Warden (Blade Asunder Book 3) (16 page)

Qutaybah had taken the humans, on foot, towards the tunnels that enter the Akkedis city. He had a contact that was to show them a way that they could enter the city unnoticed. The treacherous guard would also get word to Perseus to begin his own battle within the city.

Jacayb was the only one to approach the entrance, so he could meet the contact who was guarding on the outer perimeter of the city. He had no idea what Qutaybah had promised this individual, but he was surprised that such a large Akkedis would betray his own Empress.

He knew that Akkedis were a greedy people and in most cases everyone had their price, but he was still surprised at his betrayal. The Akkedis guard passed him a map that they were to follow. When he returned to the human soldiers who were hiding behind rocky crags, Jacayb told Qutaybah that he did not trust the Akkedis, fearing this could be a trap.

“Not for what I’m paying him, believe me,” Qutaybah tried to reassure Jacayb. “He is well and truly bought. He is a greedy swine who cares only about his own self.”

***

The Suggizon changed into their snake form and dug through the underground tunnels. They would enter the city first. Sampson was in the lead, and hoped to find his brother, Perseus. They did not need a map as they could sense their way through the ground and knew exactly where they were tunneling to.

It did not take them long to enter the city, arriving under a bridge that crossed over a large underground river. They stayed within their own tunnel network, making their way around the city, so that when the humans arrived they were ready to attack from the inside.

***

Perseus felt it. He knew that not only were his people close at hand, but also was his brother. Qutaybah had kept his part of the bargain, bringing in his brethren to share in the spoils. Now everything was in motion and taking down the Akkedis Empress was his first priority.

Before meeting with his people, he would first return to the humans and help them out of the chambers they were imprisoned within. He knew that Ganry would want to be by his side when he confronts the Empress Gishja.

***

The entrance for the humans was through the waterways that led into the city. The stench was appalling. All the men waded ankle deep in the water rushing through the tunnels, which emptied into an underground river.

Despite the stench, Parsival was impressed with the clever plumbing. At least it proved the Akkedis were not all fools. Parsival placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, expecting any moment to come across the lizards.

It turned out that they had a long walk as the entrance was some way from the inner city. As they walked the narrow tunnels, they could tell they were getting deeper underground. The air grew thicker and staler until it was almost unbreathable. Yet, every now and then, an outlet allowed a rush of fresh air. It seemed that the Akkedis had built a ventilation system, again proving that they were not all simple.

The troops marched onwards, eventually arriving at a large wooden gateway. At the other side of the gate flowed an underground river. This could prove a great difficulty, as not all the men would be capable of swimming.

Qutaybah made his way to the front of the men to inspect the gate. He was glad he had done so as he spotted a man in a boat, waving over to them. He instantly recognized the man as a Suggizon. The boat, leading other boats, made its way over to the gateway.

“We sensed your arrival,” the Suggizon said. “We are spread throughout the city and will take your men to the strategic points. Sampson awaits you eagerly. He only needs your word and we go in to attack.”

“We are fortunate that you have managed to organize yourselves so quickly,” Qutaybah said to the Suggizon, who helped him into the awaiting boat as it bobbed up and down on the river’s flow. “I knew your people would naturally fit into this environment, and I was right. I think this place was built just for you, and you will thrive and prosper here.”

Perseus quickly made his way back to the chambers where his companions were held. He arrived through the tunnel to find them armed with the swords he had provided earlier, and ready for battle. The Akkedis guards were furiously banging on the doors trying to gain entry.

“Ganry,” Perseus called out, “it is time for you all to move before the guards break down that door. My master has arrived, and his attack is imminent.”

Linz and Hendon stood with sword and staff, respectively, ready to confront the attacking Akkedis at the other side of the door. The young men grinned, neither of them were seasoned warriors but they were both keen to be free of this place and mete out some justice on the treacherous Akkedis.

“The tunnel is ready. I have secured it so we can all pass through safely. Come, Ganry, you should go first with your sword at the ready, followed by the Queen and the Duchess,” he suggested to Queen Myriam’s protector.

“This is it. The battle is upon us and our friend here has not let us down.” Ganry placed his hand upon Perseus’s strong shoulders.

“I thank you, Perseus,” Myriam said to him directly. “For all that you have done for us.”

“I would not let Ganry miss the Akkedis Empress’ death. He would never forgive me.” Perseus grinned back at big seasoned warrior.

Within moments they each crawled down the narrow tunnel that Perseus had been using as his entrance. He had made it wider each time and more secure. Although it was still a tight fit for most of them, it was passable. They emerged in what appeared to be a wine cellar, and there they found Arriba.

“I was just coming back for the Queen and Duchess,” she said. “I have a safe place for them to take refuge. Will you trust me?” she asked them.

“My dear,” the Duchess was the one to reply, “of course we do. You have a good heart and you have our friendship.”

In the distance, the sounds of battle could be heard. Now they knew for certain that the attack had started on the city. Arriba silently crept into the bar. Luckily it was empty, as all the Akkedis were in the street investigating the commotion. No Akkedis male likes to miss out on a street brawl.

“Quickly, now is the time to flee. Do you men have a strategy?” Arriba asked of Ganry.

“Indeed we do, and thank you Arriba, for taking care of our Queen,” Ganry replied.

Arriba bowed her head slightly in acceptance, watching as the male humans fled the inn. She grabbed the wrists of each female and they fled also, though in a different direction.

“We cannot stay in the streets for too long,” Arriba said as they moved quickly through the streets of the city. “The Akkedis are suspicious and will notice you sooner or later. My hiding place is in a public location, but there is a part of it that you can hide in safely.”

Arriba led them quietly through the streets, occasionally stopping to take cover from the Akkedis soldiers that passed close by. Eventually they reached a large building and Arriba took them to the rear, where they entered in through a back door.

Myriam stood admiring the grand building and mused that in better times she would love to study the Akkedis architecture, when suddenly and unceremoniously, her arm was yanked and she was dragged further into the building.

“Sorry, my Lady,” Arriba apologized, “but we must keep moving. It is not safe for you near the streets.”

Myriam merely nodded her understanding and followed after Arriba, who led them through a procession of corridors and then down a number of stone stairways.

“This is our public library, the best loved municipal building. We Akkedis love to read. You will be in the basement where there is a tunnel that leads to an underground river,” Arriba explained, panting as she spoke.

“There is an underground river in the middle of the desert?” Myriam questioned.

“Yes. Our city is built on it. This river has provided us with water for hundreds of years. Without it we would not be able to stay here.”

Arriba took them deeper and deeper into the earth, and soon they could hear the river. She opened up a wooden door and led them into a large chamber, lighting the sconces on the wall.

“This room is a few feet above the river, but still remains dry,” Arriba told them. “I have chosen it as it is not in use.”

“Will you be staying with us, Arriba?” Myriam asked.

“If you wish, my Lady, but for now I must go get some supplies. Please stay here and keep quiet. I will return soon with bedding and food, but this is as safe a place as any.”

With those words Arriba was gone and the female humans were left alone.

The streets of the Akkedis city were filled with the sounds of clashing swords as Qutaybah’s men fought with the defending Akkedis soldiers. Most Akkedis males had run into the streets to join the battle and defend their city. What the Akkedis citizens confronted turned their blood to ice. Engaged in battle with their army were the Suggizon, huge snake like creatures, the sworn enemy of the Akkedis.

The battle was in full flow and the advancing humans and Suggizon were making progress into the city. Sampson was leading a party of his own people, some in their human form and others changed into snakes. It was the snake form that inspired most fear in the Akkedis. Many fled at the sheer sight of them, only to be run down as the giant snakes wrapped themselves around their thick skinned bodies, crushing them until they breathed no more. Many were brave and stood their ground, only to be slaughtered by the sharp blades of the warriors or the slow constricting death of the snakes.

Sampson spotted a small group of Suggizon that were cornered, having been set upon by a group of Akkedis. From the makeshift weapons the Akkedis yielded, he assumed they were untrained men, simply fighting to save their city. They improvised with anything they could grab, such as axes, shovels, forks and other implements and tools.

Sampson, upon seeing his men overrun, joined in the affray, thrusting his sword deep into the belly of the largest and most aggressive of the Akkedis who was swinging a large axe. Despite the fatal wound caused by Sampson’s sword that had completely run through the lizard’s body, the strength of the Akkedis continued.

The creature swung its axe with momentum and came at them in a downwards arc. The large Akkedis blew with such a force that when it struck Sampson, it knocked him to the floor. Blood gashed out from the wound he received and the Akkedis raised the axe again, readying to deliver the coup de grâce and finish the Suggizon leader off.

Sampson raised his sword to defend himself, but he knew it would not be enough. Gritting himself for the blow, the Akkedis suddenly stumbled to its knees, the axe dropping harmlessly as it fell face forward onto the ground. Standing behind the fallen Akkedis with his bloodied sword in hand stood Qutaybah, a wry smile on his face.

“Come, my friend,” Qutaybah said, reaching forward to help Sampson back to his feet. “The battle is still to be won.”

The Suggizon fought on. They battled a whole city of Akkedis, showing no sign of weakness. Yet, the Akkedis would not yield willingly and they fought with real ire. In them was a burning fire that can only come from defending your own home.

The streets were littered with the dead and wounded, both Suggizon and Akkedis. Qutaybah knew that the battle was not going to be easy and final victory would hinge on whether Perseus could kill the Lizard Empress. Facing the rising death toll, he hoped that would be soon.

Lord Parsival led the human contingent of the attack forces and had entered the city at the Northern side, close to where the royal structure was situated. His priority was to release the Queen and her party. He was also instructed to help Persues, if necessary, in killing the Lizard Empress. Qutaybah had inferred that this was paramount to the success of this war. With the Akkedis Empress dead, the Lizard army would capitulate, of this he was certain.

As Parsival surveyed the huge numbers of Akkedis laid out before them and ready to defend their city, he hoped Qutaybah was correct, otherwise this day might not end as they had hoped.

***

Myriam waited patiently for Arriba to return. Fleetingly she worried that they may have been betrayed, but she reassured herself with the knowledge that if it had not been for Arriba, they would probably have been captured once again. Not all Akkedis must be bad, of this she was sure. Maybe, after this was all over, they could restart diplomatic relations with the new Akkedis ruler.

The hiding place that Arriba had taken them to was indeed dry, but it still smelt damp and dank. Whilst sconces lit the walls, they gave off little light, barely illuminating the dark corners of the room.

Stacked around the room were a number of boxes. Curious to what they might hold, Myriam wandered over to them to investigate. Arriba had told them that this was a library, and they were hidden a store room. Perhaps the boxes contained books? Approaching a stack of boxes, she heard a scuffling noise. Assuming it to be some rodent or other critter, she ignored it. Rats had never bothered her. Opening one of the boxes she peered in, seeing that it was indeed full of books.

The Duchess saw Myriam’s face light up with a huge smile.

“What have you discovered there?” she called out to her.

“Books, grandmother, some of them written in our language. It seems the Akkedis are not just treacherous and ignorant.”

The Duchess approached her granddaughter, intrigued with Myriam’s find, as books were always a passion of hers. Suddenly a number of boxes were pushed to one side and a shadowy figure emerged from behind them.

Grabbing the Duchess around the throat, the figure pinned her body close to its own. Scared and panicked eyes stared out from a nervous face as the attacker scanned the people in the room. Myriam gasped as she recognized the one holding her grandmother.

“Ghaffar! I wondered where you had got yourself to.”