The gate guards perked up as they watched a beautiful Kaheendran woman walking toward them. She wore a thick brown cloak but it was open in the front revealing a stunning, brilliantly white dress with light blue highlights. She couldn't be a prostitute so they wondered just what she could want, but the sight of her beauty kept their suspicions from rising. They stood casually, balancing themselves against the shafts of their spears as the attractive women came closer. Had they been looking at her face and not her body, they would have seen her bright green eyes, eyes that matched the description of the woman that had escaped the night before. But they weren’t looking at her face and they never took notice when those emerald green eyes flashed in anger as she reached behind her head.
Out came the two blades, sweeping down at an angle across the front of the two guards that stood in front of Kyrianna, tracing deep lines across the outsides of their necks. Before they could even drop their spears and bring their hands up to the deep lacerations, she had brought the blades up and out again, cutting another deep line across the front of both of their throats. She was running toward the prison as the two men hit the ground, her cloak flowing out behind in her wake.
The guard at the entrance to the prison lowered his spear toward Kyrianna and turned his head to yell back for support when an arrow slammed into his chest. He gasped and looked down at it just in time to see another arrow from Tarriel's bow, pierce through his chest just inches from the first. He fell to his knees as his strength left him and looked up to see Kyrianna rushing past, followed close by Solomon and Eliath.
Kyrianna had picked the perfect time to attack. Since she had been held prisoner there, she had kept track of the guard’s activities. She knew that most of them would be eating within the guard station at this time. Tarriel moved quietly to the other side of the door while Eliath stayed on the opposite side with Solomon behind him. Kyrianna stood in front of the door and knocked. She listened to the footsteps and grumbling of the guard that came to open it. As she heard the hinge of the lock click, she kicked out, smashing the door inward to slam into his face. Tarriel was the first one through the portal and had cut down another guard before any of them could even draw swords.
There were only seven guards inside the room and they were no match for the small group that assaulted them. In less than a ten breaths, before the guards could even scream out while desperately trying to defend themselves, they were all dead.
Kyrianna pulled the ring of keys from off the wall and started down the hall.
The old High Priest of Kaheendra was shocked to see her standing in front of his cell moments later. He knew she had escaped but had never thought she would return for him. An appreciative smile stretched across his wrinkled face.
“Come with me Ojori. It is time the people of Kaheendra learned the truth," said Kyrianna as she held her hand out for the old man to grab hold of.
"But the people have been told that I committed crimes. They think I am an un-honorable man," as he reached up and took hold of her hand.
Kyrianna rushed out of the cell with him in tow. "They were also told you had died. When they see the lie in that, they will see the deceit in all of it."
†††
Valgannon approached Lucian and watched in amusement as the boy spread out his stance, readying himself, but made no move for his sword. He laughed wickedly through clenched teeth and gave the guards a threatening look, not wanting them to play any part in this battle, and they backed away.
Lucian saw the exchange and new what Valgannon wanted. "I'll not fight you for the sport of it, as you would. I see no reward in killing a man."
"Then you must only fight to survive,” replied Valgannon. “For although it would give me no pleasure to cut you down unarmed and without a fight, you simply cannot be allowed to live any longer." As he finished speaking, he flicked his hand out, dropping a dagger from his sleeve into his waiting hand. In a blink he had it sailing toward Lucian's head, knowing that the blade could not defeat the armor that he wore.
The boy moved just enough to allow the blade to pass by without nicking him and it thunked into the large wooden door behind him. He still did not pull his sword free.
Valgannon eyed him curiously. He had seen Lucian in action fighting his men and the boy had not seemed so skilled then.
"Something is different about you boy. What is it? Had you been holding back against my men earlier? Or have you simply succumbed to the violent darkness that moves us all to be better warriors?" Valgannon moved in a circle, pacing around Lucian.
The boy just stared back at him, saying nothing, and Valgannon thought for a second that his strange golden eyes had become brighter. He knew that something was different about Lucian, but he couldn't guess what, and decided it didn't matter. The boy must die, whether he decided to die unarmed or not.
Valgannon charged, pulling his slender blackened steel sword free from the sheath on his back and sliced down at an angle. He was sure Lucian would dodge to the side to escape the attack but before he could stop the blade and reverse his swing to come back around, he was staggered to the side by a powerful kick. Valgannon recovered quickly but he could not get over how swiftly Lucian had moved. He pulled free another dagger and charged again, growling as he came. He noticed that the boy still did not pull his magnificent sword free but his face shown hard as rock with determined concentration. There was a calm calculating glimmer in his eyes.
Valgannon lunged in with a thrust from his sword and then spun with another stab from the dagger he had reversed in his hand as he spun. Lucian backpedaled and sidestepped, staying well away from the attacks. Next he swiped his sword at neck level but Lucian reared back, narrowly avoiding the blade.
Valgannon was enraged. Never before had he missing so many strikes. He pushed himself harder, moving faster and trying to anticipate Lucian, but all his efforts seemed in vein. As he faked another swipe from his sword and thrust in with his dagger, Lucian moved incredibly fast and brought both his hands up simultaneously, slapping one at the back of the Valgannon’s hand and the other to the inside of his wrist. Valgannon’s blade went flying out of his hand, and across the chamber, to clang on the marble floor. He was a bit surprised at the deft maneuver, but made no show of it and quickly tried to come back with an angled strike from his sword. Lucian was too quick and stepped inside the attempt, causing his outstretched arm to slam into Lucian’s shoulder pad right at the elbow. His arm popped and the sword slipped out of his grip and slid across the floor. Before he could form a defense, Lucian's elbow came up under his chin, knocking him off his feet.
"Where is your companion?” asked Lucian suddenly. “The one who speaks to you, but you can’t see. He is not with you this day. Does it frighten you that he left you alone?"
Valgannon was shocked that Lucian knew about the voice, and even more shocked that he could know it was no longer with him. But he held his emotions inward, not showing any sign of fear or confusion. The boy’s sudden confidence infuriated him, but he just laughed and stood up from the floor. He wiped the blood running down his chin and grabbed his dislocated arm. With a jerk he snapped the limb back into place, never showing that it caused even a hint of pain, and then pulled two more daggers free of their sheaths.
"Why do you not pull your sword,” asked Valgannon. “Are you afraid to kill me? Does it pain you to kill a man, even if it is the man responsible for the death of your parents?"
Valgannon knew that the assassin responsible for murdering Lucian’s parents had died, but he figured the boy would not have any idea if Valgannon had any involvement. He wanted to play into Lucian’s rage. He knew he had achieved his desired affect when Lucian became noticeably upset. Valgannon could see the hatred seething out of him.
Valgannon smiled and quickly sidestepped as Lucian lunged, easily avoided the boy’s punch. Now Lucian would die. He whipped out with his dagger, aiming for the boy’s throat, sure that the fight was soon over. To his utter surprise and amazement, Lucian a
djusted faster than Valgannon could have thought possible and the blade barely nicked his throat, drawing only a thin line of blood.
Valgannon saw Lucian grip his weapon now and was sure that this time he saw the boy’s eyes become a touch brighter. He quickly pushed the strange spectacle out of his mind, knowing that he had wasted his short-lived advantage. He doubted he could bait Lucian into carelessness again, but he had to try.
“Ah, there you go, pull your sword free. Fight me with all your rage. Avenge the death of your parents.” He saw Lucian’s knuckles turn white and thought that his words would again spur the boy into action, but Lucian made no move to attack him and only stared back at Valgannon coolly.
Valgannon was tired of this game, it would end now. With a burst of speed he thrust out with the right dagger but it was only a distraction, for his other hand flashed out, bringing the other dagger up, this one aimed for the artery on the boy’s neck. It was a move that Valgannon had practiced and honed for many years. He had used it multiple times to kill and it always worked, but not this time.
The boy must have seen the ruse for what it was. He had moved only slightly and Valgannon’s first blade slammed harmlessly into his shoulder pad. As Valgannon thrust his other blade forward, Lucian caught his wrist and forced it up and over toward his other extended arm. The blade that Valgannon thought for sure would have ended the fight, dove into the muscle of his left arm just above the elbow. Before Valgannon could think of the pain the flared through his arm, he saw Lucian finally pull his sword free.
Valgannon heard the blade ring out as Lucian lifted the hilt straight up. The pummel slammed Valgannon under his chin. He felt his jaw snap and was thrown several feet backwards to the ground.
Lucian’s sword slid back into the scabbard, never having been fully drawn.
Valgannon stared in undulating fury as Lucian calmly stepped toward him. Blood frothed from his shattered jaw and he wondered how this could have happened. He mind screamed out for the comforting voice, wondering why he had been abandoned. His body shook with rage as he considered his failure. He thought for a moment of pulling the knife free from his arm and slicing his own throat, but a dark thought of what was waiting for him in the afterlife made him falter. He decided then that this fight would continue another day.
As Lucian continued forward, Valgannon screamed out for the guards.
Instantly the room filled with soldiers brandishing swords.
“Kill him!” screamed Valgannon, as best he could. It came out sounding quite distorted but the guards understood the order well enough. He quickly pulled out a small leather packet and threw it to the floor between himself and Lucian.
†††
Lucian covered his eyes as the packet exploded into a large cloud of smoke and sparks. When the smoke cleared, Valgannon was nowhere to be seen.
The room was full of soldiers inching closer to Lucian, weapons leveled.
Hihanzo came into the chamber from the back, ahead of Makashin, and pulled free his short sword. He signaled for his men to attack from behind and stared in shock at what happened.
Lucian saw the rough looking soldier come at him from the front but he sensed more men coming up from behind him. He spun and pulled his sword free, sweeping the tip around in a deadly arc. He heard the distinctive ring as his blade connected with the four swords behind him, but he felt no resistance as his blade passed through each one. The four men fell back in shock as their swords were cleaved in half and the tips fell to the ground. Lucian himself was stunned for a moment at what his sword had just done, but the footfalls of other approaching soldiers all around brought him clarity.
As Lucian spun to face them, the large double doors behind him crashed open. The soldiers slid to a stop and looked as though they were seeing a ghost. Lucian saw that he had a chance to glance over his shoulder. He watched curiously as an old man marched into the room, his eyes fixed on Makashin. The two men shared looks of utter contempt. He realized that the old man in ragged robes must be Ojori, the former High Priest of Kaheendra. That meant that Kyrianna and the others had been successful.
“What are you waiting for? Kill that man!” screamed Makashin as he pointed at Lucian.
“Stand down or face the gallows!” yelled back Ojori.
The soldiers looked around at each other, hoping that one of their comrades would make a move that they could follow. Next it was their general that screamed out.
“Kill the foreigner at once and arrest that old man. He is a criminal!”
The soldiers started to move, obeying the orders of their General, until another voice rang out, this one causing them to drop to their knees. For it was the voice of Prince Toharri.
“You will stand down men. General Hihanzo is relieved of his duty,” yelled the Prince as he stepped up alongside Ojori.
Makashin stammered as Hihanzo just looked at his Prince in disbelief.
“What is the meaning of this Prince Toharri? This is an outrage!” yelled Makashin.
A melodic voice came from behind the Prince, and Lucian couldn’t help but smile as the beautiful Vorean woman named Kara walked into the room.
“You dare presume to question the word of your King?” said Kyrianna as she stepped past Toharri and moved up to the side of Lucian. She looked at Hihanzo, whose face scrunched up painfully at the sight of her, and then she winked at him.
“Witch!” he screamed. “How dare you come back here after killing my men? You should have run away while you had the chance!” He rushed in, throwing down his sword and unhooking a heavy morning star.
Kyrianna felt Lucian swell to answer the attack but she stepped in front of him, clearly showing her intentions, and was relieved to see him step back out of the way but remain within range to come to her aid if need be.
Kyrianna crouched as Hihanzo came forward and raised the heavy morning star over his head, planning to smash through any defense that she could bring up and crush her head. She pulled her twin blades free and threw them up in a double block, but stepped to the side at the last moment allowing the morning star to simply deflect off the blades. She spun around, coming to Hihanzo’s side and cut down low with both blades, slicing deeply into the side of his right leg above and below the knee joint.
Hihanzo screamed and fell onto his now useless leg. He swung the morning star back to swipe Kyrianna at his side. She brought her left blade up to meet it as her right followed behind and cut into the tendons of his hand. It gave her great pleasure to hear him scream again as the morning star hit the floor and clutched his torn hand. He started to curse at her but quickly held his breath as she brought the tip of one of her blades to rest on his throat, picking up his chin.
“It seems that you and I had unfinished business,” said Kyrianna as she pushed the tip of her blade slightly into his neck, drawing a little blood.
With a scream of mad rage, Hihanzo slapped the blade away and jumped up to strike Kyrianna, but she had coaxed his reaction and was waiting for it. A quick spin put her out of line with the punch, and the momentum of Hihanzo coming forward allowed her two blades, which she had reversed in her hands as she spun, to dive deep into his stomach and chest. She screamed in victorious retribution as she held him upright. Finally, after her rage had subsided, she turned to stare into his hateful eyes. "For Yosu," she said through gritted teeth, then pulled the blades free and watched him slump to the floor.
Makashin roared and made a move to attack Kyrianna, but the sound of Lucian’s sword ringing out stopped him as though he hit a wall. The tip of the blade hovered motionless an inch from his eye, the ring still echoing throughout the silent room.
“Take him out to the people,” said Prince Toharri as he signaled toward Makashin, breaking the silence.
“The people?” blurted Makashin, giving the Prince a confused look.
The guards took hold of him and pulled him out of the building to the square before he could say anything further.
Lucian shared an appreciative look
with Kyrianna as they followed the guards out to the square. When she came out of the building she was surprised to see what looked to be the entire tribe of Kaheendra, gathered in the large square, and down the streets, and alleys. The guards ushered Makashin to a raised platform in the middle of the area and were quickly surrounded by the mob of people.
"What is the meaning of this," yelled Makashin when the guards let him go and he stood alone on the platform with Prince Toharri and Ojori. Makashin was even more surprised when a group of guards ushered Sorintao Yanzin out to the same platform, obviously against his will.
“What is going on here,” screamed Yanzin. “I know nothing of this charade. I was appointed by the people. This man acted on his own accord,” he said as he pointed at Makashin.
The War Councilor yelled out in surprised rage and tried to get at the High Priest but the guards held him back, and neither would they listen to the pleas of Yanzin.
Kyrianna stood near the platform next to Lucian, Eliath, Solomon and Tarriel. Many of the townspeople gave them brief, curious looks, but were more interested in what was happening on the platform.
She glanced over her shoulder at Lucian and whispered. "I thank you for not interfering earlier. I had dreamt that I might face that man outside of my cell and on more equal terms. He is the reason for these." She pointed to her swollen, cut lips, and bruised face.
"I think the late General would disagree with you about being your equal in battle,” said Lucian with a smile. “Tis a shame he found out the hard way. You are quite impressive with a blade."
"My father..." her voice faltered for a moment as memories of her murdered, beloved father pulled at her emotions. “My father was a magnificent swordsman and I spent many years learning from him," she smiled slightly, "much to his dismay."
Revelations of Doom Page 35
