Chapter Twenty-Seven

With silence and stealth, the zelinx dropped into the glade. Air billowed from its leathery wings, startling everyone with its sudden appearance. With wings still unfurled, it arched its neck and loosened an ear-splitting shriek, a challenge to any foolish enough to approach. Gnarled fangs jutted from snapping jaws while its yellow, reptilian eyes glowed with malevolence in the flickering torchlight.

Rusk saw only fragments and snippets of the ensuing chaos. He could hear nothing other than a muted and muffled undertone of sound. Somehow, his mind had severed the connection to his hearing and left him with nothing other than the silent spectacle of his people under attack.

It was like this during times of battle.

The pack animals vanished into the night, trampling each other in wild panic as they raced for sanctuary in the trees. Grown men dropped to their knees in abject terror, crying out in fear and raising their hands in supplication to the Mandu. Children, all wide-eyed and horrified, scattered in a hundred different directions while the women attempted to gather and herd the little ones to safety. Confusion reigned as fear wrapped its deadly grip around the hearts of men and beasts.

Without realizing it, Rusk turned to face the creature. He gripped the lance in his hand and hefted it in appreciation. The wooden shaft and steel head were balanced and deadly, ready to attack and destroy. If today be the day, let me die defending my clan!

"You send the creatures to cleanse us of impurities and to root out apostasy," he yelled. He was confident the Mandu could hear even though he could not. "And at times, you seek to test our resolve. To test our mettle!"

He thumped the lance against his chest then raised it to the sky. "But I am ready. I am worthy and you will not find me lacking!"

He stalked toward the creature and an unnatural sense of peace descended over him. It snuffed out his fear, it soothed his anger, it prepared his soul. He knew death awaited but he saw it now as his path, one he was meant to follow. I am the Touri of the Griff clan and my death will bring honor to the clan from the Mandu. Others will follow in my footsteps! He smiled, reveling in the knowledge that no other Touri had before faced such a trial from the Mandu. He would die or he would survive; either way he would be legend. This is a good thing.

The sinuous tail of the beast curled and snaked behind it while deadly talons clawed at the air. Its jaws snapped at those scrambling to get away but it remained stationary, choosing not to pursue. Rusk thought this strange but believed the sight of prey scuttling in every direction perhaps served to confuse it.

Then, a lone figure caught his attention, one who stood unwavering next to the zelinx with his arms outstretched. Rusk peered forward in the dim light, baffled that the zelinx had not devoured the one foolish enough to remain nearby. He wiped his eyes free of sweat and realized who it was.

The Speck. It was the Speck standing tall next to the creature, his arms now folded across his chest. He seemed unafraid. Is he really that stupid? Does he think the beast will not notice him if he remains still?

He felt a hand on his shoulder and he turned. It was Kemp, mouthing words that sounded distant and unintelligible.

Kemp pointed at the Speck, his eyes wild with fury while spittle flew from his mouth. His finger jabbed toward the Speck but Rusk gave up trying to understand. He needed to concentrate and face the challenge prepared by the Mandu. The challenge he now realized was his sole reason for existence. Everything had been distilled down to this moment and it was clear this was the very essence for his being. He could see that now. He needed to prove his worth.

Rusk turned back to the beast and again hefted the lance, ready to attack. But Kemp snatched the weapon from him and lurched forward, mouthing more words Rusk could not hear.

No! This is my calling, my duty! Rusk felt shocked and robbed. Anger surged through him as he watched Kemp charge the beast, stealing from him the sacred test posed by the Mandu. I have failed you. I am not worthy!

With Rusk looking on in misery and defeat, Kemp drew close to the zelinx and flung the lance at the Speck. Rusk was confused, thinking Kemp would have attacked the zelinx. It is just as well, that Speck must die! He has to pay. Kemp's aim was true and the lance arced toward the Speck with deadly accuracy. Instead, the weapon was swatted from the air by the enraged beast.

It was then the Speck gave a minute gesture of his hand and the tail of the zelinx speared forward, skewering Kemp through his chest. Rusk could see the barbed tip protruding from his back as he was dragged forward thrashing and screaming in agony toward the beast.

Powerless to stop the horror before him from unfolding, Rusk turned away from the spectacle just as the zelinx began ripping Kemp limb from limb.

"My Touri!" Some remote part of his mind registered that his hearing had returned. It was Gilmer, pulling at his arm. "Quickly my Touri, we must get you to safety! Please come."

They were alone in the glade with the Speck and the creature; all others had vanished. The zelinx tore at Kemp's body while the Speck stared out into the blackness of the night, his face obscured by the shadows. Something is not right here. Why doesn't the zelinx attack the Speck? It doesn't make any sense. He allowed himself to be led away, realizing there was nothing he could do. He had no weapon and his strength had fled, leaving him trembling like a newborn.

Fear and confusion filled him. The ferocity of the beast was overwhelming and he knew then he would have been the one torn asunder had not Kemp intervened. There was no glory in that. There was nothing his death would have inspired. As they reached the shelter of the cave opening, he realized he was a fool. It was the Mandu. They did not send the beast to test him—they sent the beast to destroy him. They believe me to be unworthy to be Touri!

And then there was the Speck, standing invincibly with the zelinx. What did it all mean? Could the Speck have somehow trained the creature? Impossible! His mind reeled trying to put these pieces together. He didn't understand it and the whole notion seemed implausible, but he remembered the hand motion of the Speck which seemed to trigger the attack on Kemp. They were working together. That's the only explanation!

From the cave mouth, Rusk watched as the zelinx unfurled its wings and rose into the air with a deafening shriek. Gobbets of flesh and entrails dangled from its talons and jaws as the black night enveloped it. The Speck was nowhere to be found.

A sense of relief washed over him but was tainted by anger and the knowledge that the Speck had been instrumental in the death of his Tourinar. And that revelation forced him to acknowledge the Mandu were correct in their assessment: he was weak and unworthy. He had allowed that Speck to live when he should have been eliminated as soon as his presence was made known. And now, Rusk realized, he was paying the price for his tolerance.

"At least one good thing has come out of this," said Gilmer.

"And what would that possibly be?" Rusk had never been able to tolerate Gilmer and allowed the venom in his voice to drip over his words, showing his disdain for the sniveling little man.

"The mule fled in terror." Gilmer pointed out to the empty glade. "Caddo is gone."

In spite of himself, Rusk allowed a faint smile to appear. He's right. I have to give him credit for that. Caddo is gone and he will be swallowed by the Wastelands, his bones left scattered across the desert for scavengers to gnaw.

Then, not caring what Gilmer or anyone else thought, he threw back his head and laughed. My enemy is destroyed and when I see the Speck dead, maybe then the Mandu will see my worth. He turned from the glade and headed to his chamber, his mind churning with plans.

There was work to be done.

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Once again, thanks for reading.  I would appreciate it if you could muster the energy needed to push that vote button!  By the way, has Wyatt slipped over to the dark side?  Did his revenge put you off?  Let me know what you think!