Deke Brolin Rhol by Doug Backus Read Free Book Online

they had found their prey. Jayden immediately began to advance on them but the first strike would not be his. Six of the elders jumped in front of him and tackled the Ralcriff. It was an honorable gesture that cost them their lives in a matter of seconds. The Ralcriff stood proudly over their kill, their thick fur matted with the blood of Jayden’s brothers. They were joined by six more and several others moved in behind them. They stood and stared at the Lealians, as if looking for fear in their eyes. After finding none they bound toward them snarling, with their chiseled teeth gleaming in the torch light of the tunnel.
    Jayden heard a whistle of sorts and a slight breeze brushed by his ear. A Ralcriff was upon him causing them both to come crashing to the ground. Its foul breath turned his stomach. The weight of the beast made it hard to breathe. He instinctively lunged forward throwing the motionless creature to the side. Blood was spurting everywhere. More Ralcriff began to let out high pitched whines before dropping dead to the ground, feet from where he lay. He could see that Orler arrows were what caused their demise. The whistle he had heard had been an arrow flying by in search of its target. It had found its mark with no time to spare.
    Oisin’s hand appeared in front of him and as Jayden grabbed it, he was pulled to his feet.  
    “Oisi n, you have returned. Well done!”
    Oisin passed Jayden a sword . “Jayden, we came with all we could carry. I left Kaelyn and Palvoy at the rear to shoot Orler Arrows for as long as they lasted. I am afraid there were less than sixty at the depot. We could carry only five swords each. The thirteen elders standing behind you now have one, along with you and me.” 
    “O isin, you have done us proud.” 
    The Ralcriff continued to fall lifelessly to the ground as the Orler arrows twisted and turned around the Lealian warriors striking the beasts down. In the hands of a Lealian the magic contained within the Orler tree came alive. A Lealian needed only to think of their intended target and the Orler arrows would find their mark every time.
    “K eep moving back toward the depot until the Orler arrows have run out. Once that time comes we will fight with our swords. If one man drops at the hands of a Ralcriff, than the next will pick up his sword until victory is ours.” Jayden instructed.
    The Lealian s’ faces were beaded with sweat as they edged back toward the Depot. They all knew the Orler arrows would not last. It was not the sweat of fear but that of anticipation. They were born to fight, to protect their heritage.
    Their gap to safety was closing. Palvoy and Kaelyn continued to fire their arrows at a rapid pace. The Ralcriff stood no chance while the arrows lasted.  
    Jayden was sure that the young warriors would have led the women and children to the safety of the Depot by now. They themselves had only a short distance to go. Jayden had carefully counted the Ralcriff that had dropped to their demise. It would soon be time to fight with swords. As quick as the thought had crossed his mind, he heard Kaelyn yelling from the rear. 
    “Shooting the last two arrows!” 
    Two Ralcriff dropped in front of Jayden and the fighting tactics changed dramatically. Jayden took the head off the first one that neared his men. He was one of the most skilled swordsmen in Leal; his father had spent countless hours teaching him close quarter swordsmanship.
    He had dropped another three by the time the Lealian warriors suffered their first casualty. Many more would follow as the Ralcriff continued their relentless attack. It wouldn’t stop the Lealians though. They continued to strike out at the Ralcriff. If one warrior got tired another took up his sword; if one fell, another would pick his sword up, seamlessly continuing the fight. 
    Jayden glanced at the walls of the tunnel. The sparkle of trite stone glimmered back at him. This told him they were less than one hundred yards away