Читать книгу Sinbad: Rogue of Mars - John Garavaglia - Страница 13

alone we seek help. Guide us along the straight path, the path of those whom You favored, not of those who earned Your anger or went astray.”

The Earth warrior bowed down and kept his head in line with his back, while he continued his vespers. Sinbad’s turban rested on the ground in front of him, as the sun’s rays poured in between the jail’s bars. A luxury only the most fortunate of prisoners would ever receive in this broken down palace.

Sinbad prostrated on the floor with his forehead, nose, palms of both hands, his knees, and toes all touching the floor. Then he sat up with his knees and palms placed on them and said, “O my Lord! Forgive me.” And he softly whispered “Allah, please grant me the strength and courage to face what is to come.”

His fellow inmates had long since given up their attempts for any chance of escape. They have accepted their fates as gladiators for Zhar Akhdar’s own personal amusement. The prisoners were native to Mars’ soil. Their appearance was humanoid but they were much taller than average human height. Also much thinner, but muscular given the current diet the guards provided for them. Their skin was blue as if they were suffering a severe case of hypothermia. And their yellow eyes pierced through the darkness like a cat on the prowl. They all sat defeated waiting for the chilling sound of the guards opening the door. That only meant one thing for them: death.

This was no place for Sinbad. He felt more comfortable at the helm of his ship, The Chimera, sailing the seven seas with the sun on his back and the sea salt in his beard. But he was depraved of his true love of freedom in exchange to be the star attraction for the grisly entertainment of corrupt and malicious aristocrats. Sinbad couldn’t remember the last time he ever enjoyed the majestic beauty of the ocean. He had been on land for so long he feared he had lost his sea legs. No matter what evil they

JOHN GARAVAGLIA

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