Leaving the Horse

Chapter 22

"Kill them."

Heath's eyes were unrecognizing cold, making me shiver with fear.

"You don't know-" I protested as loudly and broadly as I could.

I was interrupted by my father's booming voice. "It has been proven! You will be the Lord in my place someday. You must be able to do justice."

"What if they are protecting someone?" I glanced at the bruised and beaten bodies of Jonah, Jauda, Sam and Grace.

"Sam was accused of magic and murder," Heath said in a low, threatening voice. "Grace was protecting him." Heath's head turned toward Jonah and Jauda, "and them. They must all be punishable by death. Prove you can take my place and kill them!"

I gazed into Sam's wide brown eyes. His body sagged from being underfed along with the others. There was no proof that he or any of them had magic and proved to be killers.

I turned back to my father, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "There is no proof," I denied Heath, "I cannot allow them to die unless there was proof."

Suddenly Heath's eyes blazed with unseen fire. Standing up, Heath walked up to me, gazing at me with what I swore was hatred. "It's right in front of you," he said through gritted teeth before yelling, "But you refuse it because they are your friends!"

Suddenly, I was smacked by my father in the side of the head, falling from the shock. Before I could focus again, I heard my sword be drawn from my belt. Crying out in anger, I stumbled to my feet to take on my father empty handed but guards grasped my arms and shoulder and held me back.

"No!" I shouted desperately as Heath approach Jonah first. I flinched as the sword plunged through his body, making Jonah double back with a breathless gasp. I couldn't take my eyes from who I always considered to be my mentor's face as eyes wide, and mouth agape, he swayed in his kneeling position before falling over dead.

Thrusting out, I tried to escape the guards as I watched in horror as the challenging on Jauda's frail face showed. Her bravery had no effect now. I winced as the sound of ripping flesh tore through the village as Jauda clenched her eyes shut, coughing up blood before giving one last violent shake and falling.

Tears fell down my face as I tired breaking free from a useless attempt. "NO!" I shouted. "Stop!"

Only moments later, Grace's blood soaked body too fell onto the ground like she was a pile of dirt. Sam's eyes gazed at me, pain and what I was sure to be betrayal flickering in his dull eyes. He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by my sharp sword entering his chest next. I quivered with grief as Heath drew my sword out of my last friend.

I couldn't stray my eyes from their limp bodies as my father said, "And that's what you must do as a Lord." Throwing my bloody sword at my feet, Heath gazed into my eyes. "They betrayed you."

I felt my face heat up with anger. "No," I said quietly, "they didn't." Fresh tears stung my eyes as I screamed, "it was you!"

Hands grasped my shoulders as Heath's lips went into thin slits. "No!" I screamed thrashing angrily. I couldn't live this life anymore. My friends had died in front of me. "Get off me! No!"

Sitting up, I swung a hard punch at my attacker.

"Whoa!" He gasped, stumbling back and covering his face.

I stood up, shaking with anger as I walked angrily over to the stumbling man.

"Young Lord! Josh! Stop! Dude it's me! James."

I hesitated before blinking in shock. I was not where I thought I was. Glancing around the room, I realized with embarrassment that I had been sleeping. It was a bad dream.