Tears filled Elijah’s eyes as he knelt beside his friend. “Nizar!” he cried.
His chest heaved yet again, as the pool of red widened.
Elijah cried again, “No! Nizar!” while Isabelle, Firas, Karim, Rasha and Bayan made their way across the blood-stained marble floor.
Nizar grabbed Elijah’s arm. “El…i…jah…,” he muttered.
Elijah rested Nizar’s head in his hand. “Thank you, friend,” he said, but Nizar didn’t respond. His chest surged one last time and was silent.
Isabelle broke into tears. “No!” she cried.
“Nizar!” cried Rasha.
Firas put his hands to his head. “No!” he shouted.
Karim took one last look through his moistened eyes and turned away.
Elijah glanced at the others and gently laid Nizar’s head to the ground. He slowly rose and made his way to Isabelle, putting his arms around her. “I am sorry,” he whispered as she continued to sob.
Karim turned back to his friends. “We will give him the mourning he deserves, Elijah. We need to get to Karam.”
Elijah joined Karim. “We have to end this. His death will not be in vain!” he shouted.
Rasha, sobbing, threw her arms around Elijah. He held her tightly and then released her. “Let’s go,” he commanded.
Karim nodded and turned toward the great doors.
“Caleb. How do we get to Karam?” Elijah asked.
Caleb raised his arm. “Go to that door at the far end. It will lead upstairs. Take your first door to the right, and then you will be on the walls on the back side of the palace. You will find your way to the front easily from there.”
“Lead them out of here, Caleb!” commanded Elijah. “Come on, Karim!” he said and the two took off.
Chapter 47
Aiken fixed his gaze on the flying acrobats. Their colorful streamers captured everyone’s attention as they crisscrossed above the crowds. He watched as Kun masterfully launched from a swinging platform into the arms of an awaiting partner. The people below gasped when the two flipped and grabbed onto the dangling swings. The crowd erupted in applause as they craned their necks upward. Suddenly, the mid-day sky exploded in a brilliant display of fireworks. Reds, blues, greens, and yellows flared overhead, dropping their smoldering trails on the grounds below. It wasn’t long before the excitement died out and the people stared at the movement on the wall. Kun and his team quickly vanished just as Karam stepped up to the edge and shouted out.
“You will all bow to me! I am the rightful sultan! And today I will destroy any last reminisce of the old kingdom! Today is our day for our new found glory! Let the executions begin!” The only noises were from the sword-bearing bandits’ uncontrolled cheers. “Let’s start with your precious city guards! Bring them out!” shouted Karam. The bandits continued their clatter.
Karam chuckled as he turned toward the towering poles. Natalia and the sultan both stared at the ground.
No guards appeared, though, as Karam glanced back at his men.
Aiken kept his focus on Kun, watching him hand out bags to his acrobats.
“Where are the guards?” shouted Karam, staring at his men closest to him.
Zeke shouted back. “I…I don’t know. They should have…” He was suddenly interrupted by yelling from below.
“Where are the guards?” he shouted again. Karam ran back to the wall’s edge just in time to witness guards charging on horseback into the crowds. The people quickly dispersed as the guards, led by Ghais, plunged their weapons into several awaiting bandits.
“We’re under attack!” shouted Zeke.
Karam raised one of his swords and yelled, “Kill them all!”
The bandits on the wall immediately fired their arrows onto the guards below. Several arrows found their marks, dropping the men to the ground. Aiken held his bow, ready, but couldn’t fire. The princess and the sultan were right above his barrel of black powder. He re-aimed, and released, striking one bandit through the chest. The man’s scream was cut short as he fell, backward, to the street. Aiken fired again, taking another out. Karam glanced across and pointed. “Take him out!” he screamed.
Aiken’s chest heaved as he crouched behind a low wall. The arrows zinged by, bouncing off the roof and adjoining wall.
Sam crouched behind the rugged man, eyes wide. “This isn’t good!” she exclaimed.
“Stay down!” yelled Aiken as he peered over the wall. He could see the guards fighting the dwindling number of bandits, with Ghais leading the charge.
“Kill them!” screamed Karam again. A flurry of movement came around the side of the palace as many bandits came running, shouting at the top of their voices! The acrobats were waiting and immediately attacked. They pulled out their small swords from the bags Kun had passed out, killing as many as they could. The commotion echoed on the street when the acrobats and guards joined forces. The bandits were outnumbered, at least two to one. Blood ran in the streets. Aiken, with bow drawn, watched from above. One guard thrust his sword into a bandit, and then an acrobat stabbed wildly at another. Suddenly, two of Karam’s men cornered a guard from behind. He didn’t have a chance. Aiken watched Kun slam his foot into a bandit on the ground, grab another bandit’s arm, and break it in two. He raised his blade, and thrust it through another. Ghais was on foot, swinging wildly, and slammed his sword into a bandit’s head. And then, Karam screamed again. “Send them all out!” Even more of his men poured into the street.
Aiken looked toward the palace, thinking about Elijah. Was he okay? he wondered. He felt worried about him, and hoped that he could make it through. He kept looking toward the door Karam used, hoping to see Elijah emerge, but only bandits kept coming out. It became clear that there were many more bandits than guards and acrobats as they filled the streets. Hundreds appeared. The slaughter was unending when he realized that most of the acrobats were dead. Kun continued to advance, jumping and ducking wildly. Ghais took several blows as three men advanced, forcing him to his knees. They stabbed repeatedly until the leader collapsed at their feet. An arrow shot through the air, striking through a bandit’s neck. He dropped in a lifeless heap. Aiken squinted and recognized Edward holding a taunt bow. Loud shouts drew Aiken’s attention toward an alley just as Darrel and his crusaders charged out, yelling wildly. Darrel swiftly sliced his razor sharp sword into a bandit. In moments, the crusaders’ superb fighting styles rendered the bandits practically useless.
Zeke shouted, “It’s the Crusaders!”
Karam stared, motionless.
Aiken watched as the crusaders dropped everyone in their path, slicing their way forward. They continued the push, forcing the bandits back into the safety of the palace. The crusaders cheered as their opponents disappeared. Still watching from above, Aiken saw Darrel slam his blade into a retreating bandit’s back as the cheering increased. Kun ran over to Darrel and helped him finish off the fallen man.
“You will all die!” screamed Karam from above.
Aiken glanced down from the roof as the fighting suddenly died down. His men stood, staring up toward the wall.
Karam screamed again. “Unleash the chimera!” The creaking hinges slowly turned under the weight of the heavy wood, exposing Voran and the chimera. Everyone tried to fall back and out of the way as the chimera roared and hissed at the same time. The beady eyes of its goat head rose into the air, wavering back and forth.
“What is that?” shouted Kun.
Aiken heard Darrel yell. “What! Impossible!” just as the two-headed beast charged at the small army. It leaped and pounced on its first target, a stunned crusader. It swiped with its big claws at his head, throwing him against the wall. It leaped at another, digging its fangs into his neck and tossing him, flailing, away. Aiken quickly took a shot, but missed. The creature moved with lightening speed. Kun grabbed a spear when
the ferocious beast closed in on him. Voran’s huge sword rose in the air, then struck a guard through the chest. The man’s entire body flew up, and then down with a resounding thud.
Darrel took aim at the chimera, but its claw shot out, dragging Darrel with it. He screamed in pain, holding his blood-soaked leg. Edward took aim and released, his arrow piercing the creatures back. The chimera turned and ripped through an acrobat’s shoulder with ease. Voran sliced another crusader across his chest. Nothing was stopping Voran and his beast. Aiken fired again, this time at Voran. His arrow met its target, piercing the man’s chest. Voran pulled out the arrow, and tossed it to the side! Kun moved in on the chimera, thrusting his spear into its ribcage. The beast turned and leaped, but Kun dove out of the way. The beast staggered for a moment and tried to reposition itself, but Kun again took aim. His spear sailed through the air, slamming into its broad shoulders. It screamed out in pain and raged toward Kun. Two crusaders started slicing at the creature’s legs, causing it to stumble and fall. But, it quickly reared up, and struck out. The man’s chest spewed blood as his armor fell from his downed body. Another arrow hit the chimera in its goat neck, causing it to hiss and roar wildly! Darrel charged toward the beast’s tail, but missed. He swung yet again, unsuccessfully. His third attempt hit home as the flailing tail flopped on the ground. The chimera roared and thrust out its hind legs. Darrel launched into the air, instantly sprawled on the rough stones. Voran, only feet away, turned, scowling. Aiken pulled back his bow, making a direct hit into the man’s shoulder, but Voran didn’t miss a step as he inched closer and closer to Darrel. Edward drew and landed his arrow into the man’s leg. Without flinching, Voran raised his sword. Aiken pulled back, one last time, sending his arrow into Voran’s stomach. But the man’s sword had already started to drop, forcefully, above Darrel’s back. It severed his armor and pierced his back. Crawling and screaming, Darrel writhed in pain. Voran’s mighty arms rose again. Edward took aim and fired, his arrow driving deep into the man’s chest. But Voran still didn’t slow down. His blade found its mark, severing Darrel’s back in two. Aiken yelled and released another volley, this time, hitting the man’s arm.
The roar of the chimera’s bloody body was met with another swipe of Kun’s blade, but that didn’t stop his flailing claws. Kun dodged and dove for a fallen spear. He readied his position and released the weapon with all his might. It sailed through the air, and shattered the lion’s skull in between the eyes. The chimera staggered, wobbling to stay upright. Three crusaders rushed over and hashed at the beast repeatedly! Its roar filled the air, beckoning Voran. The enraged man thrust his powerful weapon at Kun who immediately jumped out of the way. Voran’s blade embedded itself in the stones. Without warning, an acrobat sailed through the air and onto Voran’s back, stabbing him with his short blades. Voran grabbed the man’s leg from behind, and slammed him down onto the ground. He thrust his sword through him. Kun immediately took to the air and jammed his small dagger through Voran’s neck. Voran reached up and then stared at his blood-soaked hands and arms. He faltered as blood began pouring out of his mouth. Seconds later, his bloody heap lay sprawled beside the dead chimera.
Aiken lifted his gaze toward Karam just as a burst of sunlight flashed from his dagger. A second later, he turned and headed toward the princess!
Chapter 48
Karam lowered his head and peered at Natalia through narrowed eyes. His black hair flailed in the breeze as he made his way to the weeping princess. His two blades, caked red, hung across his back, swinging with each step. He tossed the curved dagger from hand to hand as he eyed the tear-stained woman crying out for help.
Karam screamed. “You! How did you do it! How dare you go behind my back! You would get crusaders to help you!? You witch!” he said as his hand slammed into her face. “I hate you! I hate you!”
Her scream could barely be heard. “Leave me alone! I didn’t do it. I promise!”
A feeble voice rose from beside her. “Leave her alone!” yelled the sultan.
Karam lunged sideways and backhanded the sultan. He sent his fist flying, directly into the overweight man’s stomach. “Be quiet, you fool! Where did you get the help? How did you conspire against me? How?” he ranted.
The sultan gasped. “You had us prisoners the entire time! There was no way we…,” he yelled.
But he was cut short by Karam’s flying backhand.
Karam’s eyes bulged. “You won’t tell me! So be it! What if …,” he said and then walked up to the princess and pressed his blade against her neck. “What if I kill her right now? What if I kill her in front of you?”
The sultan cried out. “No! Please don’t! Stop!”
“Why are you doing this? Why?” screamed Natalia crying even harder.
The crazed man reached over and backhanded her again. “Silence!” he screamed and brought his hand down again. “Silence, you witch! You did this! You ruined this day for me! This day, I was to be sultan! I hate you!” He grabbed her head and slammed it against the back of the pole.
Blood started oozing from her cheek as her tears ran freely.
Karam lifted his blade and circled it around her face. “I am going to enjoy cutting you piece by piece! You will suffer like you have never suffered before!” he screamed.
Natalia felt her life flash by. She tried to lift her head to look across the street at where Elijah and she used to meet, but darkness swept in. She could barely stand as the ropes cut into her arms.
Karam slammed her head on the back of the pole again, grinning wildly. He grabbed her hair and slammed it until her blood ran down the pole.
Her sobbing slowed. She felt a sharp pain shoot through her head as her mind started to go blank. Something caught her attention, but she couldn’t focus. Noises rose from a distance, voices, yelling, shouting. But her head hung still.
Karam screamed again. “Now, my sweet little princess. It’s time to die! He said, raising his blade high into the air.
Someone yelled out, “It’s Elijah!”
A split second later, Elijah swung his blade. Karam dropped his and tried to block the attack, but Elijah slammed against him and took him to the floor. Elijah flipped on top and began to pound Karam’s face without stopping. Hit after hit, slamming the man’s face back and forth against the hard surface. Karam shot his fists toward Elijah, knocking him to the side.
Natalia slowly lifted her head, squinting, barely able to make out the commotion at her feet, when suddenly, she tried to shout, “Elijah! Elijah!” Tears poured. Her heart swelled within her at the sight of her hero, her love, her everything. Elijah flew to his feet as Karam tried to slither away. He dove on top of him and started pounding Karam’s back and head. He grabbed at Karam’s head and forced it against the stone floor, over and over again. Karam’s elbow shot backward into Elijah’s face, forcing Elijah off to the side once again. Karam staggered to his feet, but Elijah effortlessly sprung up and back to Karam. Karam turned his bloody face, but Elijah was one step ahead and blasted him with all of his might. Karam’s face and head flew backward, causing him to spin around and stagger out of control. Karam wobbled back around and reached for his two blades. Elijah lifted his and waited while Karam raged across the short distance, swinging wildly. Elijah barely moved, deflecting every assault. Karam swung low, but collided with the floor. His other blade sliced toward Elijah’s midsection, but fell short. Elijah’s blade clashed with Karam’s, over and over, back and forth. Karam stood taller and then jumped into the air, with both blades spinning. Elijah stumbled, but quickly stabilized, slicing upward through the narrowing space. He connected and dislodged one of Karam’s blades. With both hands, single blade cutting wildly through the air, Karam advanced. The dodges and blocks continued until Karam lunged. Elijah twisted completely around, centering his elbow into Karam’s face. Blood flew everywhere, rendering Karam’s face unrecognizable. But he wouldn’t stop, for
cing Elijah left and right, step by step. All of a sudden, Karam took a step back and roared with laughter.
Natalia looked behind Elijah and spotted dozens of bandits, arrows cocked, and swords and spears ready. Zeke stepped out, snarling, sword raised. Elijah quickly followed Karam’s stare. He then turned back to face Karam.
Still laughing, Karam shouted, “You will pay for what you did to my face! You will die here with your whore!”
B
Aiken shouted, “Now!”
Sam slammed the flint stones against the rock, and the tip of the arrow burst into flames. Aiken took aim at the barrel down below the wall.
“Be with me, God!” he prayed as a resounding ‘twang’ filled the air.
B
Elijah felt his knees shake. He thought that he was falling, injured, until the wall erupted in an explosion. Several bandits immediately flew through the air, then down onto the street below. Elijah sprawled forward; Karam backward. Another explosion shook the structure, forcing more bandits to an early death. Elijah raised his head and made out Edward and his empty bow.
Fire in the Heart : The Princess and the Bandit (9781629020112) Page 29
