Joshua: Chapter 2

Chapter 2

They ran for many days and nights. The boy and the wyan. They traveled through forest and across the plains leading to Antirem. At first Elkií would not say anything about where they were going, only that they needed to go as fast as they could. He kept his silence until on one night, after Joshua once again asked and he saw frustration and distrust in the boy’s eyes, he decided to explain where they were going and why they were going there.

   “I am taking you the port city of Haldor to the north.”

   “Why are we going there?”

   “I have a friend there who take us in his ship to a large island that lies several leagues from the mainland.”

   “What island? I have never heard of one so large out there.”

   “Boy, days ago you had no idea the wyans existed. You need to open your mind to new possibilities.”

   “So why would we want go to this island?”

   “As I was saying you need to open your mind. Knowing the king, all your life you have been told that no god or anything of the sort exists. But He does exist and you are living proof. You bear the mark of the Absolute. And you are not alone. There are a few others who have received the same calling as you.”

   “And what exactly is that?”

   “To overthrow the corrupt Gartang. The others have already started to build an army on that island under the leadership of the old member of the Elect, Deyna and the old prophet. Those two have taken on the task of training and educating the next members of the Elect. And now I am taking you to them.”

   Elkií paused for a moment then asked

   “What happened to your parents?”

   Joshua did not answer but sat there on the ground staring into the fire that lit their makeshift camp for the night. Elkií noticed the profound sadness that spread itself across the boy’s blue eyes and smooth face. He then quickly acted as though he had not asked the question and instead said…

   “Be sure and get your rest tonight. Sometime around midday tomorrow we should arrive at the city of Antirem and I need you to be ready for anything to happen.”

   With that Elkií lay down on the ground.

*****

   When morning broke both got up with hardly a word to one another. They ate their breakfast from Elkií’s rations and then set out towards Antirem. Around noon they saw the city walls towering above the plains before them. An hour later they reached the gates and were allowed in without incident.

   “Be on the lookout for trouble,” whispered Elkií. “We have no idea whether they know who you are or what.”

   “Well we got in didn’t we? Which means they don’t know who I am.”

   “It’s not whether we got in or not it’s whether we get out. Sometimes they allow criminal in a city just to close the gates and then trap them in the city till they can send for more soldiers. So don’t let the fact that we made it in make you think we’re safe. We’re not until we get out of here. Remember all we’re here to do is refresh our supplies and then get out of here as quickly as we possibly can.”

   “Got it.”

   “And whatever you do don’t attract attention to yourself.”

   Joshua scowled at him but Elkií gave such a serious look he immediately looked away.

   They bought their supplies and were headed to the north gate when some soldiers spotted them and started moving towards them.

   “Joshua run now! I will distract them,” said Elkií give him a shove and then turning to face the soldiers.

   Instead of doing as he was told, Joshua ducked behind a nearby alley and stood at the corner watching Elkií.

   Elkií stood there like a statue as the soldiers approached him.

   “Alright you don’t move!” ordered the leader of the soldiers.

   “What do you want?” calmly asked Elkií.

   “Are you the wyan known as Elkií?”

   “And what if I am?”

   “You’re under arrest.”

   This pronouncement caught Elkií off guard and it took him a moment before he calmly asked

   “And what am I being arrested for?”

   “You know very well you scum. You killed soldiers of the king and assisted the most wanted person in this land in escaping. The king is so angry with you I hear he says he is going to skin you personally. You piece of…”
   The soldier never got to finish that thought. His sentence was cut short by Elkií claws ripping through his throat. He fell to the ground with a gruesome gargling sound. The other soldiers were so shocked at the grotesqueness of the blow they stood there for a second staring in horrid fascination at their captain. With a savage cry Elkií tore at the others. At first they fought but as they saw the wounds of their comrades and the gigantic beast coming at them they turned and ran for their lives.

   “Common boy let’s go now!” roared Elkií. Immediately both set off running at a vigorous pace for the gates. It was not to long before the sight of the gate loomed before their eyes, but as they got closer they realized they were heading into trouble. A score of soldiers had taken up position in front of the gates, which were slowing closing.

   “What do we do now?” panted Joshua as he tried to keep pace with Elkií.

   “Just stay directly behind me and try not to die,” shouted Elkií.

   As they neared the gates Eklií continued to increase his pace, and as he got closer he began to deliver savage growls and fierce roars. When he was but a few hundred feet away he dropped and began running on all fours and when he reached to first soldier he sprang upon him with a blood-curdling roar and sank his claws into the soldiers neck.  Without hesitation he slashed out at the soldiers nearest the first and caught another in the neck, ripping completely through it. The other soldiers stood shaking in their boots, their eyes wide with horror.

   “Anyone one of you who tries to stop me and my companion here will suffer the same,” he said motion to the two dead bodies.

   “You do not scare me!” declared one soldier stepping forward.

   He only made it two steps before Elkií pounced on him and ripped out his throat.

   “Anyway else feeling brave?” challenged Elkií “No? Well then I’ll be on my way.”

And with that he and Joshua walked out of the city, leaving behind many utterly horrified soldiers.