Akelou, followed closely by Tib, has come to another bend in the tunnel. He hears something smash against the rock, and the pair backs into the wall. Akelou peers around the corner of the tunnel and sees something moving in their direction. He signals Tib to step back as he raises his axe. Akelou revels himself and confronts his enemy, but then takes a step backward at the sight of the wolf. The animal's oversized ears shoot up, and it growls when it sees Akelou in the tunnel. The wolf creeps closer to Akelou and wags its tail in excitement. It has picked up Tib's scent. Akelou can see Tib's fluttering markings in the eyes of the drooling wolf. He steps in front of Tib and lowers his axe, falling to one knee. He can sense that the animal is stressed and suffers from abuse. He looks deep into the wolf's eyes. The wolf sees no fear or aggression in Akelou, only a welcoming gaze. The wolf stops growling and cautiously walks up to Akelou.
"It's alright, boy. I won't hurt you," Akelou says and remembers the deep love he had for his wolf, Carn. The wolf stops at Akelou’s feet and lies down submissively. Akelou moves to pet him, but the animal raises his head and flashes his teeth. "Good boy, quiet now," Akelou says, as he pets him. The wolf welcomes the affection.
"Open your mind, show me what lies ahead." Akelou places his hand over the wolf's head and looks into its mind. He sees a flash of the Dungeon Master and the princess. His necklace shines, and he binds himself with the wolf. He can tell that the princess is near death and knows time is running out. He takes his hand from the wolf.
"Will you help us, friend?" Akelou asks the wolf.
The wolf gets up and licks his face. "Good boy, lead us to your master."
The wolf turns, picking up its bone, and slowly leads Akelou deep into the poorly lit tunnel. As Akelou follows the wolf, he begins to notice prison cells carved out of the stone walls. The first cell is empty, but traces of its old inhabitants can be seen. In the cell there are bits of torn cloth, bone and the reek of death. Cautiously, Akelou and Tib continue further into the dungeon, peering into each cell. Akelou comes to a cell and sees the whites of some creature's eyes. He moves toward the cell, when suddenly he feels claws grip his shoulder. He spins, raising his axe, ready to strike whatever has grabbed him. When he turns, he is shocked by what he sees: thin, rough, and weary-looking Meno and Salali. He lowers his axe and moves closer to the captives.
"Save us, release us, please. We are slaves taken from the Menoli. A few of my kinsmen and I were taken prisoner when we attempted to rescue our brothers. But when we were brought here, we found all but one had perished."
Akelou stares at the glider who speaks. On his face there is a grey stripe slashed across a dead eye.
"Stripes, is that you?" he whispers.
The enslaved men and Salali rush to the stone bars.
"It is I, Stripes of the Menoli city. How do you know of me?"
"Son...is that you?" asks a weak voice from the back of the cell." Gliders and men part as an older, emaciated man is helped into the flickering light. "Taeau, is it really you, son?"
Akelou's throat closes at the sight of the man he once called father. The old man reaches out from within the cell and touches Akelou's face. He is badly starved, and Akelou can see the signs of many beatings over his body. With tears streaking down his cheeks, Akelou touches his father's cold, weak hand.
"It is me, father. It is your son … "
"Stop making all that noise, slaves, for if you wake me from my sleep again, my whip will tear into your flesh," yells out Goito from inside the dungeon.
Akelou turns, and the wolf starts to growl. Akelou's necklace and bracelet pulse with energy reflecting the rage that now burns his soul. He has never felt a wrath like this before. His mind feels lost, and his eyes glow like the burning sun on the hottest summer day. Goito steps into the light and sees Akelou breathing and fuming with rage.
"Intruder!" yells Goito, and he snaps his whip at Akelou. Akelou steps away from the cell and faces Goito. He feels no fear, only a growing fury. Flaming light from his bracelet engulfs his axe as he stares down the Dungeon Master. The wolf and Tib stand true, readied for battle by Akelou. Then Akelou lunges for the Dungeon Master, and the tunnel echoes with screams.
Leotie hears the screams from the dungeons and looks back into the flickering light of the tunnel. Scratching from Argle's claws alerts her to the sound of the wooden door slowly opening. Leotie watches three young, armored men emerge from the entrance.
"Why are the torches out, Pullo?" says one of the youths.
"I do not know. How would I know that? Where are the guards? They must have left their posts, the lazy whelps. I will find out their names and have them whipped. Ouch!" Pullo yelps. One of his comrades lowers a torch to see what has stubbed his foot.
"It is one of the guards. He is dead! There is blood everywhere."
Pullo looks down at the dead guard. "Draw your weapons. There are intruders, perhaps more tree rats my father can use in the mines."
They draw their swords and run to the wooden bridge. Hearing their footsteps on the bridge, Leotie takes a breath and leaps out of the tunnel with her bow drawn. She releases an arrow that strikes one of the men.
"Ahhhh," he screams, shocked by the blow. Wounded, he stumbles and drops the torch to the ground. The others reach for their companion, but they are too late. He trips over the ledge, screaming as he disappears into the pit. Pullo and his comrade huddle back-to-back with their blades drawn. Pullo stares at Leotie in the torch light.
"It is just a woman. We can take her! CHARGE!" Pullo yells as he and his friend run toward Leotie.
Leotie reaches for another arrow, but she has none left. She kicks out the string from her bow, grabbing its end. Watching Argle land on one of the assailants, her courage grows. Unaware of his fallen comrade, Pullo continues his attack, swinging his sword at Leotie's head. She ducks under his sword, striking him in the gut with her bow. She comes up behind him and knocks him across the back of his head. Pullo stumbles to the ground and rolls toward the entrance of the dungeons. Leotie drops her bow and draws her blades. She looks back to see how Argle is faring. He is on top of the soldier clawing at his face. Pullo gets to his feet and points his sword at Leotie with one hand. He reaches behind his head and feels blood gushing from his skull.
"I will kill you both myself," he whimpers. "I am Pullo, son of the great King and Master of this tower. You will soon beg me for mercy, woman-"
Leotie charges before Pullo finishes his speech, and he stumbles when their blades meet. Their weapons meet again and again echoing in the tower with each blow. Pullo sees an opportunity and punches Leotie across her face and slashes her side with his sword. Leotie limps back and drops one of her blades. Pullo starts to chuckle and the wooden door to the inner tower opens. The King rushes out to see the slain guard on the floor and his son engaged in a death struggle. Seeing that Pullo is distracted Leotie reaches into her chest pocket and takes out the poison laced arrow tip given to her by the Pokwa Oboe. She throws it at Pullo with a painful grunt. The tip just grazes Pullo across his neck. He touches the bleeding scratch made by the tip and smiles, raises his sword ready to strike down Leotie. But he hesitates starting to choke. His body begins to react to the poison. The King seizes an archer standing besides him, "Shoot them down!"
The archer quickly takes aim and releases the arrow he has aimed at Leotie's back.
"Look out!" yells Argle.
Leotie knocks Pullo in the face with the blunt end of her blade and ducks as the arrow flies above her, striking Pullo in the chest.
"Father!" he yells as he stumbles back, dropping his sword and grabbing at the arrow.
Leotie does not hesitate and jumps, kicking Pullo in his chest. The King watches his son falls into darkness, crying out to him for help.
"NOOOOO!" yells the horrified King.
"Argle, cut the bridge! Come on," Leotie yells.
Argle leaves the wounded soldier and slices the end of the bridge before fleeing toward the dungeons. Breathing heavily, th
e King rushes to the bridge.
"How will we cross the bridge, sire?" asks a guard.
"FOOL!" he yells beating the guard with his staff. The end of the staff sparks as it strikes the guard, tossing him into the darkness of the pit. The King raises his staff, and the rope of the bridge begins to retie itself. Once the bridge is restored, the King yells, "After them, you fools! Kill the rodent and bring me the one who killed my son."
The guards charge into the dungeons after the intruders, and the King walks to the edge of the rocky cliff and looks down into the darkness. He grips his staff tightly and approaches the wounded friend of his son. Between his shallow breaths he looks up at his King and tries to speak. The King lowers his staff just above his face. The young man's body goes rigid, and he cries out in pain, spitting up blood. His body arcs and a light rises from his chest. The light seeps into the end of the King’s staff. The King lifts his staff and the youth's body falls to the stone floor, cold and lifeless.
Akelou stands above the Dungeon Master. Goito holds his shoulder and looks at the bloody stump that once held his whip. His wolf gnaws on his decapitated forearm, twisting and thrashing at it with its jaws. Akelou reaches down to the Dungeon Master's side and takes his keys.
"Tib, take these and release the princess. We must flee quickly."
Tib runs to the main cell with the keys. Akelou leaves the Dungeon Master and comes to the prison cell and motions for the prisoners to step back. His bracelet shines brightly and he slams his fist into the ground. The shock wave from the impact shatters the stone bars, and the captives rush out of the cell, thanking Akelou with tears and hugs. Stripes and the prisoners pounce on the Dungeon Master, who cries out for mercy. Akelou takes his father into his arms and helps him walk out of the cell.
"I am here, father. Do not fear, for I will take you home."
Dirty Hands does not have the strength to speak. He just weeps in his son's arms. Leotie and Argle rush to Akelou.
"Akelou, you must open the door. There are guards behind us, we have no time," Leotie yells panting and holding her wound.
"Leotie, take my father into your arms. Argle, help the princess and tell the others to be ready."
Argle leaps past Akelou to the Meno and Salali behind him. Akelou takes out the Moura stone and sprinkles it with the dirt from the Whispering Canyons. He drops the stone and starts to swing it in circles. A high-pitched ringing echoes in the cave. A circle of light illuminates the tunnel. Argle runs up to the princess but is stopped by gliders.
"Friend, brother Salali, are you from the Menoli city?" ask Stripes.
"No, but my family was. I am Argle, son of Black Claw, Half Moon, and stepson of Broken Wrist. Now, one of you help me carry the princess, and the rest of you go back to Akelou. He is getting us out of here."
The gliders look at each other when they hear Black Claw's name.
"I will help you, Argle. My name is Stripes, and your family is well known to me." They look at each other and pick up the princess. They limp back to Akelou who has opened a door with the Moura stone. They can see a star-filled sky of the early dawn. Argle watches Akelou waves him on as arrows begin to fly around them. The men are close, and as they see a black void circling in the tunnel.
Argle and the prisoners follow Leotie and Tib diving for the door landing on dry earth. There is a flash of light, then all they hear is the blowing of the canyon's winds. Argle smells the dust and the faint scent of the forest. He looks up and sees the setting moon giving way to the morning. He has not seen the moon in many days. He now looks it like it is the first time he has ever seen it. His body aches, but the relief of escaping with his life numbs the pain. He gets up to see the starved princess, weak prisoners and his friends, Leotie and Tib, whose markings are flashing brightly.
"Akelou, come quick! Dirty Hands is fading," shouts a weak Meno.
Everyone rushes to the side of Dirty Hands who lies on his back. Akelou grabs his father's hand and moves in close to hear his father speak.
"Akelou, my son, I am all that is left of my father's line. . ." he sighs. "Your mother. . . she, she was killed during the uprising when I was captured. . . she died in my arms. I failed her, my son. . . I am so sorry. . . all she ever wanted was to see you again." He reaches into his tethered pants and pulls out a piece of cloth. "She gave me this to give to you if I were to ever see you again." He hands Akelou a torn, blood-stained swatch of cloth. "She ripped it from her dress. It was the only thing left she had to give. . . it is the only reason I survived so long. She told me to swear to tell you, if I ever laid my eyes upon you again, that she never once. . . not for one day...did not think of you. She loved you above all things. . . I have wanted to go to her for so long. . . now I can, and with peace in my heart. . . I have miss-ed. . . he-r. . . s-o!"
With tears falling from his cheeks, Akelou embraces his dying father. "I love you, and I love her. Tell her, father. . . tell her."
Akelou watches his father draws his last breath. Akelou closes his father's eyes and looks up and sees his friends. He stands and faces the tower of Ogdah, "YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERYTHING FROM ME. . . I CURSE YOU, AND I WILL HAVE MY VENGEANCE!" Akelou yells, shaking his fist at the tower.
Leotie puts her hand on his shoulder, "Akelou."
Akelou feels Tib embracing his leg, and he turns to the Meno and Salali. "I know you are tired, my friends, and desire to go home. We must gather wood and send my father off into the spirit world so he can see my mother once again. We will travel to the Noshota swamps and return the princess to her people. Then Mia-Koda will open a door back into the Menoli city."
Everyone gathers what wood they can laying it on Dirty Hands' wooden tomb. Leotie is collecting kindling when she bends down and notices strange markings on the forest floor. She rubs her hands around the wild imprints and sniffs discovering a foul scent. She continues to search the area and finds more of these tracks. She looks up at the others, then back at the canyons. A chill rises up her spine and tingles her neck. She can sense an evil, an evil like none she has ever felt. She slowly returns to the group and sees all of the Meno and Salali gathered around Dirty Hands' body. Not seeing the rotting corpse of Ve-Na behind some underbrush. Akelou walks up to his stepfather with a lit torch. He lowers his head and clenches his fist, squeezing it tightly before dropping the torch on the kindling. He steps back and joins his friends as they watch the flames climb toward the stars. Akelou feels a tongue lick the back of his neck and hears the dust wolf start to growl. He smiles at Akima and Leotie's horse behind them. Akelou turns and embraces Akima, tightly gripping his mane, and he pets his soft fur.
"Akelou," yells Leotie as she holds up the princess. "She will not make it long in this dry wind. She is near death and needs to go home."
Akelou agrees and looks back at the dying flames and takes out the Moura stone. He looks down at the dust wolf and pets the tired animal. "You are free now. Go live in peace and find happiness in the wild." The wolf licks Akelou and sits by his side, standing his ground and nudging his nose into Akelou's gut. "You are welcome to come, but a tough road lies before us.” The wolf whimpers. “Ok, then I must name you." Akelou looks deep into his eyes. "I shall call you Jabra. It means, 'with big ears,' in the Menoli speech." The wolf looks up and howls loudly. Akelou nods his head and scratches the wolf's neck.
Akelou opens a door into the muddy shallows of the swamp. They leave the edge of the canyons and return to the swamps in the middle of a dark night. The air is much cooler and humid as they slosh in the thick waters. The princess falls to the swamp floor. She begins to roll around in the swamp, drinking what water she can and covering her skin in the lush mud. She gets to her hands and knees and starts to croak in the darkness. Jabra's large ears perk up, and he growls at torches that light the swamp around them.
"They are back, and the princess travels with them!" they hear voices yell, followed by distant croaks.
Pokwa begin to emerge from the trees and to congratulate the princess's rescuers. The
y offer the weakened Meno and Salali provisions and carry the princess back to the city. The king appears from behind a tree and the Pokwa become quiet. The princess falls into her father's arms, and they weep together. Females bring the princess her royal garb and food and water for the hero’s.
"OUR PRINCESS HAS BEEN RETURNED TO US, MY FRIENDS!" shouts Theopa. "Tonight we rejoice in her return and honor her rescuers with the greatest of feasts. Lift these champions onto your shoulders, my brethren, and lead them to the Choa. Hooray! Hooray! For Akelou and his companions, HOORAY!"
"HOORAY," they all yell lifting Akelou and his friends on their shoulders. All the Pokwa sing and celebrate as they march to the Choa. Once they reach the entrance, Mia-Koda is waiting for them holding her staff that glows in the darkness. She raises her arms, and the crowd calms down. She lifts her staff to Akelou's face, gazing at him in the light, then she moves her staff to the others. She lowers her staff and walks toward the weary Salali and Meno.
"I see joy and relief in the eyes of my many Pokwa friends, but I also see pain and suffering in the eyes of these few. Much has been sacrificed for this homecoming, and much still must be sacrificed. White Stripe, son to the Stewart of the Menoli, come forward." White Stripes comes to Mia-Koda’s side, nervously crouching before her.
"Where once a great city of men and gliders stood, now there is only slavery and suffering. I have been to the realm of the Menoli and have talked to the scattered rebels that live in hiding, including your mate, Whispers."
The New World (The Last Delar) Page 22
