrel!” he shouted.

  No sooner had Edward spoken then did they all start bickering again, threatening to kill one another.

  Aiken shook his head.

  “Reminds me of supper back home,” snickered Sam.

  Kun suddenly broke through the guards. “Hey!” he shouted.

  Everyone turned toward the voice.

  “Kun!” exclaimed Elijah.

  Kun paused, chest heaving. “The black powder is set in barrels alongside the palace walls where he will be holding his executions,” he said in between gasps of air.

  Aiken scratched his head. “Won’t the hostages be in danger if we fire them off?” he asked.

  Kun nodded. “Yes, but they are spread out enough for you to choose one that is furthest from the hostages.”

  “Well done, Kun,” said Edward smiling.

  “How did you get the barrels without getting caught?” asked Elijah.

  Kun winked. “Easy! Karam even wanted the Acrobats to put on a show for his executions, so we just put them there as part of the stage, or so he thinks.”

  Elijah quickly frowned. “He would have acrobats put on a show to glorify him,” he scoffed. He could feel the pressure building when the horrible thought of Karam being near Natalia crossed his mind.

  Ghais glanced at Elijah. “What is the plan!? How are we going to infiltrate the palace?” he asked.

  But Aiken intervened. “We need a distraction. We were hoping your men could be that for us.”

  “And have us slaughtered! You’re mad!” scowled Ghais.

  “That would give us positions on the roof. We can provide archery support. Plus, when the time is right, I can set the tip of my arrow on fire, igniting the black powder. We have already scouted out the city. We know the best vantage points from the palace,” continued Aiken.

  After a brief pause, Ghais replied. “Whatever we’re going to do, we need to set up quickly! We are supposed to be executed today! They will send some bandits to gather us up.”

  Aiken shrugged. “Then, some of us will stay and help you disband them,” he said.

  Suddenly, Elijah blurted out, “I know the secret passage into the palace. I will take a few people and try and sneak in from behind.”

  Ghais spun around. “You what? How do you know that?” he yelled.

  Elijah smiled and turned to his friend. “Kun. You will be in charge of keeping Karam entertained. You must keep him distracted long enough so that I can get through and help the hostages. Ghais, you must trust Aiken. Keep him focused until we can get behind the palace walls and open the gate.”

  Caleb had been listening quietly. “What about the chimera and his tamer?” he asked.

  “I didn’t think about that,” said Elijah frowning.

  Aiken quickly replied. “Let it out. We can take it out with our arrows.”

 
Elijah sighed. “Right! Aiken, come with me. I will show you where a few of the crusaders can position themselves. It’s very close to the palace. You can probably hit some bandits from that vantage point.”

  Nodding, Aiken continued. “Take us there, friend.”

  “Right. We need to hurry,” said Elijah as he walked over to Karim. “Will you go with me into the palace?”

  Karim beamed at his friend. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  Just as Elijah patted Karim’s shoulder, Sam piped up. “I’m coming with you!”

  Caleb also stepped forward. “So am I.”

  Elijah thought about it for a moment and looked back at Caleb. “I know the palace, Elijah. I can lead you to where Karam is,” reasoned Caleb.

  Elijah waved his hand. “All right. Come on.”

  “Do not let him out of your sight, Elijah,” demanded Kun, practically yelling.

  “I won’t. Come on. Let’s get ready.”

  As Elijah, Karim, Sam, Caleb and Aiken hurried to the house Elijah had chosen, they looked at the passersby in amazement. Elijah noticed how fearful they looked. Even the children had no smiles. He couldn’t ignore the slumped shoulders of a group of men, briskly walking into a building. Karam caused this, he thought as he drew his hood closer. The others followed suit, doing their best to conceal their identities. Elijah pointed toward a house and grabbed onto a wall. Soon, they stood together on top while Elijah dreamed of Natalia. This is where we would meet, he thought. His stomach suddenly fluttered.

  The palace stood before them in its entire splendor. As Elijah stared at the wall, he had a difficult time thinking Karam was inside, ruining his princess’s life. Down below, people milled about near the palace entrance. He pointed across the street. “I can see the barrels from here,” he said, eyeing four perfectly spaced wooden containers at the base of the long wall.

  “This is where I would meet Natalia at night…,” said Elijah softly, letting his voice trail off.

  Aiken smiled. “You will meet her here again, Elijah. I truly believe that.”

  Elijah nodded. “I know.” A quick glance down showed Kun helping the acrobats setting up. In minutes, the crowd nearly tripled in size. Nearly a dozen bandits rode away as Aiken set his bow and arrows onto the roof’s surface. Elijah glanced back across, only to see a steady stream of bandits emerge onto the top of the wall. His heart immediately started pounding. “What is going on?” he demanded.

  Karim stuttered, “…I…I…”

  Aiken immediately bent down and struck his flint. One of the arrow tips burst into flame.

  The bandits steady flow hadn’t stopped as the people thronged down below. “They are starting!” shouted Karim.

  “What!? No! It’s too soon!” Suddenly, several men flew through the air, meeting in mid-air, and releasing their hold as soon as they touched. Kun watched his friends perform from the street as the commotion continued to grow. “This can’t be! We’re not ready!” shouted Elijah.

  Elijah grabbed a bag and turned to go. “Karim, Caleb! We have to go now!” he shouted.

  “Elijah! Wait!” said Aiken.

  “There is no time to wait!”

  Sam suddenly shouted. “I’m coming too!”

  Elijah scowled. “No! Not this time! You have to stay with Aiken in case he needs help. Come on Karim.”

  Aiken shouted over the trumpets in the background. “Elijah! Wait!” But it was too late as the small group bounded across the roof and disappeared into the crowd.

  Chapter 46

  A hush instantly came over the crowded street when Zeke appeared on the second story terrace above the street. With his sword pressed hard against the sultan’s back, they walked into view above the people. One of the Sultan’s hands, bound behind, dripped red. The people just stared when the wall came alive with bandits, screaming and cheering. Elijah had just reached the roof tops and glanced back at the commotion, realizing that he needed to be there. He waved to the others and ran back in the other direction. Soon, he rejoined his friends and they ran over to the edge of the roof. The three of them, he Karim and Aiken, watched as even more bandits flooded onto the large, open area.

  “It’s the Sultan!” exclaimed Karim.

  Elijah stood, motionless, expecting the princess any second. His chest throbbed painfully.

  Aiken stepped in front of Caleb and shouted, “Curses!”

  Karim’s eyes were fixed on the opening to the palace. “Elijah….It’s the…,” he stuttered.

  Tears pooled in Elijah’s eyes when her beautiful face appeared out of the darkness. Two bandits prodded her along as if she were an animal. Elijah quickly leaned up against the wall, holding his stomach. He suddenly doubled over in pain. He glanced back but couldn’t keep looking. His mind flared with anger that he wasn’t able to prevent this terrible display of insanity. His head felt like it was going to explode. Through his tears, he watched her being shoved along toward an awaiting pole beside her father. Karam drug her by her arm and strapped her around the rough wood. Elijah’s clenched fist rose and fell as Karam groped her body and kissed her neck for all to see.

  That’s all he could take when he shouted, “Let’s go.”

  Aiken just stared.

  “We have to go, now!” shouted Elijah again.

  Aiken looked into his tear-filled eyes. “Wait for the right time, Elijah!”

  Elijah quickly turned when Karam sauntered to the edge. “Welcome, my fellow citizens!” he proclaimed. “Today is a glorious day, a day when you receive a gift from the gods, a man who knows what it really means to be sultan!” He slowly bowed to the masses.

  Elijah walked back to the edge with Karim and Caleb trailing behind. “Be ready to fire, Aiken,” he whispered.

  “I will, Elijah. May God protect you,” he said somberly.

  Elijah quickly scaled down the wall, intent on the secret passage. Sticking to the outside of the mesmerized crowd, he broke free from Karam’s voice and the people as the rear palace wall came into view.

  “Elijah. There are only two of us, plus a boy. What do you expect?” asked Karim, following closely.

  Elijah crouched behind some bushes, listening to four guards argue about Karam killing the princess. He quickly whispered, “We don’t have time, Karim! We don’t have time!” and immediately, he charged the guards.

  “Elijah!” shouted Karim, mouth gaping.

  The bandits turned and stared at Elijah running full force. Without hesitation, he thrust his sword through the closest, dropping him instantly. Yelling, Elijah swung wildly at the next, completely opening him up to the other two. Elijah sliced through the leg of one, and watched him fall to the ground, screaming. Karim wasted no time, powerfully deflecting the jabs of one as Elijah took on the other. Side by side, the two friends swung wildly to the sounds of clashing metal. One guard stumbled and fell just as Elijah thrust his sword into his neck. Elijah glanced toward Karim, still fighting the last standing bandit. He ran over and kicked the bandit’s leg from behind, dropping him just as Karim slit his neck.

  Karim rested his hands on the butt of his sword as his chest heaved over and over. “Where did you learn how to fight like that!?” he asked Elijah.

  “Long story. Let’s go!” shouted Elijah, his mind racing with thoughts of cutting the princess free from that horrible pole. I have to save her! he thought. I have to save her no matter the cost!

  Caleb stepped out from behind the bushes. All color had drained from his face. “Elijah!”

  “Hurry up, Caleb! Show me to Karam!” shouted Elijah.

  Caleb ran, and slammed his hand against the secret stone trigger. “This way!” he cried and led them through the empty kitchen. Elijah stopped at the entrance into the great hall. He thought he caught a whiff of Natalia’s perfume.

  Karim said softly, �
��Did you ever think we would be here?”

  “No,” answered Elijah, glancing around.

  Caleb whispered loudly, “Over here!” as he raised his hand toward the far end of the great hall.

  “Elijah!” He quickly turned toward the familiar voice. Isabelle’s voice again whispered loudly, “Elijah!” Suddenly, he saw them against the far wall, Nizar, Rasha, Bayan, and Firas, with their hands tied behind their backs.

  He looked to Karim and then back, only to see his friends being led outside by a dozen bandits!

  The twelve abruptly turned toward Elijah, swords drawn. One of them shouted out, “Who are you?”

  Elijah slowly unsheathed his sword. “I am Elijah! Come and get me!” he said grinning.

  The scraggly man threw his head back in laughter. “The boss is going to like this! Kill them all!” he shouted charging forward.

  Elijah had only one thing in mind – saving Natalia. He had no intentions of allowing these bandits to get in his way.

  Karim yelled across the room, “Curses, Elijah!” and took off after him. But Elijah didn’t hear him. He was instantly engaged, wildly swinging at the guards. None of them hesitated, surrounding him with sharp metal. Elijah backed up, side stepped, dodged and blocked every sword that came his way. Two of the bandits broke off with Karim in their sights, giving Elijah enough room to jump out of the way of his attackers. He lost no time, thrusting forward in full offense. He swung first but his attack was quickly blocked. Another bandit swung as Elijah ducked and charged, dropping him to the ground. He quickly slit the bandit’s throat and dodged the oncoming blades.

  Caleb sprinted to the far end and started untying the group. Elijah stepped back and swung again, dislodging two swords. He kept backing up, swinging, holding them off. He glanced at Karim struggling against two others. Another blade sliced toward Elijah’s leg, but it didn’t connect. He ducked, avoiding another wild swing, but tripped and stumbled under a falling blade. It missed Elijah by mere inches thanks to Nizar. He stood above the dead man, grinning boldly. Firas grabbed a fallen sword and came in from behind. Elijah maneuvered to his feet, again thrusting his way forward. Side by side, he and Nizar quickly downed two more. Elijah slammed against another sword, and watched it clatter to the ground. He swung his upward, and sliced the unsuspecting man across his chest. Elijah moved away from the scream toward Firas and his three attackers. Firas started to run just as Elijah came up behind one and sliced through his back. Wasting no time, he spun around and into the air, crashing his blade down on another. The victim collapsed in a bloody heap. The third tripped when the man collapsed and straddled him. Firas had his chance and thrust the falling bandit through the chest. Elijah took another look toward Karim, watching him grab a bandit’s arm, kick him in the side, and run his sword through his gut. He pulled his blade out and slashed again through the air. Elijah grinned when he took in Nizar fighting a lone bandit. Their swords clashed, but the bandit slammed his blade down against Nizar’s and forced him to his knees. Nizar staggered, but the bandit was too quick, piercing his body instantly. Nizar’s chest heaved violently, but the red flow down his chin blocked his air. Elijah screamed, “No!” and ran over, quickly stabbing the bandit in the back. The man dropped dead. Firas and Karim double teamed the last two bandits, overpowering them in moments.