The Exile's Redemption (The Heart of a Tyrant Book 1)

by Reece Dinn

  Beroz rolled away, pushing himself up quickly, groaning from the pain. He allowed himself a swift burst of Brubah to momentarily ease his pain and allow the healing energy to relax him as he mustered the energy to attack again.

  The ludenez charged.

  Using Hakah to increase his strength he readied himself, turning his Raiz into tension and energy, pressure building up all over his body, his muscles burning. Bursting forward, he met its charge and they smashed together with back breaking force.

  The ludenez flew back, bouncing along the snow as it landed, rolling to a stop.

  Beroz grunted as he landed on his knees, his shoulder throbbing from the impact. The Raiz he'd just poured into his body was released and he drew it back, as if retracting in imaginary ropes he'd cast away with his thoughts.

  Seizing the opportunity he used Hakah again, groaning from the pain it caused, and rushed the ludenez.

  The ludenez flipped over and jumped up, snarling and spitting.

  Beroz stabbed at it. The ludenez ducked, the blade grazing the top of its shoulder, the sword point bouncing off a spine.

  It flung itself at him, spines stabbing into his chest and arms, knocking him down. It flailed around on top of him, scratching and cutting his flesh. Beroz kicked and punched as he struggled. It rolled off him, but attacked again before he could get back up.

  It bit his sword hand, large, crooked yellowed teeth clamping down, sinking in. He cried out and punched it in the head again and again with his other hand, using Hakah to power each blow. The ludenez released him, staggering back. His blood dripped from its disgusting teeth.

  His bitten hand throbbed, rendered useless. He switched sword hands and lashed out with Mutumuz, cutting deep into its flank, Hakah powering the attack. The ludenez howled, beating the sword away, purple blood dripping from the cut he'd made in its side.

  Beroz got to his feet, light headed now, wounds sapping his strength, He panted, his vision blurring.

  The ludenez's glowing eyes flared, making him shudder and hesitate.

  It bounded forward, frantically biting, clawing and slashing at him, He blocked desperately with Mutumuz, faltering under the sheer force of the ludenez's blows. The sword cut into the ludenez's legs each time he blocked, purpled blood spilling from the wounds he was inflicting, but the ludenez didn't weaken. It swiped at his head and he blocked, but was smashed down. The ludenez pounced, but he rolled away, leaving its face buried in the snow.

  Beroz used Hakah and sprang back to his feet. Before it could pull its head from the snow he dived onto its back, plunging Mutumuz into its back again and again, blood bursting out of the wounds in a thick mist. The ludenez howled, throwing Beroz off as it thrashed. He landed with a grunt, then scrambled away.

  The ludenez staggered and swayed. It hissed, the red light of its eyes flaring.

  Die. He ran at it, hacking and slashing. It went to beat Mutumuz away again but instead he cut off the leg. It screeched, hobbling away, snapping at him, trying to keep him back. He launched another fireball as the ludenez made to attack again. It struck and the ludenez screamed as it burst into flame. It didn't fall. Instead the ludenez's eyes flared once more and it charged, screaming as it burned.

  'Nukuk,' Beroz cried, trying to scurry away but only digging himself into the snow. He thrust his bitten hand out. Lightning. With an almighty crack a bolt of lightning shot from his hand and blasted the ludenez in the face. Its neck snapped back and it collapsed. The ludenez growled, struggling to rise again, its body crackling and smoking from the flames. Beroz screamed and, with the aid of Hakah, sprung to his feet and dived at the ludenez. He stabbed down into its forehead, the blade sinking in deep. It snapped at him, but couldn't reach. Blood oozed from the wound and the ludenez wobbled, croaked, then crashed back down, bringing Beroz to his knees. He flung himself back as his furs caught fire and rolled around on the snow to extinguish them.

  He pushed himself up, preparing to defend himself from the ludenez's next attack but its eyes had lost their glow. The ludenez had fallen still, Mutumuz buried in its head, thick smoke billowing from its blackened, blazing body.

  Beroz fell back, exhaustion and pain overwhelming him. That's six ludenez I kill.

  He felt the faint tug of his used Raiz on his mind and drew it back into himself before it vanished. He lost consciousness soon after.

  A loud screech roused him. Two ankaroc flew overhead, much lower this time. He could almost see each hair of their brown and white fur. So hungry.

  The ludenez still burned beside him, its body blackened and crisp.

  The ankaroc came back around.

  'Lobkak, not need fight you too,' he growled, trying to move but couldn't. Overusing Hakah had left his weak, hungry body unable to move. The wounds in his arms and chest were tight and painful, only adding to his helplessness.

  The ankaroc screeched as they swooped down.

  He focused his Raiz, his head swimming from the effort, and he created lightning, sparks shooting across his face. His vision blurred a moment but he fired anyway, hoping to at least scare them off.

  The lightning struck one of the creature's wings. It screeched, tumbling through the air as it fell. The ankaroc crashed to the ground nearby, kicking up a wave of snow. Its companion twisted in the air and flew away.

  Beroz nearly missed drawing back his Raiz, the tug barely noticeable. He lost consciousness again.

  The ankaroc lay in a crumpled heap of white and brown fur, its long neck snapped like the stalk of a plant, white eyes vacant and lifeless, long white, pointed face cracked and bleeding. Hope Enemy doesn't come claim it. He was done for if he had to fight another ludenez. There didn't appear to be any sign of the Enemy, thankfully.

  The sky had changed, it was getting brighter instead of darker. Sleep through night? To his relief nothing had come to eat either him or his meal. Unfortunately, he still couldn't move. He could only stare at his fallen prey, hunger driving him mad.

  Sehseh appeared later on. No doubt the pack that had attempted to attack him previously. They had little interest in Beroz now though. The downed ankaroc was much more appealing.

  He lay there and watched them tear the carcass to shreds, covering themselves in its blood as they devoured all the juicy meat from its bones. It was almost dark by the time they'd finished.

  One came at him and he growled, trying to be as intimidating as he could lying there as stiff as a corpse. It was enough, the sehseh scampered away.

  They left soon after they'd finished, leaving Beroz alone, hungry, jealous and angry.

  He didn't sleep that night, choosing instead to spend the evening using Brubah to try and heal his wounds, but the cycle of using and drawing back his Raiz over and over again became too much for him. None of his wounds were too severe, to his relief, but they were many. By morning his mind was so tired that he could no longer fight off sleep.

  When he woke it was evening again.

  He groaned, finally able to pick himself up, only to fall back down to his knees. Still weak. Not go far like this. No chance I beat the Lial. Perhaps the fight with the ludenez was proof that he wasn't ready, but he had killed six of them, an impressive feat for a Sehnal, and he'd fought against many more.

  He dragged himself out of the open and hid behind a rock, resting against it. The hunger was unbearable. Every movement an agony. By dark Brubah was the only thing keeping him awake. He had to heal his body. Had to get out of the mountains. With considerable effort he picked himself up, and gathered his scattered belongings. His sleeping fur stank of sehseh piss, and he was half tempted to just leave it, but he'd no idea how far he had to go. Pulling Mutumuz out of the ludenez's charred remains he set off again, one painful step at a time.

  Heavy snow fell as he climbed down the mountainside, the snow so thick that it was difficult to see. A biting wind chilled him further as it howled fiercely. His Sehnal braid whipped his face, the rest of his bald head freezing from the specks of snow sticking to it.


  He climbed down quickly, slipping on sharp icy rocks, gaining many little cuts on his fingers and palms. He dropped onto a ledge overlooking the whole mountain range, or so he presumed, a thick layer of cloud obscured his view.

  His readiness to face the Lial had remained undecided. Think I die before I decide.

  The cold falling snow and the sharp bite of the wind sapped his strength. He rested against the mountainside, hoping the storm would pass. How stupid I am. Get caught on mountainside when a storm hits. He sat down, brushing snow off himself.

  One victory over the Lial was all he needed to achieve. He'd fought and won duels before. The Lial had fought many duels too, against tougher opponents than him, and he'd never lost. He'd passed the Trial of Lial, defeating the four Ro-Lial. Fighting him would be like nothing Beroz'd ever done before.

  I kill six ludenez. Were the ludenez more dangerous, stronger, scarier, than challenging a Lial?

  Yes, Lial kill many ludenez. Most Lial were old men, past their prime, but Lial Seboraz had lost none of his power, or he hadn't the last time he'd seen him.

  Many thing can change in three years. I change.

  He opened his eyes, the decision made. I go back. Cubsoz done. I ready.

  Using Nipah to warm himself he stretched his stiff, cold muscles. The snow hissed and steamed as it melted from him, dripping from his furs, the snow around him turning to slush. He breathed in the cold air, satisfied, eager now to fight.

  The storm bombarded the mountainside, pelting him with even thicker snow.

  Beroz grumbled as he stood up, keeping his back to the wind, stopping Nipah. Glancing over the ledge all he could see was white. Kak.

  He checked Mutumuz was still fastened to his furs. The strong wind blew in his face, snow flicking into his eyes. The way down was lost in the blizzard, he couldn't see any handholds to use. His bitten hand still throbbed, but Brubah had healed it enough to use.

  Grunting, he lowered himself over the edge of the ledge, feeling around with his feet. There was nothing there. Other side? He lifted himself back up, the effort it took greater than it should have been for his tired and cold body, and then lowered himself over the other side.

  A handhold.

  Reaching down, he gripped it, planted his feet into the mountainside, and let go of the ledge, panicking for a moment. When he felt safe he reached down to find the next one. The snow and wind was sapping his already depleted strength quickly however and his hand slipped off the rock. He flailed around in a momentary panic until his hand firmly gripped the handhold he'd reached for and he found purchase once more. How think this good idea?

  A flicker of light startled him and he almost lost his grip. He glanced down at the spot where the light had been.

  Nothing.

  His hands slipped off the rocks, and he plummeted down the mountainside, knees and torso scraping against the sharp rock. He flailed about, desperately trying to grab hold of anything. One hand hit a rock, stopping his descent with a jerk that almost dislocated his shoulder. He planted his feet firmly into the mountainside, breathing a sigh of relief. He used Brubah quickly to ease the pain from fresh cuts.

  Another flicker of light and a shadow passed through the snow cloud. Ignore them. Just seeing things.

  He carried climbing down, his fingers aching, despite the Brubah. He spat, but the phlegm blew back into his eye.

  'Nukuk,' he growled, though his voice was lost in the wind.

  Thunder rumbled and purple light gleamed through the cloud to his left.

  No. Not good. Not good.

  The light brightened, illuminating the entire cloud.

  Climb fast. He quickened his pace, not checking what he was grabbing hold of.

  A mass of purple mist passed through the snow cloud above him, unaffected by the wind. Lightning crackled and danced inside, a bright light shone in its middle. It dropped down toward him.

  The Enemy. 'Kak,' cried Beroz, climbing down even faster. How it find me?

  A long arm of mist stretched from out of the Enemy, weaving towards him. Its heat bathed the top of Beroz's head and he sprang to the right in a panic, scrabbling for a handhold. The arm shot towards him.

  Instinctively he swatted at it with his uninjured hand, but was shocked when he hit something hard. It burned. Beroz growled, struggling to pull free. His arm jerked, pain shooting through his body. His Raiz strained, Brubah stopping. His body felt strange, something was spreading through it, attacking him from the inside. His innards heated up.

  Panic overwhelmed him. He glanced down into the swirling cloud below. No choice.

  He threw himself from the mountainside.

  The arm of mist released him and he fell through the snow cloud.

  Purple light flickered up above him.

  Not go back. Not finish Cubsoz. Not fight Lial. Die out here. Enemy claim me. Hope body brake apart when hit ground. Not want to be a ludenez.

  He landed on a snow drift, his teeth chattering together from the impact. Pain shot up and down his back and legs.

  The Enemy's light had vanished.

  It work. I still alive. To his relief, the thick snow had lessened the impact. He'd no idea how far he'd fallen, but it couldn't have been far. Back not break.

  Brubah quickly eased the pain. To his relief he'd lost no Raiz, but it was different now. Though he couldn't say how. The shooting pain in his body had gone, his innards no longer ablaze. What happen? It try to claim me?

  He rolled over. There was still nothing but thick cloud around him. The ledge he'd landed on was no bigger than he was. He was lucky.

  The Enemy didn't reappear. Too close. Stupid. Stupid. There was still a long way to go down from the ledge.

  Die.

  The word passed through his mind like a whisper, sending a chill down his throbbing spine.

  Die.

  What? His heart pounded in his chest. There was nothing around him. A cold tear ran down his cheek and he wiped it away, grimacing. It was then that he noticed a large purple mark on his hand where the Enemy had touched him. It resembled a burn only it glowed slightly in the light. It was smooth to the touch and when he pulled his finger away it burned with pain.

  Deal with later.

  Strengthening Brubah, he picked himself up and lowered himself over the edge, continuing his long climb down, fearfully glancing around for signs of the Enemy reappearing.

  Die.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  Melonaz spent three days and two nights in the pit with little food or water. By the time the Lial came to pull him out he was weak, having lost weight, and reeked of his own kak. He could feel his ribs when he ran his hands over his chest. He was cold, the end of his nose felt like it would snap off if touched.

  Without a word the Lial dragged him to the river to clean himself and wash his furs. The Lial watched as he did, his hard eyes more chilling than the river. Melonaz wanted to use Brubah, but he knew that would only enrage the Lial further. Shivering, he climbed out of the river, feeling a flush of embarrassment at his shrivelled cock. He dried himself with a small fur that the Lial handed him. Then the Lial made him walk home through the village naked, carrying his wet furs.

  Melonaz's Mal didn't say a word to him when he stepped into the furaz. She eyed him from her position, hunched over the cooking pot, then handed him a bowl of steaming stew. Both his Sal lay asleep by the fire. He sat with the bowl of stew in his hands, enjoying its warmth. His Mal draped a fur over his shoulders as he devoured it in a couple of mouthfuls, then held his bowl out for seconds. His Mal smacked it out of his hand and told him to hang up the wet furs he'd dumped by the entrance.

  In the morning his Sal woke him and welcomed him back with a big hug. Melonaz's time in the pit had allowed him to finish carving the bupbup for Aeolnaz. She jumped on him when he handed it to her, smothering him with kisses. She took it outside, saying she was going to play with her new 'friend'. Diamoz followed her out, to watch over her.

  Melonaz spent the day res
ting, eating morsels of food in between long periods of sleep.

  The Lial allowed Melonaz to return to training a day later, to his Mal's disapproval. Eager to get his strength and weight back he ignored his Mal's protests. When it came to sparring he was matched up with one of the younger Sehnal, and for once he was thankful for it. The boy was small but he wielded a blunt axe. Good. Axes are easy to beat. Melonaz readied himself to dodge around the swing and strike him under the arm.

  'Begin,' shouted the Lial.

  The boy charged but, to Melonaz's surprise, he ducked and swung low. The axe smacked him in the backs of his legs, bringing him down to his knees with a grunt. Melonaz lashed out with his sword, but the boy danced around it and brought the axe down on his head. He was barely able to get his sword up in time to block, the force of the blow sending shooting pains up and down his sword arm. The boy brought the axe down again. Melonaz blocked, but this time his sword splintered and was smacked out of his hands. He rolled away before the boy could smash his head in with the blunt axe.

  The boy kicked Melonaz's sword to him, spinning the axe in his hands, seemingly enjoying humiliating him.

  He couldn't hide his embarrassment as he stooped to pick up his sword.

  Determined to prove he wasn't weak Melonaz attacked, striking at the boy's arms, chest and head. The boy struggled to dodge, Melonaz may have lacked his usual strength but he still had his speed.

  The boy darted back as Melonaz swung and slammed the butt of his axe into Melonaz's forehead. He cried out, staggering back, bringing his free hand up to cover his face. A sharp blow to the stomach doubled him over and he fell down to his knees again.

  Laughter erupted around him.

  Melonaz threw his sword down, the sound of their laughter enraging him. He caught sight of the Lial on the other side of the training ground, stood watching with his arms folded, unamused.