The Destiny of Amalah (76 page)

Kalon and the guard had ridden into Basimine unchallenged and they had seen no sign of Rakan’s army. Kalon stopped to speak with the posted guard and then rode on until he came to his destination; once there, they stopped short of a dense forest and dismounted. There, they ate and organised themselves, there was to be a guard on at all times while they were in the field.

They set to work among the village people evacuating them and sending them eastwards to Amalah. Kalon worked hard to get as many people to leave and over the next day, there was a mass exodus of people from Basimine. Many just picked up a few clothes along with some food and water and made their way east. They did not need much persuasion, for they had heard what had happened to the other nations in the east.

The next day; Rakan, Rufus, Waldon, Kenaz, Luxor and Bryce and their army began to file into the west of Basimine as Amara’s guard continually filed in from the east.

When Ellora awoke that morning, it was with a bad feeling; at first she could not place it and it troubled her so. After a while though, the feeling grew worse and then she felt it; it was like a heavy weight in her chest, which was filled with anguish. “Kalon!” she whispered to herself desperately. Ellora ran to her horse, mounted it and hurriedly rode to where Kalon was.

Kalon was still working hard, the people and the guard looked to him and he led them well. As the morning hours passed, they had achieved much and so they broke for lunch. He and some of the guard went into the forests to look for wood and hunt for food and as they did, they came across some of Rakan’s army.

There were only twenty or so but they were armed to the teeth and itching for a fight. Kalon and his men knew that there was no other way and they drew their swords, while the dark army drew their battle-axes and knives. Kalon and his men were out numbered twenty to twelve but they fought well and hard and before long there were only three men standing and as they fell – one of them let out a war cry to avert the others who were somewhere around. More of the guard came running to where Kalon was, followed by more of the dark army and they began fighting all over again.

***

Ellora’s heart was pounding fast and hard in her chest and she only had one thing on her mind – Kalon. She needed to reach him and reach him fast and so she rode her horse flat out westward bound to find him.

***

The guard fought and they fought well but before long, they had brought the fight into a large clearing and they were suddenly surrounded by the dark army; outnumbered at least ten to one. The guard stayed in the centre of the clearing, their swords were raised and the now numerous dark army, lined the perimeter of the clearing and watched, as those who started the fight finished it. To the guard it seemed to last an eternity for they knew death was inevitable and the fight they were engaged in was just prolonging it.

Of the forty guards that had entered the forest to fight, only fifteen were now alive to stand and fight and as they stood; the six men entered and Rakan ordered them to stop. The dark army stopped in their tracks and the guard stopped too. The air was charged and no one knew what would happen next.

‘Stand down,’ Rakan ordered his men and on his command they did.

The dark army, who were facing off to the guard in the centre, joined the ranks that were circling Kalon and his men. Rakan and Kalon then came face to face; Rakan smiled at his brother and Kalon glared back.

‘Hello Kalon,’ Rakan said pleasantly.

‘Rakn,’ Kalon said through gritted teeth.

Rakan and Kalon stood opposite each other and stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity and then Waldon, Kenaz and Rufus stood at one side of Rakan, while Luxor and Bryce stood at the other side of him. The six men faced Kalon and the guard and it was Rakan who spoke next.

‘Here me, Kalon and members of the guard. There is no need for anymore of you to die today; join us and you will live. Fight us and you will surely die today – for you are outnumbered – by at least a hundred to one.’

‘We will never join you,’ Kalon spat.

‘Do not be so sure Kalon; no one wants to die; especially when they don’t have to.

‘We know about Salwar and his pathetic war that he wishes to wage on the gods,’ Kalon spat, much to the horror and surprise of Waldon and Kenaz.

‘How can you know that name?’ Waldon barked.

‘Adriel is in our custody,’ Kalon replied. ‘I assume he told us a different story to that which he told you.’

‘It cannot be,’ said Kenaz. ‘You lie!’

‘Yes, he does lie,’ Rakan said.

‘In all of your life brother, have you ever known me to lie?’ Kalon asked.

‘No.’

‘Then it is not I, who lies. Lies to his family and friends and fellow soldiers.’

‘Perhaps but then as you know, Adriel is a master liar.’

‘And you have been an exceptional student,’ Kalon spat.

Rakan rushed towards his brother but then stopped short.

‘Enough of this,’ he snapped. ‘I have set out your choices today, now choose!’ he commanded.

Rakan, his friends and the dark army waited for Kalon and the guard to give their answer and before a minute had passed, ten of the guard lowered their swords and went to join the ranks of Rakan’s army.

‘What are you doing?’ Kalon shouted. ‘Traitors and cowards you know what he plans to do with the rest of the world.’

‘Yes they do but I think they care about their lives more,’ said Luxor.

Four remained by Kalon’s side, ready to fight to the death rather than join Rakan and his army; they stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting for Rakan’s next move. They did not have to wait long, Rakan threw two fireballs either side of Kalon and they hit the four remaining guard who burst into flames and then disappeared into thin air, screaming as they died.

An enraged Kalon charged at Rakan but Rakan simply flicked his hand backwards and it sent Kalon flying across the air, until he landed at the feet of some of the army. He was winded slightly and as he went to get up, a soldier brought his foot down on Kalon’s chest, trapping him there. The soldier brought his sword crashing down towards Kalon and Kalon’s heart raced as he watched the sword. The soldier smirked at Kalon but in the next second, he was screaming as he realised he was on fire.

‘Don’t!’ Rakan said to the soldier, who he had just thrown the fireball at.

The fire engulfed the screaming soldier and then he too disappeared into thin air. Rakan bent down by Kalon and grabbed him by the chest; he picked him up onto his feet roughly and brought him back to the centre of the clearing and the two brothers stood facing each other once again.

***

Ellora rode faster and harder and her heart pounded harder the closer she got to Kalon. She could not see him but she could feel him. ‘Please Kalon, be alright,’ she begged.

***

Rakan looked up at Kalon and then stared at him again.

‘Kalon dear brother.’

‘You cannot be my brother,’ Kalon spat with contempt.

‘I can and I am.’

‘The brother I knew was a good man, he was kind and decent and he was loved by me and his father and he could not have done what you have done: mass murder, destroying and burning villages. No, you are not my brother you are simply a monster inhabiting his body and I say that of you too Waldon, Kenaz and Rufus.’

‘No Kalon, you are wrong. I am your brother; I simply embraced the monster within me.’

‘Well now that I am here I will stop you.’

‘Who sent you?’ Rakan enquired.

‘I am a Captain of the guard,’ Kalon said, with the same tone of contempt and defiance. ‘As were you, until you betrayed all that was sacred.’

‘Was it father or Häkan?’ Rakan asked, ignoring his brother’s last comment. ‘No wait; it must have been the Empress. I should have known. Did they send you because you are my brother and thus I would not hurt you? A huge gamble on their part.’

‘It does not matter who sent me, now that I am here; I won’t let you kill anymore people, or send our world spinning into anymore chaos or darkness.

‘You don’t have a choice in that Kalon but you do have
two
choices – join us or return back to Amalah.’

‘No,’ Kalon said defiantly.

‘So you will not join us, but return to Amalah; return to princess Ellora and be happy.’

‘And let you continue on this path of destruction? I cannot.’

‘Indeed, but Kalon, if you choose to fight you will die. I do not want to kill you but I will. Make no mistake about that.’

‘I will never join you, never. Do you know what you are? What you have become...?’

‘Powerful,’ Rakan said, interrupting his brother.

‘Evil,’ said Kalon. ‘That is what you are and I will not leave here, walk away and be a coward and let you go on doing what you have been doing. With my very last breath, I will do everything in my power to stop you.’

‘So be it,’ Rakan said drawing his sword.

The brothers swords were drawn and pointed at each other, they stood on guard for a few seconds and then Kalon charged towards his brother. Rakan then ran towards Kalon and when they met, their swords made an almighty clash. Their swords went up and down through the air, each aiming and blocking the others; Rakan was skilled but Kalon was quick and so the two fought a hair-raising and adrenaline fuelled fight. They fought with and passion, and with an intensity and ferocity that only brothers could fight with.

Kalon brought his leg up mid sword fight and his foot landed squarely in Rakan’s chest and sent him flying. Rakan rolled on the floor and then sprung to his feet and ran towards Kalon; Kalon was ready for him and the two of them began fighting again, their swords clashed. Sometimes the clashing was light and quick, other times, it was powerful and hard and sparks flew from their blades. Rakan got the upper hand and managed to disarm Kalon of one sword but seconds later, Kalon returned the favour and both brothers fought with their daggers and fists now.

Kalon brought his dagger up and then down which Rakan parried and while their dagger were down, Kalon delivered a backhander to Rakan with his left hand and it connected to the left side of Rakan’s jaw. He didn’t lose his momentum and he delivered another kick to Rakan’s torso, which winded him. Kalon was about to deliver another blow but Rakan swung around, until he was back to back with Kalon. He wasted no time in swinging his leg down and connecting it to Kalon’s calf which made him buckle to the ground and then Rakan delivered a backhander to Kalon’s upper back sending him lurching forward, but Kalon reached back and reached up and grabbed Rakan by the neck and shoulders and hurled him over his shoulders.

Rakan landed hard and flat on his back but he spent no time recovering, he flipped his legs up and past his head and both feet kicked Kalon in the head and Kalon went sprawling to the floor. Kalon and Rakan rose to their feet, neither of them had a sword and so they fought hand to hand. Rakan delivered a reign of three blows to Kalon’s face and then a blow to the body, which saw Kalon double over and then he delivered a blow to Kalon’s back, which brought him to his knees. Rakan brought his knee up towards Kalon’s face but Kalon blocked it with both hands and sent his leg crashing back to the ground.

Kalon elbowed Rakan in the inner side of his thigh and then tried to rise to his feet, he saw Rakan swing a punch downwards towards him and he blocked it before he delivered two punches to Rakan’s stomach winding him and giving him the opportunity to get back on his feet.

The two brothers were at face off for a few seconds before they launched into a new round of hand to hand; this time they used their elbows and knees as well. Rakan elbowed Kalon in the face and Kalon turned his back on his brother and kicked his leg up which caught Rakan in the groin; still with his back to Rakan, Kalon swung his right elbow to Rakan’s right connecting and then he swung his left elbow left and it connected with Rakan’s left side. Rakan ducked the first time and pushed his brother forward with both hands. Kalon stumbled forward and Rakan followed grappling his brother.

‘It doesn’t have to be this way,’ Rakan shouted. ‘JOIN US KALON – BECOME OUR BRETHEREN,’ he shouted again.

‘NEVER!’ Kalon shouted, back with contempt.

Kalon grappled back and managed to throw Rakan to the floor and Rakan then dragged his brother down with him. The two men both rolled away from each other and got to their feet. They were both bleeding, bruised and in pain but neither one would yield and so they continued to fight – to what they knew would be the death. Waldon walked over to where they were and the two brothers paused as they looked upon him.

‘Kalon, you are one of my closest friends and like a brother, not only to me but to us all – JOIN US.’

‘Never!’ he spat.

‘You cannot win here today, you must know that. If you defeat Rakan here and now, you must still defeat me, four others and the army.’

‘I will never join you.’

‘Why?’ Rakan asked. ‘We will be all powerful and rule for an eternity and we will all be brothers.’

‘What will become of Ellora and my father?’ Waldon and Rakan became silent. ‘They would never join you and you know that and I would never leave them – for this!’ he said, as he looked around at the army.