Jibran proved true to his word. His knowledge of the warg pack allowed us to locate Qusay before it was too late. From outside the den we peered in. It seemed quiet.
"Qusay is in there?" I asked.
"Yes. I will go with you and find him." answered Jibran.
"Aqil and I will scout around the den to ensure there are no surprises waiting for us. I've had enough surprises" Stated Waqqas.
Jibran and I sneaked into the den. It smelled musty and dry. Qusay lay in the center, he was bleeding but alive. He smiled when he saw us, "You came for me?"
"Of course," I said leaning down. I reached out to bind Qusay's wounds but a growl from the back of the cave stopped me.
"Stand up," Jibran ordered in a low voice. I stood. from the corner of my eye I could see Qusay attempt to stand, I motioned him to stay down. From deep in the cave we spotted a pair of eyes moving in. Slowly at first, Jibran and I fired blindly into the dark. The clatter on the ground told us that we missed our mark. From the shadows leaped forth three foul wargs. Jibran and I were quickly surrounded. We fought ferociously for our life, but the warg's thick hide proved too much for our blades.
From outside Waqqas could hear our skirmish. He quickly made his way towards the cave's entrance, "Aqil! Aqil!" He yelled in an attempt to call the spearman. To his dismay only a warg responded. Waqqas had time to fire a single shot. His aim was true, but his strike pierced not but hide.
The warg moved to charge, Waqqas tensed his legs in preparation to dodge. He flexed to jump but stopped as Aqil leaped out from behind the warg. With perfect timing and coordination Waqqas charged forward and slew the warg. "Well done Aqil." He said.
Aqil winked, "But of course." They turned to race into the cave but were met by another warg, "The pack must be close," stated Aqil.
Jibran lay on the ground, the massive paw of a warg had knocked him unconscious. However, he did not go down before slaying a warg. I too finally struck a warg dead, but the thrid warg proved too much. I was struck down. As I fell and before the darkness took me I watch as Qusay was devoured by the final warg. His cries still fill my ears.
When I awoke we were outside in the cool dark of the desert. Waqqas stood over me mending my wounds. In a flurry I sat up, "Qusay!"
Waqqas shook his head, "He's gone Na'man. The wargs devoured him." Tears stung my eyes. With a sandy sleeve I wiped them dry and looked at my ill fated company. By the fire's light I could see Aqil the spearman sharpening his weapon, Waqqas was cleaning up his healing herbs, and Jibran the hunter from Karna was oiling his bow. I pounded my fist into the sand and cursed.
"We were supposed to be reclaiming the people of our village. Look at us Waqqas! Look at us!" I stood, trembling.
"I know Na'man. I can see," Waqqas nodded.
"What happened?" asked Jibran.
Before I could answer, Aqil spoke, "There were nine of us, Umar, Nizar, Amr, Maazin, Ghasaan, Waqqas, Na'man, myself, and..."
"Qusay," I interrupted.
Aqil nodded, then continued, "Our tribe was attacked by a warband from the Golden King. Only Nizar, Qusay, Waqqas, Na'man and I survived the attack and we were not in good shape. The Golden King's men took our women. Our families. Then we were attacked by the wargs. Nizar, Qusay and Waqqas defended Na'man and I. You know how that turned out," Aqil finished.
"Ill fated. It would seem the valar have forsaken you, perhaps your luck is about to change." commented Jibran.
After packing his goods Waqqas stood and from across the fire and scoffed, "The valar. What have they done for us? Nothing. I am alive because I fought harder than the others. No spirit protected us, no spirit forsook us. We are alive by our own hands."
"And what of Qusay?" I demanded, "Was it his own hand which forsook him to the wargs? Don't be so swift to dismiss the valar yet Waqqas. I for one need their comfort right now. Our brothers are all but spent, our families gone. I need something to grasp, something to hope for."
"I am sorry Na'man. Mourn in peace."
|