Abased - The Exiled Warrior

Chapter 16.2 - Execution

Tears flooded Shaleh's eyes. She tried to blink them away, but it was no use. She wrenched her gaze away, refusing to look at the body of the man she loved as.

I am a daughter of the Empa clan. I am strong. Not some snivelling coward.

"Look out, Rustam!" Gretch's voice broke the awed silence.

Rustam looked up as the fur-covered warrior detached himself from the wall of onlookers and leapt at him. Rustam raised his sword and jabbed at the attacker. The man parried with his sword, stepped in close and placed his dagger against Rustam's throat. It happened so fast Rustam, and all the warriors around him, were frozen in shock.

"Drop your sword if you want to live." Shaleh had known that voice her whole life.

"Serik?" Shaleh asked. "Is that you?"

"Drop it now," the man repeated as he placed his short sword behind Rustam's neck to prevent any possibility of escape.

Rustam's sword fell to the ground and clanged on dark stone.

"Tell your men to untie her," Serik ordered.

"Do as he says," Rustam said before adding. "It will make no difference. My warriors will not let you leave."

Once free, Shaleh rubbed her chafed wrists and moved towards Serik, still avoiding looking at Nurlan's body.

"Take his sword, Shaleh," Serik said. "Remove his scabbard and put it on."

She had to tie the belt around her waist. Her waist was not wide enough for the buckle to hold it around her hips.

Once done Serik continued to give orders to Rustam. "Tell your men to take the red shirt off Nurlan's body and give it to her."

Rustam looked confused, but gave the order regardless. While a couple of warriors wrestled the silk shirt off Nurlan's corpse, Gretch removed his greatsword from his back and held it point down in front of himself.

"Yet again we have all underestimated you," Gretch stated. "It is the last time."

Serik did not reply. He kept his eyes fixed to Rustam's face.

After a minute the shirt was handed to Shaleh. She gazed at the well worn red garment now soaked with blood around its neckline.

"Put it on," Serik instructed.

"What?" she asked, horrified.

"No questions. Put it on," he repeated.

While she did so, Serik issued another order to Rustam.

"Tell your wife to take off her outer garments and throw them to Shaleh."

Rustam repeated the order and Taisha consented, tossing them at Shaleh's feet.

"Put them on," Serik said. Shaleh knew he was going to and was already pulling the thick leggings up.

She finally allowed herself to look at Nurlan's body. His shirtless torso lay chest down on blood soaked snow. His head was a step away, resting sideways. It's skin was pale from lack of blood but he had a contented, open-eyed expression on his lifeless face.

Farewell my love. May you find rest in the heavens.

She took a deep breath, clenched her jaw and looked away as tears returned.

I am a daughter of the Empa clan. I am strong. Not some snivelling coward.

"Bring us a cart and two horses," was Serik's next instruction for Rustam. "The hunter with the greatsword rode a large grey mare. We will take her and one other fresh horse. Put two days worth of food for three people in the cart as well as a tent and blankets. Be fast."