Free The Zulani Empire: The New Chronicles of Elemental Magic by Andrew Wood Page B

quickened their pace. They slowed as they passed open doorways, just in case any of the creatures happened to be hiding out of sight. Their caution proved invaluable as they discovered two of the beasts savagely ripping the flesh from the body of another fallen guard. Jamal was about to sneak past the opening, when Fabian pulled his arm back. He pointed back down the way they had walked, keeping quiet as he did so.
    Jamal let the younger man lead him back a little. "We can use this door to cut through. It brings us out near my father's study just the same," he said in a low voice. They opened the door and took the alternative route, which after a few more rooms and doors saw them emerge where they needed.
    As soon as they opened the final door that led through to the offices of Prince Issac, they were hit by a scene of gruesome proportions. Bodies of soldiers and the strange Zulani beasts lay scattered across the floor. The fighting here was still continuing as Jamal and Fabian entered the fray. Shouts could be heard from one of the main rooms, which they entered with swords at the ready. A dozen or so guards were struggling to fend off several of the creatures. Amongst them, was somebody they recognised immediately.
    "Father!" Fabian shouted running across the room. Jamal was quick to follow behind him. One of the guards fell before them, as the beast thrust its razor like claws into his midriff. Issac noticed his son approaching amongst the chaotic scenes, "Jamal! Get him out... the way I showed you...Go!" He shouted as loudly as he could. Jamal was torn between helping, and obeying the oath he had sworn. Reluctantly he grabbed Fabians arm, and pulled him back. He turned quickly as he heard another noise in the doorway, only to see three more of the creatures make an appearance.
    The newcomers ignored both Fabian and Jamal, but went straight to the aid of the other beasts attacking Issac's group. "Jamal get him out of here," came the same order again. Fabian struggled against Jamal pulling him toward the side door that led to the study. "Come on Fabian," he shouted, "We are getting out of here." Reluctantly the young royal appeared to relent. Once through the door, Fabian gave a despairing look back in the direction of his father, who was still standing, fighting the creatures. He shut the door and turned to see Jamal already with an unlit torch in hand. "Come on Fabian, I promised your father I would get you to safety," he said entering the smaller side room, and opening up the secret passageway. He replaced his sword into his belt, and grabbed the bag of supplies that had been left there for such an emergency.
    Lighting his lamp, he peered into the small dark tunnel that led somewhere outside the city. Fabian took one last look at the door he had just closed behind him, and darted into the passage. Jamal followed, holding the lamp, before closing the secret doorway. Issac had been right about one thing, the tunnel was certainly only wide enough for one person at a time. In truth, it was barely wide enough for even that.
    They walked through narrow gaps, which occasionally widened just enough for them to stand together, for a long time. For the most part their trip was silent, aside from one or two curses when Jamal banged his head as the ceiling of the tunnel lowered unexpectedly. With no daylight to tell how long they had walked, they kept going. Jamal had no idea how far they had gone, but he reckoned they must have passed out of the city by some distance.
    "Why did you not let me help my Father Jamal?" Fabian asked out of the blue. Jamal was not sure what to say, but had been awaiting the question for quite some time. "Sorry Fabian, your father made me swear him an oath," he eventually replied. Whether the answer was sufficient he was not sure, but Fabian for now, was happy to leave it at that.
    Eventually the tunnel opened out into a much wider area, almost the size of a small room. The problem was, this was also where