The Broken Ones

Chapter 9:3 -Crossing the plains

-What do you mean, you thought he was dead? Ana asked, her face glowed pale in the dark.
-He fell off when the monsters begun their attack. I had to leave him, Ard explained.
There was a moment of thick silence where Soi could almost hear Ana grit her teeth.
-You…left him.
It wasn’t a question. Soi could hear Ard swallow nervously as he had realised his mistake. Nibbles saved Ard from a certain death by changing the subject.
-But Soi, where did you get that horse? I can hardly see you, only your sword’s glistening in the dark.
-It found me. It helped me kill one of the monsters.
-It’s a horse, Soi, it couldn’t kill a bug, Ana complained.
The horse obviously didn’t agree with her because it pranced and kicked dangerously with it hooves. Soi had to grip its mane to maintain balance when it rose on its hind legs.
-I don’t think it agrees with you, Nibbles needlessly pointed out and Ana hissed.
-What do we do now? Haz asked impatiently.
-We keep moving until daylight warm our faces, Ana answered bitterly. –Expect another attack any moment.
They fell into a steady canter and the black horse followed the group, Soi couldn’t really control it. For hours they kept the same pace and when the packhorse begun to sack behind they broke off to a trot instead to keep the group gathered. They were all anxious for another attack but as time went by it didn’t seem like that would happened. The monsters had retreated for the time being, waiting for the next night to attack again.
The sun climbed up the sky at the same time as Soi begun to glide off the black horse. He must have hit a rock and passed out because the next time he opened his eyes Ana sat by him and stared intensely at him with a wrinkle between her eyebrows. He looked around her to see where the black horse was.
-How are you? Ana asked with a low voice.
-Where is the horse?
Ana’s eyebrows wrinkled together, she snorted through her nose and rose. Ard replaced her and helped Soi to sit up.
-She scared the horse away.
-Ana? Why, what?
-They didn’t like each other.
-It’s a horse, Soi tried to understand how Ana used her head.
Ard pulled the corner of his mouth up a bit.
-That’s what Ana said as well, “It’s a horse! As if it could do any good!” Anyhow, when you fell the horse stirred around you and puffed you gently to wake you up, but Ana didn’t see it like that I’m afraid. She scared it away with some of that light that she shoots out from her hands.
-Magic! What was she thinking?
-It was a beautiful horse and if I may say so, I think the saddle would fit perfectly.
Soi had forgotten the saddle, but now he knew it would be a perfect match.
-You’re right, it would fit.
Nibbles came and stood towering over them.
-As you are already on the ground, you may as well stay there. Let’s sleep everybody.
Blankets were soon laid out in a circle and covered their faces from the rising sun.

The next two nights Soi had to settle with sitting behind Ard when they travelled. He was still angry with Ana for chasing away the black horse, the only good thing that had happened for days. Soi hoped the black horse would return.
-Oh, I’m sorry for saving your life.
-It wasn’t going to kill me!
The tension was bad and it didn’t help that each time they fought Ana went directly to Haz. How could she trust him!
And if that wasn’t enough to confuse him, the monsters didn’t show up again. Or at least they didn’t attack. Every night fall the strong light, the one they had seen the first time up in the mountains, was followed by a piercing howl broke the sky, as if to warn them and Soi could feel their red eyes watching them in the dark. But they didn’t attack.
The group kept a slow but steady pace as they didn’t need to run for their lives each night. In what direction they travelled Soi didn’t know, it was Ana who led the group from Haz’ horse and Soi couldn’t tell whether she followed the stars or if she had a map in her mind that she followed. Not once during the journey so far had they used a real map but Ana probably had done this travel for at least ten years.
Soi came to like Ard more and more. He was so different from his cold brother. But on the outside it was only Ard’s eyes with gold sparkles and his warm smile that separated the two brothers.
-So where are we going? Ard asked Soi on the third night.
-I thought you knew as you tagged along.
-Oh, that was my brother’s decision, I simply followed him.
-Why am I not surprised, Soi murmured.
-What?
-Nothing. We’re going to the Academy.
-The Academy? What’s that?
-It’s a place for brokens, like Ana and Nibbles.
-And my brother.
-Hmph, yes… precisely. How old are you, Ard?
-I’m eighteen this summer.
-And your brother?
-Twenty-five.
Soi smiled.
-At least I’m older, he said to himself. –How did he get those injuries?
-You mean how he lost his fingers? Oh, ehm… I don’t really know, he hasn’t told me yet.

When the fourth night was arriving the group set camp instead of riding on. It was risky but it was Ana’s decision. And they were prepared for an attack any time. The horses remained saddled. Soi and Ard had their swords drawn, Haz and Ana sat by the fire and Nibbles played with fire. He snapped his fingers and a flame appeared hovering in the palm of his hand, he snapped again and it disappeared. It was a typical behavior developed to irritate Ana, but she ignored him and concentrated on the fire. From time to time a howling interrupted their silence and they all lifted their heads in the direction of the sound.
-Why don’t they attack? Ard asked.
-I don’t know, Ana answered.
-Maybe they’re waiting for something, was Ard’s next suggestion.
-Like what? For us to surrender? Nibbles smiled towards him.
-This is way too easy. Something’s wrong. It was as in the forest, it was too easy, Ana complained.
Apart from Sam, Soi wanted to add.
-They’re biding their time, Haz concluded.
Another howl, but this time there were several responses.
-Something’s happening, Ana said ominous and rose from the fire.
The group packed their things and put out the fire and in less than a minute they were on their horses and devoured by darkness. But no monsters came for them though the howlings continued.
-It’s not us they’re after, Haz stated.
-Then who? Ard asked.
-It could be an animal they’re hunting for food.
The black horse, was Soi’s thought.
-Perhaps it’s that black beast, Ana said with a bitter delight.
-No, Soi whispered and slipped down from Ard’s horse.
He took a step in the direction of the howling before he got stuck.
-Where do you think you’re going? Haven’t we already had this talk? Ana’s voice called after him.
-No, but listen. That isn’t a monster screaming.
The group listened closely and they heard it. It wasn’t a monster and it wasn’t a horse or any kind of animal. It was a human.
-Oh, stars, Ana cursed. –It must be another broken.
-We have to help…
-No, we have to take this opportunity to get away as far as possible. We’re up next when they’re done with that poor bastard.
-We can’t leave…
-The strongest survive. That’s my world Soi, don’t tell me how to live. Come on!
But he couldn’t move and it wasn’t because of any spell. It was impossible for him to do nothing when someone was dying. He had done that before and he wouldn’t do that again.
-Soi! Ana called.
Suddenly a warm breath touched his face and low familiar neigh reached his ears. It was the black horse, always ready for a fight. Soi swung himself up on its back and kicked its side and they run away from the group. Behind him he could hear Ana swear.
-For the shining moon, Soi!
But he wouldn’t listen. He and the horse flew over the sun burnt grass with the stars shining over him, towards the monsters howls and roars. He trusted the horse to lead him right. The broken was putting up a fight Soi could hear as they closed in. Wounded and hurt howls blended with curses from the broken.
-Come on then, I’ll kill you all! I’m not afraid to die!
Soi heard more hurt roars but he couldn’t see any lights from spells. The only light he could see came from a torch that was swung in wide circle around the broken. Not could this be his only weapon? Whatever the broken did to protect himself it worked because more wounded monsters moved away from the broken and Soi together with the black horse could kill them off easily. When the monsters understood that this broken wasn’t giving up and that he wasn’t alone anymore they retreated like they had a few nights ago. Soi caught a glimpse of the broken, he was young and long and had short hair, which looked almost like fire. He turned around to face Soi and Soi recognised him. It wasn’t a broken, it was Jagger swinging the torch around her. A second later a dagger cut through the air and past Soi with a small marginal.

To be continued...
By J.L.Frick