Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 9

Cladius drank from his water sack. His hot armor absorbing the sun's light. Strangely enough; this seemed to give him strength. Almorah and Agular were lagging behind the well trained soldier.

"Must we rest?" He said turning back to his partners.

"I'm fine." Almorah yelled forward out of breathe.

"Rest Almorah," Agular said.

"Stop! I don't need you to tell me what to do!" The woman yelled back.

Cladius didn't understand why he chose these two to find the Sun God with? Everything in his body, the very fiber of his being told them he shouldn't have, but something came over him in the moment.

"I don't care who you are, we are all soldiers now. Soldiers are one in purpose, trust each other, and most importantly do not fight! I am your commanding officer, and if you can't act like a soldier then get out of here, because you're just slowing me down. Helm depends on us, set aside your pride, and toughen up." Cladius said in a harsh tone.

The two glanced at him as he turned his back walking forward at a quicker past. Helm was all Cladius had. No mother, no father, no brothers, and no sisters. The two didn't understand.

The sand dunes suddenly started to slip as giant earth snakes came from the ground. Cladius drew his sword, his weary body ready to fight. Agular leaped back in shock protecting his sister as he got in combat position. Almorah drew her sword as Cladius held his shield in defense. The three got in a tri-circle as the three snakes hissed at them. The first attacked at Cladius, the trained soldier prepared. The shield slammed against the sand snake's face knocking its right fang loose, as Sosire slid down the hard scales like butter. The snake started to bleed, as it attacked again. Cladius took a chance slashing his sword at the right time, cutting the body in half lengthwise.

Almorah and Agular defended themselves as Cladius glanced back at them. They were making no progress their attacks sluggish and slow. Cladius could see Almorah forget her edge alignment, her blade no more than a club. Cladius rushed over slamming his blade through the skull of another snake, the size of a small building. The knight held his stance as the force of the beast made the head ride to the sword's guard. The jaw slacked as the snake's body recoiled and wiggled. The last sand snake bit into Almorah's torso lifting the woman into the air. The armor she wore protected her from the normally fatal bite.

Both men rushed to aid the woman as the snake tossed her off to the side. Agular rushed for Almorah, as Cladius gutted the long body. The blood rushed out like a water fall, landing all over the bronze and golden armor of Cladius. Swiftly Agular held Almorah up. Cladius ran forward, looking over the two, as he flicked his blade, afraid the blood would rust the steel.

"Almorah, are you alright?" Agular asked, as the woman held her side.

"It looks as if she has broken her arm." Cladius replied, as the woman groaned at her twisted appendage.

Agular looked back quickly, as he then turned his attention to the woman.
"I don't think it's broken." Almorah replied, trying to move her arm.

She winced at the pain as Cladius came closer kneeling next to the woman. He gently touched the woman's arm, straightening. Almorah gave way, screaming in pain.

"What do you think you're doing?" Agular said, holding Cladius back with his arm.

"We have to straighten her arm, or it will heal improperly. I know what I'm doing."

Cladius continued, ripping some of the cloth from his armor, and using his sword sheath as a splint. As he glanced up, he spotted sand moving in the distance, it was similar to more sand snakes, but Cladius knew better.