Warrior of the Stars- Book one of the Jay Shang Chronicles

Chapter 2-For Love

Chapter 2 - For Love

They were there suddenly, appearing so close to him and so quickly that Jay almost screamed in surprised terror. Three huge men, armed to the teeth with weapons and muscled heavily with sunbaked, leathery skin.

But it was what he saw next that turned his blood cold. All of the men had the same tattoo carved into the skin of their upper right arm. A sideways Yin and Yang symbol, the symbol for anarchy, surrounded by a series of angled lines that resembled long claws grasping it.

It was the villager's greatest fear. The army of savage mercenaries that terrorized his country in the Long War, had returned: the Kimanche.

Jay felt himself go numb from fear. He had heard the rumors of a Kimanche raiding party, traveling along the coast attacking the small isolated villages that ran along the length of it. They killed those who had fought against them, as well as all of the livestock. They also stole anything of value before burning down homes and farms, or whatever else got in their way.

This must be a scouting party, to be so few....

Jay's hand tightened on the handle of the scythe he carried to shear the wheat. Could he take them on with such a feeble weapon?

No. He didn't stand a chance against what were obviously three fully trained warriors, armed with a small arsenal each. But... maybe he could slow them down long enough for his father to see what was going on and run for help. That was, of course, unless he decided to come help his son, resulting in both of their deaths.

He didn't dare shout out to warn his father. The warriors hadn't seemed to notice the older man yet.

Maybe he should run for help?

No, he couldn't leave his father to face them alone. In his state, he would only stand no more chance against them than Jay himself did.

Crouching low to the ground, Jay gripped the handle of his scythe with one hand in a deathlock, while the other closed around a fist-sized stone he had found hidden among the wheat stalks. He was only going to have one chance to do this.

He stood swiftly, raising the hand that held the stone. He took aim...and threw it with as much strength as his body could muster.

It hit the largest of the men directly on the center of his forehead. The big man's hands flew to his head as he cried out silently.

Oh no... thought Jay.

He had meant to knock him out to better his odds.

All three of the men turned to face him, the smaller two looking as if they were fighting laughter. Jay clenched his hands along the scythe's handle so hard his knuckles turned white.

The men spoke a few words amongst themselves and began to make their way through the field over to him. Jay stood waiting, his legs locked in fear and determination.

He would stand his ground. He had to protect his family.

The men moved quickly, and silently, but it felt like an eternity to the small boy who was prepared to fight off these war-hardened men in order to keep the ones he loved safe. They stopped in front of him. Jay could have reached out and touched the closest if he had wanted to.

All three men were filthy, covered in a crust of sweat and dust from the road. They reeked of saltwater and dried blood. The metallic scent made Jay's stomach clench. They were bare-chested, except for an open vest made of some unknown animal's hide, stained with dark brown splotches. The weapons they carried were unfamiliar to Jay.