Offspring (The Sword of the Dragon) (31 page)

At the rear of the chamber, Caritha found a tunnel of great size that led downward at a steep angle. The tunnel floor and walls bore numerous deep, long gashes suggesting claw marks—ones the formidable creature might have made. She planted her feet in the grooves, and the descent progressed smoothly.

The tunnel leveled, and the ceiling rose out of sight. The walls curved into shadows too deep to see through. Caritha strained to see into the darkness. The light of the swords revealed a flat floor of stone, worn and polished by usage. Whichever direction she walked there was no end in sight.

Laura lay a hand on her shoulder and whispered, “I hope you are thinking caution is in order, Caritha. You do realize this could be the creature’s lair.” Something thumped somewhere ahead of them. They stopped, though Caritha’s heart thumped almost as loudly as the sound she’d just heard.

A rumbling voice penetrated the stillness. “Who art thou that dares enter this dark dwelling, and what right have ye to disturb Vectra?”

“We come on an errand from the north in search of the beast that has murdered the inhabitants of our land. We come at the request of that land’s lord, whom we serve.” She grasped her sword with both hands and waved it from side to side, searching the darkness for the beast. “Are you the party guilty of this deed?”

A mocking laugh preceded the creature’s retort. “You actually camest all this way. Flattered I am and, if you wantest to fight me, come to me.”

Cautiously, she led her sisters in the voice’s direction. The light of their swords revealed a small area around them, but nothing more. An enormous, clawed hand slashed at them, nicking Caritha on the neck. She rolled to the side as another hand came from the other direction. She stabbed at it. The creature pulled back. She could hear it lick its hand as it stood back a safe distance.

Another voice rumbled out of the darkness, this time from above them. “Loos, stop immediately!” The creature grumbled assent and remained out of sight. The new voice spoke again. “Loos, what have you there?” There was agitation in the tone and sharpness to the question.

The aggressor was quick to respond. “Intruders, Vectra! They were going to kill us in our sleep.”

A long silence ensued before the creature above continued. “Harm them no further. Start the firelights.”

Their attacker grumbled as he moved farther into the cavern. Behind Caritha her sisters whispered to one another; doubtless their minds were filling with as many questions as her own. What kind of creature were they dealing with? Obviously not some brute beast, but something intelligent. Did this other voice belong to another member of the same species?

A flame broke the surrounding darkness and sparked a channel in the rock. The strong smell of burning oil filled the stagnant air. The flame spread, blazing brightly as each succeeding channel fed the next. Soon the cavern glowed with firelight.

Chiseled designs—and rather ornate ones at that—decorated the walls. The sisters were standing in what appeared to be the main chamber. Its height was undeterminable because the firelights did not reach high enough. Hundreds of tunnels branched off from the chamber, some gargantuan and others not so large. Deep cuts crisscrossed the cavern’s rock walls, leading to countless caves above their heads.

The creature that had attacked them stood near the far wall. Caritha felt a lump build in her throat; Loos was truly a monster! He took a few steps in their direction, his muscular body supported on four tree-size legs only slightly smaller than his two forearms. A layer of dark gray scales covered his back and all six of his limbs. His underbelly was armor-plated too, though with creamy white scales instead of gray. He swung a heavy reptilian tail, not as long as a dragon’s, tapered to a bony point.

At sight of his crocodilian head riddled with sharp teeth, Caritha shivered. The creature’s forearms had five fingers, and as he flexed them, long claws slid out. A cold sweat broke out on Caritha’s forehead, for she could now see several dozen heads peering down from the cave dwellings. How many of these creatures were they dealing with? As she gripped the sword tighter, its leather handle slipped under her fingers.

One of the creatures slid down the wall, its claws sparking against the rocks. After landing, it shook its hide, much as a dog shakes its wet coat, and the scales along its back knocked off their dust. “Loos,” the creature rumbled, “your forays into unknown lands have given me trouble before. Am I to believe that you do not deserve my wrath, and that these small creatures are laying false accusations against you?”

Something about the creature’s manner of speaking and the tone it used, made Caritha realize that it was female. She looked at the creature that was called Loos. He had hunkered down a bit, and his dark eyes looked at the floor as if concocting a falsehood.

“If you cannot speak forthright, then keep silent!” the female screamed, filling the cavern with her voice and forcing Caritha and her sisters to cover their ears or go deaf.

Loos cringed and skirted the chamber. He ventured a step closer to the female and raised his eyes, but the other raced forward, swung her tail in a tight circle, and sent him crashing into the wall with one thwack.

The creature turned in Caritha’s direction and strode forward. It raised a clawed hand, retracted its claws, and dipped its head ever so slightly to stare down at them. “I am Vectra. You need not fear me. This is my realm, and I welcome you to it.” She sat back on her rear legs and gestured with her heavy hand. “State your errand.”

Caritha bowed to the creature. “Our quarrel is not with you. We have come at the bidding of Lord Ilfedo, ruler of the Hemmed Land.” Feeling emboldened by Vectra’s request, she pointed her sword at Loos. “We have come to deal with this murderer, for he came by night into our land and slew our people, burning them in their homes and pouring his poisonous vapors upon them until they died.”

Laura moved next to her and bowed as well. “We are messengers of death sent at the behest of our lord, Ilfedo, to stop the wicked in their tracks. When a creature threatens the Hemmed Land, we are called upon to seek it out.”

Approving rumbles resonated from the creatures that observed from their caves.

Vectra cocked her head to one side and looked up at her companions. “You speak with uncommon strength for members of your race.” She swiveled her massive head to gaze upon the Warrioresses. “It is a rare thing to find strength in your weak species, especially a strength that gains our praise.”

Caritha lowered her blade. “Humanity, compared with you,
is
weak. At least, that is, if you are speaking of physical strength. But our strength is born of another race and our roots are not as they appear.”

“Hmm, your speech is a riddle.” Vectra dipped her head. “Far be it from me to unmask your secrets. I enjoy the manner of your speech.”

Long moments of silence passed during which Vectra seemed to contemplate her next words. When she spoke, it was gentler, yet firm. “You need not fear me. I also seek justice. If Loos has indeed slain the innocent, he will pay at your hands for his wickedness.”

Caritha relaxed, but the creature raised a cautionary finger and a long claw slid out of it.

“However, his condemnation must be according to the laws of my domain, not according to yours. If you do not abide by them, I will be forced to execute you. Loos must be proven guilty either by his own admission or by the testimony of no less than three witnesses. If this proof is not obtained then the accusers—in this case you—have the right to duel him in our great arena. Secondly, it is permitted under our law that if his guilt is in question, he has the right to procure aid in the duel from his relations and friends. If he wins, his record is cleared. If you defeat him, your actions are approved, and his destruction is declared just.” Her dark round eyes bored into Caritha’s. “Have you come with proof, or a mere accusation?”

“The proof lies in the distant border of our land, in the blood spilled there, and in the destroyed habitations.” Caritha felt despair creeping over her. Was Vectra mocking her by making these demands? She could see it in the creature’s eyes—a look that said Vectra knew Loos was in fact guilty. “How can we possibly offer three witnesses? They are severely injured; some are near death!”

“Nevertheless, it is our law and you must abide by it.” Vectra turned to the accused. “Answer me truly, Loos, or I will see to it that your lies are bared before your brethren.” She stood on all legs and crashed a foot into the stone floor. “Answer their accusation!”

He dipped his head to her and replied, “Among your servants I am faithful above many. My conduct both near and far
has
always—and always
will
be—honorable. It grieves me that these vermin have even dared to accuse me of these deeds.” His gaze shifted to the Warrioresses. “Let me clear myself in the arena!”

“Presumptuous fool!” Vectra threw him again and spat upon him. “The great arena is the purest test of the heart. By your own words I believe you are guilty, and I will soon be proven right when these humans stand over your corpse.” She pulled him up and drove him out of the cavern, yelling after him as he ran into a tunnel. “Choose those who will stand with you. The duel will begin within the hour.”

Vectra thundered back to the Warrioresses. Her eyes were so fierce that they could have driven many a warrior to their knees. “I see the purity in your hearts,” she said. “Do not fear the duel, for the wicked
never
win a battle in our arena. Win this fight, and you will have proved me right.”

Caritha glanced over her shoulder at her sisters. Rose’el lipped four words: “Lose, and we’re dead.”

“Come.” Vectra pivoted and stomped deeper into the cavern. “This tunnel leads to the arena.”

They entered the dark passageway, and the stone floor shook repeatedly as the creatures climbed down the walls, thudded to the floor, and followed. Caritha tensed her arms and raised her chin. “Walk proud, my sisters. Remember our father, and fight as he would fight.”

“Oh quit talking. Humph!” Rose’el folded her arms. “You’re making me even more nervous than I already am.”

Vectra led them out of the darkness into blinding daylight. Enormous stones ringed a flat section of desert ahead of them. The creatures congregated to the stones from tunnels along the solid stone hill that rose behind them. “Looks as though the spectators are gathering,” Laura said.

Levena looked down at her sword. “They look restless.”

They were now standing at the arena’s far end. Yimshi beat down without mercy, The movement of the surrounding creatures in the stone grandstands stirred a canopy of dust. “Prepare yourselves!” Caritha loosened her sword arm, swinging it in small arcs in front of her and facing into the wind. The dust stung her eyes, making it difficult to keep them open.

A loud commotion came from the tunnel through which they had entered. Loos and three other members of his species exploded into the arena.

“Great.” Evela steadied herself by grasping Laura’s shoulder. “Now we have to take on
four
of them?”

Laura bit her lip. “It certainly looks that way—”

“Silence!” Caritha scolded. “The time for doubts is long past. You’ve grown soft in the Hemmed Land, my little sister. Remember how you acquitted yourself against the Sea Serpents?”

Evela laughed nervously. “I’ve tried to forget.”

“Focus! Only our combined powers and skills with a sword can bring us home in one piece. Do you want to die out here?”

“Of course not!” Evela’s eyes flared, and she pointed her blade in Caritha’s face. “Now stop haranguing me! I’m going to fight.”

They raised their swords in unison. The creatures charged toward them, hints of yellow vapor in their nostrils. Tendrils of energy accumulated between their swords’ blade-tips. A ball of electricity formed, radiating a bluish-white light as it grew in size. In a deft move, Caritha reached under the ball, plucked it off the blades, pulled her arm back, and threw the projectile at Loos. It struck squarely in his chest.

He stumbled, collapsing to his six knees. His companions closed in, compassed the women, and blew clouds of vapors upon them. Gasping for breath, Caritha reached out with her mind, calling upon the elements of nature to come and assist. A stiff wind blew from the north, dispersing the vapors harmlessly into the arena’s stony grandstands.

Still, she could not catch enough fresh air to purify her lungs. Her strength seeped from her arms. She dropped her sword and grabbed her burning throat. Through the stirred dust she caught a glimpse of Laura dropping her weapon. One by one the remaining sisters fell to the desert floor. The whites of their eyes showed, and their eyelids closed.

“No—no!” Caritha fought to remain conscious. With trembling arms, she grasped for her sword. All she needed were a few moments longer. But her fingers did not find the hilt of her weapon. Instead they skipped over it and clutched sand. The light of day was veiled. She could feel death closing in on her.

T
he seemingly endless natural wall of stone lay in the distance. Oganna watched the five figures begin to climb toward the opening high in the rock. Suddenly one of the women hesitated. “Fool,” Oganna chided herself. “They probably spotted you!”