The Exile's Redemption (The Heart of a Tyrant Book 1)

by Reece Dinn

  'Do it,' said the first boy. There was a click of fingers.

  'No.'

  'Don't make me make you.'

  'Suck my cock. It tastes nice,' said the boy with the muffled voice.

  'Yuck,' said the girl.

  'Do it,' said the first boy.

  'Let go.'

  'Put it in your mouth.'

  The girl whimpered.

  Someone else groaned.

  Melonaz gritted his teeth. A pain throbbed in his head.

  'Open your mouth.'

  All Sehnal think they take any girl they want. Not care if girl not want them back. He remembered how his Mal had looked that morning after she'd spent the night with his Dal. The bruises and cuts on her face.

  'Stop. Not want to,' cried a girl.

  'Open your mouth,' snarled the first boy.

  'STOP IT,' cried Melonaz. He pulled out his stone knife and darted around the gola.

  Nekolz's thin friend Kiaroz had his furs held up with one hand, and with the other he had a girl by the scruff of her hair, pressing her face into his crotch. The fat one, Bronaz, stood next to him, grasping his exposed, erect cock with both hands. Another girl had Nekolz's cock in her mouth, sucking on it.

  'Leave them alone,' cried Melonaz.

  Nekolz's face twisted with rage. 'Nukuk. Why you here?' he snarled. The girl pulled away from him, exposed his short, stick like cock.

  Melonaz recognised the two girls from around the village. Both were older than him. He'd never spoken to either of them before, or even knew their names.

  'What you do if I don't?' hissed Nekolz, covering himself. The girl at his feet scurried back.

  'Kill you,' said Melonaz, baring his teeth.

  Kiaroz shoved away the girl pressed against his crotch, covering himself up too. 'Kill three Sehnal?'

  Bronaz rubbed his swollen cheek. He didn't look as eager as the other two to start a fight.

  Melonaz swallowed hard. 'Yes.'

  Nekolz swaggered forward. His long silver sword tied to his side. 'With that?' He pointed at Melonaz's stone knife, while patting his own metal sword, the sword shining in the morning light.

  A pang of fear suddenly sapped Melonaz's courage. Bronaz had his axe with him, his real one, and Kiaroz his spear. The spear rested against one of the gola. Its point was long and sharp, the metal black as stone, the shaft blood red. Kak. They've made their own weapons. Forget. Kak.

  He threw his knife away. 'Kill with bare hands. Fight me fairly, if you not afraid?' He tried to keep his own fear from his voice. If they say no, this end badly.

  Nekolz glanced down at the two girls. He spat at the one who'd been sucking his cock. 'Not scared. Why would I be?' He unfastened his sword from his furs and threw it at the girl. 'Hold this.' She caught it clumsily, evidently scared of it, despite it being in her hands and not Nekolz's.

  Bronaz unfastened his axe from his furs and rested it against a gola.

  The bitter wind swept through the forest, whipping up snow and rattling leaves.

  The two girls scurried away behind the gola cluster.

  'Why not leave us alone?' said Nekolz, cracking his knuckles and neck. 'Want be my friend? Want suck my cock?' He sneered at him.

  The other two Sehnal laughed as the three of them surrounded Melonaz.

  Three on one? Melonaz clenched his fists. I end this here.

  'What you waiting for?' sniggered Nekolz. 'Fight.'

  The wind blew again, penetrating Melonaz's furs, chilling him to the bone. He gritted his teeth, blood boiling despite the cold, and used Hakah.

  The Raiz of the other boys heated as they focused theirs.

  Melonaz spun round and dived at Bronaz, swinging at his jaw. The large boy gasped, and couldn't get out of the way in time as Melonaz's fist thudded into his jaw. Phlegm and blood spat out of his mouth as his head snapped back and he fell.

  As Melonaz drew the Raiz back Nekolz grabbed his shoulders and Kiaroz's knee crunched into his ribs. He grunted from the blow, doubling over. Using Hakah, he grabbed Nekolz's hands and tried to flip the Sehnal over him, but he was pulled backwards, overpowered. Another knee to the stomach winded him. Nekolz bit one of Melonaz's ears, causing him to yelp.

  Melonaz strengthened his Hakah, fighting to break free. He yanked Nekolz's hands off his shoulders, but the older Sehnal brought his head down hard onto the back of his, knocking him to his knees. Melonaz howled, using Hakah again, and jumped up at Nekolz, surprising the older boy as he landed an uppercut to his jaw that lifted him from his feet. Before he could follow it up though Kiaroz wrapped his arm around Melonaz's throat, squeezing tight.

  Bronaz was back on his feet and advancing.

  Melonaz lost focus on his Raiz.

  Bronaz's swollen face twisted and he kicked at Melonaz's groin, but Melonaz blocked with his knee, groaning and wheezing as the air was squeezed out of him by Kiaroz. Bronaz kicked again, this time hitting his groin, making Melonaz squeal. Melonaz grasped at Kiaroz's face, his fingers finding eyes and he squeezed them in. Kiaroz screamed, instantly releasing him.

  Bronaz booted him in the stomach and Melonaz doubled over, groaning, gasping for breath. Nekolz scrambled back to his feet and kicked him hard in the side before he could recover, sending him rolling sideways across the ground.

  Melonaz spat blood onto the snow and quickly focused his Raiz.

  Bronaz and Nekolz charged him but another bitter wind swept through the forest, whipping snow up into their eyes. Melonaz sprang to his feet, but just as he was about to attack Kiaroz smashed into his side and they both crashed to the ground. Melonaz sank his teeth into his neck, drawing blood, causing the older Sehnal to cry out, then threw him off his back.

  Kak. Raiz weaker. I lose some. He could feel the difference in his body. Already it was weaker, slower, fatigued when it shouldn't be. 'Nukuk,' he screamed, and pulled himself back to his feet, focusing his Raiz again. He used Hakah and threw himself at the advancing Nekolz, the two smashing together. His shoulder struck Nekolz's stomach and the Sehnal flew back. Hands grabbed Melonaz's legs and yanked them out from under him, sending him crashing down onto his front.

  A great weight landed on his back, and pain exploded through him, the air expelled from his lungs. Fists pounded into the back of his head, beating his face into the snow.

  'Yes. Get him,' cried Nekolz.

  'I HATE YOU,' cried Melonaz as he reached back and grabbed Bronaz's sides, digging his fingers in deep. The punching stopped, hands grabbing hold of his wrists and pulling hard on them.

  Lightning. Lightning blasted out Melonaz's hands and surged into Bronaz. Bronaz screamed, his body shuddering on top of Melonaz. Melonaz screamed too as his own lightning surged through Bronaz and into him. He gritted his teeth, enduring it, determined not to let go. He drew back the Raiz, then stopped the attack, releasing his grip on Bronaz. The large boy fell off him. Melonaz gasped for air, but no matter how hard he tried his lungs refused to fill.

  He lifted his head out of the snow, only to be greeted by a boot crunching into his nose, snapping his head back. Salty blood trickled into his mouth. Another foot stomped on his neck, causing him to bite his tongue as he cried out. He covered his head with his arms, curling up into a ball. Another foot hit the tops of his arms. Then his back, his arms, the backs of his legs, his left side, the back of his head, arms, back, legs, side, the other side, head, arms, neck, legs. He closed his eyes as blow after blow rained down upon him, dull pain awakening all over his body, worsening with every kick. He could feel his bones splintering, his muscles bruising.

  I hate them. I hate them. Their blows felt like they were penetrating his skin. I hate them. I hate them. His Raiz began to heat up. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them. I hate them. It was growing. Growing in a familiar way, like it had before. I hate them. I hate them. The blows came down harder, each one more furious and painful than the last. Laughter filled his ears. I hate them. I hate them. His Raiz became burning hot, yet still it grew, filling his whole body t
he way air filled his lungs, only it didn't stop. I hate them. I hate them. I HATE THEM. Melonaz howled, his Raiz unbearably hot, burning his mind, enraging him more. DIE!

  As one he released all the Raiz from his body in a tremendous surge of powerful energy, imagining it as white hot flame. Intense heat radiated out of him in every direction, a roaring wave that shook the air, sweeping over everything in its path.

  The kicking ceased, the pain vanishing.

  Melonaz opened his eyes, finding that he could breathe, although the air that filled them was hot. He removed his arms from his face, then instantly returned them as a great heat hit him. He suddenly panicked. No. No. What I do? He peered out through the gaps between his arms, his eyes immediately watering from the heat. All the gola around were ablaze. The snow had melted and the pools of water that'd formed were steaming, quickly shrinking to nothing. Around him three blackened mounds smouldered. Two more black mounds still burned a short distance away too.

  Melonaz shivered, not from the heat, but from the cold dread that suddenly filled him as he realised what he'd done. How? How'd I do this? Not happen. No. It's a dream. Has to be. He screamed, clutching his head. He shook one of the mounds, yelped as his fingers burned from the heat of the scorched flesh.

  The whole forest burned.

  Scrambling to his feet, he rushed over to the two mounds a little further away. Please. Don't be the girls too. They were just blackened husks now that vaguely resembled the shape of a person. He sank to his knees and began to sob uncontrollably. I sorry. I so sorry. What I do? I kill them. Kill them all. He buried his face in his hands and cried like he'd never cried before.

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Snow fell heavily as the forest burned. A fierce wind blew, causing the fires to blaze even wilder than before, burning branches and leaves breaking off and scattering everywhere.

  What I do? What I do? Hot tears stung Melonaz's eyes even more than the flames did. He couldn't stop himself from crying, not that he cared. Nothing mattered now.

  His body was numb, yet he felt the need to pull his, somehow unburned, furs tighter around him, rocking himself from side to side. Snow landed on his body, only to melt away moments later, or be blown off as the wind battered him.

  It's not real. Can't be. I can't do this. I imagine it. Storm cause fire. He knew it wasn't true. The feeling of his Raiz heating up and growing was too clear in his mind, to strong a memory, it had to be real.

  I kill them.

  Lightning flashed through the sky then a moment later thunder rumbled after it. Snow turned to hail, small shards of ice pelting Melonaz, but he didn't feel them. He didn't even bother to protect his face, just looked back down at the two blackened mounds before him, all that remained of the two girls.

  I kill them.

  Up above lightning ripped through the thick, black cloud, thunder rumbling so loud the snow itself trembled.

  Melonaz came to some time later lying on his side in between the bodies of the two girls, both covered in a sheet of ice. The storm had passed but heavy cloud still covered the sky. The forest continued to burn, but not as fiercely now. Now that the wind had died off the stench of burnt flesh hung in the air, stinging his nose.

  He tried to move but his body was stiff, cold, and sore. Closing his eyes, he focused on his Raiz. When he felt it he used Nipah, an aura of heat surrounding him. He sighed with relief as his body quickly warmed and he pushed himself up to his feet. How long I sleep for?

  Most of the fires had shrank due to the gola being reduced to embers, smoke billowing up into the sky in thick plumes.

  What do? Run? Lial not know it me. Hide? Sneak back to furaz? Say I sick. Why I not go training today. Something in his head made him stay put. Running felt wrong, felt cowardly. Sehnal not bonokok. Sehnal have honour. Sehnal face their Lial. Lial decide what do. I say it accident. Hope he believe. It was stupid, he knew. The Lial would most likely kill him, but it was the right thing to do. Lial try teach me be good Sehnal. Good Sehnal not run.

  He focused his Raiz. There were four or five hot Raiz nearby. From the way they were heating up he could sense that they were straining their Raiz. He swallowed hard. They come see what happen. Sense my Raiz. Can't run even if want to.

  It wasn't long before they arrived. It was difficult to ascertain who they were from their Raiz, none of them felt particularly strong. Lial not with them. To his right their figures appeared like shadows within the flames. They slowed, carefully picking their way through the the burning debris, no doubt searching for answers.

  Melonaz remained where he was. There was no point in moving, they'd find him soon enough.

  Melonaz looked around at the destruction he'd caused. I kill them. They're dead.

  'It's a boy,' shouted one of them.

  A Sehnal emerged out of the flames. He was a couple of years older than Melonaz, by the look of him. A stout boy with a hook nose. His brown red furs made him look as though one with the fire. He approached Melonaz, crouching down when he reached him.

  'You hurt?' he asked.

  Melonaz shook his head. There was no pain from the beating he'd taken. Bones had cracked, he'd been sure. There should definitely have been bruising, but there was nothing. The Raiz he'd lost had been restored, in fact his Raiz felt a little stronger somehow. Raiz grow?

  'Why you here?' asked the Sehnal.

  He didn't respond.

  Another Sehnal appeared, this one thinner but harsher looking, due to a broken nose and a scar from something having slashed his face.

  'Who this?' the scarred Sehnal asked.

  'Not know,' said the first. He prodded Melonaz. 'Who're you?'

  'Melonaz.'

  'Where from?'

  'Oaraz.'

  'Oaraz?'

  'Who this?' came a gruff voice. There was a flash of purple, and then a much older man emerged from the flames, the Lialstone around his neck marking him.

  'This Melonaz. Of Oaraz,' said the Sehnal in brown and red furs.

  The Lial approached. 'Oaraz?'

  The Lial's Raiz was surprisingly weak. Up close it was clearly stronger than his Sehnal's, but it was far weaker than Lial Seboraz's. My Lial break him.

  The Lial's hair was greying all over. From the look of him he must be near fifty years old, very old. His face was lined, but his dark eyes still held a power. His build was small, his muscles wilted, white furs hanging loose over his frame. He'd clearly not been in real fight in a while, the large axe he carried looked too heavy for him to wield, although he held it with relative ease. He stood over Melonaz, staring down at him with those dark eyes. He may not have been as strong as his Lial, but Melonaz felt equally as intimidated.

  'What happen?' asked the Lial, his forehead creasing, brow furrowing. 'Feel big Raiz. See big fire that covers all of forest. Smoke rising high into sky. Forest burn bright. Storm hit. Can't come until it passes.'

  Melonaz didn't respond. He didn't know how to put it into words.

  'Speak,' said the Lial, his tone hardening.

  'They're dead bodies,' said the thin Sehnal, pointing to the two mounds beside Melonaz.

  'More here,' came another voice from behind him.

  'Speak,' snapped the Lial. 'What happen? Who're they?' He pointed to the dead bodies.

  'From my village,' said Melonaz. 'They come out to forest. I follow.'

  'Sehnal?'

  Melonaz pointed to the three bodies behind him. 'They Sehnal. The other two are girls,' he pointed to the other two, 'Sehnal bring the girls here.'

  The Lial nodded as if understanding. 'Lobkak Sehnal,' he muttered.

  'I follow. Not know it them. Find all five here.'

  'What happen?'

  Melonaz didn't respond.

  The Lial looked to the Sehnal with the brown and red furs and the scarred one. 'Go get Lial Seboraz. Bring him to Twiz.'

  The two Sehnal nodded and sped away, bits of hailstone flicking up as they ran across the exposed black rock ground.

  'Up, Sehn
al,' the Lial said to Melonaz. 'We go.'

  Melonaz shivered by the fire outside the Lial of Twiz's furaz. The Lial sat opposite him, quietly observing. He'd spoken little since they'd arrived, allowing Melonaz to sit and think. All Melonaz could think about though was those burnt bodies lying there in the flames.

  I kill them.

  It was midday by the time Lial Seboraz arrived. His face was a mask of fury. He dismissed the two Sehnal before he reached the Lial of Twiz and Melonaz.

  'Mofar, Lial,' the Lial of Twiz shouted to him.

  'Mofar, Lial,' Lial Seboraz replied. He glanced down at Melonaz.

  'Sehnal in forest fire,' said the Lial of Twiz.

  'See the fire from Oaraz. Hear it. Sense Raiz there.' Lial Seboraz's eyes narrowed.

  'Six in forest fire. Boy survive. Rest die.'

  Seboraz grunted. He prodded Melonaz in the chest with Rorkaroz. 'What happen, Sehnal? Who with you?'

  'Not use Raiz away from me again. I kill you if you do.' Melonaz tried to form his words before he spoke. 'Go scouting with old Sehnal in morning, Lial. Miss training. I late to meet them. Follow tracks in the snow. Tracks lead to the forest.'

  'Who you follow?'

  'Find Nekolz there. Bronaz, Kiaroz too. They with two girls. Not know their names.'

  'Other Sehnal?' asked the Lial of Twiz.

  'Yes,' said Lial Seboraz. 'Strong Sehnal.'

  Melonaz felt a pang of anger at the mention of them being strong, then the guilt returned.

  'They try to fuck the girls,' said Melonaz, the memory sickening him, confusing his guilt. 'Force them to suck their cocks.'

  The Lial's face twinged as he tried to suppress his anger. While Sehnal could take whom they chose, generally, the two girls were under the Lial's protection. To hear of them being harmed was hard for him to hear, Melonaz knew, especially by his own Sehnal.

  'You fight?' the Lial asked, trying, but failing, to keep the anger from his voice.

  Reluctantly, Melonaz nodded.

  The Lial stopped him before he could speak further and turned to the Lial of Twiz. 'I take him home. Decide what do?'

  The Lial of Twiz nodded. 'Need talk soon. You speak with Jekoraz, yes?'