The Sands of Rhun: A Middle Earth Story(Book 2)

Chapter 3: A Light in the Darkness

The next day dawned much like any other, and we began to train, oblivious to the looming storm of change that was about to engulf us both.  I was using a sword and shield, a combination that Layala struggled against. 

She struck quickly, her scimitar clashing against my shield and sending sparks flying from the strength of the blow. But she had overextended. The power of her attack had forced her off balance ever-so-slightly, a mistake that I chose to capitalize on. 

I swept at her feet with my blade, forcing her to leap backwards. Off balance even more, I took the offensive, quickly pushing Layala into a retreat that ended with me disarming her and rapidly covering the distance between us, my sword at her throat.

"Well done... As always." Layala laughed and pushed the blade of my sword away. I joined her in laughing and helped her up, and she went to retrieve her blade.

"Shall we go again?" I asked. She was about to respond when Lykar, our trainer, approached.

   "I need to speak with both of you." He said in a measured voice. I nodded, though I could already tell from his demeanor that something was wrong.

   "Your master wants me to be tougher on you both. If you do poorly in a fight, you are to be whipped." He spoke the words hesitantly, as if he disagreed with the decision but knew he had to carry it out anyway.

   My eyes widened. "Why??"

   "Master Dakil made a deal with that man who visited. The man will personally recruit the two of you into his master's army if you survive the Pit. After the fight, you will report to his master and leave the servitude of Master Dakil forever." 

A flurry of emotions surged through me at that moment, most of them varying degrees of anger. We were supposed to be freed! How could he sell us into slavery again? Part of me wasn't surprised at Master Dakil's treachery. I had never liked the small, shrewish man. But as I began to realize the implications of what the deal meant, I knew that Layala must have felt even worse. I had never tasted freedom, so losing it didn't mean as much to me. But for her... It must have been a crushing blow.

"Why? What right does he have to barter our lives??" I felt the blood rising to my head, but I knew that it wasn't Lykar's fault. 

"You new master will be Lord Khanar. He's the Khan's general, the leader of Rhun's vast armies. A contract with him will make Master Dakil rich."

Layala looked physically ill, and suddenly, it dawned on me;  Buying us wasn't likely a mere coincidence. As the Prince of an important, if not distant, tribe, I would be valuable leverage for the general of an increasingly divided army. How he knew who I was, I did not yet know. But if this was the case, Layala was just part of the deal because we were a team. 

The thought made me sick. 

My mind rushed with all of the possible options. I could attack now and make a desperate attempt to escape with Layala. But neither of us would make it. Master Dakil had a small army of his own under his control, and he wouldn't easily lose us now. Perhaps we would have another opportunity to escape. But once we joined the Khan's army, the chances would fade drastically. 

   "We won't disappoint," I said through gritted teeth, deciding to bide my time until later. We really didn't have any say in the matter.... Not now. 

   "I hope not," Lykar said and left the ring, sitting just outside to watch.

   We both did our best. My best was more than enough. Layala's wasn't. Even though I was going easy on her I still defeated her within a few minutes.

Lykar came into the ring, a whip in hand. My eyes widened and I ran to stop him.

"Lykar, no. She did her best, she doesn't deserve this." I reached for his arm but he recoiled away, a frown creasing his features.