The Chronicles of Kale: Dawn of Retribution (Book 2) (13 page)

“Correct. You shall go your way, and we shall finally have the peace we’ve so longed for.” Reem replied.

“And what about the eggs? When will I get them into my possession?” Kale began to grow impatient after such a long journey.

“This will come at the celebration; as will the young elf,” Reem stated. “For now, rest. We will wake you when it is time.”

“You truly expect me to sleep without having seen that Neelan is safe and well? I refuse!” Kale protested.

“She also rests now, and will require all the strength she can muster on your journey out of this desert. I advise you to try, while able. Once the ceremony has concluded, you must leave here at once, or risk certain death. When we move on from this earth, the Guardians will leave this place as well—there will no longer be an oxygen source from the craters. The limited supply will deplete rapidly. Do not bring forth your own demise—rest so you will have strength to protect those you cherish in this world; and the future of your brethren.”

Kale rubbed his forehead, which still ached from the excessive sun exposure and forceful sand storm. He hadn’t recalled ever falling asleep in the small hut, yet there he lay, slowly regaining a conscious mind. Reem loomed over him, insisting it was time to wake. A bright light shone in through the window and Kale could now see Illadar and Thomas standing just outside.

“Join us, dragon. The celebration has begun.” Reem extended a cloth-wrapped hand.

Kale was surprised to find that Reem’s hand felt extremely human-like. Not at all as he had expected.

They emerged into a commotion of song and dance, and Kale couldn’t help but wonder how he had managed to sleep through the noise. It was rather amusing to Kale, seeing the formerly solemn sand-people with such a cheerful demeanor. The men moved in similar fluent motions, and Reem explained it was a traditional dance known to their people—a recognition of new beginnings.

Their movement suddenly came to a halt and Kale could see the raised platform being carried toward him. It lowered to the ground, and in an instant, Neelan burst from behind the sheer curtains.

“Oh, Kale!” Neelan leapt into the air and landed with arms snugly around Kale’s neck. She wrapped her legs around his waist and leaned close to his face. The heat from her breath caressed Kale’s lips with anticipation. “I’ve missed you so . . .” She softly spoke while gazing deep into his eyes.

“And I you—more than you could know.” Kale leaned forward, allowing his lips to press lightly upon hers as they passionately embraced as though no one else existed.

“Are you hungry?” Reem broke the silence as though ignorant to their reunion.

“There’s food left?” Illadar questioned while gripping his stomach in hunger.

Reem clapped his hands and two sand-people stepped forward, holding a large animal speared through the center. It was golden brown and appeared to be fully roasted.

“You never can tell what’s going to venture across the sinking sand,” Reem explained.

Kale was certain that if Reem actually had a face, he would be smiling.

They feasted quickly and soon were instructed to gather at the large doors. The sand-people assembled in two parallel lines, facing in with their heads bowed and arms stiff at their sides. Reem guided Kale and his friends before the chamber entrance and once again requested Kale’s hand.

Kale bit his bottom lip in preparation for the blade to slice into the tender meat of his palm. The blood oozed out from each side of the pressing steel, and Kale withdrew his arm, gritting his teeth as he slapped his palm upon the massive door. The foreign words, written on both panels, illuminated as the door milked at his wound.

“
Ugh
! That’s enough.” Kale withdrew his hand protectively.

The doors rumbled and shook before creeping open to reveal the rancid smell of the skeleton chamber.

“You may enter, dragon. Your companions may join, but know that only you can retrieve that which is intended for your own hands. I cannot accompany you this time; though I will wait just outside. Your destiny waits.” Reem bowed.

They watched as Reem’s body disappeared behind the sizable doors; shutting them within the death-filled chamber.

Chapter 12: Deception

“T
his is rather unexpected.” Thomas inspected the room in better detail. “I presume we must take caution with each move. I find it rather odd that Reem has not joined us.”

“Let’s get this over with so we can return to the surface.” Kale approached a large, red egg.

“Hopefully the storm has passed, or I think I’d rather take my chances down here for awhile longer,” Illadar replied. He reached a hand out toward a vibrant blue and yellow egg.

Illadar’s finger had barely grazed the egg’s shell when he felt a painfully firm grip upon his forearm. His eyes shot down to see the bony fingers of a skeletal corpse pinching into his flesh. He vigorously shook his arm and leapt back. Many animated corpses sluggishly stood and made way toward Illadar.

“Kale, look!” Neelan called out. “We’ve got to help him.” She hurried near the skeletal zombies and raised her arms in the air. “This way—I’m over here!” Her voice echoed across the room as she attempted to distract the walking dead in her direction. The skeletons pressed forward, never acknowledging Neelan’s existence.

Illadar withdrew his claymore and steadied his footing. He swung the blade forward, smashing through the many skeletal bodies. Their bones fell to the ground in misshapen piles without any further movement. As Illadar began to regain confidence in the situation, he felt a pair of bony arms wrap around his torso from behind. He struggled to break free from the astoundingly strong grip as pain began to overtake his senses. The skeleton’s teeth tore at Illadar’s flesh, digging into his meaty back with every movement of its jaw.

Kale and Neelan swiftly raced to Illadar’s aid. Neelan was the first to approach, and without restraint, she slammed her foot into the skeleton’s body. Its pelvic bone shifted and the animated corpse lost its footing.

Kale seized the moment and pulverized the skeleton’s spine with his elbow.

Feeling no pain, the skeleton held its grip on Illadar. Kale and Neelan could now see the heavy amount of blood that saturated his tunic.

“Kale! I now understand Reem’s words—only
you
must touch the eggs! Quickly—place your hand upon the egg Illadar has touched,” Thomas commanded.

Though uncertain, and hesitant to leave Illadar with the attacker, Kale did as instructed. The moment his palm caressed the outer shell, Illadar moaned in relief and buckled to his knees. The skeleton had fallen to the ground in a loose formation of bones.

“Reem should be grateful that my sword has no ill effect on his body. I’d be tempted to slice him in two after this. I can only wonder if it was
his
walkin’ corpse that tore my back open. Bloody nightmare this place is.” Illadar struggled to his feet. He sighed and attempted to glance over a shoulder to inspect the burning wound.

The egg felt warm beneath Kale’s touch and he couldn’t help but admire the beauty of its shell.

“I wonder if I also came from an egg as magnificent as this.” Kale gently lifted the egg into his arms, captivated by the thought that a renewed hope had come for his kind.

The skeletal arms, which had so protectively held the egg, fell effortlessly to the corpse’s side. Kale smirked, feeling a surge of joy race through his body. It was a moment filled with emotion; he swallowed hard in an attempt to clear the lump from his throat. “I can feel it . . . the life inside. It’s—a female.” Kale brought the egg to his forehead and closed his eyes as the moment brought a closeness he had never felt before with his brethren. “I’m naming you Hope.” He grinned. “You’re the first dragon I’ve ever touched—well, you will be soon enough. I promise I’ll get you to Zasha safely.”

“Bring them to me.” Thomas gestured in his direction. Without laying touch upon the eggs, the old sorcerer closed his eyes and hovered a palm above each shell. “
Alaria
!” He spoke as a barrier of protection was cast upon the three. “As you know, this will only sustain them from one direct, damaging hit. Without being able to touch the eggs, this is the only protection I can offer.”

Kale gathered the eggs and gently placed each within his large brown bag, padded with layers of cloth. He slowly slung the straps over a shoulder and raised a clenched fist to the heavens. “We did it! I cannot believe we finally have them.”

Neelan, Illadar, and Thomas each placed a hand upon Kale’s shoulder. There was a moment when Kale felt as though he was the luckiest individual within the entire world of Revaxis to have such amazing friends who cared so deeply for him. This was not their journey—it was his—and yet, here they remained, so loyally by his side. Yet again, they risked their lives to help him achieve his sought goals. He knew that never again could he willingly return to the life of solitude he once so longingly clung to.

“All right, Kale; let’s get out of here before I get teary eyed,” Neelan halfheartedly joked. “We’ve come this far, and now it is time to find Zasha—your mother.” She smiled.

They approached the large doors with haste, and upon Kale’s touch, they rumbled open. The sand-people remained stationary with heads bowed. Reem tapped his staff to the ground and the doors closed upon Kale’s exit.

“I see you have obtained what you’ve come for, dragon,” Reem spoke.

“I did.” Kale nodded.

“I came for somethin’ also.” Illadar added. He thrust his tightly closed fist into the side of Reem’s head. The impact caused a sizable indent and Reem stumbled to hold onto his footing. “That’s for not warnin’ us about your crazed dead bodies in there.”

Reem tilted his neck as his eyes illuminated with a vibrant orange glow. “Oh, but I did—you just did not listen.” He rapped his staff upon the ground and a sand-serpent raised its vicious head from beneath Illadar’s feet.

The serpent shot up, swiftly slithering its grainy body around Illadar’s torso; locking his arms tightly in place.

“Do not be foolish when the opportunity to leave this place draws near. I won’t hesitate to abandon you here with him to rot.” Reem motioned toward the serpent. With a slight shudder, Reem’s head began to take shape once again.

“I think everyone needs to calm themselves,” Neelan spoke. “We wish to leave this place, and you desire to move onto the afterlife. We should continue onto the ceremony and stop this ridiculous behavior.”

Reem’s eyes faded to black and the snake crumbled away at Illadar’s feet. “Forgive me.” He bowed. “The young elf is right.”

Illadar sighed. “Yes . . . I too apologize. I shouldn’t have allowed my emotions to consume me.”

Once back near the huts, Thomas performed a minor healing spell on Illadar’s back while awaiting Reem’s return with his men and Beshin.

Soon, many steady footsteps could be heard and vulgarities filled the air. They knew at once that Beshin was being escorted for the ceremony. A wide crater snapped and hissed as bubbles of molten rock boiled far below. Despite the incredible depth, a natural vibrancy shone brightly from the crater’s mouth.

Reem waved his hand, and his eyes flickered orange as the sand surrounding his feet maneuvered into a solid platform which hung out over the fiery pit. The group knew this would soon be the place where Beshin would take his final breath.

The sand-people began to chant in a foreign tongue and, within moments, Beshin was forced forward with hands bound behind his back.

Beshin’s thick, black beard had thoroughly absorbed the sweat which continuously rolled down his cheeks. The beads of perspiration now dribbled down upon his chest, matting his tattered shirt against his flesh. Though well aware of his planned demise, Beshin revealed no hint of fear. His rough demeanor remained strong, even in the face of death itself. He looked forward with his rotted teeth bared and a sinister grin. Beshin abruptly stopped in his tracks, once within distance of Neelan.

“Ye’ didn’t tell me that yer’ wench had such a body. Even if she is one of
them
.”  His eyes traced upon her long, pointed ears. “I’d love ta’ see what’s beneath those fancy clothes of yers’.” Beshin chuckled to himself.

“How dare you!” Neelan stepped toward him with a fist raised, when suddenly she lost her footing on a small rock. Her eyes widened as she instinctively reached out for something to grab hold of.

Kale quickly extended an arm, but to no avail as he watched her collide with the ground. Neelan’s wrist slid against the jagged pebbles, tearing at her tender flesh.

Beshin howled in amusement and his gut shook profusely. “That’s the fastest any lass has ever fallen for me.” He took notice to the blood which trickled down her hand as she stood. “Let me get that for ye’.” He brushed the leg of his pant against her wound and once again burst into a fit of laughter. “Ye’ can show yer’ gratitude with a kiss.”

Kale growled, “I will joyously watch as your body melts away—scum.” He protectively stepped between Beshin and Neelan.

The sand-people began to chant louder and Beshin was directed out upon the narrow platform. He spat to his side while holding his gaze outward, never glancing upon the deathly hot depths.

“You have been brought here to face your fate for the crimes of you and your ancestors. Long have we waited for the moment when justice would prevail. The Imbola Clan is guilty of murderous crimes and heartless cruelties. You, Beshin, leader of the Clan shall perish on this day so that our tormented souls may find peace at last.” Reem held the curled tip of his staff out, forcing Beshin to take another step back toward the platform edge. “Have you final words to speak?”

Beshin snickered. “Aye.” He nodded with a grin. “Ye’ think you’re clever, slippin’ into the Imbola village. Ye’ think that by takin’ me captive, you’ll break our strength. Yet, ye’ was foolish ta’ assume I was whom ye’ seek. My name ye’ see . . . is Karim.” The bandit took a long stride back and locked eyes with Kale. “Ye’ lose.” He fell backward, plummeting down into the molten pit.