THE LIGHT OF A'LEST

CHAPTER 19

Alaric felt a familiar tug in his guts as he replayed the battle-fatigued soldier's words in his mind. Long ago, he'd learned what some men dismissed as paranoia oft enough had an air of truth to it. It was this same instinct that led him to turn and look up to the ridge just in time to see Atus's blocky girth bound down the hill with a speed that almost defied reason. He wasn't alone. The boys were close behind, aiding one another as they scrambled down the hill's steep descent. Two more forms brought up the rear. The girl stopped every couple of paces to aid the struggling Lore Master. "TO ARMS!" Alaric roared, and all around him, steel rang from sheaths. The fibrous stretch of a bow string stirred memories he hoped to keep forgotten. All around him, his men lunged into action, forming a defensive parameter.

     Alaric scoffed in disbelief as he saw what stalked the fleeing group. The monstrous insects sliced through the grass, propelling themselves at nearly twice the speed of their prey. He could only watch as they rubbed their translucent fangs together, coating them in a fresh layer of gelatinous venom. He had no time for further examination. "Form a line!" he screamed, although even to him the words sounded foolish, halfhearted. His men, either too brave or too dumb to argue, roared and began moving into position. The Lore Master fell again. Alaric shook his head, sucked his teeth, and charged. One of the creatures shrieked as it lowered its torso to the ground and threw itself into the air. Alaric could only look on helplessly as the creature arced through the sky. Kara and Master Vicam stopped, perhaps understanding the futility of running and resigning themselves to their fate. Their eyes followed the creature as it fell. Vicam raised his hands as if pleading for a swift death. Then a jarring flash of blue light erupted from where they were standing. It slammed into the creature, sending an explosion of green goo and shattered limbs in every direction. What remained fell lifelessly into a heap beside them.

     Atus's heart slammed against his chest as he ran. He thought he heard thunder but knew he'd fall end over end if he looked. He was likely mistaken anyhow, having a hard time hearing anything over his pulse as it pounded in his ears. He grunted and resumed sucking at the wind like a small child begging for porridge, greedily devouring all he could but never satiated. Alaric and his men lay just ahead. They bobbed in his vision, like driftwood on the sea. It didn't matter. They might as well be on the other side of the Ama. He was never going to make it. Groaning defiantly at the thought, he willed his massive legs to keep moving. Without warning, his vision began to blur, and then the world faded altogether. In an instant, he awoke, the world with all its sights and sounds rushing at him and resuming its assault on his senses. Dimly, he became aware of two forms standing over him. Both screamed at him as they took turns battling some blurry foe. Atus raised one arm, managing to shield his eyes from the bright blue light the pair danced in. Was he dead? Were they?

     A chill ran up Zander's spine as he glanced to his right. Gooseflesh migrated across the back of his arms, spreading all the way up his neck as three of the creatures from his nightmare bounded in his direction. Squeezing his eyes shut, he prayed that when he opened them again, the Anasi would not be there. "It's just a dream," he murmured. Then his foot caught on a rock, and pain shot up his ankle. He panicked. The pain was real, and so were the creatures.

     "Move!" Keko yelled as he hoisted him to his feet. "Faster, Atus! Faster!" The rotund man's wheezing seemed desperate. His reddened face curled into a defiant snarl, but his pace slowed regardless. He crashed into the ground. His arms and legs went limp, and he made no effort to rise. Keko's frenzied insistence stopped. Zander cursed as he grabbed Atus's arm and tugged in a panic. As his arms strained under the immense weight of the man, he arched his back and threw all his strength into hauling Atus to his feet. "Help me lift him!" Zander said. His eyes widened as Keko bent to grab the man's arm because a set of red dots stared back at him, then they slid to Keko's exposed back. The giant spider screeched and leapt. Zander wanted to run but couldn't. "NOO!" he screamed, but it was too late.