The Chronicles of Kale: Dawn of Retribution (Book 2) (11 page)

“Here we go!’ Thomas ducked behind the dune to conceal their location. He focused his eyes upon the far side of the village wall. A red aura surrounded his palms which were pressed together at the wrists. “
Kruedia esonek
.” A fiery sphere began to swell, and within seconds the large ball of flames accelerated forward at incredible speed.

“What in Pan’s name?! Thomas, you could have given better warning!” Kale called out as the village wall exploded into many bits right before his eyes.

“You said you wanted to hurry!” Thomas called back as he ran forward.

“Move, kid!” Illadar demanded as he shoved Kale, nearly causing him to stumble over his own feet. “This is our only chance before they begin scouting for the source. The guards have already left their post.”

The three sprinted to the entrance and hooked to the side, behind a small building made of packed sand and wood. Chaos had broken out as bandits scattered to see what happened. Kale carefully peered around the corner and watched men, women, and children scurry. They each looked equally barbaric, bearing daggers and swords—prepared to kill. Even the smallest of youths held dangerously sharp knives. It didn’t take a wise old sorcerer to know these people were merciless and trained from birth to show no sympathy to those they encountered.

“What’s the plan now?” Kale whispered.

“We’ve gotta’ keep movin’. We’re too close to the entrance; someone’s bound to spot us,” Illadar warned.

“Look, there.” Thomas pointed far down the row of buildings.

At the end was the tallest structure in the entire bandit village. It was the only building made of stone, which to them, insinuated that someone worthy of protection lived inside. They inched along the back walls, careful to remain concealed in the shadows. Up close, the stone house appeared even taller. There were two floors, which was impressive for a desert village filled with degenerate bandits.

“This must be the place. We need to get inside.” Kale quietly spoke while scanning the building from their hidden location.

Illadar peeked around the wall and spotted an open window hole. “How foolish to go to such lengths to build a stone structure, then leave it vulnerable with an openin’. I’m going for a look. Stay here.” He crouched low and made way for the window. Light flickered from within and Illadar peered over the edge, looking in at a row of lanterns. He quickly ducked down and listened. No voices could be heard. “I don’t think anyone is inside.” Illadar motioned Thomas and Kale to follow. “We’re gonna’ have to take the chance and crawl in. If luck is on our side, the leader will be with the guards, investigating the explosion. Unlike most nobles or lords, bandit leaders fight alongside their people. They take pride in the killing blow. They’re usually the strongest and most brutal of the clan. Let’s move now before it’s too late.”

Kale slipped through the hole first to ensure the room was clear. Thomas was next, followed by Illadar who struggled to pull his muscular body through. The room was filled with elaborate wall decorations and many colorfully painted masks were displayed in a line. Trinkets of all shapes and sizes were piled upon shelves that circled the entire room. Thomas winced as he looked upon a table with many human skulls—some so fresh that flesh still clung onto the bone.

“We should find cover before anyone returns. An ambush is our best option. We’ll wait until he is alone and catch him by surprise,” Thomas suggested.

“Let’s go upstairs. There isn’t anywhere for all three of us to hide here,” Kale advised as he carefully took his first step.

A loud creak pierced the silence and Illadar swiftly reached out to grip Kale’s shoulder. “Watch it, kid. We don’t know what’s up there. Tread lightly with each step,” he whispered.

Kale nodded and took his next steps with caution. They reached the second floor and immediately investigated their surroundings, which appeared clear from bandits. To their delight, the room was divided into three sections; an area to rest, an area where many weapons were stored upon racks, and an area with many maps scattered about. Each section was separated with a thick burlap cloth which could easily conceal all three. They huddled into the section with many maps, assuming it would be the least desired room should a group of bandits return. As they sat in silence, with weapons drawn, they heard a muffled sound from nearby. Another moment passed before they realized the noise sounded distinctly like crying—and it came from the very room they were in.

Chapter 10: Gone

K
ale looked at Thomas and Illadar in silence, yet they easily read his gestures and knew curiosity had gotten the best of him.

Illadar placed a heavy hand upon Kale’s shoulder to ensure he didn’t attempt anything foolish. He then carefully glanced around the curtain, pausing momentarily to listen closely for the sound. His eyes locked upon a brown chest and it became clear someone was inside.

“It sounds like a child. This could very well be a trap,” Illadar softly whispered. “Maybe we should take the risk though—what if it really
is
a child locked inside?”

“Have you
seen
the children in this town? The kid probably has a dagger drawn, prepared to slit our throats the moment that lid lifts,” Kale replied.

Thomas and Illadar gave Kale a firm look.

“All right, let’s open the chest. If I’m right—don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Kale stubbornly rested his sword upon his shoulder with a look of disapproval.

Just as the three emerged from the curtain, a door slammed below, causing them to dash back into hiding. Footsteps thundered up the creaking stairs, and loud breathing could be heard.

“A-right young wench, my men be takin’ care of the mess outside. Now it’s time to deal with ye’—no one attacks my village without payin’ with their head. I suspect ye’ had somethin’ ta’ do with this direct assault. It be no coincidence that ye’ show up, sneakin’ into the home of our clan and shortly after we’re ambushed with a clever attack—yet, no enemies are found. I be inclined to think that ye’ know where they are darlin’.”

They could hear a
clang
, followed by the creaking of what they knew to be the large wooden trunk opening. A tiny yelp could be heard, before an obvious struggle.

“I guess this means I’ll have ta’ open those little lips with me blade. Maybe then you’ll talk.” The man cackled in his own amusement of the situation.

“Please don’t hurt me! I haven’t done anything wrong! I had no idea this was a bandit village—I only wanted a place to rest for the night.” The young female voice stifled sobs as she spoke.

A loud clap echoed against the stone walls, followed by a cry of pain from the young girl.

“That’s enough!” Illadar ripped the curtain to the side and stormed forward toward the thick, burly man. “She’s just a child, you worthless scum.” His claymore swung forward, nearly knocking into the many items surrounding them.

“Illadar, no, we need him alive!” Kale demanded.

The child scrambled in fear, gripping onto Thomas’s robes for protection. In the other hand, she held tightly onto a large bag that sagged heavily to her side.

“There, there, dear, it will be all right.” Thomas stroked her curly raven hair. “Apprehend him quickly.” Thomas’s expression grew serious. “We must get this child to safety.”

Illadar’s momentary delay in action cost him the upper advantage and the large man dove atop his body, knocking him back onto the floor.

While Thomas ensured the child was safely at a distance from the two men, Kale seized the opportunity and gripped the bandit leader by the back of his neck. Despite the man’s thick size, he contorted backward in agony as his flesh sizzled. The scent was sickening and caused the young girl to bury her face into Thomas’s side.

Illadar wasted no time and shoved the blade of his claymore beneath the man’s chin.

“We know who you are, Beshin, leader of the Imbola Clan. You will come with us,” Kale commanded.

Beshin laughed, running an arm across his sweat-filled beard. “Ye’ realize that once we leave this building, the others will cut ye’ down before ye’ can take a step forward. There’s no escaping here, ye’ fools.”

“We
will
leave this filthy waste heap, if you care to see tomorrow.” Kale found amusement in his words, for he knew they were leading the vile man to an inevitable demise with the sand-people.

“I fear not ta’ die, ye’ halfwits,” the man spat in anger.

“Then I suppose you won’t mind if I scald the rest of you. We only need you alive—no one said it had to be as you are now.” Kale smirked and extended his arm toward Beshin’s excessively hairy leg.

“A-right, a-right; I’ll do whatever ye’ inferior maggots want—for now. Turn your back for a moment though, and you’ll be bathin’ in yer own intestines.” Beshin laughed, revealing the few remaining teeth in his mouth, which barely clung onto his blackened gums.

Illadar bound Beshin’s arms tightly behind the bandit’s back and sheathed his claymore. He borrowed Thomas’s dagger and pressed the edge firmly against Beshin’s neck. “Let’s get this over with,” Illadar firmly spoke and nudged the bandit to walk. “Start movin’.”

They made their way to the first floor and prepared for the onslaught they knew was to come. Kale gripped his sword, and Thomas sheltered the young girl under an arm. Illadar released a long sigh before kicking open the wooden door.

In an instant, fingers directed toward them from all directions and in a matter of seconds, they were encircled by vicious looking men with blood-stained weapons drawn.

“Keep back! We’re taking him with us. Do not attempt to stop us if you value your lives.” Kale raised his sword.

To Kale’s surprise, not a single bandit halted. They crept closer, displaying their rotting smiles as laughter filled the air.

“I don’t think they have any concern for your threats.” Illadar dug the dagger deeper against Beshin’s throat.

This sent the bandits into a frenzy, and chaos erupted in all directions. A group of enemy men lunged toward Kale, snarling in anger. It was clear that while they didn’t fear for their own lives, they wanted Beshin alive. It reminded Kale of a frantic hive of bees attempting to save their queen.

Kale flicked his eyes to both sides in order to ensure he was clear from harming his comrades. With a loud growl of animalistic force, he sliced his blade across the oncoming bodies. Their flesh split open like an overstuffed pillow that burst at the seams. In a spew of crimson slush, their intestines spattered onto the ground.

Female and children bandits cheered the others on from the safety of their homes.

In the midst of commotion, Beshin boldly slammed his backside into Illadar. The motion forced Illadar’s dagger to slice into his neck before he lost momentary control of the weapon at the sudden movement. In the brief moment Illadar took to strengthen his grip upon the weapon, Beshin spun out of his hold.

“Stop him!” Kale shouted while deflecting attacks from the surrounding bandits. In Kale’s favor, the bandits, though trained to kill, were not highly skilled in combat tactics. They recklessly swung their weapons with the sole desire to murder and destroy. The sight of them reminded Kale of Jedah—the one man he still loathed above all others.

Illadar was now fighting against a group of ruthless bandits, while struggling to close in on the direction of Beshin. “Bloody hell, I’m gonna’ lose him!”

Thomas firmly pressed his lips together, quickly analyzing the situation. His eyes locked onto Beshin who scurried through the crowd toward the weapon rack. Beshin’s hands had been freed, and now, he appeared determined to slaughter all intruders.

“Move behind me, dear.” Thomas firmly instructed the young girl.

A radiant white glow emanated brightly from around Thomas’s body. Gusts of wind violently began to blow from all directions as the light intensified. Thomas raised a palm to the sky and shouted an incantation aloud. A perfect cyclone formed, stopping Beshin in his tracks.

“Yer not gonna’ let a little wind stop ya’, right Beshin?” Another bandit called out. “It’s just—”

A blood-curdling cry rang out and the man staggered back with no more than a nub of tangled meat where his arm once was. Blood sprayed in all directions, showering nearly everyone within the cyclone’s wrath.

“Ye’ fool! Don’t ye’ see that yer’ playin’ with magic here?” Beshin shouted as the bandit fell to the ground in a puddle of his own blood. “See? Take this as a lesson, men.” He kicked the man’s rib cage, releasing the final breaths of air from the bandit’s lungs.

While Beshin lectured his men, Kale took advantage of the moment and jabbed his blade forward. The steel slid effortlessly at an upward angle through one of the bandit’s chest.

Illadar used the distraction to slip past his previous opponents and make way for Beshin.

Thomas stood his ground, protecting the young girl from any oncoming threats while maintaining an appropriate amount of energy and focus on the cyclone. He could feel his body growing weaker, yet knew he had to hold on until Beshin was apprehended.

“I’ve got him!” Illadar called out over the noise.

Kale struggled to ward off the many aggressive attacks as Illadar held Beshin captive by the blade of his dagger. From the corner of his eye, Kale noticed the significant amount of blood staining Beshin’s chest.

“We need to get out of here—quickly!” Kale shouted, fearful the bandit leader would perish before their return.

“Come to me at once!” Thomas commanded. He wrapped an arm around the young girl.

They fought their way to the old sorcerer and huddled close. With every press of Illadar’s dagger, Beshin’s throat milked blood over the blade’s edge.

“
Alaria
!” A barrier of protection encased them from harm. “
Sasarenta
!” They watched from safety as the cyclone crashed in like a vicious tsunami of sand. The bandits raised their hands above their faces before the impact struck their bodies, tearing through their flesh and crushing their bones.

When the dust settled, Kale and his friends stood completely alone. The many lit homes had darkened, with windows shut tightly. It was an atmosphere completely different from what they had entered into. They stepped over miscellaneous body parts as they left the destruction behind.

They distanced themselves from the village as the sky began to tint with pink hues. A morning breeze caressed their worn bodies, adding slight relief to their burnt skin from the previous days under the sun. Illadar kept Beshin under close watch as he allowed the bandit to walk ahead of the group, with arms tightly bound by thick twine. They knew it would be crucial to find a safe, shaded location to rest before continuing on their journey. Illadar was the first to spot the small cluster of trees.

As they approached, Thomas reluctantly released a moan before collapsing to the ground. His arms reached out in a failed attempt to break his fall, and for the first time, Kale saw the old sorcerer’s hands. His peach flesh was completely overshadowed by the thick black veins that webbed out in every direction.

“We must get him to shade.” Kale glanced down at Thomas with a look of determination in his eyes. Without hesitation, he lifted his dear friend from the sand and strategically moved the old sorcerer onto his back. He instructed the young girl to remain close and keep up with their pace.

“How I miss the days when I was a strong young man like you, Kale. This old body only gets me so far . . . how embarrassing. Please allow me to walk, there isn’t much to go before we reach the palms and I’d rather keep
some
dignity,” Thomas softly spoke.

Kale laughed. “Dignity, you say? I thought the same when you decided to transform me into a human—but I forgive you, old man.” He smiled. “Besides, we were able to catch this scum of a man because you were with us. You’re an amazing sorcerer, and friend. I’m not allowing you to walk in your current condition—that’s final. Anyway, you’re so old that your bones feel as though they’ve turned to dust. You weigh practically nothing,” he said, half-jokingly.

“I think next time I’ll turn you into a stinkbug.” Thomas cracked a smile and closed his eyes to rest. Despite his insecurities with the situation, he knew that he needed food in order to fuel his body. Casting magic required a great deal of energy, and for that he had needed more than the previous night’s helping of snake.

Once under the small cluster of palms, they seated themselves upon a few of the many rocks scattered around the area. As the group relaxed their bodies, Thomas began to lose focus on his surroundings. He knew it was imperative for him to excuse himself before losing control of his own nauseating reflexes. He stood and moved as fast as his weary body would allow, behind the trees, and at a short distance from the group. He immediately folded over in pain, spewing vomit from his mouth as his body fought to clean the toxins produced by using magic while in a weakened state.

“I can help you.” A soft voice spoke.

Thomas nearly gagged on his own fluids as he turned in response. He hadn’t noticed anyone following him, let alone so closely. The young girl gazed at him compassionately; her bluntly cut bangs curled just above her brows, revealing deep brown eyes. Long black spirals cascaded over her shoulders and onto a plain purple dress which hung to her knees.

“My dear,” Thomas quickly wiped his mouth, “you should not be seeing this mess. Please return to the others and rest.”

“I said I can help you. You need it,” she spoke with confidence and was not willing to accept being turned away.

Thomas chuckled, despite his condition. “How old are you, child?”

“Eleven. I do have a name, you know.”

“My sincerest apologies, dear. Please tell me your name.”

“My name is . . . well, you can call me Otha.” She smiled brightly.

“Otha it is; a pleasure to meet you. As I’m sure you’ve already heard, my name is Thomas.” He returned a smile, forcing his body to stand upright. “You are quite the brave little girl.” He patted her gently on the head, causing her cheeks to stain with pink.

“I want to show you something.” Otha lightly tugged Thomas’s arm. She held out a closed palm. “Please take this.” She uncurled her fingers to reveal a brown nut.

“A shroo nut?” Thomas questioned.

Otha nodded proudly and gestured for him to take it.

Thomas knew that shroo nuts were not plentiful on Ravondore and could be bargained for a nice sum of coin to the right taker. Shroo nuts were so rich in vitamins and nutrients that just one nut could replenish even the most starved man’s energy. Some claimed the nuts were grown with magic because of their extraordinary ability.

Thomas glanced at her in awe. “Thank you, dear, I truly appreciate this offer, though I cannot take something such as this from you.” He looked over at Kale and Illadar. “My friends are also in need of food, I simply couldn’t allow them to suffer while I enjoy such a delicacy.”

Otha’s eyes narrowed. “If you don’t take it, I’ll crush it on this rock and send it back into the earth. Then it will be useless to us all. So take it.” Her face suddenly softened as though she realized her words were overly harsh. “I mean . . . please take it.” She added sweetly, “Besides, I have more food in the bag I brought. But I won’t share unless you eat this.” She shoved the nut near Thomas’s face.