Dawn looked like she would run at any second. Fear laced her features. Only her pride kept her feet rooted in place. She wasn’t scared of the robed figures. She feared returning to her caged life.

The Heptalli started towards the group. A crimson clad figure marched at the head of the warriors. Thinking of something else to say or do yielded no results. A curse passed through Dawn’s lips. She bit at her lip subconsciously with worry.

“Why do they have their weapons drawn and have really angry looks on their faces?” asked Billy.

Dawn was silent for a moment. “I was meant to be gone less than a single day. I promised I would only take you to the desert’s edge. Instead I’ve been gone for six days, alone with three young men who are absolute strangers.”

“Oh.”

The Heptalli warriors had reached them now. Two continued past them to guard the rear. Both sides were guarded by grim faced men while another two took their place at the front. All had their weapons pointed at the boys. The red robed Heptalli approached them and stood at the group’s front in between the two warriors already there, face to face with Dawn. It was her mother, Rose, the Heptalli Matriarch. Her face was carefully composed but her amber eyes glared daggers.

The ensuing silence was so loud it was almost deafening. Everything was perfectly still. Trey would have thought time was frozen if it was not for the sharp pain in his back where a spear pressed against him. The void of sound rolled on, Trey wondered if anyone would ever speak. He certainly wasn’t going to and no one else looked ready to either.

“Aah, family reunions are always so touching. How have you been Mrs Rayin? Now it’s a funny story we have to tell you, or actually it’s not funny but it’s certainly entertaining, depending upon your disposition towards interests-” The unwanted ranting was cut short as the guard behind Zak bludgeoned him across the head with the hilt of his scimitar. Zak collapsed to the floor unconscious, his blood soaking into the sand.

Trey flinched as he watched. They were deadly serious. Zak had managed to break the silence at least. Now things suddenly started as if the event had been paused until that moment.

“What have you to say?” demanded Rose to her daughter in a harsh tone. When Dawn gave no answer her anger seemed to rise. “You broke your promise, abandoned your royal duties, ran off with three total strangers, and had the nerve to steal and abandon our finest speeder!” Dawn cringed at every point that was stabbed at her. She still didn’t give a verbal response to defend herself.

“Do you not care for your tribe? Your family?” accused the Heptalli leader.

“I do!” shouted Dawn. Now she looked furious too. Trey and Billy cowered at the sight of the enraged women, as did the guards. “A better question is do you not care for your own daughter, your own blood?”

“How could you even insinuate such a thing! You have been given all you could ever need and have always been treated with honour and respect,” Rose almost snarled.

Dawn scoffed angrily. “You know I don’t want that life. I want to be treated with love not honour and respect. I want to explore the world, not stay in the same desert my whole life. I want to earn people’s’ respect not have it handed to me on a silver platter because of some stupid title I don’t even want.”

“That is the way we work. It has been the same for generations; you can’t forgo the destiny given to you at your birth. It is the way of the Heptalli.”

“So the way of the great Heptalli is to be trapped in a cage for eternity.”

Both women’s anger had calmed into a mellow sadness. Rose turned and addressed her tribesmen. “We are going back to the village and will discuss matters with the wisdom of the Elder. Load the prisoners onto a speeder.”

“Prisoners?” said Billy.

The warrior in front of him picked him up and slung him across his shoulder. Another did the same to Trey and the still unconscious Zak. They were dumped into one of the normal speeders while Dawn and her mother entered the royal speeder. Five guards stood around the boys. The driver had yet to climb aboard.

As Trey looked around the speeder he noticed something was out of place. The wheel used to steer the sand vessel was already occupied. Leant against the controls was Liam. He half heartedly nodded his head to Trey then pulled a lever. The speeder juddered slightly and started forwards, startling the warriors aboard. One warrior stood near the edge of the speeder fell off into the sand.

To everyone’s surprise, Zak leapt to his feet and tackled the closest warrior over the speeders side. Following his example, Trey pushed another off the edge while Billy punched one in the face causing him to stagger backwards into the sand below. The final guard was prepared and had a spear at Zak’s throat within seconds.

“Finally,” shouted a small voice from somewhere on Zak. “I haven’t had any action for ages.”

Pux jumped onto Zak’s shoulder, swung himself onto the spear, ran along its shaft, vaulted into the air and kicked the Heptalli in the nose. This achieved nothing other than to surprise the man at the sight of a finger sized being.

“You are a very small man,” stammered the guard in confusion.

“Well done,” said Pux in an immensely patronising tone. He sighed then in one swift movement cut the man’s beard off with his sword.

This seemed to greatly annoy the man. Before he got a chance to swing he was punched in the face and sent hurtling overboard by Billy.

“I was just starting to enjoy myself,” moaned the Yuxova captain.

Liam had turned the craft and now it was about to pass the royal speeder that Dawn and her mother occupied. The Heptalli warriors were in a state of confusion. Liam seemed to know how to drive the vessel. Things were looking good until Trey realised a problem.

“Dawn!” he shouted. Trey could see the girl push her way to the side of her speeder but the two vehicles were many feet apart and one was gaining speed every second. The speeders would only be adjacent for a few brief seconds.

“Jump!” Trey roared over the shouts of the warriors that surrounded them. Dawn hesitated for an instant but by then the two speeders had passed. She still leapt forwards in the hopes that she could make it.

She was going to fall short; there was no doubt about it. Just as she was about to land face first into the sand someone grabbed her hand and swung her towards her goal. She hit the side of the speeder, knocking all the air from her lungs. She looked up with tear blurred eyes and saw Trey grasping her hand, trying to pull her aboard with all his might. More hands reached down and she was hoisted onto the deck.

Before she had a chance to thank the boys, Dawn noticed Liam standing at the helm, which was strange, but stranger was the fact that in his hand he held a black ball the size of a man’s fist. A strand of string protruded from the top that was ablaze with a small flame. Without any warning he threw it towards the speeder Dawn had just escaped from.

Just as Dawn was thinking what a pointless idea it had been, the royal speeder disappeared in a ball of fire and a crash of thunder. A wave of monstrous sound hit her, followed by a blast of immense heat. The force was almost enough to knock her from her feet. As the smoke cleared, only splintered wood remained.

Dawn dashed to the speeder’s edge holding back tears. The Heptalli ships were now fading into the distance but the smoke and flames could still be seen clearly. She collapsed to her knees and tears streamed down her paling skin.

Trey and Billy rushed to her side when they noticed she was distressed. Zak would have done the same but he still was not fully coherent after the blow to his head.

“What are you playing at?” roared Billy at Liam. “That was Dawn’s mother you idiot.”

“They attacked you and took you as prisoners. They were enemies,” replied Liam calmly, his logical approach infuriating.

“That’s still no reason to blow them up. We only needed to escape.”

“That’s why I targeted that speeder. It was far faster than ours. They would have caught us up and captured us again.”

Billy looked like he was going to shout some more but Trey interrupted him. “Everyone calm down. Fighting won’t help anymore. It’s too late to argue now.” Trey placed a comforting hand on Dawn’s shoulders. 

Zak was absently admiring the smoke. “What was that ball anyway? Some kind of nimula? It made an awesome explosion.”

“Onlasar’s military alchemists designed it. They named it a Boom-Ball. It’s filled with powder that explodes when fire touches it,” answered Liam.

“What about Dawn though?” said Billy, not forgetting his anger.

Liam shrugged dismissively.

Dawn looked like she couldn’t take anymore. She rose to her feet then ran straight to the sleeping area below the deck, her head in her hands. Rage contorted Billy’s face. He moved to deliver a punch to the pessimist’s face but Trey managed to hold him back. Zak didn’t have that problem. His fist connected to Liam’s face, sending the boy back into the railing. Blood trickled from his lip and his eye looked like it would swell. He licked away the blood with slow deliberation.

“You should be kinder to her,” Zak said as he walked away. “She likes you more than I do, and you’re much less harsh to me.”

“You hold a giant axe on your shoulder almost all of the time,” Liam pointed out. “She doesn’t.”

“But she’s female,” Zak added. “That alone should scare the hell out of you.”

* * *

The day passed by in an awkward silence. Tensions were high and everyone stayed in their own little spaces. Dawn remained below deck, Liam stayed at the helm, while Billy sat at the fastened down table toying with his knives. Zak lay in the middle of the deck staring at the sky and Trey stood at the prow gazing out into the distance deep in thought. Pux was the only person being constructive. He had found a wild lizard and had begun training it as a new steed for himself. Bo-bo stood by his side, aiding his master when possible.

Trey absentmindedly watched the endless dunes of sand zip by as he contemplated their predicament. He was getting nowhere. He was about to retire to his makeshift bed when he noticed something on the horizon that was out of place. At the current distance he couldn’t be sure what it was but the speeder was hurtling towards it at a great speed so he would find out soon.

It was black and about the size of a human. It certainly wasn’t a Forukk even at that range. As the speeder came closer to it Trey realised it was a robed man. The speeder was heading straight for him. Trey was about to call out to Liam to avoid the figure when he caught a glimpse of its face.

The being was tall, taller than a good sized man by a full head. It seemed rather thin but Trey couldn’t be sure because of the heavy looking, void black robes it wore. Its head was hooded but when it looked up it revealed its face. It was a smiley face. Not to say a normal face that was smiling. An actual bright yellow, black featured smiley face. All in all it was like a cross between a painting Trey had once seen portraying Death and a stretchy yellow smiley faced man he had once won at a fair. 

Its emotionless eyes met with Trey’s. An entire conversation that involved no words or motions that lasted an eternity took place inside Trey’s head. In all this time his heart didn’t beat once. In reality their eyes only met for a second before the speeder ploughed through the otherworldly being.

There was no sound of impact. Trey ran to the back of the speeder to see if there was a crumpled body, or to prove it had all been in his head. He wasn’t that lucky. It was still standing in the same spot as before. It was in the exact same position other than the fact its head was turned a full one-hundred-and-eighty degrees. Its surreal face still staring at Trey. As it faded into the distance he noticed both Billy and Zak standing by his side staring out at the being.

“What the hell was that?” asked Billy.

“I was hoping it was a figment of my imagination,” answered Trey.

“If so you have a really vivid imagination,” added Zak.

A strange fear bit at Trey’s heart. It wasn’t like facing the Forukks or almost dying. It was a stronger feeling but at the same time not as terrible. He breathed deeply and tried to calm himself. He felt drained.

With his last amount of strength he pulled himself over to his bed and draped the thin cover over himself. He felt tired like never before in his life but sleep didn’t come. Nightmares plagued his brain though he knew he was awake. He couldn’t do anything to dispel them. It was going to be a long night.

Previous – Chapter 27. The Return Journey.

Next – Chapter 29. Birth of Darkness.

Damn it!” roared Billy as he smashed his fist through their room’s door. After he withdrew his hand he looked through the hole to see the stunned face of Commander Mike Nakai, whose hand was poised ready to knock.

“…Come in.”

The door collapsed towards Nakai and crashed to the floor, the man sidestepping just in time. He walked over the door and entered the room. The three boys and Dawn were all in there. Billy was wrapping his hand in bandages while Zak was opening nut shells by smashing them with his axe. Trey seemed to be lost in thought as he stared out of the window and Dawn practiced with her scimitar in the centre of the room. An immensely small man was shooting a candle on the other side of the room from where it stood with a miniature crossbow. Nakai shrugged and pushed the tiny man from his mind.

“What do you want?” asked Dawn as she removed some stray hairs from her face.

Nakai hesitated for a moment then spoke. “I’m sorry about my Lord. He is a rather selfish and uncaring man, but he wants what is best for Onlasar.” He hesitated again as if pondering something of huge importance. “Even if we win this battle we’ll be defeated by the beasts of the west. That is where you wish to go, is it not?”

Trey spoke in a serious manner. “We were. Now we can’t. We’ll fight here with you and if I live then I’ll head west. What the others do is their choice.”

“What do you plan to do when you reach that accursed place?” asked Nakai.

“Find and free the captives, cause widespread chaos, the usual,” Trey replied.

A smile appeared upon Nakai’s face. “I believe you could do it as well. If you don’t get yourselves killed, you four will become great warriors in the future. If we all somehow live through these hard times then it would be a great honour to spar with you.”

“I look forward to that day,” replied Trey. Zak smiled widely at the thought of fighting Onlasar’s finest warrior.

The Commander gave a deep sigh. “Head to the city armoury and take your pick of weapons and armour. Your place isn’t in this battle but in Lanstiro. I don’t care what the Lord says on this matter, I’m confident in my decision.”

“What! Really, you’re letting us leave. Won’t your Lord punish you?” asked Billy.

“Even he wouldn’t dare punish the best warrior in the city, who also happens to be commander of its armies, just before such an important battle. After the battle if I live then who knows. Now go! Be as stealthy as possible. My little brother, Liam, will meet you there and show you a secret way out of the city. I must go; I have an army to prepare. Good luck.”

“Thank you Commander. I’ll never forget your kindness,” said Trey holding his hand out. Nakai took it and shook. 

Dawn gave a curtsy full of respect. Billy nodded his head to him. All four gathered up their belongings and left the room, Billy slinging his lutar in its new leather carry case over his shoulder opposite his bow.

As Zak passed Nakai he said, “I look forward to the day we cross blades. Until that day, don’t die, I know I sure as hell won’t. I’m not passing up an opportunity to fight you.”

Nakai laughed. “If it’s at all in my power I’ll not die.”

With that the group ran off towards the royal armoury. All guards seemed to have been told to abandon their posts to train civilians instead, so getting into the castle was easy. Finding the right door in the monolithic structure was quite another matter but they managed it. As promised, Liam stood by the armoury door, twirling a key in his black nailed fingers.

“Hey,” Liam said as he opened the door. It took quite some effort as the door was a huge slab of stone on hinges. He lit some torches that hung on the walls inside and stepped back so the others could enter.

The room beyond shone with metals. Shields adorned the walls and weapon racks were arranged in tightly packed aisles. There was a stunning assortment of weapons, from swords, spears, axes, maces, bows, crossbows, daggers, halberds, hammers, and some Trey had never even seen before. The back of the room was dedicated to shining armour.

The group stood unmoving, too amazed by the weapons to think straight. “Take your pick,” said Liam in his deadpan tone. This got them to react. The three boys felt like they were in the world’s greatest sweet shop.

After exploring the room’s contents thoroughly they began to choose what they wanted. Trey decided upon a large broadsword, thick bladed near the hilt but gradually growing thinner towards the point. Its handle was wrapped in drake leather and runes glittered upon its blade. It was heavy but Trey was confident he could wield it. As for armour he chose a thin plate cuirass, plain in design but made from a surprisingly strong metal. Long plated vambraces encased his forearms and rounded pauldrons protected his shoulders, the metal curving upward slightly at one end to guard his neck. Steel greaves with large tear shaped centres in a black sheen led to leather boots that sported rough metal plates.

Billy chose a fine yew bow carved with eagles, a short bladed rapier, and several throwing daggers that he hid around his body. After a moment of thought he also slung a light, single handed crossbow onto his back. He fought his way into a full bodied suit of chainmail then fitted flexible leather spaulders, vambraces and greaves. Lastly he found a two pieced plate crafted to look like two hawks in flight that were fastened around his chest and upper back. With the lutar stubbornly strapped to his back he looked overburdened but the weight did not seem to bother him.

Zak kept his axe but replaced his two old swords for a pair of brilliant katana, each with small glowing blue runes that formed the image of a lightning bolt. The cuirass that drew his attention was one that had been shut away inside a cabinet in the corner of the armoury. It was a black metal similar to that which the Forukks wore, but where their armour was basically designed and poorly made, this was slender and filled with sleek curves and points, giving the illusion of a demonic face across his body. His spaulders were gauntleted hands that grabbed each shoulder, the fingers reaching down his arm as though trying to claw at the leaf patterned metal below them that covered both limbs from fingertip to shoulder. His greaves were no less disturbing as they were a close knit spiderweb of steel, each gap in the metal filled with a smaller criss-crossing of silver threads. Once fully armed he looked easily capable of being some kind of hellish villain from old legends.

Dawn took little other than a bow with arrows as she already had the Heptalli royal scimitar. Her robes were already suitable for battle, each layer immensely thin but any arrow fired at it would become tangled before inflicting heavy damage. Based upon what Commander Nakai had worn at the banquet, she selected a delicate, brightened steel chest guard that cut off before reaching her stomach and a single paulder over her right shoulder.

Once everyone had chosen, Liam gave them camouflaged scout cloaks to help avoid detection. He then led them through corridors in silence.

Eventually he stopped in front of a plain door. Behind it was a small room filled with mops, brushes and buckets. Liam pushed on a broom handle and the back wall slid open.

“A hidden passage in a store room, how traditional,” scoffed Billy.

“It’s dark but safe,” said Liam as he started down the tunnel.

“Aren’t you going to light some torches so we can see?” asked Dawn.

“No. I like the dark,” replied Liam as he was submerged into the thick darkness. Dawn gave a frustrated sigh then followed.

The tunnel sloped slightly down, leading them underground. Trey was starting to get accustomed to the absence of all but the sound of their breathing and footsteps when the tunnel ended. He heard metal rungs clatter then the slow groan of old hinges followed by a dim light. 

After a brief climb up the ladders they found themselves in a cellar with only narrow slots near its roof providing light. A few crates and barrels occupied the room but other than them it was empty. At the far end of the cellar, dusty stairs led to a large door that opened into an equipment shed. Trey guessed they were in one of the many farms outside of Onlasar’s walls. Shears, sickles, rakes, wheelbarrows and other useful farming items littered the walls.

“Anyone who lives beyond the city’s walls were taken to the castle,” explained Liam as they walked through the deserted farm. Even the animals were gone, taken to a secure location within the city.

“You can get back to the desert by following the main road. You’ll have to find your own way to your deaths, as that’s where you are heading,” said Liam as he pointed towards the main road to and from the city.

“Cheerful as always,” muttered Billy.

“I have to go back to the city. I hope your deaths are quick.”With that he walked back towards the farm.

“We hope to see you again,” called Dawn as she waved goodbye. Liam just carried on walking.

“Fine!” she snapped angrily. She turned and stamped off down the road. Trey, Zak and Billy quickly followed. 

It was the same road they had followed to the city so they hoped the sandspeeder was still at the desert’s edge. Minutes passed by and soon the distant yellow line on the horizon became a huge expanse of sand. They retraced the path through the desert they had taken earlier in the week. The speeder was still there, but it wasn’t alone. Three more sandspeeders surrounded the royal speeder they had used. One stood at either side then one at the back. The only way not blocked was back towards Onlasar.

Yellow robed figures stood guard around the area. Trey counted twenty although more could have been out of his view. He considered abandoning the speeder and finding their way through the desert on foot. He was sure that Dawn would know the way. That idea was dropped though as Trey realised with dread that they had been spotted.

Previous – Chapter 26. Preparations.

Next – Chapter 28. Family Tension.

The sun was at its highest point in the sky, birds were singing, children were playing happily in the streets and Trey was still in bed. A strange noise drifted into his head. He stirred from his sleep and slowly opened his eyes. He was alone in the bedroom but the noise sounded close by. He pulled himself from the covers and headed into the main room. Billy was sitting there playing what looked like a lutar.

Billy noticed Trey enter and strummed the strings happily. “Look what I’ve got,” he bragged, showing off the instrument. “Avocado Dusk gave me their spare and taught me the basics on how to play it. I haven’t slept all night.”

“Cool,” was all Trey could answer as he eyed the instrument enviously.

The two boys stayed in all that day and relaxed. Billy sat and absentmindedly played small, mistake filled tunes. Trey jotted down notes about everything that had happened since his departure from Pastrino. After most the day had passed Billy could actually play the basics accurately and Trey had filled several pages with notes on the Forukks and the various places they had travelled.

Zak didn’t show his face that day either. The two boys just sat and talked for many hours of the night until weariness overcame them and they both drifted off into pleasant dreams.

It was the fourth day in Onlasar and both Trey and Billy were awake early. Zak had run into the room excitedly and shook Billy awake while Pux let his bird peck Trey into consciousness.

“Follow me!” said Zak happily.

“What have you done now? Killed someone or something?” asked Billy cynically.

“Not that I know of. Who knows? Who cares? Let’s go!”

Zak hurriedly led them to the study, almost skipping with joy. They entered the room and he guided them to the table that he had been sat at the last time they had seen him. On the table was the ‘The Arts of Nimula’ and another, rather large item covered with cloth.

Anticipation rose. Both Trey and Billy guessed there would be some kind of doomsday weapon or monster. Zak overdramatically removed the cover and there was… his axe.

Billy looked like he was about to shout something very angrily when Zak started talking.

“Try and lift it,” Zak said.

“What?” asked Billy, sounding slightly confused?

“Try and lift it,” repeated Zak.

“Fine!” Billy walked up to the table, grabbed the axe handle and pulled. Nothing happened. The teen had strong arms due to his frequent use of a powerful longbow so he was surprised when the weapon hadn’t even budged. He tried again with all his strength but still it didn’t move. Trey joined in but even together it barely wobbled.

“Now watch this,” said Zak.

He placed one hand on the handle and lifted it straight away, resting it on his shoulder. Trey and Billy stood with their mouths wide open. Zak laughed then balanced the very end of the axe on his index finger then removed his other hand and casually used it to pick up a glass of water and drink from it.

Only gormless looks came from the other two boys so Zak explained what he had done.

“You see those cool, shiny little rune-like symbols on its blade; I put them there with Nimula. It makes it five times heavier to everyone but me or any who share my blood. For me it’s five times lighter than it should be. Cool isn’t it.”

Shortly after Zak had finished bragging they all had set out to see what food was on offer throughout the city. Many wondrous delights were found, like pies that tasted like cupcakes, but none more so than what Trey found in a small shop at the edge of the shopping district. It sold milk, but not just any milk. It looked, smelled and tasted like milk but had alcoholic tendencies. Drinking it made you drunk but without the hangovers in the morning. Trey bought large quantities of the stuff with what little money he had then went back to the inn while Billy and Zak continued looking around. When they came back they found him asleep in the water basin.

On the fifth day their roaming brought them to the military sector of the city. It was a fenced off cluster of large buildings with dummies and targets positioned around the outside area. Portions of the sector were open to the public at certain times such as the dojo and the archery range.

A few guards were visible training with bows or swords while several well dressed officers and officials could be spotted carrying papers or inspecting the men. Everything looked well organised but it was clear that it was only a small scale setup that couldn’t support a full army. Trey doubted if half of the men he could see had ever actually seen a battle. Onlasar had seen few disturbances outside of small bands of brigands and the occasional barbarian raids throughout Trey’s lifetime.

Billy was arguing with one of the guards in an attempt to gain access to the archery range. The guard continued to refuse on the grounds that it was outside civilian hours but the appearance of a lean figured woman with raven black hair silenced the guard.

She wore the plated armour and pristine beige coloured uniform of an officer and had an ornately designed spear strapped to her back. She had a strongly defined face, one that looked to have known hardships, but her dark eyes were soft and her red lips were curved slightly in a warm smile.

“You must be the boys that the commander was telling me about. I am Suzy Fireblood, Commander Nakai’s lieutenant.” She spoke in a strong, confident voice despite her conversational tone.

The guard frowned. “Sir, these kids want access to the facilities outside of public hours,” he grunted disapprovingly.

“Leave them with me. They are guests of the city so the least we can do is offer them our practice yards,” the lieutenant told him. The guard shrugged his broad shoulders then stood to the side with a crisp salute. Suzy motioned to the teens and they filed past the guard into the training grounds.

“The commander has filled me in on your situation. I genuinely hope that you are all mistaken or are lying but he senses no deception or uncertainty in any of you. He has a good sense of character so I won’t ignore his opinion until the evidence proves you right or wrong. Until then we have been stepping up our training and recruitment.”

Billy shook his head. “It’s still not enough. We saw the Forukk army. The majority of it never even entered the city. A few extra bakers and apprentices aren’t going to make any difference. We need a real army if anybody hopes to stand the smallest chance of surviving,” he finished soberly.

Suzy eyed him with a calculating look. She sighed passively. “It isn’t our call to make. That power lies with Lord Baranox. Without any proof of danger, he won’t spend a single vim extra. Don’t sell us short though. The men and women of Onlasar have never lost a battle. We always rise to the occasion.”

Billy scoffed at the woman angrily. “I know Onlasar’s feats of battle well enough. My grandfather only moved to Pastrino after the ‘brigand king’ was defeated outside of Skigge. But let me ask you: do you have anyone left who can wield a Thunder-Shot? How many of these men have fought anything tougher than the odd bandit? Do you intend to stay here and let your walls keep you safe while the world burns?” As Billy spoke his voice grew louder and more heated until the other soldiers began to cease their activities to stare at him.

Suzy waved away a group of men who had gathered behind her and were staring daggers at Billy. She took a fierce step towards him and grabbed a handful of his woollen shirt that he had bought the day before from a trader selling goods from Pastrino. 

“Listen up, boy. Most of us aren’t trained soldiers. We are guardians trained to protect our city and our people. We are willing to fight though, willing to face any odds to carry out our job. These men put their life on the line because they believe in it, not just because of the handful of Rhen that is a soldier’s pay. If you are right and war breaks out, just be lucky that you have such strong hearts as those of Onlasar at your side.”

Every soldier nodded their heads proudly at her words. She let go of Billy’s shirt, causing him to stagger back. “If any Onlasarian blood still runs through your veins then you should already know all of that.”

Silence hung heavy for a few moments. Billy stood still, his arms twitching slightly. After a moment he clamped his arms to his sides and offered a formal bow. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have doubted you. Thinking of what the Forukks did just makes me so angry. I hate all of this sitting around and waiting. I feel so useless.”

Suzy grasped his shoulder. “I understand. Sometimes, waiting can’t be avoided. Time should never be wasted though. Every hour of calm is an hour more to train. The more you train the longer you’ll hopefully survive when the action finally begins. I’ll show you around then you are welcome to use our facilities.”

As they walked, Suzy pointed out the various areas of the campus. “As you can see, we have an archery range that is fully equipped with everything that is needed. In recent years, training in archery has diminished somewhat due to our mountainous surroundings reducing the bows’ effectiveness. They are still useful against the forest brigands though.”

“We also have a multipurpose dojo there to your right and a Tactical Assessment Centre there at the end for teaching people to think instead of just clobbering blindly. Information, stratagems, tactics, command: all of it is available within to those with an open mind.”

As they walked, Trey’s eyes were drawn to one of the many hollowed out boulders that formed the majority of Onlasar’s older buildings. “What about that building?” he asked.

“It’s a museum of sorts. Antique weapons and armour, memorials to fallen soldiers, showcases of heroes and famous battles, that kind of thing. You are welcome to have a look around if you’d like.”

They entered the building and were immediately met by a colossal bow that was twice the dimensions of the longbow on Billy’s back. It was carved from black wood that glistened in the dim light like jet, while intricate carvings covered everywhere except for its very centre. The arrows beside it were as long as a man’s arm and had a very narrow, spiral weaved head that looked easily capable of piercing metal plate.

“That is one of our famous Thunder-Shots,” the lieutenant stated. “That bow could send arrows flying for over a mile when fully drawn. Those arrows went through armour and flesh with equal contempt and at close range could impale numerous men at a time. Back when they were in use, scores of Breakers would stand atop Onlasar’s walls and pound any besieging army with unstoppable shots. Anything within a mile lived or died by the Breakers’ grace.”

“Why don’t you still use them then?” asked Zak as though she was stupid. “Anything that powerful shouldn’t be in a museum gathering dust.”

“Just look at it,” Suzy answered. “It took unimaginable strength to draw back that string. Breakers were chosen as boys and were given heavy training their entire lives just to be able to use one. To train a new Breaker took over a decade of constant work and the end results of such strain was crippling deformities and poor health. Breakers never made it to retirement.”

Zak snorted then grabbed the bow off of the wall. The others moved to stop him but he hopped lightly away. He pulled at the string and it slowly began to stretch. The muscles in his arm were strained but he quickly had the string as far back as his arm would allow.

“H-how?” was all that Suzy managed. Zak shrugged then eased the string back. Snapping out of her stupor, the lieutenant snatched the weapon from his hand and re-hung it. “You boys aren’t what you seem, are you?”

“So much for discretion,” Trey sighed.

Suzy’s quizzical look turned into a faint smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask any questions. As soldiers, we are trained not to question things.”

They moved through the building’s densely arranged exhibits under the lieutenant’s direction. Pastrino was not known for war or battle so no such place existed within its white walls. The boys took everything in and frequently questioned the woman.

She explained to them that in the past, Onlasar relied upon Breakers and a core of soldiers known as Strikers. Where the Breakers were giants of men focussed on long range attack, the Strikers were lean men with wiry strength, speed and agility who wielded short, very thin blades known as ‘Lightning Strikes’ that were designed for stabbing at the foe in enclosed spaces. These were well suited for the narrow mountain passes and cramped caves and tunnels that made up Onlasar’s terrain. Unlike the Breakers, Strikers were still in operation as the city’s elite troops.

Once they were finished, Suzy led them back outside. “I have some work to attend to now.” She passed a folded sheet of paper to Billy. “Take this. It will give you access to whatever training facilities and equipment that you require.” Briskly, she turned on her heels and began to walk away. “Train hard boys. I’d hate for you to die young.”

Trey watched the woman disappear into a large, square building that was painted in red and had golden trim. It was easily the most decorated structure in the fenced off area, marking it as the Command Post.

He shook his head slightly. “They might be able to defend their city but they don’t have the numbers to march the length of the land to attack the Forukks.”

“Numbers mean nothing,” Zak snorted. “If they’re as brave and well trained as that woman was bragging then that’s what matters. If we could just find a spell to multiply me to create about a dozen Zaks then we wouldn’t even need an army. Twelve of me would be unstoppable.”

“Twelve of you would be a nightmare.” Trey observed dryly.

“For our enemies.”

“For the universe in general,” finished Trey. He turned to Billy. “What do you think?

Billy’s face remained passive. “I think that we need to train harder if we ever hope to see our families again.”

“Agreed,” nodded both Trey and Zak before the three of them entered the wooden-framed dojo.

* * *

The sixth day was more dramatic than those before it. A messenger came for them at six in the morning, much to Trey’s horror. Both he and Billy ached terribly after the prior days training. Zak looked as fresh and energetic as always. An urgent meeting was being held at the castle very soon. They didn’t even have time for breakfast. Trey felt like crying.

The meeting was being held in the audience chamber. Unlike when they last visited, it was now full of people, all of them important looking. Only commander Nakai spared them a smile among the sea of grim faces.

“You’re finally here,” stated Lord Baranox to Dawn. He completely ignored the three boys. “We can begin the meeting now. Our scouts that were sent into the mountains report very grave news indeed.” He clicked his fingers and a bedraggled woman in the Onlasarian scout uniform of brown dyed silk and leather stepped forwards to address the assembled audience.

“After searching a great deal of the mountain range we discovered that there is a large force of barbarians gathering. Not just a few tribes but all of them. They appear to have joined forces and are preparing for battle. They have twice the men we have. They are organised as well. I swear that they even had monsters in black armour roaming their camp. It was one of those who raised the alarm on us. We tried to retreat but they were everywhere. Only I made it back with my life.”

Nakai rose to his feet. “This means that a major attack on the city will happen within a few days which we are ill prepared for. It also means that Miss Rayin was likely correct about Pastrino so we have no allies, nowhere to run, and a far more fearful enemy to face even if we win the battle here.”

“Is there nothing we can do to avoid all of this,” asked a nobleman.

“No,” answered Nakai bluntly. “All we can do is gather anyone who can wield a sword, give them armour and weapons, prepare what we can and hope for the best.”

Lord Baranox sighed. “Fine. I loath saying this but the city is to be shut off. No one leaves or enters. Any person who is within the city’s walls and can fight will defend the city, Onlasarian or not.”

“What about us?” shouted Trey. “I need to save my mum and staying here won’t help me do that. The longer I wait the more chance there is she is dead.”

“You and your friends will stay and defend the city just like everyone else. If you attempt to leave you will have an arrow embedded into your spine. That applies to everyone.”

“I give full command of resources and people to Commander Nakai. He will lead you to victory in this battle. Begin the preparations. Dismissed!”

Dawn and the boys stormed angrily out of the hall ahead of the dejected crowd of nobles. Terror hung thick in the air. Trey clenched his fists painfully. He was stuck in a hopeless battle the exact opposite side of Farava to the hopeless battle that he wanted to fight in. Like it or not, they were all trapped here until victory, or more likely death, released them.

Previous – Chapter 25. Passing Time.

Next – Chapter 27. The Return Journey.

After returning to their rooms, the night slipped by silently as tension between the three boys hung thick in the air. Morning came and as Billy awoke he noticed that Zak wasn’t in his bed, or in the room at all. He listened to see if he could hear him but could only hear Trey’s heavy breathing.

Returning to the bedroom after searching for Zak and eating breakfast, Billy shook Trey to wake him. It failed. He grabbed Trey’s mattress and tipped it. Trey fell onto the hard floor. He still lay fast asleep.

“By the sprites, he is hard to wake up,” Billy muttered to himself.

Next Billy held Trey’s nose closed but the sleeping boy just started breathing through his mouth instead. Billy placed his other hand over Trey’s mouth but still his chest rose and fell and he did not seem to be suffocating. Billy could still hear Trey’s breathing and upon closer inspection realised he was breathing through his ears.

“What the hell?” was all Billy managed to say.

Billy could no longer be bothered with messing around. He lifted Trey’s body over his shoulder and left their room. A servant passed him along the corridor and gave him a suspicious look.

“I’m taking out the laundry,” he stated as he shoved Trey through the laundry chute. There was a series of loud thuds then quiet. Billy smiled pleasantly to the servant then headed for the laundry room.

As he arrived there, Trey opened the door and sleepily rubbed his eyes and yawned.

“Why did I wake up in a laundry basket?” Trey asked.

Billy ignored his question. “Never mind that, Zak has gone and so has his axe. To make matters worse, he’s taken the Nimula book.”

“That can’t be good.”

“No it can’t.”

They checked in with Dawn to see if she knew where he was, but she didn’t. They were about to leave the inn to search outside when one of the servants stopped them.

“Can I help you with anything?” he asked in a slightly disapproving, snobbish manner.

“Yes, you can,” answered Trey. “Have you seen a boy our age, black hair with blond streaks, carrying an axe about as tall as he is?”

“I have,” stated the man with disgust. “He is in the study.” He pointed down a corridor to their left. “Third door on the right.”

They ran to the study and barged through the door. They entered a relatively large room occupied with five square tables, a candle in the centre of each, and a large chandelier taking up most of the roof. Books lined every wall.

Zak was sitting in the far corner of the room, his axe leant against the wall at his side. He seemed to be intently studying his grandfather’s book of Nimula. Pux stood nearby, a mess of materials at his feet and several open books that dwarfed him were laid out around him.

“What are you planning?” asked Billy suspiciously.

Zak looked up at the looming figure of Billy and smiled sweetly. “Nothing,” he replied innocently.

“What are you using the book for?” asked Trey.

“I’m broadening my horizons.”

“More like preparing an imminent catastrophe,” sneered Billy.

Sounding hurt, Zak replied “What gave you that idea?”

“You’re a walking disaster,” said Billy

“I’m clearly sitting.”

Trey sighed. “If you promise not to cause destruction and panic you can stay and keep the book.”

“I promise.”

“Fine,” said Trey. “Me and Billy are heading out to see Avocado Dusk perform tonight, and Dawn said something about an important meeting, so if you blow something up or summon a bloodthirsty monster, you’re on your own.”

The day passed by uneventfully after that. Neither Zak nor Dawn were seen during the rest of the morning. The time of the performance arrived and Trey and Billy set off, feeling excitement for the first time in over a week, the horrors of the past few days and the task before them forgotten for a scant few hours.

The streets were filled with groups of happy youths, all heading to the stadium where the concert was being held. The adults shunned the kind of music that the troupe played, preferring the classical lute performers of their childhood.

As they walked, Trey bent down and scooped up a smooth stone. This was the fifth he had picked up since their arrival into the city but he offered no explanation when asked.

The stadium was located at the very centre of the city and was Onlasar’s most popular form of entertainment. When it was first constructed it served as a battleground for warriors to test their strength and skill and criminals to face their punishments. Huge audiences had gathered to sit in the many tiers and enjoy the blood. Times grew more civilised and the stadium became home to events like races, plays and performances.

Trey gazed upon the stadium in amazement. The entrance was a magnificent door as high as ten men were tall and so wide five broad shouldered men could walk alongside each other without even brushing shoulders. The wall continued for another five men’s worth of height above the door.

Carvings of the stadium’s history and the feats of those who fought within it covered the wall’s surface. A smaller door was dwarfed by the old main entrance, but this was the door the crowd was heading for. It was just wide enough for two men to walk shoulder to shoulder through it but a man took up half that space collecting tickets.

After handing their tickets to the man they entered the main building. It was like walking into another world. The roof was painted like a perfect night sky. Every star was a small white flame, as was the moon which hung in a netted cage and filled the room with heat like the warmth of a thick cover on a cold night. Five tiers ringed the central area although only the first two were in use by the crowd.

When everyone had taken their seats a chatter of anticipation arose. A burst of flames near a side door attracted the crowd’s attention. Three men stepped out onto the central stage and the crowd exploded with cheers. The men made their way to the middle where a drum and two new model lutes, named lutars, were placed.

The noise decreased slightly as the band said a brief introduction. It soon picked up again as a steady melody was played on the lutars, increasing in volume and pace. Trey took a stone from his pocket and whispered to it. It glowed for the briefest second then faded back to being a normal stone.

Many songs were played, including ones that Trey and Billy had never heard before. Billy had noticed that Trey was acting strange and kept bringing out various different stones. If Billy thought right, he was casting Nimula on them too.

The concert ended and the crowds began to disperse, their spirits high after a wonderful night. Trey headed off back to the Silver Chalice saying he had some things to attend to but Billy stayed to try and talk to the band.

When Trey returned he could hear Dawn’s ‘nonexistent’ snores from within her room. He entered the boys’ room but it was empty. Zak still wasn’t back.

Trey found a basket and placed all the different stones from his pockets into it. He spoke some strange words and a green fire erupted around the stones. It died down but, defying logic, the stones still gently burned with the jade flames. He shoved the basket under his bed then climbed into the sheets and fell asleep.

Previous – Chapter 24. Dreams of the Past.

Next – Chapter 26. Preparation.

Trey, Billy, Zak and Dawn were led from the castle to a nearby inn named the ‘Silver Chalice’. It was a large wooden building that stood out among its mostly stone neighbours. The majority of its patrons were minor nobles or well-off merchants.

They had a week-long stay. That was seven days without being able to do anything constructive. They had been invited to a noble’s birthday celebrations the next day because of Dawn’s status and for the remains of the current day they needed to rest, but that still left five days.

“Here are your rooms,” stated the inn’s owner after she had led them upstairs.

She was a portly woman by the name of Clarabelle Jaile who had a kind face but sharp, calculating eyes. Her inn was kept tidy and if it wasn’t to the standard of kings and lords, the rooms were still grander than any place that the boys had ever stayed before.

“Miss Rayin, yours is the one on the right and your escorts’ are the one on the left. If there is anything you need just ask a member of staff. We hope you have a pleasant stay.”

“If one more person addresses me as an escort I’m gonna destroy something,” growled Billy angrily.

Dawn made a sad face. “Don’t you want to be the person who keeps me safe on our travels? That’s all an escort is,” she said innocently.

Billy’s face turned a shade of red as he tried to stutter a response. Zak and Trey could barely contain their laughter.

Pux pulled himself from Zak’s rucksack and hopped onto the boy’s shoulder. “This city is unfamiliar to me. I need to get to know it. Try not to create too much chaos while I’m gone,” he said before releasing a shrill whistle. A mouse darted from under a cupboard and stood beside the Yuxova. Pux mounted then took off out of sight at a gallop.

“Exploring will have to wait. Let’s get some rest until the party tomorrow when we can get some good food. I’m going straight to bed. I’ve missed too much sleep recently so don’t bug me. Goodnight,” yawned Trey as he headed into the boys’ room. The others followed suit.

When Zak and Billy walked into the bedroom, Trey was already in bed and asleep. The problem was that there were only two beds in the room, one occupied by Trey, one spare.

“Dibs on the bed,” shouted both boys simultaneously. They glared at each other angrily.

“Rock, paper, scissors. Winner gets the bed,” challenged Billy.

“Sure,” replied Zak. “You should know though that I’m immensely lucky.”

“We’ll see,” Billy said.

Round one: Billy chose scissors, Zak chose rock.

“Damn it,” muttered Billy. “Best two out of three.”

Round two: Billy chose rock, Zak chose paper.

Billy swore. “Best three out of five,” Billy offered. Zak hefted his axe. Billy took the hint. “Fine. I’ll sleep on the chair,” he said gloomily.

The next day passed by uneventfully. The boys had a well earned and overdue bath after a few choice words from Dawn. The staff seemed to look more kindly on them now they didn’t have a layer of grime over their skin and didn’t smell like they had been dead for a few weeks. Forukk blood was a pain to wash clean.

The rest of the day was spent looking around the city then cleaning their gear. Dawn had rented some clothes for the fancy party with her own Rhen. For herself she chose a flowing jade gown that fitted her form perfectly.

For her “escorts” she chose fine silk trousers and lace heavy shirts with colourful jackets that were worth more alone than Trey’s entire wardrobe back home. Trey’s jacket was a deep blue with silver embossing while Billy’s was a leaf green number with slightly puffy sleeves. Zak managed to wriggle his way out of a ruby red article and into a black long coat with golden flames sown into the flowing silk. Billy added a thin red scarf that had the symbol of his favourite musicians, Avocado Dusk, after learning they had a performance arranged for the day after tomorrow.

After dressing they set off to the castle which was where the event was being held. The boys had scrubbed up rather well and even looked quite handsome. The clothes were uncomfortable, but Trey couldn’t help but feel good about himself while wearing them.

As they walked the short distance to the castle, Trey picked up a stone from the floor and put it in his pocket, giving no explanation.

They entered the castle and the sounds of a large crowd and background music seeped through a closed door to their right. After showing the guard their tickets they entered. It was a large room filled with brightly clad men and women who danced around the chamber to the sound of lutes, flutes and harps.

Magnetically the boys veered towards a magnificent buffet table that had enough food to feed the entire room and still have leftovers. Dawn sighed and followed so that she wouldn’t have to talk to the nobles around her.

Smaller tables were set up around the hall for the guests to sit and eat at but the boys just pulled chairs up to the buffet table and started to stuff their faces. One of the guests complained but Billy flashed a series of throwing knives that seemed to appear from nowhere. The man retreated quickly.

“Ah, Miss Rayin. I’m glad you could make it,” said Lord Baranox.

He seemed to just appear at Dawn’s side. He wore a flowing red cloak today that looked weighted down by gold and jewels.

“I would like to introduce you to my colleague, Commander Michael Nakai. I believe you briefly met yesterday in the audience chamber.”

“Good evening Miss Rayin,” said the Commander politely. His pure white suit was pressed perfectly while silver armour with elegant engravings were positioned over the formal wear.

Before Dawn could reply, Lord Baranox started to speak again. “I have many things to attend to but I wish for you to meet some of the distinguished guests so I leave you in the capable hands of the Commander. Enjoy your evening,” he turned and left, casting Dawn from his mind the second that she was out of his sight.

The Commander sighed when the Lord was out of hearing range. “Sometimes that man can be so vexing. Not that it isn’t an honour to show a princess around but I have my own duties to attend to.”

“I understand. Don’t worry about it. I don’t like the whole princess thing anyway,” replied Dawn sourly.

“Hey! Liam, get over here,” he called over to a lanky, long black haired, black clothed boy who looked about seventeen.

The boy’s skin looked unhealthily pale. He stood out terribly compared to the brightly dressed people around him. Even his nails had been painted black. Despite this he had bright blue eyes, their colour suggesting that his real hair colour was a light brown or blond.

“What?” he asked in a dull, emotionless tone.

“Miss Rayin, this is my little brother Liam Nakai. Liam, this is Miss Rayin. She is a desert princess, an honoured guest of the city. Those three boys scaring everyone away from the buffet table are her companions. Could you spare a few minutes and introduce her to the other guests?”

“Sure,” he answered in that same deadpan tone. “Please follow me, Miss Rayin.”

“Just call me Dawn please,” said Dawn.

On closer inspection she could see a similarity in his features to his brother. Had he cared about his looks he would have been rather handsome, if the commander was anything to go by.

Liam led Dawn around the hall, introducing her to various important people. Every one of them greeted Dawn with respect but not one spoke a word to the black obsessed young man. They gave him looks of disdain or disappointment. Liam kept his eyes low and his expression blank.

After being introduced to everyone the night was in full swing. The sense of tension between the various nobles and other distinguished guests had melted as the night drew on and the ale supplies were starting to run low. The guests were now laughing and joking and making other merriments. People danced freely to the music rather than sitting, making snobbish comments about others and nibbling at their food.

Commander Nakai joined Dawn again. He had a gentle smile on his face. “The Buffet table was set for five hundred people with enough food to spare. Your friends have single-handedly eaten half of it.” He chuckled softly. Dawn smiled in return.

“Good people of Onlasar,” announced a man on the stage. “I hope you’ve all had a good evening.” There was a general cheer from the crowd. “I’m afraid that this party is coming to a close but we have enough time for one more song.”

The music started once more but it was slow and relaxing. Many couples made their way to the dance floor and began to sway together in the rhythm of the music. Soon, most of the hall was up and dancing.

Trey and Billy shyly approached Dawn and simultaneously asked “Would you care to dance.” They glared at each other with venomous eyes.

“If you let me have the dance then you can have my wallet. It is worth about ten Vim and has that again inside it. That’s nearly two Rhen,” Trey offered Billy.

“How about you run along and I’ll give you my house keys,” bartered Billy.

“You don’t have a house anymore,” growled Trey.

“It’s the thought that counts,” argued Billy .

“Well it was a lousy thought,” Trey retorted.

Before either could say another word, pain shot through them. They turned, holding their heads in agony. Zak was standing there staring confusedly at a glass bottle in his hand.

“It was supposed to smash when I hit you and knock you out,” Zak stated. “Oh well.” He shoved past the other two boys and took Dawn’s hand in his and dragged her onto the dance floor. “You snooze, you lose,” he shouted over to the blank faced Trey and Billy.

“I hate him,” said Billy slowly.

“Me too,” agreed Trey in the same slow manner.

The two boys picked at the last portions of food soberly as they watched Dawn and Zak dance. The music faded then the guests began to disperse noisily into the night.

Previous – Chapter 22. Onlasar.

Next – Chapter 24. Dreams of the Past.

The meal continued with only trivial conversations that steered clear of the topics on everyone’s mind. The last scraps of food soon vanished and the Fledglings returned to clear away the plates.

The Matriarch stood, regal and full of grace, despite Trey feeling like he could explode from overeating. “Go now and rest. You will have a busy day tomorrow since we cannot convince you to stay. Everything you need will be provided for you so don’t worry.” She turned to Dawn. “Please escort our guests back to their lodgings.”

Dawn curtsied respectfully then motioned for the boys to follow her again. They passed through the palace in silence, moving considerably slower than before the meal. The second that they reached the surface, the cold hit them like a physical blow. The dark sky and blowing wind felt like ice against the skin. Dawn hadn’t been joking when she had said that the boiling days were countered by freezing nights. Trey was thankful for the many layered robes that he wore over his normal clothes.

Snuggling deeper into their robes, the teens made their way back to the guest lodging at a brisk walk. The village was empty of people now. Once there, they thanked Dawn and bid her a good night. Dawn muttered a reply then sped off back toward the Teiidae Palace.

Once they were inside the boys found that their weapons had been returned during their absence. Small packs filled with basic survival gear and food had also been prepared for them and had been left beside the door. They were worries for tomorrow though.

Deciding to make the most of what comfort was available before they hit the road again, the boys all slumped off to bed. The strange hammock was surprisingly comfortable after the fight to get on it had been won.

An hour passed and a bitter coldness filled the air. Unable to get comfortable in the chill, Trey flipped himself out of the hammock and padded back into the common room. Pux was asleep on one of the shelves at the back of the room. There was a fireplace which Trey filled with tumbleweed from a nearby bucket then set it alight. A warm glow began to emit as the flames gained ground. He gazed out of the window to see similar glows from the other buildings.

So many thoughts and feelings drifted through his head in a confused mess but weariness clouded them. Trey collapsed onto a cushy armchair as his strength left him. The warmth of the fire washed over him like a heated blanket. Before he had even realised it, he was asleep.

Trey was woken by the loud voices and bangs of Billy and Zak moving around the room, arguing as always. Groggily, he rose from the chair and yawned. Judging by the light flooding through the window it must have been around midmorning. Heat was already thick in the air.

Billy and Zak were both already packed up and ready to go. Between the yellow robes, the multiple weapons, and the new supply packs, the teens were looking somewhat encumbered. Seeing Trey on his feet they ceased their bickering and turned to him.

“Dawn is waiting outside. There is a ship waiting to take us to the outskirts of the desert as soon as we’re ready,” said Billy. He finished inspecting his bow then threw it over his shoulder before fastening his short sword to his belt.

“Right,” nodded Trey.

He quickly set about collecting his gear. A few minutes later he too was loaded up. “Come on,” he said, fearing that he had already wasted too much time. He silently cursed his own inability to wake up.

They left the building and found Dawn waiting patiently outside. The morning sun made her skin shine and her amber eyes seemed to sparkle when she looked up as they approached her. The rest of her face remained impassive.

“Are you ready?” she asked. The boys nodded so she turned and walked away, motioning for them to follow.

She led them around the domes to try and avoid the other Heptalli and stop them from noticing her. After a brisk walk they reached the dunes that formed the village’s walls but still the girl didn’t slow.

Before them was a fifteen foot wide sandstone slab set within the dune. A smaller section had been cut into a door that slid inwards as Dawn pushed it. They entered and Trey closed the door behind him as he stepped into a simple corridor with a single door at the end which the girl was already walking through. The boys jogged to catch up with her.

They emerged into a small hanger that contained six of the transport speeders and about twenty of the smaller skirmishers. Even the biggest was many times smaller than the imposing ships that were nestled into the four corners of the village. A guard stood at either side of the door they had come through while some mechanics busied themselves with various things around the room. The thing that Trey was focused on was the ship in the centre. It was painted in the same red as what the royal family wore and was overlaid with a golden lizard at either side.

“Ready the ship,” Dawn ordered the men around her.

“Yes milady,” chorused every mechanic in the room. 

The mechanics did checks on the crimson ship and the launching platform that it was connected to, then opened the wall in front of the ship that was actually a movable sandstone slab that blended in with the rest of the dune. All of this took several long minutes that the teens spent watching the magnificent engineering. Pastrino didn’t have anything comparable.

“The ship is ready to launch milady,” informed one of the mechanics. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, Dawn climbed up onto the ships deck and waited for Trey, Billy and Zak to join her. It was big enough to comfortably carry around a dozen men. Once they were all up she gave the order to launch and moved to a spindly wooden wheel that was fixed to a stand. Several levers were positioned around it.

A mechanic started a countdown. “Launching in: Three. Two. One. Release!”

One of the men pulled a lever on the launch pad, there was a click then the ship shot forwards. Trey and Billy clung to the railing to fight the intense momentum that pulled at them while Zak waved enthusiastically to the diminishing village. Dawn stood proudly at the helm, completely unfazed by the speed, drinking from her flask with eyes fixed firmly on the horizon ahead.

After adjusting to the speed, Trey and Billy stood up straight and staggered to the helm which Dawn was turning to steer the ship just like a captain would at sea.

“Geez, I’m glad I’m out of there,” Dawn stated as she adjusted some levers and turned the helm.

“Why?” asked Trey. “You keep saying that you want to leave and I understand your reasons but it’s a dangerous world. I don’t want to be away from home like this. Once you come of age you can do whatever you want anyway.”

Dawn shook her head, the movement causing some of her red hair to fall across her face. “From the moment I was born I was ‘destined’ to be the Matriarch, then the Elder of the Heptalli. I want to be an adventurer, travel the world, explore new places, that kind of thing. Nobody cares about that though. I was born into the alpha bloodline, I have to live and die like one. I have to stay in the desert all my life, which is the exact opposite of what I want. I’m trapped in a cage of sand and destiny. My mother and grandmother will never let me see the world, that’s why I’m coming with you,” she added in a happy voice.

“You’re doing what!” exclaimed Billy. “The Elder, your own grandmother, said you had to return once you escorted us to the desert’s edge.”

“This is my chance for freedom and adventure.”

“Your people will think we kidnapped you and will kill us.” She just smiled sweetly and shrugged.

“I say she comes with us,” Zak shouted in an over dramatic way.

“I don’t even know why you’re with us, you just keep following us,” complained Billy.

“Oh yeah?” roared Zak. He spat at Billy’s face but they were going so fast it shot back and hit Zak in his own face, causing him to stagger backwards and fall off the ship.

Billy only just managed to catch him by the ankle. Zak’s head was still in the sand below though, being dragged along. He looked quite comical hanging from the ship, head in the sand, arms flailing, being dragged at high speed while constantly spitting sand from his mouth. Billy thought about pulling him up but decided against it. He was having way too much fun.

Trey was watching the scene in front of him and turned to look at the girl. She was smiling and laughing, looking truly happy for the first time since they met. It was then Trey made his decision.

He walked over to the girl. “I know we’ve done the whole introduction thing but let’s call this a non-business meeting.” He held out his hand. “My name’s Trey and for lack of a better person, I guess I’m in charge. We probably should return you to your village, but I’m not going to. You can come with us as long as you want. Just remember we’re going on more or less a suicide mission.”

He kept telling himself that he was helping her because it was the right thing to do and not because she made his head feel light.

Dawn leapt to her feet and hugged Trey tightly. His face turned a deep red.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” she repeated excitedly. She pulled away and recomposed herself. With a small smile she took his hand and shook it. “I’m Dawn. It’s nice to meet you all.”

Zak was back on deck and he and Billy had just watched the sudden mood change in the girl. Zak laughed at the look on Trey’s face when she hugged him while Billy looked rather jealous.

“I’m Zak and this is my subordinate, Billy,” was Zak’s introduction. Billy smacked him in the head.

She chuckled slightly before scanning the area around them. It all just looked like sand to Trey but Dawn seemed to know where they were. “

We’re not far from Onlasar. This is our fastest speeder so we should be at the desert’s edge before the end of the day,” she informed them. “I don’t know what kind of reception we’ll receive when we get there though.”

“Wait,” said Billy, his eyebrows furrowing. “If you can’t leave the village then how come you can work this ship and know exactly where you are?”

“I’m a Matriarch in training. We lead battles from the front lines. With the Flesh Eroders becoming increasingly more aggressive, the Heptalli need a strong leader. I need to know the desert like the back of my hand and need to learn every skill that I expect my men to know.”

“That sounds pretty adventurous to me,” Billy countered.

“The other tribes are only causing us trouble because my mother refuses to make any decisive actions against them. When I take charge I’ll take over the entire desert. I won’t have the knowledge though unless I learn from real warriors. I need ideas, strategies and inventions from the rest of the world to succeed. If not, the Heptalli might not see another generation.”

“So you want to become a warlord?” smirked Zak. “That’s cool. Pretty hot too.”

Billy moved to hit him again but this time Zak countered and flipped him to the deck. As he gloated Trey smacked him across the back of the head instead.

“So, great mistress of the sands, what do you know about Onlasar?” Trey asked, turning to Dawn.

“Everything that is in a book,” she replied with a frown. “The Heptalli have trade links with the city and on occasion our leaders will meet so I know everything a leader should know about a neighbouring power. I’ll tell you what I can.”

Previous – Chapter 20. Heptalli.

Next – Chapter 22. Onlasar.