Hunter: Warrior of Doridia (The Saga of Jon Hunter Book 1)

by Ronald Watkins

  9. INTO THE HOUSE OF KHONOS

  It was two nights later when I returned to the Four Feathers, this time accompanied by Lonnan. The Rashmalan musicians were playing their intoxicating music which could just be heard above the din. Sekers from throughout Taslea packed the Four Feathers in deafening and boisterous anticipation of the performance yet to come, the dancing of the sensuous slave women of Rashmalan.

  Lighthearted Lonnan, resplendent in brightly polished leather, and I arrived later than hoped and were required to stand for a proper view of the dance area. We maneuvered ourselves close to the floor past the hostile gaze of Sekers of the House of Khonos, far to the side of the dance area near the slave exit. They wore their distinctive black tunic with silver trim. We leaned against the wall and traded heavy pitchers between ourselves as we drank goblets of an expensive, deep, rich wine.

  Our particular serving slave was popular with the crowd, new to the Four Feathers, acquired just since the new moon. She was a fun loving, happy, outgoing girl; buxom, red haired and lightly freckled over a pleasing expanse of fair, milky skin.

  When she brought a refill Lonnan eyed her ardently as he had from the first moment she had taken our order. Glancing toward me, he shrugged his shoulders as he took her arm and muttered, “Oh well, a man can only resist so long.” Being Doridian, he saw little reason to resist. Laughingly, the two of them went to an alcove but, I thought, not for long. No matter how skilled his companion in the love furs, Lonnan would return in time for the slave dancers of Rashmalan.

  I was attired in one of the several rich tunics that had been given me for helping save the Lady Shelba’s life. Like the others, it was a basic cream, red trimmed with the golden flourishes of the Great House of Rahdon. Draped loosely over my left shoulder hung a fine golden fringed cape of deep crimson. I also wore a modified breastplate of light body armor, composed of leather strips with brightly polished metal inlays that provided protection but cost me nothing in agility.

  On my left hip was the Khashan dagger. I had also mounted a short dirk at the small of my back, parallel to my sword belt, handle facing my left. My sandal- boots of soft, succulent leather, were laced to mid- calf in typical Seker fashion. I had retained my original Doridian sword presented me by Tonak, hung on my right hip. The scabbard was new though and a simple design, a logo of a hunter, adorned the sword’s grip. Finally, a coin filled leather pouch hung just behind my dagger, concealed and protected by the cape.

  I thought I made quite a dashing figure. My fortunes had taken a remarkable turn for the better as a result of Urak Rahdon’s generosity. What had transpired in the dimly lit back street of Taslea several days before had become common knowledge. I was amazed at the speed with which news traveled. Zagos had elected to remain a recluse since that early morning. Speculation held that he refused to be seen so the rumors concerning his wound could not be confirmed.

  The talk did nothing for my sense of security. It only reinforced what Lonnan had said about watching myself. With all the talk, Zagos would surely remember me.

  Tonak had trained me unmercifully these last few days and increasingly the combat situations had been more and more lifelike. This day for the first time he, alone, had faced me and we had dueled through each of the three training periods. He was an expert and the most cunning swordsman I had as yet faced.

  My training was nearing completion.

  A new, more spacious cubicle had been provided me in the Leaders area of the Seker’s billet. Although I was a Leader of Ten, I did not in fact have ten Sekers to command, though I would command when the time came, once I had demonstrated my ability. For now I had no such assignment only the title, privileges and pay. The best of both worlds.

  Lonnan rejoined me from the alcove with a contented smile on his face. He hadn’t taken long.

  “You should try her, Hunter. She is a most accomplished slave, eager for more service than I can provide.” He laughed heartily and poured himself another cup of wine.

  “Perhaps later,” I replied, though I knew and I suppose Lonnan did as well, that I would not. It was common knowledge that I did not take the slaves to which my service entitled me.

  We began another chilled pitcher and maneuvered again for a better view of the dancing area. It was rumored that the musicians and dancers would soon be leaving and return to Rashmalan before winter’s onslaught. Tonight would be our last opportunity to enjoy their erotic delights.

  The Rashmalan dancers entered as they had before with bells and cymbals ringing. They assumed the dance floor as the musicians waited for silence before beginning. The barbaric, sensuous dance soon brought me under its influence although at first I attempted to resist.

  These wanton creatures were every bit as sexual and arousing as they had been the first night I had witnessed their performance. Like fine wine, the more one had, the more one wanted. As the dance neared its climax, their lithe, athletic bodies glistened with perspiration, their faces contorted in tight grimaces of intense orgasmic ecstasy and at the end they fell to the brightly polished stone floor in abandon, utterly beyond themselves in the grips of passion.

  I watched intently as they rushed passed me, inches away, out the side exit. I was convinced from their eyes that some of what I had witnessed had been drug induced, but at the time saw no way open to me for determining the truth.

  ###

  Lonnan and I decided to leave early that night following the final slave dance and return to our quarters. My companion bore the rank of Commander of One Hundred and as such was quartered not far from me. His hundred Sekers were responsible for the Rahdon family’s protection. Each day he posted guards and assigned escorts to individual family members who would leave the premises.

  An officer of the High Caste actually commanded the details assigned to the Rahdon family. This was Torkid, who had I had seen at the banquet. As was often the case, the Commanders of One Hundred ran affairs.

  The two of us whispered as we walked, unwilling to break the night’s silence. We spoke of the dancers we had seen and ready slave girls serving the men in the Four Feathers. A sudden, brief rain had come and departed while we had been in the tavern. Our leather sandal- boots sounded softly on the rain washed cobblestone streets. My cape hung about both shoulders keeping the chill of the crisp, moist air from me.

  We were nearing a narrow alleyway when Lonnan spied a detail of Sekers carrying a bundle between them. Silently we moved deeply into the shadows. Lonnan recognized one of the Sekers as being of the House of Khonos, yet all of them wore the Rahdon tunic.

  We proceeded cautiously after the men. There was no need to speak a word.

  The alleyway led indirectly to the rear of the House of Khonos. I knew this as surely as Lonnan since in recent days Tonak had insisted that I memorize the complex streets, passageways and alleys of Taslea.

  We shadowed the band of Sekers and soon determined that the bundle they carried was a body wrapped in a heavy robe or possibly sleeping furs. We were apprehensive and cautious. Most of all, we were heavily outnumbered. As we reached this remote rear entrance to the House of Khonos, a piercing scream rent the still night air coming from the bundle.

  “That’s Shelba,” Lonnan whispered. He had served long enough on the detail protecting her and I did not question his ability to recognize her cry. I had also detected in his manner certain feelings of affection towards her, impossible as they were to realize, he of the Low Caste, she of the High.

  As one we started towards her. Regardless of the odds we must lay down our lives in an attempt to free her.

  “No, not both of us,” I whispered hoarsely, restraining my companion. “We will fail against such superior numbers. You as Commander of One Hundred must go for others. I will see if one can accomplish what many may not. Quickly, for there is no time to spare. We must not both be slain here.”

  “Go, my friend. We will meet again,” Lonnan whispered after but a moment’s hesitation, compelled to action by the logic of my argument.
As silently as possible he ran towards the Great House of Rahdon. Whether I would be alive or dead when we next met, he hadn’t said.

  At full speed, I plunged from the shadows toward the still unclosed doorway, quick on the abductor’s heels.

  Unfortunately, our delay had cost me the element of surprise. Two Sekers, swords drawn, awaited me. In total silence I lunged, swinging my sword viciously attempting to make quick work of these two. Only by a lightening attack was there any hope of rescuing the Lady Shelba. Success must come before she had been carried deeply into the bowels of the enemy’s house.

  To the surprise of the two Sekers facing me, they found they were no match for one trained by Tonak, Master of Arms. Steel rang against steel and in swift exchanges each lay at my feet. I threw myself down the corridor intent only on freeing the Lady Shelba. I sprinted, hoping the confrontation at the doorway had not been heard by her abductors.

  This part of the house was vacant at this late hour. I ran down the hallway, planning to overtake the rear of the party I pursued, still unaware of my presence and perhaps less cautious and more confident now that they were within the walls of their own house. Rounding a corner I stumbled into the rear of the band of kidnappers, two sprawling to the floor with me. I cut one’s throat before jumping to my feet and plunged my sword into the abdomen of the second who was still dazed and helpless.

  “Hurry! Hurry!” the squat leader of the detail shouted to his men. The Sekers were well disciplined. They took up a defensive position to cover their retreat with the Lady Shelba. On hearing the commotion she screamed again and struggled vainly against her bonds.

  The three men turned as one to greet me, to cut me down or delay me while the rest carried their prize deeper into the complex. Even a delay of but a few moments would result in the Lady being carried far enough away so that only luck would result in my successfully relocating her. Also, delay would enable reinforcements to arrive.

  I was confident that within the confines of a hallway I could successfully protect myself against these three particularity if I yielded ground and slowly retreated. Retreat, however, was not my objective. Speed, daring and skill were the requirements if one were to successfully attack superior numbers or so Tonak taught.

  The three had stopped and turned to face me as I pulled my sword from their dying friend’s stomach. He clutched himself futilely and slumped to the bright polished tile, eerily dark in the torch lit hallway. I pulled my dagger from my side and seizing the initiative, attacked my opponents, sword to my right, dagger to the left. I assumed a fighting position foreign to Doridia and one which I had devoted some effort towards in my open training sessions. I believed it would be effective against troops never exposed to it previously.

  Apparently my use of the dagger in conjunction with my sword confused the Sekers I faced as did my assuming the initiative. I was supposed to flee. After a quick exchange I stabbed the man to my left in the neck with my dagger. His two compatriots allowed themselves to be pivoted against the wall when to their surprise, I failed to press the attack. Rather, with the path to the Lady now open, I simply sprinted after the retreating figures. I had decided I would deal with my two pursuers when compelled to do so. In the meantime, opportunities to delay them might reveal themselves. Though now I had enemies behind, as well as in front of me.

  The first group labored with their awkward bundle. Lady Shelba wasn’t making it easy for them. They were now reduced to four men. For the first time I allowed myself to believe I might have a chance of success. Two of the four dropped back to slow me, as the first three had intended. I was still some distance from them and they were much less a threat to me for now than the Sekers behind me.

  In typical Doridian style, heavy drapes lined the hallway. I seized one and threw it at my pursuers. One was momentarily covered by the heavy drape and paid with his life. The second, the lone survivor of those who had but a short time before confidently turned to face me, pulled back and made an ill-fated attempt at defending himself. I came at him sword and dagger in hand, my blood boiling. The clear sound of steel rang in the air but he also was not prepared to face an opponent with two weapons and inadvertently exposed his side to my dagger which I plunged into him before leaping at the other two Sekers now upon me.

  These two had profited from my successes earlier and treated me with greater respect. They assumed a cautious defensive posture and yielded distance rather than expose themselves to my weapons. Time was their friend and my enemy. Each step they retreated drew me more deeply into the enemy’s household and further from help.

  These tactics met initially with success. Desperate, for time escaped me, I feigned exhaustion not with difficulty hoping to lull them into an ill-advised assault. After but a few moments the men tired of retreat and decided to stand their ground. They had grown confident and now determined to dispatch me quickly. As soon as one exposed himself, I attacked savagely and with my dagger pinned his blade to the wall slashing across his face with my sword. I had sought his throat but my blade had gone higher and instead struck a debilitating injury across his eyes. At once I turned to my lone remaining opponent who looked shocked. He was brave but no match alone. In a moment he too lay at my feet.

  I had seen the final two abductors turn through a doorway further down the hallway. One of them carried the Lady, the other had been the leader. The odds were now considerably improved and if their reinforcements were only delayed a few moments more, I thought I could have the lady free for a break through the now unguarded rear door. I moved quickly after them coming through the doorway low, darting to the side. A spear passed just over my shoulder and once again I was grateful for Tonak’s meticulous training.

  I faced my two opponents, one of whom had tossed the bundle heavily on the polished floor. Lady Shelba grunted on impact. Just as I began my attack I heard loud voices behind me and the tramping of boots. Reinforcements had arrived but they were, unfortunately not mine. I was struck from my rear as I turned to face the new enemy.

  10. WE ESCAPE

  I came to my senses a few moments later my arms bound behind me. They had used a thick, wooden rod thrust across my back, pinning my elbows, hands clasped before me. It seemed a little elaborate to me but it did the job.

  The Lady Shelba, proud and haughty in usual circumstances, remained unchanged even in captivity. She lay on the floor her hands bound behind her. She was no longer wrapped in what I saw was bedding. I could see her plainly for the first time since entering the House of Khonos. She wore only a flimsy night gown which did nothing to conceal the promise of her rich, ripe figure. She was a woman possessed of breathtaking beauty. It was readily apparent why Zagos intended to own her and bend her to his will. Once she was trained to the collar, she would serve his evil desires as willingly as any slave girl.

  I thought such was his intent but seeing her now sprawled on the floor, proud and defiant, I suspected that no man would ever bend her will to his own or to the collar of the slave. She would always resist and in time, even determined, cunning Zagos would be forced to free her or put her to the sword. Zagos, of course, could never risk freeing her.

  “Ah, I see our would-be rescuer has returned to his senses,” Zagos said with more than a hint of sarcasm in his thin, reedy voice. No longer dressed in black, he remained an imposing if gaunt figure. A tall man by normal standards, he was still not my equal. Leaner than I recalled, he possessed a nearly feminine grace. It would have been a mistake to judge him less than a man for this was a formidable adversary, cunning and deceitful. Further, I knew him to be a skilled swordsman who some claimed was the finest in Taslea.

  “You did well to penetrate this far, Hunter,” Zagos allowed, “for is that not what you are called? You seem surprised that I should know your name. I make it a point to learn all my enemies well. Not all Sekers are as dedicated as you. Some even in your illustrious House prefer gold to misdirected loyalty. I could have learned your name at the Four Feathers where you are well known, tho
ugh not by the slave girls.” Looking to his men who snickered on cue, he continued, “But then perhaps you are one of those who prefer the joys of other men.”

  Several now laughed openly at me.

  “We have one such as that, a monster of a man, buried in some blackened cell, deep beneath this building. No doubt, you shall enjoy his company and he yours. You will be well used, at first. When we throw a fresh companion to him, his usual fare of raw meat is stopped. When hunger overcomes lust, you will be slain then eaten.”

  Zagos approached me and looked directly into my face, coal black eyes burning with fanatical fever. This was a driven man and I wondered what force or forces compelled him. I saw there would be no answer from him.

  My adversary stared into my eyes as if searching for some secret. At last he spoke in a whisper more to himself than to anyone else, “A waste of a Seker but better you dead than in service to my enemies.”

  I was dismissed from his mind the moment he turned to the Lady Shelba and said, “I recall how once you elected not to speak to me for I was newly raised to the High Caste and had not been born upon the Lists as you and all your illustrious family. When I have finished with you, you will speak to me, to better learn my desires that you might serve me in all my needs.”

  “Never!” the Lady Shelba screamed, her melon breasts heaving as she fought the bounds which constrained her.

  “So, she does speak after all. Well, she will speak often before I finish with her. Take her to my quarters. She is not as yet trained but I would enjoy her now, fighting me, hating me, a virgin taken against her will upon the bed of her enemy. I will enjoy being the first.”

  Turning to the Sekers, he continued, “Take the Seker Hunter to the dungeon and throw him to Garrick, the lover of men.”

  The Lady Shelba was seized by eager hands and dragged screaming from the room. I was taken by a swarthy Leader of Ten and three new men. It was their friends I had been killing. As they led me from the room, I remained docile and cooperative. Now was not the time for action. I just hoped an opportunity would present itself before I was sealed into a black tomb with a maniac.