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He rose quickly to deflect four sword strikes that came at him from both the left and right. Just then a feeling that something is wrong flashed through his mind before he felt something hit his legs from behind with enough force to clear both of them from the ground. Khen hit the ground hard. He wasn’t given enough chance to wonder what knocked him off his feet before he was viciously attacked. All he could see were the flashing images of the sword coming down, with his years of training coming up, he deflected them without thinking . He rolled off quickly from a sword part but before he could finish it he felt a sharp pain at his shoulder. That pushed him harder. He stood up and made another quick parry, then another but the third one was not well made and a thin slice cut through his chest. He took advantage of that cut to his chest which left the Muk-Anolis open, he lashed out using the heel of his feet which connected solidly with the jaw of the Lizard man. The creature hissed loudly and snarl as it shrugged the hit off as a minor inconvenience.
Khen saw as he rolled away from the attacker to stand on his feet, noticing the prehensile tail of the Muk-Anolis twisting behind the legs of the reptilian giant. So that was what knocked him off his feet. Well the beast won’t be able to spring that surprise again. Anyway he has other surprises to throw at it. This time Khen attacked first, putting all his skills and experience into the furious barrage. This time he decided not to look for only openings for his sword alone but for other attacks as well, taking the cue from the tail’s strike. With every fast slash he made, a corresponding check and counter one was offered in return. These creatures are way too fast and skillful fighters, he almost admired them in his heart. A slight opening appeared under the slashing of the curved blade which Khen knocked aside and quickly kicked again. This time he aimed for the creature’s knee. That was a solid kick that at least would have broken the knee of a full grown man. But the Muk-Anolis just snarl and kicked at him with the same feet. A quick side roll took him out of the way of that which only left him open to a round horse fist that hit him full on the cheek and a foot kick to the chest which threw him back spiraling on the sandy floor.
When he staggered back to his feet, his usually immaculate white clothing has been stained badly by blood and dust.

The Kyaki held his curved sword in a two handed grip as he got closer to the Muk-Anolis. The reptilian man came at him swiftly, with a savage cut, Khen deflected it and the blade moved awkwardly in his hands. Three more successive strikes came at him which he parried but without balance. He was forced to give ground a bit from the fury of the Muk-Anolis’ attacks. Taking careful assessment of his attacker, he noted that he had been fighting the Lizard man and parrying its attacks like someone with a straight sword. But the attacker’s sword is circular which has made his defense very unsteady. He will have to compensate for that.
Coming at him again, the Muk-Anolis stuck with several flurried moves which the Kyaki deflected with more perfect stance and offered few of his own. But his attacks weren’t making much difference. The Muk-Anolis towered above him, it had the advantage of height and a longer reach. Khen felt like he was tangling with a giant before whom he appeared like a child.
Speed appears to be the issue. Within heartbeats into the fight, it was becoming slowly obvious that the Lizard man was faster than the Kyaki.. The continued clashes of swords rang loud around them, Khen giving his total attention to the fight as the expert displays dazzle any who would have cared to watch. At once Khen dropped to the ground and did a quick thrust. It was an expert move well calculated to create that room at the precise moment. As the Muk-Anolis thrust over head leaving underneath it exposed, Khen had his really first opening to strike. The sharp edge of his blade struck the chest and bounced. Then he realized that the silver covering on the Lizard men’s chest are a kind of armor. Just then he quickly raised his sword that knocked off a downward slash aimed for his neck. He did a quick back-flip somersault that kept him out of the way of a sudden kick from his attacker.

When the Muk-Anolis charged, Meera’s hands were already lifted, with the string of the bow on them pulled back having an arrow already nocked. She shifted her aim away from the middle one as Gamba charged at it, then focused on the one with the semi circular sword. She pulled her fingers free from the nock and the arrow flew to the intended target only for the Muk-Anolis to lift it sword, with an almost lazy swing, it knocked the arrow from the air.
The speed of the Muk-Anolis almost shocked her to inaction. It is impossible to accurately knock an arrow off the air when shot straight at a target. Before the full realization set in, she pull out two other arrows, shot at the Lizard man one after another, with the same speed and accuracy, its sword cutting a dazzling arc before it, knocked both arrows out of the intended path. Meera just watched awed beyond belief, such prowess is almost unheard of among the myriad feats of great fighters.
“Let me take this one, lady Thorn. “ Khen said to her as he advance towards Muk-Anolis.
“I doubt you will be able to take that beast alone Khen. “ She turned toward where Thrace was squatting on the ground moaning. “Will join you later after seeing what is wrong with Thrace. Just try and stay alive till then. “
“Do not be alarmed my lady, it is that accursed reptile that will need to try to stay alive.” Khen simply replied.

Gamba stopped with the feint and made actual attacks with his right hand axe, with continuous strikes to totally engage the attention of the Muk-Anolis to his right hand attack while briefly forgetting the left hand. As always the creature deflected the strikes steadily. At a tiny bit of an opening from left angle, Gamba thrust in with the left axe. Though the strike was not as powerful as he intended but it had enough force still for a critical injury. The blade of his left axe smacked the side of the Lizard man but bounced back with a loud clang. Just then Gamba realized that what covered the torso of the Muk-Anolis is a high dense armor, a type he has not seen or heared of before. The silver like covering on their chests and backs, wrapped round it like a second skin, without the slightest hint of it been armored. The Muk-Anolis lashed out with a kick, which hit Gamba in the chest very hard. The force of the blow knocked him back and he collapsed some feet behind him. He felt as if his chest was on fire, a quick look showed him that the sharp claws from the toes had given him twin line of cuts on his chest when the Muk-Anolis kicked him. With a soft curse, he staggered to his feet which was just quick enough to engage the Muk-Anolis as it attacked him. He deflected the first attack but found himself hard pressed to keep up because this time, the Muk-Anolis was no longer on the defensive but on attack. Gamba was hard pressed to keep up and somewhere in his mind he knew the Muk-Anolis was a more skillful fighter.

Before he could get into the fight, Gamba raced ahead of him and engaged the middle Lizard man, the largest of the lot.
Gamba immediately did a frontal attack with the blades of his twin axes leading the way. The swing had heavy strength behind them. The Muk-Anolis with a loud hiss, teeth covered maw, spilling a black colored forked tongue, brought the staff with blades at both ended and deflected the strikes from the Hokunian. Before Gamba could register the surprise of his quick attack been deflected, one end of the Lizard man's pole with its gleaming blade flash down. Gamba rolled back as the blade struck the ground he was standing on. He swing his axe at the leg of the reptilian man even before he completed the roll. The Muk-Anolis moved its leg away with such speed that the limb blurred. Gamba stood up and prepared to attack again but this time with less speed and more cunning.
Again he attacked, this time with casual strikes meant to probe lighter at the defense of the Lizard man. The Muk-Anolis deflected them casually also as if it knew the game Gamba was playing. With each attack and parry, Gamba steadily increased the speed and intensity of his strikes. The Muk-Anolis still maintained its defensive posture totally matching the increase of speed without wavering. Gamba changed tactics for just a moment to create an opening for him to strike with. Instead of going with the two axes at the same time, he used his right axe while holding back on the left. If the Muk-Anolis noticed this, it didn’t show any sign. Its reptilian face remained as frozen as ever.

Sorry guys just needed to rest and catch up on my reading. Hopefully will be able to type some updates tomorrow when I'm less busy.

Just then Thrace finished he spell. “Alright time to roast these foul beasts . “ He spoke a word and pointed at the Muk-Anolis, a thin line of flame burst from his hand flashing towards them. Just then the tallest of the Lizard men pulled out a round object from his back and lifted it. As the flame got to them, it blazed a bit, the fire seeming to engulf all three of them and in the next instance the flames died, all as if sucked into the object held by the tallest Muk-Anolis.
“What? “ was all Thrace could say as the shock and surprise held him. While still watching, the Muk-Anolis threw the object at the acolyte, as the object got close to him it seem to strike an invisible barrier them burst with a crimson flash. The flash spread out around Thrace them wrapped itself round him.
“What is this? “ spilling from Thrace mouth as he watched in amazement the crimson light covering all his body. This shouldn’t be happening, he has a protective spell in place so nothing should be able to touch him, magical or otherwise. The red light covered him round about then vanished.
When Thrace noticed that the scarlet light had disappeared, he spoke some words again and stretch his hand , issued the command for the fire to go forth but nothing happened. He tried again two more times, but it didn’t work. “Oh no they just did something to me, I can no longer cast any spell. The stuff they threw at me in a way negate my abilities to perform any act of sorcery. “
Jarrael could detect the sounds of loss and hopelessness from the acolyte, before he could think of what next to do, the Muk-Anolis charged.

“Can it Thrace, your tirade is not helping us in anyway. Whether possible or not the creatures are here. “ Taking a quick look at the others, Jarrael said. “Try and master the natural fear that comes on when these creatures are seen, I have heard it said in the stories that people have been known to be frozen and paralyzed with fear when they come face to face with these creatures, they lost all will to resist or fight and are simply cut down. But we will not go without a fight, prepare to fight and fight to kill them. “
“Good idea. “ Thrace said as he began to mumble words creating a spell.
The Muk-Anolis, at the center, moving slowly , lifted its hand and pull out the pole that is at its back. As the two hand held the pole, it extended on both sides and slowly two curved blades appeared. The other two behind it had also pulled out weapons. One of them pulled out a strangle looking sword with a sharp thin blade curve and in shape of a sickle, a semi circular blade and handle long enough for two hand grip. The third of them was holding two jagged swords with several sharp points at rugged ends.

Jarrael felt cold run down his spine. He knows what that name stands for, “The Lizard men “ a name shrouded in legend, that invokes mankind’s deepest fear as a prey being hunted by bigger, much faster and ferocious predators. Stories over the centuries and millennia told in almost all societies in Ghemmaria have always had one of fear and dread, told of the Lizard men that hunts down men, kill and devour them. Feast on people as cattle are feasted upon. Jarrael just like a lot of common folks never truly believed in the existence of these creatures, of course how can they exist when no one have seen them in thousands of years.
“This is wrong, the Muk-Anolis are not supposed to appear on Ghemmaria again.” Thrace said as both fascination and fear threaten to overwhelm him. “The all father, Arl, banished them out of this world. They are not a natural part of creation. The evil god Dali-Ma’Siva created them to use in his conquest of all of Ghemmaria before the advent of the pantheon war.
“They shouldn’t be here, they can’t be here. No sorcery should be able to make this happen. “

The creatures were almost bare except for a silver colored cuirass that seem to take the form of the torso, it seem to be a kind of body armor. The forearms and legs were covered with the same silver colored vambrace and greave. Twin black leather belt crossed the chest in an X shape which holds a short pole fixed at the back.
The creature in the middle have a feature that distinguished it from the other two beside it, apart from it being bigger and taller than the other two, there is an extra sack of flesh on both sides of the neck reminiscent of the golden scale Naja cobra when it’s about to strike and the venom sacks at the neck is extended and flex.
“Oh no by the gods, those are Muk-Anolis. “ Thrace said his voice quivered in fear as he pointed at the three apparitions before them. “I have seen images of them in the secret archives at the crypt of the library in the Scarlet hill. The details are totally accurate. “

Before anyone could wonder more about them, the shadows with sudden upward jerk of their hands threw the clothes covering off from their bodies. The shock that greeted the eyes of Jarrael and others with him could not be controlled.
The three images before them were like huge reptiles standing on two feets. Their heads were like serpents but with short snorts, twin slits that served as nose, below that was a mouth with the thin lips pulled back over dual rows of razer sharp teeth that gleamed in the fire light. An un-reptilian feature prominent to all three creatures is that their arms and legs were heavily muscular like those of a mightily thewed human. The chest and stomach instead of having the thin angular shape common to reptiles was broad with packed chest sinews. The skin is both warty and tiny scales. The hand has three fingers with an opposable thumb. The toes were two prominent ones at the front and a large one behind. All digits were like talons with sharp protruding claw like nails. With the appearance of the feet, all questions about what killed the escorts vanishes.

Though the sounds of continuous battle was going on around other parts of the camp, here around him, there was relative calm as the soldiers attacking them fled. Just then three shadows appeared beyond the edge of the illumination poorly provided by the rekindled flame.
Khen walked close to join him same with Gamba, holding his two bloodied war axes in his hands, while Meera and Thrace were already with him. All their eyes turned to watch the shadows walking slowing towards them with their features getting clearer as they got closer. The shadows appeared to stand erect like people though their heights were more than normal people. They were about seven feet tall. The middle one was about a head taller than the other two by it’s either sides. As they got close enough to be clearly seen by the observers, their slow movements stopped. They were covered from the head to their feet in a flowing form black satin like cloth, which hid all their features except the eyes. Their eyes appeared in triangular shape and blazed with amber color.

Khen was a blur of motion as he dove into the midst of the charging horses and riders, with a swift swing, two bodies dropped from their horses dead.
“Time for me to have some fun. “ Thrace said as he stretched his right hand and forked lightning bolts flashed from his fingers striking out at the nearest soldiers with their horses inflicting heavy damages to them of burnt flesh and armor, turning them to charcoal. When the other riders saw this, some one ordered them to retreat and the left over riders turned their horses backwards and galloped into the darkness.
“Now that is how you rout an attack. “ Thrace said with a cocky smile twirling his glowing fingers.
Jarrael had taken his time to observe the riders as the fight was going on, they fought with a military style assault and their clothing were identical as uniform for soldiers. They were lightly covered with armored corset, shoulder guards and gauntlets. He recognized them as the baron’s special guards. Now this is really troubling to Jarrael. How is the baron involved in this? His soldiers coming this far into the desert to look for him is way outrageous. But what if they had come for the relics, that still doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. That may infer that Tarikh knows about his mission and in a way know his true identity which will make the process of targeting the baron later more difficult.

JohnGainsville:
Hehhe, I'm beginning to see Gamba as Lord Kratos, God of war... These horse riders are just the pawns, the knights are coming!!!

Lol...Well Gamba is just a man.. but with a violent and brutal past I guess he is trying to atone for.
We got a peek of it with the minor display of battle lust. (unfortunately I won't be able to give much details of that here.. who knows maybe in the future, Gamba may just get his own solo story)

Lol... Well that is all for now guys till maybe later in the evening.


What do you guys think of Gamba? I'm getting to like this silent giant negro more and more

Gamba stood up with the rain of blood dripping on him. He pulled out the second axe still held on his belt. With a screamed from battle lust, the Hokunian ran ahead, his axes whirling in both hands, he attacked two riders, his height giving him the advantage of reach. He delivered two slashes at the same time with both hand. The axes buried themselves in the chest of the riders, cutting through their breastplates, ribs and lungs. The back bones was what checked the cutting move of the axe blades. The force of the attacks knocked both riders off their horses and slamming them on the ground. With a simple jerk, Gamba pulled the axes from their victims. Blood spraying and pouring on him. Other riders took note of him and give him a wide breadth.

Jarrael turned as the sound of attack came from behind him. Few of the defenders with him got cut down by another group of riders that came at them from behind. As he watched , a horse rider cut down savagely with a sword which hit a defender on the area between the shoulder and the neck. The cut spurt huge fountain of blood as the defender dropped to the ground and the rider galloped none stop towards their baggage and Gamba.
An arrow flew from Meera’s bow, swiftly going for the rider and hitting the forehead just below the rim of the helmet. The rider tumbled backwards from the horse crashing loudly on the ground. The horse continued it’s race without control. Just behind the first rider were other riders coming, about a dozen. They met little resistance, few fell from the determined attacks from the defenders but others broke through, cutting down the resistance before them and heading towards Jarrael and his group. Gamba raced ahead and stood before a charging horse, unmoving with both hands holding firmly to the handle of his war axe. As the horse got close, he lifted the axe and smashed down on the horse. The axe blade hit the horse on the forehead, but the strength behind the axe moved the axe as it slice through the head of the horse, cutting through flesh, bones, brain tissues. The axe blade continue as it divide the neck in two, going down to the shoulders of the horse. The axe even got to the space between the legs of the rider, cutting it in two. As if that was not enough, Gamba pushed up lifting the horse and rider almost cut in half up above him and letting the cut parts crashed behind him.

Just then there was a loud sound like the clash of thunder as the galloping attackers smashed into the steel shield walls of the defenders. Angry cry of pains and curses followed mixed with the crashing sounds of weapons hitting each other and shields. Riders and horses tumbled as they were cut down by swords and spears, some defenders fell behind their shields as the brutal force of the charging horses collided with them knocking them off their feet. Just behind the shield bearers were few archers, who let fly with a little volley of arrows into the attacking horse riders. The arrows only found few targets as the poor lights and the wavering flames make it difficult to accurately pin point a target. But the few that did found their mark, brought them down in a deadly tumble of horses and riders.
Jarrael’s scimitars were already on his fists and his eyes looking at the battle. The initial momentum of the attackers has been checked and the fight seem to be on even grounds now. But the attackers being on horses continue to give them an edge, as they attack from the higher ground and with war bred horses that smashed their ways through the defenders. But the defenders were holding their grounds too, as a rider got hit by an arrow on the neck and another fell from his horse with the protruding spear from his chest.

zelaws:
Bros you just disappeared . O ya continue na i dey follow

ok let me add a little more ubdates before I get busy again

Woods were thrown into the dying fires and they blazed afresh. Sleepers were rousted and almost everyone stood up pulling out weapons. Some still struggled, wiping the sleep from their eyes, pulling on hastily armored leather corsets and chainmail shirts. Hands grabbing the readily available weapons mostly swords, axes, spears and someone had a big crossbow already fitted with a dart. Just then heavy thundering sounds of horse hooves sounded coming towards the camp. “Get ready! Hold the line! “ Some one screamed.
As Jarrael watched, a hastily formed line of defense was been set up, two row of men holding long shields and spears. Facing the direction they heard the attack coming from. That is one thing bad about a night attack, he mused sadly. The numbers of the attackers usually feel way larger than it actually is. So the advantages of surprise, seeming superior numbers and the upper hand belong to the attackers.
Just then something flashed across his mind, If they were the target as previous events had led him to believe and that they will want to take away the relics, then a frontal attack is a poor form to accomplish that not unless that attack is a…
“Hey turn around, the real attack is a flanking maneuver to come in behind and get us from the back. That attack is a distraction. “ Jarrael screamed turning back to face Gamba who was with their baggage. “Watch behind you too. “

“It’s appearing that way although I can’t help but feel that Ruel making the arrangements for a caravan cover of this magnitude must have known this to be the safest way to travel through the desert with what we carry with us. “
While Jarrael was still speaking, a sound came into the camp rousing every one up.
“Up to everyone, we are under attack. We are under attack. Everybody to defensive positions! “
“Let’s move. “ Jarrael said to others heading to where their horses were tethered.
“What’s going on? “ Thrace said as he stood up with a yawn and stretching his body Gamba standing beside him and glaring at him after waking the acolyte from a deep sleep. Thrace looked around in confusion. “Why is there noises and everybody seem to be running around aimlessly? “
“We are about to be attacked, so get ready to fight. “ Jarrael replied him as he went through their baggage till he saw the trunk where the relics were kept then turned to Gamba. “Stay here and guard this with your life. “
“Yes master. “ The Hokunian replied.

“So seems it’s clear now that we are been hunted and I have a feeling who ever that is will be after what we carry with us, the relics Ruel sent us to retrieve. “ Jarrael stood up pulling Meera with him. “Let’s go and secure our cargo and prepare our mounts, we may have to leave in a hurry. “
Looking around for others, Jarrael was surprised to find that Gamba was sitting, with his axe on his raised knees and hands resting on the handle. His eyes were open and looking at him. So the Hokunian had stayed awake most of the night.
“Gamba why didn’t you take the time to sleep and rest a while? “
“I was watching over master and lady Thorn. “ Gamba said as he slowly got up.
“There was no need for that. There are enough people around to do that. “
“Yes master but a determined enemy can still strike his target even in the midst of a crowd. “
Well Jarrael couldn’t fault the Hokunian’s logic. “Wake up Thrace and tell him to get ready to move out. “ He pointed at the direction where the acolyte was sleeping and snoring loudly.
“Do you think we may have to leave the caravan and move on our own? “ Meera ask as her eyes watch around the camp, with many tents set up and the curtains entrances bellowing in the wind. Fires have all died down to mostly glowing ambers save for the central burn fire that the guards on watch duties had continued to feed constantly with woods.

Jarrael’s eyes snapped open, his right hand going for the sheathed scimitar at his back when he saw the face bent over him about to wake him up belongs to Khen. He withdraw his hand from the scimitar and slowly lifted Meera’s head resting on his chest. He must have drifted off to sleep sometime during the night.
“What is it? “ he asked the silent Kyaki as he stood bent over him.
“Guja there’s a problem. “ Khen said quietly almost in a whisper. He paused a bit as Meera stirred and sat up with eyes open and then continued. “While scouting, I saw two of their scouts dead. “
“How were they killed? “ Jarrael asked after taking some heartbeats to assimilate what he just heard.
“Just like the escorts. No they were not devoured. “ He added as a reply to an inquiring look from Jarrael. “But the killings are similar. And… “ here Khen seem to choke back on his words.
“What else? “
“Those same strange tracks were around the dead bodies. “ Khen look intensely into the dying flames before them. “I feel this is something really bad, it’s strange and unusual. Also I saw signs ahead far off in the distance what might be some hooded campfires which will suggest riders of some sort. “

Scouts have been sent ahead to locate suitable place for a camp, the mercenaries had taken the tine to divide the watches and those who will be handling them as the night approached. Huge burn fire was been made in the center of the camp and multiple other smaller fires were scattered around, to both prepare the night meal and warm them against the freezing breeze of the desert. It was a busy camp as multitude of conversations, laughter and even a song accompanied by a pipe flute whiff through the air.
Jarrael ate quietly as Meera watched him with concern. Gamba was sitting down a bit distance opposite him but taking repeated look at him. Thrace has already curled himself into a ball and slept off after his meal. The stars were out in mass tonight filling the dark heavens with numberless sparkles. The first moon was just rising up over the distance.
“What troubles you Kez? “ Meera asked him as she sat by his side.
“Those who were supposed to be our escorts were attacked last night. “ the light from the burning fire before him gave his appearance a more sombre look. “I’m having a feeling same might happen this night. “
“Well that may seem unlikely, seeing we are in the mist of a much larger group. “ Meera paused for a while thinking deeply. “Although I’m sure if it’s a determined person, whose target we are, may still find a way to get at us despite the large crowd around us. “
“That I had never doubted. “ he turned to his sister shaking his head. “But what does it all mean. Could the Nemphis priest have known about all we are doing? Could he be the one who struck yesterday? Though I doubt that, the escorts were killed by something like an animal. I’m feeling I should be worried. “
“Well whatever it is I will face it with you. “ Meera said resting her head on his shoulder.

“As certain as I can be Raffus, so I recommend that we should be extra careful. The guards should be told to be more vigilant, especially at night because that was when they were attacked and killed. “
“Fret none my friend, nothing to really worry about. Wild animals like the sand cats and pit vipers avoid huge gathering of people like this and even bandits will think twice before attacking a trade caravan of more than a hundred men protecting it. “
“If you feel that way. “ Jarrael said as he beckoned on Khen to join him. “I’d request you add Khen here to any group of scout you have, he has the best eyes in my group and an excellent tracker. “
“Very well then. “ Raffus looked out from the side window of the carriage and called out. “”Muzzin! “
A small thinly built man ran down to the carrige. Raffus addressed him. “Muzzin I want you to take this man here, his name is Khen, to Abulla, your head scout. Inform him I wish him to add Khen to the men who scout for us. “
“Yes my lord. “ Muzzin said as he led Khen away.
“That is taken care of. Would you care for wine? “ Raffus offered.
“No, I need to get my people settled in. “ Jarrael said as he walked away from the carriage. The caravan seems to have a whole lot of other traders with it. That is normal, because for safety and to beat down the cost of transportation, traders pull resources together and organize a large caravan. Each trader has a separate area occupied in the caravan, with his own beasts of burdens and wagons carrying his goods. Besides traders and merchants, there were women in the caravan too that are whores to serve the needs of the men around. Jarrael noticed a LovePeddler tent been erected as the caravan stopped to set up camp. Someone among them was offering to sell cheap ale and roasted beef.

Raffus was of average height, sun burn skin, with heavy mustache and curly beards that marked him as n Amirian. His several colored silky clothes reinforced that too. With bulging stomach made so by over indulgence in meat fat, poor ale and beer. His heavy turban covered his hair and most of his neck. He was sitting in a well decorated carriage, pulled by four strong stallions, the only type of carriage Jarrael guessed is among the caravan.
After the initial introduction, the Amirian spoke to Jarrael. “Your coming was anticipated and prepared for. But I was given the impression you were supposed to be more than this. “
“Yes Raffus, but we never got to meet our escorts, they were all dead before we got to them. “ Jarrael replied him.
“Not unlikely considering that this is a hostile place. “ After a while Raffus asked. “What could have killed them, bandits or wild animals? “
“I can’t tell at this time, since none of them survived long enough to tell me what attacked them. “
“Well that is unusual, in the desert, the few things that regularly attack and kill travelers are well known and no mystery about that. Are you certain of you assessments? “

The caravan was of an average size, having several hundreds of the long necked and legs of the oont, with hoofs spread wide to better help them move on the heavy sands of the desert floor, big lipped and humped back. These are specially breed beasts of burden that can carry twice their body weight for very long distances. But with what Jarrael can see, the caravan took with it several wagons, so the amount of load carried is way much higher. He noted the paid mercenaries that acts as guards for the caravan. They were all hard eyed men, well armed and armored with looks of war veterans. They were strategically placed along the long length of the caravan to better cover and protect every angle of it. The nationalities of the mercenaries were diverse, though made up of mostly northerners. There were few southerners and fewer still from far off continents.
Jarrael was observed with suspicion from the ever vigilant mercenary guards as he rode to the caravan, but after his initial introduction and taking Khen with him who had earlier met them, he was allowed to come in and directed to Raffus who leads the caravan.

From a distance the caravan appeared like a long thin shadow on the desert sand. Khen was riding back to meet with the group, the hoofs of his mount throwing up heavy sands and dust behind him. He had gone to scout ahead when the shadow appeared in the horizon.
“They are the ones we are supposed to meet. “ he said as he got to the group. “They had been informed to expect us, led by a man called Raffus, with him are a hundred hired mercenaries to serve as guards for the almost five hundred desert oont beasts of burden, carrying precious stones like gold, jewel and ruby. Other items for trade like spices, raiment, animals, food and seeds. I was informed that more than half of what they carry belongs to Ruel. “
“Alright let’s quickly ride ahead and catch up with them. “ Jarrael said as he urged his horse on a fast canter.

As Jarrael led the ride on his horse pushing it for all the speed it can muster, the images of what he had just witnessed filled his heart. This wasn’t the first time he will be seeing brutal death scenes, he had created lots of his own, what bothered him are the details. At first glance one would readily conclude that the mercenaries were attacked and killed by sand cats, well that area is close to their territory and with what his group had experienced, the cats could very well have hunted around that place. But the problem is when sand cats hunt and kill, they go first for the soft tissues of their prey, like the nose, mouth and innards. They hardly ever eat the real muscle flesh, those are left over for the desert scavengers.
From what he had observed from the remains, they were brutally killed and partially devoured. What was eaten out of them are the hard flesh chew away from bones, the soft tissues where left alone, that is not the work of sand cats. This still enforce the feeling that something is hunting them. What ever it is knew they were supposed to meet with the mercenaries around that time. Who or what ever is after them is privy to details of all their trip and movement. They have to hurry and catch up with the trade caravan before they are cut off.

When they group got to where the Kyaki bent down and was looking at something on the floor, the sight before their eyes was of pure carnage. The sands around the places appeared scattered, bloods and body parts seem strung to the ground. The bodies that appeared intact have marks of being mauled with deep bloody rough cuts on them. With casual observation, Jarrael noticed that these were the mercenaries they were supposed to meet here. Their dressings, with leather and metal jerkins armor and chain mails. With weapons that are customarily used by mercs. No doubt about it, these were supposed to be their escorts. But what killed them? Sand cats? He looked at Khen, who returned the look and shook his head as if reading Jarrael’s mind and disagreeing with it. He beckoned on Jarrael to come with him.
A little distance from the carnage that appeared to have been a place of battle, he led Jarrael to a point where the sands were relatively undisturbed. He showed him a unique set of foot prints and tracks. The prints were made from a heavy seemingly bipedal creature with two prominent fore toes and one hint toe like that of a large bird. The tracks were walking away from the carnage site to a place that seem to be rocky areas further away from the desert sands.
“When was this? “ Jarrael asked.
“Sometime around last night. “ was the reply he got.
That gave him a pause. If they had not stopped last night to rest their horses and themselves, they would have gotten here before the attacks took place and may have been also victims.
“How bad is it? “ Meera came to join him as she asked.
“Very. “ speaking to others. “Everyone on your horses, we have to ride hard to the next rendezvous. “

As usual Khen had been the one to noticed that something is wrong from a distance and Jarrael had allowed him to scout ahead. This was important because they were supposed to meet some people here. It was a rendezvous prearranged for them by Ruel. A group of ten hired mercenaries were supposed to wait for them not far from here till they obtain the relics. His idea behind it is that carrying the relics with them might attract bandits to . But with ten extra riders, it may discourage and keep the prowling bandits at a distance. After meeting the mercenaries they were supposed to together move and link with a trade caravan coming southward from Zin. The caravan is Ruel’s sponsored one, bringing his goods from the north to south for trade. The large size of the trade caravan will provide greater cover for Jarrael and his group.
At this distance they should have seen signs of the waiting mercenaries or at least signs of their camping but nothing. Khen was worried and suggested he go check it out which Jarrael agreed.

cyber5:
Apollux Baba Nla

i hail thee ooo

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An attack will soon fall on them

Lol, not as soon as you would expect... or sooner than you expect... Who can say, but definitely not in the way you expect