The Survivors

Meanwhile in the Dead desert, James and Cletus were still sleeping in sythorax's skull.

James then woke up to the sound of horses and people approaching, looked around and then saw a group of men moving towards where they were.

"Wake up." James said as he gently shook Cletus who yawned and stood up lazily and wobbled a bit before standing properly.

"What is happening?" He asked in a low voice. James then told him that some men were approaching them and they needed to hide. They then went deeper into the cave and hid while being quiet. They soon heard the sound of men entering into the cave and they sounded really tired and exhausted.

"I wonder where they took King Ores to." Said a voice which James and Cletus found familiar.

"I have no idea commander." A man replied with a pained voice.

" These snake bastards will pay for what they have done. They destroyed our cities and villages and defied our gods". The commander thundered.

Immediately, James knew that they were safe and it was only the Chanchanian army that camped there. They then came out of hiding and approached the soldiers. The soldiers at hearing their footsteps approaching drew their swords ready for combat but then it was James and Cletus who came in and they lowered their guard. The commander of the Chanchanian army Marcus then emerged and greeted the two of them and told them that their fathers would be relieved to hear that they were safe. James and Cletus then knew that their fathers were safe. Marcus then sent letters to their fathers using a falcon informing them that their sons were safe.

Benard then told James and Cletus that they couldn't stay in the cave but he would rather send them with guards to Derbias to stay in Father Ugu's house for a while because Domnic ordered that they should be taken there if they were found. Marcus then started making preparations for their trip because at this point, the Snake nation was in celebration for the takeover of Chanchan so they needed to seize this opportunity before the Snake army would start parading the streets of Derbias.

While it was still dark, they set out on the journey. Marcus told them that Derbias was very close to the desert and they would get there on time.

They were given three guards and they started moving towards Derbias with their horses.

Just as Marcus said, they arrived at Derbias at exactly 40 minutes and the guards led them to Father Ugu's house hidden in the forest. As soon as one of the soldiers gave a special knock, the door opened and they were ushered in by Ferdinand and immediately they got in, Joy and Dorcas heard the noise and went down. Immediately Joy saw James, she screamed and jumped on him with excitement.

" I was so scared my love I thought I would never see you again." She said with a teary voice while holding him tight.

" I am here now so everything is okay. James replied in a calm voice.

" Well if it isn't the son of Domnic in my house." Father Ugu's voice boomed from behind him and immediately James let Joy go and went to have an handshake with him.

Father Ugu then asked about his father which David told him that he had no idea of where he was. Father Ugu then told him that he and his men would go by day's break to bring food for the soldiers in the Dead desert. David and Cletus were then given food to eat.

After some time, everyone went to their rooms and slept. James and Cletus were taken to a big dark room and the two were given warm baths and they went to sleep.