19. Cagan

19

CAGAN

I slam the rebel onto the ground once again. My muscles are burning with a resistance I’ve never felt before.

Hayden invades my mind and body like a virus. Her image makes me tense and unfocused. Where is she? Is she okay?

The rebel shifts below me, grabbing onto my leg to try and pull himself up. His hand stretches my skin. The previous injuries scream out in pain as my vision fills with stars.

I reach into my pockets, trying to find my knife as my enemy gains another round of strength. The tiredness and stress that’s been compounding in my brain for four years is finally landing an impact.

The rebel lands a punch right in the middle of my unprotected stomach. I hunch over, groaning and coughing. But my hand finally wraps around the familiar handle of my knife.

As he begins to run at me, preparing for the final blow, I pull all my strength to push his fist aside and stab him straight in the shoulder.

The rebel cries out in pain as I sink my knife deeper.

“Where is she?” I growl, my face inches from his. “What have you done with Hayden?”

He stares at me, confusion mixing with the agony on his face. “Who?”

I twist the blade, making him howl. “The human woman who lives in these woods. What have you bastards done with her?”

My breaths are shaky and ragged as I hover threateningly over this orc. Any sense of morality I hold is fading. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to find Hayden once again.

When he doesn't respond, I pull the knife out and stab his other shoulder. “Answer me!”

“I don't know who you're talking about,” he screams. “We haven't taken any women!”

I'm not convinced. “How long have your forces been in this area?”

“I-I don't know exactly, a few days?” he stammers.

“And in all that time you never came across a lone human woman living in these woods?” I demand.

He shakes his head frantically. “No, never saw anyone like that!”

I growl in frustration. Could he be telling the truth? Hayden is clever at evasion; perhaps she escaped before they came… but how can I be sure?

I press the knife against his throat. “If you're lying to me, I'll be back to finish the job. Tell me now—did any of your men mention capturing or killing a human woman?”

“No, no! I swear it!” His eyes are wild with fear.

Though uncertainty still eats at me, his claims of ignorance seem genuine. Finally, I accept he truly doesn't know anything about Hayden's fate. But that brings me no relief. She is still missing, her whereabouts unknown.

I remove the knife from his shoulder, ready to end the job. I have wasted enough time here. Finding Hayden is all that matters now.

Suddenly, I hear heavy footsteps and guttural roars in the distance. I whip my head around to see a group of hulking rebel orcs charging out of the woods towards my position.

There are more than I can count, all decked in layers of armor and holding shoddy weapons. Matted fur and scars cover their muscular frames. Their eyes burn with bloodlust as they barrel towards me.

Cursing under my breath, I swiftly slice off the head of the orc beneath me. No time to clean my blade—I leap to my feet and run for the cover of the trees.

Arrows whiz past my head as the rebels shoot at my fleeing form. I pump my legs harder, my lungs burning with effort. But the blood dripping from my earlier wounds blurs my vision. I can barely see where I'm going.

An arrow grazes my shoulder and I stumble. No, I can't stop! If I'm captured here, I'll never find Hayden. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I push myself faster through the woods.

More arrows follow me, thudding into trees and bouncing off rocks. I throw myself to the ground as one comes perilously close to my head. Rolling back to my feet, I keep running in a zig-zag pattern, denying the hulking warriors an easy target.

But exhaustion weighs on my limbs. My reactions are slowing, my ability to dodge arrows fading. As I burst from the treeline, my foot catches on an exposed root. I stumble for just a second.

Before I can regain my footing, an arrow plunges into the back of my thigh. Agony lances through me and I roar. Glancing back, I see the muscled rebels have emerged from the woods. In seconds they will be upon me.

With a desperate cry, I straighten my back and try to pick up my pace. My leg threatens to give out under me, but I force it to bear my weight. I cannot stop. Hayden needs me.

Gripping my knife, I stagger away as fast as my wounded body allows. Just a little farther. I have to survive this. For her. If just to see her one last time.

My vision is dimming as blood continues dripping into my eyes. I can barely make out the forest path ahead of me as I stagger onward. I push my aching body faster.

The enraged cries of the rebel orcs ring out behind me as they give chase. I don't dare look back. I can hear their heavy footfalls gaining ground.

Up ahead, the path narrows between two large rock formations. I move toward it, hoping the tight space will slow my pursuers. My leg screams in protest with each step but I grit my teeth and keep going.

As I enter the rocky passage, my foot catches a protruding stone. I am too slow to react. I hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs.

Gasping, I start to rise but freeze at the unmistakable sound of a bowstring being drawn taut behind me.

There is no time to dodge as the arrow pierces the side of my neck in a burst of searing pain. I cry out, clasping a hand to the wound as my lifeblood gushes between my fingers.

Through the haze of pain, I see the rebel orcs surround me, their weapons poised to deliver the final blow. But I will not give them the satisfaction of surrender.

Mustering the last of my strength, I surge to my feet with a roar. Before they can react, I barrel into the nearest orc, knocking him back into his comrades. They stagger, momentarily stunned. It's just the opening I need.

Ignoring the fiery agony in my neck, I take off running once more. The forest path swims before me and my legs threaten to collapse. But I push on through sheer force of will.

I cannot die here today. Not until I find Hayden. My vision darkens at the edges, yet still I run. I will not give in to unconsciousness. Hayden needs me.

Each pounding step sends fresh agony through my wounded neck. I can feel blood pouring down my chest and soaking my torn shirt as I stagger drunkenly down the forest path. My makeshift bandage is soaked through.

The edges of my vision are going dark. I'm dangerously close to passing out from blood loss. But through sheer force of will, I put one foot in front of the other. I cannot stop.

Glancing back, I see the hulking shapes of the rebel orcs pursuing me. Thankfully, they are still some distance away—my sudden break for freedom seems to have gained me a little ground. But I know it is only temporary.

My body feels like lead, each movement draining what little strength I have left. The trees around me sway and blur. I trip over roots and rocks that my fading vision cannot make out.

Still, I drive myself onward. Hayden's face flashes through my mind, giving me a final burst of desperation. I have to find her. I cannot fail her now.

Up ahead, I can just make out a small hollow at the base of a massive tree. It will have to do for cover. Stumbling to the tree, I collapse inside the hollow, pressing my back against the trunk.

For a moment, the world spins around me. It takes all my effort not to sink into oblivion. As the dizziness passes, I peer out and see the orcs approaching. One points toward my hiding place and they pick up speed.

I fumble for my knife with weak, blood-slicked fingers. I may only have seconds left, but I will not go down without a fight. If this is to be my end, I will take as many of them with me as I can.

Closing my eyes, I picture Hayden one last time. Then I steel myself, ready to attack as soon as the rebels come within range.

Hayden's face centers me, giving purpose to my fading consciousness. I cannot give up now. Not when her fate is still uncertain.

My people need me, but I know Hayden needs me more. I made a promise to protect her, to keep her safe. I cannot break that vow.

The approaching footsteps drag me back. The rebels will be upon me in moments. But I will not go down quietly. Gripping my knife, I focus my mind on Hayden—her smile, her laugh, the future we are meant to have together.

I promised her a life. I aim to deliver it. These bastards will not take that away.

Mustering the last dregs of my strength, I burst from my hiding place with a savage roar. The first orc falls beneath my blade, my knife slashing across his throat in a spray of crimson.

The others rush to attack but their movements seem sluggish to my battle-heightened senses. I dodge and weave, my knife finding purchase in flesh and muscle. Blood coats my skin but I do not stop, cutting down one orc after another in a frenzied dance of steel.

But it cannot last. My injuries slow me as the rebels keep coming. A fallen orc grabs onto my ankle, preventing me from running. Another slices my bicep with an axe as he stands in front of me, blocking the way.

I must break free. Locking eyes with the largest orc, I charge straight for him. He braces for impact but at the last second I drop and slide between his legs. Before the others can react, I am on my feet and sprinting for freedom once more.

I hear their enraged cries behind me but I do not look back. I must keep going. For Hayden. For the future I have sworn we will have together.

My body threatens to give out with each agonizing step. But I force myself onward through the haze of pain. I must make it to the Burning Sun clan's territory. Their healers are my only hope now.

The forest thins ahead. Using the last of my energy, I burst from the treeline into the scrubby plain that marks the borderlands between clans. In the distance, I can see the Burning Sun camp—safety within my grasp.

With a desperate cry, I push my shredded muscles to their limit. The wounds on my neck and limbs scream in protest, but I no longer have the strength to cry out. My head spins with blood loss. It takes all my will not to collapse.

Somehow I remain upright as I stagger into the camp, weaving drunkenly past tents and cookfires. Orcs shout in alarm at my bleeding, disheveled appearance. I try to call for aid but only a weak rasp leaves my lips.

My legs give way at last, sending me sprawling face-first onto the dusty ground. This is it. Darkness creeps into my vision as unconsciousness rushes to claim me. With my last shred of awareness, I manage to croak a single word:

“Help-”

Then, a blessedly familiar voice cuts through the haze. “Cagan!” Strong hands grab my shoulders and roll me onto my back. I gaze upward into the scarred face of Nevarth, a friend from Burning Sun. Never have I been so relieved to see someone.

I cling weakly to his arms as he bellows for healers. My head lolls but I force myself to stay awake. I am safe now. My body finally hits its limit. With Nevarth's reassurances ringing in my ears, I surrender to exhaustion and let the darkness take me.

I can fight no more today. But I swear I will find you, Hayden. This is not over.