Blade Asunder Complete Series Box Set

by Jon Kiln

“I challenge you to the death, Ghaffar,” Hendon thundered. “Your days on this world are numbered!”

  Ghaffar almost chuckled. He had become quite familiar with the humans and this one, of them all, was the weakest and most naive. He would be easy to beat, even in combat.

  “Very well, Hendon, but when I kill you, I will be allowed to walk free, yes?” Ghaffar demanded his prize at the onset.

  “Do not concern yourself with such matters, Ghaffar,” Hendon replied. “You will not walk free from this. I will slay you down, and no one will mourn your passing.”

  “No, don’t let this happen,” Myriam cried out. “He will kill you, Hendon. He is far too crafty for your gentle nature.”

  Hendon put up his palm and held out his arm towards Myriam, indicating that he did not care to listen to her.

  “The deal is set,” Ghaffar laughed. “To the death it is then, human. Prepare to meet your maker.”

  50

  Perseus stood on the balcony of the Empress’ residence, her gruesome head in his hands as he surveyed the battle below him. The Akkedis were in retreat, but still they had fought fiercely. The streets of the city strewn with corpses and rivers of blood ran in the gutters.

  The Akkedis army was beaten, but they had given no ground without fighting. This was their city and they had been determined to fight until the very last one of them was left standing. They owed it to their families, they owed it to their Empress.

  Perseus had asked Ganry to climb up to the bell tower that rose above the royal residence, and on his signal to sound the bells. As they peeled out across the city, everyone paused and looked up. Perseus held out the head of the Akkedis Empress before him, her sightless eyes staring over her subjects.

  “Enough!” he cried out at the top of his voice. “Empress Gishja is dead. The battle is lost. Lay down your arms and you will be spared.”

  With that he threw her head down onto the street below. It hit the ground with a thud and bounced once, before rolling to the feet of the Akkedis soldiers.

  “All is lost,” the leader of the group wailed. “Our Empress is dead!”

  A murmur rose from the Akkedis soldiers as they stared at the head of their dead ruler. For a moment, Perseus was uncertain if his plan had worked. It seemed that the Akkedis soldiers would keep on fighting. But eventually, one by one, they threw down their arms and retreated from the battle. Soon, word had spread to other Akkedis soldiers in other parts of the city, and they too surrendered.

  The battle was over. A heavy price had been paid by both sides, but the city was now in Suggizon hands.

  ***

  The defeated army were massed in groups and kept in open spaces, guarded by a few soldiers. Now the Empress was dead, the Akkedis showed no signs of retaliation.

  Few Akkedis would mourn the death of Gishja. She had lived for over three hundred years, and two hundred of those as Empress. After murdering her father, she ruled with an iron fist. Some thought her a cruel leader, hard on her people, but they had thrived under her leadership. The gem mines had been in full productivity and the wealth they brought had made the underground city as beautiful as any in the world.

  Still, for most Akkedis it was a hard life, working the mines. Even the children, once old enough, would be made to dig for gems. For those who did not work the mines, every other Akkedis had a job to do, daily tasks to perform for the running of the city.

  Now the Akkedis had no Empress, they had no leader. Their army, although brave and fearless, were poorly trained. Gishja never cared for such things, believing they were safe from attack in their underground city. She had the army doubling up as guards at the mines, so most of the time they were out of the city. A poor judgment on this day, her last. Now her people were cowed and beaten, and feared for their own future.

  Perseus and the Suggizons had gained much from the Empress’ death, and the defeat of the Akkedis.

  Qutaybah, who had financed this expedition, had made a great return on his investment now that the gem mines were in his control. Another of his motivations was to see the Suggizon, a race he greatly admired, in a permanent home at last. Qutaybah felt this was only fair and just, as it had been Empress Gishja who had overseen the almost complete annihilation of the Suggizon race. Whilst he did feel some sympathy for the Akkedis, he believed they would be well cared for, even as slaves.

  ***

  Sampson stood at a distance as he watched a human on the bridge confronting what looked like a group of Akkedis females. He could not ignore the situation. He had heard how some of the humans were slaughtering the woman and children, so he had to act. He headed towards the bridge to intervene, but something tugged at his senses and caused him to pause. He sensed something he had not felt for a while. He could feel the presence of his brother.

  A strong pat on his back nearly knocked him over and he quickly spun around to confront his attacker.

  “Now then, dear brother, if I had been an Akkedis, you would be dead,” Perseus chided him.

  “Perseus!” he yelled with elation, even among all this death and destruction there was joy to be felt.

  They embraced, happy to hold the other in their arms.

  “It has been too long, Perseus,” Sampson said as he pulled away, reluctantly. It had been years since he had seen his younger sibling.

  “You have grown,” he said to his little brother.

  “And you, have shrunk, I’m sure,” Perseus joked back.

  “Well, that’s what comes of being a parent to three.” Sampson was keen to share the good news of his family.

  “I’m an uncle to three? Sampson, you have been busy procreating, I see.”

  Sampson noticed that Perseus was looking over at the events on the bridge.

  “You know him?” he asked.

  “I do, and we should not interfere. The humans have their own reasons for this battle, just as we do.” Perseus wondered at what Hendon was up to. He was the more reserved of the group and was the last one he expected to see confronting Ghaffar.

  “You know I cannot allow this human to kill an Akkedis female in front of our people,” Sampson tried to explain. “We need to learn compassion.”

  “That is not a female that he confronts. It is a cowardly Akkedis male, Ghaffar, who has been the cause of many troubles for the humans. The others with him on the bridge, are the human Queen Myriam and the Duchess D’Anjue. Whilst it seems out of character for Hendon to behave in this manner, there must be reasoning behind his actions. Please leave this to me, brother. The events may seem strange to you, but all shall be resolved in the end.”

  His brother nodded in agreement and Perseus headed for Linz, who had not gone on to the bridge.

  “Perseus, we got lost and found ourselves with your people instead of mine,” Linz said as he spotted the shape-shifters arrival.

  “Why does Hendon put himself in danger?” Perseus asked the young chief, knowing it would normally be Linz who did the fighting.

  “Hendon heard Myriam call out his name, and he saw Ghaffar strike her down. He told me, in no uncertain terms, that I was to stand down. I believe he has one of his tricks to play out.”

  “Tricks?” Perseus was confused, he knew nothing of such things.

  “He’s up to something, but I’m not sure what it is. I think he wants to play his part in this war and rid the world of Ghaffar. I’ll only interfere if he does something stupid,” Linz said, making no effort to go to the bridge.

  “As will I,” Perseus agreed, even though all his instincts urged him to go and assist the human Queen and Duchess as he had promised Qutaybah.

  Yet, something about Hendon, who stood on that bridge, told his senses that there was more to him than meets the eye. Despite his weakened appearance, he needed no assistance. He would watch and wait, as Linz had suggested, and only interfere if needed.

  51

  When Ganry found Parsival, they had just finished rounding up the surrendered Akkedis in that part of the city. He was also in a fier
ce argument with a lakelander.

  “No more. I will not let you slaughter surrendered troops, do you understand?” Parsival was almost shouting at the lakelander.

  The lakeman reluctantly shrugged his agreement, ordering his men to stand down.

  “We will do as you ask for now, Lord Parsival, but mark my words, if Chief Linz has died at their hands, we will not leave a single Akkedis alive in this city.”

  Ganry approached the lakeman speaker. “Your Chief lives my friend, or at least he did a few hours ago. I last saw him with Hendon, the forest dweller.”

  Ganry’s words brought great rejoicing from the lakelanders. They set off in search of their missing chief.

  “You give them good news, Ganry,” the young Lord said, relieved. “It has been difficult trying to contain their bloodlust. They are fierce fighters and spare no-one, not even the women and children.”

  “I left Myriam with a female Akkedis. She will be heartbroken if anything happens to her Akkedis friends,” Ganry said, more to himself than aloud.

  “You have news on Queen Myriam and the Duchess too, are they safe?” Parsival asked, hopeful.

  “They were, Lord Parsival, but I’ve not seen her for a few hours. She was hidden by an Akkedis female, but I don’t know where,” Ganry explained.

  The underground streets were deathly quiet, now that the fighting was finished.

  “Who’s leading the armies?” Ganry asked.

  Parsival advised Ganry on the chain of command for the attack. “Qutaybah and his mercenaries have been fighting together with the Suggizon leader, Sampson. I have been leading the Kingdom men, but the lakelanders are a force unto themselves and take no orders from anyone.”

  “Can you lead me to Qutaybah? I must see if Queen Myriam is with him.”

  Parsival nodded agreement and with a few chosen men, he escorted Ganry through the streets of the city. The dead Akkedis still lay where they had fallen, covered in fallen dust and sand.

  “They will need to start clearing the dead soon. Disease will spread like wild fire down here,” Ganry said to Parsival as he followed him through the mess. “We need to gather our troops and get out of here.”

  “I could not agree more,” the Lord replied, turning around to nod his head. “As soon as we get to the Suggizon, I’ll find Qutaybah and inform him that we’re retrieving our own troops. The sooner we are out of here the better. Humans are not meant to live underground, it is too stifling and constricting. Give me the open air and the wide fields of the Kingdom, any day.”

  They continued their journey in silence, maybe from respect of the scattered dead, or simply from exhaustion. As they entered a new area of the city, Parsival spotted one of the Suggizon soldiers.

  The Lord stopped Ganry where he stood, and approached the Suggizon soldier himself to find out where his leader was situated. Armed with the information, he called over to Ganry and they continued in their trek. They did not have far to go and soon came upon a whole group of Suggizon clustered in a crowd. It seemed they were stood watching something. Ganry and Parsival made their way through them, grateful that at least the fighting was over in this part of the city as well.

  It was soon obvious what was drawing in the crowd. Ganry looked over at a bridge and spotted Hendon, confronting what looked like Ghaffar. His protective nature willed him to rush over to the young man’s assistance, especially when he spotted Myriam and the Duchess at the other side of Ghaffar. Perseus appeared by his side, and stopped him.

  “This is Hendon’s call, leave him to it, Ganry, or at least give him a chance,” he pleaded.

  Ganry was unsure at first, but then he saw Linz, who was also only observing.

  “What is that light that comes from Hendon’s staff?” Ganry asked.

  “We don’t know yet, it happened only seconds ago,” Perseus shrugged. “I suspect Hendon is about to show us, so hold tight, for a short while anyway.”

  52

  Ghaffar circled Hendon with Harkan, Myriam’s dagger, held out in front of him. He thought the idiot boy only to be armed with a staff, and this was going to be easier than he thought. Ghaffar was confident that he could easily kill this young fool and be free of the city. He thrust his dagger towards Hendon, not really attempting to stab him, more to let him know that he meant business.

  He noted that a crowd was drawing close, and many had come to see what was happening. This made Ghaffar nervous. A deal had been made and freedom promised, but if the mob was to rule, who knew what might happen. Promises could easily be broken. Enough of this fooling around. Ghaffar decided now was the time to end this charade. With the dagger firmly gripped in his hand, he advanced on his opponent.

  ***

  Hendon was not really sure why he had challenged Ghaffar to a duel. Something inside his head had urged him to do so. Now that they were facing each other off, he was beginning to think this was a mistake. He was no fighter, he was a man of words, a man of reasoning.

  As Ghaffar circled him, Hendon kept a close eye on his opponent. The Akkedis made a few half hearted attempts to thrust the dagger in Hendon’s general direction, but he had so far easily avoided all his efforts. Now, Hendon saw a different look to Ghaffar’s features, a hard glint in his eye. This was it. He could see Ghaffar readying himself to strike, and Hendon had no idea what he was going to do.

  Suddenly, the staff began to vibrate in Hendon’s hand and a bright light burst from the tip of the shaft.

  The beam grew bigger and before everybody’s eyes, an image of a man appeared in the haze of light, a man dressed in long blue robes and carrying a staff of his own. Hendon, Myriam, Ganry and Linz instantly recognized it as Barnaby.

  “Ahh, Ghaffar, we meet at last,” the image spoke. “Shame this will be the first and the last time.”

  Barnaby pointed his own staff at Ghaffar and a bolt of blue lightening shot from the end, striking the Akkedis in the chest. The long blue glowing bolt flowed into Ghaffar, shaking him violently as the current coursed through his body. The convulsing body began to smoke, and a few seconds later, it burst into flames. Screaming in agony as he fell to the floor, the fire consumed him. Within moments, Ghaffar fell still and silent.

  The Akkedis traitor was dead.

  “There,” Barnaby said, turning to Hendon, “that should do it, that one always does the trick.”

  “Is he dead?” Hendon asked.

  “Oh yes, Ghaffar is no more,” Barnaby replied. “I must be off now. And so must you,” Barnaby turned to Myriam. “Your Kingdom needs you, Myriam, and you too, Duchess.”

  “Barnaby, you have helped us so much,” Myriam replied, still puzzled at the events. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to thank you in person,” she finished, as she walked towards him. “Can you not stay and help us rebuild the Kingdom?”

  “No, my time here is done now, but I will pass on much that I know to my apprentice, Hendon.” He smiled, looking over at the forest dweller.

  Barnaby’s image began to fade and flicker, as though he were a reflection on water.

  “Now then, where’s Ganry?” Barnaby asked, scanning the crowd of people gathered.

  Ganry heard his name and came forward, heading towards the bridge.

  “I’m here, old man!” he shouted over.

  “Ah, just want to tell you that you are quite right. There is no such thing as magic, not if you don't believe it!” Barnaby said, as if that should explain everything. “Oh dear,” he exclaimed. “It seems I’m fading fast.”

  Barnaby’s image wavered before their eyes and had almost faded from view.

  “Oh, one last thing, Hendon.”

  Hendon turned, wondering what pearls of wisdom Barnaby had for him before he left.

  “On your way back through the desert there is an oasis. There you will find a coconut tree I planted many years ago. It’s perfect for the hot and thirsty traveler, providing shade and refreshment. Please, don’t forget to visit it, and talk to it nicely. I do worry it will get rather lonely. I
wish I’d planted two now… Hmm now there’s an idea. I’ll send you some seeds, look under your pillow tonight, my boy.”

  With those strange words, his image began to fade, and soon he was gone.

  53

  Perseus led the group through the dark tunnels to the outside world.

  “I asked Perseus to show us the quickest way out,” Ganry explained to the party as they neared the exit. “At the moment the city isn’t safe. There are still a few pockets of resistance fighting, and with the risk of disease and the possibility of walls collapsing around us, I felt we’d be better out here.”

  At last, Ganry spotted light up ahead. The way out was only a few yards in front of them. They all quickened their pace, after so long below ground, they were eager to breathe fresh air and see the sunshine once again.

  Ganry was the first to step into the bright sunlight and breathe deeply. No one spoke, they simply enjoyed the cool breeze on their faces. Although the desert was a hot place to be, after the stifling heat down in the city, the air up here felt fresh and breathable.

  “Oh, Ganry, it was worth coming out just to feel the air on our skin,” Myriam laughed, opening up her arms wide as if to embrace the very elements. “This is glorious. I never thought we would see the sky or the sun ever again. Thank you, Perseus. We will never be able to repay our gratitude to you.”

  The Duchess was the last out of the cave, supported by Arriba. She was still weak after her trial of the last few months, but she was determined to see her homeland once again. She leaned on Arriba, who had stayed with her, nursing her to health. The Duchess thought she probably felt guilty at what her people had done to them, not that any blamed her personally, even though she was the one that bled them to feed her Empress.

  The immediate area following the tunnel was banked by high stone walls and natural rocks that hid the main entrance of the city. A city that was now to be rebuilt for a different race.