Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Of Sacrifice

Zaedus awoke in the Inn to a knocking upon his door.

“It’s me Zaedus,” It was obviously Cindy.

“Come in,” Zaedus replied and Cindy entered.

“Zaedus, there is a bit of a commotion outside,” Cindy was worried. “Something’s headed towards the city.” Outside there was a scream. Whatever it was, was here already.

“Cindy find a safe place to hide. Come out when this is all over, ok.” Zaedus ran outside and drew his sword. He was ready for anything, but not for what he found.

His tribe was attacking Night Song! They had just begun to thunder through the gates. They were numerous and the town was poorly equipped to handle them.

The chief was in the lead, Salazar. He had taken control via brutality, killing his predecessor. Though not an unusual way of succession, the battle had been brutally bloody and dishonorable. Since then, the tribe had walked a dark path. None challenged his rule, but few truly followed it. This attack on Night Song was just another act of infamy on Salazar’s long list.

“Salazar!” Zaedus yelled at him and drew steel. “Leave this town for today. I beg of you.” Salazar slowed to a walk and so did the rest of the tribe as they approached Zaedus.

“What are you doing here?” Salazar had contempt in his voice as always, “Friends with the soft folk are you…traitor.” The word traitor stung Zaedus. He had never agreed with Salazar, but being the younger, weaker warrior, Zaedus never could challenge him. He lived in a world where strength was all that mattered.

“I may be a friend of whomever I chose, but I shall never stand by you Salazar.” Zaedus pointed his greatsword at Salazar, an act directly challenging him. “Now leave…or face me.” Guards had begun to show up, but remained in the distance. They did not want to die today.

“I will not back down!” Salazar yelled. “You have made a mistake Zaedus; Your life ends today.” Inside Zaedus shook; his end was closer than it had ever been, but he did not show it.

“I’m ready for anything Salazar, least of all you.” The tribe caught on almost instantly and surrounded them; there would be no escape. Salazar drew his own blade, also a greatsword, and prepared for the fight.

They circled each other waiting to strike. Zaedus swung first, but his attempt to slash Salazar was easily parried. Salazar attempted a similar slice. Zaedus defended, but was knocked off balance. He stumbled backwards and Salazar came at him again. Zaedus was fast enough to block his attacks, but he was losing ground. Salazar swung for his head; Zaedus ducked. The momentary pause allowed Zaedus to regain his footing and he swung to return the favour.

He was not fast enough and Salazar blocked it with one of his bracers. They gave him an edge Zaedus did not have, but a single arm is weak against two. Zaedus stepped back and spun around, swinging his sword as he went. The momentum gained by the spin was a deadly force. His sword came round again for Salazar’s head. Zaedus was once again too slow. Salazar had his sword once again ready to defend.

Salazar avoided his own death, but the momentum knocked him off balance. Taking the upper hand Zaedus lunged at him with his sword raised high to strike. Unfortunately, he did not see the well-placed kick Salazar had used in his last defense. The blow hit Zaedus hard in the stomach. He was knocked on his back, winded and stunned. Salazar brought his sword to Zaedus’ neck.

“Time to finish this,” Salazar muttered as he raised his blade.

“Zaedus!” It was a voice, unmistakably Cindy. She broke the circle and ran towards him.

“Cindy No!” Zaedus yelled, but it was too late. Salazar had already swung on her and the devastating upward slash ripped into her. She fell to the ground helpless. Zaedus was filled with anger and thrust his sword into the chest of Salazar. With one final gasp, his life ended. Zaedus stood up and pushed Salazar’s body off his blade. He came to his senses and dropped his sword.

“Cindy, are you ok?” He ran to her crumpled body.

“What do you think?” She feebly whispered and closed her eyes. Her last words were, “Thank you…” and she was gone.

“No Cindy. Here I thought I was saving your life…and you saved mine.” Zaedus stood up and looked at the tribe.

It was his tribe now. “This is the end of life as we know it. No longer will we raid and no longer will we battle humans.” His fellow reptiles looked at him in shock, but he continued. “No longer will this madness continue! We have all lost far too much.”

He looked around, “A friend, a brother, a father, a loved one all have paid too dearly for a prize which can never be attained! Today we leave this town and we march on find a free land we can call our own. No longer shall we ravage the lands of man. If they come for us, and they no doubt will, we shall offer them hospitality and friendship. Humans are slow to change, but we don’t have to be. From here on in we will no longer fight mankind and we shall wish for them to no longer fight us.”

“Your ideals will kill us all!” Shouted Hastock -one of Salazar’s supporters.

“If I die so be it, I will have died honorably as a warrior, for all true warriors strive for a time when they will no longer be needed. If you choose not to follow, so be it, but remember the path to peace is always available to those who search for it. Now come, we have bodies to bury and a new land to find.”

Zaedus picked up his sword and a few of his people grabbed the body of Salazar, but the body of Cindy was no longer present. Zaedus was alert; no one could have taken it. He looked around, but then realized he would never find her.

~The girl who came from nowhere, has gone just as she arrived, but her mark will last forever~

Next

Previous

Start