Bastial Frenzy (The Rhythm of Rivalry: Book 4)

by Narro, B. T.

  Zoke heard the deep thud of other battering rams slamming into stone on either side of him. It wouldn’t be long before it would crumble, but then what? Zeti was on the other side. She was brave, too brave. She would never flee. Zoke had to find her before she was killed, not that he knew what would happen then.

  The wall didn’t hold for long. “Move back!” his allies were shouting.

  Zoke ran. He found everyone else doing the same.

  The stone creaked and began to tumble in chunks. The ground shook. Dust clouded the air.

  Then sleep tried to pull Zoke under again. He still heard the thuds and felt the frantic rushing of everyone around him. But he couldn’t move or open his eyes. His head fell to his chest. By the time it made it there, he was back, completely himself once more except for the numbness.

  Alex was tugging on Zoke’s wrist. “The wall’s down. Let’s go.”

  “I saw sister to me earlier. She’s there somewhere.” They climbed over chunks of stone, wading through the dust.

  “Then we’ll find her. But first I’m going to find Brady and Sawdar and kill them.”

  Zoke would’ve spat if he had the time. Yes Brady and Sawdar needed to die, but after he found Zeti.

  “You look for them,” Zoke told Alex, “and I’ll find Zeti.”

  Screams ahead halted them. These were unlike the previous shouts of battle. These were tormented. Something was causing excruciating pain to their allies.

  Zoke listened closer and heard the sound of glass breaking. The dust began to clear. Tenred’s chemists were hurling potions of the same clear liquid that had burned Reela’s face.

  “Hurry!” Alex said, regaining his speed. But then he stopped when a bottle slammed into his shoulder. He gasped. Looking down, he found it hadn’t broken.

  Zoke knelt to reach for it, but pain knifing through his back and neck stopped him halfway. He let out a screech. Alex grabbed the potion and threw it back at the enemy.

  It was almost lost in a round of arrows and fireballs. But Zoke managed to follow the potion with his eyes until it struck a male Krepp, exploding against his chest. His skin started to melt, and his shouts joined the terrible chorus of screams.

  That seemed to be the last of the potions. Kyrro’s warriors swarmed, dashing between chunks of stone that did well to protect them from being hit with arrows or fireballs. Zoke joined them, he and Alex picking up speed.

  As a rotund Human charged beside Zoke and screamed, he recognized the man as Half-Beard. Blood, dust, and dirt were stuck to the shock of hair coming from his chin. The end of his mallet was chipped, but Half-Beard didn’t seem to mind or even notice.

  “For my nephew!” Rather than wait for the allies ahead of him to engage the enemies first, Half-Beard shoved his own men and women out of the way with ferocious determination.

  An archer saw him coming and shot. The arrow struck Half-Beard in the shoulder but did nothing to slow his momentum.

  Another arrow found Half-Beard’s thigh. It didn’t even slow him down.

  “Die!” he yelled. Tenred warriors previously engaged with others turned to intercept him, holding their shields and swords steady.

  Half-Beard slowed at the last moment, turning his knees and doing a full spin with his massive mallet extended.

  It was impossible for Zoke to decipher what happened next. There was a medley of steel singing, men screaming, and then bodies flying. Immediately after, ten more from Kyrro reached the dent in Tenred’s line—where Half-Beard had been just a moment ago but was no longer.

  Zoke and Alex joined the turmoil, staying close and overpowering a warrior, then a mage, then two more warriors. There was no lack of enemies, no time to look for Zeti.

  Three men of Tenred charged through, knocking down everyone in their path. As they came close, Alex and Zoke tried to engage them. But these men were using the slope to their advantage, and they wore steel from helmet to boots. Only too late did Zoke realize they couldn’t be stopped. He moved, yet took a slash across his leg.

  He fell, as had Alex. They both quickly got back on their feet. Alex gripped his shoulder where blood trickled through his fingers.

  The three armored men weren’t the only ones plowing through. Everywhere Zoke turned, there were more Tenred warriors clad in steel, crashing into his allies with the same strategy. No one seemed to have any luck stopping them until Zoke heard his officer shouting for the mages.

  “Shoot them! Shoot the ones in steel armor!”

  As fireballs hit the men in steel, they tumbled and struggled to get up under the weight of their armor. They were pounced upon, allies driving daggers into the armor’s vulnerable spots.

  Zoke and Alex were fending off two more attackers when Alex fell with a scream. Zoke knew it had to be psyche, for the Human hadn’t been struck by any object. He kicked back the warrior about to run his blade through Alex’s spine, then cut off the head of the other. More were charging their way. Zoke knew he couldn’t stop them without Alex’s help. He needed to find and kill the psychic.

  He saw she was close, just past a female Krepp who—it was Zeti! But she was aiming an arrow at him! Rage nearly made him lose his focus, but he quickly regained his composure.

  “Fight the spell!” he yelled as he positioned himself between Alex and the men charging at them. “I can’t get to the psychic.”

  Alex screamed and groaned but managed to get off the ground. He was up in time to help defend himself. Zoke let his sister out of his mind for the moment, hoping she wouldn’t shoot. He focused on the blades and the footwork of his enemies. One made a mistake, and Zoke cut his neck. Alex drew the other’s attention with an aggressive attack, and Zoke took advantage.

  He felt pain start to enter—surely from the psychic. But his focus and rage had too much priority. His mind couldn’t be manipulated in that moment, and soon she was out completely.

  The last enemy fell. The psychic turned and ran toward another group of men, leaving only Zeti. She was pulling back the string of her bow, the one he’d seen countless times in the hut they used to share.

  She was frozen in place.

  Alex began to charge. Zeti turned her aim toward him.

  “Stop!” Zoke yelled. “That’s sister to me.”

  Alex stopped and positioned his sword across his chest as his only defense as he backed away. Zeti’s arms began to shake. Her yellow eyes squinted.

  “Zeti, don’t shoot,” Zoke said in Kreppen. “He’s a friend.”

  Another warrior of Kyrro charged at Zeti. But she turned and fired her arrow. It must’ve struck the man in the heart, for he died instantly.

  “Go to her,” Alex said. “I’ll be fine, don’t worry.” He ran to engage more enemies.

  Zoke didn’t know why he couldn’t move. It wasn’t until she spoke that he had control over his body once more.

  “Zoke.” It was all she said—his name. But it was all she needed to say. He could hear it in her tone. She wouldn’t kill him. She still cared for him as he did for her.

  He sheathed his sword and removed his tunic as he ran to her. Grabbing her arm, he led her up the incline, past countless enemies running past them without a glance. He hid his tunic on the other side of his body as best he could. He saw houses—homes to the citizens of Tenred—and ran toward the closest one.

  They passed more enemies, some slowing for a confused glance but most too focused to notice.

  “What are we doing?” Zeti asked.

  Zoke didn’t know how to answer. She kept pace with him as they reached the house. The door was locked.

  “What’s happening?” she insisted.

  “We need to talk away from the battle.”

  He tried a few more doors nearby, but they were locked too. Finally, he got fed up and kicked the next locked door with his heel until it burst open.

  A frightened woman cowered in the corner at the sight of Zoke and Zeti.

  “You won’t be hurt,” he told her in common tongue. “I just need to
use your house for a moment.”

  “You…” Her eyes found the blue tunic in his hand. “You’re with Kyrro!”

  “Don’t scream, and you won’t be hurt,” he said. “Just let us talk.”

  Zeti turned him toward her. “What are you saying?” she asked.

  The twist of his body caused pain to shoot up his spine, and he winced.

  “You’re hurt,” Zeti said.

  “It’s fine.”

  They stared silently. The woman started to sneak out of the room. Zoke pointed at her and shouted, “Stay here where I can see you. I don’t want you alerting anyone from Tenred that I’m here.”

  She stopped and huddled back into the corner.

  “You’ve changed,” Zeti said. Her tone hurt him deeply.

  “I haven’t. But I see that you have physically. Your pra durren turned out nicely. Your skin is a pleasant shade, and you’re taller and stronger.”

  She smiled. It made him feel like his heart had been cracked since he’d left, and it had just now been mended.

  “Life has been difficult to endure without you,” Zeti said. “So many have died, Grayol—your Humans killed him.” Her eyes squinted as she held back tears. “I don’t understand how you can fight with them.” She sounded furious. “Have you been living with them as well? Are you friends with the weak Humans?”

  He didn’t want to answer her questions. “How did Grayol die?”

  “There was an explosion here not long ago. He and I were atop the Tenred castle. He fell.”

  “That pains me to hear.” Zoke allowed a moment of silence before he spoke his next thought. “Neither of us belongs in this war.”

  “I disagree. Your Humans are stopping us from getting to the Slugari. They are the ones interfering.”

  “Your Humans lied about Kyrro even knowing of the Slugari,” Zoke retorted. “They just wanted the Krepps to join their army, and it worked.”

  “Are you saying your Humans don’t care about the Slugari? If so, they should make it clear and all of this can end. Then you and I can share a hut again.”

  She seemed so hopeful, it hurt him to reveal the truth. “Now Kyrro does protect the Slugari. They’ve made an alliance. We can’t share a hut until this war is over and Doe and Haemon are killed. I’ll never be welcomed back into their army.” A thought struck him. “But you—you can join me.”

  “I won’t live with Humans.”

  “Then let’s just leave.”

  She already was shaking her head before he could say more. “You should go. Then I won’t have to worry about you dying when we kill your Humans.”

  His knees buckled, her words nearly crippling him. “I don’t wish to leave Vithos…and these Humans are stronger than they seem. I care for them. But I care for you most. If the only way for you to be safe is for us to leave and go somewhere else, then that’s what we should do. I don’t want you fighting in this battle, or any battle after.”

  “No. I won’t flee. Your Humans must pay for what they did to Grayol. And I need Slugari meat. I know you can’t understand, because you’re unable to smell.” He was thankful at least that she didn't call him a gurradu. “But it’s a craving my body longs for as badly as air and water. Doe is the strongest creature I know. He’s a great leader and will bring the Krepps much happiness. I wouldn’t abandon—”

  “How can you say this?” Zoke interrupted, thinking of Terren and Marie, the Human leaders he’d encountered. They were infinitely better than Doe. “Doe and Haemon don’t care about you or the Krepps.”

  “Brother, listen.” She stepped toward him. She was far closer to Zoke’s height than he was used to. “You’ve always protected me, and I know you must still feel it’s your responsibility to keep me safe. But I’m an adult now. Don’t coddle me.”

  “Keeping you from being killed is far from coddling.” Zoke swallowed the urge to spit.

  She shook her head with a sad smile, showing her sharp teeth. “My life isn’t yours to keep safe. And there are others that I won’t abandon.”

  “Father?” Zoke asked incredulously.

  “Of course not.” Zeti spat.

  The woman watching from the corner grumbled.

  “I told him never to speak to me again,” Zeti continued.

  “Are you speaking about a seshar then?”

  “I haven’t chosen one yet. But I’ve been considering Keenu. He’s the one I can’t abandon. We’ve been spending much time together since Doe has given me more responsibilities.”

  As Zoke remembered Keenu, it brought him back to the tribe. He visited Keenu each week to receive a report on which Kreppen scouts to collect for punishment. He could see himself with the tribe, wearing his official cloak that brought on stares of malice.

  It felt as if his body was sinking into the memory, his head as heavy as stone, his eyes shutting.

  “Zoke,” Zeti called. “What’s wrong?”

  “Some potion for the pain.” He felt as if he could sleep standing up.

  “I don’t know what to do now,” she nearly whispered.

  “Come with me. Fight with me.” Zoke reached out his hand.

  “I already told you, I can’t do that. I’m staying with Doe and the Krepps. But you should leave.” Her eyes went wide. “You should join Suba and the other Krepps who abandoned the army. They went north to Merejic. Join them, and when all of your Humans have been killed and the Slugari have been captured, I’ll visit you!” She was excited by the idea.

  “I can’t leave Vithos or the others to fight on their own, not unless it’s the only way to ensure your safety.”

  Zeti was shaking her head again, her eyes down at her feet. “I wish you were never chosen to go with Vithos.”

  She seemed to be waiting for him to agree, but he couldn’t—not after everything that had happened. He was in the right place. It was Zeti who wasn’t.

  He’d come to realize that he couldn’t convince her to stop fighting. But maybe he could force her to stay in this woman’s house.

  Noticing the room for the first time, Zoke found a shelf stocked with potions. “Are any of those sleep potions?” he asked her in common tongue.

  “Why?” the woman asked.

  “What’s happening?” Zeti asked suspiciously.

  “Just answer me,” Zoke told the woman.

  “Yes.” She retrieved one for him.

  He took a small sip to make sure it was nothing toxic. It tasted safe enough, like sweet and salty water.

  Holding it to Zeti, he said, “Drink this.”

  But she’d backed away the moment he extended his arm. “Why?”

  “Tenred is losing this battle. I know you won’t flee. So this potion will save your life.”

  “How?”

  “Trust me, Zeti.” He held the vial out to her again.

  “No. I want to fight. Keenu is still out there.” She clawed at his extended hand. “Get it away!”

  Zoke hated what he knew he had to do. Using surprise to his advantage, he jumped on top of Zeti and pried her mouth open.

  “Get off me!” She nearly bit his finger, then clawed at his face.

  He managed to get his knee on one of her arms, but her other flailed wildly and caught him on the cheek. His blood dripped onto her leather shirt.

  His other knee found her free arm. Then he aimed the potion above her mouth and used his other hand to try prying her teeth apart. But she clenched tightly. He couldn’t get her mouth open.

  Some of the red liquid fell into her nose as he continued to pour. He heard wheezing, then a choking sound. Her mouth opened to cough. He poured heavily in that moment.

  She tried to spew it out, but her wild coughing made her lose control of her throat. She ended up swallowing some. Eventually, he emptied the bottle into her mouth and nose.

  “How much does she need to drink to fall asleep?” he asked the Human.

  “A few gulps. Far less than she’s had.”

  Zeti was cursing at him, yelling for him to ge
t off her.

  “How long does it take to work?” Zoke asked.

  “Not long.”

  Zoke adjusted his knees so he wouldn’t hurt his sister. But he needed to keep her arms pinned. He’d seen this expression from her before. She would claw his eyes out if she could. Her legs thrashed.

  “What did you give me?” she screamed.

  “It will put you to sleep so you don’t fight.”

  Again she began to curse him.

  “Listen,” he interrupted. “Before you trust Doe, you should find out what really happened with mother to us. Doe killed her, and father said it was because she entered the eppil garden. But that doesn’t make sense. Why would she do that? Doe must’ve killed her for some other reason. He doesn’t care about our lives. Instead of working with him, you should want vantikar as I do.”

  Zeti’s eyes began to close as Zoke finished. He felt her limbs become limp.

  He got up and pointed his sword at the woman. She jumped back with a yelp.

  “You’d better make sure she’s still alive when this battle is over, or I’ll find you.”

  Just like I’m going to find Sawdar and Brady.

  A spell of drowsiness hit him as he opened the door. He felt himself falling. Gripping the handle of the door as hard as he could wasn’t enough. He was blanketed in comfort as he succumbed.

  Then he hit the dirt. His back and neck ached. Groaning, he pushed himself up to find a sword lifting his chin.

  “What did you do with Zeti?”

  The voice sounded familiar, but Zoke couldn’t lift his eyes past the Krepp’s knees to see who it was.

  “She’s in the house behind me.”

  Zoke heard the Krepp run by him. “Zeti? Zeti? What did you do to her?”

  He found some strength to stand and turned around. Keenu was kneeling over his sister, listening for her breath.

  The frightened Human had clenched her hands and crossed them over her chest. When Keenu drew his sword and started toward Zoke, she screamed and ran into another room.

  “Zeti’s fine,” Zoke answered, though he drew his own weapon. “I gave her a sleeping potion.”

  “You mean you forced it down her throat. I can see she didn’t want you near her, traitor.” Keenu pointed his sword at the wound on Zoke’s cheek.