Dust of Earth: A Fantasy Adventure: Episode One: Quest of the Guardians by S.R. Olson

Author:S.R. Olson [Olson, S.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Publisher: S.R. Olson
Published: 2016-02-11T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 15

A Hidden World

Jakin had shoved Malakai backwards into the tunnel with so much force that he had to grab at the walls to steady himself. “Go back,” Jakin whispered, eyes fixed on one of the bats who had noticed their arrival and was watching them with the intensity of a cat hunting a mouse.

“Wait.” Alastair’s voice startled him. “It’s okay. They will not harm you.”

Jakin paused, heart pounding.

“They have much training,” Alastair assured them. “They do not approach this entrance, not even with a rider.”

A muscle twitched in Jakin’s cheek. “You are certain of this?”

“Yes. Ba’ats are intelligent, we’ve raised them carefully, they do not approach here. Sometimes children come through tunnel by mistake, or to see the Ba’ats. We made sure they would be safe.”

“How did you do that?” Malakai ventured out of the tunnel to ask.

Alastair pointed above their heads to openings in the cavern walls where a dozen men sat with long blow-guns. “If the Ba’at approach this entrance or the walkway those men shoot them with darts dipped in Jax venom. Very painful. The Ba’at learn to stay away.”

Jakin’s tense muscles relaxed. “Wouldn’t it be easier to put up some kind of door to keep the children from coming out here?

“Yes,” Alastair nodded, “but we need the air to move freely through every tunnel.”

“Oh. Yes, of course.” Jakin realized he had a lot to learn about life underground. “What about barred doors? Wouldn’t that work?”

“This would work,” Alastair agreed. “But it also would slow our movements through the tunnels because they would have to be locked to keep the children out, otherwise what would be the point?” Alastair looked up at the young Ba’ats who were watching them intently. “Much better to teach Ba’ats respect.”

Malakai stepped closer to the railing to look at the Ba’ats. Luka emerged from the tunnel and came to stand beside him.

“How do you ride them if they are so dangerous?” Jakin queried.

“The Ba’ats are like flying wolves—ferocious when they have not been tamed, but like dogs when they are trained. They are loyal to their rider, and protective, too.” Alastair waved his arm. “But here, in this cavern, they raise their young and the young Ba’ats are wild and untrained. Learning to respect us and stay away from this entrance is their first lesson.”

Malakai elbowed Jakin and pointed as a Ba’at flew in through the cavern entrance with a Maaoteo warrior on his back. The Ba’at carried a struggling swordfish in its jaws but it was the warrior that held their gaze. He was magnificent. His muscles gleamed from flying low into the ocean spray, causing the painted stripes on his bare skin to shine in the darkness of the cavern. His scalp was shaved smooth except for a wide band of hair down the center that stood straight up and rippled in the breeze caused by the flight of the Ba’at. On either side of his hair, the Te’eta symbol was tattooed on his head in gold. Around his neck he wore a choker made of Jax pincers that reached to his shoulders and half-way down his chest.

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