LW Browning - Krystile Warriors 01 - Warlord's Honor

by LW Browning

  Claire wondered what Koda would do to her if he had her. It no longer mattered. Her life was about to end. She read Robare. Koda did not confide in her. He knew she had no information Robare wanted, but Robare did not know that. She saw it then, Robare's trap. He thought she knew something about the Krystiles when, in fact, she knew nothing. Koda might think she betrayed him.

  Now she faced her death. She was doomed the moment Calks sold her to the big barbarian. After all these years of playing by the rules, doing a good job, surviving, she was surprised to find that she preferred death to betraying Koda. She understood with the clarity that only imminent death provides. Claire loved Koda and she was ready to die for him. She loved a barbarian who saw her as an asset, never as someone to love. She had been foolish to trust him. Foolish to believe he wanted her the way she wanted him.

  Koda had been her protector and her savior when all others wanted to destroy her. Even though his reasons were mercenary and he did not love her. As a tribute to her love for him, she would be loyal to him.

  Robare droned on. He told Claire horrible things, making sure she understood Koda and his people were prepared to punish her before they killed her. She recalled all the times Koda told her he wanted obedience from her. When someone is saving your life, are they entitled to have your obedience or does it depend on why they are saving your life?

  The penalty for betrayal was a public flogging followed by a bloody death, Robare assured her. He was insane, but Claire remembered the scars on Var's back made from one of those long whips the warlords carried. She remembered all too well the whip Koda used on Ramil and those who had attacked her.

  Claire trusted her own heart. She tried to shield her mind from Robare, but he was persistent. Robare launched in on a detailed list of punishments Koda's people practiced. The things done to those who betrayed them were too awful for Claire to contemplate. She knew Koda dealt out punishment. A shudder went through her when she remembered Ramil and his companions.

  Robare's unbalanced recitations, combined with the drugs they had given her and the fact that Koda had sent her away, eventually convinced Claire that she was not welcome back in Koda's life. She loved him, but she accepted that if she ever saw him again, he was honor-bound to kill her and that her death would probably be a horrific one. She had never been trusted by anyone. Claire had always been careful to give the appearance of a person who would never dream of breaking the rules, but she had always lived with the distrust of the normals around her. Koda’s distrust of her hurt her heart.

  She kept the treasure of her love for Koda within her heart. At least she had loved. She was fortunate to have had that chance. Her soul screamed out for more. More time, more love. She tried to quiet it, but that was not an easy thing to do. It was time to think of her death now. She had little time left.

  When Robare left Claire's cell, he was smiling to himself. Physical discomfort and pain were not enough. He wanted her to suffer mental anguish. He wanted to hurt the empath in her soul, if they even had souls. He did not care. Any animal was able to suffer. That was something Robare had enjoyed all his life. His position as an MX Handler was finally working to his advantage. He was given rank in the STS because he had worked with at the MX Facility for a short time. He looked forward to torturing the empaths before they were ended. Killing was so much more fulfilling if the creature knew its death was imminent. He took special joy in making his victims yearn for the end. Robare smiled as he anticipated the delicious misery and suffering he had planned for Claire. He wanted to see desolation and utter defeat in her eyes while she begged him to end it, to end her.

  ***

  "We require your assistance," Koda told Destiny. "We are going into the arena. Claire is there. I would have you help us."

  "Of course," Destiny replied.

  "That must be their standard answer," Revi told Lodi.

  "I would know if she speaks to you with her mind or if you feel anything from her," Koda continued.

  "Of course," Destiny said again.

  "I would know what you know of this arena and how you came to know it," Koda said.

  Destiny shuddered. "I overheard the STS guards talking and I received from them. Three of them had first-hand knowledge. The Conglomerate pays the STS to dispose of – us. They sell seats to the wealthy in an arena. It is very lucrative sport for them. The MX are drugged to enhance the spectacle. While the audience watches, the MX is tortured and then killed. The benefit to the audience is that when we are in the throes of pain from the torture and fear of our impending death, we can lose control of our shields and blast our emotions to those who are within range. The spectators hope to experience the fear, pain and death. Only the very wealthy can afford it."

  "The very wealthy and the very sick," Vix noted.

  "Do you have any details that might help us?" Var asked Destiny.

  "The MX is flogged or tortured in some way to make her bloody. Then wild animals are loosed to r-rip her apart. What I received from the STS who were present was that the MX was untied so that she ran from the animals. The crowd enjoys the blood and the – chase. They like the terror and the death," Destiny finished softly.

  Koda nodded.

  “There is something else,” Destiny said softly.

  “And that is?” Koda said.

  “The MX they have killed so far, that method worked. But we have different abilities. They may not get the desired results even using the same methods.” Destiny said.

  Koda frowned.

  Dare interrupted. "They are not very well armed. There are between 50 and 100 STS guards at the arena. I hacked into their system."

  "We will go there. I want to see what they are doing," Koda said. Destiny was frightened. "If I could spare you this, I would, but we may need your help. Try to keep your emotions under control and do not project and give us away."

  "Projection is not my primary gift," Destiny said. "I receive the essence of people and can amplify it. Claire has the strongest gift of projection."

  Koda considered her words, "I would have you help however you can."

  "Of course," Destiny said.

  "Essence, it does not sound like a very scary gift," Lodi said. "Why are people so afraid of something like that?"

  Koda pulled the green Krystile from his arm band. The warlords formed a circle with Destiny. The air around them shimmered. In a moment they were in the interior portion of the arena.

  "Good map," Revi said. They had arrived in an alcove. Unless a person stood in the alcove with them, they were hidden from view.

  "This ramp should take us to the seating area," Dare said. The group followed him up the large stone incline that opened to the arena. The sun was setting. Huge lights lit the stadium. People sat in the seats that formed a circle around the field, waiting for the entertainment.

  Dare led the group to unoccupied seats far from the other spectators.

  Destiny sat between Koda and Lodi as they took their seats.

  "Can you feel Claire?" Koda asked Destiny.

  Destiny opened her mind and searched, gasping when she found Claire. "By all the fates," she whispered. Her small hands fisted at her sides.

  "I would know of your efforts," Koda said. He felt Claire's presence here through the mate bond. Given enough time, he would be able to find her, but he did not have time and the STS were all over the place.

  "She is hurt, but alive," Destiny replied.

  "Can you tell her we are here?" Koda asked.

  "I am trying now," Destiny responded.

  Destiny whimpered. Tears filled her eyes.

  "What?" Koda demanded.

  "She said to leave. There is no way to save her."

  "I would know where she is," Koda said. His voice was rough.

  "She does not know. They beat and drugged her. She was blindfolded when they brought her here," Destiny said.

  The STS Officers, conspicuous in their black uniforms with the red sash, sat together in a preferred section of the ar
ena where they ate and drank while naked slaves served them. The stadium was half-filled with wealthy patrons who brought their own slaves. An official stepped to a microphone and announced the ceremonies for the night. An MX would be executed. He thanked those who attended.

  Two shirtless men in black STS pants entered the arena with a bloody and bruised Claire between them. Each held a rope attached to one of her wrists. They kept the bonds tight so that her arms were pulled out from her sides. Claire wore remnants of the gown Koda had given her to wear at the Trade Center. She stumbled as they dragged her to the post in the middle of the arena. The top of the gown had shredded and no longer covered her. Koda groaned. Claire was modest and he wanted to protect her from the eyes of strangers. He would kill them all.

  Each guard tossed his rope over a hook on the top of the post. They pulled the ropes taut and tied them to a metal ring that was set in the ground on the opposite side of the post. She yelped in pain when they pulled the ropes and stretched her. Two other STS moved behind her and let their whips loose.

  Claire was up on her toes, stretched tight for the lashing they planned to give her. Fury flowed through Koda as he moved toward the arena. "Kill them all," he ordered. The warlords were already moving to attack.

  The announcer told the cheering crowd that they would whip the MX until she was bloody. Then she would be freed so she could run from the wild animals. He concluded by saying that MX often projected their feelings during times of great duress and promised that they were in for a treat. He told the eager crowd that in the midst of her ordeal, they would feel her terror and fear as the animals began to tear her apart and eat her alive.

  Koda moved to the edge of the seating area, stepped over the rail and landed lightly on the packed sand of the arena floor. He moved toward Claire as the two STS guards positioned themselves behind her. Koda continued walking to her as he pulled his whip loose and let it trail out behind him. Still in his battle armor, he moved with the grace of a predator, a warrior who had fought many battles. His war braids were pulled behind his head and tied to keep them out of his way.

  ***

  Claire saw Koda. Was it really him? He was angry and had his whip in his hand. His fury hit her. Was he going to take part in her bloody execution? Robare had been right. She used all her remaining energy to shield her emotions. She refused to let Koda know she had loved him beyond even her own life.

  The four STS guards in the arena were shirtless so they could better wield their whips. She was tied so tight she was unable to turn and see them. They cracked their whips a few times.

  Claire regretted that she had not found an opportunity to kill herself rather than go through this. She only hoped she could avoid projecting her feelings. She began to shut down. She slowed her breathing and concentrated on her heart. It slowed...

  She jerked and held back a scream when they cracked the whips expecting the lash to open her skin at any moment. This was part of the show. She was determined to deny them as much satisfaction as possible.

  She was having difficulty breathing. Koda was in front of her, walking toward her. Koda. Had he come to punish her? She did not look at him, afraid he might be able to see into her soul where she was overcome with her love of him and her sorrow that he was participating in her death. She tried to block him as she blocked the bloodthirsty crowd.

  Her disgust at the audience flashed out. She was so intent on holding in her feelings for Koda that she did not realize she had projected her revulsion to the audience.

  They cheered when they felt her disgust and craved the next blast of emotion from her. The noise of the crowd ramped up in eagerness. They wanted every emotion she experienced through this ordeal. They had paid for the privilege, but she determined to withhold her emotions from them.

  ***

  Koda felt Claire's disgust hit the pit of his stomach. Was she so upset to see him? He was saving her. A few steps from her he threw his whip and struck one of the STS guards behind her as the man was about to let his own whip fly toward Claire's bare back. Koda's whip snaked out and destroyed the man's face. The STS thug went to his knees screaming, blood poured out from between his fingers as he held his hands to his ruined face.

  The STS in the stands were unsure what was happening. Robare uttered the one word that froze their hearts. "Koda."

  The second throw of Koda's whip broke bones in the hand of the other man who was now backing away and looking around in confusion. He did not want to fight.

  Claire jumped when the whips cracked behind her. Koda pulled the knife he carried at his side and sliced through the rope that tied her to the post. He grabbed her with one arm to prevent her from collapsing and lowered her gently to the sand at the base of the post.

  “I will be back, pita,” he said. “I will not let them hurt you.”

  The STS guard held his damaged hand and looked up at the announcer in confusion as an arrow pierced his throat, falling, his life blood pumping into the sand of the arena, he still looked confused.

  The crowd roared and cheered. This was high drama and a good start to the bloody spectacle they expected.

  Arrows flew from Koda's warlords who had claimed the most advantageous spots around the arena. In a matter of seconds, many of the black uniformed STS hooligans were under attack in the stands and around the top of the arena. Many fell dead where they were stationed.

  Koda threw his whip and the other two STS in the arena when they approached him. Robare shouted into the microphone to release the animals. Gates opened and the bear-like animals ran into the arena. The four-legged beasts were covered with brown, shaggy fur and razor-sharp claws. Long, yellow teeth showed when they snarled. One of them roared and stood up on its back legs, it was easily 10 feet tall.

  Koda spared a glance at Claire. She sat where he had lowered her with a look of horror on her blood face.

  He sized up the animals as they stalked forward. They had the scent of Claire's blood and now it was time to eat.

  The STS goon who lay dying in the sand was an easy victim for the beasts. The second man turned and ran in an effort to escape. Running from a blood-crazed predator is a bad idea and the last one the man had. His screams filled the arena as one of the animals began to tear him apart with claws and teeth. His death shrieks drove the over excited crowd to a mad frenzy.

  The spectators howled and cheered. Koda saw that their blood lust was strong. The crowd cried out for violence and death. They raised their voices to encourage the wild animals to attack the woman who sat at the foot of the whipping post.

  Koda drew his sword as he moved in front of Claire to keep himself between her and the beasts. Arrows flew through the air. The first animals to bleed were attacked by the others that were still hungry and able. The other STS in the arena had been shot with arrows and became food for the beasts.

  One of the creatures turned its attention to Claire. Still on the ground, weak and bleeding, she was easy prey. The animal stalked toward her, head down, saliva dripping from its fangs. Its muscles bunched and it sprang toward her.

  Koda's sword pierced through to the heart of the beast before it reached her, but momentum carried it forward so that it fell at her feet, almost touching her.

  A second beast flung itself from the other side. Koda spun, his sword swinging around to sever the short thick neck of the beast. The animal fell, its huge head resting on Claire's legs. Koda shoved it off her with his booted foot. A quick look told him that the animal had not harmed her.

  Koda looked up to see someone screaming over the loudspeaker when his voice was cut off. Lars had sliced the man's head off. The STS and others hurried to get away from Lars. They ran only to discover they were surrounded by warlords. There was no escape for the STS that day.

  The crowd in the stands began to riot. They had come for a show and although blood was flowing, they had not seen the MX bleed enough yet. The noise in the arena rose to a deafening level.

  ***

  Claire struggled t
o her feet, holding the post for support. She looked up to see Robare walking toward Koda with his sword drawn. Koda was distracted by the wild animals that were running loose in the arena. She was in front of Koda with Robare coming up behind him. Insanity shone from Robare's eyes like a fever. He raised his sword.

  The queen always protects the king. The first rule of chess, Anna had told her. "Koda, behind you!" She screamed. He would never hear her over all the crowd noise. Unsteady, she ran past Koda toward Robare.

  ***

  Koda turned to see where Claire was going. He put down the last animal with a sword thrust to its heart. Claire was running toward Robare. Running to her enemy. Koda had just saved her. Unless this was a trap, there was no reason for her to run to Robare.

  Koda caught her in two strides and shoved her to the ground as he ran by her. He leapt in the air, his sword cutting a swinging arc toward Robare. He pushed it into the man's neck and down through his body, using the force of his momentum. Jerking his weapon free, he turned completely around and swung, cutting Robare almost in half. Blood bubbled out of the man's mouth.

  The top half of his body rolled forward as the bottom half went to its knees. Koda swung again and took Robare's head off. Blood sprayed as the head rolled in the sand.

  Claire's face showed her horror. Some of Robare's blood had hit her face.

  Koda regarded Claire, "A humane death and much better than he deserved," he said.

  Claire felt Destiny's mind and turned to look for her. Lodi was running toward them with Destiny at his side. Claire met Destiny’s violet stare. Power intensified when their minds bonded. Destiny knelt in the sand with Claire. When they joined hands, force charged the area like electricity. Destiny reached into every person in the audience to pull out their core. She sent the amplified essence to Claire.