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“It just might, Jarrael. “ the merchant sat up from reclining on the pillows, rubbing his hands slowly on each other." When Tarikh came out of Aram to meet with the one who stole the relics from you, they all headed down south to the black tower of the priests Nemphis. “
“Oh by the gods all is lost. “ Thrace spoke up, as if he was just snapped out of a deep slumber. “Once in the black tower, we can never get them back again. There’s no way to get into the tower. “
Looking at the acolyte as if seeing him for the first time, the merchant asked. “And what happened to you young man? You seem to have changed considerably. Your confidence seem to have disappeared. “
“Well one of our attackers did something to him that appeared to have taken away his ability to perform sorcery. “ Meera said casually.
“That seem tragic. Were your attackers magic users in anyway? “ Ruel inquired.
“Not really, they are the Muk-Anolis. “

“And we saw no signs of the sand storm ahead. “ Jarrael said.
“Not unless the sand storm was conveniently localized around the tracks to deliberately hide the trails of the one we pursue. “ Meera said looking at the merchant with an implied stare.
“You seem to posit that the sand storm might have a malignant mind and intent behind it to purposely derail you from the one you are after. “ A slight smile curl up the lips of the merchant as if on a hidden knowledge.
Meera returned his smile with an almost equal appearance. “Could any other possibilities exist? “
With a short bark of laugh, the merchant continued. “None my dear and I think that is what exactly might have happened. Like I had suspected earlier, the priests of Nemphis are equally interested in the relics. So they may have been involved in setting up the sudden and unexpected sand storm to throw you off the trail of the thief. “
“Is this going the direction I’m suspecting? “ Jarrael asked creepily.

Jarrael was slightly surprised because this in a way goes against every evidence he thought he had garnered. “Where has he gone to? “
“From the little information I have , the baron left Aram three days ago in the company of the rest of his special guards. “ Ruel rested better on the soft multi colored pillows around him.. “What I learnt is that they travelled light and swift. They were headed to the region of Dayir to meet with someone. “
“Someone? “
“Yes that someone, I believe to be the one who stole the relics from you. “ The voice of the merchant narrated steadily. “In a way it seem the thief might have contacted the baron somehow after the items were stolen and they arranged the meeting around Dayir so the relics can be delivered to Tarikh. “
“But the trail we were following was headed to Aram.” Khen spoke for the first time since they arrived.
“That may have been so initially, but there was an unexpected sand storm two days ago that I believed was responsible for the disappearance of the tracks you were following. “

Ruel led them to the biggest tent in the set up caravan camp. The interior of the tent brought down the blistering heat of the desert just a little. Rich thick rugs were spread on the sand floor of the tent, with some long pillows for reclining.
“So what happened? “ Ruel queried after resting a while and drinking water from a big ceramic jug.
“We were attacked after retrieving the relics and while we fend off the attacks, someone slipped away to steal the trunk the relics were kept in. “ Jarrael sipped a little water too to cool his patched throat. “We are on the trail of the thief when we met you. Though the tracks we are tracing had disappeared a while back, we already concluded they led to the city of Aram. “
“Aram? That is definitely unlikely. “ Ruel said with a questioning gaze.
“And why should it be unlikely? “
“If your supposition is true, Jarrael, then the only likely person in that city that the relics will be taken to is baron Tarikh. “
“That was my assumption as well, that is why we were headed to Aram even after we lost trace of the tracks leading us. “
“That is no longer a possibility at that moment as baron Tarikh is no longer in Aram presently. “

A surprise was waiting for them as they got to the caravan. Ruel is even the one that came to greet them. “Aye my friends welcome welcome. It gladden my heart that you have survived this journey thus far. “
Jarrael was too weary for the surprise to register too long. In the next instant suspicion rose up in his mind. “Wonder what you are doing this far out of Zin in this waste land. “
“Oh just looking out for my investment, my friend. “ Ruel said congenially his black Amirian gold embroidered robe flapping in the wind. “As you know I have a lot of vested interest in this. “
“Sorry to disappoint you, we successfully retrieved the items you wanted, but they were stolen while we were bringing it to you. “ Jarrael said to the merchant as he dismounted.
“That shouldn’t be a surprise as I can already see you coming to me without offering me the items. “ The merchant put in as he led the group to tether their horses offering them hay to feed the animals. “Come and tell me all about it. “

The sun had already started to sink into the horizon on their right when the shadowy image appeared long in the distance. At first, Jarrael had thought he is witnessing a desert mirage, as they had been under the hot sun of the desert non stop riding and pushing the horses to their limit of endurance. They already lost one horse, the one Gamba was on. The Hokunian had taken over that of Thrace and the acolyte was made to sit on the park horse. That had slowed them down considerably but at least they were still moving.
“They are horses with some riders, some wagons with goods. “ Khen said as came to the observing point he was on.
“It looks like a small caravan owned by just one merchant. “ Jarrael put in.
“Yes Guja, but the strange thing is they are not moving. They have stopped and camped there. “
“That is not really a safe place for stopping to rest. A small caravan of that nature is always a tempting object too juicy for bandits to ignore. “
With a slight urging he moved the horse ahead at a slow trot. “Well let’s see if there is anything we can get from them. I just hope they don’t attack us as we approach them thinking us to be bandits. “

Turning back to face Khen again at just the place the last of the visible tracks stopped. “Where is the possible direction the tracks are heading? “
“Their direction hadn’t changed at all. “ The Kyaki pointing in the general area of the southern part of the desert. “They are still headed south. They are on a straight course to Aram or somewhere else around that city. “
“We ride south then heading to Aram and see if we can still possibly catch up with them. “He had very little faith in what he just said. They will need to change their horses before this day is done. It’s still morning, that means another half a day full ride. Fortunately there is a way station along their route, for stop and rest. There they can barter for fresh horses and provisions. The problem is that way station is almost a full day’s ride ahead. He doubt if their mounts can survive that long.

Going a little ahead to further study more of the tracks, Khen turned and beckoned on him. “We may have another problem. See here.. “Khen pointed at some faint markings on the sand. “These tracks appear here, here and over there as are expected. But from here.. “he pointed further. “The tracks all but disappeared. “
With a curse Jarrael joined him. “But what could have caused this? The night breeze? “
“Though I’m not that versed in understanding this desert surroundings, I doubt if the breeze of the night might be strong enough to wipe out the tracks, if that had been the case we wouldn’t have been able to get any tracks from the beginning. “ Khen said with his forehead furrowed in deep thought. “Something out of the ordinary happened here last night to have cleared the tracks. “
Troubling possibility if Khen is right. Again this might point to a possible use of sorcery to fight against them. At the moment they have no defense against sorcery of any kind and their only magic user has been rendered ineffective. Jarrael looked back at the acolyte sitting down on his horse, his eyes dropping continued tears and with a look of total loss on his face. Gamba was riding close by his right while his sister was riding by the left. Gamba is back to his old self after surviving the life threatening wounds from the Lizard men.

CHAPTER SIX
“Something is wrong. “ Khen stood up from the tracks on the sand he had been paying attention to. “If what we have been checking out for the past three days had remained consistent then we should have over taken the Muk-Anolis long before now. “
Jarrael acceded quietly. The same thing Khen just mentioned had been bothering him for a while. They had parted company with the caravan three days a gone now. Then they had been half a day behind the fleeing Muk-Anolis. As the creatures are forced to stay hidden during the day from the sunlight, they only had to move during the night. That limited them greatly. On the other hand, Jarrael and his group have no such limitation but them having to stop, rest and feed the horses had kept the race about even. But since yesterday, all that changed. The tracks of the creatures are now all of a sudden older, they are like more than a day behind them. If Jarrael will hazard a guess seems the creatures now travel under sunlight as well as night without a stop for rest. Initially he had been hopeful of been able to overtake them before today but now it no longer seem that is possible. With the evidence of those creature’s speed, they are as fast as a horse and if what he is suspecting is true that means they will never be able to catch up with them.

Yes, I was helping someone with a short intro story. I'm through with that now. I will definitely update today if nothing else ties me down

Lol, see my face. . Hi everyone, I have just been tied down. Though I have typed a little update but not enough time to upload it. Will see if I can do anything later today.
Like I have said before, this story is already finished in my head, just time to put it into writing is the limitation. Please try and bear with me.

So what do you guys think about that? It was so obvious to notice that the leader of the mukanolis(the biggest of them} was absent from the final fight after he ordered the other two to attack.
Hope nobody was surprised?

“How did this happen? “ Khen asked as he noticed the missing item.
“It was one of the Muk-Anolis that took the relics. “ Jarrael face darken in rage. “I noticed that the largest of them was conspicuously absent towards the end of the first. It directed the other two to fight while it must have slipped out unnoticed when everyone was busy and taken the trunk. “
Meera’s lips spew out special choice curses as she got the news. “We have come too far for us to have failed now. “
“No we haven’t fail. Their tracks are still fresh, so we can go after them. “ Turning to Khen he ordered. “Get ready, we have to ride immediately. That means leaving the caravan behind. We will need speed to catch up with the Muk-Anolis. “
“Sorry Kez, I don’t think that will be possible. “ Meera said with sadness as she looked at Gamba. “He needs time to properly heal. The wounds were terminal, if not for the healing salve we applied immediately, Gamba would be dead by now. As it is now, we can’t move him at least for another few hours. “
“This is just not right. I can’t leave him here alone. “ After a while he said. “Why don’t I go ahead and you all will catch up with me later. Khen can always locate me. “
“No Kez, you know deep down that is a stupid move. You alone against three of those dangerous reptilian monsters, you don’t stand a chance. You will be slaughtered. “ Meera said coming to stand before him and throwing her arms round him. “I’m not ready to loose my brother just yet. Besides as you know, the Muk-Anolis don’t move in sunlight, so I believe they will have to hole up till it’s night before they move out. Gamba will be well and up long before then, so fret none. “

"Curiosser Curiosser" like Alice said in Alice in Wonderland. Nice try everyone, at least it's fun to see everyone guessing. Wish I had a prize to put up for who guessed correctly. Anyway, let me load the next update with the answer

Ultimategeneral:
it should be sumair

Same with Ruel, they are both far from Jarrael and his group. C'mon the answer is so simple.. .staring at you in the face

Afz9095:
Ruel?

No it can't be Ruel, he is hundreds of miles away. Besides the relics are imune to magical transport (teleportation)

Hahahahaha...that's the fun part. The clue is there, if you go through the story again you will see it.

Lol, so who do u guys think took the trunk? Well any idea? (though I already answered it in my coming updates)

Smiling a bit, he replied. “Well I’m not about to give account to anyone. “
Just then he remembered that something has been hitting his mind for a while, trying to get it now but it slipped his grasp. He looked down as Meera carefully applied the healing salve to the wounds. She had succeeded in stemming the blood then applying the salve to the deep wounds. As the salve was applied the wound began to heal and close. Within heartbeats, the wounds closed leaving just scars that after some time will be another of old battle marks on his body. As the healing process continued, Gamba fell into a deep sleep. Just then Khen came back to them, his bloody clothes replaced with a clean one. Thrace was still sitting apart, lamenting in low voice. Just then it hit him, Jarrael remembered what had been lurking at the back of his mind.
“ Khen, quickly come with me. “ He said to the Kyaki,but left others alone as Meera was attending to Gamba and Thrace was just out of touch. Together they ran to where their horses were tethered. Jarrael looked at the pack horse, where the trunk with the relics were kept and his worst fear was realized. The trunk was missing.

“Gamba is seriously injured, if I don’t attend to him fast, we may loose him. “ Meera said to him with serious concern. “The slashes on his chest are deep, I tried stopping the bleeding but it didn’t work because the wounds appeared poisoned. “
“Is there anything you can do for him? “
“I have a strong antidote that will negate the effects of the poison. But it won’t be enough. “
“Why not Meera? “
“I may stop the effects of the poison, but the wounds are already terminal. So we will need a healing salve. “
Jarrael opened one of the pouch at his side, pulled out a bottle and handed it over to her. “Use this, I think it is potent enough for your need. “
“Nice, Kez. “ Meera said with a crooked smile. “You must be high on expense account if you can afford healing salve for use on someone besides your self or me. “

Jarrael almost burned with anger then, when he realized the merchant was only concerned about the state of his materials and didn’t even spare a care for the men lost. But he was too tired even for that. Besides he is a merchant who believes he has paid handsomely for protection and the hired hands already know the risk involved in the job. So he should be happy nothing happened to his goods.
Some of the hired mercenaries were already going around looking over the bodies on the ground. Separating the dead ones from the injured. Then killing those of the enemies that still lives, there is no room for taking prisoners.
Searching for members of his group, he saw Khen moving with a limp, his clothes stained with blood. Thrace was just sitting on the ground his shoulders jerking as if in continuous sobbing. Further from them, he saw his sister bent over the unmoving body of the negro giant. Jarrael got worried, sheathing his scimitars, he ran to meet them.

Just then everyone around noticed that they can now see each other properly without the fire light. The sky was already getting lighten up from the sun’s rising. Jarrael’s heart almost sank as he looked around, dead bodies were scattered about. Most of them the baron’s special guards but in almost equal numbers too were the hired guards for the caravan. That numbers would have been a lot lesser if not for the Muk-Anolis.
Just then Raffus walked towards him in a rich red satin robe embroidered with silver. It was here Jarrael realized that the caravan leader is a short pudgy man.
“A sad episode this is, but fortunately we survived, won and chase the bandits away. “ The merchant said, waving a hand behind him, he continued. “Another good news is that the caravan was not raided, so all of our goods are still intact. “

The Muk-Anolis dove ahead into the defensive line, their weapons swinging, slashing apart the metal shields and flesh with equal ease. Within heartbeats the defensive line was scattered with torn limbs, decapitated bodies and shattered shields thrown everywhere on the ground. Still the defenders did the best to continue to hold on.
Jarrael jumped into the melee, going for the one with the twin blade, as he engaged the Muk-Anolis, it’s attention was diverted to him. One of the guard came from behind and stabbed at the creature with a spear. The spear bounced off the silver colored covered area of its body. Before the man or Jarrael could react, a backward slash took the man’s head from his body so fast that the eyes on the severed head continued to blink after it hit the ground.
Without thinking, Jarrael scimitars flashed one after the other hitting the body armor of the creature. The first strike cracked the armor, widening the former one on it. The second hit slashed the armor completely into two, the upper part falling off the creature’s body. Just one more cut and this beast is history, Jarrael thought. But before he could take another step, the Muk-Anolis hissed jump over him, knocked off the three other hired guards that came to intercept it and ran into the desert. The second one followed on its heels. They ran too swiftly even for horses to catch up.
“What just happened? “ Someone in the few number of men around asked.
“They just ran away as if something chased them. “ someone else put in. “I saw that man cracked open one of them’s armor. That could be it. “ The speaker said pointing at Jarrael.
“I don’t think that is the reason they ran off. “ Jarrael corrected. “They are the Muk-Anolis, they don’t stay out in the open during the day. “

“Hey shake your self from the fear now or you all will be slain. “ Jarrael screamed to the men as they just stood there being cut down relentlessly by the creatures. Just then one of the Muk-Anolis dropped its sword grabbed one of the guards with its two hands lifted him off the ground, opening its mouth wide it bit down on the man. Its razor sharp toothed mouth clamp down on the head and shoulders of the man, with a crunch sound and two twist of its head, the upper torso and head of the man disappeared. The Muk-Anolis chewed with relish at the head and part of the chest of its victim. The bloody stump of the remaining part of the body was a gore spewing out a fountain of blood that sprayed on the face of the creature. It pulled out its forked tongue, chewing slowly at the head and chest it just devoured and leaking the spraying blood with obvious relish.
The gruesome display seem to have struck the guards an awaking blow. “Hey are you men or scared whores. Come on wake up and take your defensive pose. “ Someone that seem to be their captain shouted. The rally call worked, the guards picked up their weapons and took on a battle stance before the creatures. “Block formation. Shield and spears to the fore. “ The captain said again. Quickly, they rearranged, with twin line of shields on each other covered the rest in a semi circular form posed before the Muk-Anolis.

Deeping her hand into a side bag, she brought out a small bottle, broke the seal and gave it to Khen. “Drink and apply it to the wounds, it will stop the bleeding and dull the pains. I have to go see to Gamba, he looked really hurt. “
The three Muk-Anolis stood together, facing the hired guards who had come around, Jarrael was standing up and shaking the dizziness out of his head, from the quick kick the Muk-Anolis had given to him when it jumped over him to come face the new threat. The guards all stood, fear on their faces and indecision stalling their limbs. Just then the biggest of the Muk-Anolis snarled at the other two, then uttered low hiss and several bits of short click sounds. It all looked like it was communicating with the other two and giving them instructions. As it finished with the short clicks, the two Lizard men with a loud hiss attacked the standing guards.
The hired guards were caught with unprepared , they couldn’t raise any form of defense at the surprise, shock and fear of what they have seen paralyzed them. The two Muk-Anolis cut into them like a storm. Their blades and claws slashing with bodies dropping on the ground offering no resistance being petrified with fear.

“Gamba! “ screamed Meera watching the attack. She quickly stabbed with her thin rapier at the one she and Khen were facing. The creature turned to knock of her attack which left it open to Khen. Khen came in and slashed the creature at its hand. It snarled an lashed out with a kick which the white lotus warrior dodged by a fast somersault. Jumping up, Khen struck out with a flying kick that smashed the Muk-Anolis at the side of the head. Little did he know about this creature to determine sensitive nerve areas where his strikes can do real damage. He just assumed it may have the same nerve coordination like a human. The attack was reciprocate with a downward fist strike that took him of his feet. With a loud wail the creature jumped over him, heading to join the other two.
Meera came to his side. “Hope you are not too injured? “
“No lady Thorn, I’m not really incapacitated, but I need to stop the bleeding. “ Khen replied the lady.

Jarrael came in at the creature and their swords clashed again. Somewhere in the background voices were speaking. “Aye! Watch the sons of whores flee. “ “They are retreating. “ As soon as Jarrael attacked again and the Muk-Anolis parried other voices joined. “Hey seems the fight is over here. “ Heavy footsteps tumbled on the sands heading towards the fight.
As the other combaters came around, they stopped in shock at the appearance of the Muk-Anolis. “Oh by the gods, what are those? “ someone asked. “Demons from the accursed realms they seem to be. “ In dread someone added, “They will definitely steal and torment our souls. “
As the numbers of fighters got close to where Jarrael and his group battled with the Muk-Anolis, the beasts all snarled. The one fighting with Gamba knocked the two axes aside with a fast move of its pole and struck his chest savagely with its hand, fingers and claws wide open gouging three deep cuts on the chest of the dark skinned Hokunian. The wounds spurt huge fountains of blood. Gamba staggered back several feet and dropped to the ground.

He didn’t give the creature any respite, while it growl at the loss of its tail, Jarrael attacked, his scimitars flashing and striking at the hastily lifted blades. As the swords clash again and again, Jarrael knew the Muk-Anolis has lost the momentum, so he increased the intensity of his attacks. He did an upper slash which the Muk-Anolis knocked off,he came at the sides, left first then followed by a right cut, both of which were blocked. He came again with side strokes at the same time, both were knocked aside by the jagged swords. Jarrael did a low cut, but the creature jumped high enough to dodge both scimitars despite its height. As it dropped down, he lashed at Jarrael with his swords, which he easily side stepped with a forward roll that put him behind the Muk-Anolis and its exposed back. With precision, Jarrael brought his scimitars down heavily on the creature. The loud ring of metals striking surprised Jarrael a bit until he noticed that the chest cover was metallic and armored. Jarrael’s scimitars bounced of the surface but left huge slashes and cracks on the silver colored corselet.
Well the Muk-Anolis torso may be covered by metal, still Jarrael’s scimitars are ensorcelled, they can cut through even metals. With another precise cut like that and he is sure, the armor will drop from the reptilian body. Looking at the menacing face of the beast as it snarl and hiss, with the fork tongue slithering around its mouth, that seem to imply that it understand what just happened.

He didn’t give the creature any respite, while it growl at the loss of its tail, Jarrael attacked, his scimitars flashing and striking at the hastily lifted blades. As the swords clash again and again, Jarrael knew the Muk-Anolis has lost the momentum, so he increased the intensity of his attacks. He did an upper slash which the Muk-Anolis knocked off,he came at the sides, left first then followed by a right cut, both of which were blocked. He came again with side strokes at the same time, both were knocked aside by the jagged swords. Jarrael did a low cut, but the creature jumped high enough to dodge both scimitars despite its height. As it dropped down, he lashed at Jarrael with his swords, which he easily side stepped with a forward roll that put him behind the Muk-Anolis and its exposed back. With precision, Jarrael brought his scimitars down heavily on the creature. The loud ring of metals striking surprised Jarrael a bit until he noticed that the chest cover was metallic and armored. Jarrael’s scimitars bounced of the surface but left huge slashes and cracks on the silver colored corselet.
Well the Muk-Anolis torso may be covered by metal, still Jarrael’s scimitars are ensorcelled, they can cut through even metals. With another precise cut like that and he is sure, the armor will drop from the reptilian body. Looking at the menacing face of the beast as it snarl and hiss, with the fork tongue slithering around its mouth, that seem to show that it understand what just happened.

So these Lizard men are really that good, they actually deserve all the credits that histories and legends have given to them. Well he Is not ready to die at the hand of these foul creatures, if it’s a fight it demands it will get more than it bargained for. Slowly Jarrael allowed his consciousness to sink in to the sword dance of Kief. His awareness expanding, his limbs and body relaxed as the mind and spirit United to guide his steps and hand moves in perfect coordination.
The Muk-Anolis attacked again, swords flashing with Jarrael meeting it with equal defense. The speed of the attacks, parries and counter attacks increased that their arms and swords appeared just like streaks too fast for the normal eyes to follow. Jarrael was in his element, as the perfect harmony of his inner being blended with his physical moves. Matching the Lizard man speed for speed. Just then the blur of motion caught his eyes again but this time he was ready. Instead of dodging, he parried the next attacks and quickly struck at the blur.
The Muk-Anolis scream sounded more like a snarl which ended with a long hiss. Jarrael’s last strike has cut off the tail that was about hitting him and bringing another distraction. The cut part of the tail rolled and jerked on the sand with rigors. The stump left behind the reptilian man twirl slowly spewing dark blue black colored blood.

Jarrael had no other option but to face the only Muk-Anolis left unengaged. The beast came at him with its twin jagged swords twirling and forming dazzling patterns in the air before his face. His scimitars came up and deflected the first thrusts directed at him. But almost immediately other attacks came after the first ones. The Lizard man quickly put Jarrael on the defensive, the attacks came in fast and in rapid successions that it took all of his fast response and reflexes just to parry them. A blur briefly appeared by the side of his eyes, he ducked by reflex. That laspse alone allowed the fast moving swords to hit him twice on the chest. The twin blades hit him with such force that he was knocked off his feet.
Fortunately the scimitars didn’t drop from his hands, as they were lifted up to parry another twin cuts that descended on him while still on the ground. He was in an awkward position with little room to maneuver. He rolled off quickly as the blades struck the ground he was in before. He got to his feet to give him a little space. If not for the magical chain mail under his clothes, the swords strikes were with enough force to slice him in two. Taking a careful look at his chest, he saw the twin wide cuts made by the attacker's blades. Fortunately the clothes were not in a shape to fall off his body yet. He stopped wondering about the blurring movement he saw that left him open while he tried dodging when another careful look at the Muk-Anolis show a tail behind it moving independently as if with a mind of its own. So they can attack with their tails too, at least limitedly. He also noticed that the jagged edge of the Muk-Anolis’ blades always knock his own blades off at awkward angles.

Meera got to Thrace and heard him mourning. “What seems to ail you little sorcerer? “
“I have lost my ability to cast spells, I can no longer perform any acts of magic. “ Thrace’s cheeks were wet with continuous dripping tear. “I have lost all relevance, I’m nothing now. The magus will be so disappointed. I will be thrown out of the school of mages, I am now a nobody, failed myself, a total failure. “
“Get a hold of your self, just because you lost your magic ability temporarily doesn’t make you irrelevant. “ Meera stoop down and gathered his head to her chest speaking to him softly. He is just a kid, she thought within her self.
“What else am I good for then? I can’t fight, not a scholar, can’t farm or trade. I’m totally useless now to my self and every one. “ He mumbled in between the sobs.
“ Stop saying that, I believe what ever happened to you is temporal, you will gain your powers back later. “ As she spoke to the acolyte, she saw Khen been knocked down by the Muk-Anolis, his clothes stained red with blood. He was barely standing well on his feet yet his enemy pressed on the attack unabated. “Stay here a while as I go help Khen. “