After [A Journey of the Twins Novel] (20 page)

As the attacker in front jumped out of the way, the sound of a whip snapped in the room. Ruben felt the sting as it bit into his chest. It pelted his body repeatedly, causing him to flinch with each hit. One such hit brought him to his knees, grimacing with pain. The first attacker saw an opportunity and tried to take advantage of it. He swung his sword high with the intent of bringing it down on Ruben's bowed head. Instead, he was looking at the big man's sword buried deep in his chest.

Ruben tugged the weapon free and stood ready for the next attacker, a snarl etched on his bleeding face. The man in front of him slid to the ground, dead. The other two attackers paced around in the room, looking for any opportunity to get at the trapped man.

The one holding the whip started to hit Ruben again. Blood from several new welts melded with the rest on his exposed skin. The remaining attacker took advantage of the distraction and dove at Ruben. He was met with a foot in the side of the face, followed by a sword in the middle of his back as he went down.

As the second attacker fell, the third hesitated. He turned and fled out the door before Ruben could react. The big man followed, only to see the Boss standing in the hall with the third attacker lying dead at his feet. He was putting something away in the cloak.

"I had hoped for more from this one, but as you can see, it didn't happen. The other two were expendable.” The same whispery voice floated from the black hood.

"What sort of game are you playing here?” Ruben demanded. He still had his sword in hand and contemplated using it on the cloaked figure standing before him.

"It was a test to see if you were worthy of working for me."

"I thought you were watching me. If you were, you'd already know I could handle myself."

"I know through watching that you spar with others. Now I know from an actual battle."

Men exited from the room across the hall and gathered the bodies. They looked and moved in an odd fashion, almost robotic like, ignoring the pair completely. Ruben watched them warily. He put his sword away when the men and bodies were gone.

The Boss indicated for Ruben to return to the room. Upon entering, the big man saw the small table was moved away from the corner and another chair had been added. Food and drink sat on it. Ruben glanced around the room, trying to figure out when the move happened. No one had entered the room as far as he had seen. Shrugging, he sat down in the chair against the wall.

They discussed what was required of him long into the night, and gold passed between the two. That was the beginning of his rewarding involvement with the Boss...

Ruben's attention returned to the world around him when the captain guided his horse up to him again.

"Sir, we have traveled for several miles. What are your wishes?"

"Break for a meal. Plan on staying for only a short time. We still have several days ride ahead of us and I don't want to get caught out on these plains without some kind of shelter."

"If I recall, there are some ruins ahead. We could reach them before nightfall."

"Good work, Captain. Tell the group we head for those ruins after the stop."

"Yes, Sir.” The captain pulled around and returned to the men and women who followed.

The mercenaries halted their forward progress and fed their horses before eating any food themselves. Ruben watched as the prisoners were removed from their animal. One of the men untied the cat's mouth and quickly moved away before the cat could bite. A jack rabbit, killed this morning in the stone hell, was tossed close enough for him to grab. Drizzle glared at the big man before reluctantly eating the rabbit.

As Ruben watched, a plan formed about how he was going to get the girl back to the Boss. A smile appeared on his face. He dismounted and removed the saddle so he could brush the horse down. The smile remained during the entire process.

The men and women under the big man's leadership were unnerved when they looked in his direction. They knew Ruben. He had not smiled this much in a very long time, and they hoped they were not going to pay the price because of it.

[Back to Table of Contents]

Shyanne kept Jack's pace slow to make sure they didn't stumble upon a rear guard hidden amongst the massive stones. The pace grated on her nerves. It could not be helped, though, not if they were going to free their friends. When they came upon the open plains, nothing lay ahead except for a never-ending sea of rippling grass.

"What do we do now? If we go out into the plains, they'll see us,” Shyanne asked.

"We stay on Jack and follow their tracks. If we come close to a hill, I'll scout ahead on foot. That way we're still on the move, but out of sight. On the flat plains, we just have to take our chances."

The twins kept at the jerky pace for hours, stopping to scout hills before crossing them. They were between gently rolling slopes when a light breeze brought the scent of freshly trodden grass and dirt to their noses. Shyanne inhaled deeply and leaned back on Drayco.

"I miss this. It reminds me of how good the grass smelled after a mowing.” She peered up at him, changing the subject. “Do you feel a twinge of fall in the air?"

"Yes, I feel it. I hope we're all together and settled before it gets here."

"You, me, Drizzle—and Joseph, if he wants. He is a friend of ours, after all. And that silly old cat does like him.” She returned her gaze to the plains.

Drayco looked at Shyanne.
She hasn't accepted the fact that she is in love with Joseph. Just like my sister—always the last one to know
.

Before riding over the other side of the slope, Drayco slid off Jack to check out what lay beyond. This time, he fell to the ground quickly. The mercenaries were ahead, stopped for a rest. He motioned for Shyanne to stay where she was before returning his gaze to the crowd.

No tents stood among the group. He assumed it was a short break instead of a full stop. Seeing Ruben on the outer edge of the group brushing his horse caused his blood to boil. The sight of their friends, Joseph and Drizzle, in the center of the group brought the temperature down. After making sure they were still in good shape, he eased away from the hill and returned to Shyanne. She had dismounted and stood next to Jack.

"They're just over that hill. It looks like a short stop so we'll have to keep an eye on them. I don't want one to stray back and find us."

"How many are there?"

"I counted twenty-five. That Brent fellow lied when he told us there were only fifteen.” Turning toward the direction he came, Drayco added, “You stay with Jack. I'll go back to the crest and keep an eye on the situation.” He kept his voice down during the conversation so it would not carry with the breeze. Shyanne followed suit.

"Did you see Joseph and Drizzle? Are they okay?"

Drayco faced her, grabbed her shoulders, and looked into her eyes. “They're fine, little sis. Ruben was ordered to bring them back alive—both of them. I don't think he'll let anyone hurt them. I heard him say what would happen if they did back at the campsite, remember?” He pulled Shyanne close.

"Thanks, Drayco,” she whispered as she snuggled against him.

"Now, let's get back to watching this gang before they sneak away and they can't see us.” He stepped back and gave her a sideways glance.

Shyanne started to turn toward her horse, but stopped when she realized what he had said. She punched him in the arm. “You stop teasing me, you overgrown galoot!” she hissed.

"Owww,” Drayco mouthed while rubbing his arm. At the same time, he tried to look injured.

The bad acting brought a grin to both faces before they separated for their appointed tasks. Drayco returned to the hill while Shyanne stayed with Jack to prevent him from wandering too close to the crest.

Spanning the area, she saw great beasts off in the distance. What kind, she couldn't tell. Overhead, birds flew past, calling to each other and spiraling playfully in the currents. The faint shadows of mountains with their white hats were visible farther off. They stood in a more northerly direction than where the group was heading.

Drayco came back to his sister. “Looks like they're getting ready to move. Ruben is saddling his horse, and the others are putting their things away."

"Does it look like they are sending out a rear guard?"

"I don't think so. My guess is Ruben feels the openness is protection enough from any attack."

"He's an arrogant one, isn't he?"

"Or very cunning,” Drayco replied. “I'm not sure what he's up to, but it's bound to be something not good. We'll have to be extra cautious from here on out."

Ruben signaled to pack up and move on when he finished brushing Wind Racer. In a timely fashion, the group was making their way toward the west again.

The captain rode beside Ruben while the rest of the mercenaries left the big man alone. They were afraid of his temper, and his sword, but they respected him at the same time. He took good care of them as long as they did not mess up.

"Sir, do you want to post a rear guard?"

"No, Captain, not at this time."

The officer seemed fearful of asking his next question, but felt it needed to be said. “Are you sure that's wise, Sir?"

"Are you questioning my decision?” Ruben turned sideways in the saddle. He focused his cold blue eyes on the man riding next to him.

"N ... n ... no, Sir! I would never do that,” the captain stammered, a glint of fear showing in his eyes.

"Smart man. I knew there was a reason I made you Captain.” Ruben faced forward again. “Reinforce to the others that we are making for those ruins you discussed earlier. I want the shelter of walls around me when darkness settles over the land."

"Yes, Sir!” the captain answered in a crisp manner.

Ruben nodded, satisfied, as he watched the man exhale a sigh of relief at having not incurred his wrath before he left.

The group of mercenaries made good time across the plains. They did not want to be out after dark any more than their leader. Things of unspeakable evil roamed through the night. Things so large, a man could be carried away easily before anyone could help.

Black sky showed above the orange and red hues of the setting sun when their intended destination came into view. The silhouette of the buildings looked ominous against the darkening horizon. Mutterings of superstitions and bad feelings were heard as the group drew closer.

Ruben stopped Wind Racer some distance from the buildings. He turned to meet his fellow mercenaries. “I understand your misgivings. However, to stay out in the open is to invite nothing but disaster. At least this way we will have a wall to put our backs against if something does arise."

The men and women grumbled about having to go into the ominous site, but they all agreed the idea of staying out in the open was far worse. Inside, there was a measure of protection. Outside, in the open plains, there was none.

"I'll go in first and check out the area. Captain, keep everyone here until I give the signal to follow."

"Shouldn't someone go with you?"

"Not this time. If something is in there, I don't want anyone in my way. Besides, I don't like it when my people get hurt by anything other than me.” Ruben grinned as he prodded the black horse toward the even blacker group of buildings.

"Very well, Sir. We'll wait for your signal.” The captain had genuine respect in his voice.

The people around the officer spoke softly amongst themselves. They had gotten to know the big man as well as he let them. He was cold, cruel, and brutal at times, but he also allowed his fellow companions to see a calmer, more protective side.

The site was not really a town or a city; it was more like a commune. There were four buildings in all. Three of the four were in shambles, their roofs long since gone, and their walls partially knocked down. The fourth one, which appeared to be the main building, was, for the most part, intact. The glass for the long windows was missing and the front door was nowhere in sight, but the roof looked to be in good shape. A tall spire rose upward on the front, leading Ruben to believe it had once been a church.

He peered up and saw a thick bank of clouds rolling rapidly in their direction. At the same time, he watched a bolt of lightning spread its pointy fingers across the ever-growing mass.

Ruben guided his horse to the fourth building. He dismounted and walked up the steps to the porch. Inside, the room was vast. Several pews stood near one wall. Others were scattered throughout the space, lying on their backs, or remaining upright. The back half of the room was hidden by an impenetrable darkness. A familiar odor hung near the entranceway. He could not remember where he had smelled it before, or what caused it.

Quietly, he withdrew his sword and crept into the dark building. Nothing except for the sound of grit crunching under his boots echoed across the room. He only went as far as the light outside allowed. He did not want to fall or trip in the darkness.

A bright flash of lightning glared through the windows. It was enough to show that no animals occupied the building. Fortunately, it also showed that no light came through the roof. The sound of thunder rumbled around the room. Ruben could tell by the time between the flash and the noise that the storm was closing in fast. He backed out and shoved his sword into the sheath before returning to Wind Racer. Throwing himself into the saddle, he rode back to the waiting crowd. The massive, bloated clouds were directly overhead when he reached them.

"The main building is sound and will protect us from the coming rains. Captain, take some men and gather as much wood as you can find. You,” Ruben pointed to a female in the crowd, “take the rest inside and start setting up camp. Grab some wood on the way and get a fire started immediately."

The captain and the appointed female nodded their heads. The main body of people moved toward the building while five broke away and followed the officer.

Ruben stayed where he was, watching the people who traveled with him. In his opinion, they were a worthy lot. There was no hesitation when they had been told to slaughter the townspeople—all of them. They enjoyed being paid to rape, torture, and kill almost as much as he did. Glancing upward, he followed the group heading toward the main building and hoped the rain would pass quickly.