| Sect thirteen: the betrayer By Richard LeBlanc Along a path that bordered a short mountain chain, a caravan was being attacked by a raiding party of orcs. Two of the people atop the coach watched as their mercenary defenders began to fall. "They can not hold out much longer," the driver stated as the last of the defenders were cut down. It was then that the green skinned savages turned their attention to them. Just then a blur of motion leaped from above and began repel the stunned orcs. "Who - or what is that?" one of the ladies asked - as Drake cleaved one orc into two uneven pieces. Drake could hear nothing save Julia's last words to him. All he could see through the red haze of fury was the look of hurt and betrayal in her eyes. It was then that he noticed that the fighting had stopped. He looked around like a feral animal at the orcs that were backing away. He growled at them causing them to flee. He then closed his eyes and tried to force the pain out of his mind. "You have my thanks sir. I thought for sure those monsters would get us," the other passenger stated. Drake slowly looked over his shoulder at survivors of the small caravan. "If you don't mind my saying sir - you fight like a man possessed," the driver remarked. "I am Drake of the Order of the Black Bird - leave - now," Drake replied coldly. The words caused all color to drain from his face. He knew all too well what those of that order were capable of doing. "An assassin. Come we must leave now," the driver stated - as he took the reigns and drove the coach away. Drake sighed and closed his eyes. Around him was death - caused by him and the orcs. He sheathed his blade and slowly walked towards the forest. He walked over and sat down in the shadow of an old willow tree. He covered his face with his hands and sighed. "Drake?" a familiar voice called to him. He removed his hands and looked around. There, sitting on a branch of a large tree - was Julia. Her long red hair fluttered in the light gentle breeze - her hazel eyes focused on him. Instantly he hopped to his feet. He looked at his hands - fearing that it was all a dream - but something inside him told him - it wasn't. "Julia?" he muttered. She smiled at him as she had so many times before on their journey. "What are you doing here? I thought - you - hated me," he nervously asked. Julia sighed and looked over at the tree. "You hurt me - a lot. But in spite of it - I love you too much to hate you," she said softly. Drake could feel a heavy weight lifting off his heart. He hurried over to where she was. She smiled at him and hopped down into his arms. "Promise me - promise me you will never hurt me again," she passively requested - tracing the back of her hand against his cheek. "I would sooner die that hurt you," he replied. She smiled. In the blink of an eye - the smile was gone and was replaced with a hateful glare. She slapped him across the face with such force that he fell to the ground. "Then maybe you should die," she retorted - drawing a serrated dagger. Drake slowly backed away from her. "What - what are you doing?" he asked as he flipped himself back to his feet. She attacked. She moved with speed and skill all but equal to his own. A punch hit him in the ribs - across the face - he was barely able to dodge the dagger stroke that almost cut his throat. He did a series of back-flips to escape his attacker. Julia smiled at him took on a defensive fighting stance. One all too familiar too him. "You are not Julia," he muttered lowly. The woman smiled and shrugged her shoulders. "You're a blood hawk - a shape-shifter," he added - drawing his sword. "Nothing gets by you Drake. Former Red Dragon to the Order of the Black Bird," the assassin replied - drawing a second dagger. "But what good will this knowledge no you? Even one with your vaunted skill - is no match for me. You have betrayed the Order Drake - it is time for you to pay the price," she stated coldly. "If you want to try to take me down assassin - by all means try. I lay down for no one," he retorted - glaring at her. The assassin smiled and began to unbutton the front of her dress seductively. "Not even for me?" the assassin said - using Julia's voice. A shrill laugh followed. Drake glared at her and leaped at the assassin that was mocking him. Sparks flew where metal was met with metal. Both seeking to take down the other. Both not yielding a single step to the other. It was then that one of the daggers cut Drake across the cheek. Distracted by the attack- he then received four strong punches and spinning kick to the side of his head. He staggered back and fell awkwardly to the ground. He looked up and watched as the smug assassin licked his blood from her blade. "I was instructed to use a potent poison - but for one who has lost all gumption and backbone as you have - such a gift is not worthy of you," she goaded. Drake hopped up to his feet and glared at her. "I did not get to where I am today by being weak," he retorted. "Yes - you were strong - ambitious - cunning - you were the best - you were the Red Dragon - the youngest to ever attain that rank. But look at you now. You disgust me. Time and time again you could have ended her life - yet you didn't," she retorted - spitting to the side to get the taste of disgust from her mouth. "Spare your tricks. Are you here to talk or fight?" he remarked. "As you wish," she replied. She stalked her way like the seasoned predator she was. Once again the fury was unleashed. Sparks lit up the air as attacks were deflected and blocked. This time a strong kick from Drake kicked one dagger from the assassin's hand - a focused punch knocked her other weapon away. He then landed a powerful uppercut that sent the assassin up into the air and down on her neck. He raced over to finish her off. "Please don't hurt me!" she begged in Julia's voice. In spite of the fact that he knew it was not her, he froze. "Fool!" she mocked. Her leg snapped up between his legs - landing a painful hit. He fell over and watched as she effortlessly rose to her feet. "You are so pathetic," she mocked. Drake forced back the pain and hopped back up to his feet. "This is far from over," he retorted. The assassin quietly laughed. "I would agree - there is so much more that I need to teach you before I grant you the peace you will only find in the sweet embrace of death," she replied. She leaped at him with cat-like grace. Although he was able to stop some of her attacks. Too many got through his defenses. He staggered back did what he could to stay focused - but everything was getting blurry. Sounds were ringing and the accumulated effects of the pain her attacks were causing were starting to catch up with him. "You - are a rare one Drake. Never has one lasted so long against a blood hawk. Feel honored," she remarked as she walked towards him. He tried to hit her - but she effortlessly knocked him flat on his back. "Stay down," she ordered. She then stood over him and sat down on his chest. "Do it then - do not expect me to beg," he muttered between gasps. The assassin looked down at him and quietly laughed. "You really loved her didn't you?" she asked curiously. "What difference does that make now?" he answered. "Everything - nothing. Hmmm. Before I send you to your final rest - traitor - know that as we speak - several of your former sword brothers are on their way to meet her. Because she tainted you - they will make her suffering exquisite," she began as an amused smile crossed her face. The pain Drake was feeling seemed to vanish. "Just know this before I kill you - the pain she felt was because of you. The fate - she will suffer - will also," she began. In a blur of motion he flipped her off him and began to growl at the assassin. "Impossible!" she muttered in disbelief. "No one will harm her - ever!" he screamed. He raced at her with a focus and fury unlike anything she had ever seen. None of the attacks could be properly blocked - others she was barely able to deflect. She spun around and punched her hard across the face with such force that she was lifted off the ground. Slowly the assassin forced herself up to her feet. "I do not know how," she began. But before she could continue - he attacked again. One hit knocked one arm to the right - a kick knocked her other arm to the left leaving her open. He then spun around and punched his fist right through her chest. "Die," he hissed. He jerked his arm free and punched the assassin to the ground. He looked around like a rabid animal. He did two sharp whistles. Midnight wailed out and galloped his way. The horse didn't slow down as it raced by. In one fluid motion he leaped over and landed on his steed. "Hurry! Julia is in danger!" he concluded as the horse raced back towards where the kingdom of Triar was. To be continued... |