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Chapter Nine

The Equoya King looked at the man in the practice yard from the balcony. They were young men, spry and ready to die for their kingdom; each chest was bare on the hot day after the rain, but proudly flowing down their back was the dark blue cape of the Equoya kingdom.

“You seem concerned my King.” A cloaked woman stepped out, black hair flowing from under the hood, eyes hidden from the light.

“I fear for the young Telek, she’s not as strong as her sister and Raduko…he must be heart broken.”

“There is conflict within the group.” The woman explained. “Raduko and Tonya are clashing as though the other is the enemy.”

“Is there hope for them?” He turned to face her. She was silent for a brief moment.

“A bond may form between the men, one is already forming between the swordsmen and the Telek, but…” She hesitated. “Raduko will fight by her side by order only.”

“Do you regret what you did?”

“No.” She stated simply. “It is their destiny.”


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When Tonya stepped off the staircase she gazed around the bar area, Storm and Raduko sat at a table in silence, Storm turned his head and smiled while Raduko shifted his gaze to the window.
“Are you ok?” Storm asked. Tonya opened her mouth to answer but the words stopped dead in her throat, she nodded.

“So where are we heading to?” Raduko asked.

She cleared her throat. “I erm…There’s another village not too far from here, we need supplies.”

“Why hasn’t your sister destroyed that one?”

“Where else would she get supplies?” Her eyes narrowed at him. “They were co-operative but they don’t like Roku anymore than us so they may co-operate with us instead.”

“Fine.” Raduko stood. “Let us go then.” He threw open the door and stepped out. Tonya sighed; she didn’t know what she had done to anger the guard this time, Storm gave her a sympathetic look and followed Raduko. Tonya stepped out into the clear air and led the way back into the trees. Wet branches from the bushes and trees brushed across their legs, arms and face, in the distance a horse driven wagon rattled along the dirt path towards the castle. Tonya turned her head, following the sound, and thought of her sister.

Thinking of me, sweet sister?

Tonya glanced over her shoulder.

Raduko has your knife and is thinking of stabbing you in the back.

Tonya looked over her shoulder at Raduko who glared at her; she hesitated for a moment and then reached behind her back. Roku laughed.

I can’t believe you fell for that! But he is planning your demise; they all end with you dieing slowly. Storm’s in on it too.

“Stop it Roku. She mumbled.

Why? I’m your big sister and it’s my duty to torture you.

“Tonya?” Storm placed his hand on her shoulder, startling her.

“Yes Storm?”

“Are you alright? You look tense.” She gave him a sideways glance. “What is she doing?”

“Teasing me.”

“Try to ignore her, talk to us.”

She nodded. “There might be a weapons store Raduko, don’t you need a new bow and arrows?”

“I’ll get a sword too.” He mumbled.

To kill you while you sleep or maybe when you’re awake when you least expect it.

Tonya’s eye twitched. Storm noticed.

“Tonya?”

He’ll get your boyfriend to help too knowing you won’t attack him. She laughed again.

“Shut up!” She drew her sword, holding it tight and ready to attack. “Shut up and face me!”

Soon Tonny, soon. It’s more fun to tease you at the moment.

“No! NOW!”

“Tonya calm down!” Raduko lunged forward to grab her wrist but she stepped back and slashed his right palm.

“Tonya!” Storm wrapped his arms around her from behind and held her tight. “Tonya calm down, this is what she wants!”

“Either face me or stop this game! Do you hear me Roku!?” She didn’t hear anything and felt her knees give in under her. Storm eased her to the ground and slowly took her sword from her.

“You alright?” He asked Raduko.

“Just a scratch.” He nodded. Tonya suddenly stood and stepped towards him, tearing the bottom of her shirt into a long strip. His wound ran from the middle of his two fingers to the bottom of his hand in a small arch. She wrapped the shirt strip around his hand and tied it.

“I’m sorry…” She kept her eyes down. “…Both of you…” She turned and continued on, staying quiet for the rest of the walk.


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Shyna sat on the fountain edge at the center of the village with a small smile. The Telek was drawing near and Shyna couldn’t wait to show that freak a thing or two before handing her to Roku, on top of that there was going to be two reunions that the ex-Princess was looking forward to seeing. She looked up to Dukaro stood next to her, the smile growing.
“Looking forward to seeing him again?” She asked.

A sinister smirk pulled at his lips. “Very much so, as Queen Roku says ‘blood should always rule together’.”

“Yes, it’s a pity my sister couldn’t think like that.” She frowned slightly then smiled again. “Oh well, they won’t be long now.”


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The group was weary as they stepped out of the trees into the village, it was quiet and there wasn’t a villager in sight. They looked around as they made their way through it and Tonya handed Raduko her sword with a nod, he took it and held it rigidly at his side.
“I don’t like this…” Storm muttered.

“Agreed.” Tonya nodded. “It’s too quiet.” They turned a corner that led to the center and stopped in their tracks. The villagers had gathered around the fountain with axes, swords and anything else they could use as weaponry.

“I guess they’re the welcoming committee.” Storm joked.

“They don’t look too thrilled to see us.” Raduko raised the sword; Tonya raised her hand to stop him.

“If we attack them we’re no better than the Seifuku, it’s our job to protect the villages.”

“You won’t attack them?” Raduko stared at her.

“I will not hurt them, I am not my sister.” She said slowly.

“Kill the Telek!” The crowed shouted and charged forward.

“What now?” Storm asked.

“Run.” They all turned and bolted back towards the trees, Raduko and Storm ahead of Tonya. The villagers chased them through the streets, throwing homemade spears and axes, one villager threw two rocks connected by a long piece of rope that wrapped around Tonya’s ankles.

“Tonya!” Storm turned back and shouted to Raduko to keep going. A figure stepped in his path, swinging a sword and Storm jumped back. “Jin…”

“I can’t let you pass by me.” Jin slid into a fighting stance. Behind him the villagers were gathered around Tonya, binding her hands and dragging her back into the village.

“Then I’ll force my way by!” Storm drew his sword and swung it, as it connected with Jin’s he ducked under them, turned and ran after Tonya. A blonde woman jumped from one of the roofs and swung her foot around, this time he wasn’t so quick and he was out before he hit the ground.


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Hush now my child,
All is not lost;

The stars will only be gone for a while.

Dry those eyes and smile,

For they will return,

To guide you along the dark path,

To help you return.

Storm opened his eyes and found himself face down on the ground, his head screaming at him, he sat up and gently rubbed his bruising cheek with a sign. Tonya was probably dead by now.

“Hush now my child.” Someone began to sing again. He whirled around and found Tonya sat in the far corner of a cage with her eyes closed. “All is not lost; the stars will only be gone for a while. Dry those eyes and smile, for they will return, to guide you along the dark path, to help you return.”

“Return from where?” His voice startled her.

“Return from the dark side to the light, I guess.” She shrugged.

“Ah. It’s a nice song; did your mother sing it to you?”

“No Roku used to, she thinks she learnt it from our real mother.” She sighed deeply. “Where’s Raduko?”

“I told him to run so I guess he escaped.” He moved to sit closer to her cage and looked around, they were still outside and the bars were quite thick metal. “Are you badly injured?”

“Just my pride.” She moved to sit with him. “Who hit you?”

“Some blonde.” He frowned. “Now my pride hurts…”

“That’ll be Shyna.” She chuckled.

“Why don’t you…you know, use your powers?” He motioned to the cage door with his head.

“I’d rather sit and wait; besides…you know I’m not that strong…”

“I believe you are.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” She frowned and turned her head, looking into the distance. She began to hum and Storm closed his eyes, listening to her as she switched to singing again.