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Kolmakarr

RachnaKhan threw his coat angrily at one of his servants while he handed the reins of his warhorse to another. "Welcome back my lord." An official greeted him: "How did your punitive expedition fare?" A moment later he regretted his question. "Don't annoy me, human!" RachnaKhan growled: "I want to meet with my ministers in two hours. Make sure they are there." "Yes my lord!"

The aging lord was more than annoyed. Three weeks ago, a horde of goat people attacked a village near the northern border of his land. The area was poor and underdeveloped, still he couldn't ignore such a provocation. So he armed his troops for war and marched to the north. By the time they arrived, another village had been attacked and burned to the ground and again, the attackers had fled into the inaccessible mountains. The same thing happened two more times and except for a few scouts his troops caught, they hadn't been able to press them to a decisive battle. No one knew where those goats came from and why they attacked that poor region, but finally RachnaKhan was forced to commit the leadership over his troops to one of his officers so he could return to the capital, the tournament was only a week away. Who should substitute for him at the tournaments opening ceremony? Neighboring lords would see it as a sign of weakness if he wasn't there.

Less than two hours later, Kolmakarr's administration awaited their lord's orders. RachnaKhan had barely found the time to change clothes, now he listened to the reports of his ministers: "...preparations for the monsoon period are almost complete..." He had trouble following the report, but everything seemed normal in his capital. "What about the preparations for the tournament?" RachnaKhan finally asked impatient. "We're almost done with them as well. The battle grounds are prepared, we've arrested some notorious pickpockets and tricksters and all our taverns are prepared to host the participants and other guests." "Good, how many participants do we have?" "Almost four-hundred and there's still one day left for registration." Four-hundred even, an increase compared to the last tournament. Maybe this was a good sign, RachnaKhan's mood improved again. In less than three weeks the tournament would be over and he would be able to resume his fight against those bandits to the north. He did his best to follow the rest of the conference more attentively.

The western gates of Kolmakarr

It almost felt like a victory parade. Kuarnuk knew he wasn't welcome here and the glances of the peasants were clear: They disliked him but feared him as well, they looked at him, then looked down, resuming their daily routine like nothing had happened. Usually he would teach such rebellious humans and Amandir a lesson in deference, but he needed to hold back. They would learn to obey, soon enough. By his side was lady Eria, the antelope feeling much better now that they were in this tropical climate. She wore a black satin robe, d?collet?, revealing and surely expensive. Apparently she needed to arouse attention, not that she was Kuarnuk's type. Too slender, too small. Behind them marched a group of fifteen Boar warriors. He had spent almost his last money to buy them surcoats and boots to at least make them look like disciplined soldiers.

When the small troop arrived at the gate, they were stopped by a human soldier. It was clearly visible that the young man felt rather unsettled: "Prince Kuarnuk, what... what is your desire? You know your father doesn't want you in his capital." The tiger's eyes seemed to bore through the guard: "Then call my father and I will name my desire." "But-" "Now!" Kuarnuk growled. The guard retreated towards his guardhouse, never taking his eyes from the prince or his escort. With a few short words he ordered one of his fellow guards to run to the palace.

"Kuarnuk! Why are you here? Why aren't you in your domain like I had ordered?" When he heard the news, RachnaKhan had rushed to the gate immediately. His second son was a poor fighter, but a dangerous schemer, the fact that he had returned couldn't mean any good. "Father, how nice to see you." Kuarnuk smiled a fake smile: "Yes, you sent me to that puny domain, but you also proclaimed that every nobleman can come to Kolmakarr to participate in the tournament, isn't that right?" RachnakKhan growled: "Right, those were my announcements." "So, I've just come here to participate in your tournament, nothing less and nothing more." "The tournament?" The lord almost had to laugh: "But you have never been a good fighter, you will bring disgrace over you." "Still, it's my decision and since you've banished me, no disgrace will come over you. Or do you just bring this up so you don't have to keep your word given to every nobleman? That would be unworthy for you. Besides, I think I have a few tricks up my sleeves that might turn the tables during the tournament." "Fine." RachnaKhan finally resigns: "You're welcome in Kolmakarr, but only during the tournament. Go to my sword-master and tell him in which disciplines you want to participate." Already turning, the ruler addressed his son again: "And make sure your guards behave, there's no special treatment for them."

Kolmakarr one week later

The slender blade buzzed as it cut through the air, dashing towards it's target. But instead, it crashed into another, no lesser deadly sword, sparks flying as iron scraped against iron, before the two fighters separated again.

Now Keshi was in her element. Her opponent, a brave, yet not very skilled Amandir, was panting heavy, his eyes revealing his desperation. The cat was fast, but she was as well and he lacked both her strength and her training. She almost had him two times before, but each time he escaped her sword, battered but not yet defeated. The princess enjoyed the moment, sure, the swords were edgeless and the fight was just about hitting the opponent, but the adrenaline was real and so was the crowd which encouraged her.

The tigress launched her next attack, feigning an attack from the left, then suddenly turning around and attacking from the right. The poor boy had hardly enough time to yank his sword around and to repel the attack. He stumbled back, the power of the blow almost causing him to drop the sword.

Oh, how much she enjoyed the fight, it was almost like a hunt. She had observed her opponent, found out about his ways of fighting, his strengthen and weaknesses and now she had him right where she wanted him. Letting her blade slip off his sword, she let it sway to his other flank and with a quick, powerful stroke, she slammed the weapon against his sword again, causing it to fly in an high arc and landing in the sand a few steps away. Immediately, her young opponent fell to his knees, taking on a submissive pose, almost glad that it was over.

Kia turned around, letting her eyes wander over the jubilant crowd, now standing on the benches of the stand. Sure, some may have had objections against her because she was a hybrid, but she still was their princess and her victory against that unknown fighter had been superior. Finally her eyes met those of her father. He had remained his distance expression, sitting on his improvised throne, but in his eyes, she clearly noticed his pride as he nodded almost unnoticeable. Seven more fights until she could take the golden sword of the tournament-winner out of his hands.

Kolmakarr one hour later

Kuarnuk panted heavy. This fight was harder than he had expected. He took a moment to examine his opponent. A mid-aged, sturdy Da'Chora, a wolf. Usually the Khoncha were considered superior to them, at least in battle, but Kuarnuk had never been a good fighter. Now he charged against the swordsman in front o him, his jagged saber menacing raised, growling at the wolf with overt hatred.

The blade made an unpleasant shrieking sound as the Do'chora parried and metal scratched over metal. Kuarnuk jumped back to avoid his opponents answer, not the first time in this battle. But this time, the sword was swung rather sloppily. Well, at least the innkeeper had kept his word. In a fair fight, Kuarnuk would have lost already, but thanks to those herbs he smuggled into the wolfs meal, the odds were in his favor now. Still it was a hard fight, harder than he had imagined, the herbs only caused a minor malaise. "If only Eria would be here." The tiger thought, she would have been able to take him out with one of her spells. But the sorceress wasn't in town as she had another, much more important job for her to do.

As his mind drifted of, Kuarnuk noticed the new attack of his opponent a moment too late. He barely had time to lift his sword as the edgeless blade hit him hard on his shoulder. He whirled around, screaming in agony, but from the pain and the humiliation. Luckily, his attack had brought the wolf closer to him now, before falling to the ground, Kuarnuk grabbed the back of the warriors head, pulled and shoved him past himself, as the wolf passed him, Kuarnuk slammed his foot into his way, making the wolf tremble and fall into the sand.

Immediately, the warrior jumped back to his feet, but he had turned his back towards Kuarnuk for a moment too long. The Khoncha took his saber into his left, hand, feeling that his right wouldn't serve him at all after he got hit and slammed it with force against the wolf's head, causing him to pass out immediately.

With a grim smile, Kuarnuk looked down at his defeated opponent, blood ran out of a nasty wound where he hit his head, but he was still breathing when two or three aides came and put him onto a gurney. The tiger looked up, he had fought only in a small arena, surely a way of his father to show him he wasn't welcome here and indeed, the audience only granted him a minimum of applause.

It didn't mattered to him, there would be another moment where they would celebrate him, would have to celebrate him. Hurt, grim, but sufficiently satisfied with the battle, he left the arena, this would be his last fight in it, he was sure about that.

The palace of Kolmakarr, four hours later

Lord Rachna Khan wasn't a friend of huge banquets and after the first round of the tournament, there wasn't really much to celebrate. Still, he had invited some of the more promising warriors of the town. Here he sat on a large dining table, filled with a hearty meal. A mutton, other meat, vegetables, flat bread, figs and of course, wine. His daughter was the guest of honor, of course, but there were also three more successful warriors, a bard and of course Takash. The old tiger had been RachnaKhan's trainer many years ago and he was still a good friend, one that could comprehend his enthusiasm for a good sword-fight.

"I raise my glass for our mighty princess!" Takash stood up and revered Keshi again. It wasn't the first time this evening and the princess nodded friendly, but a little bit bored as well. Sure, her father had invited her to this and sure, she was the guest of honor, but she had to fight the other day again and she really wasn't in a good mood for this kind of company. She wasn't in a good mood for any kind of company at all. She would have preferred to go into her quarters, her swords were her best friends after all. But here she was and everyone around her seemed to enjoy the evening. The young tigress again sipped on her wine.

About half an hour later, the door into the party hall was violently pushed open, when a human warrior came rushing in: "My lord, my lord!" He exclaimed, panting heavy. He old lord stood up resentful, some of his men had laid their hands on their swords "What is it?" RachnaKhan growled. "My, my lord the northern gate. They are under attack!" The man stumbled, blood ran down his right arm. "Under attack? By whom?" RachnaKhan demanded to know. "The boars, one, one of them came to the gates, drunk, provoking us guards. When we tried to grab him to throw him into a drunk cell, more of those beasts emerged, attacking us." "Kuarnuk's men." Takash stated. "Yes! I knew they would cause trouble. Takash, gather your men, we'll teach them a lesson. Servants, take care of this wounded here."

Keshi's mood raised. Sure she should have felt worry or anger that there was fighting in her fathers town, but there was also the chance for her to fight in a real battle. Like the other warriors in the room, she quickly grabbed her weapon and ran into her quarters, putting on her armor and boots, before she followed her father onto the empty streets of the town.

They were about 20 men and women. Twelve palace guards, five local participants of for the tournament and of course Takash, Keshi and Lord RachnaKhan. While the latter were the only tigers in the group, the rest consisted of humans, Amandir and a lone wolf. Enough to deal with those undisciplined boar warriors Kuarnuk had brought into town. If needed, RachnaKhan would deal with his son himself in the end, this was finally the chance to ban him from his lands for good. The small battle-group marched north, towards the gate and Keshi thought she could already hear the sound of fighting, metal slashing against metal, curses and cries of pain and triumph.

Only halfway towards the gate, the sounds of battle became closer, more distinct and when the group turned around a corner, they saw a small battlefield. Six or seven guardsmen were fighting a considerable bigger group of attackers and it looked like the clubs and crude spears of the boars and goats were already putting an end to the guards resistance.

With a loud growl, RachnaKhan charged against the enemy. Quickly, some of the boars turned and got prepared themselves for the attack. Keshi, close behind her father almost admired those primitive creatures. Most warriors would have fled just from the sight of three angry Khoncha charging them, but they remained calm and ready for battle, even then RachnaKhan split the skull of his first enemy. Had they just faced certain defeat, the few guards rejoiced and launched a counter attack, driving back their enemies, in a bloody fight.

Now Keshi was also upon her enemies, her blade whirled around, cutting through the wooden handle of an axe, then into an unprotected arm, before she ended the life of her first opponent. Next, she jumped to the side of an already wounded human guard, attracting a goats angry blows, while the other warriors drove back the horde. Keshi parried two fierce blows of her opponents mace, then jumped back to avoid another, jubilating as she heard the hissing sound and the deep cracking sound, as the weapon hit the ground, giving her enough time to launch her counter attack. She grabbed the handle of her sword in both hands and charged her enemy. The goat hardly new what happened to him, but he had neglected his defense and Keshi wasn't going to forgive him that. With a loud battlecry she pushed the blade deep into his chest. With an ugly bubbling sound on his lips, the warrior fell to his side, slipping off the blade.

Less then a minute later, the battle was over. RachnaKhan and his warrior stood surrounded by about a dozen killed enemies, while only one of their own had been killed, out of carelessness, Keshi assumed. The guardsmen had far higher losses, the group initially consisted of maybe 15 men and women, now only five of them were still standing, while three were lucky enough to be still alive, yet had suffered dangerous injuries.

"What happened here?" RachnaKhan demanded to know. One of the guards, the one Keshi had saved, stepped up. He bowed quickly and answered: "My lord, we heard about the fighting at the northern gate. We wanted to aid our comrades there and see what was happening, but we were stopped by these beasts, it looks like they have taken over the gate already." the old warrior Takash examined some of the fallen enemies closer: "My lord, I see at least one of Kuarnuk's guards." His foot kicked against one of the fallen boars: "But there are others I haven't seen in town and the goats? There weren't goats in his entourage." "Maybe some guests, the town is full of strange folk due to the tournament." One of the warriors added to consideration. "No, I would know about those barbarians, they must have come into town through the northern gate." "Kuarnuk." RachnaKhan growled: "I knew he was up to something. We need to find out how bad it is. You!" He pointed to the guardsman who just spoke to him: "Go to the fortress, I need every fighter we can get and you." He choose another guard: "Return to the palace, PaoTir has to prepare my citadel for the worst case." The addressed bowed to their lord and quickly ran into the darkness. "My lord, there are more coming." Takash said, eyes focused into the darkness, swod firm in his hands.

Lady Eria stepped through the northern gate like a triumphator. Her eyes fell dismissively onto some killed guards, lying in their own blood. "Ah Eria, how nice of you to join us." Kuarnuk's slightly mocking voice ruined her moment. The tiger stood surrounded by the chiefs of both the boar and the goat tribe, wearing his swanky armor and the sword which Eria always seemed a bit to big for him. "You almost missed the whole battle." Kuarnuk added with a wide smile: "Everything is going according to plan, in a few hours, all will be over and you'll receive your reward." "Ah, yes, I see. Have you caught that old tiger already?" Eria asked curious. "No, not yet, but it shouldn't take us long now, we already control most parts of the city." Kuarnuk didn't liked tat he had to justify his actions towards a servant, even if it was such a powerful and important figure. Her magic skills, used to cover his main forces, were essential for his plan. With those warriors hidden outside town, all he had to do was open a gate.

"I sure hope it'll be that easy, but I suggest that you don't underestimate him." Eria continued. "I won't. He's old and weak, but he's a fighter, I'll make sure that this will be his last fight. Maybe you could help a bit." Kuarnuk grinned. "Maybe, but you'll have to pay me extra for that." Eria grinned back, only causing the Khoncha to turn and walk over to his officers.

"I- I'm sorry my lord." The guard almost whimpered, panting heavy: "The fortress seems lost. When I arrived, the enemy had surrounded it and I heard the sounds of fighting from inside the building." "Even if they can hold them off for a while, they won't be able to sent help." Takash stated, pulling his sword out of his last enemy. The gray haired Khoncha was wounded himself, blood running down his arm, but he kept a straight face.

A female warrior stepped by their side, their numbers had shrunken down to a handful of warriors, repelling attack after attack. Now the exhausted she-wolf spoke: "We won't be able to hold them off much longer, and we lost the next street over, in a few minutes, they'll have us surrounded." RachnaKhan groaned: "Damn, if I could lay my hands on that treacherous Kuarnuk. The palace?" "Most likely also surrounded by those beasts, we haven't received an answer from both our messengers." Takash replied. After a long pause he added: "My lord, you should consider leaving the town." Both RachnaKhan and his daughter snarled deeply, but it was the lord who spoke: "Admit my defeat?" "It would be a tactical retreat, gather your forces in the jungle, reunite with our army in the north, then encircle Kuarnuk and make him pay." Takash continued. "No! This - this isn't the way a tiger behaves, this is the cowardly behavior of a slave, a servant. Maybe a human could act like this but we... never." Keshi replied. "He's right my daughter." RachnaKhan's head dropped: "There's nothing we can do right now and it wouldn't help if we get killed here. Kuarnuk can't have that many soldiers, if we return later, we can defeat him." "But, no! I'm a warrior, I want to fight, maybe we can still win and if not, we'll at least die as heroes." Keshi protested. "My daughter, I need you by my side. This will be a long war and I can't fight it without you." RachnaKhan explained. "Go my princess, you'll have your victory later, we'll try to give you some time." Takash literally shoved Keshi down the road, towards the southern parts where fighting could still be heard.

Two more guards, both injured, escorted the lord and his daughter towards a safe gate, while the miserable rest of his warriors prepared for their final battle. Keshi had tears in her eyes. Not from sorrow that she had seen that great, gentle sword-master for the last time, not from fear that she had to leave her hometown with uncertain designation, but from shame. She was a warrior, a Khoncha, member of an old and proud race and yet, her father fled the battlefield like a coward. Sure, maybe it was the right thing seen from a tactical point of view, but he had always been a proud and strong leader, how could he flee like this? And even take her with him?

When they turned into the next road, the still open gate already visible, Keshi suddenly turned around and ran the opposite direction: "I'm sorry father. I really am, but you know I have to." She shouted over to him who made no attempt to stop her, knowing very well how a young heart felt.

Keshi held her sword firm in her hand, senses at alert, ready to kill every single enemy that dared to place his dirty boot into her town. She would fight to the end and if she weren't able to archive victory, she would at least die as a hero, someone to remember. She didn't even see the staff coming that hit her forehead, turning her world black.