Chapter Eighteen - Part One

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The merchant turned to them and said, "Saddles around back. You wait here." With that he waddled around the stalls and turned a corner, the sounds of his shuffling feet eventually fading.

The chirping insects filled the silence that followed, along with the stirring of the mousslos in the stalls. James rubbed his nose, attempting to clear the strong muddy smells attacking him.

"You ever ridden one of these before?" James asked Sam.

"Not a mousslo, but I imagine they aren't that different from a horse."

"I wonder how that is," James said, almost to himself. He wondered if he had ever ridden an animal before, or how he would do once he was on one. It was a shame that there were no ships or landcraft to rent in town to get to Riondon.

"We have horses back home," Evan said. "They are bred by the human people in the southern lands. All great warriors are trained to fight while mounted."

James thought he caught a look from Evan as he said that, and took that as another personal dig at him. Then Evan spoke again.

"It is no wonder you have no memory of riding one, James."

Anger flared within James. "I see," he said, trying to remain calm. "Because I'm no soldier. I get it."

"I am merely stating an observation," Evan said. He was attempting to sound casual, but came across as smug and goading.

"Evan," Sam said. "Maybe warriors on your planet ride horses, but not all soldiers do so."

"No, Sam," James said. "Evan knows what he means. And I can handle myself."

Evan scoffed. The sound sent a jolt of fury through James and his face flushed.

"You have hardly proven that you can handle yourself," Evan said. "I do not mean to attack you, but that is a factual statement."

"Oh really," Jams said, his shoulders heaving with his heavy breaths. He took a step closer to Evan.

Sam held a hand up. "Stop this, now."

James shouldered Sam's hand away. "What about you, Evan? You didn't even know what planet you were on before I told you. How can you think you can save your people? Do you even know how to get back home? I was the one that agreed to look after you in Tyken Town, even without knowing you or trusting you. Why are you so hard on me? You should take a look at yourself."

"I sought the help of a witless fool," Evan shot back.

James leaned closer. "Then why are you still with us?"

Sam laid his hands on their chests and shoved them back. "That's enough!" he shouted. "Both of you. That's enough."

Evan charged back towards James. "My chances are better on my own in the desert than they are with you." Evan scowled. "An empty shell."

James's arm swung out. His fist hit Evan on the jaw and sent him tumbling to the dirt.

James stood frozen, not believing what he had just done. Evan glared up at him, anger and surprise in his large eyes. A thin line of blood ran out from his mouth.

A tense moment of silence passed as they stared at each other.

"This ends now," Sam said, calm yet firm.

James tried to steady his breaths, but was still shocked at what he had done. Evan rose onto his feet. His desert cloak was covered in dirt.

"I mean it," Sam said. "We cannot go on with the two of you like this."

James and Evan held each others eyes. A part of James knew that there was no going back from this. He had crossed a line that had changed everything.

Evan turned to look back the way they had come. It was then that James realised there were figures approaching, walking down the road towards them.

Three of them - broad shouldered and rounded, hairless heads - easily cleared seven feet, while the other two were more human-proportioned. As they got closer, James's heart jolted when he recognised the leading man.

The hunter from earlier, Audlin, walked up the road with three Mukks. A dark-skinned man in brown, close-fitting robes accompanied them. A long, curved sword was in Audlin's hand, and his men also had their weapons drawn–the Mukks carried two staffs and a hammer, while the dark man had a knife in each hand, connected by a rope on the handles.

Dust drifted in the air as their booted steps came to a stop several feet away.

"Fancy that, running into you fellas again," Audlin said with a surprised tone that fooled no one. "Heading out of town, are we?"

"We had settled our business together," Sam said in a tight voice. "No one wants any more trouble."

"Oh, I agree," Audlin said, nodding and tightening his brows. "You had settled your business. But, I haven't settled mine. Now, we don't need to get messy like last time. I realised I went about things the wrong way." He held up a heavy looking sack, around the size of a head. "This here is filled with gold coins. Ten thousand worth. A tidy little nest. So make it easy for us all. Give us the lengki, and this is all yours. You can even keep the sceptre too."

As if to emphasise his point, Audlin shook the sack, its contents clinking.

Evan stepped forward. "No more, huntsman," he said harshly, trembling with rage. "Gods children are not for buying. It baffles me how people like you think they can take what they want, with no consequences."

"You're wrong there, short-step." Audlin said. "Every action has a consequence, of that I'm certain. Now it's up to you fellas to choose your next actions. And face the consequences."

"No more," Evan said, his teeth bared. "I will end you, here. You have made a grave mistake returning."

A smirk crossed Audlin's stubbled face. "Suits me. You'll fetch me a high price. By tomorrow you'll be shackled and gagged. Mark my words."

Evan cried out, his anger giving his voice a shrill edge. He drew his sword from over his shoulder and stomped towards Audlin and his men.

"Evan, wait," Sam called out.

James gave Sam a quick look, but Sam was already moving in Evan's wake.

James's temple throbbed as he quickly caught up to them. He was still hot from his argument with Evan, but now his heart raced even more. He kept his sword sheathed, hoping he would not have to use it.

But when Evan met Audlin, the battle began.

**********

Continued in Part Two

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