Warrior's Soul (Book 3 of The Warrior Chronicles)

Chapter 10

Leyla wiped sweat off her brow and stretched her arms.

It had taken the better part of the morning, but she had managed to catch two ninaks. Despite their long soft fur and gentle demeanour, the little mammals were quick off the ground and too smart to be caught in a simple trap. It would have been easier to collect insects until she had time to carve a bow and arrow, but Leyla had thought the children could do with a hearty meal...

Her mind turned back to the camp. Last night, once the fire was extinguished and darkness settled, all was quiet for a while. After checking the area for movement, Leyla had settled under a tree and was busy shaping a spear when the crying began.

It was almost imperceptible at first. Then it got louder and a second voice joined in. Soon the mothers were shushing the children as they wept quietly in the night.

Leyla didn't know why they cried. Was it for those who died? For Kaya who was at death's door? For the home they missed? Or perhaps it was just fear...were they afraid of the Bone Eaters that raided with high pitched wails. fo Timsahs that snuck up in the water. Of the darkness that gave cover to all the cruelties of the world?

Slinging the ninaks over her shoulder, Leyla started walking back towards the camp. She had allowed herself to doze for an hour before dawn, but had not been able to rid herself of the stuffy feeling in her chest.

Would a good meal put a smile on their faces?

"ROOOOAAARRR!"

Leyla froze as the angry growl sent birds flying out of the trees. A Hayvan!? Moving quickly, she pulled herself up into the closest tree, climbing till the branches grew too thin to support her weight. From this height she could see movement in the distance. Soon the Hayvan came into view, its blue coat gleaming as it rushed past patches where the sunlight broke through the forest canopy.

Before she could wonder what prey it was chasing, another sound pierced the air: "YAAA-OOOO!"

Goosebumps rushed across Leyla's skin when five Bone Eaters appeared on the Hayvan's heals. Rage rose within her as two spears went hurling through the air towards the creature who she could now see was only a cub. If they wounded the animal, dozens of other Hayvans would descend into the area and getting Kaya away with any speed was out of the question. But if they didn't manage to catch the beast and it kept running in the same direction, the cub would lead the Bone Eater bastards straight towards their camp!

Bloody Diya.

Tying the ninaks to the tree, Leyla pulled out her sword and the dagger from her boot. There was was no time to hesitate. A third spear missed the Hayvan as it ran under the branch she stood on.

Leyla took a breath, tightened her hold her her weapons and crouched, waiting for the Bone Eaters to come closer.

Leaving the first one to rush past her, Leyla pushed off the branch and dropped onto the second man who went down with a cry. Her knee digging into the unconscious Bone Eater's chest, she flung her dagger into the back of the one that ran past and raised her sword in time to deflect the third ones hatchet.

"Yaaaa-Ooo!" The sound echoed between the trees as Leyla fought the remaining three Bone Eaters at once.

Managing to disarm one man, she kicked the second away and stabbed the third. The bastards fought with wild eyes, their blood streaked faces grim as they let loose one war cry after another. Stupid. While the act of howling helped them draw on their strength, it also slowed their reaction time by a fraction, which was all Leyla needed. Using two hands she sliced upwards, spun and stabbed, then stepped back to watch both men fall to the ground.

Before Leyla could take a relieved breath, a loud 'CRACK' had her spinning around. The Hayvan had returned and was sniffing at the dead body of the first fallen Bone Eater. Bloody Diya! Her muscles tense, she was eyeing the trees for an escape plan when pain exploded in her left arm, sending her stumbling forward.

"Uuhh," the sound left her lips involuntarily as she looked down to where an arrowhead was poking out of her shirt. Her ears twitched. Adjusting her grip on the sword handle, she spun just in time to slice the second arrow flying at her head. Beyond her blade, she saw the archer preparing to shoot again. How had she missed him?!

"ROOARRR!"

A blue blur rushed past her before she could even consider taking cover. The Bone Eater's eyes widened, his hands trembling as he tried to turn his next arrow at the creature jumping at him. Too late. There was a sickening crunch as the Hayvan's teeth sunk into the man's neck.

Clear yellow eyes looked back at her a moment later and Leyla's heart raced. Having witnessed the feline's speed, she knew there was no way she could climb to safety if it attacked her now. As if reading her thoughts, the Hayvan stepped over the dead body and moved towards her with slow steps. No! No! No! She didn't want to kill the Hayvan. But was there an option now? Kill or be killed. 

Her left arm growing weaker by the moment, Leyla raised her sword and widened her stance. Please. We can both live, if you just turn around.

The feline's eyes never left hers, its blue body coming ever closer until it was almost within reach of her sword. And then it stopped.

"Re-ow-ar!" Hot, blood scented breath accompanied the strangely gentle roar.

Leyla's fingers clenched on the hilt of her sword. Then she blinked, watching with confusion as the Hayvan lowered its hind legs and sat. Despite being a cub, the animal's head still reached her waist. It's green-blue ears twitched and the diamond pattern on its forehead tilted this way and that as it observed her from different angles. What was it doing? It was at that moment, that Leyla remembered seeing a very similar look on the face of the Hayvan she had helped out of a portal long ago. The large eyes watching her calmly, the slow breathing...this might not be the same animal, but in her gut, she could feel that the cub would not hurt her. 

Releasing a shaky breath, Leyla lowered her sword, bit by bit, until the blade touched the ground.