The Desert Ghosts

Thank you to Oldbroad76 for proofreading.

CHAPTER XXVIII

CHAPTER XXVIII

Kael VIII

Kael VIII

It had been a tough couple weeks of travel. The land they were traversing held little life, and their meals grew shorter and less in amount. Each of them looked skin and bone. Their skin was dry from dehydration, and their muscles ached.

Each night Kael had the same nightmare where he was back in the cell being cut and battered. He'd wake up covered in sweat with his heart beating out of his chest, but Exi could calm him down. Having her close changed everything for him. Kael was going to survive this. He had to. He knew the life he could have with Exi, and nothing would stop him from having that.

As the sun rose, Kael looked to the land in front of them, and he smiled.

We made it... the norther islands.

The islands varied in size, but they were close enough together that he could see multiple bridges which connected them. Scattered through the islands were new villages made for the army that stood in front of Kael.

This was not a few tribes banding together. This was the largest army he could imagine. So many Pakria, enough that they could destroy the Oswini's army with ease.

Why are they all the way up here and not closer to The Hundred Mile Beach?He questioned.

One by one the rest of the Desert Ghosts stood beside Kael. Their capes blew in the light breeze, and the morning sun shined upon each of their faces. It was quiet. For a moment Kael felt serenity. He was at peace. They had completed their mission. They had obtained proof that the army existed, and a map of Pakria which had never been seen.

"That's... a lot." Erik muttered.

"How many do you think there are?" Connah then asked.

Kael looked at the distant figures moving across the rocky islands, too many to count by a mile.

"Thank you," Kael whispered but gathered the attention of his friends. "We have done our mission, and we did it together, as a team."

He noticed Exi and Alix give each other a quick look and a smile, then felt Erik pat his back.

"What now?" Exi asked, her red hair now long enough that it made her look like a proper woman.

"We return." Samuhal said.

Each of them looked out at the army that could destroy everything for which their people had fought for years.

"I don't think I'd make that walk back," Connah said. "I don't think any of us will."

He was right. Just the hunger and exhaustion alone would kill them, never mind Erik and Kael still recovering from their torture.

Kael noticed something in the distance. It was small, yet it gave him hope, and his lips curled into a smile.

"What are you thinking?" Connah asked.

He pointed to his goal.

"Why don't we sail back?" Kael asked, and the Desert Ghosts looked into the distance at a small boat that could hold all of them.

"You want us to get to that?" Exi asked.

It was very far north but fairly close to the coastline, close enough that they could swim to it when they get near.

"We just have to be subtle," Kael told them. "We slowly and quietly make our way across the islands, swim to that boat, and just follow the northern coast until we get to The Hundred Mile Beach."

Their faces gave away that they were not sold on the idea, especially Shana, who looked disgusted by the thought. That felt like the first time her true emotions came to the surface.

"Wait," Alix spoke. "Why didn't we just sail here?"

"One of our ships would be spotted from a mile away," Kael told him. "If we got anywhere near to land, then we would have been overrun and killed."

Also, for all they knew, these Pakrias had their own ships ready to sink them if they grew close.

"Okay, so, we will go tonight." Kael told them all.

They spent that day relaxing and talking to each other. It felt nice to have a day without travelling. Kael spent that afternoon with Exi, and as he lay in her arms he couldn't help but smile.

--

--

"Okay, is everyone ready?" Kael asked.

The Desert Ghosts had their weapons holstered except for any short blades or daggers. The ideal plan was to get across the islands without being noticed, however a quiet blade could work in their favour should they find trouble.

When they reached the first bridge, it was completely empty, although from mainland Pakria to this first island, there were at least ten wooden bridges to cross. Each of the Ghosts crossed together, and the walk took no more than five minutes.

Kael's heart was pounding in his chest. With how many Pakrias soldiers there were, if they were spotted, then they would instantly be killed, and it would all have been for nothing.

Each footstep was silent to the ear, but each one was sluggish and a pain for Kael. His entire body ached, and his stomach felt shrivelled inside of him. He barely had the strength to hold the dagger that Exi gave him.

The second and third island were easy to reach without any trouble. At this time of night most of the armies were asleep, and even those on patrol were easy enough to move around.

It wasn't until they reached the fourth island where guards were holding up at the bridge they needed to cross.

Kael and his team paused and crouched besides bushes to stay hidden.

"There's only two," He whispered. "We take them with spears."

Alix was the first to volunteer, then Connah was next. The rest of them remained hidden as the two men charged forward as their spears soared through the air and into the chests of both soldiers.

The sound of them hitting the ground worried Kael, but they marched past and across the bridge as quickly as possible.

As they walked, the pain started to beat Kael. He stumbled, but Exi caught him.

"Come on, we're nearly there." She whispered.

CHAPTER XXVIIII

CHAPTER XXVIIII

Exi VII

Exi VII

Exi latched onto Kael's side as most of his weight pressed down onto her. Her own body was weak, but she had to be strong; she had keep him alive. Everyone close to Exi had only ever disappointed her or died, but she wouldn't let that happen to Kael.

They quickly fell behind the group with Kael limping and her struggling to hold him up.

Thankfully, Erik turned his head and saw them before they fell behind.

He didn't speak a word as he wrapped an arm around Kael. Together the two of them practically carried Kael across another bridge until they both gave way, and all three fell to the ground.

Connah was the next to spot his fallen friends. He quietly got the others' attention and returned.

"What's wrong?" Connah whispered.

Exi sat up and looked at Kael. His eyes were barely open, and his breathing was soft enough that his chest was barely moving.

"He needs help." Exi whispered and pleaded with her eyes to Connah.

"Come on, I'll carry him." Connah said and leaned down, but as he pulled Kael to his feet, Kael barely made a sound.

"Just... leave me." Kael panted, "I'll catch up."

"Shut the fuck up," Connah whispered. "If you stay, I stay."

"He's right," Erik then said. "We're not leaving you."

Connah and Erik took the weight of Kael and helped him walk, but they were at a much slower pace. This was getting more and more dangerous. The deeper into the islands they got, the larger these villages of soldiers became. If someone saw them now, then the options would be to leave Kael or fight and die, and they would not leave Kael.

After a few minutes of very slow movements, a thought occurred to Exi.

"Wait," She whispered and everyone stopped. "We should send someone ahead to get the ship ready."

"What?" Connah asked. "No, we stick together."

"Getting a ship ready to sail can take time," Exi explained. "If we're moving slowly anyway, that gives more time for us to get caught, or, we could send someone ahead to get it ready so we can set off immediately."

It made sense, but no one wanted to leave the group.

"I'll go." Samuhal finally put himself forward.

"Do you know how to get a boat ready?" Connah asked him.

From the look on his face it was obvious that he didn't, and their hopes were dashed again.

"I do." Shana whispered.

Exi looked at the brown skinned woman who stared blankly at them.

"Okay," Exi said, "You and Samuhal go ahead. Get it ready for when we arrive."

"Be careful." Erik told them.

The two of them immediately set off. Samuhal may not have known how to get a boat ready, but he was the smartest out of the group, and he could figure it out.

After they left, Exi took her turn helping Connah to carry Kael. Jahil stayed a few feet behind, but the poor girl looked terrified. Exi knew that Jahil had no idea what she was signing up for when she joined them, but Exi would keep her alive as well.

Their feet were like blocks of steel with every step. Kael was still breathing, but barely. Exi's own lungs burnt with every step and felt like she could pass out at any moment. Kael was in no better condition.

Jahil and Connah were both in okay form. Although clearly malnourished, they had a life in them that the others didn't.

The group moved slowly and made sure to make as little sound as possible.

CHAPTER XXX

CHAPTER XXX

Samuhal I

Samuhal I

Shana remained by Samuhal's side as they walked with a hastened pace. It took very little time to build a large gap between them and the rest of the team. There was nothing stopping Samuhal now. He had completed their mission for the greater good of their people.

He knew that his friends may have disliked his views in regards to completing the mission, but he did it. Maybe... just maybe, after this Samuhal will have gotten rid of the shame he got when his Jarl cast him from his home.

It was clear that the Pakria's were not accustomed to such large armies. They were spread out randomly and had very little guards. It may have been in the middle of the night, but should this have been an Oswini army, the Desert Ghosts would not have made it nearly this far.

"You okay?" Samuhal asked Shana as they crossed the final bridge.

She was constantly looking around her with eyes that seemed to be attempting to figure something out.

Poor girl, must be frightened,Samuhal thought,I'll keep her safe.

"Yes," She replied in her thick accent. Her words were cold and blunt.

The moon was full and shining high above them with dusty stars scattered along side it as they moved with earnest. Samuhal felt weak from their trip, but on the home stretch he was given a new inner power.

When they reached the coast to the boat there were no guards, thankfully. Samuhal's arm had not recovered fully, although he didn't let on just how bad his arm was to the rest, but he had very little movement in it. If they had to fight, then his only hope would be Shana, something he had little hope in.

"We swim?" Shana asked.

Their feet reached the water that gently swayed up and against them.

"We swim." Samuhal told her.

This was the hardest part. With only one arm fully working, Samuhal had to use all of his strength to make it across the short space of water. Luckily it was not windy that night, although as they approached the boat, Shana had to help Samuhal make the final few feet.

She climbed up first, and the water made her clothes stick to her small figure. Then she turned around and reached a hand down.

"Here, I'll help you." She told him. They were far enough away from people now that they could speak louder.

Samuhal did not believe this small woman could help him onto the boat, but her strength surprised him, and after a minute of pulling he laid on the top level of their way home.

"We did it," Samuhal thought with a smile. "We actually did it."

"Hurry," Shana said and rose to her feet. "We need to get started."

Can I not have one minute?Samuhal thought, but she was right. There was work to do.

With a deep breath, he picked himself up and looked around the boat,this can't be too hard,he thought. It was only a small boat, just enough to house their group.

Shana was surprisingly no use in this, even though she said she would be, but Samuhal didn't have time to question that. While he worked, she stared into space with a million thoughts running through her head.

Samuhal guessed that she was in shock that she would be returning home after being a slave for nearly her entire life, and a change like that would be a big shock.

"Okay, I think we're done," Samuhal said with a smile, and something clicked inside Shana's head. He walked over to give the young, frightened girl a hug. "We're safe."

His hands grabbed her shoulders, and as he pulled her close, he felt it.

A cold sensation in his stomach, a feeling he only knew from when his shoulder was hurt. Samuhal looked into Shana's eyes, who had turned emotionless. As Samuhal looked down, he felt a warm liquid going down his legs, but this was not the ocean water. It was his blood.

He stared at the dagger that Shana had plunged into him to the hilt. Samuhal expected to feel pain... but there was none.

His lips parted, but as he went to speak, Shana pulled the dagger back from his bell and plunged it again in a different spot. This forced a grunt out of Samuhal as his body felt like it was crumbling within itself.

"Whh..." Samuhal coughed, and blood dripped down his lips.

"I did like you." Shana whispered to him before stabbing Samuhal again, this time in his chest.

As she held the dagger Samuhal's body gave way. He fell to the ground, and the dagger unsheathed from him and remained in Shana's hands.

He looked up at the full moon and the dusty skies as every bit of strength within poured out with his blood.

Shana's heartless face appeared over him, and she watched until Samuhal's own eyes closed.

CHAPTER XXXI

CHAPTER XXXI

Kael IX

Kael IX

Kael was barely conscious as he was carried through the northern islands. He could barely hear anything around him since he was so focused on his own thoughts.

Nearly there... you can do this. Just one step at a time. Come on Kael, come on... Theo. You are Theo Thine, heir to the Empire. You will not die on this rock, you will survive!

That burst life into Kael, and his feet began to work again.

"Kael, don't trouble yourself." Exi told him.

"I'm okay," He coughed. "I just needed a break."

Exi and Connah were still carrying him, but Kael was able to move.

I will not die here. This is not where I belong. I need to get home. I need to see my father, to prove to him that he was wrong. He failed me, and I will make sure he knows it.

Kael forced his feet to move and forced his heart to keep beating. Two more bridges were crossed without any issues, and the boat was getting closer. He was nearly there, nearly safe.

"Wait," Erik suddenly said, and the group stopped. "Is that Shana?"

Kael looked ahead and saw the slave girl limping towards them. Her clothing was ripped, and she had a cut down her forearm that was leaking her thick blood.

"What happened?" Exi asked when they reached the beaten girl.

"They've got Samuhal," She whispered and coughed. Her clothing was wet... too wet. "They're torturing him."

Kael's body tensed up at the thought of torture.

"Where?" Erik grunted.

"In a cell, not far." Shana said. Her voice was cracking and her hands shaking, but something wasn't right.

"Why are you so wet?" Kael asked.

Shana looked at him, and for a moment he thought she showed a different side.

"We just got into the water when soldiers pulled us back." She told him.

This isn't right.

"How many soldiers are with him?" Erik asked without any concern.

"Not many. I think we can take them." Shana said. She was still shaking, but the way she spoke wasn't of someone who was just beaten.

Kael grabbed Erik and pulled him close.

"I don't trust her." Kael whispered.

Erik pulled back and looked into Kael's eyes.

"She saved us," Erik said. "You know what torture is like. We cannot leave Samuhal to that."

He was right. Kael would sooner die trying to save his friend from torture than save himself. So, with a nod they let Shana lead the way to Samuhal.

They were already moving slowly but now they moved at a glacial pace, hiding behind every bush they could find. Kael did not like going more inland on this island, but there was no other choice.

Each of the group stopped when they saw it. There was an iron door going into a cave, but that wasn't what froze the team. It was the four dead Pakria soldiers on the ground in front of them.

"What's happened?" Erik asked.

"I don't know." Shana replied with genuine confusion in her voice. Kael was learning now when she was being honest, but he just worried it was too late. But if she was telling the truth, then Samuhal was in danger.

"Pakriasi's have never been this close together in such large numbers," Jahil whispered. "Maybe they broke into a fight. For generations these tribes had fought each other."

"What do we do?" Exi asked.

"We have to save Samuhal," Shana told them with the wrong tone. "I only got away because of him. I have to save him. I'll go alone if I must."

"No," Erik said. He had been protective over Shana since they got free. "Connah and I will go with you."

"I'll come with you," Exi told him. "If there's a fight, then you'll need me."

Erik nodded, and gently they lowered Kael to the ground. Jahil sat beside him to give him comfort while Alix stood on guard.

Kael nodded to his friends, and his eyes met Exi. He mentally told her to be safe, and with that they headed towards the iron door.

CHAPTER XXXII

CHAPTER XXXII

Exi VIII

Exi VIII

Exi hated leaving Kael, but she had to help. She, Connah, Erik, and Jahil slowly made their way to the iron gate.

Shana opened it first and entered, finding a glimmer of torch fire inside. When the door closed, any wind there was outside was gone.

Exi held a dagger in each hand as they walked further into the tunnel. She was ready to fight whoever it was that stood in her way to saving Samuhal, although she worried if the guards had been killed, then chances were they killed Samuhal as well.

Further down there was an iron door with more killed Pakria soldiers on the ground.

What has gone on here?Exi thought, the cuts were thick and rigid, Pakria weapons,maybe Jahil was right, and they had started to fight each other.

A sound came from past the iron door. It was movement. There was someone in there. Connah approached the door with a sword in his hand, and he looked at each of them before nodding.

In a second the door was pushed open, and Connah, then Erik, and then Exi charged into the room. There were two Pakria soldiers in there, but Connah and Erik cut them down before they had a chance to react.

Where's Samuhal?

Exi looked around the rectangular room that was carved into this cave, but there was no one here. No furniture, just an iron box.

"You said they brought him here!" Connah shouted at Shana and lunged at her. The poor girl quivered in fear.

"I saw them! I promise!" She cried out as she made herself small.

It was clear she was used to beatings, Exi couldn't have that. She grabbed Connah's arm and made him look at her.

"Stop," She whispered. "Maybe he was taken somewhere else."

"What is in this?" Erik asked and kicked the iron box.

When Exi looked at Shana, her eyes were locked on this box. It seemed that nothing else mattered but whatever was in that box.

"Do you know what it is?" Exi asked.

"My old Master told me about something kept here," Shana whispered. "He called it The Stone of Ashkera."