Wednesday, January 5, 2005

Deaths Desire
Death, Sweat Death
How long have you called to me
Your promise of Nothing but peace
No grand design, No eternal bliss or damnation
Just the quiet end to life.

How long have I struggled to dig out an existence
just to have it turned upside down in a moment of weakness
I hunger for it all to end, why should I watch my life decay before me?
Death Calls to me, promising an end to my toil
I live for the struggle, its all I have.

Is it time for me to give in? Let death have my soul?
I thought friendship would make me stronger, but has it?
Its bad enough to see the ruins of my existence,
Seeing theirs only deepens my souls decay
Is my rotting flesh contaminating their chance at life?

Death, Sweat Death, you whisper to me like a lover,
Calling for my embrace, Letting me know it will soon be over
The thought of it excites me, giving joy to my heart
It is time that I meet you, let your guidance show me peace
Let the ruins be my grave, Death I Embrace you.
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Sunday, September 19, 2004

Drunken Dreams
Reality

Buzz! With a startle I awake to semi-conciousness. I hurridly stumble across the room bumping

into things as I go. Desperatley, I instinctively fumble for the alarm. As my eyes fix on the my

angry red numbers flashing 4:30 on my alarm clock, I nurse a bruised shin. After a moment to get

barings, I quickly dress. My clothes are thick cotton sweats with heavy hiking boots. One final

check of the time and I head for the door.

The early morning breeze is cool against my face as as I stretch for the morning jog. A dog

barking down the street tells me of my friends getting closer. I wait quitely for their arrival.

When the first one walks into the light, I see a young Hispanic man in a dark green, long sleeve

T-shirt, and black pants almost hiding his black running tennis. Then his brother, a mirror image

of him, enters the light.

"Hey ya'll," I say in greeting.

"Hey," Mike replies as Leo says, "Hey man."

With a quik check to see that we are ready, MIke sets a pace, and the three of us start

runnning down the street. The sound of dogs barking follows us as we rythmically stomp the ground.

We soon turn on to sixth street and head out of town. The scent of a feed lot crosses the road

and makes me gag. Mike pulls up his shirt to use as a mask, and Leo picks up the pace. But quickly

the scent disipates. Our path vanishes aas a cloud covers the moon. My only comfort is the steady

breathing of the guys next to me. Beads of sweat cover my face as we push forward on our run.

Headlights in the distance tell us of a car heading for us, so we move over to the side of the

road. When it passes we spread out again. The road turns into dirt just after the moon comes back

out. The light allows me to see a rabbit in a nearby ditch. What I thought was a dry ditch turned

out to be a foot full of water. The rabbit had been running next to the edge. Too late to do more

than land, I splashed down into the ditch. My friend's yell comments and laugh as they keep up

with me from the road.

The rabbit gets away while I stumble trying to gain balance. My friends have gotten ahead of

me, so I climb out and rush after them. Our rhythm is runied by the squishing sound coming from my

boots. with every step I felt the suction in my boots and the slosh of my toes, as I carried a

little pond in each boot. A strange smell comes over us as we run. After a couple of minutes I

figure out what the smell is.

The water from the ditch! I can't even get away from the stench. My friends are far enough

away that they can't smell it. I can't ignore the sour smell with it right under my nose. To add

to my discomfort my feet are being rubBed">Bed">Bed">Bed">Bed">Bed">Bed">bed raw. But I know I must perivere the Marines will be

harder than this. Finding a small comfort in that, I repeat it regularly.

Soon, We reach the crossroad that tells us to turn around. With half the trip done we can take

a short break. Looking up at the sky we see the first glimse of dawn.The dark-blue night's sky is

just turning a shade lighter. With this to spur us on, our rest is a short one.

The run back zaps all my strength. I start to slow down but a man in green fatigues comes up

from behind me and laughs at my attempts. With reinforced determination I chase after him,

desperate to beat him back to base. The sandy shore is tough to run in,but I manage a quick pace.

Soon, I find myself beside him, rushing forward at full sprint. Vaguely, I hear voices calling my

name, but I pay no heed. All my thought is on keeping my pace and beating C.O. back to base. I

won't let him leave me behind. I want to be a Marine too much. I can't lose. Suddenly someone

grabs at my arm and turns me around.

"Hey! Hey man. Stop!," Leo yells at me at my right side as I see Mike getting out of my car.

Taking a look at my suroundings, I find that I am on the west side of town. I don't remember

running here, but all at once waves of exhaustion hit me. Stumbling back, I find a place on the

curb to sit.

Mike comes up and laughs, "You left us behind on our way back to town man. We couldn't keep

up. Thank God you left your keys out by your car when we ran, Kyle. We would never have stopped

you!"

Even as exhausted as I am, I have to ask, "Did we improve our time?"

Leo replies, "yes by..."

BUZZ!
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Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Prologue
Legend of Sword Master Jako Suka
Prologue

As Jako carried the bucket of water to the cottage, he listened to the melody his mother sang while making the morning meal. When he walked in, the scent of bacon and eggs filled his mind. Father was already sitting at the table with Susy, his sister, talking about the festival going on in town. She had been at it for a week now, but father kept saying that there was to much work to do to get ready for harvest. As Jako finished with the water, he was surprised to see Susy running to her room. “I guess it won’t hurt to go for one day.” said father as mother gave him a plate of eggs. Mother threw her arms around him, gave a passionate kiss, and cheerfully exclaimed,” I will finally get to sing at the dance!”
Breakfast went by with everyone saying what they wanted to do. Father was going to talk with Bill. Mother was talking about the songs she wanted to sing for the dance. And Susy wanted to see Nate. After they had finished, Susy went to milk the cow, his mother and father went to gather supplies for the 20 mile trip to town. This left Jako to do all the chores. Jako was glad when Susy came and helped him feed the animals. With her help Jako was done in a little over an hour. When they got back to the house father was just getting done hitching up the wagon.
The town of Carlton was little bigger than a large village. The houses were all single story brick or log buildings. Although it was small, Carlton was bristling with people making preparations for the festival ahead. Jako was a little disappointed that they couldn’t stay for the games">games">games">games">games">games">games">games and contests that would come tomorrow, but was happy that they would at least be able to stay for the dance. As they passed the town square, Jako saw the stage. It was just a small wooden platform, big enough for the performers but not much more. People were making banners and decorative posters to gather people to their booths. Jako was surprised to see that the games">games">games">games">games">games">games">games booth was already open. The line of children discouraged Jako from going straight to the booth. They continued until they saw the shopkeeper. “Hi Bill.” Jakos’ father said.
“Hallo Tam. You look lovely today Amelia.” Bill said in greeting to Jakos’ parents. “How is the Farm doing?”
“The farm is doing just fine.” Tam said, “How is your family?”
As his parents talked, Jako found a shady tree to rest under so he could save energy for the night. In the shade Jako fell asleep. Later he found his mother talking with some performers. She was asking them if she could sing at the dance. The skeptical look they gave her was making her face red. Jako never saw his mother mad before, so he stayed and watched.
“You think I can’t sing! Is that why you won’t let me try. At least give me the chance to show you how I can sing!” With that Amelia began Heron on the Lake. It wasn’t long before she had a crowd of listeners gathered around her. When she finished, the crowd hoot and hollered, asking for an encore. With that she left. Not even bothering to ask if she could perform. The entertainers were left standing in a crowd of spectators.
There was a shout that made Jako turn to see what happened. He saw Susy storming down the street with Nate Goodson pleading for her to let him explain. Jako had known this would happen. Susy caught Nate kissing that Kennedy girl again. Since Jako didn’t want Susy to take her anger out on him, he went to find his father. Tam was drinking with Bill over by the saloon, so Jako decided to play the games">games">games">games">games">games">games">games until it was time for the dance.
Before the dance started, there was a speech given by an old, fat inn keeper the town called Mayor. It was as boring as any Jako had ever had the misfortune to hear. Jako was in mid yawn when the Mayor gave way to fancy dressed man that Jako new instantly was a lord. He shut his mouth and stared intensely at the man his father said was stealing the money of hard working men and women. It made Jako mad when the lord said that the people were going to have a 5% increase on taxes.
As the night went on Jako’s mother sang songs that made every soul in the square tap a foot. But Jako didn’t pay much attention to the dance. He was transfixed on the lord. The look he was giving Amelia was making Jako nervous. It was the look of a starving man. Jako couldn’t understand why, but that look was a red flag in his mind. Every muscle in Jakos’ body was tense. A thought came to Jako to watch this lord.
When his mother was done singing Jako saw the lord follow her into a side street, Jako followed. As he got to the entrance of the street he heard a muffled scream. Running Jako grabbed a spade from an open tool shed. He didn’t know he was doing but he was scared if he did nothing his mother would be hurt. The only thing that mattered was to stop the lord from hurting her. Jako forced himself to run faster.
It all happened so fast. Jako found the lord on his mother. Rage took control of him. With all of his strength Jako broke the shaft of the spade over the lords’ head. The lord crumbled like a doll to the ground. Amelia crawled out from under him, dress ripped and face ashen. She looked straight at her young child and said, “God help us Jako, you don’t know what you just did.”
Then her eyes widened as she saw the lords bodyguards coming to see what happened. Amelia grabbed Jakos arm and took off running. They got to the saloon and told Tam what happened. “We can’t stay here.” Tam said. “Go get your sister! We are leaving! Now boy, get Going!” Jako ran.
Jako found Susy kissing Nate behind the stables. “Dad says it’s time to go home Susy. There is a problem.” Jako said as he wiped tears from his eyes. Without taking his attention away from Susy, Nate kicked Jako toward the door. “Go bug someone else for a change!” Jako felt his fear turn into anger at Nate. In one quick motion Jako ran at Nate, using his momentum to hit Nate as hard as he could square in the chest. Grabbing Susy by the arm Jako yelled at her, “Let’s go!” As they ran back to the wagon Jako filled Susy in on what happened between their mother and the lord.
“Mother! Oh mother, He didn’t hurt you did he?” As Amelia gently hugged Susy, she told her to stop crying.
“We have to get going,” Father said in a disturbingly frightened voice. “The lord is probably a wake by now. If his guards come looking for us. I’d prefer it if we were long gone.” He said the last while he hastily packed supplies in the wagon. The whole time he looked for someone to attack from the shadows.
They spent the trip back looking for signs of pursuit. Jako thought they must look like fawns being led to the slaughter by a pack of blood thirsty wolves. More then once on the ride home they thought their was someone right behind them. Relief flooded into them in waves as they made it home. When they got inside Tam closed the shutters and locked the doors. Before they left Carlton, they had heard the lords’ guards asking questions about Amelia. There was no question that the guards would come. The question was what would happen when they did.
“Susy, I want you and your brother to go hide in the woods. Take some supplies with you. Stay there until ether your mother or I come and get you. Do as I say.” Susy just looked at him.
“No we will stay and help you and moth-“ that was all she got to say before Tams hand slapped her hard against the face.
“Do as I say child. Go!” With that he took the bundles from mothers’ hands and shoved them into Susy’s hands. “Don’t you come back until one of us gets you! I mean it girl! Don’t you dare!” she finally nodded. She then went to get Jako. Holding on to his mothers skirts and cried when she gave him to Susy. “You did all you can to help Jako. Now go and find a safe hiding place. Just remember, your father and I love you and Susy.”
Susy dragged Jako into the woods as he tried to brake free. It was almost dawn when they saw the light. There was no mistaking their home on fire. While Susy was distracted by the smoke and light, Jako ran for the house. I don’t care if I’m too small. I can still help. They can’t expect me to stand back.
When Jako entered the clearing near his home, he stopped dead. His fathers’ body lay not a yard from him. In the center of his chest was the object used to kill him. A dagger. He was so transfixed on the body that Jako didn’t see the mounted man coming at him with lance leveled for his heart. When Jako saw the man he new it was to late to run. He was going to die. That was the lone thought in his mind.
“Nooo!” Susy shouted from behind as ran in front of Jako. The lance made a sickening sound as it pierced her chest. The lance broke in half, spinning her body as the man rode past. Stunned Jako went to help his sister, but she pushed him away as she coughed up blood. “Run Jako! You can’t help us now, father is dead, and I’m dying. God only knows what they are doing to mother. Go find a place to hide. You can’t save us. But you can live. Go!!”
Jako sat there crying. His world was crumbling down around him. As the man came back, he got off his horse; reaching back he pulled out a Knife">Knife">Knife">Knife">Knife">Knife">Knife">knife. Susy was having trouble breathing, but as she saw him coming, she screamed. “Run!!! Run dam you! Run, Now!!”
With a jolt Jako saw the man. This man. This monster has taken everything from me. There is no way he is going to leave here alive. With his mind made up young Jako reached for the dagger in his fathers’ chest. With wild abandon Jako threw himself at the man of his hatred.
The man barley had time to flinch before 14 inches of cold vengeance rammed into his chest. Even while the man fell Jako repeatedly stabBed">Bed">Bed">Bed">Bed">Bed">Bed">bed his chest again and again until he saw for more of them coming. His first thought was to charge head long into them. But his sister’s last words kept repeating themselves in his head.
Finally taking his sisters advice Jako ran. He managed to dive into a fox den before the men came past him. He remained hidden their while the men went back to the clearing. He was their all day. That night Jako heard the screams of his mother as those monsters tortured her. He could hear laughing coming from the men when his mother caught her breath. Jako wanted nothing more then to go back their and kill every last one of those monsters, but stayed in his hiding place at fear of what he would see.
Jako thought there was nothing worse then the sound of his mother screaming. He learned he was wrong when shortly after dawn, halfway in mid scream she suddenly stopped. But as Jako began to emerge from his hole there came a taunting voice. “I know you are out there little boy. I have had my fun this night. But I will have a great deal more before I am through. Your family isn’t the first. And it won’t be the last. There is nothing you can do to stop me. We will meet again.”
When Jako went back, there was nothing left to do but dig graves for the dead. But on their graves Jako vowed, “I will become stronger so that one day I can stop evil from harming innocent people. But I vow if it means my life I will kill every man that took a part in your murders.” With that Jako set off to find his future. But knowing it will be guided by the trauma of his past.
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Chapter 1 Memories of Home
Chapter One
Memories of Home

"Don’t forget to pack your supplies before you go to sleep. Last time the Company almost lost the trail of Micolub’s Marauders. If Jacob hadn’t gone and harassed them into thinking we were on the other side of the Maradon River, they would have been to far gone for us to catch even on horseback." Jako was getting tired of telling Tomas how to ready camp, but for some reason it never sank in.
Tomas nodded his thanks to a man 10 years his junior. It still amazed Jako how lucky he was to have been found by Ira. As the camp was set up around him, Jako lost himself to the memory of the day he first met Ira. It was a just days after his family died, while he was being chased by Lord Bartholomew’s Guards in the City of Teravonee. Jako had managed to get to Carlton before the guards found him. But when he got there, Lord Bartholomew’s men had already persuaded the townspeople into be leaving he was a liar. If Nate hadn’t helped him escape, he would have been taken to Bartholomew’s Manner, and tortured. Poor Nate, Jako still couldn’t believe he protected him with his life. It was just after he was captured….
"It will go easier on you if you cooperated with us boy! Stop fighting! You can’t win." The sadistic smile on Bartholomew’s face was the only thing he could see. The smile was that of a murderer. One that believed he was going to get away with it.
Jako finally gave in. He was suspended over the floor by ropes tied to each wrist. There were welts all the way up down his back. The torturer hadn’t been allowed to draw blood, but even without that option he tried his best to break Jakos spirit. He had failed. Jako hadn’t even allowed them the gratification of a scream. But hanging there watching this monster, that had so brutally slain his family, smile up at him with savage contempt took all of his resolve away.
"You win." Jako said in a defeated voice. He went into town thinking that he would find help. Instead he was arrested and given to Bartholomew as a gift from the people he thought were his friends.
"I new you would surrender. It was only a mater of time. I am going to take you on a little trip tomorrow. This town is too suspicious of me. They would start to question if you disappeared in the night. Were we go, things that are done never travel beyond my men’s ears. You will be free to scream all you want. My Mansion is quite secure; it will be as if you just stepped off the end of the world." Bartholomew walked off to speak with the lone guard.
It was then that Jako first saw him. Nate was hiding in the hay loft where the Lords men couldn’t see him. A thought came to Jako. If I am to die here then I will make sure it’s not in vane. Someone has to know what has happened to my family.
"Why did you kill my family?" Jako remembered digging the graves himself. He saw his families’ bodies in his mind. He began to cry.
"Simple me boy, I am a Noble Lord. Your mother disgraced me when she ignored my advances. No one ignores my advances. Your Mother and Father were examples to all that if they think they can defy my wishes! Haa. And your sister was for the pleasure of my men!" The way Lord Bartholomew’s face twisted from a wicked snarl at the mere mention of Jakos’ Mother to the bloodcurdling smile of pleasure at what was done to his sister made Jako loose control of his bowels. The resulting stream of warm liquid ran down his leg to form a large puddle on the dirt and straw floor of the barn.
It was that moment in which Nate decided to make his move. With a thunderous crash two bales of hay landed atop the only guard in the barn. At the same time Nate jumped down, landing feet first on the head of Lord Bartholomew. As Nate rolled off of the unconscious man he drew a long bladed knife from behind his cloak. He quickly began cutting the restraints off of Jakos arms. As the last rope was cut, Jako tried unsuccessfully to remain on his feet. He fell to the ground face first into the soggy floor.
As Nate was helping Jako back up to his unsteady feet, the guard crawled out from under the bundles of hay. As he scurried to the barn door he began to shout, "Someone is freeing the boy! Lord Bartholomew is down! Get in here and stop them! If they escape we are all going to pay! Hurry!!! Get over here now!!!" With a blast of light the temporary prison doors opened wide to show the mid afternoon sun. Nate froze as the shadowed forms of eight men come through the doors opening.
We won’t be leaving that way thought Jako as he began looking for a weapon. As Jako looked for something to use against the approaching guards his eyes kept catching on a short gold bar with rubies incrusted all over it. After the third search of the room his eyes were again caught by the ruby incrusted bar. With eerie recognition Jako realized that he was looking at the hilt of a ornately decelerated dagger. He jumped for the body of Lord Bartholomew.
As Jako removed the dagger from the Lords sheath he raised it to stab the helpless mans body. With all of his strength Jako trussed the dagger at his tormentor. When nothing happened he tried again, to no avail. It was then that he noticed Nate holding his arms, "He deserves it, but he won’t suffer that way. It is best to flee now and get vengeance later." Jake was about to protest but then he saw that their adversaries had surrounded them.
As Nate focused on the guards, Jako put the daggers point to Lord Bartholomew’s throat. "Back off or your liege gets it!" Jako growled. He pricked the unconscious mans neck to emphasize his meaning. In response to the direct threat the men simultaneously drew swords.
Nate’s face had gone white and he began to shake. Jako wondered if Nate was having second thoughts about what he had gotten himself into. "Man Jako, don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t leave you hear with those men, but I wish I was anywhere but here." I feel the same way, thought Jako as he tried desperately to figure a way out of the barn that didn’t involve his funeral. He was now turning constantly trying to see in all directions at once. He wasn’t sure who would charge first but he didn’t want to be looking in another direction when they chose to make their move.
Jako saw a Questioning look on Nates face so he spoke out loud for every one to hear. "I know that if we give up we are dead. Nothing you can say will change that fact in my mind. So, our only option is to fight. So the question is do we rush you or do we wait for you to come at us." As he finished, he heard Nate mumbling something about Jako sounding older than his eleven years should account for. Yes. I have had to grow up these last two days. They robed me of my childhood. Now I have grown into a man. Let’s just hope I have grown enough to get us through this. Jako began to look for a way out. They couldn’t afford to fight. There were only two of them, and if one of them made a mistake there wouldn’t even be that.
Jako noticed a pile of boards by the back wall. They were all broken and placed there hazardously as if someone was in a hurry, but after a second look he saw that each was the same size. It dawned on him that some farm animal must have made a hole in the wall. The farmer must not have had the time to fix it before his barn was commandeered by Lord Bartholomew. Jako made a decision. He didn’t know if the hole was large enough to fit through, but he did know that if they tried to go for the entrance they would die.
"I’m leaving!" Jako announced to everyone. "Nate, follow me."
Jako started toward the entrance then charged at the rear guard. The fake worked. The men all ran to position themselves in front of the entrance. The guard he charged didn’t even have time to raze his sword before Jako ran him down. As he reached the wall, Jako began to yank the boards away from the hole. He was thankful to see that the hole was large enough to accommodate Nate, but as he finished Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">moving the boards he was slammed against the wall next to the opening.
Jako began to push Nate off when he felt something warm and wet begin to spread over his back. "Nate! Are ya’ alright? Is it bad? Can you go on?" Nate answered by shoving him through the hole.
"I’ll hold them off. No mater what you keep going kid. Ya’ ain’t that bad at getting out of scrapes. Now go!!" He heard a thumping sound and then the screams of one of the men Nate was fighting, then someone hit the wall. Hard. Jako started running without looking back. There wasn’t anything he could do for Nate, but he could hear him screaming as he ran. He ran as far from Carlton as he could that day. At night he stopped for a short rest, but he didn’t allow himself to stop long.
He later found out that Nate survived the fight, but was hanged shortly after for the alleged murder of three guards.

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Chapter 2 The Assignment
Chapter 2
The Assignment

Jako spent the next few days running west. He hadn’t known where he was going but as luck would have it he came upon a city. Jako was starving, exhausted, and dirty. He decided he could try and find food, a place to stay, and maybe someone that could help him face Bartholomew.
As Jako walked through the high buildings of Hoggatt City, he was amazed by the intricate sculptures on the walls. Stones were arranged so you saw a mountain stream with salmon swimming past a brown bear and her two cubs while she tried to teach them to catch fish. On another building the stones made a forested aria covered with birds of strange colors, and between the trees were dozens of deer running through the thicket. He came to a square where he saw a giant fountain of a woman carrying a pot of water. She was dressed in a tight fitting toga. But he didn’t see the fountain; on the other side of the square was a tall man in dark leather armor with a red cloak and long sword at his hip. The man looked death walking. He resonated menace better than a thousand of Lord Bartholomew’s ever could standing together with swords drawn. His face was set with a smile, but had a hard edge. He carried himself with pride and self assurance. But most of all Jako felt he was the one that could help him in his fight with Bartholomew.
With that Jako followed. He passed beautiful palaces, breath taking sculptures, but hardly noticed. The man in armor continued to walk down the same street, but by the way his stance changed, Jako was sure he knew someone was following him. Suddenly the man changed direction and walked into a side street. Jako followed after him, running to be sure he couldn’t loose him after the turn. Turning the corner he was knocked to the by a powerful punch. For a minute everything went black as he struggled to remain concuss.
"Why were you following me boy? You don’t look a thief." as Jako tried to focus his eyes on the man in front of him, he was thankful to be helped up. "Speak boy, Don’t got all day." his right hand was held tight by a gauntleted hand, but Jakos left arm was free, so he slowly reached behind his back with his left until he felt the hilt of his dagger. If the man tried anything he was going to be ready.
"I’ve been chased by some evil men. They killed my family and burned down our farm. They salted our fields so nothing can grow. They want me dead. I came in search of someone to help me." Jako had to make him understand. "I saw you walking by and I thought if anyone could help me it would have to be someone like you. You have to help me get stronger. They don’t stop. I have lost everything to them but they still come and take more. Please." Jako prepared himself for a fight. No warrior likes people putting their troubles on them. But what happened next surprised him.
The man wrinkled his nose. " It stinks here. So if you don’t mind I’ll be leaving. Don’t much know what you were expecting. Don’t much care. Ya’ found the wrong man kid. My name is Ira. Don’t help none but me self. I be leaving now." with that Ira walked away. Jako stood there in the dank side street until he realized it stank. Looking down at his boots he found that he was standing in a camber pot pool. It seems the people just threw the contents of the chamber pots into the street. Then Jako felt his back. It was covered with excrement.
Now that Jako could smell it, the stench was making him sick. Running back into the street his only thought was of a fountain to wash himself clean. As Jako rounded a corner, he ran head long into a group of men. Jako knocked one over and was knocked back himself. He began apologizing as he sat up but he soon stopped. Jako couldn’t believe his eyes. There in front of him were six of Lord Bartholomew’s men.
Busy helping their friend up none of them had looked at him yet, so he just got up and walked away before they noticed him. When he made it to a side street he turned and made sure that know one was fallowing, they weren’t. He spent the rest of the afternoon finding a place to clean himself. A little before dusk, Jako was busy carrying firewood and other heavy objects for an old woman living in a broken down plaster and brick two room hut. It was located in what hethought were the slums of the city.
The work was long and strenuous but Jako didn’t mind. For a while Jako pretended he was back at home with his family and for a while he actually heard his mother singing. It has late when he got the chores done, but when he went into the section of the hut that acted like the kitchen/living room he new it was well worth it. There on the table was a bowl of stew, a plate of rice, and beans, bread, and a large mug of milk. Even though the stew was mostly broth, the rice and beans were old, the bread was stale, and the milk a bit sour, Jako thought it a feast. The old woman sat at the end of the table and talked with him long into the knight. She had a lot to say about a lot of stuff that went on in Hoggatt City. Jako finally decided to go to bed so he rolled out a pallet and soon he was sound asleep.
The next morning he set out to find the guards of house Bartholomew. Ms. Constance the kind old woman that gave him a place to stay the night before told him to look for men with an orange and green bird crested on the left arm of their tunics. She also stated that Lord Bartholomew’s Estate lay half a days walk north of the city. Jako was sure Lord Bartholomew had men out looking for him. But he also knew that they wouldn’t expect him to come to them. So he decided to get some vengeance. They had taken his family away from him. They took his life. But we would make them pay.
Jako spent most of the morning walking down grand promenades. It was a great way to see the city. He was astonished at how beautiful the shops and other buildings looked as he walked through the streets. But a little before noon Jako found what he was looking for. Sitting in front of a saloon on an outdoor bench drinking dark ale, three of Lord Bartholomew’s guards were joking around with each other. Each had an orange and green bird crested on their left shoulder. As the day went on he sat and watched them from the other side of the street.
At late afternoon the three men drunkenly got up and staggered down the street. As Jako fallowed he heard them sing an old war song. "We Fought the Tarens at Tannin Pass. We Fought the Matherines at Shiva Point. But as long as we fought we have never allowed them to fight us at home. We have the Almighty on our side."
They stopped singing as the tall one that seemed to be their leader saw a lovely young woman walk into an alley. He whispered something to the others and quietly they began to stalk her. Jako remembered Lord Bartholomew doing that same thing the night his family died. The image of what they had planned for the young woman made him quiver with rage. Silently he followed them in to the poorly lit alley. As he went he slowly unsheathed his dagger so he would have it reedy when the time came.
As Jako entered he could hear muffled screams mixing with the laughs of her attackers. He came upon them ravaging the young woman, and had to bite his tongue in order not to scream for them to stop. That would do nothing but get him killed. He had to do this right. Slowly he went behind the man furthest from the girl. He was impatiently waiting for his turn, and his attention was all on the woman. With a quick thrust Jako stabbed the guard through the back. The blade went up at an angle and pierced his heart. Slowly lowering the body Jako checked to see if anyone noticed. They hadn’t.
Jako removed the mans knife from his belt and slowly went for the second man. He was so busy trying to se what his friend was doing with their new toy that he didn’t notice the knife coming from over his shoulder. With all his strength Jako savagely yanked the blade of his newly acquired knife through the guards’ throat. He let the nearly headless corps fall to the floor as he went for the third and final man.
Before the body even hit the ground the third man drew his sword. Jako stopped. He wasn’t sure that the man drew it for the girl or because he new something had happened to the men behind him. Slowly he stood holding sword in both hands. "You are quite impressive. I didn’t even hear you kill Whitney. But you screwed up when you killed Nathan. If you would have just sliced his throat I might not have heard it." He pulled up his pants and began to smile. "It’s a pity that you didn’t. That oversight has just caused you your life!" with that the last man came at him sword swirling.
Jako was shocked. This man hadn’t even talked about his dead comrades except as expendable pieces that didn’t note comment. He had no time to think about the dead for the sword came at him. He wasn’t quite quick enough to dodge the attack. He did manage to block most of it with both knife and dagger, but the sword was back before he had time to think. All he could do was roll.
Recovering from the roll he felt a pain coming from his left arm. As he turned he saw the sword tip coming away red with blood. Another strike came at him from the left. He managed to change its course with the aide of his dagger. The man sneered at Jako. "You are quick little boy. That strike should have finished you. As it is you only received a scratch. Given the write training you could have been a swords master." He smiled. "But you can’t keep it up. You are going to die!" He looked over to the young woman trying her best to cover herself while huddling in a corner. "You don’t seem to know the girl. Why did you attack us?"
Jako was nursing his cut as he looked the man in the eye. "Answer me first! Were you with Lord Bartholomew when he killed the family of farmers by Carlton?"
"So you are the little avenger that killed Odisk?" He laughed, "Yes I was with your mother the night you hid in the forest. She was a fine wench! But the real fun was when the men got the girls body. Ya’ see Lord Bartholomew only shares his women with a precious few of us. So the others made due with her!" He took another look at the woman in the corner and laughed. "The woman doesn’t have to be alive for her to be of use to us. Just warm." As he finished, he turned back and gave Jako a wink. "But your still two young to appreciate how useful they can be."
"You are all filthy monsters! Women aren’t just things to be used and then thrown away. You don’t see how valuable life is. If you live, you could ruin too many lives. I will exterminate the hole lot of you!" Jako charged at the man in a trance. Al that mattered was that he satisfied his bloodlust. He knew he couldn’t win, but at that moment it didn’t mater. This man was an abomination. All that mattered was that he spilt this mans blood. Jako lost the capacity for coherent thought. But in its place he heard his mother singing a strange song. It was his mothers’ voice, but he couldn’t make out the words. It surged through him like the power of the sun. "Rrrrrrhhhhahhahahaaaa! Come death, dance with me, for I am ready to die. But get ready, get ready for I’m bringing company!"
With his new strength Jako charged at his adversary ready to bring the man down, even if it meant his life. His mothers’ song changed pitch as he saw the sword coming to decapitate him. Quickly he jumped forward bringing knife and dagger out in front of him. The sword blade passed over his head as he felt resistance from his blades when they hit their mark. Jako felt the dagger twist out of his hand before he hit the ground. The other got away from him on impact. He skidded until he ran into the woman huddled at the corner.
Jako apologized as he got back to his feet, turning to see if the beast survived his dive. What he saw froze his blood. There at the entrance to the alley, were five men. That alone wouldn’t have scared him, but each had the orange and green bird crested on their left arms. One of them stepped foreword to inspect the dead guards sprawled around the ground. As he checked the man Jako had just planted his dagger in, he bent down and whispered something to him. He then produced a slender knife from his belt and quickly slit the mans throat. He muttered a prayer while wiping the knife on the vest of the man.
Still looking down at what he had just done, he spoke, "I Domon Fansisco, Commander of Lord Bartholomew’s First Detachment, do here by charge you of murdering three of my lords guards. You are to be arrested and made to give confession. After witch you will be hung before the masses. You will be an example of what happens to those who are foolish enough to rebel against the enforcers of the law!" With that he stood and started walking away. " Arrest him!"
With that the other four men advanced on Jako. Looking around he could see that there was no way to escape. The alley deadened behind him, and the only door was behind the oncoming guards. Jako readied himself for the fight to come, but knew there wasn’t a chance for him to win. Resolving himself to kill as many of them as he could before he died, he shifted the knife to his other hand. He had been lucky one on one, so he thought that he might have enough left to kill one or two more.
Then Fate intervened. The door behind the four guards opened. A tall man stepped out of it. he couldn’t see who it was because of the four men but he began praying he was salvation. Little did he know how right he was. "I have to say you men are arresting an innocent person. I was up on the roof and saw the whole thing. That boy just saved the young woman over there from being raped." The four men stopped, and then turned to see who had just accused three of Lord Bartholomew’s Guards of rape. At the same time Commander Fransisco and yelled, "Its Ira! Kill him by order of Lord Bartholomew that man is to be killed on sight!" As he gave the command Commander Fransisco drew sword and dagger. He was the first to charge.
Ira laughed, "I give ya’ men a chance to leave. Mind ya’, after this the chance is gone there's no goin' back. Choose cheerfully. Sheath you swords and go in peace or ya’ won’t leave at all." He then drew his massive long sword. Jako was surprised to see that they faltered a couple of steps. By the looks on their faces they thought he was deadly and they didn’t want to fight him. If they had a choice they would be anywere but here. But like good little soldiers they charged Ira. "Then die like men." Ira said sadly.
When the Commander reached Ira, he began a graceful chopping motion with sword while thrusting with his dagger. Ira dropped to one knee as he thrust his long sword into Commander Fransisco’s chest. Before withdrawing his sword Ira gave it a twist. The Commanders body hadn’t hit the floor before Ira’s sword found its next victim. The first guards head exploded in a spray of gore as Ira’s sword found its target. Another guard thrust his sword at Ira’s side. He only caught air as Ira spun to meat the attack. Ira blocked another sword slash with his left hand while drawing his belt knife with his right.
Evading another thrust from his right, Ira backhanded his knife into a guards ear. Withdrawing the blade Ira pushed the body into a another man at his right. Quickly spinning he slashed through the torso of another guard. As the last guard stepped over his comrades body he saw that he was the only one left. Throwing down his sword he ran for the alley opening. He never made it out of the alley. At the opening he was hit in the back of the head with a knife. Jako hadn’t even seen Ira throw it.
"I gave ya’ the chance to leave. You didn’t take it." Ira said as he retrieved his knife.
Jako went to retrieve his own dagger from the chest of the last guard he killed. He had to kick the hilt a few times just to loosen it from the mans ribs. Then he turned to watch Ira write something on the alley wall with one of the mens blood. "Will you help me now? It seems we have a common enemy."
Ira didn’t even look at him. He just turned around and stated walking. "You coming kid."
Before he followed Jako stopped at the wall to see what Ira wrote. "Bartholomew, leave the boy alone. He is now under my protection, if you go after him I will kill you. You know you can’t stop me. Ira."
Later that night over a hot meal Jako said. "Thank you sir. I owe you a lot for what you did. But I must ask you a favor. Will you teach me to fight?" he asked. He was afraid that Ira would say no, but he needed to try.
"As I saw it you know how to fight just fine. You killed three men today, didn’t you? So what is it that you want to learn?" Ira asked over a mug of ale.
"I want to become a swordsman like you. I need to be stronger. How can I fight Bartholomew if I’m not stronger?" Jako took a bite of his mutton before he went on. "I have been lucky. I haven’t fought anyone that was great with a sword, but I believe Lord Bartholomew is a lot better at it then his men seem to be."
Ira looked at Jako for a long time before he said anything. "If I train you, you must do as I tell you. You will be my student. I will expect you to do as I say until I tell you that you have learned all I can teach you. Until then you will fallow me as I travel. Agreed?"
Jako was exited that he would get to go with Ira. "Agreed!" exclaimed Ira.
"We leave in five men! Let’s go!"
With a shake Jako realized there was something going on in the camp. He began looking for Ira. It wasn’t hard to find him. He was sitting on his horse in front of the collapsed Command Tent. "What going on Ira? Did you get us a job while you were in the City?"
"That’s right Jako. Get the Company ready. We leave for Black Rosa, the Quean of the Josephine Empire is in need of our service. Apparently she has a problem with Tursken Raiders. "Ira laughed, "It seems her army is to afraid to leave the protection of Crown City. Bunch of mongrels won’t even protect the countryside."
Jako smiled. He shared Iras’ view of standing armies. They would never risk dying on the battle field as long as they could hide behind city walls. “We leave in ten minutes sir." He began issuing orders. The company was used to Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">Moving">moving fast. So they never unpacked. Camp was cleared in five. In four columns all two hundred and seventy fighting men began their ride to Black Rosa. They were going back into to battle. Finally! He thought as he rode side by side with Ira.
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Friday, August 20, 2004

Jako Suka Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Ambushed

The Josephine Empire stretched from the foothills of the Stygian Mountains all the way up to Kris Pass. Although Black Rosa was said to have many beautiful wonders, few outsiders saw them. To other nations the ways of Black Rosa was a mystery. Those mysteries had caused bloody wars. As Jako crossed an old bridge he couldn’t help from shuddering at the thought of having to fight men in these tight passes. The last war that the Josephine Empire was in proved that these narrow passages could be used to decimate enemy forces trying to invade. Crown General Adotswich of Pomall Republic proved how futile it would be to try siege against the Josephine Empires Crown Jewel.
The Fastest trail into the high mountain valleys that make up Josephines’ farming communities and cities, took five days of the hardest hiking a man could endure. Add to it that the trail wasn’t large enough for a horse and it was nearly impossible to attempt. The path that Ira was leading them on was four days longer than the trail Jako was thinking about. thinking about at least they got to keep their horses.
Something high above caught Jakos’ eye. A quick flicker of light that shouldn’t have been there. Jako quickly unlimbered his horse bow and knocked an arrow. The men next to him could tell something was wrong and quickly followed suit. Moments later an avalanche of boulders came down ahead of the coulomb at the same time men appeared with bows from up in the cliff.
Before any of the men on the cliff could draw an arrow, Jako shot the closest through the throat. This shot was all the signal Ira’s Company needed before they drew their small bows and shafts tore through the air. Seeing members of their number die before they could even make a shot, the bandits still standing retreated away from the cliff. Ira began issuing orders for men to stop their fire, but something didn’t seem right to Jako. When he began to hear dull thuds coming from up above. When he looked up he saw what made the low thudding sound.
“Take cover!” Jako yelled as he got off his horse and ran for the nearest overhang in the cliff wall. Men split in all directions as boulders and logs came tumbling down around them. Most of them managed to find a place of refuge, but it was impossible for all of them to make it to safety before the avalanche hit. Seeing the awful deaths of so many friends was like seeing hell unleashed. Turmoil followed as men began taking every crack and trail to escape slaughter of their dying friends in the canyon. As most of the dust cleared Jako looked for anyone close by. Four men had followed him into the safety of the overhang. Gathering them together Jako was about to go find the others when out of the dust came black clad warriors with black shawls covering all but their eyes.
Slowly Jako stepped forward, his left hand outstretched holding his horse bow for the nearest of the black clad men. When he went to give up his bow the figure stepped back and shook his head. Then he pointed to a man with a gold band around his forehead. Jako proceeded to move to the man he guessed was the leader. As he offered his horse bow with his left hand, Jako quickly slid his belt knife out of its sheath. That was signal for his men to make a distraction. Without warning all four charged the black clad figures to either side of Jako.
With their attention temporarily diverted Jako took that chance to bring the knife up and sheath it in the throat of their leader. With him out of the way Jako turned back for the others but stopped when he saw another flash of light come from the canyon edge.
“Back!” Jako yelled as he ran for the protection of the overhang. Not seeing what Jako saw his companions followed his orders at of pure reflex. The river of black became spotted with crimson as a volley of arrows came soaring down from the sky like rain in a thunderstorm. Jako began to knock an arrow as he gave orders, “We are now in hostile territory so shoot first and we will find out what the hell is going on later. If anything looks like it might be a threat......KILL IT!” Withe that said Jako began to move slowly out of the canyon. They managed three steps before one of the black clad men noticed their attempted departure.
“They mustn’t leave! Stop them. Stop them!” By the silver band on his head Jako new that he was an officer, although he had no clue as to his rank. The only thought was that he couldn’t be left alive if they expected to escape alive. When three shadows drew swords to follow his orders, Jako knew he was going to have to get bloody. Before they could take a step however a black clad warrior turned around and met them. To Jakos’ amazement the fourth clad figure drew a dagger and viciously sliced the leaders throat. Then drawing his sword with the right hand he threw the dagger at the man on the left. It made a little sound as it embedded itself in the mans shoulder.
Jumping over the nearly headless body of the leader, he swung low at the man on the far right, taking off a leg just below the shin. Without wasting movement the quick moving fighter kicked the black clad adversary in the middle with a quick heel to nose movement. Continuing his spinning motion he arched the sword in the air and brought it down through the V of the neck of the man trying to free a dagger form his shoulder. As stunned as Jako was to see this happen he new there potential allie was going to be overrun by the mass of clad warriors starting to surround him. Without a second thought Jako drew his sword and rushed into the fight.
Jakos’ first instincts were to try and take as many of the clad figures away from the rouge as possible. He soon found out that was a mistake. Quick movements saved Jako from losing his head, for soon he was fighting and dodging swords from all sides. The blades were coming closer then they should have as Jako realized that the warriors were better skilled then he had first thought. A pain from his side told him of a blade that got through his defenses without his knowledge. Like a spark on dry kindling, it ignited his rage. A mighty swing from his sword took off the hand holding a blood stained sword. Then a thrust into the heart killed the one armed man. Jako then blocked a perry that would have spilled his guts. Quickly kicking the hand away from the sword, Jako picked it up and went on the offensive. Using both swords as machetes Jako cut through the forest of black on his way to the rouges’ last known location.
After shoving a man with his bak turned Jako found himself in a circular clearing with occupied by dozens of dead bodies and one bloody figure standing ready for anyone to close the gap to it. As Jako looked at the carnage all around him, the thought of rescue was now a little funny. As he looked over to the bloody mess of a person standing ready in the middle of so much destruction Jako began to truly see the person behind the mask of death. The black shawl witch had been covering a exquisite young female face had been discarded sometime during the last battle. When those fierce green eyes met Jakos’ he saw a great hatred for all those that surrounded her. Her stance showed defiance in the face of eminent death. When he saw the ring of men step back at her glare Jako began to rumble with laughter.
Throughout the canyon the cries of men fighting and dying was drowned out by the rumble of laughter echoing off the sides of the canyon walls. One by one men stopped fighting as they turned to face the source of laughter. In a mater of moments all fighting had stopped as men listened to the laughter of one man. When Jako realized that he had all their attention he slowly walked over to the now stunned woman in the center of the circle. “Ye men of Josephine who’s mere name can make the most veteran of soldiers baulk. Your are said to be the most feared standing army in all of the known world. Yet, here I stand in the middle of a battle field and what do I see? One woman not only holds off hundreds of you, but she has slain over two score of you, without receiving more then a few scratches. To think that you dared try to capture me and my men!” As Jako finished, his laughter came up again.
After a few moments of stunned silence warriors pride brought the swords back up as hundreds of angry Josephines’ charged the man that disgraced their honor. As the men rushed in Jako saw something flying through the air. Quickly he dropped his extra sword and picked up a discarded shield. Placing himself in between the woman and the spear, he braced for impact. With the force of a sledgehammer the spear came down on the shield, penetrating five inches out of the back. With the added weight of the spear Jako was unable to use it efficiently. So dropping the shield Jako called back to the woman. “Do ya have a way out of this mess woman or do I have toto make one for us?” Before she could anser Jako had to cut down a man coming at them from the side.
Stealing a glance back Jako saw that she had his back. Together, backs nearly touching, Jako and the mysterious woman fended off the first wave of Josephine warriors.“If only we could reach that edge.” she yelled back as her sword cut through the tendons of a sword arm. “But there are to many of them for us to leave this space.” Jako turned at the cheerful sound in her voice. She looked around with a smile on her face. She was enjoying this. Amusement faded when she barley blocked a chop to her head. Before Jako could do anything to help her, she was sprayed with blood from the head of her attacker. At first Jako was confused as to what happened, but then when realization hit he had to grab her sword arm.
“Stop! Lets see who is coming.” Jako ordered when she tried to brake free to go back on the attack. Another clad warrior fell and Jako was serprised to find that he was face to face with a very disgruntled Tomas.
“These city shadows don’t even know how to make a decent fight.” Tomas said as he wiped his forehead. Behind him Jako could see Jakob and two other subordinates from Iras’ company doing their best to hack at any black form that moved. “Thought you could use a bit of help. Has anyone ever told you that your choice in insults is marvelous. Afer what you said they didn’t even bother with us. They all are staring at you.” As each man began to form a circle around the woman Jako took a good look at them. They all had a cut or two, but they looked to be in good fighting condition.
Not liking the idea of having them protect her the female warrior pushed past Jako and Jakob. “We need to go over to that ledge. There is a trail we could take to get out of here.”
“First tell us your name woman. I like to know who I fight beside.” Jakob yells as he hacks at one mans throat.
“If we make it out of here alive I will tell you. I will also tell your friend anything he wants to know.” Looking back at Jako she softly repeats “anything” before she goes back out into the fight. The difference in skill between Jakos’ party and the Josephine party was vast. Most of the attacks were met and broken up within a mater of seconds. Jako had begon to take this as a training exercise, but slowly the odds started wearing down his allies. More and more swords began getting through their defenses. Jako wasn’t doing much better.
“Aahhh! Take this you blood thirsty son of a tavern wench!” Jakos’ mighty swing took off the crown of the skull of a man that had been to lucky. His sword had come unnoticed from the right as Jako was focused on a man to the left. This made the third time an enemy sword had drawn his blood. Jako was getting aggravated. First Matthew, one of his companions, was taken out of action do to a lucky shot to his side. He was safe for now as he stayed closed to the middle of our small convoy. As it is he still dodged out from time to time so that he could get a quick stab at an un suspecting clad man. All the rest had numerous cuts and scratches from to many close calls. For what seemed an eternity they had fought taking only a few steps at a time, and now all their labor was beginning to pay off. Over the mass of heads Jako could see the ledge to the right.
“Double time men, the end is in sight.” to show his meaning Jako rushed through the throng of black and steel straight for the promised way out.
“Follow me. There’s a footpath that leads up out of the canyon. We will find my friends somewhere up there.” Jako ordered the others to do as she said as he took the rear position from Tomas.
“I’ll follow when Matthew is safely up top.” Jako yelled as he rushed into the oncoming horde of oncoming men. They all stopped when faced with Jako right in front of them. Those that tried to pass were slaughtered on the spot, the others tried in vain to retreat. Jako was having so much fun that he almost didn’t hear the voices calling for him. With a quick glance Jako saw that his companions were all safely at the top of the canyon and each had their horse bow ready for Jakos’ retreat. The thought of retreating against these week men angered Jako but if he didn’t they would eventually use their numbers to wear him down. Reluctantly Jako made his retreat.
Any man that tried to follow Jako up the footpath was struck down by a hail of arrows raining from the sky. At the top Jako found himself worn out. Without the imminent threat of death to push him his strength was beginning to fade. As they set out on their long hike Jakos’ rage ignited again at the thought of having to leave his horse. He could do nothing about it so for now he let it go.
“My name is Cassandra. I thank you all for your help. Before we go further I suggest we bandage any major wounds.” as she said this she quickly jogged off and took something from behind a brown bush. She came back with a small pack. Inside was a clean white dress that she proceeded to rip into long lengths of bandages. She first went to Matthew who was holding his side. After a few minutes taking care of his wounds she went to fix up the others. One by one all the wounds were treated until she came to Jako.
“Let me have a look at you.” she began to reach for a gash at Jakos’ arm when he pushed her away.
“Take care of your own wounds, I’ll be fine.” none of his wounds were to deep and he was aware that most of her bandages were gone. “You need them more then me.”
As she began to bandage her left arm she told them that her camp was about half a days walk away, and that it wouldn’t be wise to try to enter it in the night. So Jako decided to make up camp right were they were. The sun hung low to the west so Jako ordered Jakob to find fire wood. Then he went off to catch them something to eat for supper. When he came back it was dark and a small fire was his only marker of were they were. As he entered camp Charles, the fourth member of his group, came over and helped Jako carry the mountain goat over to the fire. Charles then took over the job of butchering the animal for its meat.
They all ate in silence and as Jako gave out sentry duty Cassandra said, “I need to talk to you. We need to talk about my cause. You don’t know how brutal the Josephine soldiers are. We live in constant fear that they will come to our villages and slaughter us for their sadistic amusement.”
“We will talk about it on the trip to your camp tomorrow. Right now I’m going to sleep. Someone make sure to put out the fire. We don’t need to get ambushed tonight while we sleep.” With that said, Jako found himself a place to ley down and sleep. But sleep came wearily. Something Cassandra said had brought up old memories of home. From before the night Lord Bartholomew came and took his childhood away. No mater where he goes, Jako always seems to find others suffering the same fate. He would have to put an end to this, he new. How many men would he kill before he could leave this land. How many more scars would he have when the fight was over. As sleep overcame him, Jakos’ last thoughts were about Lord Bartholomew, and he wondered where the man was hiding.
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