by Jeff Gunzel
“Yes, Salina,” Viola replied, peeking at her with one open eye.
“It’s possible we might not survive this day.”
“Funny,” Viola said, turning her head to give Salina her full attention. “I recently came to the same conclusion. I guess we think alike.”
Salina grinned. It was hard to imagine how Viola could still keep her sense of humor during all of this. She certainly was a special person. But after a second or two her grin melted away. “That’s not what I meant. What I mean is that if we don’t make it, I need to die with a clear conscience.” Viola’s expression turned serious as she listened. “I have a confession to make, and I should have done so long ago. Please don’t be mad at me, but I—”
“Stand before your king!” one of the guards shouted, alerting the room. They did, quickly falling into line even before he came into view. A moment later, King Milo stepped around the corner with an unusually large entourage surrounding him. Men whose arms were thicker than most folks’ legs, these were his elite bodyguards. These beasts were taught to kill first, ask questions never.
“My children,” Milo announced, arms spread wide as if ready to embrace one of them. “Your day has finally arrived, and the people of Shadowfen could not be more excited. Can you feel the energy surrounding this place? Do you not hear them chanting?” His hand glided towards the gateway beyond. Sure enough, folks were chanting outside, their voices echoing across the pit. “The people’s loyalty warms my heart. It makes me proud to wear the crown.” He seemed to be speaking more to himself.
The group stood still, arms at their sides with their heads high. It seemed strange that the king himself would come down here to share words with them in person. “Tonight, I shall have a feast prepared for all of you,” the king continued. “To celebrate your victory, there shall be drink, women, men. Whatever your lusts, they shall be satisfied. In your own rights, you shall all be royalty for a day.” His incessant boasting of how well they would be treated only confirmed what Viola had told them. They weren’t even expected to survive.
“Now, all of you go stand by the gate and prepare to meet your glory!” the king shouted, hands raised. They hesitated a moment, then shuffled past him while making a concerted effort not to touch any of his elite guard. But when Viola tried to pass, Milo snatched her by the arm. “But not you,” he whispered, glancing back over his shoulder to make sure they had followed his instructions. He could see them at the gate, fumbling through barrels full of weapons. Even after having trained almost exclusively with swords, they could still use whatever weapon they were most comfortable with. There was quite an assortment to choose from.
“I assume you haven’t forgotten our little talk,” Milo said, still clutching her arm with a firm grip. “The last thing I need is you taking any unnecessary risks out there. Such a foolhardy thing would be inexcusable, especially since you have been provided with meat shields. Let them serve their purpose so you will live on to serve yours. I have invested much in you, and I will not have it put at risk because your heart is bigger than your head. Am I understood?”
“Your Highness,” she said, glancing down at his hand gripping her arm. “I assure you, your words are what drive my every action.”
Smiling, he released her. “Good. Now go wait with those sheep, and try to offer them words of comfort if you think it might help them survive a little longer. Sooner or later, you will figure out just how the game is played. I promise you that by that time, these trivial feelings of attachment for the walking dead will have long faded. Now I must go and rile the crowd further. I will be seeing you later.” Once he stalked off, she hurried to go join the others.
“If there is anything we need to know about, now would be the time,” Salina said, hinting at the meaning of yet another of those private talks with the king. She didn’t look up while adjusting a set of leather belts across her chest. The belts housed a number of sheathed daggers. It seemed as if Salina’s choice of weaponry had been made.
“Never mind him,” Viola said, addressing Salina but speaking to all of them. “He underestimates you, and that will be his undoing. The king does not bleed with you, I do. Do not waste another thought on him.” She pointed to the gate, hearing the cheering and chanting from outside. “They don’t matter, either. The only thing that matters is right here in front of you.” Nald and Kalmton stepped closer, swords in hand. With their courage hanging by a thread, the sound of Viola’s voice was a light shining through the darkness. It was the only thing guiding them now.
“No one is coming to help us,” Viola continued. “We have to do this ourselves. I know you’re all afraid. I am too. But that’s not an excuse to give up and lie down! Once we step out onto that sand, we will all share the same beating heart. No longer are we individuals, but a single unit. Either we all walk out of here together, or we all fall together. There is nothing in between. They expect me to sacrifice you for the greater good. Well, I see the greater good, and it’s standing here before me! Bleed with me, share my fate, and I promise you that when the dust settles it will be us who are still standing.”
*
Owen pushed his way through the crowd, shouldering a path so the others could follow. This was not the first time they had been here, but it was certainly the largest turnout they had seen. Free to everyone, it seemed as if the whole city had shown up. The distance from those standing at the edge of the pit to those all the way in the back seemed to stretch nearly a full city block. Of course, those in the back could see nothing at all. Folks were trying anything, including standing on each other’s shoulders, just to catch a peek of the action. They would just have to judge what was going on by the crowd’s reaction and energy.
Staying close to Owen, who had already left more than one person swearing while shaking a fist, they eventually made their way to the front. Jarlen kept his hood low, nervous of being seen. He hated this place and everything about it. He had never seen it from this viewpoint. So this was what these creatures saw when they looked down at him, hoping his next breath would be his last. But most of all, he hated knowing he would be forced to watch his sister fight for her life. She is not supposed to be down there, he thought. I am. This is my prison, not hers. She did nothing to deserve this. Her only crime was trusting me.
“I need you all to know something,” Xavier said, hands resting on the safety rope as he gazed down at the sand. “I don’t plan to be just a spectator today. The moment an opportunity arises, I’m going to seize it. I’m going to get her out of here, or die in the attempt.”
“Don’t be a fool!” Liam said, looking around to see if anyone was listening to them. “Lad, there is nothing you can do. Throwing your life away will not benefit anyone.” There came a roar from the crowd as the king came into view, standing in his boxed seating area on the opposite side of the pit. With him were Ozryn and Kuuma. It was a great honor to be allowed to watch the event by the king’s side. As always, Diovok stood behind the king like a towering statue.
The king waved to the crowd, then took a seat as the speaker whirled into his thrilling intro. His deep voice boomed with excitement, riling the audience even further. It was no coincidence that every other sentence hinted at the promise of blood.
“We are completely outnumbered,” Liam continued, struggling to speak over the roar of the crowd. I told you we will free her, but we cannot do anything today.”
“We tried it your way, old man,” Xavier said, his voice soft yet sharp as a razor. “And where has it gotten her?” Liam opened his mouth to protest, but could say nothing. Xavier was absolutely right. “I’m not telling you my intention in hopes that you’ll help me. I know there is almost no chance of success. But consider my words a warning. It’s fine if you don’t want to help our friend, but just stay out of the way of those who do. Try to stop me, and I’ll consider you a threat.”
“Xavier, please,” Liam pleaded. “You’re not thinking straight.”
“My mind hasn’t been this clear
in a very long time. You’ve been warned.” Xavier turned his attention back to the king’s booth, his cold eyes seemingly fixed on a possible target. Liam sighed and turned away. The boy’s mind was made up. What more could he do?
After a final word from the speaker, there came a clacking sound as the gate just below them began to rise. The crowd roared as the ground vibrated beneath their feet. Finally, they were going to see this girl—this creature—for the first time with their own eyes. Could she possibly live up to the rumors circulating around the city? It was time to find out.
“Viola,” Xavier whispered to himself, seeing her walk out onto the sand. The last time he saw her, she was trapped in a cage and wheeled through the city for all to stare at. She had been forced to do the unthinkable because of his stupidity, attacking him openly in order to draw suspicion away from their true relationship. Did all that happen only yesterday? A lifetime ago? It was hard to tell anymore.
She was accompanied by three humans, all wearing the same white tunic as she. Two males with long swords, one female with two bands of daggers strapped across her chest, they all looked frightened yet determined. Xavier could only imagine the hell they must be going through.
Viola looked up, her eyes scanning the thousands of faces gazing down at them. Expressions ranged from laughter, to excitement, to what could only be described as outright hostility towards her. But none of that mattered. Thousands of faces, and whether by instinct or just dumb luck, her eyes locked onto Xavier standing above her. For a fleeting moment, all the sound disappeared. The cheers, taunts, and thundering chants vaporized into nothing. He was the only thing in the world.
She watched his lips move in slow motion, still able to easily make out his words in the absence of sound. I promise I will save you.
With a deep sadness in her eyes, she slowly shook her head at him. You can’t, she thought. Not this time.
Her attention suddenly drawn away, a second gate began to rise across the pit. The already cheering crowd erupted, their collective roar sounding like the rushing wind of a tornado. From the shadows two long green legs appeared, each bristling with grass-like hair. Into the light stepped the massive insect, its bulging black eyes each searching independently for its next meal. The chikothba looked very much like a giant mantis save for its yellow front pinchers, large and shaped more like a crab’s. Its long, scorpion-like tail raised high above its head uncoiled to reveal a hooked needle glistening with drips of clear liquid.
Its airy hiss filled the air, steam wafting out from three tiny nostrils sitting high on a triangle-shaped head. Snapping pinchers cracked open and closed with such force, it seemed likely they could crush stone. Folks standing in the area above it looked down in awe, hardly believing their own eyes. Where had they acquired a chikothba, and was it even safe to liberate such a beast in a place like this? Surely it could scale these coarse walls if it chose to.
Milo smiled as he watched the three humans kneel in front of Viola, ready to sacrifice themselves in order to guard their leader. They were playing their roles perfectly without even realizing it. Being no match for the chikothba, they would most certainly fall in a matter of moments. As soon as Viola was forced to engage the creature, he would send in his soldiers to slay the beast. As long as she displayed at least “some” of her abilities before being saved, that would be enough. Sure, the crowd might be somewhat disappointed, but leaving her out there alone too long simply wasn’t worth the risk. They wanted blood, they would get blood. Good enough for a free show.
The giant insect’s free-floating eyes fixed on the group, one a few seconds before the other. A forked tongue slipped out from its beak-like mouth, swiping back one of the two antennae on top of its head. Four probing feelers twitched excitedly around the corners of its mouth. It was time to feed. It sprang like a grasshopper, transparent wings buzzing loudly on its back. It couldn’t actually fly, but the small wings aided in keeping it airborne for a few extra seconds. It landed then began rumbling towards them, awkward and clumsy like the gangling creature it was.
“Form up!” Viola shouted, tossing her weapon into the sand. She didn’t need it. She was a weapon. The group jumped up off their knees and spread away from her, Salina bolting to the right while the men streaked left. Viola stayed put, measuring, gauging, absorbing the battle as it unfolded before her.
“What are they doing?” the king growled, snatching Ozryn by the collar. They were executing some sort of tactic here, and Milo didn’t like what he saw. That wasn’t supposed to happen. They were supposed to fight for their lives individually like the cornered animals they were, then die one at a time. Simple.
“I-I don’t know,” Ozryn stuttered, unable to explain this sudden display of organization. “Whatever they’re doing, it’s nothing I showed them.” Milo shoved him back with a growl and returned his attention to the show.
Nald hooked back towards the middle, racing straight towards the beast while the other two continued to flank from each side. “Hold!” Viola shouted from behind. “Stance one!” Nald pulled up right in front of the beast, sword raised high above his head. Had he gone any further he would have run right between its legs.
Mouth clicking wildly, the creature’s claw came down like a heavy club. To Nald’s eyes the blow came slowly, a wild swing from an untrained fighter. Disciplined, patient, Nald held his ground, remembering what Viola had taught him about using his range. At the last second, he deflected the blow, sidestepping as he countered. Steel flashed. The insect shrieked as a deep gash formed across the inside of its claw. Thick green ooze bubbled up from the wound, too thick to drip or run.
The giant insect reared up like a horse, determined to smash Nald with its clawed feet. But its legs twitched in midair, body jolting as two daggers zipped into its side. It came back down, legs buckling before it spun to face this new threat. Salina snapped her wrist two more times, one dagger sailing past its head, the other striking its chest. Enraged, it stumbled towards her, its scorpion-like tail rising.
With incredible range, the tail lashed out like a snake. Salina dove to the side as the barb snapped into the wall behind her, cracking the stone in the shape of a spiderweb. When it recoiled, the hole in the wall smoked and bubbled, an acrid scent wafting up. All along the sand were steaming spots where the liquid had dripped, fusing the sand like hot metal.
“Attack one, evade!” Viola called out. Kalmton rushed in from behind, swinging with all this considerable strength. His blade came down, sweeping right through the beast’s back leg with a snapping crunch. Ooze belched from the severed limb, thick globs plopping onto the sand. The insect stumbled sideways on its remaining legs, disoriented from the accumulation of damage. Kalmton was tempted to rush it a second time, but Viola’s command had been specific. Strike once and evade. He trusted her, and it was a good thing too. Just as he leaped back, the acid-covered stinger snapped down where he had just been standing. He never even saw it coming.
With the beast reeling, it was time to converge their efforts. “Evade, stance four, distract,” Viola yelled, pointing to each as she signaled three separate orders. Kalmton backed away completely as Nald dropped down to one knee. Salina’s hand began to flash, unloading as many daggers as she could in the shortest amount of time. Peppering the beast with dagger throws, she managed to draw its full attention. Stumbling towards Salina in a blind rage, it never even saw Viola.
The mesmerized crowd gasped, watching this famed creature get involved for the first time. Her speed was inhuman, white hair waving like torch flames as her feet ripped through the sand. Approaching a kneeling Nald, she launched herself off his shoulder and soared through the air like a bird. Twisting in midair, her body exploded into a funnel of liquid black. The crowd held their breath, time creeping like melting ice.
The whirling funnel drifted across the beast’s body, cawing black birds shredding and tearing at its leathery flesh. The living tornado buzzed across its face and neck, exposing white bone like a pack of ants
devouring a carcass. The funnel drifted back down, liquid black reshaping into humanoid form just below the beast. Viola’s arms snapped up, flesh blades impaling the insect’s body, penetrating up through its back. Dead instantly, its lifeless carcass toppled over into the sand. Her arms retracted, melting back together. It was over. Their victory was complete and not a single human had fallen.
Enraged, Milo rose from his seat as the crowd cheered and whistled. In a sense, he had gotten exactly what he wanted. His pet had won the day in grand fashion, showing off her special skills in the process. The crowd had loved it, and would no doubt spread word of what they had witnessed. But that wasn’t enough for the king. Defiance would never be tolerated, regardless of the circumstances. Those humans were supposed to die. Viola knew the king’s wishes, yet went out of her way to save them anyway. Such bold insolence could not be so easily overlooked.
Clapping methodically along with the crowd, the king turned towards Diovok, who as always was looming behind him. “She did not follow my instructions,” he said, the low threat in his voice not matching his pleasant smile as he clapped. “She must be taught a lesson.” With a nod, the masked giant stepped forward and waved his hand.
“We did it!” Salina said, raising Viola’s hand in the air. Soaking up the cheers as they rained down, Viola turned to see her old friends standing high above. How she missed them. Soon she would find a way to rejoin her old group. These walls could not keep her forever. She would apologize to each one of them and—
Viola’s head snapped back, her trembling body falling to the sand. “Viola!” Salina screamed, unable to catch her. Her body convulsed with spasms, eyes rolling up into her head as her eyelids fluttered. Nald and Kalmton came rushing over, but all they could do was watch as she twitched helplessly.
Having seen enough, Xavier rushed forward in an attempt to hop over the rope and down into the pit. But a strong grip snatched the back of his cloak, holding him fast. “There’s nothing you can do!” said Jarlen, having experienced this too many times to not know exactly what was happening to her. “If you reveal your alliance to her now, all you can do is die. They’ll fill your body with arrows before you can even say goodbye to her!”
