jw-johnson.com

This is a temporary title (maybe)for a story I started that was going to be a short story, but now I’m thinking novel (ok novella) that you can read the first three chapters of for free. It’s a work in progress so keep checking back from time to time in case I update it. I’ll try to let you know when I update on the main page. Just know that by no means is this the final draft.

NOTICE: This material is copyrighted, uncopyedited late draft, subject to change. And I warn you. Don’t expect what you read now to be there at the end. No telling what an editor will do to this thing. You’ve been warned.

On a far away planet a map for a mythical treasure takes a slave girl and her protector through trials they never could have imagined, to riches greater than they ever could have expected. And save their world while doing it.  J.W. Johnson brings a tale of distant lands and high adventure amid the ruins of ancient civilizations. Yes. There are zombies.

Chapter One
“Let go of me”.

The voice clear, even in the crowded tavern.

“Let go of me, I said. I’ve changed my mind.”

The voice coming from two tables over belonged to a strikingly beautiful, small, dark haired, dark skinned woman.

“No need to run off so fast slave”, spoke the squat mustard skinned Turlik seated at the table who held her small wrist. “Tell us more of this map.”

“No really, I’ve changed my mind. Please just let me go.”

“Sit down here whore. Do what I tell you” he said pulling down on her wrist. “Don’t you know who you are dealing with?”

“I’m not a slave anymore. You know that. I do what I want, when I want. Let go of my arm” she said refusing to be pulled down.

“Let her go” I said finally. Standing next to her she was even more beautiful up close. But small, barely coming up to my chest.

“Stay out of this faro. It’s none of your affair”. Standing up next to the girl he wasn’t much taller than her but nearly twice as broad. Staring up at me with his bald yellow head and short pointed ears, his breathe holes flared with the rage of having a “faro” challenge him. Stronger than humans by some twist of nature he had little fear of me or my weapon even though he barely came up to my shoulder. Of course, he wasn’t that much stronger than me. Having grown up with Turliks of the Husaikian Desert I was well accustomed to their strength.

“How dare you speak to me that way?” he said, his face holding all the contempt “The People” held for outworlders .”I’ve beat slaves to death before for less than this.”

“I’m no slave” I told him. “Let her go and we wont have any trouble.”

“That’s a Husaikian war axe” he said staring at the great double headed axe I held loosely in my hands. “He thinks he knows how to use that” he laughed back to his companions seated at the table.

“Better put that up before I take it away and use it on you. You faro’s have a lot of guts speaking to your betters this way.”

“Let her go I said. Or I will show you how good I am with this.”

“Why you–!” Finally letting go of her arm he pulled his sword and made a quick swipe at my head. I parried his stroke easily using both hands on the long handle of the great axe for speed and power.

“Put up your sword. I have no desire to kill you”

“Why you–faro! I’m going to teach you a lesson you will never forget”. With that he made a huge lunge at my throat. Barely blocking it I instinctively wrenched the handle of the great axe to return his stroke. Completely surprised by the speed of my counter and totally off balance and out of line from his attack, all he could do was watch as the axe swept towards his neck. Stunned, his companions just sat there looking at their fallen comrade.

“We should be going now” I told the girl as all motion in the tavern stopped from the sudden action. Nodding her head she picked up her bag from the table where it was laying.

“Don’t try to follow us.” I said pointing the head of the dripping axe at the Turliks seated at the table. “I’ll be ready for you.” Looking from their companion to the great axe they made no move to get up as we backed out the door.

*****

“Why did you do that?” she exclaimed as we made our way out onto the bright streets of Tanasia.

“What do you mean? I was just trying to help”

“I know that.” she snapped, ” Did you have to kill him?”

“Your welcome. Sorry I stepped in. Look–,”  I said, after letting my eyes adjust to the bright sun. ” I had to kill him. No way he was going to let that go in front of his friends.

“But that was so brutal. Why did you help me anyway?” she said looking up at my face.

“You looked like you could use it.” Taking her gingerly by the elbow I moved her across the busy street to the other side. Tanasia was built around a central oasis on the trade route from Kyzyl to Kara Kum and was full of caravans trying to beat the dry season.

“I can take care of myself you know. Now I don’t know what I am going to do.”

“Why do you say that?”

“They were my transportation, but you kind of ruined that I’m afraid.”

“Like I said; I’m sorry. He did try to kill me you know.” Looking back at the tavern I could see the Turliks had came out of the door and were looking around. By this time we were far down the street next to an alleyway that led to the stables. “It looks like your friends are looking for us. You can go back if you want. I think it’s time I got a move on.”

“Wait. You can’t just leave me here.” she said looking lost and forlorn on the dusty street of the crowded city. “I didn’t trust them anyway.”

I was just trying to help. Now they are going to be coming after me. You would just make it worse.” Moving down the alleyway I looked back just as one of the Turliks glanced in our direction.

“How can I trust you? I don’t even know you.” she said, looking up in my face after coming to some decision. “Maybe we can help each other. Are you with a caravan?”

“No. I just came here for supplies on my way to Kyzyl where I have work.”

“They are going to be coming after me too you know. I have something they want. I’ll pay you double what you will make in Kyzil.”

“Ha” I snorted, looking at her shabby clothes and sandals. “I don’t know. I have a feeling your going to be trouble. Just exactly what are we talking about?”

“Lets talk about it on the way. They will be coming soon.” she said looking up the alley at the way we came. “Do you have transportation?”

“I have a rapterian.”

“A raptarian? Really? Those are so rare. How did you end up with one?

“Lets just say I had an interesting childhood.” Looking at her beautiful face smiling up at me, I came to a decision of my own. “I’ll tell you about it on the way.”