The Chronicles of Kale: Dawn of Retribution (Book 2) by Aya Knight Page B
Authors: Aya Knight
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close. I’ve passed the southeastern desert border on multiple occasions. The walk from there, if all goes accordingly, shouldn’t take until sunrise judging by the star’s positioning. We are in luck that there is a mere sliver of moon tonight. We wouldn’t want the Clan to watch us stroll toward them. I have a hunch they would be anything but welcoming. Sorcerer-on-a-stick simply does not appeal to me.” Thomas smiled, stretching his arms high above his head. “Shall we then? I see no reason to linger here. Adding another day to reach their camp, just might be one too many for Neelan.”
Kale and Illadar hesitantly nodded before gripping onto Thomas’ arm.
The old sorcerer closed his eyes and spoke “ Kalora Xenari .”
With a quick zap , they were sent through a void in time and dropped onto a bed of grass. Kale rubbed his stomach which still hadn’t adapted to teleportation. Meanwhile, Thomas was hunched over, panting heavily—the color completely removed from his face.
“I knew this was a poor idea. Are you going to be all right?” Kale questioned in concern while placing a hand upon Thomas’ back.
“I’m fine,” Thomas spoke quickly as he slid the sleeve of his robe over a blackened hand. He would not admit to weakness, though his head pounded terribly and veins pulsed against his flesh as though about to explode. He inhaled and pinched his eyes shut. With a lengthy exhale, he took a step forward. “We must keep moving.”
The desert wind roused as they continued to the southeast. Dunes were plentiful and their massive height and breadth made them strenuous to walk around. It looked like a dry sea of violent waves. After passing a sizable dune, which resembled more of a mountain than blown, accumulated dirt, a flicker of light came into view.
“Do you think that’s it?” Kale questioned.
“The odds seem high. Only a home to bandits would be so lively in the dark of night.” Illadar squinted forward to better investigate. “Some of the lights have moved which tells me there are guards present.”
“What shall we do? There are two options—risk the light of dawn catching us and attempt to slip inside where their leader is located now, or we can take the safe route and make camp somewhere concealed until the next nightfall.” Thomas stopped walking to await their response.
“You’ve just expended your energy to bring us here. I’ve hunted at night for most of my life. I’m certain there’s enough time for us to make our move. There is no more time for waiting. If I lose Neelan, then I lose my very will to live. If my brethren are to rise again, all hope now rests in this mission—and Neelan’s will to remain strong until we return.” Kale’s heart had fallen so deeply for Neelan that she had become his weakness. Without her, he was lost. She was the one who had warmed his soul and should he lose her, his very heart would return to its former shell of ice. The man he had become would step back into the darkness of despair.
“We need to devise a plan. We can’t just walk in and request to meet with the leader.” Illadar rubbed his scruffy chin. “It’d be nice to have some of Elanya’s potion about now.”
“Speak for yourself!” Thomas huffed. “I believe I’d rather die than go through that torment again. Besides, I’m sure the bandits have no remorse simply because of gender. I would go as far to bet that they’d forcefully fondle places that make your skin crawl just thinking about!”
Kale and Illadar both shuddered at the thought.
Thomas chuckled. “Anyway, I have an idea. I can form a distraction with magic—something simple, so I don’t want to hear any complaints from the pair of you.” He casually ensured his hand was still tucked inside his sleeve to avoid any concerns.
“Brilliant idea, old man!” Illadar nodded in approval. “Once they investigate the distraction, we can slip inside. From that moment on, we’ll have to improvise.
Kale and Illadar hesitantly nodded before gripping onto Thomas’ arm.
The old sorcerer closed his eyes and spoke “ Kalora Xenari .”
With a quick zap , they were sent through a void in time and dropped onto a bed of grass. Kale rubbed his stomach which still hadn’t adapted to teleportation. Meanwhile, Thomas was hunched over, panting heavily—the color completely removed from his face.
“I knew this was a poor idea. Are you going to be all right?” Kale questioned in concern while placing a hand upon Thomas’ back.
“I’m fine,” Thomas spoke quickly as he slid the sleeve of his robe over a blackened hand. He would not admit to weakness, though his head pounded terribly and veins pulsed against his flesh as though about to explode. He inhaled and pinched his eyes shut. With a lengthy exhale, he took a step forward. “We must keep moving.”
The desert wind roused as they continued to the southeast. Dunes were plentiful and their massive height and breadth made them strenuous to walk around. It looked like a dry sea of violent waves. After passing a sizable dune, which resembled more of a mountain than blown, accumulated dirt, a flicker of light came into view.
“Do you think that’s it?” Kale questioned.
“The odds seem high. Only a home to bandits would be so lively in the dark of night.” Illadar squinted forward to better investigate. “Some of the lights have moved which tells me there are guards present.”
“What shall we do? There are two options—risk the light of dawn catching us and attempt to slip inside where their leader is located now, or we can take the safe route and make camp somewhere concealed until the next nightfall.” Thomas stopped walking to await their response.
“You’ve just expended your energy to bring us here. I’ve hunted at night for most of my life. I’m certain there’s enough time for us to make our move. There is no more time for waiting. If I lose Neelan, then I lose my very will to live. If my brethren are to rise again, all hope now rests in this mission—and Neelan’s will to remain strong until we return.” Kale’s heart had fallen so deeply for Neelan that she had become his weakness. Without her, he was lost. She was the one who had warmed his soul and should he lose her, his very heart would return to its former shell of ice. The man he had become would step back into the darkness of despair.
“We need to devise a plan. We can’t just walk in and request to meet with the leader.” Illadar rubbed his scruffy chin. “It’d be nice to have some of Elanya’s potion about now.”
“Speak for yourself!” Thomas huffed. “I believe I’d rather die than go through that torment again. Besides, I’m sure the bandits have no remorse simply because of gender. I would go as far to bet that they’d forcefully fondle places that make your skin crawl just thinking about!”
Kale and Illadar both shuddered at the thought.
Thomas chuckled. “Anyway, I have an idea. I can form a distraction with magic—something simple, so I don’t want to hear any complaints from the pair of you.” He casually ensured his hand was still tucked inside his sleeve to avoid any concerns.
“Brilliant idea, old man!” Illadar nodded in approval. “Once they investigate the distraction, we can slip inside. From that moment on, we’ll have to improvise.
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