by Gavin Magson
“What can I do for you gentlemen today?” asked Ajax, keeping his hands away from any pockets.
A few nervous glances were exchanged, Ajax noticed that the men were not as muscular as he was. He presumed that a hard life of little nourishment had starved their muscles, leaving them mere sinew and bone. Ajax was left with a picture of his first day on Konar, he would have blended in with this group. They were not expecting such an open confrontation, especially with someone exuding confidence yet carrying no weapons.
Eventually a man stepped forward, no doubt their leader judging by the numerous scars that covered his naked torso. Ajax smiled, he knew this man was more of a poser than fighter; it was freezing in the tunnel. He would die first, when the time was right.
“We've come for your women and your food. It would be wise to hand both over without a fight, wouldn't want to carve up your pretty face.” spoke the man, his hoarse voice barely above a whisper.
Ajax watched the blade in the man's hand, its point weaving through the air in circles. It might have been intended to terrify him, but Ajax struggled to resist laughing out loud. For the length of the tunnel in either direction there were no other prisoners; he was alone against the group.
“There are no women inside and what little food we had has already been consumed; I'm afraid your search has been for nothing. You should try the next cave along, maybe they could help you.” Ajax turned his back on the group and stepped towards the door, almost reaching it before footsteps followed.
He spun, blocking the wild stab coming from the group’s leader, a metal dagger gripped tightly in his right hand. There was no real force behind it and Ajax squeezed his grip tighter until the dagger fell free, sticking hilt up from the soft ground beneath. Ajax curled his free arm around the man's throat, bending the man backwards and driving a knee into his spine. Bent further than the neck could go one savage twist broke bone and their leader fell dead to the floor.
Eight pairs of eyes focused on the twitching corpse, most unable to look away from the unnatural angle of his broken neck. Ajax did not reach for the fallen blade, he knew any movement now might break their focus and invite a second attack. Eight men, even undernourished ones, could be too much to fend off at the same time.
“Take him with you, do not come back. There is nothing here for you except a painful death at my hands.” said Ajax.
Three men cautiously moved forward and picked up the body, none made a move for the dropped blade. Once the group was out of sight Ajax pocketed the dagger and went back inside his cave. He was greeted by Peter's questioning eyes.
“How the hell did you get them to leave? They looked ready to kill.” asked a wide eyed Peter. Mel sat awake beside the still slumbering girl, the relief on her face at seeing Ajax instantaneous.
“I made an example of their leader, it's probably bought us a bit of time at best. We need to find more weapons, though their leader did leave this behind.” Ajax drew the dagger, which managed to find some light to catch its edge. He was surprised by just how good it was, definitely an expensive purchase for the original owner. Ajax gave it to Peter.
“Why me? Surely you could put this to better use?” asked the man.
“I can kill with my hands, those men were half starved and weak. You need this weapon more than I do, just make sure you don't end up stabbing me with it.”
Mel moved towards him and wrapped her arms around Ajax in a tight embrace. “Thank you for defending us once again, we all know what those men would have done to her if she was captured.” Mel indicated the girl sleeping behind them.
“Let's focus on increasing our arsenal and training everyone. I don't intend to die in this hole.” said Ajax.
Chapter 20
Ajax had expected the group to show up again by now but so far none of the lookouts had spotted anything suspicious. As far as he could tell it had been two days since he slew their leader. He was hesitant to turn on the tablet and either waste its battery or risk someone seeing it just to find out the time. Perhaps the group were still feeding off the sinewy remains of the dead man. Ajax had no illusions about what would happen to the man's corpse.
Once the second shift had returned after the impromptu visit the cave members had held a discussion with Ajax. Mel felt that his skills were better put to use defending their cave from further attacks, which could come at any time. He had wanted to argue, not leaving the cave meant he could not find out any more information on Joel; unfortunately the woman had a good point. It would be harder for him to survive on his own and it was only a matter of time before another attack came.
Ajax divided his time between training the six other prisoners, teaching them how to use an assailants own attack against them, how to kill when the time was right, how to defend against knives. Peter picked up the information well; the others would struggle in a direct confrontation and most likely only delay the inevitable. At times his frustration would almost overcome him and Ajax had to bite back from telling the prisoners they would die here if they did not learn how to fight. Scaring them now would undoubtedly undo the little they had progressed.
When Ajax wasn't training he waited at the prisons gated entrance, hidden in the shadows and waiting for the ambushers to form. A new intake usually arrived at least once a day, unfortunately he could not be there every time. He had not been surprised to find that the bodies left behind from his first day had disappeared long before he returned. No doubt someone was feasting on the human flesh by now.
When the new arrivals were herded inside the prison he would pounce, but not on them. Ajax killed their would-be attackers and then made off with weapons and supplies. He never waited around for more prisoners to follow him; he could not provide protection for any more.
“Where do you think you are going?” asked Mel. He was convinced that she had been fast asleep.
“I'm just stepping outside for some fresh air, this cave is really starting to stink.” said Ajax.
The woman stepped around the smouldering embers of their fire and stopped in front of Ajax, looking into his eyes. She could see something behind them, a faint spark that the firelight could not have caused.
“You don't need to lie to me. I already know what is happening. Peter told me you asked him to find out more on that groups cave, I take it he discovered where they are?”
Mel wasn't stupid, Ajax realised that he had underestimated her; he would not trust Peter with any crucial secrets again. “Yes, they are down one of the main tunnel's branches and well known to their neighbours. What do you think is happening?”
“Considering Peter's blade has gone missing and you've fashioned some face paint out of the wet clay I think you are about to pay them a visit.”
He had to admit that his face was a dead giveaway. Along with his black jacket and trousers the brown clay made him a ghost in these tunnels, it had proved the difference between being spotted and remaining undetected before.
“What else would you have me do? Peter's informant says that they are already talking about a second attack and there is rumour of them joining forces with another wild tribe. I can't sit here and let my enemies grow stronger, I don't plan on dying any time soon.”
Ajax turned to leave the cave, his fingertips drawing back the cloth door just as Mel grabbed at his arm. He suppressed his sigh and turned back to face her.
“Just be careful out there, I don't want to see you get hurt. I know you can fight, but eight desperate men won't go down easily. We need you alive.” said Mel, flashing him a soft, uncertain smile.
“Don't worry so much, I can take care of myself.”
Ajax stepped out of the cave and did not look back. He knew that Mel would be in the doorway, watching his back until he was out of sight. The lie had not been intentional, if he had not told her that they were trying to grow stronger Mel would have tried to talk him out of it. He would end the threat tonight and leave an example for any others that wished to cross him to learn from; Ajax Frost would never
back down.
Peter's directions were surprisingly accurate, despite the tunnels containing no real landmarks to get his bearings from he found them easy enough to navigate. Ajax crossed the wide tunnel to the opposite side and remained in its shadows, keeping out of sight as several stragglers hurriedly walked past. He kept on walking in the direction of the mine and took the first side tunnel that forked left.
There were more caves carved into the tunnel walls down here, eyes looked out of their entrances but did not see the darkened figure that walked past them at a crouch. Peter was right, when he could walk no further Ajax had found the right cave.
He did not know how far the original tunnel stretched, after the collapse it had apparently been cut a lot shorter. There had been no combined rescue effort, despite the scores of prisoners trapped or buried by the cave in. A handful of prisoners had attempted to get through, but without tools their efforts had been for naught. Ajax blocked out any thoughts of the suffering of others, right now they were of no concern.
Ajax pressed his back against the cold wall and crept up the caves entrance, making sure to watch where his feet landed in case he trod on any early warning systems. He had expected trip wires, perhaps a pit covered over or at least shards of rock or glass; there was nothing.
After the lack of precautionary measures it came as a surprise to him that these idiots had someone standing guard, although he was asleep and facing the wrong way to be of any use. Ajax dropped to the floor and crawled cautiously across the thin entrance, until he could see past the slumbering man. Through the open doorway he could see the remains of several bodies, bones piled high in a corner of the circular cave.
A chorus of snores told him that the sentry was not the only one who had drifted off to sleep. Ajax counted the sleeping bodies, then again to make sure there were eight men inside. He smiled at his good fortunes.
Ajax wrapped his hand around the sentry’s mouth and dragged the fine dagger across his throat, killing the man without more sound than a soft gurgle. Ajax eased the body to the ground and carefully stepped over discarded waste until he reach the next target, two men curled up in a tight embrace. Two swift slashes ended the lover’s lives.
It was far too easy, he stepped over the bodies and killed another, then another. Five men were dead and he had not broken a sweat. Ajax knew he should be worried, the killing did not leave him sorry at all. These men could have been victims of circumstance, but the thought did not cause him to hesitate. When he went to plunge the knife into the sixth man it clattered loudly against bone, not flesh.
He spun around just in time, a second later and his skull would have been split open. Someone had disguised the bones to look like a body, then hid among those decaying in the corner. The assailant swung his club at Ajax, he ducked but could not move fast enough. The heavy club struck his shoulder and spun Ajax, who hit the cave wall with a wet thud.
Another terrifying swing of the club hit where Ajax had been, he rolled past the man and slashed his blade along exposed legs. The remaining two inhabitants awoke just as Ajax carved his knife across the fallen man's chest.
They both lunged at him together, each holding sharpened splinters of bone. Ajax twisted, feeling a sharp point scrape alone his side and under the jacket. He ignored the pain of flesh tearing apart and weaved his blade through the air, digging into the closest man's neck and biting through his spine in a spray of blood.
Ajax dodged the clumsy blow from the last survivor and grabbed the outstretched arm. He plunged his knife through taught skin and dragged it straight across the man's belly. Steaming guts spilled to the floor just as his victim screamed out in pain. Ajax silenced him by breaking his neck.
He was all too aware of how much noise he had made, although Ajax had anticipated the possibility of making more he could not risk discovery. There was no time to rifle through pockets now, he knew more prisoners would soon descend on the cave. He stepped over the dead sentry and moved out into the tunnel, lurking in the gloom once more.
Ajax clutched at his wounded side, pulling the loose flaps of skin taught for them to better heal. He was almost back to the main tunnel when he heard the shrieks, prisoners were already fighting and dying over the fresh corpses. Many would feast well tonight.
Ilya was so far out of her depths she might as well be on another planet. In the back of her mind she always knew that places like this must exist, simply because the rich would not be seen in the grimy rat infested toilets that were passed off as restaurants in Sector Four.
Their table was spotless, she would happily eat her meal off its shimmering surface. Her chair had proper padding, no rips or tears on the real leather. The cutlery didn't come with the previous meal attached to it and was placed on either side of a floral place mat. Ilya prayed that her meal did not arrive first, the amount of silverware only confused her further. She did not know what to think of the restaurant, except that it was nothing like she had ever experienced before.
The mayor’s aide had found her in the Haven, he had turned up in the middle of a storm and searched for Ilya by name until Sal had relented the information. She was sure the landlord’s pockets had been generously lined for his troubles.
The aide was such a nervous, sweet man there was no way Ilya could have turned down the dinner invitation, he seemed scared at the idea of returning empty handed to his boss. He had done a good job to sell the idea as well, she was petrified at the prospect but had been expertly reassured that prison or death did not await her, should she refuse.
So here she was, sat across from this handsome and powerful leader of men, wearing her best dress that paled in comparison to those worn by the other female diners. She blushed, embarrassment radiating from her as Ilya looked upon other women in the posh restaurant with envy. Why could she not afford to live like them? What could this man possibly see in her with such beauty so freely available in his life?
“You look beautiful tonight, Ilya, I cannot believe you haven't already been whisked away by a suitor. I'm a fortunate man that you accepted my invitation.”
She looked up from the complicated menu and was surprised to see that he sincerely meant what he said; there was not even a trace of humour on the man's face.
“I guess not everyone sees me in the same light as you. I don't normally walk around dressed to impress, Mr Steel.” said Ilya, a faint glimmer of a cheeky smile on her face.
“Please, call me Henry. I'm not some kind of tyrant who only wants to be addressed by his surname, you know; it's so impersonal and formal. I would rather my image was a little more friendly than that.” said Henry Steel, mayor of Sector Four.
“There is just one thing I've been dying to ask you all night, it's been bugging me since the moment we sat down.”
“Fire away, Ilya, I'm all ears.”
“What the hell does this menu say? I can't understand a word on it.” said Ilya.
Henry had chosen the wrong moment to take a sip water, he choked as he tried to hold back his laugh. Ilya's face quickly turned to panic as he fought to breath, he waved away her efforts to pat his back.
“That was the last thing I expected to come out of your mouth,” said Henry, still struggling with his breathing. “It's in the old tongue, I forget at times that it isn't a widely read language. If you'd like I could always order for the both of us?” he offered.
“That isn't what I am used to, but I don't see how I have much of a choice. Just please don't order anything off world, I might have eaten some of the worst foods our city has to offer but I'm not used to strange dishes.”
Henry honoured Ilya's request, after a short wait the plate that appeared in front of her was a succulent steak that most certainly had not come from an animal with whiskers, or tentacles. She carved through it with a slender knife and took an inquisitive bite. It was delicious.
Ilya reached for her glass, the pale liquid exquisite, crisp, and with a strange hint she could not place. It was all wonderful, such a shock to the syst
em. She had never come close to experiencing such finery in all her life, the tranquil calm was strangely reassuring. Ilya could not blink back the single tear that rolled down her cheek.
“Are you crying? What's wrong, Ilya?” asked Henry, real concern on his face.
“It's just all this,” she said through stifled sobs, waving her arms to encompass the entire room. “I've never been treated like this, my entire life has been spent fighting to survive. Men shun me because I can be such a hard ass, which is through necessity where I grew up. Someone like yourself could never understand the struggles of the poor. It's all such a big change for me… and I love it!”
“You are right, I could never truly understand the hardships you and those you grew up with have been through. My entire life has been tailored for this job. Since I was a child my father ensured I was constantly lectured on how to be a leader, every day of the week I lived in a study; my youth was spent without friends. I did not have a childhood as such, for as long as I can remember it was filled with tutors and introductions to businessmen. I envy you for living your life, even if it has been tough. I would trade everything I have for your experiences.”
“Envy? I don't think I have ever had someone say they envied my life. No one in their right mind would want to swap wealth for poverty, disease, danger and abuse. Are you sure that you aren't mistaking your feelings for pity, I could understand that.” said Ilya, her gentle tears finally beginning to subside.
A strong hand grabbed her own, it's squeeze gentle and oddly comforting. “You don't have to second guess my intent or feelings here, Ilya; I would not lie to you. I think you are a very interesting creature, who has real fire in her eyes and a tempestuous nature that I don't get to see in my daily life. I like the change you bring, I like how different and unique you are. If I’m honest these feelings worried me at first, but I cannot deny them.”