Chapter 9: Of Lizards!
Horses approached. Zaedus awoke to find Hastock already up with his axe ready. A small band of humans approached, riding on horses. Six of them came wild, fast and carefree.
“Lizards!” one of them yelled. Hastock grimaced and readied for them.
“Easy Hastock we don’t want a fight,” Zaedus watched uneasily.
“We don’t have no choice!” Hastock replied. Their foes had already drawn their weapons and rode towards them.
“We mean you no harm!” Zaedus yelled. His shout did not deter his attackers and they seemed only amused at his attempt of peace.
“It talks!” their leader yelled and the other laughed. They dismounted and encircled Zaedus and Hastock.
Zaedus drew steel. “I don’t want to fight you, but you leave me no choice. Make no mistake, you will die.”
“Try me!” Their leader lunged at Zaedus with his own sword, but Zaedus cut him down before he even had a chance. The warm blood splattered on Zaedus’ skin. The very act he tried to prevent could not be avoided. Behind him, Hastock had ended the life of two more. Zaedus turned to see the devastation and in his moment of distraction, a dagger was plunged deep into his back. The blade tore his flesh; he fell to the ground unable to move.
“Zaedus!” Hastock yelled and upon seeing his fallen comrade, fought with renewed vigor. He slew another and the remaining two fled in fear of the crazed reptilian. Hastock did not let them escape and pursued them. In the distance, Zaedus could hear the last gasps of the remaining men.
“You were wrong Zaedus,” Hastock rolled Zaedus on to his back as to look him in the eye. “They will never forget the conflicts of the past, they live short lives like we do, and they pass their hatred forwards, forever upholding the grudges of the past.”
“No!” Zaedus whispered.
“Yes! Your life ends here Zaedus; I will assume leadership and the tribe will continue to fight. It is the only way Zaedus; you couldn’t change it, no one can.”
“You’re wrong”
“I am not wrong! Your promised land does not exist! Your peace is nothing but a fable! Your dreams could never have become a reality! Goodbye Zaedus. As you die, think of your fabled Ideals and how wrong you were.”
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