DarykRogue (36 page)

One aspect of their trip brought her more security.

The dragon Arcos kept watch. He flew the skies, never far
away, always understanding what Marc wanted him to do. She didn’t ask Marc or
anyone else how the dragon could know so much—she’d heard more than a couple of
times since arriving on the
Beast
and Dragonia that dragons were mostly
dangerous, stubborn and hard to train. Apparently Drakus’ followers and Drakus
himself had trained dragons to destroy Daryk Ones and their fortresses. Arcos
seemed positively sweet. Not that she’d ever say so to Marc or anyone else.

Once they reached a high ridge not far from shore, runners
were sent out to scout for the
Beast
. The rest of the group stayed
behind the jungle ridge to prevent being seen from the ship. After more than an
hour, the runners returned with good news. The ship hadn’t moved. Perhaps
Aramus still believed Rayder would return with good news on selling slaves to
Marc.

Aknada and Marc headed out toward the ship first, on their
insistence, and took half the men. Aknada wanted to take the lead, and although
Rayder knew she wasn’t a war planner, he also knew she could fight. If she
believed this was the only way to slay the bad memories in her thoughts, he couldn’t
stop her. High in the sky, Arcos followed, always circling and watching. Xandra
found it comforting, and that wasn’t something she ever believed she’d feel
about a dragon.

Rayder and Xandra headed up the other group of men. She knew
Rayder didn’t feel completely confident about leading so many men he didn’t
know, but he’d taken Marc’s word for it that they could all be trusted.

Terrain gradually became steeper as they moved up the ridge.
Tangled vines slapped her in the face, and creepers trailing along the ground
threatened to trip her. Exhaustion threatened. She’d made a similar trip with
Taris Elian, but not in this direction. She imagined making this same trip
again so soon after her first trek would have almost been impossible. Her heart
pounded, her body was flushed, her breath coming quickly. She drank more water
at the next stop, drinking prudently—she took enough to keep her going, but not
enough to pretend the supply could be replenished at any time. Men behind them
traversed the same steep, winding path through the undergrowth with just enough
space to hack their way through. The path was barely worn from someone else’s
trip this direction. Vines already grew from the ground and threatened to
obscure any trace of their passage.

Above creature sounds of chirping and clicking and the far
off call of a dragon, she heard another sound.

“What is that noise?” she asked Rayder with trepidation.

He didn’t stop as he led them all from the front. “The Vion
River. It’s the waterfall.”

As they walked, the waterfall’s roar became louder until
conversation became harder. Not that she spoke often. She saved her breath for
the climb. Finally they arrived at the top of the ridge, a vantage point where
the jungle canopy fell away. The remarkable view in the spreading dawn stole
Xandra’s breath. To the northwest and in every direction the jungle spread out
in its glorious thickness, a profusion of lush growth that proved hard to
conquer. Roaring eastward, a huge river along a plateau flowed over a dramatic
waterfall. Spray sent a cloud of mist into the air. In the distance but to the
southwest, she saw the beach and the
Beast
at the busy dock they’d left
days before.

As they stood on the ridge, she heard a strange bird’s call.
Or was it another animal among the hundreds that crept and crawled and
dominated this land? Standing so high above the canopy, the lush waterfall and
the sound of pounding water made her life seem simple. Insignificant in
comparison to all that Dragonia offered. Her world had been so small on Magonia.
This continent and the people here had shown her so much more.

But the man next to her had given her more life and love
than she could have imagined when she woke up on the
Beast
.

Rayder gestured to the first few men in the long snake of
humans trailing behind them. “We’ll take the slope down to the beach. It’s
easier from here.” He gave instructions for the battle plan then pulled Xandra
to the side for a moment. “This is beauty.” Rayder’s voice held awe, something
she’d never heard in his voice before. “Not as beautiful as you, but still
beautiful. It’s my home, and I don’t want to leave it. But I’d leave it for
you.”

She gazed at him in wonder, a rush of happiness flooding
Xandra. She’d never felt this light and unconcerned in her life. No man had done
as much for her, nor had they treated her as a precious jewel like Rayder had.
Love surged and overflowed within her.

Her heart in her throat, she smiled and blinked back tears.

His eyes widened slightly, their softness flaring into a
soft red. A sign of his feelings, his physical and emotional need. He stepped
forward and snatched her into his arms, his mouth finding hers. His kiss was
hot, probing, tongue sinking deep to possess. She drowned in his power as it
flowed through her and gave her more strength.

He drew back just enough to gaze into her eyes. “Stay behind
me. Don’t try to engage the enemy if they come at us.”

She placed one hand on the hilt of her sword as it hung from
her belt. It had taken some time for her convince him she could handle the
sword if she had to. There was nothing feminine in her garb. Hidden under her
flowing tunic and pants she’d worn leather and protective pads just as a man
would. “I’m protected and you showed me how to use this. I’m not defenseless.
You know I have to do this too.”

“Still…”

“I’ll be careful.”

Resignation sealed his expression and he nodded, and as they
started down the other side of the ridge, the waterfall pounding relentlessly,
she wondered if her excruciating fear showed. It eviscerated her. Lanced her
courage until she hung by a thread. But she’d do this for him. And for her own
freedom. She’d once heard a woman say that courage was nothing more than being
scared spitless and doing it anyway. So here she was, dry mouthed, heart
pounding, body tired. Ready to take on god only knew what.

A few moments later they heard explosions in the distance
and plumes of smoke started to rise from the side of the ship.

“They’ve made it,” Rayder said.

She knew he meant Aknada and Marc had successfully created
explosions near the ship. Xandra hoped to the hells the slaves on board could
escape quickly. Aknada and Marc had planned to sneak on the ship and unlock the
slave quarters. A risky proposition but one they’d insisted they could
accomplish.

It took considerable time to reach the area where jungle
edge met the beach. She felt as if it had been ages since she’d seen the ship,
even though it hadn’t. Fear had left, and in its wake came a sensation of
inevitability. No turning back now.

As Rayder’s group descended on the ship, her stomach tumbled
as she witness the violence erupting on the deck.

“Rayder…” She grabbed his arm.

“The men will look after the slaves.”

“How did you know what I was thinking?”

“I was thinking the same.”

Smoke drifted up from the deck. Shouts echoed as men fought
with swords, with fists and feet.

“They’re good men,” Rayder said, as if she needed more
assurance.

Perhaps she did. All she could do is hope for the best.

“I don’t see Aknada or Marc,” Xandra said.

Rayder remained silent as he stared will full concentration
on the scene below. “They should be appearing on deck with the women by now.”
Rayder threw Xandra a concerned glance. “Let’s go.”

* * * * *

As they ran toward the ship, Xandra could see chaos
continued on the deck. A full-scale fight for the ship raged.

Hurrying toward the mess unfolding in front of them, Xandra
feared so many things. For Rayder’s safety. For Aknada and Marc. But she
charged ahead, determination giving her courage though she wanted nothing more
than for this to be all over. Sword in hand, she tried to keep up with Rayder’s
tremendous stride. As his muscles glistened with sweat, bunching and
contracting, she admired everything that made him a Daryk One.

Just as they reached the ship dock, a shout went up.

One of the slaver’s ran down the plank toward them, no sign
of a weapon at hand.

She recognized the man, and he came to a halt beside them.
“Rayder Tyrus. We thought Gampia killed you. Now you’re here to destroy us.
Aramus is locked in his cabin and won’t come out to face your hoard.”

Rayder growled his words at the man. “Leave this place or
die.”

The man complied, running as fast as he could into the
jungle.

Screams erupted from the bowels of the ship. Female cries of
terror.

“Rayder,” Xandra gasped his name. “The slaves.”

Fierce worry filled his expression, and he raced up the
plank with her following close. Her breath caught in her throat as smoke
obscured the view. They couldn’t last in this long, and that worried her. How
could the slaves survive? She shuddered with revulsion at the thought of them
being trapped below. She knew what she and Rayder must do, no matter what. Save
the women. Find Aramus second if it came to that.

Before they could move, Aknada came out of the smoke helping
a limping Marc to walk. Malena Humbola came from the smoke and assisted another
woman as they stumbled through the chaos.

Xandra waved. “This way, Malena.”

No time to hug or shout for joy that they’d been freed.

“Get off the ship!” Rayder gestured toward the ramp. “Now!”

Without arguing, Aknada, Marc, Malena and the other woman
hurried down the ramp.

Rayder grabbed Xandra’s hand. “Aramus.”

They ran toward Admiral Aramus’ quarters and reached it
quickly. Rayder kicked at the door and it held. He kicked again. The door broke
away from the hinges and fell inward under the force.

Aramus lay in the middle of the floor, his face carved by
horrible slashes and his torso blood-red. His eyes stared at the ceiling, his
body motionless.

Rayder hesitated at the same time she did, and the noise and
chaos outside seemed to silence for one moment.

Something close to rage filled Rayder’s handsome face. “By
the god.”

Suddenly from behind, a man dashed into the room and engaged
Rayder, ramming him full force out of nowhere. The men crashed to the floor.
Xandra scanned the area frantically for more attackers as Rayder and the man
grappled on the floor. Heart pounding, she backed a few steps away. She bumped
into the demolished doorway.

Before Xandra could move, an arm lifted her off her feet and
a hand covered her mouth. She lashed backward, bringing her heel up. The hand
over her mouth closed off her air, and she struggled harder, ramming her elbow
into her assailant’s ribs. A groan and grunt greeted her ears, but the person
dragged her backward through the doorway and into cloaking smoke. A million
thoughts shot through her head. She wanted this to be over…over…

The grip around her throat cut her air and smoke made it
worse. Weakness assaulted the strength in her limbs.

No. Fight. Fight.

She aimed backward with her elbow and the person cried out
as Xandra’s elbow made contact. Xandra yanked from the grip and turned swiftly,
her grip tight as she aimed downward with the sword, a growl of pure rage
filling her. A scream pierced her ear, sharp and high.

A woman.

Shock reverberated through Xandra. Yoanda clutched at her
side as blood seeped through her fingers.

“Yoanda.”

Yoanda’s eyes glazed. She stared at Xandra with surprise,
with amazement. “You cut me.”

Xandra choked as smoke filled her lungs. “Yoanda, we have to
get off the ship. It’s burning.”

Xandra struggled with her breath and tried to keep her
balance. Behind her, she heard the men still fighting, the grunts, groans the
sounds of flesh hitting flesh.

“We’ll die here.” Yoanda’s pristine white dress grew redder as
blood flowed freely. “Both of us.”

“No.” Xandra refused to end it here.

Yoanda sank to her knees. “I had to destroy Aramus. He
turned me into a freak. I wasn’t always like this, Xandra. I was good and true
until that animal took me. I shouldn’t have poisoned you, but I had to get
money to get far away from here when I escaped. You have to understand, it’s
the only thing I could do. I was almost off the ship and the admiral caught me
and brought me back. I couldn’t take it any longer and I just killed him! I was
so angry. It was all I could do.”

Yoanda’s face drained of color, and she dropped like a stone
to her knees.

“Xandra!” Rayder’s voice ripped Xandra from her trance.
Rayder rushed to her side. “Come on. The whole ship is going up.”

“Forgive me!” Yoanda cried out.

“We can’t leave her here.” Xandra resisted Rayder’s pull.

Yoanda fell to the deck on her side, eyes wide open and
unmoving. Xandra had killed her.

Xandra dropped her sword as she choked again. “Oh Magon.”

Rayder picked Xandra up in his arms and ran. Apparently he
could see through the rapidly thickening smoke. Flames crackled around them,
the air clogged with death. She held on to Rayder and buried her face in his
neck. More screams echoed around her, but she didn’t look. She couldn’t. Fear sucked
her dry and made a mockery of her attempt at courage. She hated herself in that
moment. She’d killed a human being.

Rayder’s feet thudded over wood, and before she knew it,
they’d left the burning ship and crossed over the sand. Still she kept her eyes
closed.

“It’s over, my beauty.” Rayder said the words softly, his
voice husky with promise.

She peeled herself away from his neck and turned her head to
see dozens of the slaves, including Malena, huddling on the ground coughing the
noxious smoke from their lungs. Most of Rayder’s team of men, as well as the
ones Marc and Aknada had led appeared relatively unscathed. Relief filled
Xandra.