Читать книгу Sinbad: Rogue of Mars - John Garavaglia - Страница 15

Azrak brushed the elder away; not caring for the way Sinbad has been acting. Azrak thought to himself how his otherworldly comrade can remain so calm and display such bravado. In addition how gullible he could be.

“Akhdar will kill us no matter what you do,” Azrak sternly said to Sinbad. A worried look ran across his blue angular face. “His word is useless! Don’t be foolish!”

Deep inside Sinbad’s soul he knew his most trusted friend was right. There was no time to devise an alternative solution. Sinbad hoped this fight would buy his friend more time—time that was running out.

“The virtue of deeds lies in completing them, my friend,” he said to Azrak, as he got up to his two feet. “I will keep my word, atone for your family’s tragedy, and you shall live.”

Azrak and his family showed Sinbad kindness when the mighty sailor came to this strange world. And for that kindness, all but Azrak was viciously murdered in cold blood on Zhar Akhdar’s orders. On this day Sinbad still does not know why.

The loud click from the cell’s lock filled the dungeon. Sinbad wasn’t affected by the sound that filled the prisoners’ hearts with fear. He stood ready, knowing his time has come. The guards, two burly green men, entered the grimy dark cell. They wore heavy plated armor, which covered most of their battle scars. One of them leered at Sinbad hardheartedly.

“Come, outlander,” ordered the guard. “Your end is nigh. You must not keep the zhar and his guests waiting.”

Before Sinbad could submit to his captors’ demands Azrak held him back.

“Let me go with you. Two will fare better than one.”

“No,” Sinbad contested, “I must go this alone.”

The other guard gave Sinbad a scornful smirk followed by a taunting chuckle. “Are you ready to die, outlander?”

Sinbad didn’t dignify that with a response. His focus was completely set towards the arena. He clenched his fists and simply replied, “If Allah wills.”

JOHN GARAVAGLIA

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