Other Books by S. L. Kassidy
Please Baby
Scarred Series
Scarred for Life - Book 1
New Cuts, Old Wounds – Book 2
Bandages – Book 3
First Degree Burns - Book 4
Learning to Walk Again – Book 5
Warrior Class - Sky Cutter
by S.L. Kassidy
copyright© 2018 S.L. Kassidy
ISBN-(book): 9781942976813
ISBN-(epub): 9781942976820
ISBN (pdf): 9781942976837
This is a work of fiction - names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business, events or locales is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Desert Palm Press
1961 Main St, Suite 220
Watsonville, CA 95076
Editor: Glenda Poulter
Cover Design: Jamani Hawkins-El
Blurb
In the world of Prime, the Roshan Empire has spread from the East, conquering all before them. Led by one of the Empire’s deadliest warriors, Queen Ashni, the Roshan are now set to take the West, starting with King Dorian’s city-state. King Dorian needs time to mount a proper defense against the mighty army. How does he get the time? He sends them his daughter, Princess Nakia, as a goodwill hostage. Princess Nakia has to learn to survive among people she has heard are barbarians.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my family, who support my writing long before I thought it was worth anything, and to my friends, who helped me believe in myself and allowed themselves to be conscripted into betareading stories, whether they wanted to or not. Thank you all.
Warrior Class
The Sky Cutter
In the world of Prism, during antiquity, a small tribe in the Far East exploded onto the world stage, becoming a mighty empire.
Chapter One
THE AIR SMELLED AND tasted different. There was a sweet quality to it that lingered on the tongue. It made Ashni Akshay’s blood rush, but then again, lately everything made her blood rush. On the ship across the sea, she could hear her blood over the roar of the water and the odor of destiny had drowned out even the salty smell of the ocean. Now, it was worse. It engulfed her and could drown her if she wasn’t careful.
She was hyperaware of the differences around her since leaving for the West. The air seemed calm compared to the sea, and especially compared to home, even her great city of Khenshu. In Khenshu, the air felt as if it could breathe itself and smother those who opposed it. But, this air caressed her, begged her for attention, and she would give it her all. She could feel the buzz around her, threatening to make her hair stand on end. Every nerve in her body popped. Her very essence wanted to interact with the West.
Ashni dug her boot-clad feet into the rich earth and inhaled deeply. Here she was on ground her father had never seen, planning to consume it all, and create something so much greater. He might have dreamed, but she would do. She turned her eyes to the sky. The sky was hers, vast and infinite. She could bend the sky to her will, so she would bend all things to her will.
“Stay with me, Father. It will all be ours.”
The cry of an eagle caught her attention and Ashni immediately sought it out. A brief breeze caused her teal cloak to flutter behind her. She nodded. That was enough of an answer for her. This would all be hers by the grace of her father, the son of the Great Eagle, the king of the gods, Khurshid.
She turned her attention to the land in front of her. From the hilltop, she could see the small, confined meadow, choked by trees on three sides. It was not the ideal place for a battle, but she and her forces would make do. They had fought in worse places and come out victorious. The memories put a smile on her face.
Their ships pulled up to shore, bringing her and her army to this unknown territory, they were prepared for battle, but they had been disappointed. Villages on the coast surrendered to their numbers, and the first group that opposed them had been broken minutes after the fighting commenced. Her warriors were starving for true combat.
“Are you sure you want to have this battle here?” Adira asked, coming to stand beside Ashni. A small frown marred Adira’s dark features as her sharp eye stared below them. “The sun will be in their eyes and the space is too open, but closed off by forest. We’re already outnumbered according to the scouts. Our archers and spearmen are out of range and wouldn’t be able to use their weapons until the enemy is already mixing with our soldiers.”
“I want them to think they have the upper hand here. Are you worried?” A teasing smirk tugged at Ashni’s face as she side-eyed Adira.
Adira snorted, throwing her head to the side a little. She looked down at Ashni with her good eye, dark mahogany trying to cut into Ashni. The other eye barely opened with an angry scar cutting through it, going from Adira’s forehead to halfway down her cheek. Adira waved the whole matter off with a flick of her wrist.
“I worry more about being home late. I stopped being worried when Amir Khalid saw fit to let me ride with him.”
Ashni’s smirk became a proud grin as she tilted her head to the clear sky. “Then what’s the problem? Not ready to see him yet?”
Adira folded her arms across her chest, covering the lion emblem on her breastplate. “Can you be serious for a moment? You know I hate having battles where the enemy actually wants the battle, especially barbarians.”
Ashni sniffed, rolling her eyes. “But, this is where I want the battle. They only think they want it here.”
Adira didn’t argue. She stared off in the distance and pressed her palms together. With her hands at her mouth, she took several deep breaths. Ashni waited, taking in miles of green grass, flanked by lush trees. If Adira truly didn’t approve of having the battle here and had valid reasons, they’d have to come up with something else quick. It wouldn’t be the first time. It won’t be the last time either, despite Adira’s nervousness.
“You put the princess and her shadows in those woods over there?” Adira pointed to thick brush to the side of the battlefield.
Ashni rolled her eyes again. Is she serious? Of course, she knew the answer to that. Adira was being a worrywart. By Khurshid’s great wings, it’s a good thing I don’t have to pay her for worrying.
“You were there. You watched her leave. You’re the most cautious person I’ve ever met,” Ashni said.
Adira nodded. “One of us has to be. If it were up to you and the princess…” Her words trailed off as her upper lip curled into a sneer.
Ashni shook her head. She snatched Adira’s helmet from under her arm. She put the golden helm on Adira’s head, its proud white feathers standing at attention on top. Ashni knocked on Adira’s temple, barely missing the ivory eagle wings on the side of the helmet. Adira looked her in the eye and Ashni beamed.
“We’re here, Adira. We’re here!” Ashni pounded both fists against Adira’s chest. She felt the sky pulse with her as her nerves danced with anticipation. The very air moved with her, ready for action.
“I know, which is why we need to be careful. We can’t rush in and throw it all away,” Adira said.
“I’d never.”
“There are tens of thousands of men beyond those trees, ready to stop us. Ready to keep us from our destiny.”
“I kn
ow, but they won’t. Now, bring me what I want, Adira. Show me what you’re made of, General.” Ashni placed her hands on Adira’s wide shoulders, clutching the edges of Adira’s flowing, sky blue cape.
“I think it’s time you show us what you’re made of,” Adira said.
Ashni chortled, her golden eyes sparkling with excitement. “You’re right. Let’s go rally the troops. We need to stay on schedule or Princess will rush out too soon and ruin the whole thing.”
Adira scoffed. “You mean you’ll rush out after her and ruin the whole thing.”
Ashni waved the matter off, even though that was partially true. She had done it before. Still, the troops needed to be rallied and she needed to get moving before she lost one of her more valuable soldiers. She marched off to her horse.
Midnight Thunder was ready for war and had been since she managed to shove him on a ship. Her favorite horse had paced the entire voyage and continued when they made it to land. He stared down the first people they encountered and they cowered before him, undoubtedly never seeing a beast like him. His eyes burned crimson with destructive desire. She’d give him this battle. As soon as she was on his massive, muscular back, they were both ready for destiny.
“Prepare the bull,” Ashni ordered before riding off toward the front lines. Even if Khurshid and her father were with them, she would pay the gods their proper respect.
Adira frowned. “Prepare the bull? There are slaves for that, you know,” she called after the queen.
Ashni’s response was to throw her middle finger in the air, a gesture she picked up from the Westerners meaning 'fuck you.' She didn’t care if Adira, or anyone else, felt they had to do a job that wasn’t theirs. There was a battle to win, after all.
Ashni smiled to herself as Midnight Thunder trotted to the front lines. Her troops were starved. They didn’t need her to rally them, but they expected it and she wouldn’t let them down. Not when they were so close, not when she could virtually taste success. Everyone was clad in their best armor and their helmets glinted in the dazzling sun. They were bathed in the heavens’ blessing. It was a good day.
“Troops, today we make history. We are about to do something that even my father, the great god and the Son of the Fire Eagle, couldn’t do. We are the first of the Roshan to touch these shores, the first Roshan to breathe the West’s air, but we will not be the last. My father desired to have the entire world under the Roshan and we are the ones who will make his dreams come true. Are you with me?” Ashni roared.
Weapons, shields, and helmets were thrust in the air. The cheers reached the Sun itself. She knew her soldiers were as hungry as she was. Still, the sound sent a tingle up her spine. Ashni beamed and turned just as slaves brought a large, black bull to her. She slid off Midnight Thunder and circled the bull three times, murmuring a prayer as she went. Rubbing her palms together, she clapped and threw her hands up. Thunder clapped and echoed through the air. She took a knife from a slave and slit the bull’s throat in one swift motion, the blood splashing into the dirt. The bull didn’t make a sound and slaves caught it before it hit the ground. The gods were definitely with them.
“If victory be ours, then the great God Khurshid will share this bounty with us,” Ashni said.
Her troops hollered and raised their weapons again. A grin slowly spread across Ashni’s face as she looked at Adira. Her best general smiled back. The army’s energy hummed through the air, ready for anything. The world was theirs.
“Into position, General,” Ashni called, just to be annoying. It didn’t need to be said and Adira would be offended if she dared to mention it.
Adira sucked her teeth. “I know. If anything, you need to get into position.” She rode off.
Ashni mounted her horse once more and put her helmet on, making sure the golden eagle head faced forward. White feathers with golden tips rose off the helmet. She rode down the lines to make sure everyone was in place. She stopped in front of the best pieces of weaponry she had for this mission—the catapults. They were new and begged for use. She took in the sight briefly before moving to the side of the weapons.
“Ready!” Ashni put up a hand. She looked out across the field where their enemies thought they were safe, thought her archers couldn’t reach. They were in for a surprise. “Fire!”
The sound of thick ropes letting lose their strain snapped through the air. Spears flew like the promise of a hundred prayers toward her foes, whistling through the sky, her sky. Her insides trilled as she watched the missiles land within the ranks of her enemies, taking from them their precious high ground and cover. The heavy bolts splintered surrounding trees, tearing off large bits, causing chaos and opening up a line of sight to the opposing army. Birds screeched and shot up from the woods, briefly blocking out the sun as they fled.
As expected, the enemy moved toward them like charging bulls. Little did they know they were running toward the waiting jaws of lions. Ashni put her hand up again, signaling for archers to prepare to fire. She waited for the exact range and then dropped her hand.
“Fire!”
The twang of bowstrings fluttered over their enemies’ battle cries. Blazing arrows shot over her head and rained down on her foes. Ashni watched the enemy throw up their circular shields and continue to creep closer through the shower of arrows.
A crooked smile curled onto Ashni’s face. “Now, to bring the thunder with this storm.”
Clicking her tongue, Ashni drove Midnight Thunder to the cavalry ranks. The smell of smoke, blood, and mud already flooded the area, but it was too soon to move. Once the enemy was near enough and had lost a sufficient amount of men to her bolts, arrows, and javelins, it would be time to engage. Her blood seethed, and her muscles quivered. She was certain every hair on her body stood on end. She took one glance at the sky.
“Father, protect Princess since I’m too far to save her from herself and we both know Naren can barely keep up with her,” Ashni prayed, and then she turned to her troops. She drew her right sword, The Golden Feather, from her back. The single-edged, curved blade glinted in the light, earning its name.
“Charge!” she screamed at the top of her lungs, pointed her sword forward, and urged Midnight Thunder on.
The sound of her troops behind her, their horses’ hooves beating against the ground ran up and down Ashni’s spine, delighting her more than a fine wine could. They sounded like thunder, her thunder. Her dream and the dreams of thousands burned in her soul. The dream of her father. It’s mine.
Ashni couldn’t contain herself. She felt like she’d come out of her skin. Standing on the back of her horse and pushing off of her saddle, she dived into the fray with a mighty roar, needing to be part of the battle as soon as possible. She landed with the grace all of her troops expected of her. Her impact was like a tiny explosion, pushing up dust and rocks, blowing back grass, and covering her in smoke.
Any enemy near her jumped back, not sure what happened. Her opponents lucked out, moving just out of the reach of The Golden Feather. Ashni wasted no time unsheathing her other sword, The Ivory Claw, from her back and holding both blades, ready for war.
“It’s the devils’ leader!”
“It’s Death’s Daughter!”
Ashni chuckled darkly. “Is that what you’re calling me? Let me tell you gents something.” Thunder clapped overhead. “I’m the daughter of the Golden One and the Chosen. I cut the skies. Fear me!” Lightning blazed out of the sky and she thrust her swords up.
The lightning hit the tips of her blades and she could hear the gasps as the blue-white energy enveloped her. With a howling battle cry, Ashni flung her arms out and the ground around her exploded, tossing her enemies out of the way.
“I am the Chosen One and Daughter of the Heavens themselves,” Ashni declared before charging into the crowd. Her swords sang through the air as she cut down her opponents, chopping through soldiers—armor, shields, and all. They barely had time to make a sound.
Foes came at her from all directi
ons and she worked her blades against them, through them. Twisting, twirling, and grunting as she put down anyone who stood before her. Blood splattered her face, the odor making her more determined. Each scream fueled her, pumping through her, driving her to devour other souls. When they fell, she turned to more. Roaring as she caught sight of people to annihilate, she felt her whole body vibrate.
More men charged her and Ashni cut them down with ease. Both swords slid through bodies, gore dripping down the hilts, but never interfering with her grip thanks to wraps on her hands and on the swords. As she fought through waves of men, she was aware of her own cavalry tearing through the lines. She could hear their cries and grunts as they engaged. The cling of swords clashing ripped through her ears. Dirt flew in her face, yet she moved forward. She could only move forward.
Eventually, she was lost in a sea of her enemies, surrounded by straight blades, and slicing her way through foot soldiers, her dark armor almost totally swallowed by their beige breastplates. For a moment, she allowed herself a glance toward the deep foliage encapsulating the battlefield.
“Princess, wait for the right moment,” Ashni muttered.
If Layla noticed how deep she was in the enemy lines, she would join the battle prematurely and ruin the whole plan. While Layla was an amazing warrior, there were times when she didn’t use the best judgment and could wreck lots of hard work. Thankfully, there was no movement in the woods.
Turning her attention back to her opponents, Ashni snarled, cutting through men once more. The ground beneath her was slick, but she kept her footing. More foes pushed against her and she forced them back. Her muscles burned, which she ignored.
She took a quick glance around, checking on her soldiers. They were being engulfed, the enemy closing in, ready to consume them. Soon, it would be too late, soon their dreams would die with them, but her army pressed on, trusting in her, trusting in their ability. Was this too much? Are there too many? Her heart pounded in her chest as wave after wave of Westerners clashed with her warriors, pushing her people back. And then Princess charged in.
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