Calradian Chronicles: Coming Darkness

Chapter 7: Daggers

Quyaz: Aserai

Sora remained in her cell, having watched a man become slaughtered by another, she knew what was to come. An Aserai guard then came to her cell and opened the cell with his keys.

Guard:
Come, we have your weapons. It is your turn to fight.

Sora didn't say a word but walked passed the guard, bumping him slightly. Her sword and dagger were indeed on the table. As she picked them up, Sora took a glance towards the guard.

Guard:
I would not try anything if I were you. There are too many guards in this arena for you to fight your way out of, and you don't want to get hurt before the fight. Do you?

Sora growled but took her weapons and walked up to the entrance to the arena. She was welcomed as the man with blood-stained skin became prepared to fight her. The man ran towards her and swung his sword towards her, but Sora was quick to jump out of the way. The man swung his sword again but she blocked it with her own. Sora then finished him off by using her dagger to stab his side and through the chest with her sword. Sora looked up into the royal box, a man on the far right stepped up, a man she recognized as U'quaire.

U'quaire:
It appears our new comer has done well. Now let's see how she does against our champion!

The gates open to reveal a large man step out and draw a massive axe towards her. Sora gets into a defensive position, but anyone could tell she did not wish to fight. The man swung his axe at Sora, but she jumped out of the way. Using her speed to her advantage, Sora dodges all of the man's hit while landing her own on him. After a stab through the back, the man falls over dead.

U'quaire:
So I see the champion has been defeated, but let's see how our newcomer does against her own friend.

The gate opens again and reveals Galdores to be the man stepping out. The old man's sword was held in his hand, but his pauldrons was removed, revealing his bandaged upper arm.

Sora:
Galdores?

Galdores:
Sora? No, we can't fight each other!

Sora then looks up to the royal box at the top of the arena.

Sora:
Wait! We didn't come here willingly. I am Princess Sora Nebranos of the Calradian Empire, me and my companion were captured and we were taken here by U'quaire!

The young man in the middle of the box stared to U'quaire, anger in his eyes.

???:
Is this true, U'quaire?

U'quaire:
Well, it's is. All I needed was some warriors to honor my tribe.

???:
I will deal with you later. Release them! The fights are over for today.

Suddenly, the guards opened the gates and Sora and Galdores were allowed to exit. As they leave, the same young man from earlier steps down, he had a burnt sienna complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He wore an orange-yellow robe with a scimitar on the left side of his belt.

???:
Are you two alright?

Sora:
Thanks to you we are.

???:
Good, now allow me to introduce myself. I am Prince Jawwal Banu Hulyan, son of Sultan Merab Banu Hulyan.

Galdores:
Well, we're actually here to discuss an alliance with your father.

Jawwal:
My father is in Sanala, the capital of Aserai. I will take you there tomorrow, but I'd advise you to stay the night. Welcome, to Quyaz.

Slowly, the group made their way towards the keep of Quyaz. Over the coarse of the next few hours, they had stayed with Jawwal, and when night fell the group sat down to eat.

Jawwal:
So, what is it you wish to discuss with my father?

Galdores:
An alliance. I have seen with my own eyes, cultists of Balcodor. They wish to bring him back. We need an alliance to stop this threat.

Jawwal:
I can see that, but it may be difficult.

Sora:
Why is that?

Jawwal:
While my father is the Sultan, he has grown very old over the years of his reign. Some say it is my sister who truly rules over Aserai.

Sora:
Well I don't care! We need this to survive.

As she said that, a struggle was heard outside the door. It sounded as though the guards outside were fighting and dying. The three stood up and placed a hand around their weapons. The door burst open and three men in golden snake masks came into the room. 

Jawwal:
What business do you have here?

The men did not answer, instead they each drew a golden dagger. Jawwal responded by drawing scimitar while Sora drew her sword and dagger and Galdores unleashed his own sword.

Galdores:
I suppose we'll have to fight.

The assassins ran forward while Sora, Galdores and Jawwal each engaged with one. Jawwal fought his opponent near the far right wall, Sora fought her's near the table and Galdores fought his opponent near the middle of the floor. As Sora fought her opponent, her sword was knocked from her hand and she was forced to fight with only her dagger. As she fought, Dora's dagger was also knocked from her hand and she was thrown onto her back. Galdores fights his opponent before using his sword and leaving a cut across the man's side. As his opponent was knocked to the ground, Galdores turns and sees another assassin preparing to kill Sora. Without hesitation, Galdores ran forward and thrusted his sword through the man's back, killing him.

Galdores:
Are you alright?

Sora nods and Galdores holds out his hand to help her up. The assassin with a cut over his side them comes from behind Galdores and plunged his dagger into his neck. Sora stares in shock as Galdores falls to the ground dead. Jawwal pushes his opponent towards the window, the assassin attempts to stab him but he pushes his scimitar through the man's stomach and kicks him out of the window. Jawwal turns and sees Galdores laying dead on the ground before running up to Sora. Sora then looks up form Galdores' corpse and sees the last assassin running away. I'm a fit of rage she takes her dagger and runs after the assassin. Sora begins a short duel with the assassin before her arm was cut and the man runs. Sora then gets up and chases after him again. The assassin then gets on a horse and rode away from Quyaz. Sora then looks out as the man rides away and fades into the night.

To be continued