The Unearthing (Book I of the Tebel Chronicles)

Chapter 10

The Midland Peaks were looming ahead of them as they traveled and Cyan could tell that both men were getting more and more anxious as they neared the pass. Their unease made her afraid. The land around them had changed from sand to rocky terrain with small shrubs and the pass now dipped slightly into the canyon. The massive ridges and valleys within the red-rocked walls were all the eye could see. Towers of rocks jutted in every direction. The coarse wildness of the canyon was inescapable, the rocks throwing their menacing shadows around the silent party. Above, Cyan could see the raptors circling, signaling the carnage that lay ahead. They entered a section of the pass between a stack of reddish boulders that hid the canyon on the left and a sand escarpment on the right. All sound seemed to cease from outside the pass. The horse's hoofs echoed loudly on the travel-worn ground and each step sent thrills up Cyan's spine. She wished she could muffle the hoofs with cloth. She stepped as lightly as she could with one hand on the camel Kael was leading. Her eyes darted across the rocks scanning the nooks and crannies that could harbor any waiting ambushers.

As they came towards the end of the enclosed pass they saw the remains of the battle of which Kael had spoken. Bodies were scattered amongst looted luggage. Cyan halted in shock, staring at the lifeless forms at her feet. Kael glanced back at her and saw her ashen face. He handed the camel's lead to Jesse and went to her.

'Don't look,' he said gently, leading her by her shoulders as they picked their way through the carnage. As she stepped over the last body, it happened. It felt as though her heart was going to explode with shock as men suddenly leapt up above the valley walls, yelling and jeering as they descended towards them.

'Run!' Kael yelled, pushing Cyan ahead of him towards Jesse who was already running, his sword drawn. The camel, forgotten, loped away from the frenzied group.

'Jesse! Put Cyan on Ferola!' yelled Kael as they drew alongside him. She could hear the men gaining on them from behind. Jesse drew his sword, his left arm still leading Ferola.

'Lemme go, Kael,' panted Cyan. 'I can run better alone.'

He didn't listen as he tried to push her towards Jesse and the horse. 'Take her on your horse!' he repeated.

'What're you going to do?' asked Cyan, in alarm.

Ignoring her, Kael looked at Jesse. 'Take her and go. Give me your sword.'

'No. You take her!'

In front of them another group of men were closing off the exit. Stopping, they looked back at the advancing men. They were trapped!

'Uh, what now?' asked Cyan.

Kael drew his daggers and gave one to Cyan. Kael let his hand touch hers for brief seconds as she took it hesitantly, catching her gaze with his. 'It may be better to go down fighting, than to be captured by them,' he said softly. 'Oh, and don't let them see your eyes if you can.'

Trying to swallow, Cyan nodded. She had left her travel veil behind at the inn but wished with all her heart she had it now as the eleven men encircled them. Cyan tried to look as menacing as her two I'te comrades. The bandits' looked battle-hardened, many with scars on their pale faces and wore almost uniform tunics in shades of black and blue, with traces of silver. Cyan took quick inventory of their weaponry. Each of the men had two swords – the scabbards could be seen, one hanging at the waist and the other down their back, so that the warrior would only have to reach over his shoulder to draw his second sword. There was no shortage of extra daggers hanging all over the Kotons.

'Come with us now and you may live yet,' a large red-bearded man said harshly. In reply Jesse lifted his sword above his head with both hands, while Kael spun his dagger rapidly. The man who had spoken turned to one of the Kotons to his right. 'Take the female alive if you can.'