Red Leaves and the Living Token - By Benjamin David Burrell Page 0,3

blow sunk deep into his left arm.

"Drop your weapon," The soldier commanded. He waited half a moment to see the old man wasn’t yet compliant then lunged again. This time The school master was ready. But his strength wasn't what it once was. He deflected the blow from his chest to his shoulder.

"Aaagh! Take it and get out of here!" He yelled over his shoulder at Nemic.

The second soldier moved to get around the school master. "Let's not run off just yet, my friend." He yelled after Nemic.

The first soldier stepped closer to the school master lifting his sword again. "I'll tell you what old man. Give us what we want and I promise I'll make this painless for all of you."

Nemic stopped, causing the school master to turn and shout, "What are you doing? GO!" He turned back to the soldier, "He isn't here yet."

Suddenly, the old man lunged forward and attacked the closest soldier with his dagger. The soldier laughed and lifted his sword complacently to block the tiny dagger.

To the soldier's surprise his sword didn't stop the dagger. The glowing blade passed right through it and continued through the man's armor stopping full hilt in his chest. He gasped and dropped to his knees.

The second soldier watched with wide eyes and an open mouth.

Nemic took advantage of the distraction and hit him over the head with a chair sending him forward in an awkward stumble. He regained his composure after a few steps and lifted his sword towards Nemic.

The master rushed in quickly from the other side and pushed his dagger through the second soldier's armor. He gasped in pain, dropped his sword, then fell.

The master, bleeding heavily, collapsed as well. Nemic rushed to his side.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Take the kids and go!"

"But...," Nemic pleaded.

"Don't argue, just go!"

Nemic reached his arms around his Master and tried to lift him up. "Master, I can get you out of here!"

"Please, I'm already dead. If he gets the Token... We'll be worse than dead!" He grabbed Nemic's arm and put the glowing dagger in his hand. "I'm sorry Nemic, I never prepared you for this."

Nemic got up and backed away reluctantly. His mind spinning, he turned and led the two children through a false door in the back of the room.

-

Outside the wall of the school, Nemic knelt down beside his son, Bedic, and handed him the dagger and the Master's book.

"Go find your mother. Tell her something bad has happened and she needs to leave the city. Don't tell any one where you're going," He told him.

He turned to Frezen, "Stay with Bedic."

"Daddy!" Bedic cried.

Nemic turned his son around by the shoulders and scooted him along. "Go!" He instructed firmly. "I'll see you soon."

He watched for a moment to make sure they kept going before he crossed the empty space separating the school from the rest of the city.

-

Captain Brigan stepped past his men to get a better view of the large black carriage that was approaching from the flat plains south of the School.

He wasn't expecting anyone.

Two large Zoen men rode as an escort out in front of the carriage on two well bred black horses.

The captain turned to his first officer. "Have them turned back. The school isn't accepting guests at the moment."

The officer motioned with his hand to two near by soldiers who climbed on their horses and rode out to intercept the visitors. The carriage stopped as the men conversed. After a moment, the soldiers turned around and returned. The carriage, rather than turning back, followed right behind them.

The captain threw the twig he'd been chewing on to the ground with a frustrated grunt. He turned to the first officer with a scowl then shook his head. "Who did you send?"

"Andrea and Cactau." The First Officer answered.

"Worthless."

Private Andrea stopped his horse abruptly in front of the small group of officers. "A Lord Valance requests permission to speak to you, sir."

"Looks like you already gave him permission, private.” Captain Brigan answered as the black carriage approached behind the soldier.

The captain shook his head and spat on the ground. "Well bring him up."

As the carriage stopped, the two horsemen dismounted and stopped beside the carriage door. The door opened, and another large man pushed through. The three men approached the group of officers together.

The man from the carriage spoke first. "Who's your ranking officer?"

"State your business Mr. Valance," The captain answered.

"It's Lord Valance," he leaned in to make a show of