The Collective by Kenan Hillard Read Free Book Online Page B

seeing the arrangements Keera protested. “Oh, no. This
will not do.”
    “Sorry.” Naomi confessed. “There is no separate room for
you. Being alone here has its dangers.”
    Keera understood, but it did not subdue her anger. “It’s
still an outrage. You can’t just assume...”
    “Relax, I’ll grab the floor.” Abel said attempting to end
Keera’s rant. “Let’s not cause a scene.”
    Keera paused for a moment. This was not the time to argue.
She wanted to come along and supporting Abel was her first priority. “You’re
right. Except I’ll take the floor. You have a tournament to win.”
    Keera covered the light from the crude lamp. The room was
dark except for the light seeping under the offset door. She grabbed the
tattered sheet and stretched out on the floor. Abel settled into the mattress
hearing the springs shifting to support his weight. When was the last time he
was in anything resembling a bed? Laying in the darkness Abel thought of his
deceased parents. They were gone, but somehow he had found a new family. Where
had Isnor come from? Dragging him from the streets similar to an elder
watchman. Keera never explained what became of her father and why she was
trading alone. It appeared she did not want to go back home. She complained,
but stayed fervently by Abel’s side. This ragtag group was his aid and under
his protection. As he drifted off to sleep, he knew he would not let them down.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 6
    THE TOURNAMENT
     
     
    “Hey! Get up. It’s time. Leave your weapons.” Abel was
awoken by the guard’s voice in the doorway. The morning light outlined his body
and illuminated the room. Keera lay still asleep on the floor. The guard looked
at Abel then Keera. Abel knew what he was thinking. He jumped up and wiped his
face with a towel and adjusted his clothes while attempting to wake Keera. She
stretched herself and stood up. Abel offered her the bread left by the guard.
He handed Keera his weapons, more for her safety than a fear of them being
stolen. She wiped off her clothes as she stole a kiss on his cheek. “Good
luck.”
    Abel held her by the shoulders looking in her eyes. “I’m
gonna need it.”
    Abruptly Isnor burst into the room. “Let’s go!  No time for
dallying. You left your weapons right? Ok. Did you eat?” Abel was unable to get
a word in. He could sense Isnor’s excitement and trepidation. “Here.” Isnor
shoved the bread in his hand and ushered him out of the room. Abel looked over
his shoulder and shrugged at Keera.
    The tournament was held monthly depending on the interest
Warden received. It was exactly a month since the last gathering. He had
finally gotten the pool of talent he strived for. The young and old, came from
all around seeking their fortune. Winning the prize was only part of the
appeal.  Many past winners were brought into Warden’s family if they showed
loyalty. Combatants would compete numerous times before he trusted their skills.
It was a training ground and the water was a small price to pay. Many traded
the water before they left the building. Others pledged their winnings back to
Warden as an oath of fidelity. It would be interesting to see how Abel would
react if he won, Warden thought. Could he be persuaded to join the cause?
Warden needed more good men who hated Xonox if his plans were going to reach
fruition.
    Brutal was the word to describe the experience. Abel sat
holding the gash under his eye.  It was one of the many wounds he received in
the arena. The first bout consisted of his opponent attempting to kick him out
of the ring. He caught Abel across the face almost knocking him out of the
circle. Luckily Abel recovered and delivered a vicious blow to the man’s temple
ending the fight abruptly. His next opponent was cut from a piece of stone.
Screaming words of a violent death he charged Abel. Using his momentum against
him Abel literally threw the man to the outer sand. He lay motionless until his
handlers