When Lightning Strikes: World's Collide Edition

25. Hiding Something

"Just a little more... there! Here we are!" Medha exclaimed, cheerfully.

Amal scrutinized him, slightly suspicious. He was on top of his favorite horse, Billy, and the other Anduru soldier on theirs. Their view overlooked mountains of desert and barren land. Billy whinnied nervously, skittish. Amal ruffled the stallion's mane, concerned.

Although the horse was usually anxious around other humans, Amal was the exception. The fact that his horse seemed this fearful, it meant danger was imminent. The boy was on high alert; his lazer-focused eyes scanned the entire valley. He felt a shiver creep down his spine, his shoulders were tensed.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Amal stared at the man, who was looking everywhere except the piercing gaze of the boy.

"Of course! How could I be wrong! The Yandor will be entering from this way," he pointed a finger at a cave beneath a large cliff.

The cave itself wasn't all that impressive to look at. It was a small opening that could fit several average-sized soldiers, and the entrance was adorned by very rocky ground – it would be unsuitable for Amal's horse to step through.

"And how many Yandor soldiers would we be expecting?" Medha rolled his eyes, hopping off his horse.

"You really should be paying attention! Like I said before, there are only a few soldiers. Just 3 or 4." The soldier was beginning to annoy Amal. However, the man had vital information, and Amal had been sent to accompany him.

Medha was a grunt in the Anduru army; those of his rank were tasked to do work such as gathering supplies, travelling to potential villages to pillage or control, training or redirecting recruits, or guarding key prisoners in Revulea. A few days ago, the soldier was tasked with a supply run, but he claimed to have seen some Yandor soldiers engrossed in a conversation. Medha had been eavesdropping and collected some information on their attack strategy, and where they would be entering.

Now, if it had been Amal, Jasmine, Schmidt, or any of the trusted soldiers in Anduru, the plan would be simple; Sabotage, and surround the soldiers. Then take them as prisoners back to Revulea. There would be a designated group of soldiers to help with the sabotage, and the job would be done quickly.

However, Kareeb had been wary of the grunt; they hadn't been with Anduru for long, and Amal's gut told him that Medha was hiding something. Kareeb sent Amal to go with Medha, to check if the man was telling the truth. What Medha didn't know, was that another group of Anduru soldiers were tailing the two. Spearheading that group, was Schmidt himself, a leader Amal looked up to. Which meant Amal had an army just in case things went sideways. It didn't matter to the boy – he'd destroyed groups of soldiers before, and just with his kunai. The Yandor were no match for Amal Thamizh.

The boy sighed, and slid out of the saddle. Billy turned his head to face him, and seemed to be restless. Amal gently patted the stallion's crest, feeling the soft fur graze his fingers. Somehow, the boy understood the fear in his friends' eyes. I'll be back, alive, he reassured his horse. Billy whinnied in response, feeling a little more calm than before.

"We should really get going soon, baby Amal! The Yandor won't be patie-" The boy slammed Medha to the ground, his wicked sharp kunai pointed just inches away from the man's throat.

"Call me that one more time, and today will be your last day on earth." For a moment, Medha froze in fear. He soon began to grin like a child.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry! The rumors were true, I suppose." Amal stared daggers at him, his eyes casted in a vicious glare.

"I-I just mean that you are very strong and... quick, is all! No need to worry, now let's go!" Medha began to half-walk, half-skip through the dusty sand dunes of the desert. The boy watched him with great annoyance, before following him reluctantly.