Free Eternal Forest: Savage Rising by Joe Naff Page B

warrior to retrieve the sword. As his hand wrapped around the helm, he noticed her metal breastplate rise and fall. She was still breathing. To his astonishment, she was still alive. He retrieved the blade and rushed back to the others.
                  Sansehr’s biceps looked ready to burst from under his skin. His hands were on Heeska’s shoulders, keeping the balisekt’s snapping jaws at bay. Grappling each other, the two rolled back and forth in the mud like a log in the river. Scrapes and scratches covered his arms from Heeska’s furiously whirling claws.
                  The balisekt finally managed to get one of Sansehr’s hands to slide off his wet scales, freeing his right arm. Seizing the opportunity, Heeska reared back with his claws, preparing for a final blow, but Sansehr proved too quick. With the balisekt’s body exposed, Sansehr reacted with a swift but powerful punch into Heeska’s throat. The deathblow was cancelled as Heeska instead grasped at his own neck. Falling to his side, the balisekt struggled to breathe.
                  Free once again, Sansehr shot to his feet and raced through the mud towards Azalea. The young girl was still dragging his mighty sword away, and she was nearly to the backside of the ruined jail. She looked up as he approached, letting out a small scream just before his massive hand grasped around her throat. She released the sword, letting it fall into the mud. Her hands clawed and beat against Sansehr’s hand, but it was all in vain. The Lord of Meadowgold lifted her off the ground and high above his head. Her tiny feet kicked wildly, but touched only raindrops on their way to the ground.
                  “Enough of your sorcery and treachery.” Sansehr grunted. “This madness ends…” A loud squish ended Sansehr’s sentence. His eyes shot wide open as a trail of blood ran down the corner of his mouth. Dumbfounded, he looked down to see the tip of a blade protruding from his chest. He released Azalea as the blade withdrew back through his body, letting her crash back down into the mud. With weary steps, Sansehr turned around to see Zehlyr standing behind him. The boy had Viyana’s sword in his clutches, the blade stained with his own blood.
                  Sansehr fell to his knees with a loud squish. His eyes were locked with Zehlyr’s frightened gaze. “T…traitor…” he whispered before crashing face-first into the mud.
                  Weak legged and breathing heavily, Zehlyr reached down and helped Azalea to her feet. The storm was weakening, but the rain continued to pour down. Zehlyr felt a scaly hand rest on his shoulder. He looked up and behind him. Heeska was at his side, nodding with approval and gratitude. The sight made the full weight of the situation sit heavily on his mind. He had slain the Lord of Meadowgold to save the life of a balisekt. He was a traitor, and wouldn’t be able to remain in the village.
                  “Thank you,” Heeska said warmly. “I know what you sacrificed by saving me.”
                  “We should run,” Zehlyr said somberly. There’s nothing here for us anymore.” Banded together, the trio set off for the eastern Wilds. It wasn’t the Savage Lands, but even the unsettled forest within the Lands of Order had its dangers. Now, they would have to call them home. The winds stopped blowing and the thunder became only an echo in the distance, but the rain still fell. Heeska reached the trees and crossed over into the Wilds, followed closely by Azalea. Zehlyr held his breath, preparing to leave his home forever.”
                  “Zehlyr!”
                  He paused and turned around. Cherin stood a few paces away, his clothes soaked, and his face a chaotic mix of confusion and anger. For a long time, they just stood there, staring into each other’s eyes. Zehlyr didn’t know what to say.