The New World (The Last Delar) Read Free Page A

ancient steel in the tongue of the Delar. “ Long have you been in my family, but tonight others shall take you as theirs.  May we bring fear to those who stand against us.”
    Behind her, warriors approach.  They stop once they see Loeau's back.  The native from the western tribe signals for the others to flank her.  Once the men fade into the bush, he raises his stone tomahawk and lets out a battle cry as he charges.  Listening to the forest, Loeau knows the moment has come.  She grips her sword tightly and opens her eyes.  They are consumed in a blue light, the last of her fading power.  She spins and opens her arms.  The Namid blazes to life, cutting down the charging warrior.  Seeing only a dazzling flash before his death, the warrior makes no sound before he falls.  Loeau raises her sword behind her head, lowers the blade, and points it toward the forest. She closes her eyes for a moment caressing the tarnished steel against her cheek.
    The quickness and skill of the woman stuns the other two men, and they falter, confused by this new enemy.  Loeau senses their hesitation.  She opens her eyes and charges the closest warrior.  She attacks and the conquistador watches a light surrounded by caped darkness slay his comrade.  He raises his weapon and pulls the trigger.  The unnatural crack of his shooter disturbs the forest.  Through the smoke of his weapon, he sees the Namid gliding toward him, like a ship coming through a morning fog.  Mesmerized by the magical sword, he has no time to dodge the blow.  The Namid drives deep into his chest.  Unseen from above, Loeau lands, and grabs her weapon.  With her back facing the warrior, she lunges forward, powerfully kicking the warrior against a tree. She raises her blood-stained weapon and sees a new warrior emerge from the trees to face her.  He is calm and dressed in an ornate breastplate.  He has seen Loeau's skill, but is unafraid.  He draws a pistol and his sword, a long flexible blade, and slowly approaches Loeau.  With his sword drawn and his pistol aimed at her head, the warrior slowly circles Loeau. She stands in the shallow stream, sword raised and ready for her attacker.  The light from her eyes has gone and her body is getting weaker.  The man speaks in a foreign tongue, gruffly and without fear.
    "You are well trained, savage, but death calls your name this night."
    The man maneuvers quickly, and Loeau says nothing. They both strike, their swords clashing, shaking the forest floor.  The warrior’s pistol fires and the small lead ball grazes Loeau’s shoulder.  He swings for her head, but finds only her sword.  Locked in battle, they push toward each other.  They continue their struggle, realizing how closely matched their skills are.  Their faces are close, swords crossed at neck level, eyes piercing into each other.  The soldier's strength becomes too much for Loeau, and he begins to push her to her knees, smirking at his perceived victory.  Loeau screams, using the dying voice of her Noe to fuel her strength.  Loeau breaks the standoff, shoving the soldier, striking him with her fist.  She spins, and the Namid spits in blue fury as the soldier's head separates from his neck.
    Panting, Loeau leans on the Namid and hears a noise behind her.  Three needle-like objects pierce her back.  Her teeth clench, severing part of her tongue, and her eyes roll back into her head.  Loeau wails and falls to the ground, her face splashing in the water.  Her flesh burns as a toxin seeps into her bloodstream. Submerged in the water she hears muffled sounds above her. The water erupts, and she is thrown into the air and forced against a tree.  She looks out behind the blood stained water that trickles down her face and whimpers in fear. Loeau sees the eyes, the white eyes that have haunted her dreams.  Loeau is now face to face with the beast that was hidden in the forest. It has long rodent-like teeth and a grotesque body.  It roars at