Arakim's Legacy(#Wattys2015)

Chapter 21

"Who do we have here?'' asked Arakim, walking to crouch beside Adani.

"Greetings, Your highness! It's me, Gaddoni. Remember?'' the boy said, trying to smile but only ended up grimacing in pain.

"Of course, I remember you, although I almost didn't recognise you under all that paint,'' teased Arakim, while taking hold of the boy's hands in his, 'what are you doing so far from home, Gaddoni?'

"The soldiers came to the village and started beating on us when father refused to assist them in breaching the wards at Ajò'hia forest and renouncing the spirits of our ancestors.'' He muttered bitterly.

"I am sorry, Gaddoni.'' Arakim told him, only for Gaddoni to wave him off.

"You didn't send them, so need to apologise.'' Gaddoni assured him. "Father didn't believe them when they said you sent them.''

"I wouldn't do that to my favourite people,'' Arakim assured him, squeezing his hand gently. "How is The Baba, Gaddoni? And why were they beating on you so far from home?'' he asked the boy, speaking gently.

"The last time I saw Baba, they were beating him and threatened to kill Hauwani if he did anything to resist them and why they took me as leverage.'' He whispered, panting a bit. Arakim could see the boy was getting too tired to talk and needed his wounds to be taken care of immediately.

"We'll talk later, Gaddoni. Let my friends take care of your wounds before they start to fester.'' And at his nod, Arakim continued. "Is there water near here?' Looking around, 'l have not been to this part of Nasarai Desert before.''

Gaddoni nodded. He pointed east. "Not far from here'.

Patting his arm, Arakim stood up to see everyone looking at him, waiting except Adani who was still fussing over his wounds.

"You know him?'' asked Gnar and Arakim nodded.

"He said there is a brook near hear, is it better to move him there to wash his wounds?'' he asked looking at Adani.

"It might be best,'' answered Adani, 'there's too much dirt for me to do anything.''

"I will carry him,'' offered Djou, stooping to carry the boy who couldn't suppress his painful moans.

"It will be fine, Gaddoni.' Arakim soothed him, 'they are taking you to the stream to wash your wounds'.

"That's fine, your highness,' smiling bravely.

"You are a brave warrior.' Arakim told him and watched the gratitude replace the shame in his eyes.

Ren, Gnar, and Adani with Izumi bringing up the rear walked off in the direction indicated by Gad, looking small and vulnerable in Djou large arms.

"So what did he say?'' asked Mena, drawing his attention.

Arakim briefly told them his conversation with the boy. He explained how the boy was the first son of the tribal chief in their village, Kadunani. How they threatened to kill his sister if he resisted them and that they took him as leverage to ensure his father's cooperation. He explained that they were several villages in the Nasarai Desert but Gaddoni's village was the largest.

Mena said when he finished "So they are trying to force them to worship their god, but why not use magic?'' turning to look at their prisoner.

"I don't know but maybe their magic doesn't work on them,'' said Talor, rubbing his shaggy face.

"Explains the violence,'' Edum said, causally tapping his fisted hand against his palm, 'to force their hand.'' Disgusted.

"Remove his gag and let's hear what he has to say for himself,'' ordered Talor staring coldly at the man who was clutching his right arm and whimpering in fear.