The Estian Alliance

CHAPTER 23

3rd September - The City of Te’oull - Siatol

Jake West was sweating profusely, his clothes were wet through and he was breathing so deep, fast and hard that it was really beginning to hurt. He was spattered with the blood of the warriors he had killed and he looked as though he had been dragged through the fires of zsorcraum and back again… Twice! His eyes were glazed over and he had a look of ferocious determination on his face. It seemed as though nothing could break his concentration and resolve, as he looked directly at Sawdon without any trace at all of fear. The giant Thargw towered above him, his blood-soaked fur barely managing to hide the hugely impressive array of perfectly formed muscles that lay underneath. At first glance to all around and any onlooker unaware of Jake’s powers, this was a fight that could only go one way. It was a foregone conclusion, an appalling mismatch, the prelude to slaughter.

But, nothing and no one else mattered now to Jake. Caught up completely in the moment, he could not think of anything but the Thargw warrior he faced, not his friends or his family, not his life back home, not even the people of Estia he had sworn to protect. His mind was utterly consumed by this moment and this moment alone. He was like a totally different person all of a sudden, consumed by a need for vengeance, and he no longer cared if he lived or died, just so long as he took Sawdon with him if he fell. ‘This is what it has all been leading up to. Everything I have done so far has brought me to this, a fight to the death with Sawdon. This is perhaps my one and only chance to take revenge for everything he has done to my family,’ he thought, his blind wrath making him forget all about King Vantrax and the stones for a time, and the battle for Te’oull which would decide their fate.

Up until now, Jake West had behaved and acted impeccably as a Keeper, surprising and delighting many around him with his unexpected maturity. But, this time, his feelings had the better of him and his heart was now ruling his head. He had acted on his own initiative and on a rash impulse when he rushed into a fight with Sawdon. It was an encounter with the savage beast he had no way of knowing he could win. The small, impetuous part of him that just refused to die, that which was still the teenager from back home, had surfaced just when he needed it least. He needed to remain calm and composed, to think and act like the guardian and saviour of worlds, to do what was best for the Estian people, even if it wasn’t what was best for him. And that probably meant avoiding an impossible fight with an invincible Thargw, restoring the box of stones as quickly as he could. Any yet, here he was placing himself seriously in harm’s way, jeopardising everything he hoped to achieve, the future of countless worlds, just to indulge his own petty craving for revenge.

The battle raged on around them but Sawdon and Jake concentrated solely on each other. The Thargw Gerada was an intelligent beast and he knew that this was no ordinary Keeper before him. Despite his youth, the youngster had somehow managed to evade capture in a hostile world and made the necessary alliances to further his cause. With astonishing bravery and audacity he had raided King Vantrax’ mines, and in the process rallied an entire continent to stand beside him. That was the work of no ordinary enemy as far as Sawdon was concerned. The ‘boy’ he now faced had led the whole of Estia into a war the likes of which had never been seen before. Sawdon knew little of the prophecies which told of a Keeper’s coming, but he knew enough about them to recognize that if the Estian’s truly believed he was the saviour of their world, then the defeat of this young boy in this fight, would destroy all of their hopes and aspirations and signify the end of the rebellion. By ensuring Jake’s death in this battle, Sawdon knew he would also be killing a legend, a fairytale used to inspire a revolution. In doing so, he would bring the whole Estian resistance to his master’s rule to an abrupt end.

“Raar… I should have taken your life when I had the chance, in the home of the last Keeper,” growled the Thargw, as he flexed his muscles and prepared to fight.

Jake paced sideways, seeking a better angle of attack. Sawdon matched his every move, as Jake replied. “Yes, you should have. Maybe if you had, you would have prevented all of this from happening?”

“This? The battle? This is nothing! Once we have destroyed your army here, we will go on to conquer the rest of this land as far as the sea. It will all be ours. And then, who knows? We may decide to return to your world and see what riches await us there? You have proved one thing only by coming here; that your race is a weak and feeble one, incapable of combat, and ripe for the taking. There are bound to be more reolite stones somewhere on Estia, even if that box of yours is not found, or if it is destroyed somehow. We will find the means to go there if we wish, you may depend on that. Now, enough talk, where is the box? You are about to die so you might as well tell me? What have you done with the stones?”

“Huh! I think that’s talk, isn’t it? And wouldn’t you like to know… It’s safe, and it’s hidden, as far away from your claws as it can be. And you should know better than to underestimate an enemy, even one as ‘feeble’ as me. Though, I’m not a patch on some of the guys from my world. Plus, we have weapons far more powerful than anything you can ever imagine. So, if you think you’re hard enough, you’re welcome to try!”

“Really?” said Sawdon, surprised by Jake’s claim. “…More powerful than a wizard? Or an army of warriors who cannot be killed? I do not think so. Unless of course you have reolite on your world? If the box is as powerful as they say and we obtain it, we will be able to send thousands through the light. Nothing will stop us!”

Jake gulped hard as he was forced to consider the impossible, the unthinkable. His blood boiled and he tightened his grip on his sword. “They’re just empty words, that’s all. It’s not gonna come to that. So, are we gonna fight? Or are we gonna talk each other to death?”

“Ra! Yes, I did not expect you to yield. We have chosen our paths in life you and I, let us tread them now and see where they lead. You have been a worthy opponent for one so young, it will be an honour to send you to whatever lies beyond this life for one of your race.”

“Yeah? Well thanks, but I wouldn’t count on it!”

Jake suddenly rushed forward with unbelievable speed to begin the fight. His sword actually came within an inch of piercing Sawdon’s neck. The experienced warrior’s astonishing reflexes though, enabled him to swerve and bring his own battlesword across just in time to block the intended strike. Jake’s momentum took him past his opponent and he came to a sudden halt on the other side of him. He turned swiftly, but Sawdon had already recovered and was waiting eagerly for his next move.

“Yes, good. An excellent attempt to gain a quick kill, fast and efficient. I believe this encounter may prove to be my toughest test so far.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” Jake replied, his eyes fixed firmly on Sawdon’s blade. “Cos’ there’s plenty more where that came from.”

The giant Thargw then began his first attack. His battlesword screamed down out of the sky and struck Jake’s blade with unbelievable force. The bone-crunching blow almost made him drop his weapon. However, Jake’s increased powers suddenly gave him an extra surge of energy, strength and speed. He moved so fast that his sword seemed to be blurred to Ben, who had now caught up with his friend and was watching anxiously from a partially concealed position just behind him. The fiery youth had ignored his friend’s orders and broken his promise. The moment Jake had gone in pursuit of Sawdon, Ben had dragged Verastus after Jake. He was now watching the fight with his heart in his mouth, as the injured Falorian and a few Estian warriors with him fought bravely to keep the enemy warriors away.

Despite Jake’s awesome and increased powers, Sawdon managed to somehow combat every single move and attack he made. The Thargw warrior was astonishing, unbelievable! He was not only holding his own against the best of the Keepers, he was actually beginning to gain the upper hand in this fight! He quickly placed Jake firmly on the defensive.

The two young boys could not understand or believe what was happening. Having not yet mastered full control of his emotions, Jake was shocked and stunned to find that he was suddenly wracked with fear. He was almost as distraught and dismayed as Ben, who was now beginning to really panic, as he feared for his best friend’s life. ‘How could this possibly be? The Keeper’s powers are supposed to be greater than those possessed by any living soul? So why can’t Jake kill him?!’ the youngster thought.

Sawdon’s sword turned and gleamed in the morning sun and a reflection caught Jake squarely in the eyes, temporarily blinding him. The Thargw attempted to take advantage by using the same move which had killed Lord Castrad. Only, this time, Jake was equal to it. He sensed what was coming and blocked the attack, before immediately launching another of his own, once again aiming for Sawdon’s throat.

The giant beast reacted swiftly, grabbing Jake’s wrist. With his superior strength he forced it against Jake’s chest and pulled him in close, so that the teenager could not move. It looked very much as though the fight was over. Jake was held in a tight arm lock that he could not break free from, and he was only a second or so away from death.

However, Jake West was not finished yet. At the very last second, just as Sawdon was about to break his arm and snap his neck, he suddenly employed a tactic which came straight from the school playground. He brought his knee up hard and fast and caught the Thargw beast straight between the legs. The mighty warrior grunted in pain as Jake’s knee connected and his hold of the boy’s wrist released just enough for the youngster to break free. Jake immediately took a step backwards, mightily relieved and amazed to have survived the fight so far. It was only a few minutes old, but to his surprise and dismay he was already exhausted.

But, so was Sawdon. “Graar… That was certainly different,” the Thargw stated, in his own way complimenting Jake on his lucky escape. “…But then, I should have expected it, I suppose. I shall not misjudge you again.”

“Yeah, even us weaklings pack a punch. And you can’t hang around Ben Brooker for as long as I have without picking up a thing or two,” Jake replied, as he raced forward again. This time, his sword was low and aiming straight at Sawdon’s stomach, but as the warrior lowered his own weapon to counter it, Jake raised his swiftly upwards and to the right, then sharply to the left, hoping to cut off the Thargw’s head.

Sawdon saw it coming at the very last moment. He ducked underneath the blade and it missed him by the smallest of margins, actually cutting his fur as it sailed swiftly past. His astonishing reflexes allowed him to immediately propel himself forward, whilst Jake was off balance. He knocked his young opponent to the ground and Jake fell heavily. His sword was ripped from his grasp by the weight of the fall. Sawdon saw this and reacted swiftly. He brought his battlesword down upon the defenceless youngster in an attempt to finish him off and end the fight.

Out of sheer desperation, Jake moved rapidly to avoid the strike. But, he was not quick enough and the tip of the jintan blade caught Jake with a glancing blow across his back, which easily ripped open his flesh. Jake was now seriously wounded and completely defenceless, as Sawdon drew back his sword for one final strike. The mighty Thargw had proven by his actions in this battle and fight, why he was considered by many to be the greatest warrior who had ever lived. Now, he was at last about to take the life of a Keeper and destroy the hopes of millions. His sword came hurtling downwards, heading straight for Jake’s head. Jake saw it coming, but he could do absolutely nothing to avoid it. He had nowhere to go, no time to think, and no time to act. He was done for.

* * *

‘Jake! Jake! Come to me now. The box is yours, it is fully restored.’

Tien’s calm and trusted voice sounded loudly in Jake’s mind, just as his sword fell from his hand and he realised the fight with Sawdon was lost. The call he had been waiting for was as clear as a bell, but it was too late.

‘Oh great! You’ve got excellent timing, wizard, I’ll give you that!’

A few seconds later, Sawdon’s battlesword cut into his back. It was now only a fraction of a second away from ending Jake’s life, as the Thargw warrior raised it to complete the kill.

But suddenly, a Nadjan battleaxe came flying out of the crowd. It hurtled past Jake to lodge itself perfectly in Sawdon’s chest. The great Thargw fell backwards under the weight of the blow, stumbling several feet as he fought hard to remain upright.

Jake seized the opportunity and reprieve to scamper frantically across to where his weapon lay on the ground. He turned around and stood up immediately, ready and willing to continue the fight, despite his open wound, ignoring the incredible pain which now wracked his entire body.

However, Sawdon was gone! All that stood before Jake now were throngs of enemy warriors. Realising instantly that the fight was over, that he was wounded and needed help, Jake turned rapidly to make his way back through the Estian lines. As he did, his eyes searched thankfully for the warrior who had just saved his life with such an amazing, unbelievable throw. However, the only ‘warrior’ not otherwise engaged in front of him, was Ben?

His best mate was grinning from ear to ear, looking ridiculously out of place in the midst of a ferocious battle. Jake joined him and they both began running back to their own lines. “Nah?” the young Keeper said as they ran, realising instantly that Ben was the only possible candidate for the throw, however implausible it might be. “No way! That wasn’t you?! An axe? How did you know how to throw an axe?”

“‘Fraid so, pal. It was lying on the ground and it was the only thing I could find. Can’t throw a sword like you. Not sure where the idea came from actually, I’ve never even held one before, never mind thrown one. But somehow, I just knew I could do it. I don’t know whether it was me, or if I was possessed or summin’, but either way it worked, didn’t it, eh? And you’re just gonna have to face it, aren’t ya? It was me. I saved your bacon!”

After a short while, Jake slowed to almost walking pace, his breathing became ragged and his face lost all colour. Ben looked down with grave concern at Jake’s wound and he stopped. “Oh no, come on, let’s get you to Tien,” he said, placing his friend’s arm around his shoulder. He led him away as the Estian warriors around them closed the gap and covered their retreat.

“It’s okay Ben, the box is restored,” said Jake, as they rushed as best they could to find their friends.

“Great. Right, well then, let’s hope the stones can help with that little scratch you’ve picked up?” Ben replied, as he looked once more with increasing anxiety at the gaping wound. It was deep, and it was bleeding badly. “…Huh! Some people will do anything for attention.”

* * *

At the abandoned dwelling, Tien sensed that Jake was wounded. He said nothing of it to the others, for a more immediate danger had suddenly presented itself. The enemy warriors had finally breeched their lines and worked their way around the Estian positions. They were now in serious danger of being completely encircled, and the only option open to them was to withdraw. Tien explained the decision and situation to Harry, who relayed them to the rest. Whilst Harry was speaking, Tien called for a hornblower and the young boy sounded the recall.

“Everyone, back to the square! Fall back now!” Tien shouted from the doorway, in a voice louder than anything heard before. Then, they all ran for their lives, the wizard clutching the box of stones tightly to his chest.

“But, what of Jake and the others?” Graham shouted, as he helped his mother and tried to keep up. “We can’t leave him!”

Harry replied on Tien’s behalf. His experience and knowledge of war, coming from years as a soldier, added further emphasis to the urgency of the command. “Look, I’ve seen this before many times, son. We’re out of time. If they outflank us, we will not survive. They will make it impossible for anyone to rescue us, believe me.”

“We do, Harry, we do. Of course we do. We trust you with our lives. It’s just that… Well, what of Jake?” said Jean, out of breath but somehow managing to speak and convey her alarm.

Harry looked at the worried and worn out faces of his wife and son, and he tried his best to comfort them. “He will hear the horn just like all the others. He is a Keeper. He will know what to do.”

* * *

Jake and Ben were making painfully slow progress as they tried to get back to the others. Suddenly, they heard the sound of a battlehorn ahead of them. “What..? What’s it mean?” asked Ben, startled and afraid.

“It means we are losing. We’re in trouble,” Jake replied. “Come on, we have to hurry.”

“Hey! You don’t need to tell me, I’m going as fast as I can you know. You’re a heavy lump to carry, put on a few pounds recently, have we?” the youngster teased, reverting naturally to humour as usual to mask his fear.

Estian warriors of all descriptions began sprinting past them, desperately trying to save their own lives as the enemy hoards pursued them hard. Ben screamed out at a few for help, but to his dismay no one responded. Then, to his great relief, an unknown warrior took hold of Jake’s arm and his friend found himself being lifted from behind, carried swiftly away to safety.

Jake turned his face around and saw immediately that it was Verastus. The Falorian had once again come to his aid in his time of need. “Oh, am I glad to see you!” he said, smiling weakly at the gentle giant. His strength was failing badly now, as the blood flowed from his gaping wound.

“Yes!” yelled Ben, incredibly relieved and grateful to see his friend. “Great timing! Good for you, big man, good for you!”

But, unbeknown to the two young boys, Verastus was really struggling himself now with the debilitating effects of his own grave wound. Still, he ignored his pain and the sapping of his strength and continued valiantly onwards towards the square, refusing to give up or give in, even though he could hardly bear the weight.

“It is nothing. Consider this, my debt to you both repaid.”