Emily’s Revenge (The Mamluks Saga Book 3) (7 page)

In my group, after finally making the hole deep enough for the space pod, along with the others at the bottom of the pit, I climbed back to the surface. From my view, the hole looked to be about fifteen feet deep and ten feet wide.

Together, we pushed the space pod into the hole, then covered it up with the massive piles of mud spread out around the edge of the hole.

When every group was done burying their space pod, King Azar and a large group of Turks led us, Queen Vera, and thousands of young Turks to an enormous cave, far on the other side of Turkland. Paired with a few of the King’s troops, Isabella and I had the honor of looking after the Queen and her young.

Before going in, the King turned around and spoke to us. “Inside this cave, you will be well hidden. There are many small animals to eat, and plenty of drinkable water that flows from the cave walls. We will use loads of rock, brushwood and leaves to conceal the entrance. However, you must never go deep into the cave. It leads to a massive pit, and beneath the surface is a world of majestic and powerful creatures. It is known as
The Underworld
—and all who have fallen into the abyss have never returned.”

I took the warning to heart, and hoped the others did as well.

Everyone who had a
sija
turned on their flashlights. We went inside the cave and walked as far as we could go. Just as the King had said, there were tiny creatures running away from us, and water dripping from the pebbly walls.

With Isabella, I found a spot on the floor and cuddled with her and Samantha. Across from us, Queen Vera took a seat with Theron and Hemma, and the King’s band of troops took seats at her sides.

Now we hope. Now we wait.

––––––––

––––––––

I
t was early in the morning. I was standing on a long, open landscape with London and a group of soldiers. We were staring at a never-ending row of giant space pods. Unlike the space pods for Mamluks, these space pods were designed to carry ships.

I held my arms behind my back and marched forward with the others close behind. “Have the coordinates been set?”

“Yes, My Ruler. Our mystery planet is within reach,” London affirmed.

I stopped and took a good look at a space pod. There was a buzzing roar coming from the massive machine as it hovered a few feet off the ground. “Send a report to the soldiers. Tell them to gather their things and assemble here at sundown. We’re leaving tonight.”

I heard a few in the group howl with pleasure. I smiled at the response and turned to London. “Now, go get ready for the fight.”

“Have you chosen the second combatant, Great Emily?”

“Yes I have, and you will meet him shortly.”

Afterward, I flew to the Championship stadium. There were droves of spectators flying in from around the world. Bridget had called me and asked to attend the fight, but I had to decline the request. I needed her on Marsden in a time of war. Still, I knew she would be watching from the control center.

I met up with Dalia and Ignas, and together we found our seats in the front row. Ignas was still bruised up from the beating I had given him. I sat between them, and we leaned back carefully and looked on as the capacity crowd cheered.

The first horn sounded and London came jogging out of the tunnel on the other side of the stadium. I smiled as I watched him practice a few moves and flex his shoulders.

Fight well, Dear.

The second horn sounded, and the crowd went silent in anticipation of the next combatant. Nojus came marching out of the tunnel on our side and was met with an ovation that shook the building. Apparently, he was very popular.

Nojus went ahead and circled London, but London wasn’t fazed. He stood tall and grinned as the stadium hushed. At last, the third horn went off and the battle began.

London backed away and waved Nojus on. He waited, but Nojus wouldn’t take the bait. Finally, London ran at him and tried to deliver a jab. Nojus easily ducked the strike. They calmed down for a moment and studied each other’s movements.

I placed a hand on my chin and tapped the other hand on my chair.
This is going to be an interesting contest.

London ran at Nojus again and grabbed him. They wrestled for control for a second until London finally forced Nojus to the ground. He intended to wrap his arms around his neck but Nojus was able to break free and get back to his feet.

London took a deep breath as he rose. He waved Nojus on with a tense smile. I knew he wanted this badly, and I wanted it for him, too—but he seemed a little off, and Nojus was no scrub.

Before selecting Nojus for the fight, I had asked Ignas about his training at the academy. He had assured me that Nojus was worthy of this opportunity.

London carefully approached him and did a spinning back-kick.
Bad move.
I called it spot on. Nojus read the maneuver perfectly and caught him with a swift jab as he came back around. The strike sent London staggering backward. Without hesitation, Nojus rushed ahead and peppered him with kicks, elbows and punches.

The crowd jumped to their feet and screamed with their hands waving all around. Nojus continued the barrage and ended with a big left hook that dropped London. I sat up a little as Nojus went in for the kill. He dropped his knee into London’s face with incredible speed and got on top. London protected himself and turned away. Nojus blasted him with punches and broke through his shield. I could see blood on London’s face, and he looked completely exhausted.

Nojus popped London with a sharp elbow that made him curl into the fetal position, but I knew he wasn’t going to give up. He had always wanted to be the Champion. He had always believed he was better than Juozas. This was his chance to prove it.

London screamed as he grabbed Nojus’s arm. He held on tight and made a dazzling reversal, pushing his hips off the floor and throwing his body weight into Nojus. London fell on top of him and secured his hulking arms around his neck. Now the crowd was cheering loudly for him.

London squeezed with all his might. Nojus grabbed onto his arms and tried to break the hold, but it was no use. London let out a deafening roar as he increased the pressure. Still, amazingly, Nojus kept fighting. He leaned forward and got his hands on the floor. He pushed up and rose with London dangling on his back. It was an impressive display of strength.

Nojus tumbled toward the wall and turned his back just before he hit. London banged against the sandstone wall and lost his hold. He fell to the floor, but Nojus stayed on his feet. I stood up in awe and watched as Nojus dropped down and hammered London with brutal strikes.

There was blood all over the place. I couldn’t even tell who it was coming from. London desperately tried to crawl away but Nojus was relentless. He pounded London down until his body finally went limp.

The crowd exploded into an uproar. London was unconscious, and the Interim Champion had been crowned.

After the fight, I went down to the stadium floor. Everyone was still going crazy. Giedre and a team of caregivers hurried out of the tunnel and tended to London. I walked over to Nojus and led him to the center of the stadium.

He kneeled and bowed to me. The crowd lapsed into silence as I prepared to make my announcement.

“Congratulations, Nojus. As the winner of this fight, you have become the Interim Champion of all Mamluks. You will serve as my protector until Samantha is ready to defend her title. At that time, if you defeat her, you will be become the Undisputed Champion of all Mamluks, and your mother will be crowned Ruler of all Mamluks. ”

He bowed lower. “I am truly grateful, My Ruler.”

“Rise.”

The crowd danced and cheered as he rose. I took his hand, and together, we turned and headed to the exit. 

A short while later, I went to London’s building to check on him. He was in his bedroom, lying down with his arm covering his face. I walked to the bed and sat down beside him. “Hey, Dear.”

He uncovered his face with a smile, showing me a collection of horrendous bruises. “Hello, My Ruler.”

I kindly touched his chest. “You fought well today.”

His eyes squinted. “But not well enough.”

“I’m still proud of you, London. Always will be.” I firmly gripped his hand. “You
are
a champion of your kind.”

“Your grace is uplifting, Great Emily. It is an honor to serve you.”

I bent down and kissed his wounded cheek. I rose and gave him a caring smile. “Be ready at sunset.”

“Certainly, My Ruler.”

––––––––

A
fter visiting London, I took Nojus to Dalia’s building to have dinner with her and Ignas. We met them at the entrance, and Dalia kneeled and bowed to me, then Ignas kneeled and bowed to Nojus.

“Welcome, My Ruler.”

“Welcome, My Champion.”

They rose as one, and we headed to the dining hall. There, a servant was setting a small, circular table. We gathered around the table and took a seat.

Ignas stared at Nojus with a smile, then glanced at me. “You were very wise to select Nojus, Great Emily. He was one of my finest students.”

In response to the kind words, Nojus gave him a nod. “I am honored, Ignas.”

Within minutes, the servant brought us our food and filled our plates with boiled meat, steamed vegetables, and a side of fresh fruits. For a drink, she served us chilled water.

We took our time as we ate, chewing slowly. At the end of the meal, I took a big gulp from my cup, letting the cool, smooth water wash everything down. It was a great meal, and a peaceful setting before departing for such a daunting mission.

Before leaving the table and saying goodbye, Ignas and Dalia had words for us.

“You are stronger than you know, Great Emily. Fight well, and rescue our dear Samantha,” Ignas said to me.

Next, Dalia gave Nojus the warmest look, and flashed a beautiful smile. “Protect our Ruler at all cost, My Champion. That is your responsibility.”

He reached out and kindly touched her shoulder. “I give you my word, Dalia. No harm will come to her.” 

At sundown, after going home to change, I flew to the space pods and met with the soldiers. A crowd had assembled around the vast terrain, cheering us on as we prepared to leave for war.

Nojus found me and kneeled. “We are ready, My Ruler.”

“Very good, My Champion.”

Everyone went to their assigned space pods and got inside. There was a ship docked on every space pod, and two spaces on the floor for the soldiers who would operate the ship.

Thousands of caregivers from around the world had come to help Giedre and the other caregivers in our region send us into orbit, standing by with their
sijas
at the ready.

Giedre was waiting by my space pod. I climbed inside and moved around the ship that was docked on the surface. I went to the spot on the floor for the passengers and lay down. After adjusting my body, the metal straps came out and locked me in place.

From outside, Giedre called to me. “Are you prepared for takeoff, My Ruler?”

“Set and ready to go,” I shouted back to her.

She pressed a button on her
sija
that closed the space pod. The lights on the inside came on, and I heard the buzzing sound of the machine increase. I felt the space pod rise, and within seconds, it blasted away at faster-than-light speed.

––––––––

––––––––

I
n a flash, we arrived at our mystery planet and the metal straps that held me and my ship in place came down. I sat up and pressed the button on my
sija
that opened the space pod. Once open, I froze and checked the area. Right away, I saw heavy rain coming down and listened to it spatter on the metal roof of the open space pod.

I felt a cool breeze
whoosh
over me and tightened the hooded cloak I was wearing. I got up, moved toward the edge of the floor and looked down. We had landed on a foggy, muddy landscape, and there was an unpleasant stench oozing in the atmosphere.

From above, I saw a gray, cloudy sky, and in the distance, I saw thousands of space pods, and I knew there were hundreds of thousands more spread out further than my eyes could see.

The soldiers began to climb out of their space pods and undock their ships. A soldier caught me still standing in my space pod and walked over to me.

“Are you all right, My Ruler?”

I looked down at her and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thank you, Soldier.” Finally, I jumped out of the space pod and my feet splashed in the mud, sending clumps of mud onto my black-and-red outfit.

Disgusted with the environment, and annoyed that the fine wardrobe Linas had made me was now stained with mud, I blew out a sharp gasp and brushed some of the mud off. “I hate this place already.”

A moment later, I met up with Nojus. “Are we ready, My Champion?”

He gave me a bow. “Yes, My Ruler.”

“Then let’s move out.”

He lifted his arm and radioed to my fleet and the ground units. “Begin the investigation.”

The soldiers assigned to the fleet boarded their ships and took off. With Nojus, I led a ground unit down the lumpy terrain in search of any inhabitants. Thousands of soldiers stayed behind to watch the space pods, and the other ground units went in opposite directions from us.

We marched for miles with nothing in sight but fog, and walking through the mud was an irritating experience. “If the rebels are here, I hope we find them soon.”

Nojus glanced at the slushy land we walked on, and I saw repulsion on his face. “I concur, Your Greatness.”

Finally, after what felt like hours, we found some evidence of life. Just ahead, there was a collection of huts, clearly built for shelter from the rain. Carefully, we moved toward them with our
sijas
at the ready. Everything was quiet—too quiet for my liking.

I reached a hut and walked inside. On the ground, it appeared as if there was an indentation of a body, like someone had slept there. I bent down and studied the marking. It was large, and shaped similar to a human body—or a Mamluk body.