by Brad Clark
“I have seen them in seaside ports over the years, but never have I dealt with them directly. A strange lot they are. Always staying to themselves. Legend says their warriors are the best in the world.”
“Well,” Conner said, “If they are the best warriors in the world, and they are the devoted people of the One God, the Creator, then they would fight for him and against the Deceiver, right?”
Captain Gorge replied, “I would guess so.”
Glaerion asked, “What are you saying, Conner? That we should take this opportunity to recruit the Hurai to fight with us?”
“One of the things that Micheal said to me when I was dead was that I would not be on the quest to save the Ark of Life alone. There would be others that would help me, and each time I needed help, someone was there to help me. You, Glaerion, Hargon, Marik, Elissa, and even you, Captain Gorge. When we were desperate to find a way to get across the ocean to the Elves, you and your ship just showed up on the Tyre River. That was no accident, and I think coming here to the Hurai was no accident. I think we were meant to bring them back with us to help fight the Deceiver and his army.”
Glaerion scratched his chin. “I don’t think I can argue against your point. If they are willing, we could use their swords.”
Captain Gorge nodded his head in agreement. “Then we land and find them.”
“I will tell Ryshak and the others to prepare to disembark.” Glaerion left to tell the Elven Guard of their plans.
Captain Gorge was helped away to tend to his ship, leaving Conner alone. With the sounds of the ship’s sailors going about their business, Conner watched the island as it slowly approached. The idea that he was not truly a Karmon was still a concept that he had not fully grasped. He thought back through his life as a child, trying to pull out images or impressions that would be different for a Hurai, but since he always had thought of himself as a Karmon, nothing came to mind. He had vague memories of his mother and couldn’t recall what his father looked like, but his aunt looked like all the other villagers. Although he hadn’t spent much time gazing into a mirror at himself, he knew what he looked like, and he was sure that he looked like a Karmon. Certainly, he did not look anything like Master Goshin or the Hurai that he had faced in the gladiatorial ring in Tara City. He was suddenly anxious to see his true homeland and meet the people of his heritage.
His heart started to beat harder, and his palms got sweaty. A chuckle escaped his lips, and he shook his head at himself. With all that was going on around him, with Elissa being so far away, the one thing that made him nervous was meeting his own people.
The warm wind suddenly picked up and blew hard in his face. He enjoyed the sunshine and warmth of the southern weather, and he would miss it as they headed back northeast towards Karmon. Winter in Karmon was not always harsh unless you lived in the mountains. However, the winter winds coming off the Gulf of Taran could be bitter and biting. Fighting a war in those conditions was not ideal, but it might give them an advantage. They were used to cold weather, and hopefully, the Deceiver's goblin army was not able to handle freezing temperatures and deep snow drifts. The goblin army was large, the Deceiver powerful, and they would need any advantage they could get. Hopefully, the Hurai would be one more piece to give them victory.
***
The next morning, Conner, Glaerion, and Ryshak, leader of the Elven Guard, were rowed by two sailors to the coast. Many of the Elven Guard had protested, insisting that they all go, but Glaerion thought if all of them went it would be too big of a show of force. Diplomacy was needed, and the three of them would be suitable to establish initial contact. Plus, the ship needed a new main mast, and the sailors would need all the help they could get in cutting the mast from a tree on the island, transporting it to the ship, and putting it up.
They were dropped off on a sandy beach. The tide was in, allowing them to walk up the beach along smooth, hard-packed sand. Just out of reach of the waves, Conner stopped and took a moment to enjoy firm ground. He could never be a full-time sailor. The constant movement and rolling of the ship kept his stomach in a near constant state of flux. Just when he seemed to feel settled, the waves would pick up, and he would feel queasy all over again. At least he didn’t get as sick as Elissa had gotten. He never got to the point of throwing up as she did. Having to deal with storms was also an issue. Karmon was not immune to severe weather, especially in the springtime. But when on land, he could always hunker down in a house or cave to ride out the storm. On a ship, in the middle of the ocean, there was no protection from the weather. Being completely at the mercy of chance and circumstance was not something that appealed to him.
He watched briefly as two sailors rowed the small shore boat back to the Flying Narwhal. As they were on an island, he would have to take at least one more ship ride in his life. After the next one, though, he was sure he would never step foot on a ship again.
The beach they stood on was long, around a hundred yards from the water’s edge to small hilly dunes that were covered in lush green weeds. Coconut trees were scattered about near the edge of the beach. Further inland there were many more trees and what might be a thick forest. Off in the distance, a single mountain peak rose high into the sky.
“Where to now?” Conner asked. “Do we just start heading inland?”
“This is a big island,” Ryshak replied. He had not fully agreed with Glaerion’s command to keep the Elven Guard on the ship, and his sharp, biting tone revealed his feelings. “We could travel for days without seeing anyone. Maybe we should have had the whole Guard come and split up to cover more ground.”
“It’s all about diplomacy, Ryshak,” Glaerion said. “The more of us there are, the more of a threat we would appear to be. We do not want to give them the impression that we are a threat.”
“Since when are you so concerned about diplomacy?”
Glaerion caught a hint of upturned lips that were forming into some semblance of a smile, which kept him from replying with a sharp rebuke. “Amazingly enough, it was the Human that taught me to think first and act second.” He paused to see if Ryshak would offer a friendly scolding. The other Elf only lifted an eyebrow. Glaerion continued with a serious tone. “We must tread lightly and not be perceived as a threat. We are here to ask them for help, not to get into a fight.”
Ryshak glanced at Conner’s swords. “The swords strapped to Conner’s back could be seen as a threat. They are the same as what their Sak’Hurai wield.”
“I am not Sak’Hurai,” Conner said.
“They do not know that,” Ryshak quickly retorted. “Do not underestimate them. They are more than simple warriors, and although the three of us will cause them no fear or threat, I assure you they will not take us lightly. It is likely they already know we are here, and they are watching us, just as we did when you and Elissa arrived at our beaches. Keep your eyes peeled, but your hands away from your swords. When they are ready, they will make contact with us.”
“And if they don’t?”
Ryshak’s eyes turned cold. “Eventually, one way or another, they will. Trust me on this.”
“Let’s get moving, then. The longer this takes, the closer the Deceiver will get to winning the war.”
Without another word, Ryshak took the lead. Conner fell into step a few paces behind him while Glaerion brought up the rear. There was no trail for them to follow, but the vegetation was not thick enough to impede them from keeping a quick pace. It didn’t take too long for them to leave the sea behind, hidden by rolling, sandy dunes.
After they had been walking for some time, Glaerion suddenly picked up his pace and passed by Conner. As he did so, he whispered, “Be ready. We are being followed.”
Conner, who had fallen into an unfocused trance of mindlessly following Ryshak, perked up. He wanted to draw his swords to protect them from whoever was following them. Fortunately, his mind stopped his instincts. If they were indeed being followed, drawing his weapons would let their trackers know they had been disco
vered. If they were simply observers and wanted to know who they were, acting intimidatingly might prove fatal. His palms became sweaty with anticipation. Birds, which were chirping incessantly, suddenly fell silent. It took every ounce of discipline to keep his swords out of his hands. If they were to be ambushed, the split second it took to draw his swords might be the difference between life and death.
“Glaerion?” Conner said softly, hoping to get direction from the Elf, who was walking two paces in front of him.
Glaerion glanced back and said, “Hold fast, but be ready.”
Ahead of them, the ground started to rise towards the mountain peak. The trees became thicker, and the grasses and other vegetation became taller. If an ambush were to happen, it would be soon. Conner did not want to think about them being ambushed and having to fight. Although the Hurai were warriors, he hoped they would be peaceful.
Ryshak slowed his pace and allowed Glaerion to catch up to him. Without turning his head, he asked Glaerion, “Does he know the Korupa move?”
“He’ll learn,” Glaerion said. Then he turned his head slightly and said to Conner, “Just ahead, in the trees, there is no undergrowth. I can see a bit of clearing. That is where we will make our stand. When we do so, I will draw my dagger, and the three of us will stand with our backs together. Nothing will be able to attack our backs, as we will cover each other.”
“What if they just want to talk to us?” Conner asked.
“We must be prepared for everything,” Ryshak snapped back.
“Wouldn’t that be thought of as threatening?”
Ryshak ignored him and said to Glaerion, “I have counted five.”
Conner did not want to get into a sword fight with his own people. To Glaerion, Conner asked, “Are they really going to attack us?”
“I do not know. We will find out soon enough.”
“Should we not…”
A sharp glance back from Glaerion cut off Conner’s words. “Shush. We must protect ourselves. If they wish to attack and we are not prepared, we will be slaughtered. If they only wish to talk, then we will lower our weapons. We do not know them, and we must be prepared for the worst.”
Conner did not agree, but he had to go along with the Elves. He clamped his mouth shut.
Ryshak led them through a line of trees and into a shaded, wooded area. The trees were far apart, and there was little undergrowth, just as he had seen from a distance. If there was to be combat, it would be close quarters with swords and daggers. He led them directly to the center of the clearing that would give them enough room for Conner to use his swords.
Ryshak drew his daggers and shouted out, “Conner! To me! Back to back!”
Conner drew his weapons and took two bounding steps to reach the Elves and took up a defensive position with his back to them. Silence followed for two heartbeats before the attack came.
There were more than the five that Ryshak had seen, and they came at them from all directions. Conner had only a split second to get a good look at them. Their clothes were full of greens and browns to help them blend into the trees and underbrush. It worked, as he had never seen even one of them. There was no doubt they were Hurai, as they had the same olive skin as Master Goshin and their eyes were also narrow and slanted.
Conner had little time to notice anything else. A Hurai warrior came at him with a weapon that looked similar to his. It had a thin single-edged blade with a slight curve to it. The warrior held it with both hands, slashing and stabbing with expert ability. Conner, using both his swords, deftly parried the warrior’s blows. A second warrior stepped towards him, and they tried to attack him at the same time, but they were too close to effectively fight side-by-side. Glaerion and Ryashak had daggers in each hand and were easily able to repel their own attackers.
“Stay tight!” Glaerion shouted.
As long as the three stayed close with their backs together, it was difficult for the warriors to attack each of them with more than one warrior. The speed of the Elves allowed them to defend themselves, while the skill of Conner and his twin swords kept any warriors from getting close to him. Yet, the Hurai warriors still attacked, drawing strength and energy with each passing moment.
Conner’s breathing was easy, but sweat was pouring down the side of his face. He could fight for quite a while longer, but he knew that he could not fight forever. There were many more of them, and none of the Hurai warriors had been wounded. The end result was inevitable. Their only chance for survival would be to kill one or two and hope the rest would retreat and run away. Conner turned his tactics from a defensive position to an offensive stance, even though he knew it would leave Glaerion and Ryshak more exposed.
The Hurai warrior that faced Conner was highly skilled, but he only used a single weapon, which told Conner that he was not Sak’Hurai. Since he was not one of the elite warriors of the Hurai, Conner had the confidence he needed to attack. Using the skills and training ingrained by Master Goshin, Conner spun and danced his swords, which the warrior frantically tried to parry. It was not long before one of Conner’s swords slipped past the warrior’s defenses and sliced across the warrior’s chest. It was not a deep cut, but it was painful. That warrior jumped back and out of the way, his face twisted in agony. Another, however, stepped right in, sword swinging for Conner’s head.
Conner deftly parried the blow and the next as the second warrior was not nearly as skilled as the first. After the first slashing attack, Conner was able to take control of the fight with his own quick slashes. The warrior retreated, falling back from the power and swiftness of Conner’s swords. His heart began pounding as he realized that these warriors could not match his skill. In no time they would either run away, or he would be forced to kill them. However, since the Hurai would eventually be asked to help them, he knew he couldn’t kill any of them. To keep them alive, he intentionally missed delivering killing blows, but he still pressed his offensive attacks against them.
Hearing shouting coming from behind, Conner took a quick glance towards the Elves. With a wave of fear, he realized what he had done. By pressing his attack and taking a dozen steps away from Ryshak and Glaerion, he had broken their defensive position. There was no one to protect his back, and Glaerion and Ryshak were about to be overwhelmed by their attackers.
With his focus now away from the warrior in front of him, Conner’s second mistake happened. The Hurai warrior was suddenly on him with a single bound. Conner tried to bring up his swords to protect himself, but the Hurai was already inside the reach of his swords. Two elbow slashes to the chin stunned him, and then the warrior finished with a stiff right cross to the jaw. Stars fluttered in his head, and his knees buckled. Although he was stunned, he had enough awareness to know what was going to happen next. He could not defend himself anymore. It would be a simple matter for any of the warriors to deliver a killing blow. Dropping to his knees, he was despondent. He just hoped that death would come quickly.
The killing blow didn’t come. Slowly, the warriors backed off, but still held their swords up.
With quickly returning strength, Conner shook his head clear and stood, swords still in hand. He turned to see Ryshak on the ground, eyes closed. Glaerion was kneeling over him, his daggers on the ground and out of reach.
“Are you okay?” Conner asked.
Glaerion didn’t answer. His eyes were focused past Conner. Conner turned to see the warriors had moved even farther back to allow another warrior to step forward. This one held two swords.
“Sak’Hurai,” Conner mumbled. His hands began to shake. He wasn’t sure if it was fear or excitement. He was even more surprised when his vision became fully clear, and he realized that the Sak’Hurai warrior was female.
She was tall, almost as tall as he was. Unlike the loose clothes the other warriors wore, she wore a tight rawhide shirt and skirt. Metal bands encircled upper arms that were toned and muscular. Her long, black hair was tied into a knot atop her head and hung down her back. Her face was painted b
lack from ear to ear, across her nose, and around her eyes. Dark, angry eyes stared at him, peering into his soul.
In all other circumstances, he would have found her stunningly beautiful. Holding two swords that looked almost identical to his, she looked as dangerous as anyone could. Subconsciously, Conner’s instincts took over, and he raised his swords in a defensive posture.
“You hold swords that are not yours to hold,” she said. The words came out haltingly with an accent. Commoner was obviously not her native language.
“They were given to me by King Illichian, King of the Elves.”
Her stone-faced expression did not waver.
“They are the swords of the Sak’Hurai,” she said. “It is death to any who dare wield them. Your life is forfeit..”
“It is true that I am not Sak’Hurai,” Conner replied. “I am Kin San, trained by one of your own. A man by the name of Goshin.”
A flicker of recognition flashed across her eyes, but her jaw remained firm. “You cannot be Kin San.”
“I am Hurai,” Conner said. “I have been trained by Master Goshin to be Kin San.”
The warriors around her glanced at one another. The female Sak’Hurai’s face finally faltered. She blinked and looked away for a moment.
When she turned back to look at him, her voice was strong and fierce. She strode forward and said, “You cannot be Hurai. I will kill you for trying to deceive us.”
Conner shifted into a defensive posture. The rest of the Hurai warriors moved into a circle around them. Glaerion did not move but eyed his daggers that were lying nearby.
Staying five paces away, she moved around Conner, forcing him to slowly spin in place. With a powerful voice, she said, “My name is Princess Nikki. Who are you to call yourself Hurai? Your face is as white as the moon and your eyes just as round.”
“My name is Conner. I come from the Kingdom of Karmon. We come here to ask you for help.”