CHAPTER XIX
Just as Bauros had advised, after finding somewhere to take shelter, the two waited for a ship to arrive. They were both saddened by their friend’s departure, feeling lonelier than they had in a long time. But their journey had to continue. There was so little left to go.
The first vessel arrived only a few minutes later, but once it was moored, barely half a dozen rough-looking sailors disembarked. As soon as they set foot on land, they began noisily unloading their cargo. Hanna and Gunuruk grew frightened, wondering whether they might actually be pirates. So they remained hidden a little longer, and when the sailors had finished unloading everything, the two companions moved stealthily toward another ship that had been waiting for some time to have its great mooring ropes secured. They kept themselves covered, trying not to attract attention.
This vessel carried a great many passengers, all apparently eager to disembark. As soon as the gangways were lowered, everyone began pouring out in a hurry.
“Come on, Gunuruk!” Hanna said, taking him by the arm and blending into the crowd already filling the dock.
The Snork seemed dizzy, as though it were now solid ground that made him feel sick. Hanna noticed his condition, and they tried to stop for a moment, but the crowd showed no intention of slowing down, and both were swept along with it.
A little farther on, the people began to scatter. This part of the harbor looked like a city in itself, filled with taverns, stalls, and shops. It was enormous, with crowds moving back and forth in every direction. Hanna and Gunuruk decided to follow one of the larger groups, which seemed to be heading toward the exit. Staying close to them, they began observing the people around them.
“A dwarf he is,” Gunuruk said, noticing that his friend could not stop staring at a small being walking ahead of her.
Hanna was surprised. It was the first time she had heard of dwarves, and she continued watching him as they walked, studying his pointed ears and the heavy bag he carried.
“Damn it, they’re everywhere. I’ve never seen them here before,” said a very tall man walking ahead of Gunuruk.
“They say they’ll soon control Bógotra, that the front has already moved as far as Rilavia,” the dwarf replied, raising his head. His voice was peculiar, though serious.
Hanna and Gunuruk listened closely, somewhat frightened to see several Bábagos who, strangely enough, seemed to pass unnoticed among the crowd.
“See this bag? Well, I’m not leaving until there’s nothing left in it. Looks like all this will be over soon,” the man said again, laughing as he shook a small leather pouch that jingled as though it were full of coins.
“Yes, who knows whether the fighting will start soon? Let’s enjoy ourselves while we can!” the dwarf exclaimed.
The two then turned toward the first tavern they came across.
“Quick, Gunuruk!” Hanna called to her friend, urging him into the space left by the two excited travelers, who were laughing as they disappeared among the other inhabitants of the harbor.
“Not feeling well,” the Snork said weakly.
“We’re almost there. Hang on. I can see the exit, and…”
Hanna hesitated.
“They’re there!”
At those words, Gunuruk seemed to recover his senses for a moment. Nervously stepping out of the group, he tried to get a look at the crowded exit gates.
There was an Ikai, several soldiers, and a number of Bábagos.
“Come back here!” his worried companion exclaimed, seeing how disoriented the Snork looked as she reached out to him.
Gunuruk looked at her. His color was poor, and he was stumbling.
“Hold on I cannot,” he said, clutching his stomach and making strange movements with his mouth.
“No! Hold on! We’re almost there,” she pleaded, fearing the inevitable as she watched the group begin passing through the exit.
“Stop! Who are you? Where have you come from?” the Ikai asked another dwarf, who wore a small sword at his belt.
Hanna was frightened, for the dwarf stood directly in front of them. Keeping her eyes lowered, and watching Gunuruk struggle desperately to control himself, she prayed they would soon be out of there.
“My name is Krin, my lord. I’m a dwarf. We’ve come from the island of Keria. We’re on our way to Ýmala, our home.”
“And that sword?!”
“It’s only for defending ourselves if necessary. We’re not warriors. We just want to return to our land,” the dwarf answered sadly, almost pleading.
The Ikai stared at him, but before he could say anything, Gunuruk could hold back no longer. With a tremendous retching sound, he brought up everything in his exhausted stomach.
Hanna threw her hands to her head, waiting for the Ikai’s reaction as he stared down at his filthy boots.
“What the hell is this?!” he roared furiously. “How dare you, you damned dwarf?”
“Dizzy I am, my lord,” Gunuruk answered, trembling as never before as their eyes met.
“Are you a Snork? What are you doing here?!” the Ikai demanded, utterly astonished when he saw his face.
Hanna did not know what to do. Reacting quickly, she seized her friend’s hand and began pushing through the crowd.
“Just a moment! Where do you think you’re going?!” the Ikai exclaimed, stunned by such a brazen escape.
“We’re in a hurry, my lord,” Hanna answered, poking her head out from among the other people.
The Ikai stared at her, struck by her gaze and her audacity.
Suddenly, a soldier who had witnessed the incident grabbed her arm and held it tightly.
“Stop!” he shouted from inside his helmet.
She looked at Gunuruk.
Neither spoke, but a second later, as the furious Ikai advanced toward them, shoving people aside, Hanna gave her captor a tremendous push.
Then the two ran.
“Run, Gunuruk!” she shouted desperately as they struggled through the crowds filling the broad street leading away from the harbor.
The commotion was enormous. The Ikai and the soldier tried to follow them, accompanied by many Bábagos and other soldiers who gradually joined the pursuit.
“Ten gold coins to whoever catches them! Don’t let them escape!” the leader of that small troop shouted helplessly as the two fugitives raced ahead, seemingly disappearing into the crowd.
Both were exhausted and nervous, trying to blend in with the other passersby, but it was not easy. Their heavy breathing and hurried steps gave them away.
Hanna cautiously raised her head. The furious pursuers were forcing their way along the street, drawing ever closer.
She seized Gunuruk firmly by the arm and slipped into a narrow alley opening to their right.
After going a little farther, they hid behind a pile of garbage and waited for their pursuers.
They did not take long to arrive, and fortunately they passed without noticing them.
The two companions hurried onward.
But just as they were about to emerge onto another crowded street, a shriek rang out behind them.
“They’re here! Follow me! They won’t escape!” shouted a Bábago in his repulsive voice, already running toward them.
Once again, the two fled in terror.
Everyone stared at them.
Gunuruk said nothing, even though he was supposed to be the one guiding Hanna. Not knowing where to go, she glanced back and saw the commotion closing in on them once more.
She decided to run into another nearby alley.
“It’s a dead end!” she exclaimed in dismay when she saw the great wall at its far end.
“What do?” Gunuruk asked, his eyes filled with terror, as they tried to hide between a pair of horses standing beside a doorway near a great heap of straw.
Suddenly, a group of soldiers accompanied by the Ikai and a Bábago stopped at the entrance to the alley.
They seemed certain the fugitives had escaped that way.
Slowly and silently, they approached the horses, untied them, and struck them to send them running toward the far end of the alley.
“Where are they?” the Bábago asked, pointing his small sword at the great heap of straw.
The two exhausted companions listened in terror, hidden and motionless, hardly daring to make a sound.
Without another word, the pursuers began beating the straw, stabbing it, and driving their weapons through it.
But no one was there.
“Where have they gone?” the Bábago asked again, this time in frustration, seeing that the two fugitives seemed to have vanished.
“Damn it! Let’s get out of here! They must have kept going down the street. I don’t want them escaping. Spread the word! A Snork and a Kinorio. Their heads are worth a hundred gold coins!” the Ikai shouted furiously, scattering the straw with his sword, unable to believe what had happened.
Hanna and Gunuruk heard the conversation from their hiding place, frightened to learn that a price had now been placed on their heads.
They were beneath straw, but not the straw being scattered across the alley.
They had managed to slip into the stable and were hiding upstairs, in a kind of loft, above a multitude of restless horses that kept moving and neighing.
“Looks like they’ve gone,” Hanna said when she heard the noisy footsteps fading away.
Gunuruk could not speak. He was utterly exhausted and panting heavily, perhaps finally allowing himself to relax now that they seemed to have shaken off their pursuers.
“Shhhh,” Hanna whispered, noticing that the door was opening.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
Footsteps could be heard, accompanied by a metallic sound, while the horses grew more restless than ever.
The two companions hardly dared breathe.
They remained silent and so still that it seemed their hearts might burst from their chests.
The seconds stretched into eternity as the footsteps continued moving through the stable.
“Watch out!” Hanna shouted when the blade of a sword pierced the ceiling, passing only inches from her.
Gunuruk screamed too.
They rolled from side to side, desperately trying to avoid the sword as it thrust dangerously through the floor around them again and again.
“Got you, you bastards! I knew you were here!” the Ikai shouted from below, clearly enjoying himself.
He seemed to be preparing to climb the stairs.
Realizing he would soon be upon them, Hanna kicked a small window beside her with all her strength.
It did not open.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Seeing this, Gunuruk took a running start and threw his full weight against it.
He crashed through and fell heavily onto the street below from a considerable height.
Hanna followed him.
After helping him to his feet, for the fall had left the Snork somewhat dazed, the two ran off again, pursued by the fury of the Ikai, who watched them disappear into the crowd and finally gave up chasing them.
The frightened fugitives did not stop running for quite some time.
When at last they felt completely safe, beside a large food stall, they sat down to catch their breath.
“What are we going to do now?” Hanna asked, panting as she wiped the sweat from her face with the sleeve of her tunic.
“To a tavern we must go. The last one toward the southwest. Large it is, unmistakable, beside the road leading to Ýmala. Only that I know,” Gunuruk answered, looking from side to side.
They said nothing more.
For several minutes they simply watched everything around them, confident that they had recovered their precious anonymity.
Hanna was astonished by the number of people moving constantly through the streets.
Some entered shops and taverns, while others came out of the many houses and other establishments.
Some carried heavy loads; others wore hardly any clothing.
Numerous carts traveled along the streets, most pulled by horses, but some by exhausted Lewiks.
The sight reminded Hanna of her dead companions.
There were many different beings, most of them human, although there were also plenty of dwarves and other creatures she had never seen before, each with unmistakable features.
But she did not see a single Snork.
Under normal circumstances, she would have bombarded her companion with questions about everything she saw, for there was no end to the things that surprised her.
But Gunuruk seemed just as astonished as she was.
He kept looking in every direction, perhaps checking whether anyone was watching them, or simply trying to get his bearings, for he was completely lost.
“Get out of here, you beggars! You’re scaring away my customers!” shouted the furious owner of the stall behind which they had taken shelter, threatening them with a large knife.
Both sprang to their feet, surprised by the reaction of the man who, only moments earlier, had been calmly carving an enormous leg of some animal.
Not knowing which way to go, they stood still.
“Excuse me, sir. Could you tell us which way to the exit leading to Ýmala?” Hanna asked, seeing that Gunuruk did not know whether to go forward or back.
“Get lost and ask a dwarf!” he shouted angrily.
And that was exactly what they did.
It was not difficult to find one, for there seemed to be almost as many dwarves as humans.
After asking a rather friendly dwarf for directions, the two continued on their way.
As they moved away from the center of the city, they could not help growing more nervous.
There were fewer and fewer people, which made them more vulnerable.
Gunuruk looked like just another dwarf, but his peculiar way of walking undoubtedly gave him away.
More than once they crossed paths with soldiers, although these went about their business without concern and certainly did not seem to be searching for anyone.
But when they finally reached the edge of the city, where they could see the great road leading toward Ýmala and what must surely be the place they were supposed to enter, two soldiers and a Bábago appeared to be standing guard.
They stopped every dwarf who passed, uncovering the faces of those wearing hoods to make sure none of them was a Snork.
“What do?” Gunuruk asked, realizing that unless the guards moved, it would be impossible for them to enter the tavern.
“I don’t know,” Hanna said, watching closely from behind a large cart loaded with wood.
“Maybe I have an idea. An idea that will get them out of our way,” she added thoughtfully.
Then she explained her plan to her companion.
Gunuruk had no doubt it would work.
Hanna removed her hood, letting her long hair fall freely, and walked straight toward the guards with determination.
If they were looking for a Kinorio, as they had said, the young girl’s beauty would surely keep them from suspecting her.
As she approached, she quickened her pace and began panting.
She even pretended she had been crying.
“Help! Help me! I’ve been robbed!” she shouted, although neither the soldiers nor the Bábago paid her much attention at first.
“It was a damned Snork!”
At those words, they rushed toward her.
“A Snork?! Are you sure?” one of the soldiers asked.
“Yes! He was with a tall, strong man. They took my coins. All my savings!”
“Which way did they go?” the Bábago asked in his disgusting voice.
“Just a moment ago! They ran off toward the south. Help me!”
After hearing her story, the two soldiers and the Bábago set off at full speed without another word.
Before long, they had disappeared from sight.
Hanna looked toward Gunuruk, who had been watching everything from behind the cart.
She beckoned to him and ran back as fast as she could, grinning from ear to ear.
“Clever you are! Even me you fooled!” he said, unable to stop smiling.
Once Hanna had covered her face again, the two entered the tavern.
Hidden in the darkness of the night, another Bábago, who had witnessed the entire incident, smiled broadly, as though already counting the reward awaiting him.
When they opened the door, both were astonished by the size of the establishment.
It seemed that everyone who was absent from the deserted streets outside had gathered there.
There were countless tables, all crowded with men drinking incessantly.
Many others laughed as they watched a pair of costumed performers acting out a story from the past.
At the far end stretched an enormous bar, where a multitude of waitresses struggled to serve the countless beings gathered around it.
Others hurried between the tables carrying more than a dozen mugs in their hands, setting them down as they went.
And something particularly interesting seemed to be happening in the center of the tavern, where an enormous circle of spectators had gathered.
The uproar was unbearable.
The floor was sticky, and the air was so thick that a fine haze seemed to fill every corner of the tavern.
“What do we do now?” Hanna asked curiously.
“Wait. Only wait,” Gunuruk answered as he continued forward, unaware that their situation would soon become dangerous, for the Bábago would return with help to capture them.
Unable to remain still, Hanna took her friend’s hand and, driven by curiosity, approached the enormous circle of spectators.
But there were so many people that she could not see anything.
“Prepare yourselves for a fight unlike anything you’ve ever seen!” a voice called from the center of the crowd, seeming to rise from somewhere beneath the floor.
“On one side, Údrako! The bloodthirsty Bolok! The invincible one! And on the other, the mysterious unknown beast! The creature said to come from the depths of the Dark Forest! Place your bets! A fight to the death! Only one will come out alive!”
Hanna listened intently, growing more intrigued by the moment.
She tried to push aside the spectators, who stubbornly refused to surrender their places, while Gunuruk struggled to avoid being trampled and tugged at his companion’s arm.
She seemed to have forgotten him entirely.
Suddenly, a bark rang out.
A shiver ran through Hanna.
Amid the deafening noise, she had barely heard it.
Then she heard more barking.
There could be no doubt.
Leaving Gunuruk to fend for himself, she pushed through the spectators with all her strength until she reached a set of low iron bars overlooking the horrifying spectacle.
“Kron!” she cried, almost in tears, unable to believe what she was seeing.
Her dog was there, beneath her feet, inside the pit, chained by a heavy length of iron.
“Kron!” she shouted again, desperately trying to make him notice her.
But the noise was tremendous, and he seemed completely focused on something across the pit, displaying an aggression Hanna had never seen in him before.
She still could not see Údrako, the creature he would soon have to fight.
After a couple more sharp elbows, she finally managed to see the entire enclosure.
And when she caught sight of Kron’s opponent, her heart trembled.
It was a sinister, horrifying animal, like the creatures that had killed the Lewik on the plain.
But Hanna did not remember them being so large.
Or so ferocious!
“Get ready! The fight is about to begin! Place your final bets!” shouted the man acting as announcer.
He gradually withdrew until he passed through a sturdy barred door, where he sat on a staircase leading up to the tavern floor.
“No, Kron!” Hanna cried through her tears.
She was overwhelmed with emotion at finding her friend again, but above all she was terrified by the thought of the unequal fight awaiting him.
Údrako’s enormous teeth were frightening enough, and even while chained, the creature struggled desperately to free itself and begin the battle.
Without another thought, Hanna climbed over the low railing and jumped into the pit.
Gunuruk, who had finally managed to reach her, watched in horror as his companion landed inside the enclosure.
Meanwhile, the crowd seemed to enjoy the spectacle more than ever.
People shouted wildly and laughed, as though they cared nothing for what might happen to those below.
Without warning, the chains were released.
Kron and Údrako glared at each other aggressively.
The dog had not even realized that the person standing only a few yards away was Hanna.
“Kron!” she shouted in one last attempt.
At last, he recognized her.
But Údrako noticed her too.
Drooling, as though he had mistaken her for a delicious meal, the creature sprang toward Hanna in a tremendous leap.
Seeing the vicious animal attack, Kron hurled himself at it.
Before Údrako’s claws could reach his petrified friend, the two creatures collided, rolled across the ground, and became locked in a savage struggle.
Hanna did not know what to do.
She looked around in confusion, but everyone continued shouting, enjoying the spectacle, oblivious to the tragedy unfolding below.
Suddenly, Kron was sent flying by a powerful blow.
He landed beside her, whimpering in pain.
Údrako began advancing slowly toward them, certain they could not escape, that his dinner was already served.
When he was only a few feet away, he sprang forward again, displaying the full power of his enormous body.
Hanna simply closed her eyes, certain that everything was about to end there.
But suddenly, as though from nowhere, there came the sound of a mighty blow.
Agonized howls echoed throughout the pit.
Hanna slowly opened her eyes.
An imposing knight stood before her, holding a sword and completely covered by a great cloak.
Údrako had been mortally wounded.
The creature writhed in agony, convulsing from side to side.
The man stared intently at her pendant, which had slipped from its hiding place.
Then he extended his hand.
Their eyes met.
“Come on!” he commanded in a powerful voice.
Hanna did not hesitate.
After stroking Kron, she accepted his hand, and the three hurried toward the door.
“What have you done, you bastard?! You’ve killed Údrako! You’ll pay dearly for this!” shouted the man standing beyond the gate, angrily waving a knife as though possessed.
The great knight said nothing.
He merely slipped half the length of his sword between the bars until its blade rested beside the man’s neck.
That was enough.
As the man swallowed nervously, the knight slowly opened the door, and they all climbed the stairs toward the tavern.
“That beast belongs to me!” the man shouted again, grabbing Kron firmly by his collar before he could climb the last step.
Hanna glared at him furiously and gave him a tremendous shove.
He tumbled down the stairs and came to rest beside Údrako, who, though dying, still managed to tear his clothes with a swipe of his claws.
Many men tried to attack Hanna and the knight for bringing the spectacle to such an abrupt end.
But the knight did not even need to use his sword.
After sheathing it, he knocked unconscious the first two reckless brutes who dared challenge him.
The rest moved aside.
“Where’s the little Snork?” he asked Hanna, looking around for him.
But before she could answer, another enormous man called out to them from nearby, pointing toward Gunuruk, who appeared to be safe beside him.
“Over here!” he shouted. “We’d better get out of here quickly. I don’t like the way things are going.”
He moved toward them as they struggled to avoid the countless objects flying through the air.
Fights were now breaking out throughout the tavern.
Men struck one another, smashed chairs and tables, and hurled glasses and bottles.
Hanna, Gunuruk, Kron, and the two strangers tried to make their way outside.
The door was only a few yards away.
But before they could reach it, it flew open.
Three Bábagos and an equal number of soldiers suddenly appeared.
“There they are!” one shouted, recognizing the fugitives.
The two knights quickly moved Hanna and Gunuruk behind them.
Then they drew their swords and faced the newcomers without hesitation.
The fight was swift.
Incredibly swift.
And astonishing to watch.
The two knights moved with complete confidence, showing no trace of fear.
Without taking more than a few steps, they killed two Bábagos and a soldier.
The others fled to seek reinforcements.
At last, the companions were able to leave the tavern without further trouble.
Hanna and Gunuruk could hardly believe what they had witnessed.
Despite all the commotion, the fighting, the Bábagos, the soldiers, and the fact that they were apparently in an extremely dangerous place, they felt safe.
Hanna did not know who these men were, the ones who had saved her from a tragic end, men who seemed to radiate courage from every part of their bodies.
But deep down, she did not care in the slightest.
As she stroked Kron, who could not stop licking her in his joy at their reunion, they all hurried along the road.
A couple of minutes later, a whistle sounded in the darkness.
Another man appeared before them, leading three horses.
They mounted, and all galloped away.
Hanna rode with the man who had rescued her in the pit.
Gunuruk, meanwhile, struggled with the speed of their flight, clinging tightly to the other knight with whom he shared a horse.
Kron followed them, running and barking happily, enjoying his newly regained freedom.
As soon as they had put a little distance between themselves and Belonia, they saw a multitude of riders emerging from the city, illuminated by the last lights marking its outskirts.
They seemed determined to catch them.
They could also make out the unmistakable silhouettes of numerous Bábagos and soldiers, who were trying to follow the furious pace of the horses on foot.
“They won’t be long!” said the rider traveling alone, whose voice sounded quite young.
Hanna and Gunuruk were more frightened than they had been at any point so far.
There seemed to be so many pursuing them.
Without time to study the situation any further, they increased their pace and continued their flight.
The moon shone so brightly that everything around them was clearly visible.
A couple of minutes after their frantic escape began, as they crossed an enormous meadow, they finally saw the noisy pursuers who seemed to have caught up with them.
“Stop!” commanded one of the knights, the one riding with Hanna.
He pulled on his horse’s reins, and the animal obeyed immediately.
“But Father… there are so many of them!” said the rider traveling alone as he brought his horse to a halt.
“He’s right, Koyan. Perhaps there are too many,” the other added.
“Too many?! Come here, Nakian. Take care of my passenger,” he said, looking toward the first speaker.
Nakian rode forward to take Hanna, who was trembling as she watched their pursuers form ranks barely a hundred yards away, preparing for an imminent attack.
“Wait. I’ll go with you. Nakian! Take the Snork.”
“No, Ómmenork!” Koyan exclaimed. “Stay here. Don’t let anything happen to them.”
“There are too many! It’s been a long time since you fought…” Ómmenork insisted.
“Ha, ha, ha!” Koyan laughed.
Hanna and Gunuruk stared at him in astonishment, fearing the dreadful fate awaiting the daring warrior.
His opponents numbered in the dozens.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time! A very long time!” he shouted to his companions.
Then he advanced alone toward his enemies, still laughing.
“Do you really think you frighten me? ANSWER ME!” he roared furiously.
One of the Ikais, apparently the commander of the small army, rode forward several yards.
He wore the most terrifying armor of them all.
“I don’t know what you’ve been drinking tonight, you insolent beggar! And I don’t care! No one who has spoken to us like that has lived to tell the tale, and tonight I’ll personally put an end to your life!”
He raised his sword while restraining his horse, which wore armor as sinister as its rider’s and seemed eager to charge.
“Ha, ha, ha!” Koyan laughed again. “An insolent beggar? I’ve been called many things, but that’s a first.”
“Then tell me what you’d like me to call you! I’ll have it carved on your tombstone!”
Koyan advanced a little farther.
His spirited horse reared onto its hind legs, neighing incessantly.
“You may call me Koyan!” he thundered, throwing off his great cloak and revealing his long hair, his beard, and his magnificent armor.
“You may also call me the son of Ýlatrok! Or the king of the ancient Kingdom of Ákador! Call me, if you wish, the one who defeated Dreonte!
“You may call me many things, but they will be your last words!”
He shouted with such fury that everyone facing him stared in terror, shaken to the core.
Without another word, he urged his horse forward and charged the Ikai.
The enemy commander hesitated for a moment, his eyes filled with fear, but had no choice but to meet the approaching duel.
Their swords crossed.
For an instant, silence seized the entire place.
Then the Ikai fell to the ground.
Writhing in pain, clutching his chest, and cursing the man who had struck him down, he died.
Koyan did not even look at him.
He continued at a slow trot toward the others, who watched in astonishment.
Many had already fled, mostly Bábagos.
But half a dozen Ikais and a few soldiers remained, apparently uncertain whether staying was a wise decision.
Kron could contain himself no longer.
He ran to Koyan’s side.
Perhaps he too needed to settle accounts with those who had condemned him to cruel slavery not so long ago.
Hanna watched her friend go but said nothing.
She seemed petrified.
“COME ON!” Koyan shouted. “Who’s next? Are there no brave men left? Or are the only ones remaining those who dare attack women and children? Here stands a true warrior! COME ON, COWARDS!”
Two Ikais exchanged glances and galloped toward him.
The others, seeing their companions advance, prepared to follow.
But before they could move, the two Ikais were already on the ground, begging for their lives while Koyan roared like a man possessed.
Kron approached them.
Neither dared move, for the dog seemed ready to attack at the slightest provocation.
“COME ON! I never imagined I’d enjoy this day so much. It’s been a long time since I used my sword, but it seems I haven’t forgotten how! COME ON! I’M WAITING!” he exclaimed, staring at the remaining Ikais.
Only they were left.
“You’ll pay for what you’ve done!” one shouted, stepping forward.
Koyan grew even angrier.
He advanced swiftly, cut through the strap securing the Ikai’s saddle, and sent him crashing to the ground.
His three remaining companions decided to leave and save their lives.
Koyan dismounted.
Once on the ground, he placed the tip of his sword against the terrified Ikai’s neck.
“You dare threaten me? Answer me!” he exclaimed.
He removed the Ikai’s helmet, revealing a human face with terrifying, almost demonic features, sculpted by the rage rising from his rotten heart.
Then Koyan seized him by the front of his armor and stared straight into his eyes.
“Perhaps you’re fortunate,” he continued. “There’s nothing I’d like more than to kill every last one of you. Believe me. But today you’ll carry a message to your master, the one who’s as cowardly as all of you, the one who refuses to show his face and hides like some damned creature in Drokar.
“Tell him that what he has feared since the deaths of Tuarkkett and Badania is now among us!
“TELL HIM!
“And tell him that nothing he tries will make any difference. He needn’t keep hunting down the elderly, children, and women, because soon he’ll have a fierce army to fight!
“TELL HIM!
“And enjoy your life until then, because… SOON YOU WILL DISAPPEAR FROM THE KNOWN WORLD!”
He hurled the Ikai to the ground once more.
The Ikai seemed defeated, yet his eyes burned with fury.
He carried a dangerous hatred, a hatred visible in his muscles and in the tension of every movement.
Unable to accept defeat, he stealthily reached for his sword while watching Koyan turn his back.
His fingers found the hilt.
He gripped it tightly and sprang to his feet.
As the sharp blade swept toward its intended victim, Kron acted.
He launched himself forward with tremendous speed and knocked the attacker down.
Lying on the ground, disarmed, the Ikai swallowed nervously.
The brave dog had seized his throat and held it fiercely between his jaws.
A single command would have been enough to finish off the repulsive creature.
But once again, Koyan showed mercy.
“Let him go, little one. Come here,” he said, looking proudly at his courageous companion.
Kron resisted the command for a few seconds.
He even growled aggressively, asserting his victorious position.
But eventually he obeyed.
Koyan stroked his head, mounted his horse, and looked at Kron again.
His expression remained serious, but inwardly he was glad to have met such a strange animal.
He knew how to recognize a warrior, and there was no doubt that one now walked beside him.
The Ikai would not have caught him by surprise.
Koyan knew them too well, both them and their treacherous methods of warfare.
His sword had been ready to counterattack all along.
Even so, Kron’s actions would remain engraved in his memory.
The code of the Kinorios demanded as much.
After gathering the three horses belonging to the defeated Ikais, which were grazing peacefully, now without their riders, Koyan slowly returned to his companions.
He retrieved his cloak with the help of his sword, cleaned the blade, and sheathed it once more.
What Hanna and Gunuruk felt at that moment was difficult to explain.
Very difficult.
They had witnessed something truly incredible, something heroic, something beyond all reason.
The man now approaching them as though nothing had happened had defeated the small army that had believed killing them would be nothing more than an entertaining slaughter.
But the man standing before them was not merely their timely rescuer.
He was perhaps one of the most feared warriors among the Kinorios.
The man Hanna could not stop staring at was Koyan.
Now they knew.
And without a doubt, they could say they had never felt safer.