Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Chapter 6: Hunted

Nahasa Desert: Aserai

In the vast deserts of the Aserai, two horses walked across the sands. Sora and Galdores were mounted on the backs of the horses. Night slowly fell in the distance as the sun went down.

Galdores:
Well, here it is, Aserai. I hope it's all that you expected.

Sora:
All and more, but I'm honestly just glad to finally get out of Argoron.

Galdores:
Well, I'm glad you enjoy it.

The two continued to tread across the vast sands towards Sanala. Sora begins hearing an odd sound in the distance and pulls her horse to a stop. Galdores pulls his own horse to a stop and looks to her.

Galdores:
Is everything alright?

Sora:
I thought I heard something. It must be my imagination.

Galdores:
Well, it's getting late. We should make camp here for the night, continue our journey in the morning.

Galdores and Sora moved into a trench and dismounted their horses. Having started a small campfire, the two sat down along the fire. Sora and Galdores look to one another as the fire burned.

Galdores:
You should be asleep.

Sora:
So should you.

Galdores:
If only. I've been fighting wars for so long, and it's all given me certain.........thoughts about my life. But, if you really can't sleep, I suppose we could have a short lesson.

Sora:
In what?

Galdores:
Stand up.

Sora stands up across from Galdores. The old man takes two wooden swords from his saddle bag and throws one to Sora.

Galdores:
Alright, let's have a lesson in dueling.

Sora gets into a defensive position as Galdores gets into one of his own. Galdores down one thrust that Sora blocks, however, Galdores swipes his leg under her's.

Galdores:
That was a nice thrust, but your stance it off. Try something like this.

Galdores gets into his stance, and Sora gets into a stance of her own that matches his. The two begin tapping their swords together again. Sora attempts to go for his leg but Galdores blocks her hit.

Galdores:
Never swing for the leg, it will not do you much good.

The two continue their sword fight where Galdores attempts to strike Sora. She manages to block his attack and disarm him.

Galdores:
You've done well. Now, we really should get some rest.

The two put away their mock-swords and sit back beside the campfire. Sora moves towards Galdores, who remained by the fire.

Sora:
Galdores, what happened in that temple?

Galdores did not respond immediately, instead he fiddled with his fingers. The old man looked up and moved a hand over the scar on his face.

Galdores:
My companion, Falconus and I had heard rumors of the return of Baklcodor would return, so we traveled to his old temple. We found him....along with others.

Sora:
The Black Shadow?

Galdores:
Yes the Black Shadow, along with many other cultists of Balcodor. They wish to revive their master, and possessed magic like none I had ever seen a human use. I barely escaped with my life, Falconus was not so lucky.

Sora seemed guilty, Galdores had been fighting for the Empire for many years and this was the most vulnerable she had ever seen him. Horses were heard and the two looked up. Galdores instinctively grabbed his sword while Sora grabbed her sword and the dagger she had acquired from the mercenary they had faced mere days ago. Many warriors surrounded them, while one man on a horse came and drew a spear towards them.

???:
Don't you know you should not pass here. I am U'qaire, leader of the Ghilman and you two are in my territory.

Galdores:
We want no trouble, just call of your men.

U:qaire:
I do not think you will be leaving. Capture them!

U'qaire's men slowly moved towards the two travelers. Sora clashed her sword with that of a Ghilman warrior, while Galdores fought a man with a spear. Galdores kicked back the man and turned to one with a hooked-sword. Sora fought many men with her sword and dagger. She looked and saw Galdores be knocked unconscious.

Sora:
Galdores!

Sora rushed in an attempt to save Galdores but before she could make it, a man hit the back of her head with his shield and knocked her unconscious. Sora awoke, finding she was now in a sandstone cell. Her weapons gone. She ran to the bars and shook them frantically. Looking out of the cell to the side, she saw an arena with two men fighting in the arena. Sora took in the horrific sight as one man was slain by the man with blood-stained skin. She now found herself in a massive gladiatorial arena.

To be continued