Eaters of the Decayed Undead!

The remnants of history that have survived to the modern age describe Atlantis as an enlightened continent. The people were blessed with advanced technology and high learning in all matters of science or philosophy. The citizens devoted their time to art and wellness. They lived long lives and were blessed with abundance. The government looked to the well being of its subjects and those subjects constantly sought to improve their government. There were beautiful buildings and other great works wherever one wished to look during the great golden age of that fabulous land. It was a glorious age that ended when the land was consumed by horrific earthquakes, and eventually the entire continent was cast deep into the vastness of the unforgiving seas.

The knowledge that we have today of that wondrous land and its people is, in actuality,almost entirely lacking. A mere 900 years before Atlantis disappeared, it was a savage land. Blood, death, and war were the primary characteristics of those years. Petty kings, warlords, and tribal chiefs battled for supremacy or survival. Cities were few, and often ravaged should they display weakness in the face of some conqueror or ambitious foe. Strong men who could fight well and kill without conscience were much in demand. This is the story of one such man. One fierce man who fought against terrible hardships and impending doom. He fought to live one more day, always dreaming that perhaps a time would come when he would have a day just to live!

Akkamaten Xr was more dead than alive. The desert sun beat his brow mercilessly, he was starving and exhausted. For three days he had wandered far into this hellish land that seemed to have no end. He had seven companions, six men and one woman....all warriors...all defeated. It was bound to happen sooner or later. Akkamaten Xr was careful about those whom he sold his sword to but no one makes wise decisions all the time. The rebel army was smaller but much better led. The trap they'd laid for King Merrshasha's splendid army was the work of a genius.

Akkamaten's massive shoulders and chest glistened with sweat. There was no more water and soon there would be no more sweat...just agonizing death. Their horses were played out, barely moving forward. The animal belonging to the woman called Nine had died a few hours ago. It had been old and would have collapsed much sooner under the full weight of a man. Ankbar, called The Lame because of his limp, mouthed a half-hearted insult about women being poor judges of horseflesh. Nine replied simply that it had been the best one she could steal at the time.

For a long while, Nine trudged along on foot, grimly holding onto the tail of Akkamaten's horse. Then the big warrior stopped and pulled the woman up to ride behind him. All the horses would start to die soon anyhow from lack of water he reasoned. Some of the men snickered, most likely they saw the act as a sign of weakness or possibly desire. Even Akkamaten had to grudgingly admit he'd developed an admiration for the way Nine quietly conducted herself in the harsh world of fighting men. He had caught a bit of her work with the sword when they'd hacked their way free enough from the rebels to flee towards the burning wastelands....and apparently, their deaths.

No longer was there any sign of pursuit. Still, they had gone to far to turn back. Even if they should backtrack, it was several day's ride to water. Best to move forward and hope for the best, although it appeared hope was all but gone at this point. Akkamaten pushed his thick black mane away and squinted his blazing blue eyes.
There was something there amidst this sea of nothingness. The bone-tired horses eventually plodded close enough for him to see that a somewhat large rock outcropping projected upwards from the baked earth. It stood there like a solitary monument in a new graveyard surrounded by dust and space.

"We'll stop here and rest in the shade for the rest of the day. After dark we will continue if anyone has the strength," the muscular mercenary announced.

Someone grunted their approval. Akkamaten did not look back to see whom. Silently they dismounted and collapsed there in the slightly cooler area offered by the shade of the somber rock. Even the horses, with heads bowed, crowded together underneath the scant shelter. No one paid them much heed. Akkamaten stretched his large frame and groaned slightly. He closed his eyes and attempted to think. All his fevered brain could come up with was the thought that perhaps death would be blessing after slowly being cooked alive. Nine tried to say something to him but choked on her words. Frustrated, she spat out dirt and sand. "Damn this torture," she finally managed before putting her arm in front of her face. Then they all fell asleep for what must have been quite some time.

The cruel sun had nearly fallen behind the earth when a loud noise startled the big mercenary to awareness. "By the Gods!" Nine gasped and croaked. "Is that thunder?"

"Yes," Akkamaten exclaimed. "If it rains, we may yet live in this accursed land."

Ankbar struggled to his feet. "Aieeee! I can smell the water, and its moving this way or my mother is a whore!"

Nine mumbled to her big companion, "I'm sure his mother was a whore, but I hope he's right about what he said."

Akkamaten nodded, "he is right, look at the lightening, its moving closer."

Within minutes the rain came to the utter delight of all. It was wet salvation and nothing else. They rubbed their faces with the glorious fluids and tried as best they could to place crude eating bowls in a position to catch a little of the precious liquid. Akkamaten attempted in vain to capture a drink with his cupped hands as he enjoyed the soothing coolness on his huge, badly blistered shoulders. The deluge fell hard but lasted for less than five minutes. The small band watched in abject frustration as the shower quickly dissipated into a fine mist.

"Look! We are saved!" Shouted Maleek Bak Nur, a slight young man with a thick black mustache. Quickly, they all surged towards the object of the excited man's glee. There in the rocks was a hole where many gallons of water had pooled.

"Quick, fill every skin you have before it leaks out!" Shouted Akkamaten, who was more or less the captain of the hard pressed little group of outcast warriors.

No one needed any additional prodding for they all knew their very lives depended mainly on the amount of water they could horde amidst this burnt land. After all the skins were filled, they drank heavily of the rainwater. Fortunately it was plentiful and did not drain away from its large natural bucket. There was even enough for the horses to drink their fill. "There might be enough for the lady to take a bath although personally I prefer my women a little smelly." Ankbar declared in his usual crude manner.

"Fortunately I am not your woman, fortunately for you I mean," said Nine. "Because if I were your woman I would slit your hairy throat while you slept."

Ankbar frowned deeply at the insult. "You probably would, you heartless bitch."

Nine ignored him and splashed a bit of cool water on her face and breasts. She went bare chested like the men because her blood spattered shirt had been converted to a headdress days ago. One must do what they could to keep the sun off their heads and she had acted accordingly. Still, hungry eyes had often sought out the firm orbs that thrust forward proudly and unashamedly. It was not unusual for a young woman to go bare chested on Atlantis....but not all had breasts as shapely as Nine.

With their burning thirst slated, everyone's mood lightened and conversation ensued. This was by far the southernmost part of Atlantis that any of them had ever traveled to. They all agreed that it would be best to push on in the same direction. It was sorely troubling that no one knew what they might find other than more hot sun and sand. Still, it was better than marching back through the hellish way they'd just came, only to die at the hands of rebel patrol. They were mostly well known men, easily recognized, and the soldiers of King Merrshasha were almost as hated as the former monarch had been. He was probably dead now, Akkamaten pondered silently. Good riddance.....the fool was a poor king and even worse general.

Akkamaten Xr, Nine, and Maleek Bak Nur conferred amongst themselves even as Ankbar and the others passed around a hashish pipe. "There is legend that far to the south lie mysterious cities of gold and precious jewels." Maleek Bak Nur almost whispered as he related the ancient myths told him by sailors in various smoke filled taverns."

Akkamaten shrugged his powerful shoulders, "all I've learned of the far south was from talk over drink, much the same as what you say you've heard. What really lies ahead is nothing but a guess. I would just be happy to see the last of this cursed desert...speaking for myself."

Maleek Bak Nur's dark young eyes gleamed with the lust for wealth. "Still, there is only one way to see for ourselves....." Akkamaten liked the young man. He was a good fighter and more trustworthy than the rest of these rogues.

"True," Nine said. "The worst that can happen is torture and slow death at the hands of some savages or demonic creatures."

Both Akkamaten and Maleek Bak Nur eyed the woman with suspicion. "What do you know of these parts?" Asked the big mercenary as he flexed the heavily corded muscles of his chest and arms.

"My mother was a slave, she came from these southern lands," Nine answered in a matter of fact way. "There is much to fear beyond this desert."

"But what of the cities of gold and jewels?" Maleek Bak Nur asked impatiently. "What did your mother say of those, I would stand with steel in hand against savage or demon for a fighting chance at unlimited wealth!"

"Yes, even my mother spoke of ancient cities that contained many wonders and great riches. Still, she never saw them in person and they are guarded by the world's worst horrors. This much she was sure of." Nine added the last part grimly, not questioning the wisdom of the woman that had given her birth.

"There is nothing to do now but sleep a few more hours. I would like to get started long before dawn, less we suffer more from the heat than we must," Akkamaten Xr said. "But damn, I hunger.....I would kill one of the horses to eat but I would have to kill the man that rides it first. If Nine's mother was right about those perils of the south...it could be we will need another good sword far more than full stomachs. It would have been a wise thing to have gnawed the sorry nag that died underneath Nine, but I thought at the time there was a chance the rebels still trailed us." Akkamaten shook his head angrily and with that, the discussion ended and soon all were snoring beneath the bright southern stars of Atlantis.

Two more days passed and once again they were almost out of water, and still the vastness of the wastelands lay in front of them. At least everyone had finally eaten. They'd drawn lots and a hulking warrior named Hassur Bey had lost. His animal was slaughtered and their stomachs were filled at last. There had been no other way to avoid starvation and the creeping weakness that foretold death. They rested several hours underneath another large rock while some of the meat dried enough to serve them at a later time. Akkamaten forced his companions to rotate concerning who rode and who walked. The rest of the animals would last longer if no one rode double. At all times at least two were must walk. Every two hours they changed up. Akkamaten walked for four hours to quieten Ankbar and the other complainers about this arrangement. Still, even the muscular mercenary began to feel the despair that days of wandering within an endless nothingness was bound to produce.

Then, at last, they sighted others moving through the barren waste. Akkamaten ordered an immediate halt because he was worried about scaring away these odd people they had come upon traveling in the midst of nowhere. There were about a dozen of them, including children. Their flesh was protected from the sun by rough, dust covered clothing, crudely made and colorless. Akkamaten dismounted, put his broadsword aside and approached the strange caravan of desert pilgrims. Several scrawny goats traveled with the desert dwellers. The mercenary wished he had something with which to barter for one of the braying creatures. Horsemeat was not his food of choice to say the least. He turned to find Nine walking closely behind him. "It might soothe them to see a woman traveling with you......no doubt they are startled to find a band of warriors in their path."

Akkamaten shrugged, "very well," he said. When he was within hailing distance, the mercenary called out in each of the four languages that he spoke. The desert people gave no sign of understanding. Then Nine spoke in a very odd tongue. Immediately, a man answered in the same tongue. "It is the speech my mother used," Nine explained to the puzzled Akkamaten. "It's very common in the south."

"Let us go forward and converse with them then. Ask them who they are, where we are, and where we might find water.....if they are willing to speak with us." Akkamaten motioned for the tall female warrior to take the lead.

These strange folk were not much to look at with their coarse clothes and timid stares. There were three grown males in the little group. One had eyes that burned significantly brighter than the others. He came out to meet the two approaching strangers. Nine spoke to him and he answered each time. Akkamaten payed close attention although he understood not one word. He had learned long ago that much could be learned by looking into a man's eyes, observing him closely, and heeding the tone of his voice. As for Nine, several times she appeared frustrated and made strange signs with her hands. This went on for a very long time before she turned to Akkamaten Xr.

"They live a few miles to the east, in those low lying hills over there," said Nine. Akkamaten squinted and indeed there were hills that he belittled himself for not noticing before. Nine continued, "the language is difficult and I do not remember all the words. It seems they scratch out a living as simple goat farmers and try to avoid any trouble. For this reason they stay isolated out here like hermits." Nine pointed to the west. "Apparently they have been over in that direction grazing their animals. There is also a spring where they just left, about one hour's march on foot."

"Good," exclaimed Akkamaten. "If he tells the truth we will go there and get water. If he lies we will follow them to their village, kill them, and take what we will. What does he say of the land to the south?"

"To the south is a massive, endless jungle. We are less than a day away." Nine explained.

"Does he know of any cities...what might we find there?" Akkamaten was becoming impatient and spoke rapidly.

Nine remained expressionless, "he says he has heard of cities but cannot be certain they exist. He drifted into this land from the north and everyone he knows that dared to go farther south never returned. He says that many whisper of horrors that await in the denseness of the jungle......ghastly creatures, depraved cults, and cannibals too. Mostly, he says the only thing that can be found in the jungle.......is certain death."

Akkamaten scowled in disapproval at this assessment. "Anything else of value?" He asked.

"Only that he is a peaceful man and that he wants to never leave the desert. Also he says you must be a great chief and wants to honor you with a goat and some wine."

Akkamaten smiled slightly. "Most likely he wants to avoid me killing him. Nevertheless, this desert sun has made me soft, we will take the goat....and the wine. Send them on their way, and they'd all better pray we haven't been lied to! And pick out the fattest goat."

"I doubt he has lied. He seems to me to be more of a lover, rather than a liar," Nine said and laughed.

Akkamaten shook his head....what a strange woman she was...but he found her interesting. He accepted a large gourd filled with wine that an old woman handed him. Immediately, he turned it up and took a very deep drink indeed. For the first time in a long while he managed a real smile. "Hmmmm, not bad...weak but not bad at all," he said before passing the gourd to Nine.

Akkamaten smiled, being well pleased when two additional gourds were presented for the other warrior's needs. Nine wiped her mouth after a generous swig. "It's good, but shouldn't we request some water as well...perchance they have lied?"

"No," Akkamaten answered. "If we do not find the water he spoke of, we shall simply ride these peasants down and force them to give us anything we need. Besides, I'm sure he knows this and spoke the truth...mostly anyhow." With that declaration, the big warrior nodded to the head of the desert clan and waved him on. He and Nine returned to their companions and gave them the good news. Each had a turn at the wine gourds before leaving out in the western direction, where hopefully, water awaited. Ankbar smacked his lips noisily with eyes that betrayed his anticipation of a decent drunk. "Perhaps the leadership of our large friend is not quite the disaster we thought," he grunted.

Akkamaten did not appreciate this jab. He did not like Ankbar...a decent fighter, but mostly a loudmouthed dullard. The big mercenary felt he could trust only Maleek Bak Nur and perhaps Nine....although he wasn't totally certain about her. Within women, especially attractive ones, the big mercenary did not always use sound judgment. The other five could be counted on to look mostly after their own greedy interests. The worst of the lot was Lexxonexes, a burly redhead who rarely spoke and richly deserved his reputation as a treacherous killer with far better martial skills than most. His strong sword arm was only surpassed by an uncanny ability at throwing the dagger to deadly effect. Akkamaten watched him constantly and the vigilance was mutual. Tuban, a squat and bearded man, simple minded Kasan, and the veteran Hassur Bey rounded out the outlaw band. As a whole, it was truly an unsavory lot....but all possessed talent with the blade. Nine, in addition to her prowess with the light sword, was an excellent archer. Her bow was short and easy to handle, but powerful,....and deadly accurate up to forty yards and beyond. All in all it was a good group to ride into battle with...as long as one watched his back!

After a short ride, they found the little oasis was exactly where Nine indicated it should have been. Akkamaten allowed himself a slight sigh of relief at their good fortune. Additionally, a few smallish trees promised a bit of shade, and there was even some sparse grass for grazing the animals. In a very short time camp was prepared. There were enough dead limbs to build a fire for roasting the goat and preparations were quickly underway for the feast.

That night the mood had improved tremendously. A belly full of meat and wine will do that for a man or woman. However, as Akkamaten had predicted to himself, the thoughts of his companions soon turned to other things. Such was the way when survival was assured, at least for the time being.

Hassur Bey approached Akkamaten and sat down with a heavy thud. "So, Captain Akkamaten, what is our next move? What are the chances that we can find some gold coin and a place to spend it in these remote wastes. I'm thinking they are dreadsome slim...aye! It might be best that we rest here for a day or so, then head back the way we came...carrying as much water as we might. What say you? And don't forget we have only one woman for seven men....that's certain to cause bloodshed. Perhaps we should pay a visit to those ragged desert rats before we take our leave. A dirty, half starved nomad is better than no female at all....and a few more goats would fatten us during the ride." Then Hassur turned his gaze towards their shapely female companion. "Besides Nine is more likely to send an arrow through a man's liver as share her charms...considerable though they be." The old warrior licked his lips as his eyes roamed over the woman's taunt, proud breasts.

Akkamaten suppressed a smile. He didn't especially care for old Hassur but the man was plain spoken. From the way the others pricked their ears and listened intently, the massive mercenary warrior decided he would do well to make his reply a good one. It was good that Akkamaten had himself,from time to time, been in the presence of a number of good speech makers.

"I'm only the captain here in the sense that no one else has offered any suggestions worth listening to since we were chased into this inferno by those pissed off rebels. If you want to be told what to do go and find King Merrshasha... if you can....and with the slim chance he lives yet. I don't give a damn what the rest of you do but Maleek Bak Nur and I have made something of a plan for the two of us...if you can indeed call it a plan and not plain suicide."

Hassur Bey was well used to being talked to in such a gruff manner and he expected no less. "Well," said he. "Tell us what you are thinking if you will."

Akkamaten shrugged in a careless way. "As for going back...keep in mind there are eight of us and only six horses, and these horses need several days of good grazing and water before I would again attempt to cross that hell on their backs....and the grazing is scant here. And if we returned, how would we slip through Merrshasha's former kingdom without being captured or killed. Most likely we all, and certainly most, would be hanged or lose our hard heads in the attempt. That rebel bastard Sennsha holds the power now and they say he is a man that keeps a grudge well; and who among us is not greatly known to all. The gods know we drank, and raped, pillaged, burned and plundered enough to make a lasting...if not a good impression on the population."

"Well, then! What in the name of the gods are we to do?" Roared Ankbar. "Stay here and live like those pathetic devils we passed today? Surely not...I don't see you, Akkamaten Xr, living like that......and certainly not Ankbar the Mighty!"

One or two guffawed at the name Ankbar the Lame had given himself. Nine rolled her eyes in disgust while their huge leader sat without expression...giving little sign that he had even heard the boasting words.

After a long pause that served to increase the impact of his words, Akkamaten absent mindedly scratched his chin before proceeding. "Less than a day south of this very spot there is a vast jungle. Concerning this country there is only rumor. It is said that mostly demons and wild men populate these vast lands. And they will surely kill you if the jungle doesn't do the job first. Others say there are rich cities and much plunder just there for the taking if one is ambitious and swings a good sword. Still, all of that is only legend. I have developed a powerful curiosity to go and see for myself what I might find. If I should meet a horrible demise..so be it! Let it be said that Akkamaten Xr is my father's son and will die with a horrible smile upon my face as long as I can face the end with good steel in hand and die well. My sire did no less and that's good enough for the likes of a far lesser man such as I. Maleek Bak Nur is of a similar mind. The rest of you can do what you want and be damned for all I care. Still, if you should choose to come along with us and take a chance on the complete unknown....then I welcome you. But beware! I have had a belly full of your complaining and my sword arm twitches lately from lack of use. Sleep on my words and make your decision. Consider carefully, in the morning I leave for the south."

With those words, the large one sometimes called Akkamaten the Feared closed his eyes, and with four feet of steel broadsword across his lap, he drifted into a light but peaceful slumber. His companions argued quietly amongst themselves before eventually doing the same. Nine lay with her head on her arm and listened a little...but mostly gazed with dark eyes at Akkamaten, the mercenary from the island called Xr. His strong words had excited....and aroused her. Truly, she had never guessed that men such as this breathed the air of the world.

Akkamaten awakened quickly when he felt someone touch his arm. "There is trouble my friend." The voice was that of Nine and her tone was of a warning nature. The big mercenary needed only a quick glance around the camp to discover the source of the woman's worry. Except for an annoyed looking Maleek Bak Nur, all the men were making preparations to leave. Ankbar came forward, apparently he was the one chosen to give Akkamaten the bad news.

"We have decided to return the way we came. You and Maleek Bak Nur can seek your deaths in the jungle if you wish. However, we will take the horses and all the water skins.... We have decided to raid those desert rats for more wine and food and then we'll be off. Nine can go with us if she wishes...we might have...need of her....skills with the bow." Ankbar and some of the others shot lusty smirks at the woman.

Akkamaten simply smiled, appearing rather amused. "Hmmm, your offer is very generous Ankbar the Lame in the Brain. You leave Maleek and I here on foot with no way to carry water while you ride to your deaths on starved, exhausted animals. Now hear my offer, leave us, Maleek, myself,...and Nine, four of the horses. That will mean one each to ride and one to eat if necessary. That will leave two horses for you four to ride away double backing...you shouldn't need anymore since I'm sure you'll lose your way in the desert and die anyhow."

Ankbar's face grew red with rage and the expressions of the rest darkened. "You speak very proudly considering that its two of you against five of us. The woman had better stay out of it. And keep in mind that Lexxonexes is your equal or better. Besides, what do you mean the four of us only need two horses. We are five, and I repeat, we will take ALL the horses."

Akkamaten drew his four foot broadsword and reached for his battle helmet wisely positioned beforehand at his side. "Soon Ankbar, the Lame in the Brain, there will be four because I am about to kill the one behind all of this."

Ankbar's face changed from red to pale. "Well, perhaps we could leave you two horses...but Nine goes with us and all the water skins as well. We'll need them to cross the desert. And didn't you say last night that we could do whatever we wished. Well, we have no wish to follow you from this hellish desert into a worse jungle that is ripe with man eating cannibals!"

Akkamaten made for a fearsome vision with his steel helmet hiding most of his face. He stood there completely unperturbed, gently running his hand down the flat of his awesome sword. "Step aside Ankbar, I know you didn't have the balls to create this little plan to abandon me here. I didn't really expect any gratitude for leading your worthless hides out of that rebel ambush. Still....." His voice trailed off as if lost in thought. creating a tension filled void that had all sweating through the terrible pause.

Finally, Akkamaten continued, "I did say you could do whatever you wished...but I lied. It is likely that we will need your swords in the jungle...such as they are. Regardless, it is time to get on with the business at hand. I really don't see any need for a general fight here. This is between me and one man.....Lexxonexes!"

Lexxonexes stepped forward with a smile on his normally surly features. The red headed warrior was already prepared for battle. Ankbar and the others stepped aside. Soon, the two powerful men faced each other. "I was hoping you would choose this way," Lexxonexes said. "That's why I made the terms unacceptable. Don't worry though, out of respect for your saving us from Sennsha's hordes, I promise to make this as quick and painless as possible."

Akkamaten said nothing, the time for talk was long done. The two circled each other warily, shields and swords poised. The big mercenary from Xr noticed something very unusual in Lexxonexes' stance. Both of the redhead's arms were inside his shield with the sword pointing in a very odd direction. Akkamaten had watched his opponent fight many times before and had never witnessed this particular mode of attack. Perhaps Lexxonexes had something very unique prepared just for a moment such as this..... and a special adversary.

Akkamaten almost felt himself being honored by the likes of a man with Lexxonexes' skills saving his best for the best. However, at the very last second, a chilling thought passed through the big man's mind and he jerked his shield up with all his might. The redhead had held his sword with the same hand that held his shield. This freed his right to suddenly flash, then hurl, a razor sharp dagger straight towards Akkamaten's throat!

The startled mercenary captain scarcely managed to raise his shield in time. The blade struck the upper rim of his stout metal buckler and barely careened over Akkamaten's head. All this happened just inches from the warrior's face. The gawking onlookers elicited a collective "awwww," at the lightening fast throw followed by the equally quick defensive maneuver. Although the deceptive attack had failed, Akkamaten appeared to have been taken aback momentarily. Lexxonexes wasted no time pressing his advantage. He rushed to attack and took a mighty swing at his opponent's head. Akkamaten parried with relative ease as the sound of two great steel blades clanged together loudly and the white hot sparks flew. Thus it was joined.

Back and forth it went, with steel ringing on steel like angry thunder. The warriors hammered at each other with a fury that was truly remarkable, a fury born of mutual hate long building. Neither knew exactly why they despised each other...it was enough that they did. At times Akkamaten Xr was forced backwards as his opponent rained great blows upon his sword and shield; and then it was Lexxonexes's turn to go on the defensive. Their companions watched with all the intensity that came naturally to ones who found nothing so interesting as deadly swordplay, especially coming from two champions!

Akkamaten quickly discovered his foe was as good, if not better than any man he'd ever faced. Still, there was no fear....just intensified concentration on the task at hand. A man's thoughts were never so clear as when he fought for his life.....knowing well the conclusion was far from decided. Both men tempered their fierce savagery with strategy and counter-strategy...albeit a strategy quickly implemented. Akkamaten drew first blood as a powerful jab managed to rake along Lexxonexes' sword arm. A considerable amount of skin was sheered away but no real damage was done. Moments later, a well aimed stroke drove fairly deep into Akkamaten's lower thigh. It took some doing to bite back the urge to howl in pain as the blood ran down his leg and into his boot. His real worry was the squishing sensation created by the blood pooling there, perhaps compromising his footing...giving the big redhead a definite advantage. Still, the battle raged on.

Occasionally, the two would pause for a few seconds to catch their breath and stalk one another. Their minds worked feverishly during this time to devise some new attack or recall a feint they hadn't used before. Then, as soon as their muscular arms felt reasonably less numb, the blows would commence to crash down again and again. White hot sparks flew into the dry desert air as good steel kissed good steel. Rivers of sweat drenched the near naked bodies of the men locked in a death struggle.

As he feared might happen, the bloody boot became increasingly unstable and Akkamaten struggled mightily to steady himself in the face of Lexxonexes' unrelenting onslaught. The redhead knew he had an advantage and pressed it by raining blows in rapid succession , hoping to cause a slip. And it worked! Suddenly, Akkamaten slightly twisted his ankle in the blood drenched boot. He dropped his sword out of necessity as his right hand was needed to prevent the fall. The powerful redhead wasted no time, as he tossed his shield away and aimed an awesome two-handed stroke at his opponent's unprotected neck. Belying his great size, Akkamaten ducked at the last instant and the blade banged against his helmet....sending it flying and momentarily dazing the big mercenary. Perhaps it was due to utter surprise that the man from Xr had somehow dodged the great blow, perhaps it was due to exhaustion, or perhaps it was an act of the gods...but for some reason Lexxonexes paused for a half second. Most likely he simply wanted to savor his moment of triumph as he gathered his sword in hand and readied one more last deadly blow. Although partially stunned, Akkamaten still had his blind animal instinct for survival. His vision was all blurred but somehow his hand found the hilt of the his great broadsword. At four feet, it was at least six inches longer than most. This may have been the deciding factor as the desperate man on one knee thrust upwards towards the vision of death that loomed before him. Caught completely unawares by the quickly recovered opponent...and the even quicker thrust, Lexxonexes felt something cold and fearsome enter his body just above his manly organs. The shock froze him briefly, and then he swung his own sword one last time. The stroke was very weak however and mostly served to throw the redhead off balance. He fell down on his knees and stared, gasping for breath, as a red sea formed quickly in the sand beneath him.

Akkamaten had rolled away from Lexxonexes' final blow and struggled to regain his senses. A shout of triumph left the throat of Maleek Bak Nur and this served as much as anything to inform the big mercenary that something important had happened...and that perhaps it was good. He shook his head violently and quickly wiped away the sweat and grime in his eyes. Then he noticed Lexxonexes and his breathing became deeper, the feeling that sweep over a warrior at winning a hard fought battle gave his limbs new strength.....an awesome strength.....one as old as ever struggling mankind.

Akkamaten walked slowly over to the bleeding redhead. First he wiped some blood out of his own eyes before hoisting the huge steel weapon that had saved him yet one more time! Rapidly dying, a still defiant Lexxonexes snarled at the mercenary, "I will see you in hell Akkamaten Xr." "Haven't you already?" Came the annoyed reply followed by an uncaring shrug. Then with a stroke born of passion, and the nearness of death, and mad triumph, Akkamaten Xr cleanly severed the head of Lexxonexes, formerly the most feared fighter in the once proud army of the once proud King Merrshasha.

Akkamaten staggered to the little spring, dragging the point of his huge sword in the sand. This, along with his own bleeding wounds, created a trail of dark crimson stain.
Then he knelt before the water, doused his face, and washed himself. Nine came to him and helped bind his wounds with cloth torn from the clothing of the late Lexxonexes. Apparently the dead man had donned clean clothes just for the big fight. Afterwards, the warrior from Xr rested and drank the last of the wine. Refreshed he readied his horse and mounted with Nine behind him. "Mount, you dogs, its time to ride," he said. Then he turned his animal towards the south as the others hastily broke camp behind him.


"Shouldn't we have buried Lexxonexes, out of respect for him as a great warrior?" Nine asked as they rode away from the tiny oasis where lay a headless body, covered with dirt, sand, and blood.

"I thought of it," answered Akkamaten. "But he cursed me before he died and besides, I am overly ripe with the need to leave this cursed desert behind us immediately."

"Oh, I see," said Nine. "He died well though, and what more can a man, or woman, ask when the end comes? Let his carcass feed the birds and wild beasts then, the Valka and Hu know there is scant else for them in this sparse land."

"Well spoke," replied the massive warrior. "When you speak thusly, like a man would, are you trying to convince me you aren't a woman after all?"

Nine elicited a slight hiss, "not at all, rather I would prefer you not forget...ever...that I am indeed a woman. Open your palm, I have a gift for you my friend."

Akkamaten did as he was bade and Nine pressed a jeweled dagger into his big hand. "It's the one Lexxonexes threw at your throat. That almost stopped my heart. I thought you might like it as a reminder of your victory. If not, it is still a very fine weapon."

The big warrior inspected the object for a moment before tucking it securely in his belt. "While its true that the thing didn't bring much fortune to its previous owner, I will keep it as a useful weapon. The gods know, where we're going I'll probably need it."

"I'm glad you like it," said Nine and she gave Akkamaten a playful pinch in the side. For the first time in a very long while, the warrior laughed out loud.

The others had slowly fallen into line behind their leader. Kasan the Simple heard the laughing and leaned over to put a word in Ankbar's ear. "It appears the Captain enjoys a little bloodshed early in the morning. He is certainly in a gay mood it seems."

"Aieee! Isn't that the truth, I think those are wise words coming from the mind of a simpleton......and its best we all keep it in mind I should think!" Ankbar looked none to pleased as he scratched his bald head.

"True, true!" Replied Kasan before urging is horse onward. He couldn't decide what scared him the most........a horror ridden jungle or Akkamaten. Either way, he feared that he was about to get a belly full of both! As for Ankbar, his thoughts centered on the hope that Akkamaten had a short memory and didn't hold a grudge for the bald man's part in the morning mutiny.

Less than an hour from camp Maleek Bak Nur drew rein beside Akkamaten Xr. The big mercenary liked his young companion and greeted him with a smile. Perhaps it was the fact that Maleek came from a noble background. His family had been an important one in the ancient city of Valusiun. Somehow they had fallen out of favor and now the young man was a simple mercenary. Akkamaten's own father had been a warlord, albeit a minor one on Xr. It was a common bond that only partly explained their friendship. The greater bond was the ambition that burned in both......the desire for wealth and position.

"We are being followed Captain," Maleek Bak Nur said as his nimble fingers twisted his thick mustache.

Akkamaten's smile faded, "by whom, or should I ask, by what?"

"I see only one...on foot. Sometimes he runs to keep up and sometimes he walks very fast. He appears to be one of those desert folk. Valka knows what he thinks he's doing following us on foot in this accursed heat. And its only going to get worse."

Akkamaten nodded. "Yes, he is a fool for trying to follow men on horseback with no horse of his own. I suspect he is a spy sent to make certain we are leaving these parts and not up to mischief. I would have sent someone myself under the circumstances, but I would have given the imbecile a horse at least."

"Do you want me to go kill him?" Maleek Bak Nur asked casually, as if it were no different than swatting a fly.

Akkamaten shook his head and wiped away a some of his torrential sweat. "No, I will kill him myself if need be. Nine can speak their tongue. We shall question him about his intentions. By chance he could be lost...who knows. Stay here, I don't wish to frighten him by a show of force."

The muscular mercenary guided his animal back in the direction they'd just come. He prodded the panting animal into a trot upon spotting the unknown visitor. Whoever it was, he did not try to run away. Instead, he sat down heavily. He appeared to be a young boy of sixteen or seventeen. Perhaps he was one of those they'd come across yesterday, Akkamaten was uncertain, the heat and the blow on the head had not helped his memory. He turned to Nine, "ask him who he is and why he's following us."

Nine did as requested and questioned the boy in the strange sounding tongue. The stranger replied with a rambling speech that made Nine laugh much to Akkamaten's surprise. "This fool says he wants to be a warrior like us. He has run away from his father, that man I spoke with yesterday. This one's name is Bel Ti, he says his father promised the girl he loved to his older brother. Now he's disgusted with his people and wants to die somewhere in battle like a man."

Akkamaten rolled his eyes slightly. However, he was bored and sought to gain a bit of levity from the unlikely request. "Ask the fool what experience he has, ask him how many men he has killed and where are his weapons? Ask him why he didn't steal a horse somewhere like any good mercenary would do before riding off to war."

Nine spoke a few more words before laughing again as the boy replied. "He says he has fought in two battles between desert clans but hasn't killed anyone yet...although he claims to have wounded somebody. Still, he thinks its important that you should know that he did manage to not get himself killed. He says his people have no horses but that he does have a sword."

Akkamaten chuckled, "a wooden club perhaps, maybe even a stone axe or goat herder's slingshot? Tell him to show us his weapon so that we can see how well armed he is. I must say though that avoiding death in battle is the first rule of being a good warrior. A dead man makes for a poor fighter!"

At Nine's request the boy calling himself Bel Ti reached inside his drab, dusty cloak and produced a smallish, but apparently very well made sword. "Hmmm," said Nine. "Not bad, by the way he says he also has a good slingshot."

Akkamaten's eyes had narrowed and he leaped off the horse. "Nevermind that now," he said. "Tell him to let me look at the sword, and that I swear to return it momentarily."

Nine spoke again and the Bel Ti meekly handed the weapon to the big mercenary who inspected it for a long while. "Aieeee, this sword is of very fine construction, I would guess that it was made by a master....and look! There is a fine ruby set into the hilt.....what a prize. Ask him where this weapon came from." Nine and Bel Ti exchanged several words before Nine relayed her finding to her Captain.

"He says the sword belonged to his mother's grandfather. He brought it with him when he fled into the desert....from the south" Nine said. Akkamaten watched with keen interest indeed as the boy pointed in the very direction that they had been heading. "That is the direction, the land where the sword was made. Now the boy wants to know if he can become a warrior, or should he use the sword to kill himself."

Akkamaten continued to survey the handsome little blade as he made his reply, "yes, we'll take him along. Perhaps this is an omen of good fortune. He can ride with Maleek Bak Nur as both are slight." The warrior with the long black mane spoke again, his voice taking a much more serious tone. "Besides, we may need his help with the language should something happen to you, my pretty friend. He would probably be better off to just kill himself but he has made his choice. And now I have made mine. Tonight when we camp, try to teach him a few words of our tongue if you will."

"As you wish Captain," Nine said before informing the boy of Akkamaten's decision. Bel Ti smiled broadly at the good news. Then he reached into a large sack he carried and presented his new comrades a very large gourd of wine.

It was now Akkamaten's time to smile. "Tell him to put it back into his sack and tell no one else what it contains." With that he climbed back on his horse and motioned for Bel Ti to follow. Maleek Bak Nur said noting when informed of the new riding arrangement, however his expression betrayed his disgust. Still, all that changed when he got a glimpse at the strange sword the boy carried. "By Valka and sly Hu! This is good evidence that somewhere in this unknown land there are people who appreciate the finer things in life. And hopefully, they won't become overly angry when we steal those things from them!" It had been awhile since the young warrior had appeared so gleeful. Soon everyone was mumbling about the sword as they gathered about and passed it from hand to hand.

"Aieeeeee!! This ruby is so large it would keep a fool in the best wine, women, and lodgings for many months," Ankbar exclaimed as he wiped sweat from his bald head furiously. "Perhaps the gods have a reason for forcing their faithful subject to suffer in this accursed heat for so many days."

Akkamaten nodded. "Perhaps," he said. "We shall see, now let us begone. The one certain thing is that there is no reason to linger in this empty desert...to cook slowly like dead fish."

"True, true," Ankbar said as they began their journey anew.