The Peacekeeper Wars (Part 3)

“My loyal men. I know some of you still have heavy hearts from you friends and brothers being killed by the vicious heroes that infiltrated our base that fateful night, even though a month’s time has passed. I know some of you still seek revenge. And I know that some of you have been bored, perhaps even frightened by the attacks the CS heroes have been making on us. But now, I give you a chance to get that revenge, to kill the ones who cause that fear! I will lead you myself, if you will follow me to the heroes’ guild itself, to capture and destroy our long time enemy. Will you fight with me, this one last battle, this one glorious destiny, from which a legacy, perhaps even a legend, shall be born?!” 1

Cries of, “We’re with you boss!” “Let’s show them what bandit steel can do!” rang out from the bandits. War cries and screams of exciting filled the air. They pounded their shields with their weapons. But the bandits were not the only ones listening. Yafroh quietly and quickly stole back out the small hole that been dug under the wall of the bandit camp. She went immediately to Acknon, who in turn lead his band, which numbered only 20, back to the heroes’ guild. 2

“Are you sure, my boy?” 3

“As sure as my name is Acknon. He will be here by nightfall. If I know him, he will attack at first light,” Acknon told Sheeth after making his report of Inhoteep’s movements. 4

“Nightfall…So be it. Come here, this is what we shall do…” 5

Just as Acknon had predicted, Inhoteep arrived at the guild just as the sun dipped behind the green hills, now filled with the yellow flowers of spring. Almost that entire night he sat on a rock, staring at the guild. An hour before dawn, just before Inhoteep gathered his leaders to him to reveal his plan, he noticed a yellow pinprick of light in the still dark sky. Inhoteep stared at it suspiciously, but couldn’t recognize it in time to stop what followed. The yellow ball blew a terrible bright light in a bubble outwards from it, causing Inhoteep to cover his eyes. When he looked back, the ball was spouting arrows like a fountain into his sleeping troops. Cries of the wounded and dead quickly roused the soldiers sleeping around, who quickly rose and held their shields in front of them. Several archers fired quick shots at the ball, and it exploded in a burning green sheet, which fell upon the men and burned everything it touched. 6

Furious, Inhoteep yelled loudly for his medical officers, who came running up and did their best to treat the many wounded. His rank breath flowing out in great exhalations, Inhoteep heard the crack of a stick behind him. He turned just quickly enough to see a large branch being swung at him before it smashed into his head and he fell, unconscious. Some of the bandits saw him fall, and charged toward the woods. Arrows flew into the group, felling many. 7

All around the bandits of Inhoteep’s army came running to the commotion. Arrows flew thickly into their ranks from the woods near Lookout Point, and now a group of several hundred soldiers, recognizably Peacekeepers and led by heroes of all shapes and sizes, came charging from the main door of the Guild and from the woods where the arrows were coming from. 8

The confusion that ensued was most terrible. The startled bandits did their best to fire arrows at the oncoming horde, but they were unsure who to fire at. Arrows flew randomly, some hitting their own comrades. But that didn’t last long, as the Peacekeepers were soon upon them, and they were forced to use their melee weapons. They fought as best they could, with all the skill they could muster, but they were no match for the hot eyed heroes that led the strong, handsome Peacekeeper soldiers that followed them. They took no prisoners, and only minutes later the hugely depleted bandit army was flying before their conquerors. 9

Throughout this, Acknon himself took little part in the fighting. He had hit Inhoteep as hard as he could with a strong but light stick he had found in the forest, and he, Yafroh, Jehora, and Deshra had dragged him back through the woods into the Guild. They took him to the room where Acknon had spent his years as an apprentice. His eyes filled with tears, Acknon placed Inhoteep’s battleaxe on the floor next to the bed, and took a seat across the room in a small wooden chair. Jehora pulled a chair over and sat beside him. 10

“Please Jehora, I wish to be alone,” Acknon told him. Jehora nodded to Yafroh and Deshra, who both left the room. 11

“Sometimes it is best to have company, even when you don’t want it,” he told Acknon. “Why don’t you play that song you love so much. You know, the one about Nilinin?” 12

“I can’t play that song yet, even if I wanted.” 13

“Perhaps not, but you can always try. Come on now, take out your flute!” In the time since Acknon had formed CS, he had taken to learning the Kilk Flute, and his favorite song was one about an ancient hero named Nilinin, who had, according to legend, single handedly defeated and killed two Tickroths.   14

(Acknon explained that Tickroths were mythical creatures that were the ancient equivalent of modern dragons. They were said to be 20 feet tall and twice as long when you included their tails. They had huge, perfectly white teeth and matching claws. Supposedly their greatest weapon was the ability to go into a wall, and come flying out to ambush their prey.) 15

With a heavy sigh, Acknon pulled out his ivory flute, decorated with Crosemin, the sky blue winter flower that Acknon loved so much. Jehora sang the few lines he knew twice over, then sat silently as Acknon continued playing. Though he was obviously somewhat out of tune, Acknon was smiling through his tears before the end of the song.16

Inhoteep woke to the off tune sound of a flute. He held perfectly still and didn’t open his eyes. He guessed that he was somewhere in the Heroes’ Guild, and there were at least two people in the room. Slowly he opened his eyes a tiny bit. He saw Acknon and one of his hero friends sitting in chairs across the room, not really paying attention to him. There was no one else in the room, and when he looked down, he saw his ax. Glancing back at the two heroes, he quietly reached down and put his hand on the ax handle. 17

Acknon finished the song and smiled. He loved the tune; it reminded him of happier times, of long lost memories. He sighed again, then saw that Inhoteep had his hand on his ax. He rose, wiped the tears from his eyes, and shook Jehora’s hand. 18

“You are a great person, and a great friend Jehora. But now it is time for you to leave. God willing, I will see you later,” Acknon said with great respect. He bowed slightly, and Jehora left the room. Inhoteep stood up, seemingly relaxed but very wary. “I never thought, all those years I was with you, that this day would come. Everything seemed so wonderful then. I can see now how terrible it really was. You are finished now, Inhoteep. Look out the window; see how your mighty army has been routed. I beg you with all my will that you will just leave. Take what you own, but sail away to some other place.” 19

“You know as well as I that I could never do that. The shame of such a defeat would drive me mad. Believe me when I say I dislike this as much as you, but know this. Whatever happens, I have always thought of you as a son, and I know you will become a legend. Remember to follow your heart, it always knows the right way.” Inhoteep replied in a sad voice. He bowed to Acknon, and took a fighting stance. “May the best man win!” 20

Acknon bowed in return, and loosed his sword from its scabbard. Several steps forward and he was in range of Inhoteep, who tensed. Like a spring, Acknon launched his first attack, toward Inhoteep’s legs. Inhoteep parried easily, and swung quickly toward Acknon’s side. Acknon parried, and the fight truly started. Sword swung, almost blurry with speed, but the ax head was constantly on its tail, just enough in the way that it could do no damage to its handler. Around and around the room they circled, never slowing or showing signs of it. 21

The dance of death continued from several minutes, until Inhoteep finally backed up, sucking in huge breaths of air that burned his lungs. His abused arms and legs burned like fire, and in that moment he knew he would lose. 22

Acknon stumbled when Inhoteep fell back. He fell into a chair and tried desperately to catch his breath. His limbs felt like lead, but he thought he had an advantage over his opponent. 23

“Come on boy, lets finish this. No quarter asked, no quarter given!” Inhoteep said weakly. Acknon could only nod, and took his stance again as best he could. Inhoteep stood in front of him, and struck first. He slammed his ax toward Acknon’s head as hard as he could. Acknon was throw back, and the sword very nearly blown from his hands from the force, but he knew what he had to do. With a furious growl he charged at Inhoteep and swung toward his right shoulder. Inhoteep moved to parry, but at the last moment Acknon stopped and yelled one word. Jifith. It was a weak speed boost, but it was enough to fling Acknon’s sword back down as he spun 180 degrees, and his sword slashed deep into Inhoteep’s stomach. 24

With a grunt of pain, Inhoteep fell to the floor, his ax falling to the ground beside him. “Well done my boy, well done!” He barely gasped. 25

Tears streaming openly down his cheeks, Acknon stepped back, “Forgive me!” He swung his sword as hard as he could. It hit Inhoteep in the neck, and went right through. The severed head fell to the ground and rolled onto the face. Acknon dropped his sword and fell to his knees, crying. “Forgive me, forgive me, forgive me!” He repeated, over and over. Finally, he lay down on the floor and knew no more.  26