Warden (Blade Asunder Book 3)

by Jon Kiln

  Myriam stood admiring the grand building and mused that in better times she would love to study the Akkedis architecture, when suddenly and unceremoniously, her arm was yanked and she was dragged further into the building.

  “Sorry, my Lady,” Arriba apologized, “but we must keep moving. It is not safe for you near the streets.”

  Myriam merely nodded her understanding and followed after Arriba, who led them through a procession of corridors and then down a number of stone stairways.

  “This is our public library, the best loved municipal building. We Akkedis love to read. You will be in the basement where there is a tunnel that leads to an underground river,” Arriba explained, panting as she spoke.

  “There is an underground river in the middle of the desert?” Myriam questioned.

  “Yes. Our city is built on it. This river has provided us with water for hundreds of years. Without it we would not be able to stay here.”

  Arriba took them deeper and deeper into the earth, and soon they could hear the river. She opened up a wooden door and led them into a large chamber, lighting the sconces on the wall.

  “This room is a few feet above the river, but still remains dry,” Arriba told them. “I have chosen it as it is not in use.”

  “Will you be staying with us, Arriba?” Myriam asked.

  “If you wish, my Lady, but for now I must go get some supplies. Please stay here and keep quiet. I will return soon with bedding and food, but this is as safe a place as any.”

  With those words Arriba was gone and the female humans were left alone.

  45

  The streets of the Akkedis city were filled with the sounds of clashing swords as Qutaybah’s men fought with the defending Akkedis soldiers. Most Akkedis males had run into the streets to join the battle and defend their city. What the Akkedis citizens confronted turned their blood to ice. Engaged in battle with their army were the Suggizon, huge snake like creatures, the sworn enemy of the Akkedis.

  The battle was in full flow and the advancing humans and Suggizon were making progress into the city. Sampson was leading a party of his own people, some in their human form and others changed into snakes. It was the snake form that inspired most fear in the Akkedis. Many fled at the sheer sight of them, only to be run down as the giant snakes wrapped themselves around their thick skinned bodies, crushing them until they breathed no more. Many were brave and stood their ground, only to be slaughtered by the sharp blades of the warriors or the slow constricting death of the snakes.

  Sampson spotted a small group of Suggizon that were cornered, having been set upon by a group of Akkedis. From the makeshift weapons the Akkedis yielded, he assumed they were untrained men, simply fighting to save their city. They improvised with anything they could grab, such as axes, shovels, forks and other implements and tools.

  Sampson, upon seeing his men overrun, joined in the affray, thrusting his sword deep into the belly of the largest and most aggressive of the Akkedis who was swinging a large axe. Despite the fatal wound caused by Sampson’s sword that had completely run through the lizard’s body, the strength of the Akkedis continued.

  The creature swung its axe with momentum and came at them in a downwards arc. The large Akkedis blew with such a force that when it struck Sampson, it knocked him to the floor. Blood gashed out from the wound he received and the Akkedis raised the axe again, readying to deliver the coup de grâce and finish the Suggizon leader off.

  Sampson raised his sword to defend himself, but he knew it would not be enough. Gritting himself for the blow, the Akkedis suddenly stumbled to its knees, the axe dropping harmlessly as it fell face forward onto the ground. Standing behind the fallen Akkedis with his bloodied sword in hand stood Qutaybah, a wry smile on his face.

  “Come, my friend,” Qutaybah said, reaching forward to help Sampson back to his feet. “The battle is still to be won.”

  The Suggizon fought on. They battled a whole city of Akkedis, showing no sign of weakness. Yet, the Akkedis would not yield willingly and they fought with real ire. In them was a burning fire that can only come from defending your own home.

  The streets were littered with the dead and wounded, both Suggizon and Akkedis. Qutaybah knew that the battle was not going to be easy and final victory would hinge on whether Perseus could kill the Lizard Empress. Facing the rising death toll, he hoped that would be soon.

  Lord Parsival led the human contingent of the attack forces and had entered the city at the Northern side, close to where the royal structure was situated. His priority was to release the Queen and her party. He was also instructed to help Persues, if necessary, in killing the Lizard Empress. Qutaybah had inferred that this was paramount to the success of this war. With the Akkedis Empress dead, the Lizard army would capitulate, of this he was certain.

  As Parsival surveyed the huge numbers of Akkedis laid out before them and ready to defend their city, he hoped Qutaybah was correct, otherwise this day might not end as they had hoped.

  ***

  Myriam waited patiently for Arriba to return. Fleetingly she worried that they may have been betrayed, but she reassured herself with the knowledge that if it had not been for Arriba, they would probably have been captured once again. Not all Akkedis must be bad, of this she was sure. Maybe, after this was all over, they could restart diplomatic relations with the new Akkedis ruler.

  The hiding place that Arriba had taken them to was indeed dry, but it still smelt damp and dank. Whilst sconces lit the walls, they gave off little light, barely illuminating the dark corners of the room.

  Stacked around the room were a number of boxes. Curious to what they might hold, Myriam wandered over to them to investigate. Arriba had told them that this was a library, and they were hidden a store room. Perhaps the boxes contained books? Approaching a stack of boxes, she heard a scuffling noise. Assuming it to be some rodent or other critter, she ignored it. Rats had never bothered her. Opening one of the boxes she peered in, seeing that it was indeed full of books.

  The Duchess saw Myriam’s face light up with a huge smile.

  “What have you discovered there?” she called out to her.

  “Books, grandmother, some of them written in our language. It seems the Akkedis are not just treacherous and ignorant.”

  The Duchess approached her granddaughter, intrigued with Myriam’s find, as books were always a passion of hers. Suddenly a number of boxes were pushed to one side and a shadowy figure emerged from behind them.

  Grabbing the Duchess around the throat, the figure pinned her body close to its own. Scared and panicked eyes stared out from a nervous face as the attacker scanned the people in the room. Myriam gasped as she recognized the one holding her grandmother.

  “Ghaffar! I wondered where you had got yourself to.”

  46

  Ghaffar was feeling pretty pleased with himself. The situation had looked hopeless. The human Queen’s protector was free, as was that cursed snake Perseus. He knew that if they caught him there would be no mercy. Hiding until an opportunity to escape presented itself to him seemed the best plan. When he heard female human voices, he could not believe his luck.

  “At last, I have found a use for you both other than draining your blood,” he said to them, menace in his tone. “I will allow you to sit on that box, Duchess, but I will be right behind you with a very sharp dagger, so I would not advise you to make any wrong moves as you will be first to go.”

  The Duchess did as she was instructed and sure enough, she could feel the cold body of a lizard man pressing on her back. This particular lizard man she hated very much. He had been the cause of all her recent troubles.

  “Ghaffar, should you not be protecting your Empress?” she asked of him.

  “You know only too well, if I go to my Empress then I shall only meet my death. I can hear what is happening on the streets. We are under attack, and no doubt from stinking humans. You are a wretched species, untrustworthy and dishonorable,” he spat at her.

  “
Strange, those were my thoughts exactly,” the Duchess replied, very calmly, “whenever I thought of you, Ghaffar. You betray your people by not helping to save of your Empress, surely?”

  “I have been loyal, securing her the supply of blood that she needed for survival, and where did it get me? Nowhere!” he shouted, his voice echoing around the small chamber. “I should be running all of the mines by now, she promised me that, but no, I had to stay and babysit the human prisoners. Make sure their blood was not stressed, as it did not taste right if it was. Her precious supply. I should not even have been in this city had she stuck to her promises. Empty promises. It has all been for nothing.”

  “It appears you have much to be angry for, Ghaffar,” the Duchess teased him. “I’m surprised you didn’t take the opportunity to remove the Empress and rule in her place. Surely you have an army of soldiers?”

  “An army of imbeciles more like. Yes, that was my plan, to become her confidante, her right hand man, eventually, with me making all the decisions as she slipped into her dotage. But now, you have ruined all of that, you and your kind, savages. Still, perhaps I have a use for you yet. As my hostage you will take me from this city and to freedom.”

  “Is that not my dagger?” Myriam shouted out as she recognized Harkan, the knife that contained the stones of Berghein, the source of her family’s magic powers. “You wear my ring too, you greedy little reptile. I will have them all returned, immediately,” she demanded, knowing full well that Ghaffar would not comply.

  “Sorry, Queen Myriam, these gems are my ticket out of here,” he told her with great satisfaction. “But I promise you this, this dagger will be the death of your grandmother if you don’t do as I tell you. When Arriba returns, I will begin my plan to flee this place, so wait patiently and you will not be harmed. Not yet, anyway.”

  It seemed a long wait for Arriba. Myriam was beginning to think she would not return, maybe she had been captured by the invading army or even worse, was dead. It was some relief when the door opened and Arriba entered, carrying a bag full of food and blankets. She dropped her bag onto the floor at the sight of Ghaffar, and gasped.

  “Come in, Arriba,” Ghaffar demanded. “I have errands that you shall run for me. I am rescuing the human Queen and the Duchess, is that not kind of me?”

  Arriba knew this not to be true. Ghaffar would do nothing that did not directly benefit him. She would go along with it so she could stay close to the female humans.

  “Before I came in here,” he said, “I overheard the humans instructing their soldiers not to kill the women and children. They always were a sentimental race,” Ghaffar sniggered. “I want you to go find me a female Akkedis outfit. We will be a party of women, running through the streets. The Duchess and her granddaughter will wear cloaks, to disguise themselves. Now go, Arriba, come back with a female tunic and cloaks, quickly.”

  Arriba rushed out. She did not wish to leave the humans on their own with Ghaffar for too long. She had learned his true nature as he had witnessed him torturing Ganry with those dreadful insects. He was not to be trusted in any way and she must find a way to save the human Queen and Duchess.

  47

  Ganry let Perseus lead their small group. He knew this part of the Akkedis Empress’ chambers better than he did, having explored it as a snake when they were supposedly kept in chains.

  Perseus briefed them on all that was happening. The city was under attack from humans and the Suzzigon, Perseus’s kin. He told Linz that a troop of lakemen were also among the attackers, as were soldiers from the kingdom. This cheered everyone, boosting their confidence for the task that lay ahead.

  They followed Perseus’s lead through the dark passageways of the underground city. They were surprised not to have come across any Akkedis guards, as they’d expected fierce opposition.

  “Surely it will not be this deserted all the way to the Empress’ chamber?” Ganry queried.

  Perseus just shrugged and continued on.

  They found the throne room, unaccosted, the same room where Perseus and Ganry had their last battle and where the treachery of Ghaffar had been fully uncovered. It seemed an age ago since that day, when in fact, it had been only been weeks. The chamber was completely empty so they followed the route they had seen the Akkedis Empress take the last time they were here. It led directly to a set of large double doors.

  ***

  Empress Gishja, ruler of the Lizard lands had feared the worse. All her guards had deserted her. Personal servants had left too, and she was alone and at the mercies of whatever vile creatures invaded her city. When this was all over, her people would pay a very high price for their cowardice.

  She was not sure as to what was happening. Ghaffar had not been to her all day. Normally he came to update her on the state of affairs in her city and the mines. She had become intolerably weak these last few months, her great age finally taking its toll, but Ghaffar had promised to restore her health and extend her existence. All she needed to do was drink the blood of the D’Anjue family and her strength would slowly be restored.

  It had seemed so easy when Ghaffar had brought her the old Duchess. It had worked. D’Anjue blood restored her health, but when the old female could provide no more, her own condition had soon deteriorated. Drinking the blood, it seemed, was a double edged sword. It did work, but when it stopped she rapidly declined. That’s when Ghaffar had the idea to lure the rest of the D’Anjue family to the lizard city.

  When they had captured the four members of the D’Anjue family, she had blood aplenty and again it restored her, but her body needed more and more every day. Without the thick red juices, her condition quickly worsened, and now she had not had any for two days. Her body was weak and frail. Curse Ghaffar for this. She could have seen out her reign with dignity, or died fighting the invaders. Instead, he had reduced her to a weak, feeble and broken Empress.

  She could hear the sounds of battle in the city, but she had no way of knowing who would be the victor. The Akkedis soldiers would fight well to protect their city. She just hoped that it would be enough. Gishja cursed her weak body, confining her to this bed. If she was to die, she wanted to die with her people, fighting the invaders.

  She heard someone approach, before the doors burst open. Sensing they were foes, she knew her time had come. There would be no begging for her life. She would die proud, smiling her defiance.

  ***

  All four of them drew their swords as they pushed open the doors to her chamber. The room seemed completely deserted, no soldiers, no servants, nothing. In the center of the room stood a large bed, and in the dim light of the chamber they could just make out the shape of a prone body. As they drew closer they each recognized the Akkedis Empress. Bereft of her blood supply for the last few days, she had declined quickly. Surrounding her, they realized that she was close to death.

  The Empress watched them keenly as they approached. “So, it has come to this, has it?” she said, staring Ganry in the eye. “I am to die at the hands of humans. How humiliating,” she laughed.

  “No, Akkedis Empress, you are to die at the hands of a Suggizon,” Perseus told her.

  She looked at him, her courage wavered for just a second. She knew the Suggizon were capable of killing a victim very slowly, by crushing it and swallowing it whole, gradually digesting it. That process could last for days.

  “I have no intention of consuming your evil body,” he mocked her. “The risk of contamination would be too high.”

  “This is to be my end then? The end of my glorious reign, at the hands of a filthy Suggizon. Do your worst, I fear you not. You are far beneath me, snake man, and I have no fear of you or your people. You deserved to be extinct. There cannot be many of you left.”

  “You think wrong, Gishja,” Perseus said, smiling. “We are many and we attack your city as we speak. Your soldiers litter the streets with their bodies and soon the mines, and your homes, will be ours. We will take those who survive and treat them as slaves.”

>   Ganry, Linz and Hendon, all raised their swords up above the Empress.

  “It is time,” Perseus nodded at his companions.

  “For my Queen, and the Duchess,” Ganry proclaimed.

  “For my Uncle, Chief Clay, and all the lakelanders’ who’s blood you have stolen,” Linz added.

  Hendon was the last to speak.

  “I seek my own personal revenge on you, for the malice you have inflicted on me, though I would not seek it on your people, for they have done me no harm.”

  With that all three plunged their swords into the chest of the Akkedis Empress. She did not cry out or attempt to protect herself as the blades easily pierced her scaly skin.

  She lay there, still alive, breath escaping her mouth in short rasping gasps.

  Perseus raised up his sword in two hands, above the Empress’ prone body. “For the Suggizon, who you almost killed to extinction.”

  In one clean stroke, Perseus brought his sword down, the sharp edge cutting across her neck and separating her head from her body.

  It was done, all life had left the decrepit body. Empress Gishja’s cruel reign was at an end.

  48

  At the other side of the city to where Sampson led the Suggizon, the humans, commanded by Lord Parsival, were making progress into the Akkedis defenses. The Akkedis had fought hard but now they were losing ground.

  A separate force to Parsival’s, the lakemen, were attacking in unison, but these were less disciplined troops and answered to no commander. They were fierce warriors and had a grudge to bear against the Akkedis, built up over years of the Rooggaru feeding from their people and killing their great Chief Clay. They had not yet managed to find their new Chief, Linz, and as far as they were aware, he could already be dead. This made their mood even worse.