Chapter called "Rival" from The Seekers: Kirin
Here's one chapter from my second book, a fantasy adventure novel called The Seekers: Kirin. Feel free to leave your comments! If you want to read the whole thing, my books are available on many platforms in both electronic and paperback forms. And if you don’t want to buy my books but still want to support me, I’m on Patreon. And if you prefer one-time payments, you can Buy Me A Pizza or a Coffee.
https://www.chantireviews.com/2024/08/29/the-2024-ozma-short-list-for-fantasy-fiction/
Even before the green rays of the morning sun woke me up, my ears could hear the pretty calls of the early birds. I blinked, shielding my eyes from the blinding light, letting the sweet air into my lungs, and, yawning, I stretched my whole body.
Life is wonderful! I wanted to think, but the dream that I had would not let me. Oh, Suvvar. Why did we lie to our parents? We never swore to be silent, but it just seemed necessary. Maybe that deed was your first step toward darkness?
I did not spend much time pondering those heavy thoughts. That was the past, and I wanted to live in the present. My loved ones waited for me back home. Even though I preferred traveling with a friend, this time the gem was nearby, and these parts were never known for bandits or big predators. If I were lucky, I could still get back before dawn.
I searched for my pickaxe but found nothing but shards. Typical. Those explosions always made me buy new equipment. After checking that my prize was safely stored inside my bag, the descent began.
If it was easier than the climb up, I couldn't feel it. I still had to make sure my support was solid. I still had to think a few steps ahead of me. And I still had to use my strength.
The view, however, was exceptional. The endless green sky was fraught with a few Land crumbs and flocks of birds. The giant crystal of the Big Market towered in the distance. The colorful Lands spread to the horizon. To my right, I saw the White Mountains, and to my left, the Whistlers. I'd climbed those mountainsides before but never saw them from this angle. Their snowy peaks, contrasting with dark stone, looked magnificent.
Before long, the mountain slope slowly became a surface I could walk on. More vegetation appeared in my way, and more life. With fervor, I trotted back home by the familiar path. The gentle wind played in the tree branches, making a terrific noise I always loved.
A branch broke somewhere close. Before I could disregard it as a noise of a small animal, from behind the bushes in front of me appeared two people. Two Saxum.
I froze immediately. My heart began its race. My hand gripped the handle of my trusty sword. I wished it made me feel better, but it did not. The one on the right was all too familiar to me. His dark-blue skin, four small milky-white eyes, big square jaw, brown brigandine, and the sorrowful look on the face — I grew to hate everything in Suvvar. His bag was small, and his weapon was only a sword, so it was clear he didn’t plan to go far or encounter a hard fight.
The one on the left seemed familiar, but barely. All four of his big, green eyes looked more at Suvvar than at me. His equipment seemed similar to his buddy’s, but his demeanor wasn’t. His twitchy body was overflowing either with energy, or fear. His eyes were equally unresting.
My last fight with Suvvar flashed before my eyes. The buddy I was with lost his leg that day. Suvvar's pal ended up with a spear protruding from his belly. Blood was everywhere. My fear, my pain, the screams, the grunting, curses, the clangs of steel — they were so real! And those hateful eyes... After that day, my plea was finally granted, and Suvvar was disciplined. Beaten and told the errors of his ways. Until now, he submitted. Yet even though I hoped our encounter was coincidental, I did not believe it.
“Hello, Suvvar.” I used my most pleasant voice. “And hello to your friend. You’re on a hunt, I take it?”
Suvvar looked at me from head to toe, noticing the blood on my pant leg and a wide cut on my upper garment. His mouth twitched for a mere moment. Then, his eyes stared somewhere next to my right shoulder.
“Just give it to me.” He swallowed, trying to make it unnoticed.
When these words reached my ears, I drowned in hot hatred. My blood boiled. My knuckles became white, squeezing the handle of my sword.
“Just…” Suvvar extended his arm. “Give it to me, and we’ll go.”
I gazed into the eyes I used to know so well and could not find anything familiar. His buddy was silent; his hand was not resting on the hilt. Yet, there was something sinister in how he moved constantly and looked around.
Having gathered all of my will, I answered. “It fell down the cliff. I managed to destroy the protector, as you can see, but the gem fell after the explosion. I was going to find it, but since you two are here and armed, I'll pass. I value my life, you know.”
Suvvar’s eyes were looking lower and lower as I spoke, and now he studied the soil under my feet. Yet, his face tensed.
“We'll have to search you.” He didn’t look at me.
The hilt of my sword fit my palm nicely. "Yeah, right."
Now, Suvvar’s buddy reached for his sword. What’s that? For a brief moment, I saw a shine of water in Suvvar's eyes…
My legs pushed the ground, and I jolted away. Running as quickly as I could, I rushed through vegetation. Pushing away the branches, jumping over the roots, I hoped my pursuers had already lost me.
"You crumbling chalk!" I heard right behind me.
The cold fear gripped me, yet the flow of my hot blood was so strong it did not matter. I heard the crushed branches behind me, the heavy stomps, the curses — and my only wish was to run faster.
I jumped over the fallen tree, then rushed to the left. The trees were less dense, but I used the open space to gain speed. I ran to the right. Jumped over the small stream. Jolted to the left. My breath was so fast. The sounds of the pursuit were still right behind me…
A bolt of pain pierced my scapula. My legs hit one another, almost making me fall. Somehow, I managed and kept running. Each beat of my racing heart now echoed not only in my ears but also in my back. Each movement proved to be more painful and exhausting than the last.
I jolted to the side and rushed across the grove. Jumped over some rocks. Ducked under the branch. The wind was so strong in my ears…
Shit!
Another bolt of pain hit my back. They really want to kill me! It helped me keep my speed, but each passing moment drained me. The deadly panic crept into my mind. Before it broke me, a familiar sound reached my ears. It ran fast, and it was heavy. But unlike me, it never tired, never gave up.
I rushed towards it, feeling my strength dwindling. A gorgeous sight appeared: a wide and fast river. The waters were crashing into the boulders, making lots of foam and sprays. On the banks grew big trees with broad crowns. And one such crown was so broad, I could probably just make it.
Without thinking, I rushed towards it. I gained speed, and at the very edge, leaped across the river. My body slashed the air, and my hands grabbed the vine that grew on the giant tree on the opposite bank. The vine held my weight, swinging me across the water. I let it go and rolled upon landing on the other bank.
I did not look back. I didn't know if my pursuer crossed the river the same way. I just ran. And ran. But before long, my strength left me entirely. My legs began to stumble. The picture in my eyes became dark and blurry. My whole body became heavy, and the pain in my back seemed to swallow me. I fell into total darkness.
Thank you for your attention! I hope you liked the chapter.
The book is available on:
Amazon Non-US (eBook and softcover)(too many links)
Kobo Non-US (eBook)(too many links)
Google Play Books for different countries (eBook)(too many links)
Denmark online bookstores
Netherlands online bookstores
You can also read a chapter called Jani-Fe from my other book, The Seekers: Perrin Peters, right here on Wrizzit!
https://www.wrizzit.com/post/chapter-called-jani-fe-from-the-seekers-perrin-peters