Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 58483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
“I understand.” The guard’s eyes are locked onto the snake.
Zandian warriors are not afraid of anything. But the serpent is a new entity, and we are not sure how it may react.
I put up a hand. “Observe first before killing it, so you get a clean cut.”
The guard nods, then raises his sword. He hesitates for just a split second, and the snake suddenly darts away, disappearing into a small hole in the earth.
Veck. Now we must wait for another.
Minutes go by, and the sun starts to sink lower in the sky.
“We must find one,” I announce, glancing around. “Or leave.”
But no snakes appear.
Taisha takes a breath. “We can draw them out,” she says. “Swish the grass, like this.” She uses her arms as if mimicking a scythe and moves her feet amidst the lumps of earth. “This disrupts them. It’s why we hated working by the river.”
“It’s too dangerous for you,” I protest, scowling. “You are not wearing protective gear —”
“We have no time. Look, I will bring one. You will see. They always came out in droves when we had to work here—aaaee!”
She jumps back. Stars, it’s the biggest serpent I’ve ever seen! It rears up immediately, hissing, and the guard brandishes his sword.
But Taisha shakes her head. “The sword is too short. It may pierce you with its fangs.” Then, taking a deep breath, she reaches out a hand. “Let me do it. I will do it just the way it’s always been done. But please hand me that hoe that lies beside the old log. I can only do this with the tools I’m used to—” She keeps her gaze locked on to the snake, but gestures behind her, to where a few tools have been left, waiting for their human slaves to return.
The guard looks to me. I nod, so he grabs the iron tool and hands it over.
And barely has she grasped the rough implement in her hand before she moves, fast as lightning, whirling her arms and stabbing the blade downward. “Got it! Look!”
She laughs in delight. “ I did it! Here, see.” She points, then turns to look at me and the guard, then back to the snake, wriggling in the throes of death. “Don’t let the venom touch you or your clothes. Scoop the head into the moisture-proof bag, and I’ll toss the body into the river.”
“I can tell you’ve done this a few times.” I raise an eyebrow. My heart pounds with adrenaline and relief.
“Even better, look at this.” She gets down on her knees and scoops dirt with her hands. “Eggs. Take these, too. We can hatch and breed them on Zandia.”
“Thank veck we brought you,” I mutter. Without her guidance we’d never have found the serpents and eggs this quickly. “Each time, you surprise me with your ingenuity.” By the one true Zandian star, I swear this human does something fantastic every time we ask.
But I’m anxious to get her back to safety. None of us are secure here, and it’s critical we leave before any being knows we’ve been on the planet.
As we approach our ship, Taisha looks back over her shoulder. Like she’s wishing against hope that she could see her friends just once.
I touch her arm. “This is the way to help them. The only way.” Veck, if it were possible, I’d love to slaughter all of the Ocretion overlords here and save each and every human.
This is not the time.
“I know. I just… hope they’re all right,” she whispers. The longing in her gaze makes me want to draw her into my arms.
But my brave human squares her shoulders and starts to step up to the threshold and that’s when an Ocretion steps out from behind the wing of our craft.
My sword flashes out at the same time I sweep my leg under his feet to knock him to the ground. As he falls, I realize he’s slight in stature. Small for an Ocretion. The tip of my blade finds its mark, just below the male’s chin.
“No. Wait!” Taisha’s voice rings out, loud and true. The other warriors with me have all drawn swords and laser guns. The Ocretion stands no chance against us, and from what I can tell, he appears to be alone.
“Hold your weapons. Don’t hurt him,” Taisha calls. Her voice is so confident, so pure. I’ve never heard her like this. And standing there, with her dark curls around her head like a halo, her glorious form straight and tall, she’s like some goddess out of ancient mythology.
“You have no authority…”
I cut off Domm. “Let her speak.” I have no authority either; he’s the captain. But I don’t doubt her.
“Do you know this guard, Taisha?” She comes to stand beside me, her body brushing mine.
“He’s not a guard. He’s the son of my master.”