Akiri: Sands Of Darkness

by Brian D. Anderson

  They sat for a time while the Suldan removed his robes and folded them neatly to the side. Beneath these he wore a thick cotton shirt that fell all the way to the ankles. He rubbed his chest and arms for a moment, sighing with relief. Before eventually sitting, he made a significant show of placing his weapon next to the robes.

  “The Suldan do not speak to friends while armed,” he said.

  “And when we are proven friends, I will remove my sword,” said Dabo.

  “As you wish.” He glanced over to Akiri, who had placed his sword across his knees.

  “Trust is not a luxury I have ever been able to afford,” he stated.

  “Trust is not a luxury, it is a burden,” Dar Gazal told him. “And if you hope to have victory, it is one you will be forced to carry.”

  The harsh grunts and growls of camels reached them. Dar Gazal’s companion had returned and was leading two of the beasts. After tethering both of these to the well, he began to remove several bundles from their packs.

  “Yazur will join us soon,” said Dar Gazal. “But we need not wait any longer. I speak for my people.” He slapped his hands on his knees. “Soon, the demon spawn of Hajazar will soak the sands in your blood. And as much as the thought of your deaths pleases me, we cannot allow that to happen.”

  “How many swords do you bring?” asked Akiri.

  “Definitely not enough to be of use in battle. All of the Suldan breathing desert air could not stop what is coming for you.”

  “Then what good are you?” scoffed Dabo.

  Dar Gazal ignored the jibe. “We are raiders, not soldiers. Those who would join you are only marching to their deaths. Even should you win the battle, which is unlikely, you cannot take the city. And without that, you have nothing.”

  “There are ways into the city,” Dabo countered.

  Dar Gazal chuckled. “No longer. They have all been sealed, and most of your people taken or killed.”

  A deep frown formed on Dabo’s face. “How do you know this?”

  “That does not matter. What matters is that you have been warned. Had you tried to infiltrate the city, you would have most assuredly been killed. As it is, fortune is with you. There are ways to gain entry that not even the great Dabo knows of.”

  “That’s ridiculous. No one knows Rath better than my people.”

  “An arrogant view. And one that will ensure your defeat.” He took a long breath before continuing. “We know that allies are at this moment coming to your aid. But the Vizier knows this as well, and as we speak is mustering his army. One that will outnumber you by at least ten to one. Which means your only hope is to find a way of killing him and taking the city. We can help you with this.”

  Dabo curled his lip. “How?”

  “There is a way into the city known only to the Suldan. While most of the soldiers are being kept occupied by you and your men, the city will be vulnerable enough for my people to strike.”

  This suggestion drew a derisive laugh from Dabo. “You expect me to allow Rath to fall into the hands of the Suldan? Have you lost your mind?”

  “If he is telling the truth, I see no other choice,” remarked Akiri. “We must kill the Vizier. I could enter the city alone, but there is no guarantee I would be able to get close enough to him.”

  “Which brings me to another point,” said the Suldan. “The Vizier cannot be killed with mere steel, that much we know. I assume you are aware of this as well.”

  “We have the dagger of Imheti,” said Dabo.

  Dar Gazal cocked his head. “Is that right? I thought the dagger was just a myth. May I see it?”

  Dabo's eyes shifted over to Akiri and then back again. “We don’t have it any more.”

  “You lost the dagger of Imheti?”

  “No. The Vizier took it from us.”

  Dar Gazal shook his head. “I will not even bother to ask how that happened. But one thing is certain: You will definitely need us if you are to get it back.”

  “Can you get me into the palace?” asked Akiri.

  “Indeed I can.”

  “I still do not like the idea of giving the city to the Suldan,” Dabo remarked sourly.

  “And I do not like the idea of exposing our secrets to you,” retorted Dar Gazal. “Once learned, the passages that have taken generations to dig will become useless. Not that you need worry. We have no desire to occupy your city. The Suldan live free. We would sooner die than live in the prisons you construct for yourselves.”

  Dabo eyed him suspiciously. “So when this is over, you will just leave? Is that what you are saying?”

  “We will leave your city, if that’s what you mean. As for old fights and troubles between us…who knows? It is said that the steel of friendship is forged within the fires of war. Perhaps some good can come from this.”

  “Who is that?” The drowsy voice of Lord Rashid broke into the conversation. All eyes shifted in his direction.

  Dar Gazal rose to his feet and gave a sweeping bow. “I am Dar Gazal, at your service, young lord.”

  Rashid cocked his head. “Are you a Suldan?”

  “I am indeed, my lord.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Mahir. “He won’t hurt us.”

  Rashid dropped down beside Akiri and leaned his head on his arm. “I’m not worried. Akiri is here.”

  Dar Gazal raised an eyebrow. “So you are his guardian?”

  There was a short pause. Akiri then shrugged. “You could say that, I suppose. For the time being, at least.”

  Dar Gazal gave him a knowing smile. “I see. Well, my lord, you could have none better.”

  “I don’t like the Suldan,” Rashid remarked.

  “My lord…” a startled Mahir began, but Dar Gazal held out his hand, seemingly untroubled by the boy’s words.

  “And why do you not like us?”

  “You tried to sell Kyra.”

  It took a moment for Dar Gazal to understand. “Oh! You mean the dragon? In that case, yes. My kin did try to sell her. But they failed. And they paid for it with their lives.”

  Rashid looked up at Akiri. “You killed them?”

  “Yes.”

  “All of them?”

  Akiri nodded. “All of them.”

  “Good.”

  “My Lord should not be so quick to judge,” said Dar Gazal. “We do not keep dragons as pets ourselves. We merely sell them to your people when the opportunity arises.”

  “Mahir tells me that when the Vizier is gone, I’ll be the new Rahaji. When I am, I’m going to free all the dragons. And I’ll outlaw selling them.”

  “And why would you do that?” asked Dar Gazal. “Forgive me, but are they not just beasts?”

  Rashid sat up straight, his small face alight with anger. “No. They are much more than that. They are smart. As smart as any human. Smarter, even. And one day I will ride one.”

  “Truly? Then you will be a great leader. One to be feared. I have heard of an order far to the west who once rode dragons. It is said they were the mightiest warriors the world has ever known. But then they were destroyed by a mad king. That is the legend, though I am unsure as to the truth of it.”

  “They existed, true enough,” said Akiri. “And yes…they were destroyed in the end.”

  “Why did the king destroy them?” asked Rashid.

  “As Dar Gazal just said, the king was mad.”

  Memories of the crazed look in King Zemel’s eyes flashed through Akiri’s mind. It seemed so long ago. And the man who fled Acharia was not the man sitting by the fire with a frightened child huddled against him. No. That man would have left this futile battle behind and the child to his fate without a thought.

  “I will beg one favor from you, my lord,” Dar Gazal said.

  “Lord Rashid is too young to be negotiating treaties or deals,” Mahir cut in quickly.

  “Of course. But he will have many years to consider this. I ask only that your people cease to trespass on our beloved desert.”

  Mahir huffed. “Yo
ur desert? When Lord Rashid is Rahaji, your desert will be within the borders of his kingdom.”

  “Will it? Would you venture into our domain alone?” Dar Gazal did not wait for a reply. “We were traveling the sands long before man settled along the river. We have no master aside from ourselves. All I ask is that we be left unmolested to live as we desire.”

  “Your people raid our caravans and plague our trade routes,” said Mahir. “How dare you claim to be victims?”

  “I will do it!” shouted Rashid. “Help us defeat the Vizier and you can have your desert. I swear it.”

  “My lord,” said Mahir. “You don’t know what you are saying.”

  The boy turned to Akiri. “What do you think?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “I do not know the history behind your conflict with the Suldan, so I cannot say who is in the right. But I do know that free men will always fight to remain free. If the desert is truly theirs, then they will fight to keep it. You may try to take it from them, but you will never truly possess it. Not so long as those who call the desert their home live.” He cast his gaze over the trio. Mahir looked anxious, while there was obvious anger in Dabo’s expression. Dar Gazal simply smiled.

  Akiri turned his attention back to Rashid. “I should point out that if you are to be a man of honor – one truly worthy to ride dragons – you have already sworn your oath. Will you now keep it?”

  “He is a child,” Mahir interrupted quickly.

  “That may be,” said Akiri. “But what kind of man would you have him be?”

  “I will keep my word,” Rashid said, with due solemnity.

  Akiri couldn’t help but laugh. “That is settled, then. However, I suggest that you receive counsel first before making any further pledges.”

  “Should you honor this agreement, my people will never forget it,” added Dar Gazal, bowing his head.

  Mahir rose. “Come, my lord. You should eat.”

  Rashid waited until Akiri nodded his approval before taking his carer’s hand.

  “You make a fine tutor,” remarked Dar Gazal, as the pair moved away. “He is fortunate to have one such as you beside him.”

  “I am here only until the Vizier is dead.”

  Dar Gazal sighed. “A pity. He seems to think much of you. I’m sure he will be greatly saddened when you depart.”

  “How will you get me into the palace?” asked Akiri, abruptly changing the subject.

  Dar Gazal shifted back and smoothed out an area of sand with his palm. Then, with his finger, he proceeded to trace out his plan. It was bold and risky. Several times Dabo tried to throw up objections, but Akiri quickly silenced him.

  “And what of the boy?” asked Dar Gazal. “If he is to be the new Rahaji, he must be protected at all times.”

  “Mahir will stay with him,” replied Dabo. “And I will leave men behind too.”

  Akiri could see from the Suldan’s expression that he did not approve. “You have something else in mind?” he asked.

  “Send him into the desert with my people,” he said. “He will be beyond reach there.”

  Dabo shook his head emphatically. “No, I will not allow that. And neither would Mahir.”

  “You think we would harm a child? We are not savages.”

  “I do think it’s the best way to keep him safe,” said Akiri.

  “What is to stop the Suldan from holding him hostage?” Dabo contended. “It is bad enough that they will have possession of the palace. I’ll not allow them to take Lord Rashid as well.”

  “I have born all of your insults,” said Dar Gazal, his tone suddenly hard. “But do not question my honor again. I have given you my word that the boy will be safe. And if you value his life, you will accept my offer.”

  Dabo’s eyes darted from Akiri to Dar Gazal. “I…” Finally, he threw his hands up and let out an exasperated cry. “Very well. But know that should he not be returned safely to us, we will scour the desert and hunt you down until every last Suldan bleeds their lifeblood into the sands.”

  “I understand completely,” said Dar Gazal.

  Dabo pushed himself to his feet. “I should tell Mahir of this. He is sure to insist on going with you.”

  “He will be most welcome.”

  Once Dabo had moved out of earshot, Akiri leaned in. “If you are lying, his threats will be the least of your woes.”

  Dar Gazal laughed. “I take your warning far more seriously, slayer. But I must ask this: How did you come to play nursemaid to this boy? You are a man of blood and honor. That much is clear. And I can see that you do not really wish to be here. So why stay?”

  “I am not his…nursemaid. And I stay because I do have honor.”

  Dar Gazal rubbed his chin. “There is more to it than that. I think you hold genuine affection for the boy. And I do not believe that is something you are comfortable with.” He shook his head. “What kind of life could you have led to make you thus? A man conflicted is a man in pain. That much I see clearly in you.”

  Akiri gave him a dark look. “Has anyone ever told you that you talk too much?”

  He smiled in return. “Several times, if truth be told.”

  “Has anyone beaten you to a pulp because of it?”

  “Just once. But before you make it twice, there is something you should know. As you will need to leave with me when I take Lord Rashid, be prepared for a cold reception. There will be those among my people who will not like that you are among us. Ur Badal was not very popular, but he was a Suldan. And though most of us could forgive his death, given the circumstances, his cousins and brothers will not.”

  “If they want vengeance, they are welcome to try and take it.”

  “As long as you understand what awaits you. I will do my best to prevent any confrontation, but I cannot guarantee that. If there is a fight, though, I can promise you it will be a fair one.”

  “No…it won’t be.”

  Akiri’s words hung ominously in the air. Dar Gazal looked at him closely for a long moment before slowly rising to join his friend.

  Akiri leaned back and closed his eyes, listening to the snap and crackle of the fire, and found himself longing for the end of this troubling affair. The vague idea of what he might do with himself after it was all over was beginning to take a firmer hold. The more he thought about it, the more appealing the prospect became. But one thing at a time, he scolded himself silently.

  He trained his thoughts on the Vizier. Even with the dagger back in his hands, killing this creature would still be far from easy. He had faced many powerful foes and beaten them all. Even so, a vivid memory of the strength and speed the demon spirit possessed was still fresh in his mind. Next time he would not be as aggressive; he would calculate his attacks. Facing an enemy with greater strength and speed was one of the very first lessons he had learned in his Dul’Buhar training.

  It was just a pity that facing demons had not been anticipated by his instructors.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Akiri felt a touch disappointed. Having only seen the armies of his own homeland and their enemies, he would very much have liked to witness the mustering of those who would support Lord Rashid’s claim to the throne. The soldier within him dearly wanted to compare and possibly learn new ways of warfare.

  The Vizier had been wise to expel all former commanders loyal to the old Rahaji. Many were members of noble families who had never seen Kalmar as anything other than a pretender to the throne. Of the six major families, two went so far as to be openly hostile to his rule. By contrast, Rashid’s father had maintained the illusion of support as best he could for a time, though in the end his much stronger ties to the throne through blood were his undoing. Kalmar would always see him as a threat, especially as he had cultivated close relationships with the other families. Though many would not dare stand against the Rahaji, there were still enough disgruntled soldiers and spurned nobles to form a sizeable force.

  Had the Vizier not been made aware of their coming, they wou
ld have had a chance at victory. But just before their departure, word came that Dar Gazal had been right. Within the city, the army was gathering, and troops from three nearby cities were being sent to bolster their numbers. Just as the Suldan had told them, they were going to be greatly outnumbered. Everything now depended on Akiri and Dar Gazal successfully taking the city from within.

  Mahir had insisted that Rashid ride with him, though it was clear he really wanted to ride with his hero. At the same time, Akiri had decided that he needed to distance himself from the boy. However, telling himself this and actually doing it were not remotely the same thing. He had grown fond of Rashid, and thought that with the right guidance he would make a fine ruler one day. But the overriding reality was that Akiri did not belong here. His destiny was uncertain, but he knew without doubt that it was not to end up as the personal guard of a young monarch.

  The two-day journey was uneventful. Akiri found Dar Gazal to be both uncannily insightful and intuitive. He remarked several times on Akiri’s unease, and even guessed that he had far more knowledge of the mad king they had spoken about than he was willing to admit.

  “The gods are peculiar,” he said, after they’d made camp on the first night. “I’ve often wondered if they understand the future at all. Or are they perhaps trying to create it?”

  “They are meddling fools,” remarked Akiri.

  “That much I cannot argue with,” he replied, chuckling. “The Suldan do not put much faith in them either. Until now they have seemed content to ignore us, for the most part, but our seers are saying that the time is coming when we must play our role in the Great Game.”

  “The Great Game?”

  “The one the gods play. We are the pieces, and they the players.”

  “They can play all they wish. I refuse to be their toy.”

  “You actually think you have a choice, don’t you?” Dar Gazal stretched out on his blanket. “I’m afraid you have become more than just a piece on the board, Akiri. You are the key to the Game itself.”

  He frowned. “And how would you know this?”

  “We Suldan have a sense about these things. We see what is hidden from others. And danger and mystery surrounds you like a shroud. The fingerprints of the gods are all over you, my friend. I do not envy you their attention.”