The Usurper by James Alderdice
Author:James Alderdice [Alderdice, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lost Realms Press
Published: 2020-04-21T22:00:00+00:00
Ten years earlier…
The Great Unifier
Swift as Thor’s thrown hammer, the dark-haired giant of a Northman dropped the plank, barring the alabaster-framed door against the caliph of Mohasag’s other guardians. Immediately, the puzzled but dedicated Almohadian bodyguards pounded on the oaken doors demanding entry.
Only the voluptuous harem remained inside with the caliph and his prized foreigner of a bodyguard in the opulent golden hall. Long-lashed eyes watched from behind azure veils, breasts heaved in anticipation. They knew blood would flow, staining this palace of cruel beauty.
The Northman then locked the bolt upon the thick doors.
Wheeling with eyes opened to the foul treachery, the caliph feigned indifference while trying to buy time. “I don’t find that humorous. Do not tease me, Gathelaus.”
He pronounced the infamous Northman’s name as ‘GaTeierloss’. The caliph’s eyes twitched rat-like as he glanced for either weapon or escape. His prized Damascus scimitars were missing, even the ceremonial wall hangings, gifts from the sultan, had vanished. The pale bare outlines on the stucco walls mocked his hopes. Among the concubines a pretty brunette from mountainous Hawkton would not meet his leering gaze. But his attentions were forced back to the fearsome traitor.
The bodyguards outside threw themselves at the shuddering but steadfast door.
Gathelaus drew his long knife, a venomous looking falcata. He slapped the flat of the blade against his palm and smiled knowingly at the brunette.
The caliph shouted, “But you saved my life from Hassan’s killers twice! Why now?”
Gathelaus smirked, in a way that belied no humor. “If he’d succeeded, I wouldn’t be paid.”
Terror gripped the caliph, his guardians banged on the door but still could not enter. Perspiration sprouted over his forehead as his bejeweled turban slipped. “Whatever it is, I’ll double it. Name your price. Triple?!”
“Already spent. Besides, we both know there’s no going back now,” rumbled Gathelaus.
The caliph backed toward the dais, his craven gaze meeting the largely indifferent harem. Beautiful women that were stolen from around the world, blondes from Vjorn, fair-skinned redheads from Azschland, dusky lovelies from Kathul and Avaris, even a trained courtesan from far Shang Henj. All were slaves to his lust, prisoner to his foul passions, and now witnesses to a grim end. They would offer no help, no love lost.
Nowhere to turn, the caliph paced to the massive curtained windows then back to the dais. Gathelaus outpaced him at every step. No amount of wealth or finery would aid him here. In a fit, he flung his bracelets, rings of gold and precious stones at Gathelaus.
This only made the Northern giants eyes flash with the cold burning fires of Ragnarok. He slapped the caliph, exploding blood from the nobleman’s lips.
Weeping, the caliph felt himself a child again. “Mercy?”
Gathelaus rebuked, “Accept your fate with dignity dog!”
“Help! Help! I am slain,” cried the caliph in futility to the bodyguards behind the flexing doors. To Gathelaus, he raged, “A thousand and one curses upon you Gathelaus! May the Djinn never allow you peace! But I . . . I shall go to paradise.”
“Hel awaits you,” Gathelaus snarled, slamming the falcata into the caliph’s hairy breast.
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