A Game of Chi Book III: A Sword of Dust

Chapter 17: Gorzan III

GORZAN

For a moment, Gorzan had been back in the Sanctuary Forest. The familiar sight of the Silent Island and multiple meditating gorillas had filled him with a sense of nostalgia and longing, but it had quickly turned to confusion when he saw other things. A golden pyramid, he remembered. And then numerous other things. A phoenix and a tiger? Strange, icy beasts? And what else was there? "Gorzan, are you alright?" The gorilla blinked and faced the crocodile who was speaking to him, Craven. "You looked like you were out of it for a bit," he said. "Everything okay?"

"Yes," Gorzan replied. "I'm fine. Where were we?" Crux cut in before Craven could reply. "We were saying that we should get the hell out of here," he answered. "Crokenburg has completely lost his mind. We won't stand a chance against the Pack, so let's just leave." Gorzan shook his head. "We can't leave Crokenburg behind," he replied. "He'll die from the cold, or the wolves will find him and kill him. If we're going to leave, we need to take him with us." Craven scoffed and stood up, and Gorzan remembered where they were right now. They had set up camp in the forest just south of Wylda's Stronghold, and the troops were huddled around a campfire, and a makeshift shelter had been suspended above their heads to block the snow. Crokenburg was unconscious in a sleeping bag beside them, covered in blankets, while his trident was on the snow next to him.

"He'll kill us," Craven said. "When he wakes up, he'll try to kill us."

"I'll talk him out of it," Gorzan assured them, but Craven, Crux and the rest shook their heads. "Like you talked him out of coming here?" Crux demanded. "Look, Gorzan, we're not doubting you. You've been his voice of reason since the beginning. Hell, we only escaped the Crocfort thanks to your quick thinking! The problem is him," he finished, pointing at the slumbering Steeljaw. Before Gorzan could come to his defense, another crocodile spoke up. "How dare you talk about the king that way?" he shouted. "Agree with him or not, Crokenburg is the rightful King of the Seven Animal Kingdoms! We need to have faith that he'll win!" Gorzan sighed in defeat as only a dozen or so crocodiles echoed his sentiments, while the remainder of their forces, three times that, were silent. "I say we get back to the Command Ship as soon as possible and leave this place," Craven declared. "But where would we go?" Gorzan asked, uncomfortable with entertaining this idea. "Firestone is too close to the Citadel, and the Swamplands have been taken by Crooler. We'll have to pass by them anyhow, but where will we go?"

"It doesn't matter," Craven replied, "so long as we leave. I'm sorry, Gorzan, but Crokenburg has lost. We're done for if we stay." Gorzan stood up, his eye level just over that of Craven's. "No. We're staying here at least until the king wakes up. It's our duty." I'm his First Advisor, which essentially means I'm his second-in-command. I have to maintain order in his absence, so that's what I'm going to do. Craven held his gaze, his jaw firm. "We'll leave you behind if we have to," he warned. "I don't want to do this, but if it comes down to it, we'll fight you too." The crocodiles behind him nodded their agreement, but Gorzan remained steadfast. "At least wait for Crokenburg to wake up. Surely we can wait for that?" Craven hesitated, but only for a moment, because in the next moment, he was dead.

"By Cavora!" Gorzan exclaimed, running over to the fallen crocodile. Crokenburg's trident had been thrown into his chest, and the snow below him was stained red with his blood. "What the hell?" Crux demanded, whirling around. Crokenburg had sat up, glowering at his mutinous subordinates. "That is the fate of traitors," he growled, clambering to his feet. He killed Craven? Just like that? Gorzan thought, still horrified at the corpse of his friend. "I warned you on the Command Ship: I will stop at nothing to reclaim my throne, including executing mutineers."

"Your Grace!" Gorzan cried, running over to him. "Out of the way, Gorzan," he commanded, pushing him aside and removing his trident from Craven's body. "Will any of you cowards dare to defy me while I'm awake?" He swung his trident dangerously at the crocodiles gathered around them, who had all drawn their weapons. "Have you forgotten who I am? I'm the Steeljaw! The rightful King of the Seven Animal Kingdoms! You are all sworn to me!" Gorzan held back tears as he realized that the look of genuine honesty and goodness that had once been abundant in Crokenburg's eyes were no longer there. He's lost it, he thought. He's too far gone now. With a shout of rage, Crux drew his Vengious and swung it at Crokenburg, who parried the blow with his trident. However, he winced in pain, no doubt from the arrow he had taken in the shoulder earlier. Taking advantage of the chaos, the other crocodiles ran towards him, and Crokenburg tripped over his sleeping bag and fell into the snow. "Wait!" Gorzan shouted, running between them. "Please! Just wait." Crux and the others hesitated, but didn't lower their weapons. "Even now, you'd defend him?" one demanded. "Even after he killed Craven?"