chapter 17

Chapter 17

 

            Stepping out of the cave, Khan insists he steps out first. He waits for his eyes to become comfortable with the sun’s glow before stepping out, making sure the area is clear. Julia quickly walks right passed him, tightening her hair into a bun. “Come along brave warrior, there’s nothing to be worried about here. I know my island more than the King’s men.” She turns back to him smiling. “Besides, I’m the one with the beautiful gift...you’d be wise to hide behind me.”

 

            “Oh is that right?”

 

           

 

 

            After hours of walking Khan finally asks, “Where exactly are we?”

 

“Do you remember where you saved Bear?”

 

            “Gimora Gates?”

 

            “We’re three miles south of there.”

 

            “Oh wonderful.”

 

            Julia wipes the sweat from her forehead, more than a little fatigued and finally comes out with it. “Khan where does your sword come from.”

 

            Khan laughs, “Three miles..?”

 

            “Please. I’d really care to know.”

 

            Khan looks over at her and removes his shirt, leaning back against a tree. Taking his time before going into answering her question “My father Julia…was General Tyr.”

 

            Julia stops her walking and stares at him. “Wait-”

 

            “Thee General Tyr. The leader of the rebel army during the Island Wars, the great warrior Tyr. Thunderous Tyr who’d shake the earth with his might and ignite the skies with lighting and powerful storms when he would take to the battle field. I’m sure you’ve heard all of those beautiful empty words in honor of him.”

           

            “Oh my. Your father. That…” She points to the weathered sword on his back, “Is his?”

 

            “Was his, was. You know of the final battle, the deciding battle at the end of the Island Wars before a hierarchy was established?” Julia nods her head. “My father led that, but not with this sword. The entire war he had not been parted from this sword, but he came to me the night before. He told me to stay on Edisona with my mother. And after the war was over, we would walk the streets of Crimson City, we would bathe in the waters of Halo Island’s beaches. And we enjoy our lives here. He handed me his sword and told me. ‘A man is only as good as his family decides. Not country, not royalty…family.” He left me and was killed in that battle.”

 

            Julia for the first time in her life, finds no words, nothing to say. “Your father loved you.”

 

            Khan smiles removing the sword, admiring the hint of gold shining in the sun’s rays, the steel of the blade chipped, imperfect and glorious with the dried blood. “I can hear him in the thunder. My father speaks to me in storms.” He places the sword back in its sheath. “Rebelling, noble though it may be, ends always in the same way. Failure and extreme losses to one side.”

 

            “What do you mean? Your father established the hierarchy he wanted. He-”

 

            “My father never fought for establishment Julia. My father fought for something else. I do not know what, but I’ve no idea how his rebellion ended in royalty. Nor am I interested. I am only concerned with living the life he and my mother wanted me to.” Khan walks forward.

 

            “Khan, Carlucious then…was your father’s companion.” He stops.