Legends: The Knight of Helm (#1)

Chapter 15

Almorah struggled as she crossed the dessert, dragging Cladius in a make shift stretcher. The other end of the stretcher dug into the sand, as she pulled with all her might. She had made shoulder straps, running across her chest and underneath her waste, to make things easier on her dislocated arm. She panted and yelled in agony, as Cladius moaned in a sleepy agony. Agular could barely walk, as he dragged their supply back on the ground, slowly creeping forward.

Things were bad; there was no way they were going to make it at this rate. The sun beat down at them, scorching their soar skin, and blinding their eyes. The noon sky was unforgiving, to the three wonderers. Almorah had faced it; they were homeless, and hopeless. She glanced over at a small tree growing off in the distance she hoped to make it there soon, before the frigid night air came. She was hoping to set camp there this very night.

She slowly but surely made it there, the agony of the journey was like that of a hammer crushing your bones. Her dislocated arm made it all the more difficult. It was her good arm as well, she couldn't fight with her sword any more. She had arrived too late, the cool air had already settled in. Cladius shivered as his fever rose. She worried about him, as well as her speechless brother. She unloaded the gear from the bag of supplies as Agular laid in pain against a rock, instantly falling asleep. She quickly laid a blanket over Cladius's cool body as she sat next to the man.

She leaned against the tree as she watched over the three of them, until her eyes slipped. Overwhelming drowsiness took the young woman, as she snoozed against the five foot tall tree. The bark was rugged, and left an awful pain in her back, making her right shoulder blade ache all the more in pain. She turned her head to both sides, left than right, trying to get out a must needed snap. She opened her eyes, as she spotted three men glancing over their gear.

One held Agular's hammer, in his hands, smiling as he twirled, testing the weight. Another looked at Sosire, picking the blade up, and looking it up and down. The last thief rummaged through their possessions and rations. Almorah charged forward slamming her hand into the man's face that held Sosire.

The man dropped the blade, and staggered both in pain and surprise. Almorah quickly retrieved the sword, holding it against the three men.

"We got ourselves a fighter, men!" The man said, tossing Agular's hammer to the side and pulling his knives out.

"Leave now." Almorah said boldly. She was unsure if she could win this fight, with her dominate arm being limp.

She held the sword in a poor position, as she glanced at all three men. One held a hatchet in hand, and the other a short sword. The leader seemed to dual wield daggers. They each wore a grey and orange material covering their faces and skin. Black gloves were worn by the three and hoods as well.

"Looks like a wounded pup!" The one with the short sword smiled.

"Hold your tongue, dog!" Almorah replied.

"Alright, I guess she's going to have to die than, boss." The one with the hatchet announced leaping forward at the woman.

"Wait!" The leader said too late, as Almorah side stepped the poor balance of the reckless man.

The thief fell into the dirt, as she slammed her foot on top of him. She pointed the tip of Sosire at the man's throat, "Leave the items here, and run."

"Alright missy," The leader said, dropping all the stuff on the ground.

"I release your man when you turn around and take twenty steps." Almorah replied, watching both men turn around and start walking.

The boss shook his head, as he walked. The kid he had brought along was causing trouble, lucky for the foolish boy, he was his father. Almorah crouched bellow, as the men continued walking. She slammed Sosire into the ground as she placed her hand on the man's collar, tossing him to his feet, and kicking his rear. The boy stumbled forward as he glanced back in anger.