The Crossing

The Crossing is a short story featuring Strakk, Gresh, Tarduk and Kirbold going through the Black Spike Mountains.

Part One
Please note that the following text is unofficially translated from Polish into English, and therefore is different from the original English script.

Strakk violently struck his ice axe against the table with enough power to shatter its surface with a loud crack. Metus flinched nervously.

"No!" Strakk yelled. "No. Definitely no."

Metus wasn't cheerful about that. He'd been advertising duels and training warriors for years. Many of them were just as stubborn as Strakk, but hardly any of them used to throw dangerous objects around without thinking. Obviously, he should have predicted this. Glatorian would never do anything for free, but Strakk was extraordinarily greedy. There was a joke common all over Iconox, saying that Strakk wouldn't even open his eyes at sunrise if he wasn't certain that it would pay off. A desire to leave all this alone sprung into his mind. However, he soon realized how important it was to recruit Strakk.

"You owe me something," Metus reminded him. "Just think, what would have happened to you without me? After all, how often do I ask you favors?"

"Well... What about that duel with Kiina last month?" Strakk replied. "A year ago you asked me to help you train that bully, remember? I had to spend a few weeks at the healers', because that guy'd forgotten that it was only a tutorial fight. There was also this..."

"All right, that's enough," Metus axed his speech. "I don't want to hear the story of your life. It's a quick, easy job. You can earn a lot within one week. Are you in it or not?"

Metus was lying blatantly. He would often do so during negotiations with his warriors. The job he was offering to Strakk wasn't quick nor easy. It was all about a transport of precious exidian - the payoff for a fight lost by another warrior called Gelu - between the villages of Iconox and Vulcanus. Usually, the caravans were taking the shortest southeastern route through the Dunes of Treason directly to the fire village. It wasn't the safest way, but you could travel there quite well.

However, the last few weeks saw the dunes change into lethal traps by groups of barbarians called "bone hunters". For reasons unknown they decided to stop the trade between the villages, sealing them all, especially Tajun, the village of water, off from the rest of the world. Traveling through the desert had become very risky. Caravans were attacked and, more importantly, none of their escorts ever returned home alive. The inhabitants of Icornox had no choice. If they didn't keep the deal, their warriors wouldn't be allowed to participate in duels anywhere in Bara Magna. So they've managed to find a different route which made them able to reach Vulcanus safely.

"Let me think." Strakk said. "You want to send a cart full of cargo to the east, through Black Spike Mountains, then south through the Dark Falls, and finally through Creep Canyon? Each of these places is more dangerous than a desert bat with a sunstroke! And you want me to escort this convoy?"

"Yes," Metus nodded.

"No,"Strakk repeated. "I'm a Glatorian. I'm given money for fighting whenever my village wants something from any other village. I'm in no way a guardian, pathfinder or messenger. I fight with other Glatorian. I do not fight with bone hunters. They have this bad habit of making everyone's lives shorter."

Metus knew that Strakk was right in this field. You shouldn't trespass the bone hunters' territories if you can avoid it. Their mounts, called Rock Steeds, have several rows of sharp teeth and tails with poisonous stingers, like those of a scorpion. Their amazing sense of smell makes them able to smell the enemy from many kilometers away. The hunters themselves are no more friendly - if they were, they couldn't have survived all those millennium among the wastelands. They were ruthless, violent and greedy. If you could name any of their advantages, it should be their endurance - they would never stop a pursuit - as well as precision. They kept attacking the caravans, leaving nothing valuable... and no witnesses.

The Agori left the room. The Glatorian followed and continued his moan. "What about Skrall? Remember? Huge guys in black armor ... once they put their hands on somebody, they change them into goo, just for fun. They're hiding behind ever stone at the Black Spike Mountains!"

"Take it easy," Metus said. "Just look. We've hired the best ones." Metus pointed his hand at the cart, already loaded, aboard which there was an Agori from Iconox, called Kirbold, and some Agori in green armor, from the village of Tesara.

"Since when do Tesarans send their Glatorian to support Iconox? - Strakk asked.

"Since the bone hunters made their lives equally as difficult as ours," Metus replied. "They want to check the new route themselves. If it proves safe, they'll start using it, too. This Agori is called Tarduk. He is said to know the area. Metus turned around and looked deep into Strakk's eyes. "Iconox's people want to send their Glatorian with this convoy - you should understand that. If you agree, I'll certainly manage to book a few duels in Vulcanus for you. And they'll call you a great hero in here."

Strakk laughed coldly. "A great hero... Heroes end up two meters underground. Some of them are given a stone on the grave as a memorial. But I am reasonable... sometimes. Okay, I'll go... if you double my usual fee."

Metus swallowed hard. This meant that Iconox would have to give lots of weapons and resources to Strakk. After all, there was no other way.

***

Breaking a promise given to Vulcanus would threaten the concept of Glatorian arena matches, fights that solve disputes between the tribes. Even so, Metus should find himself bankrupt before long.

"Alright," said the recruiter "I'll try to explain it to the tribe's elders. Get ready to move soon."

"I am already on the move," Strakk smiled, "Get my reward ready - I'll be retrieving it shortly."

If you're lucky, Metus thought. And where you're heading, luck is not enough.

***

They've set off few hours after the sun rise. Gresh wanted to go sooner, at dawn, but Strakk insisted on packing as much Thornax ammunition and additional weaponry as possible. Gresh thought it would be wiser to travel with less weight - it could’ve shorten the trip through the desert.

"Yea... I used to know guys like that, traveling with less stuff," grunted Strakk "It sure made their trip faster - to a grave. Listen, young one, you do know what makes the Bone Hunters famous. There will be more of them then us. Are you able to defeat at least a few of them before they get to you? If so, then maybe, just maybe. you have a chance of surviving this."

"Do you think we should fight them?" Asked Gresh.

"No, no" Strakk replied. "I think, we shouldn't have taken this job in the first place. But since we're already doing it, let's do this the smart way. Pushing straight through their territory won't make an escape possible. That's why we need something to fight with!"

Strakk did not know Gresh that well. Their roads have crossed before, on a desert way to Vulcanus. When they had a little fight with the Bone Hunters, but came out of it alive. Ever since then Strakk hasn't stopped covering his back. Bone Hunters do not forget such things easily.

He wasn't very fond of Gresh. The young Teserian warrior seemed too modest and noble for Strakk. The only Glatorian who had good relationship with Strakk was Malum from Vulcanus. Though, it's said that he was exiled from the tribe after an incident on the arena, where he attempted to finish off his opponent. For Strakk, it was clear proof that the inhabitants of Vulcanus did not understand how a Glatorian life works.

Strakk went ahead of the convoy. The two-headed Spikit, the one pulling the cart, gazed upon the bumpy road ahead mindlessly. The white Glatorian hoped that there's enough food on the cart. Spikits are strong and enduring draught animals, but when hungry, they eat anything in sight, the cart and the driver included.

"I heard, Tarduk," Strakk said to the harness holding Tesaran Agori "That you've traveled a lot."

"That's true!" Tarduk replied."I scavenge artifacts - old armor, weapons, scrolls... little bits of history. I spend a lot of time in ruins, looking for those sorts of things."

"Mmm, pretty... interesting..." admitted Strakk. ''Wow! What a loon!'' He added in his mind.

"I always wanted to see the Black Spike Mountains!" Tarduk continued. "There's probably a lot of treasure there!"

"Wait now...you're our guide..." said Strakk stupefied "And you never went there?"

"No." said Tarduk with a smile on his face.

"Then why...?" Strakk lost his voice.

"Besides him, there weren’t any volunteers." Kirbold explained. "He was easily accepted."

"Stop talking so much," said Gresh quietly. " Your voice spreads all around. You don't want the Bone Hunters hearing you."

"You're an optimist my friend." said Strakk. "If they are here - and that's a given - then they already know of us, since the moment we left Iconox. Let's just hope they don't know what we took with us."

"And what if they know?" asked Gresh.

Strakk pointed at Gresh's Thornax luncher.

"Then we'll see if you can use that, young one."

***

An inexperienced observer would call Bara Magna a simple desert. When in fact, no matter where you look, the horizon is filled with pyramids, dunes or flatlands. In some places the wind blows over the sand grains with such strength, it could damage even a Glatorian armor.

Not to forget the murderous heat. The sun of Bara Magna fries the desert with such diabolical heat, that it’s visited only by the Bone Hunters or the desperate traders running from them. The sand is so hot, even its touch burns. Anyone stuck here without a supply of water dies within a day.

At dusk, the sun hides behind the horizon, as it was a torch, extinguished in hurry. When the temperature lowers significantly, the Agori start a fire for warmth. The desert is twice as dangerous at night. Nocturnal predators go out from their caves, from beneath their rocks and sand, where they hide from the heat. In shadows, the Bone Hunters can come as close as less than a dozen meters from the village, to capture a guard who heedlessly left the cover of a torch light. An old Agori saying goes: “At least you see death coming in daylight”. No one has that sort of luck at night.

However, those who know Bara Magna well enough are aware, that the world is something more than a desert.

They remember times when the Skrall River wasn't the only stream cutting through this once green land. They know that Tesara has not always been a miniature oasis, but a part of a vast, rich jungle. And they can still hear the screams of water birds flying over the ocean waves, which crushed into the shore a long time ago.

Everything vanished almost 100 000 years ago, when the great cataclysm changed the planet's face forever. After that, no one had time for history lessons. Worries on how to survive another day would occupy their minds.

The cart pushed through the hot sand, though Strakk saw this land as it once was. He came from the far north - Iconox was not his home. He was just nearby when the catastrophe took place that was later called "the Shattering. It was impossible to return to his home, so Strakk seek refuge in Iconox. At that time everything changed: a desert took the jungle's place and the heat melted the glaciers. Nobody knew how much there were left... and since then life became a struggle for survival.

Strakk turned his head behind. Iconox was already hidden deep beneath the horizon. He ordered his Stalker to stop.

"This should do." he said. "We can stop now. "

Gresh looked at Strakk surprised.

"What are you talking about?"

"And what do you think?" Strakk replied. "You didn't think we would bother dragging all this stuff the whole way up to the Black Mountains? If you really believed in my little tale about fighting the Bone Hunters, then keep your head from the sun from now on."

"But that's our mission." said Gresh.

Strakk snorted.

"Alright. Here's the plan: the Agori leave the cart and we take the exsidian and hide it. Then we break the cart into tiny bits. Back in the village we'll just say the Bone Hunters attacked us and took everything from us."

Both Agori looked at each other. Tarduk shook his head, clearly stating that he also does not know what's going on.

"And then?"

"Couple of weeks pass by, we return here and we dig up the treasure," Strakk smiled. "Then each of us gets his share and goes on his own. And nobody gets hurt."

"Except the Iconox villagers. Vulcanus will not forget a debt so easily." said Gresh after pointing his launcher at Strakk, a bit awkwardly though. "Well, then here's another plan. From now on you will ride ahead of us. If you try to escape, then believe me, you won't get too far"

"Are you stupid, or what?" Strakk growled "We have a fortune in our hands!"

Gresh pointed the way with the launcher.

"Go. We have a job to finish. We will do the right thing."

Strakk looked at Gresh with disbelief, but then he commanded his stalker to go and went ahead, mumbling "So many Glatorians on this world, and I got the one that has to do "the right thing"."

Gresh looked at Strakk without much thought, and then asked Tarduk "So, what do you think? What awaits us there? I don't like surprises."

"Everything you would not want to see" Tarduk replied. "It was rather peaceful here, but since Vorox proliferated on the Dunes of Treason, sand bats, dune snakes and even giant cave scorpions escaped to the north. There's so many of them, all the way up the Black Mountains."

"It's not the worst thing we can find," Kirbold cut in "Ever been on the Sea of Liquid Sand?"

Gresh shook his head. This "Sea" was found south of the Vulcanus village. It looked like a simple desert, but mostly it was made out of wet mud, that pulled anyone in. Luck and skills rarely helped, but those who lacked both now lie in it's depths.

"There are a few similar places here and there" said Kirbold "Not many, but still as bad, maybe worse. Imagine just going through the desert, minding your own business, and then..."

"Have you heard, Strakk?" Gresh asked.

"I would never want to miss out on such great news," said the ice Glatorian "It is a great privilege to ride as the first one."

"Keep your eyes open," said Gresh "It'll keep us from trouble."

"Yeah, it'll surely keep you..." Strakk did not hide his irony. "Just wait until I get pulled in by the mud. Then you'll just stop... and it'll keep you from trouble."

The next few moments were silent. Further away from them the Black Mountains appeared in their whole sinister majesty. Legends were said about them even in times when Bara Magna was a green paradise. Popular ones mentioned travelers who did not manage to return from their trip. Those, who did, changed. Their tales were far more interesting.

Gresh looked at Kirbold.

"And you? How did you end up here?"

"I dig up the mud," he answered "I use it to seal things. It doesn't rust and it's very effective."

"You did not answer my question."

"I extract the mud. I strip the earth of it. Sure, others use it, but it was me who discovered it. In a way, it's like... mine. If it's in danger I want to be there for it."

Gresh nodded. He has heard weirder things. After all, a Glatorian wouldn't let others touch his weapon for similar reasons.

The sun was at its peak. Gresh pointed at a rock incline.

"We will set up camp there and wait until it gets cooler."

Kirbold and Tarduk left the cart in the shade. They made sure to feed the spikit before getting a meal themselves. Strakk sat down on the sand and closed his eyes. Gresh kept guard.

"You think there's something out there?" Kirbold Asked Tarduk

"Who knows?" the Agori replied "Maybe there was once civilization in those mountains, one of which we never heard of. Maybe there are some tools or vehicles left there. For someone such as I, it's a treasure waiting to be discovered."

"No, not that... I meant monsters."

"Like, what I know...if you count the Skrall as monsters..."

Kirbold hung his head and gave the sand a blank stare.

"Umm, I don't think so. But if they attack us...We don't have anywhere to hide, don't you think?"

***

They set off later this evening. Strakk sighted a sand bat. It jumped from beneath the sand and dragged in a sand fox with it. The Spikit growled loudly out of fear and anger.

"I hate those," Said Strakk, "Never know when it'll jump out."

"Giant Scorpions are worse," Declared Tarduk, feeling a chill on his spine, "I ran into them a few times in the past, back when I was looking for artifacts in caves."

"There is an easy way of dealing with it," said Strakk.

"What?"

"Don't go frolicking in caves," the Glatorian smiled.

"I think we should worry about the dune snakes," Kirbold broke in.

"Yes? Why?" said Strakk with curiosity.

"Because they're all over us!"

Gresh's Sand Stalker panicked and pranced. Strakk's did the same thing. The Spikit kicked and was about to run when Kirbold halted him, trying to hold on to the leashes.

The sand seemed to move in a rhythm - the poisonous snakes crawled just underneath it. It looked like ocean waves, though the sight wasn't so soothing. Dune snakes are not afraid of picking on a bigger foe, and their venom is poisonous enough to make a single bite kill in seconds.

"It seems we crashed into their nest!" Yelled Strakk "Now what?"

Gresh struggled to gain control over his stalker.

"If your animal drops dead, jump! Otherwise it will crush you!"

"Thanks, I'd never have thought of that," Strakk growled "If only you'd listen...

"A gap!" Tarduk Cried "There! Look!"

The sand he pointed at was not moving. Everyone knew it was their only chance of escape.

"Move it!" Gresh commanded as he made his Stalker go in that direction.

Strakk managed to set off, jumping over a swarm of snakes that just jumped out from the sand. The Spikit, even though being prodded by Kirbold, couldn't go any further.

Strakk dashed off. He did not bother to look back. All of a sudden his stalker tripped and moments later got sucked in by the fluid sand. Before Strakk managed to jump off, he was already caught in the deadly trap.

"Help!" he cried.

"We can't help you," Kirbold replied. "If we come to close it'll suck us in too."

"He's a Glatorian. I can't leave him like this!" Gresh said, "We'll go around and try to rescue him."

"But that means going back to the snakes," noticed Tarduk.

"Well, then at least we have a choice," said Kirbold. "It's either him or us!"

Part Two
Gresh had no time to think. For several seconds, the sand devoured Strakk, and snakes gradually formed circles around the caravan. The only escape was through soft sand, but the trailer was so heavy as stone.

Suddenly he had an idea! The idea was crazy about suicide, but there was a chance of success. Everything depended on how high you jump Gresh and how fast was his Stalker, and his knowledge of the dunes. If even one element of the plan failed, none of them escape alive.

"Tarduk! I need a rope - the ones that are attached to the exsidian! Now!" Shouted Gresh.

The Agori quickly cut the rope. Hurried, tossed it to Gresh, reaching only two meters. The rest of the rope was in charge.

"Whatever happens now, nobody is separated," ordered Gresh. "Keep together on site and do not talk, okay?"

Kirbold and Tarduk obeyed. None of them got into conversation. On the other hand, they were approaching the dune snakes, which makes it hard to stop ignoring.

Gresh took the rope, tied it to his Stalker and gallop. He had to execute each step when necessary. On approaching the bank of soft sand, forcing the horse to jump. At that time, jumping over the treacherous sands, Gresh launched the end of the rope to Strakk. Upon grasping the rope, the Glatorian was released from the trap by the Sand Stalker.

"You saved me!" Strakk cried, delighted and surprised. "I cannot believe it!"

"I had to," said Gresh. "And now back to the caravan."

"Are you crazy?!" Strakk cried. "You want to go back to the dune? Exsidian, I care about much, but I will not risk my life!"

"No, if you're risking something of value," launched Gresh.

"No way!" Strakk shook his head.

"No time for debate," said Gresh. "You will receive half of my pay for this work."

Strakk's eyes shone with eagerness.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go!"

Gresh continued. The two drivers jumped the smooth sand and rode to the harness, with the hope that their mounts avoid encountering poisonous fangs of serpents. But instead of stopping at the caravan Gresh spun her around like a lunatic. Strakk was surprised to be doing the same. The Agori looked at the Glatorian in silence, who had apparently lost thier minds.

"Is there a reason why we doing this?" Strakk asked.

"Yes," said Gresh, "The dune snakes aren't dragging on the surface, no? So do not use sight or smell when hunting."

"They use their ears," Strakk guessed. "So we're making noise."

"Exactly," Gresh smiled. "It works, see?"

Strakk looked back. The snakes no longer surrounded the caravan, but that's still like a wave.

"Yiiiii!" He shouted.

"Over here!" Shouted Gresh.

The Tesaran Glatorian rode towards the soft sand, with Strakk right behind him. Gresh's mount jumped back over the deadly place. Strakk just managed to do the same. The hungry snakes of the dune were unable to avoid the trap of sand, and it absorbed them without giving them a chance to escape.

"Good thinking," admitted Strakk. "A trap against another. Although it costs almost half of your pay..."

Several hours later, the travelers arrived at the foot of the Black Spike Mountains. They found a narrow path between the rocks but the convoy barely fit in it, so Gresh wanted Strakk to go first, while he would go back. Strakk showed little enthusiasm for his proposal. Gresh explained that if someone had been following Iconox but not planne a frontal ambush, but attack from behind.

"You never know," said Strakk, "I saw traps in places where no one had ever expected. But you are too young to remember those things."

"When was that exactly?"

"At war. At a time when Bara Magna was part of a larger world... Long before he Shattering..."

Gresh had heard something of the war that changed the world 100,000 years ago. Other Glatorian were reluctant to talk about it. Apparently they wanted to eliminate at all costs all the memories related to that event.

"Enlighten me," said Gresh. "That he has to do with...?"

"The Black Spike Montains were one of the few places where there were no battles." Strakk said.

"No one wanted to fight here?" said Gresh.

"No one dared to approach this place," said Strakk "Check out these rocks. I bet there are many deposits of precious metals and who knows what else. Do you think anyone would want to extract? Forget it. Nobody came here, not even the Skrall.

In mentioning the Skrall, Gresh pressed his hand on the strap of his horse. Because for them there was no mystery that the Rock Tribe was not from the desert regions of Bara Magna. Their home was a land of volcanoes in the far north. They lived there for many centuries, protected by the warriors - the Skrall. In a not too distant past, the Skrall and Rock Tribe appeared in the south, inhabiting the Black Spike Mountains and the surrounding land. When they reached Roxtus, this became the largest city than any other tribe in Bara Magna. It was rumored that they had moved to the area running from something far more dangerous for them, but there was no evidence of this and the real reasons remained a mystery.

It soon became evident that the newcomers were not dependent on forging friendships with other tribes, the warriors sent into battle Glatorian not even attempt to do so. Anyone who had had to deal with them would have tp face the leader of the tribe, Tuma, and just left to take what they want. They however, by far, followed the rules. The fighting system in the arena was not a problem for the Rock Tribe - the Skrall were lovers of the struggle. So far no Glatorian had managed to defeat them. Gresh knew this perfectly. Not long ago, he lost a duel against a Skrall in the village of Vulcanus. The Skrall was willing to break rules to fight in the arena, and if a Glatorian not been involved in the fight, the encounter had been the last thing Gresh had done in his life. That simple memory caused him embarrassment. Tesara had lost its victory, and he had to do with it.

Gresh stopped thinking about it. It was the best time to plan revenge. He and his companions entered the territory of the Rock Tribe. The only concern that could happen is that they met with a Skrall.

"Look!" Kirbold said suddenly, pointing to the top of the hill.

Gresh looked up. The Glatorian saw three warriors on the edge of the summit. However, when he had a better view, was convinced that those are just a few helmets and armor hanging on stilts above the sand.

"They're only puppets," Gresh said. "Probably to deter uninvited guests."

"With great success," Strakk said "Look at them more closely."

"I stared at them. So what?"

"They are not Skrall armor. One is red, the other is blue, and the third is green. Where do you think they come? For me, are just spoils of dead Glatorian. Am I right?

"I don't think so," said Gresh.

"So don't believe me, rookie," laughed Strakk "They came here to find the end of their lives."

"You should remain silent." A new voice said.

The Glatorian be turned quickly, raising their Thornax Launchers there, from where came the ominous words of a calm voice. Tarduk grabbed the reins of Spikit, if they had to flee. Kirbold crouched in case of an imminent attack by the launchers.

Up on a rocky hillside, was a red armored Glatorian. Strakk and Gresh recognized him immediately. It was Malum. At one time his name was written with great respect, but Malum's wild temperament had caused problems. During a match in the arena, tried to assassinate a Glatorian. For that crime he was banished from the village of Vulcanus. Since then, his home was the desert.

"Well, well, look who I see," Strakk said. "And I thought that you were eating sand bats."

"Guys, do something!" Whispered Kirbold "I think he wants the treasure!"

"Don't worry," said Strakk "Why seek exsidian in an area so remote? And besides, if Malum wanted it, I would have taken before we entered here. Right, old friend?"

Malum looked Strakk with a cold stare.

"I've never been your friend. Even now."

"What do you want?" asked Gresh.

"I came warn you," He answered. "The Skrall have become more ambitious. Many of them are in the mountains, chasing something, maybe something like you. And you should listen to them talking about Tajun. It would be interesting."

"So how much o you care for us?" spat Strakk "Do you regret if we kill the Skrall, don't you?

The smile on the Malum's face not prophesying anything good.

"To be honest... yes."

***

Raanu, leader of the village of Vulcanus, had grave concerns. Without Malum, his village has just one experienced Glatorian available. There were several potential candidates to take their place, but until then, had not heard the advice of Agori. The last duel Glatorian with Iconox ended in victory for Vulcanus. Iconox had to pay exsidian, but the precious metal had not yet arrived. Raanu had discovered why.

"Through the Black Spike Mountains? Are they crazy?"

Metus, Glatorian trainer of Iconox, spread his hands.

"You know, the bone hunters..."

- I know abut the bone hunters," Raanu interrupted. "I've heard that excuse before. But my people that have justly earned the victory in the arena are waiting. If your pay does not deliver from Iconox..."

"Vulcanus not be willing to pay what you lose, if you lose, in the next fight," Metus concluded.

"And if that happens, Metus... our system will collapse before our eyes. By stopping the practice of settling disputes with Glatorian warriors, we expect one thing: war."

Metus reflected. Undoubtedly Raanu was right. Centuries ago, the Agori was clear that they could not afford an armed conflict between nations. Nobody wanted to keep in mind a clear image of the nightmare of destruction left by the last war. Thus, all disputes between tribes were settled with Glatorian. However, this system is based on mutual trust. The result of a duel in the arena was not subject to discussion and was absolutely accepted by all. If a village broke the rules or not paying as agreed, the other did the same.

"Therefore, we hope that those who were hired by Iconox not disappoint me ," he said softly. "If a bone hunter or even a Skrall intercepted the shipment ... we're in trouble."

***

Malum disappeared. Merged with the rocks so quickly and as unexpectedly as he came, with the ease of someone who was born among the mountains. Where had he gone? Gresh and his team did not know this and did not even want to know. But they did not take the warnings lightly.

"Skrall..." Tarduk said. " once tried to unearth some artifacts near Roxtus ... bad idea. I barely escaped. Had I have been caught, I would have been a corpse."

The road through the Black Mountains to the east indicated, but the road had become blurred by the passing years. The fresh mountain air brought some relief to the trip, especially Strakk, which occasionally had to descend the mountain to help push the caravan uphill. The silence was broken only by the sound of the hooves of the Stalkers, the whistling of the wind passing between the peaks and tranquil sound of wagon wheels.

A sharp cry of a mountain Striker disturbed both Glatorian. The second set of his attention. The Striker are birds of prey whose wingspan reaches five feet. Their claws were so easily through armor like dry parchment. They hunted mostly small animals, but driven by hunger, did not hesitate to attack opponents much larger than themselves. However, Strakk and Gresh prepared to fire their weapons, hoping not to meet with someone much more dangerous than the mountain Striker.

"Do you also think that this was not a bird?" Strakk asked, his voice barely audible.

"It sounded more like a signal," said Gresh.

"Skrall?"

"Exactly. Bone Hunters do not haunt these fields."

Strakk shook his head.

"If you can, then the Bone Hunters are smarter than I thought."

"What should we do?" Tarduk asked. "Try to escape? Are we ready for a fight?"

"We have heard his message. That means they're close. Too late to escape," Strakk said. "You, rookie, have always wanted this, wanting to be a hero. Now's your chance of dying as one."

Gresh plunged in thought. He must find a way to save them. They could also leave, pretending not to hear anything suspicious, and move on, trying to escape from the Skrall ambush. He tried to guess which option would Strakk chosen: running as soon as possible and leave behind the mountains. Is there any way to get the opportunity to deliver the goods to destination?

Too late. He had wasted too much time trying to decide. The Skrall had surrounded them. At the same time, warriors in black armor emerged from their hiding.

"This is a land of the Skrall," said one of them.

"The transition is forbidden for anyone," added a second.

"Unless you want to see Tuma," added the third. "What's in the caravan? Show it!"

"If we do, they will want the exsidian," Kirbold whispered nervously.

"And if we do not, they will kill us anyway!" Tarduk replied, then turned slowly and leave bare the burden.

Generally the Skrall showed no joy, not even smiling. However, the fighters managed to make them feel something that was not normal for their species - nearly made them laugh. They sought a priceless treasure that belonged to them briefly. Interposed between the precious metal were two Glatorian only, and two small Agori. In an instant, time seemed to stop.

"Take the contents of the caravan out!" ordered the group leader.

Strakk sighed with relief. Apparently, the fate had been kind to them. It's true: exsidian was lost, but at least he kept his head. That had been lucky that the "supply" of the Skrall sounded better than a Gresh' scolding.

"We have business with Iconox" The Glatorian said proudly. "The burden is not ours. We cannot leave without the consent of the owner."

The Skrall's faces became serious.

"Try it," threatened a Skrall.

"Of course I will," said Gresh.

What are you doing rookie? Strakk thought. It will kill us all!

"Iconox is indebted to Roxtus," Gresh lied. "We have orders to deliver payment directly to Tuma as a humble apology for the delay. He wants to see it directly. Do you want to say that you have not heard of a humble apology from the Agori and the messengers were sent back to the desert?"

His words quickly to panicked in the Skrall. Tuma, their leader, was the only being who really frightened them. Doing so would anger him release his immense power. He said he could beat any Skrall and smashed the bones of their rivals Skrall just for fun. Nobody wanted to stand before him and explain why it has not received what they expected.

"Well then, you will be with us," said a Skrall. "But unarmed."

Two Skrall approached the Glatorian, took his Thornax Launcher, Gresh's shield and Strakk's axe. They searched the car. They found an extra weapon, which thy confiscated, and after which the Glatorian were ordered to stay away from the caravan, and stay close to their stalkers. Under the watchful eye of Skrall bearing arms, the team began to question thier chances of success.

"Bright idea," Strakk murmured. "Now you'll want to give our hands in addition to exsidian. Do you think they're kidding? What will come of us when we meet Tuma and they find out we lied?"

"Nothing," said Gresh. "Because it was not my intention to meet with him."

"What?"

"Right," replied Gresh, hitting a Strakk doubloon of exsidiana directly to the head.

Most surprising of all was that the wounded Strakk did not answer. After a while both were fiercely pushing the caravan.

"Stop!" the Skrall said, as they approached the trailer to separate them.

''This is what I expected. ''Gresh thought. When the Skrall were within his reach, they received a powerful blow of exsidian. Gresh pulled a Thornax Launcher, and before anyone could react, he fired, directly hitting the rock wall on the right, reloaded and fired again pitcher - this time in the rock wall on the left. Both shots caused an avalanche, carrying tons of rock directly to the caravan and their escort.

The Skrall fled before the avalanche. Gresh jumped straight to his chair and shouted to Stalker closest to him:

"Ride, Kirbold!"

The Agori took the reins, and made the Spikit run at full speed, something that anyone in that situation would. The rocks that fell to the trailer fell toward the sides, making it more narrow the road to escape the Skrall.

"We have to go faster!" Tarduk cried.

"We can't!" Strakk replied, trying to be sarcastic. "We are running and driving a car with a few tons of exsidian. How can we go faster?"

"Come on!" Launched Gresh."At least we are making ground beat."

"It is better to stop talking!" Strakk growled, trying to massage his sore head by the blow from Gresh. "The next time you have a plan, you should share it with me!

Strakk snatched Thornax Launcher to Gresh and turned to persecution. He pointed to the rocks that rolled over them and fired. The rocks were shattered, creating another shower of stones. Unfortunately, at that time did the breakdown of the entire hillside - now a gigantic piece of rock moving rapidly toward the trailer.

" It's coming towards the caravan!" Tarduk cried.

The Spikit stopped and stood near the motorcade, almost blocking out, but managed to hide Strakk and Kirbold it. Gresh left his Stalker, threw the rider's seat and placed it over the trailer. Tarduk plunged into the car, while he did it Gresh. A wave of lighter rocks slid off the trailer when they collided with the rider's seat, pushing them to the sides.

A moment later it was over. Where previously the Agori and Glatorian were with the car was a big mess now. The air was stifling due to rock dust. Some, silence ensued.

The Skrall who escaped alive, approached. At first sight, was enough to understand that it was desirable to gather something of a big pile of stones.

"Now what will we tell Tuma?" Asked one of the warriors.

"Nothing" said the leader. "There was no transport. No one saw it. If anyone ever asked what happened to them, we say that it was an accident ... just another event in a dangerous landscape."

The Skrall watched the axe and shield - Gresh's and Strakk' s weapons- they had in their hands. After some thought they were thrown on the stones of the rubble.

"We do not need the ... they will no longer will be useful."

Part Three
Strakk saw nothing.

Strakk could not breathe.

Of course, had to be hundred percent sure ... but felt that it would not feel good.

I deserve it, he thought. This is the last time I'll do something for others. I have a very soft heart. That's my problem. Enough! It's over! I will become a champion of the arena, never to take a job in my life, no matter what I do.

He clenched his fist and hit something hard. Something grabbed his wrist and pulled strongly ahead. Strakk was relieved when;he touch ground. When he looked, he saw a faint light moving dust, forming a familiar silhouette. The dust raised by the fall forced him to cough violently.

"Okay," asked after a while. "What happened?"

"Still you ask?" Replied an angry Gresh to Strakk. "Your fire triggered an avalanche. The slope almost fell down to our heads!.

"But I'm alive, right?" Strakk murmured, rising. "If not,I would have gone to where good souls go. I do not think this is the place."

"The avalanche pushed us against the wall of the ravine. Then I saw a post opened in the rock," Tarduk said. "Well, they are gone.

"And the caravan? Does it still have the product?" Strakk said, alarmed. "If the Exsidian is lost, I will not receive my pay and the whole expedition will have been a waste of time."

"The Spikit is a bit battered, but the car is full," Kirbold said. "I'm glad you asked."

While Tarduk spoke, Gresh returned to where it was before the departure. It was closed. Pushing with all his strength, tried to move the rock, without success.

"Even if it is opened from the inside, no doubt on the other side would be blocked by debris and bounds. I prefer not to go out that way."

Tarduk lit a torch, illuminating the dark corridor.

"Is there another option?"

Strakk stepped forward, carefully examining the surface of the walls. The rock was polished and was perfectly smooth. It was hoped that a second exit - if they had one - was not located somewhere in the ceiling, so climbing was not an option. He walked away, looking for scratches, cracks or anything that indicated the existence of a door, but due to the level of lighting the torch Tarduk did not find anything.

"What do you think we will go from here?" He asked.

"This is not a natural;tunnel," Gresh said. "Someone created it. But why? And where will it lead?"

"Well," Tarduk shrugged. "It seems that wherever we take this path, we must follow ... Or perhaps prefer to stay here until the end of;our days?"

Everyone sighed with relief when they discovered that the corridor was wide enough to pass the caravan in Exsidian. According Kirbold's calculations, the corridor was running roughly from east to west, nearly agreeing with the established route for the trip. Of course, if he was wrong, and the broker did not follow this direction, undoubtedly would cross the Dark Falls and end in the eastern territories. Nobody liked the option. They knew that all travelers - even the Skrall - never returned.

Tarduk's torch was the only source of light in the hallway. They had not yet encountered any sign, arrow or other indication to know where they were, or where they went. Tarduk also wondered why there were no signs of life. No doubt the sand bats would have dug holes to gain entry. If there was another way out it would be closed. Perhaps even he was not ...

For a moment Tarduk regretted that Bara Magna' tribes were not related to their source elements. And if so, the Jungle Tribe could control on plant life? Or the Ice Tribe would have the authority on ice? Strakk could cut off the entrance to the corridor as a piece of ice and break it in half with one blow of his axe

That illusion was nice but was better than impossible. Nearly a hundred thousand years ago warriors like Strakk fought a major war on the planet. Everyone knew how it ended. Tarduk preferred not to think what would have happened if at that time they had the ability to control the elements.

"Hey, look," Gresh said. "What is that?"

The brightness of the recorded signals lit torch on the wall of the right side of the aisle. A series of circles with lines were registered at various angles, forming a strange inscriptions. In the face of a smile appeared Tarduk.

"I once saw something like that!" Tarduk said, rushing to the wall to see the markings more closely. "I found these writings in some ruins!"

"Excellent," Strakk said. - I hope this says 'Exit'."

"I don't know what is written here. I never read them," Tarduk said. " But from where I found them, perhaps ... I think ..."

"Spit it out!" Strakk grunted.

"... I think it has something to do with the Great Beings..." Tarduk ended in silence.

"Well, that's wonderful," an injured Strakk rubbed his head. "Just great. There may be better. Unless you see a lava flow here ..."

"These are... good news," Gresh said.

"You know what? I think I left a flaming torch at home," Kirbold murmured. "I should return."

Tarduk perfectly understood his teammates. Even if no one had met face to face with the Great Beings, all knew them. Many people would forgive them for making Bara Magna a technologically advanced world. However, the vast majority of them blamed the catastrophe that hit the world. Why did they disappeared, Tarduk did not know - in time it became a legend. However, there is no doubt one thing: the Great Beings committed a horrible act, but that was not important. The consequences of their negligence was a tragic disaster.

Since then no one talked about the Great Beings. Nobody wanted them, but could hardly imagine that meet them out easy. Tarduk in the past made several attempts to find the Great Beings, but the leader of his tribe forbade him to look for them, considering his attempts as a "waste of time."

But here he is not there, thought Tarduk. Perhaps now, he will finally manage to learn something from them.

"Why did the Great Beings dig a tunnel in the mountains?" Asked Gresh.

"To reach the other side of the mountain?" Strakk replied with a hopeful tone in his voice.

"Perhaps the Great Beings could have built this place ... and have left a guard?" Tarduk suggested. "You may know where we are now."

"After 100,000 years? Please!" Strakk joked.

Suddenly the sound of an echo sounded in the hall - a hollow sound, like something from the ceiling had been loose and dropped. Everyone was frightened.

"Someone is there," Kirbold whispered.

"Something is wrong," said Gresh, without raising his voice. "I'll investigate."

Before Strakk could protest, Gresh advanced. A few hundred feet the floor of the hall seemed a bit different. The smooth surface was replaced by thousands of ancient stones. The walls were also more symbols. As he made strange noises heard - a scraping and a quiet hiss of air. Gresh nerves were taut to the limit.

"Gresh!" Tarduk cried. "The ground is moving beneath your feet!"

Gresh looked down. Tarduk was right. "Stones" in which roads the tunnel were actually scarabax Beetles. The swarm covered the floor of the corridor wall to wall. Small ones were not a problem - they could easily be trample. But scarabax adults were as hard as steel armor. Furthermore, it was necessary to provoke them.

Gresh quickly stepped back. This caused a violent commotion among insects. If his movement had been more violent, after five seconds had not been heard from him.

Suddenly he heard a roar in the tunnel. It flew straight at him. A Sand Bat. For anyone who had walked through the desert, the Sand Bats aroused horror and panic. These large predators with a snake body and bat wings suddenly leap from the sand and quickly drag their victims into the depths of the desert. In addition to the beetles, Gresh had another problem - the animal was very hungry.

Gresh stumbled and fell back to bug infestation. Kirbold and Tarduk approached to help Gresh. Strakk hesitated a moment, but immediately ran after them. He knew he would succeed in saving his companion ... will only be another meal.

The Sand Bat lunged to Gresh. The mind of Glatorian ran at breakneck speed, reminding his people, the faces of his friends, Kiina and Vastus...

Gresh instinctively closed his eyes when the sand bat rushed toward him, showing his teeth. For a moment he could see nothing, only heard a furious whisper, suddenly rang around. The noise drowned all other sounds, except ... the desperate cry of the Sand Bat.

***

Fero made his steed to stop. I wanted to see this place close. In his view, lay an intriguing mystery.

Fero belonged to the Bone Hunters. He was one of the best, but recently the target was clearly not in favor of it. The attack on the village of Vulcanus miserably ended in failure - a handful of Glatorian were sent to stop him. I was not sure how this happened, but could not resist the idea that someone was guilty of treason. He was humiliated in front of his tribe. Pride would not let him out of this without consequences.

Shortly after he left camp. Although he had no intent to hunt or plunder the Agori caravans. No, Fero tracked juicier prey - Glatorian to beat him days earlier. He promised to pursue them fall one by one. His revenge would end when the desert sand consumed them all.

Fero followed Strakk's trail to exit of Iconox. He wanted to wait until nightfall, attack and destroy the Glatorian, leaving his knife embedded in his flesh, as a warning to others. However, during their survey found that Strakk was with Gresh and both were carrying a load of Exsidian. Fate had given him the opportunity to defeat two enemies and gain a substantial reward of a stroke.

He needed a plan. Even the most experienced Bone Hunter would not run the risk of facing two Glatorian, unless he had a chance. The two went on a long journey. Await the right moment to attack them by surprise.

The Black Spike Mountains had made them an easy target, but the Skrall had meddled in its path. Furiously, he watched a group of warriors escorting their victims with their valuable cargo to the village of Roxtus. Then there was an escape attempt that ended with a avalanche and the survivors retreated Skrall recognizing and dead prey.

As for the debris - the purported resting place of two Glatorian, two Agori and several tons of Exsidian - Fero understand why the Skrall didn't believe anyone could survive this catastrophe. However, something told him that appearances are deceiving. Perhaps the instinct of Bone Hunters, trained for years in the wilderness led him to conclude that Gresh and Strakk were still alive.

Of course, he had gone to check this by digging through tons of stones, but this type of work was not part of the Fero's favorite activities. In addition, the Skrall could return at any time. Then Fero had a good idea. The only way to avoid death in an avalanche was to be in a cave. The caves of the mountains often have a second exit - perhaps the road that were taking Glatorian also had it. Fero was intended to find them and wait them.

Fero turned his steed and went off the road. He knew where he would be leaving. And when Strakk and Gresh fell into his hands, his defeat in Vulcanus would be avenged.

***

Gresh opened his eyes. The scarabax swarm emerged from the ground like a miniature tornado and flung herself on the Sand Bat. For a moment, the beast disappeared under a thick black cloud. And when the cloud disappeared, where the Scarabax has been, Gresh noted where the sand bat had been - nothing remain of the creature. Soon the beetles were separated in all directions, and Gresh - still in shock - stood up.

- How did it happen? - Asked hurriedly, while checking if a beetle was not attached to his armor.

- You ran straight into a scarabax swarm. That was stupid - Strakk explained. - Then you fell amid a Scarabax swarm. That was another stupid. Well, the sand bats are more sanity than you.

Gresh gritted his teeth, with difficulty refrained not to give an answer to Strakk.

- And that's what I did wrong?

Kirbold intervened, preventing Strakk make things worse.

- The Scarabax react to sudden movements. When stumbled ... did not sound as violent as the sand bat. Flapping its wings caught his attention, so you forgot and jumped on him.

- And why fled?

- Who knows, maybe they went to take a nap after lunch? At least they are gone - Tarduk shrugged.

- Ah, now that's not the most important... - Strakk sighed.

- No? So what is it? Enlighten - a curious Kirbold responded.

- Sand Bats do not live in hiding in the rocks corridors - Strakk voice betrayed impatience. - They live in the desert, buried in the sand and hunt everything that happens on the surface. In places like this, no food for them. Get it?

- Has come here from abroad, like us - Gresh guessed. - Except that flew from the other side, that means...

- ... that mean there must be an exit! - Kirbold concluded. - We just have to find it!

- Well, wise man - Strakk said. - Can we take before these worms appear again?

The team was launched. The corridor is twisted, rose and fell, but Tarduk was more interested in inscriptions on the walls, waiting to see them again later. Still no idea what they might mean. He could not tell if they were symbols or numbers - walking too fast and had no time to see well.

- I think I see something - Kirbold said. - No, there lies before us.

Tarduk stared into the darkness. Kirbold was right - well ahead shone a dim light. Without thinking, Gresh moved in that direction. Kirbold made the Spikit run fastest to keep pace with him.

- What is it? - Strakk cried. - A door? Is the exit?

Gresh came down the hall. Through a narrow slit in the middle, fell a faint stream of sunlight. Touching the wall with both hands, Gresh tried to find a button or a lever to open it.

- I think so - he replied. - If only we can find ... I have it!

The Glatorian pushed a square stone slightly embedded in the wall. After a moment they heard the echo of an old metal activating mechanism. However, it did not open any door.

Something completely unexpected happened.

- This does not look good ... unless our luck will change - Strakk said.

Tarduk jumped from the car. Strakk was right - the corridor walls approached each other. Their calculations did not indicate anything good. The rate at which the walls were moving, they only had five minutes to live before the end crushed.

Part Five
It’s true, in extreme crisis situations, everything seems to slow down, Gresh thought. After all, he was, along with two Agori, one Glatorian and a wagon with a valuable cargo, plunging into the depth, probably to their death… and yet, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. The water was drawing closer inch by inch and he felt every breath he took – in, out, in, out. In his mind everything raced madly, even though he seemed to have all time of the world till impact.

Below them was the headwaters of the Skrall River, in which the melting water of the Black Spike Mountains came together to feed the oasis of Tajun with the live-giving liquid. The river ran south, but thanks to the great heat, it already evaporated before reaching the region of Atero.

Gresh braced his body. Even if he hadn’t spent all his live living near water, it would have been clear to him that all his bones would break during the impact, so he had to submerge cleanly. Headfirst he split the water’s surface, but he had forgotten that even here the Skrall River wasn’t very deep. His head hit a rock at the bottom of the river and everything went black.

Then the darkness was pushed away by lively colors. Gresh stood amidst the Sea of Liquid Sand and despite the quicksand that surrounded him, he managed to remain on his feet. Not far away the village of Vulcanus was burning. The Agori and Glatorian burned, too, but walked around as if nothing was happening.

He looked right. Malum lead a horde of Vorox to Vulcanus, but instead of attacking they passed through the village and charged into a group of Bone Hunters. Nearby sat a troop of Skrall and watched the action. Once both sides were tired from fighting, the Skrall overwhelmed both, the Vorox and the Bone Hunters.

Then something even stranger happened. A shooting star crossed the sky and lightened up the desert night for miles around. It fell down and bruned a crater into the sandy floor. Smoke and flame rose and finally a figure rose slowly… one Gresh had never seen before. At first he thought it was a Glatorian, but the creature kept growing and growing and soon towered miles over Bara Magna.

The figure grew and grew… or was it Gresh who was shrinking? He looked down at himself and noticed that his legs were half sunken into the quicksand. He was sinking! He called for help, but the Agori in Vulcanus were too occupied with the fire and the Skrall with the battle. Only the giant figure stood over the chaos below and called Gresh’s name.

“Gresh… Gresh… Gresh!”

The Glatorian’s eyes snapped open. The burning village, the quicksand, the Skrall and the giant were gone. He was lying in the sand and looked up to the two Glatorian Ackar and Kiina. Strakk, Tarduk and Kirbold sat nearby in the shadow of a precipice.

“You gave us quite a scare”, Kiina said, laughing.

“Don’t try to get up”, Ackar advised. “You hit your head really hard.”

“What… how did you get here?, Gresh asked and tried to get up despite Ackar’s warning. Immediately everything began to spin and he had to lie down again.

“When the Exsidian ore didn’t arrive in Vulcanus, Raanu grew nervous”, Ackar replied. “If it will not be delivered, Iconox can’t pay their debt to Vulcanus for the lost match.”

Gresh understood what this would mean. Peace on Bara Magna was maintained by the Glatorian system. Every village could rely on that the other villages would pay their debts caused by lost matches. If a village didn’t fulfill this duty, at best their representatives were excluded from the arena matches. In the worst case it could lead to bitter conflicts. Because of the scarce resources it was the best solution to pit Glatorian against each other as representatives for their villages and that way solve disputes among the Agori.

“Ackar convinced Raanu to wait a little instead of acting too hastily”, Kiina said. “He said we would either find you and the Exsidian or try to prove that Iconox sent the cargo on its way. We just arrived in the moment when Strakk fished you out of the river.”

Gresh gave his fellow warrior from Iconox a surprised look. Strakk and he were anything but good friends and he knew that this one never did anything without wanting something in return. Their gazes met. “Tarduk promised me a part of his next artifacts trove when I find you and get you out of the water”, Strakk explained. “Thus is was only reasonable to…”

Kiina stared angrily at Strakk as if she wanted to teach him a lesson with her trident. Ackar had walked over to the shores of river and stared into the water.

“At least we found you, but according to Kirbold, the Exsidian is lying at the bottom of the river. Raanu won’t exactly be happy about this.”

“Worse”, Kirbold said, “if we don’t have a safe route anymore to send cargo from Iconox to Vulcanus and back, then it is of no use that these both villages challenge each other in the arena. When a village has got something the other one wants there’ll be confrontations.”

“If we manage to get the Exsidian to Vulcanus we may be able to avoid that”, Ackar said. “But your Spikit ran away, the wagon is shattered and the whole area is teaming with Vorox and Skrall… the situation is serious.”

Gresh forced himself to get up. Everything was spinning for a moment, at first fast, then slower, that way he didn’t get sick. He staggered over to Ackar. The Exsidian had probably buried itself deep into the riverbed. It would be possible to recover it with the proper equipment, however, without the wagon, they could only transport a few ingots anyway. Even if they loaded a few ingots onto Ackar’s and Kiina’s Sand Stalkers, the expedition would be far from being a success.

“Maybe we should get a wagon from Iconox?”, Tarduk suggested.

“We probably could save us that effort”, Kiina said. “What do you think, Ackar, may there be someone around who would be very eager to get some Exsidian?” She nodded her head towards the north.

Ackar smiled.

***

“This is an absurd idea”, Strakk grumbled while trudging through the sand. “Not only absurd – suicidal, too. And of course they chose me for it.”

He kept himself from looking back. Strakk knew exactly that Ackar and Kiina were watching him from up between the rocks, allegedly to cover his back, but he knew the true reason. They wanted to make sure he didn’t make a run for it.

Strakk marched from the Dark Falls to the southeast, in the direction of the open desert. Gresh had proposed to head north, to Roxtus, but Kiina had been against it.

“On that way he’ll never make it past Malum and his Vorox”, she said. “Additionally, the Skrall are not stupid enough to think a Glatorian would voluntarily come to them if there was another solution. No, the encounter has to look accidental.”

Thus Strakk was wandering through the desert, beneath the burning sun, without any equipment. If he was “fortunate”, a Skrall patrol would cross his way. If not, he’d fall victim to the bone hunters or some hungry desert creature. Not for the first time he asked himself whether the Match with Ackar he had been promised was worth all this.

Strakk stopped to drink something. During the accident he had lost his water canister, but he had insisted that Kiina would give him hers before he moved out. Kiina was afraid that the Skrall would not believe his story when he was carrying water, but Strakk refused to leave without water. He took a large gulp. When he took down the water canister, he saw something in the distance.

He saw riders coming towards him. He couldn’t make out who they were through the heat waves rising from the sand. He counted about half a dozen armed figures on Sand Stalkers. Strakk felt a surge of relief. Bone Hunters rode Rock Steeds, so the riders were probably not raiders. He at least didn’t want to fall into the hands of the wrong criminals.

He forced himself to stop walking. Even though his mind called at him “Run!”, Strakk in no way was a coward – after all, one couldn’t be a successful Glatorian if one had fear. But he thought practically. Should something happen to him, his compensation would at least have to be generous… If it would still be of use to him…

The riders had now come close enough that he could make them out. It was a well-equipped Skrall patrol eager for a round of “punch the Glatorian”. Strakk felt how his knees grew soft, but he kept himself together. He had to look exhausted and afraid if his plan was to succeed – at least that is not hard, he thought.

The leader of the squad was an elite warrior Strakk hat met before. His name was Stronius. He had watched many Skrall matches in the arena, with unmoving features and without saying even one word. Rumors say he came to supervise the Skrall Glatorian. Should one of them, by some miracle, lose – or simply not win fast enough – he had the permission to punish him.

Apparently the Skrall even need more motivation to really punch someone, Strakk thought sarcastically.

Stronius rode directly towards Strakk and looked down on the Glatorian with a self-pleased smile. “A long way from home… Glatorian.”

“I am…”, Strakk began.

Stronius cut him off. “Maybe you need a meal and a bed. I am sure we’ll find something for you in Roxtus.”

Strakk had to gulp. He has heard a lot of rumors about Glatorian that were on their way to Roxtus – or were taken their against their will – and were never seen again. They said they were used as “guinea pigs”. That was the least creepy version. Other speculations on why they were brought to Roxtus and what happened to them there were far worse.

“I was on a journey with a few others”, Strakk explained. “Our wagon plunged down the Dark Falls. I… I am the only survivor.”

“A wagon?”, Stronius asked. “What was the cargo?”

Strakk hesitated shortly before answering, just long enough to seem believable. “Exsidian, we were on our way to Vulcanus. But it is now at the bottom of the river.”

Stronius smiled. His eyes were gleaming with greed. “You are aware, Glatorian, that we could finish you off now and take the Exsidian for ourselves?”

At least he’s honest, Strakk thought.

“But we don’t do such things”, Stronius continued. “As honest citizens of Bara Magna we will do something else instead. I’ll send one of my men to Roxtus in order to get a wagon and you will lead us to the spot where the Exsidian sunk. And then we will… get it out for you and send you and your cargo on your way again.”

This can’t mean anything good, Strakk said to himself. The Skrall don’t exactly have the reputation of being a charity organization.

The Glatorian looked down at the sand, then up at Stronius. If he would agree to this proposal too fast, this would not seem authentic – the Skrall knew that no Glatorian could seriously believe they would let him go – neither with nor without cargo. Strakk pretended to struggle with himself and finally resign and accept. “Agreed.”

“You made a wise decision”, Stronius said, which was supposed to mean about as much as: Had you said no, you’d already be dead now.

***

It took a few hours until the Skrall returned with the wagon. Stronius didn’t let Strakk out of his sight. Once or twice the Ice Glatorian was tempted to betray the plot, hoping that the Skrall would let him go home. But his intelligence won – by telling the truth he would ensure that he would never have the opportunity to lie again.

When the Skrall finally returned he brought the message that Tuma, leader of the Skrall, hat doubts about Stronius’ plan. However, he agreed under the condition that the “job” would have to be done as fast as possible and any “excessive material” would have to be disposed of immediately. Strakk had heard many names for him, but “excessive material” was new to him.

They made their way to the Skrall River in silence. Strakk hoped the other Glatorian had stayed true on their word and were waiting for him. Should they have thought twice of it and had left for Vulcanus, he’d be in great trouble.

When they reached a rise, Strakk saw the spot. Neither Gresh, Kiina, Ackar nor anyone else was to be seen. First he started to panic on the inside – they had betrayed him! Then he noticed that no tracks could be seen in the sand at the shores. He calmed down a little. They wouldn’t have had any reason to cover all tracks when they were only on their way to the fire village. The plan was still valid and he had to keep playing his role.

“I don’t see any trace of your comrades”, Stronius said. He didn’t sound distrustful, but rather bored. After one year in Bara Magna he no longer found the tricks of the Glatorian amusing.

“The river carried them away”, Strakk replied a little too fast. “I am the only one who survived.”

“I see”, Stronius said. “So if I send one of my men downstream, he’ll find them where the water loses itself in the sand.”

“Sure”, Strakk responded. What else would he have been supposed to say…

Stronius gestured to three of his men. “Go and see whether you find something in the riverbed – and be thorough. The life of a Glatorian depends on it.”

The three Skrall descended and stepped into the water. Only a few moments passed until their armored heads reappeared at the surface. One of them swam to the shore and climbed into the sand. In one hand he was holding an Exsidian ingot.

“Down there are the remains of a wagon”, the Skrall reported. “And more ingots like this one.”

“Very good”, Stronius said. “All of you, go down and get that stuff up. Meanwhile, I will keep an eye on our ‘friend’.”

The Skrall warriors went to work. As with every labor they tackled they were fast and thorough. Again and again they would emerge with new ingots that were loaded onto the wagon. The higher the stack got, the broader grew Stronius’ smile. Without a doubt he was already thinking of how Tuma would welcome him when he returned with such a treasure.

When the wagon was fully loaded, Stronius and his men got back on their Sand Stalkers. The elite Skrall grinned to Strakk and pointed his Thornax launcher at him. “Thanks a lot, Strakk. We will forever remember your services for the village of Roxtus … on your memorial stone.”

Strakk closed his eyes. The shrill whistling of a fired Thornax could be heard and shortly afterward a sharp cry. But it didn’t come from Strakk. The Glatorian opened his eyes and saw Stronius lying in the sand.

“Drop your weapons – now!”, Ackar bellowed down from the nearby rocks. “Get away from the wagon!”

The Skrall warriors opened fire with explosive Thornax ammunition. Strakk used the mess to run to the river. He wanted to cross it and make a break for the desert beyond it. He had already come to the opposite side when Kiina appeared behind a sand dune.

“Where are you going?”, she snapped at him while she kept firing Thornax barrages at the Skrall.

"Getting out of the kine of fire”, Strakk answered. “I am unarmed, in case you missed that.”

“Being unarmed will be your smallest problem when you abandon us”, Kiina shot back. “For example when we make you one head shorter. Here!” She gave Strakk her trident. “Start being useful. And remember – point the sharp end at the villains.”

Even though the enemies outnumbered them, Ackar had managed to keep the Skrall away from the wagon. Stronius had sent a warrior that was supposed to stop the Glatorian. He had already managed it around and half up the rocks when he crossed paths with Gresh, who hurled a well-aimed stone at him. The Skrall fell tumbling back into the sand.

“Are you ready?”, Ackar yelled.

Kiina nodded and took aim. “Go!”, she cried.

The two Glatorian fired their Thornax launchers parallel onto the sand directly in front of the Skrall. The explosive projectiles collided nosily and whirled sand through the air and into the eyes of the Skrall. Temporarily blinded they could not prevent that the Glatorian Gresh and Strakk and the two Agori raced to the wagon and climbed aboard. Ackar rode over and brought Kiina her Sand Stalker, which she rapidly mounted.

“Go!”, Kiina yelled when she drove the Skrall’s Sand Stalkers apart. Gresh spurred the Spikit on with his reins and the wagon was rapidly racing away. Ackar turned around and fired at the Skrall who were reemerging from the sand cloud.

“I can’t believe it worked!”, Strakk said.

“It’s not over yet”, Gresh reminded him. “We have yet to reach Vulcanus.”

“And I’m afraid they still have a score to settle with us”, Kiina said, pointing back. Gresh looked over his shoulder. The Skrall had recaptured their Sand Stalkers and were in hot pursuit of the wagon. Spikit were fast and enduring, but not as fast as Sand Stalkers at full speed. It was only a matter of time till the Skrall would catch up.

“Any good ideas?”, Strakk asked assembled the group.

“Kiina and I could search cover and stop them”, Ackar said, “while you keep riding to the village.”

“No way”, Gresh said. “This has actually been our task. I won’t let anything happen to you because you help us.”

“I don’t think we need your permission for that, little one”, Kiina replied. “Look for a suitable spot, Ackar, where we can take them into crossfire.”

“Wait a second”, Strakk interrupted. “There is someone up ahead – red-armored. Maybe Vulcanus sent some rookie warriors as support?”

“Whoever it may be, I hoped they are well-equipped!”, Ackar said. “We are about to have a rough confrontation.”

They quickly got nearer to the figures. When the sight became better, Gresh felt his stomach becoming as tight as a knot.

“Oh, I don’t think you have to worry about that. They are well-equipped, that much is for certain.”

Strakk stared ahead. “I don’t believe that. We can impossibly have that much bad luck.”

“Who are they”, Ackar asked while his gaze was still fixed on the Skrall closing in behind them.

Gresh wanted to answer, but the words stayed stuck in his throat. After everything they went through he couldn’t believe their mission was about to end… and more than that…

“They are not coming from Vulcanus”, he finally said. “The red armor… it is Malum. He and his Vorox are expecting us.”

“And the Skrall are right behind us”, Kiina remarked.

“Around us there is nothing but endless desert”, Ackar said to himself. “No hiding place to be seen. Neither can we escape nor defeat them, least of all do both.”

“I bet we have good chances to be trashed”, Strakk said. “We are about to find out…”

Characters

 * Strakk
 * Gresh
 * Metus
 * Tarduk
 * Kirbold
 * A Spikit
 * Dune Snakes
 * Striker
 * Bone Hunters (mentioned only)