Chapter 13: Ambush

Kael's spear drove into the Kavaran soldier's shoulder with a sickening crunch, the force of the blow jolting up his arms. The man cried out, stumbling back as Kael yanked the weapon free. Around him, chaos erupted—warriors from the united tribes surged forward like a tide, their war cries echoing off the canyon walls. Flames from the burning crates cast long shadows over the battlefield, their heat licking at the backs of the fighters.

"Hold the line! Push them away from the wagons!" Talar's voice rang out above the din, commanding and resolute.

Kael darted to the left, weaving between warriors locked in brutal combat. The air was thick with the metallic tang of blood, the acrid stench of smoke, and the sounds of steel clashing against steel. The Kavarans, though momentarily caught off guard, had recovered quickly. Their crimson armor gleamed in the firelight as they moved with practiced precision, forming tight lines and forcing the tribes back inch by inch.

A spear thrust toward Kael, the movement sharp and deadly. He twisted just in time, the weapon grazing his side and ripping through the edge of his tunic. He stumbled, his breath catching in his throat, but he gripped his own spear tighter and lunged forward, the tip driving into his attacker's thigh. The man let out a guttural cry, collapsing to the ground as Kael pulled his weapon free.

"Kael!"

He turned at the sound of Tayo's voice, just in time to see his friend loosing an arrow. The projectile struck a Kavaran soldier square in the chest, sending him toppling backward. Tayo gave Kael a quick nod, his face taut with focus.

"Don't lose your head out here!" Tayo called, his voice a mixture of frustration and encouragement.

Kael barely had time to nod before another soldier came at him, her blade cutting through the air with deadly precision. He parried the first strike with his spear, the force of the blow jarring his arms. His muscles burned with the effort, but he pressed on, thrusting forward in an attempt to unbalance her. She sidestepped, her shield raised, and countered with a quick slash that forced Kael back.

The tribes fought fiercely, their determination a match for the Kavarans' discipline. Warriors from the Ember, Dust Walker, and Bone Tribes moved as one, their differences forgotten in the face of a common enemy. But the Kavarans held the advantage in numbers and training, their lines unbroken as they pressed toward the center of the battlefield.

"Keep them away from the wagons!" Talar shouted again, his staff a blur as he struck down one soldier after another.

Kael glanced toward his father, who stood at the heart of the fight, rallying the warriors with his unyielding presence. Talar moved with the ease of a seasoned fighter, his strikes precise and deliberate. Even surrounded by chaos, he radiated calm and control.

Kael felt a surge of determination, his father's strength igniting a flicker of hope. But that hope was short-lived.

A sharp horn blared from the edge of the camp, its piercing note cutting through the cacophony. Kael's stomach dropped as reinforcements poured in—more Kavaran soldiers emerging from the shadows, their weapons gleaming in the firelight.

"Talar!" Kael shouted, his voice hoarse.

Talar turned, his expression hardening as he took in the new wave of soldiers. "Fall back!" he commanded, his voice steady despite the mounting danger. "Regroup at the ridge!"

The order rippled through the warriors, their retreat swift but controlled. Kael hesitated, his gaze lingering on his father.

"Kael, move!" Tayo shouted, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the ridge.

Kael stumbled after him, his legs heavy with exhaustion. His spear felt like dead weight in his hands, but he forced himself to keep going, his heart hammering in his chest.

Behind them, the battle raged on. Flames roared higher, their light casting eerie shadows over the retreating warriors. Kavaran soldiers pressed forward, their shouts mingling with the cries of the wounded.

"Keep moving!" Tayo urged, his bow at the ready as he scanned the darkness for signs of pursuit.

Kael turned his head just in time to see a Kavaran soldier closing in from the left, his blade glinting in the firelight. Kael raised his spear, his movements sluggish, and barely managed to deflect the strike. The impact sent a jolt up his arms, but he held his ground, his teeth clenched.

The soldier pressed forward, his strikes relentless. Kael parried again and again, his arms trembling with the effort. His legs wobbled beneath him, his strength rapidly fading.

"Kael, watch out!" Tayo shouted, loosing an arrow that struck the soldier in the side.

The man fell back with a cry, giving Kael a brief moment of respite. But it wasn't enough. Another soldier appeared almost immediately, his sword raised high.

Kael tried to react, but his body refused to move. His muscles burned, his vision blurred, and his chest heaved with labored breaths.

The blade came down, striking the haft of his spear and sending it spinning from his hands. Kael stumbled back, his foot catching on a jagged rock. He fell hard, the impact knocking the wind from his lungs.

Pain exploded across the back of his head as he hit the ground.

The world tilted, the sounds of the battle fading into a muffled roar. Kael's vision darkened, the flicker of firelight and the glint of steel blurring into a chaotic swirl.

"Kael!"

Tayo's voice was faint, distant, like an echo carried on the wind. Kael tried to respond, to push himself up, but his body refused to obey.

The last thing he saw before the darkness claimed him was Talar, his staff raised high as he fought to hold the line.