I just realized that when I posted the list of the Eletian company, I did not make this important note: that is not all of them, just the ones that will be specifically mentioned in the story. I know that is probably very obvious, but I felt that I had to make it perfectly clear. That is not necessarily so with the Sacoridians. They may not all be specifically mentioned in the story.
Just thought I would make that clear. Onward!
Karigan warily looked around as she crept through the bushes, tailed by two silent Weapons and an equally quiet Eletian, Fedde. She jumped as her left arm bumped into a bush, rustling the leaves. Fastion helped her steady her balance, and she could have sworn that she saw an amused twinkle in his eyes.
She gasped as her own eyes confirmed what Pacífica's Eletian company had reported. A company of people sits in the trees of Kanmorhan Vane, she had told Karigan. I do not know who they are, but they are in the company of a wraith, that which is composed of the very substance of death itself. This place is closer to your land. Perhaps you are able to shed light on the identities of these people.
Pacífica had been right. Karigan knew exactly who these people were. And she knew precisely what their intentions were. Second Empire.
The three by her side were a few of several that were now surrounding the Second Empire camp. Karigan saw on closer inspection that there were maybe twenty men at most. There were also a few women and even children living in the camp.
Karigan found herself appalled by the concept of children living in Blackveil. The Second Empire as a cause was vile, certainly, but as people she expected most of them to have heart at least for their own children. Either this was not so, or this particular sect was desperate. But for what?
At a discreet signal, the company pounced on the camp. The men came to arms and were quickly killed. The women that picked up weapons were killed too. At first these were many, but soon the women retreated to protect their children. For the most part, the children were left untouched. Karigan did not want innocents killed. Some of the elder ones, however, picked up the weapons of the fallen men and were soon as dead as their fathers and brothers.
The struggle between the two parties was not particularly long, though it was not truly short either. Karigan's company had the advantage of surprise, but the Second Empire recovered quickly. They launched a remarkable counter-offensive and managed to do some damage before the Weapons, being Master Swordsmen and women, disposed of them.
Pacífica, who was in charge of the Eletian fraction of the group, met with Karigan at a corner of the camp after the battle was done.
"What do we do with the women and children?" Pacífica looked carefully at Karigan.
"You may not like this or agree, but it would be best to kill them." Karigan felt horror creep onto her face. She looked at Pacífica in shock.
"No!" Pacífica sighed sadly.
"It is true, they did not try to fight us. However, that does not stop them from being who they are. You may not like it, but if we allow them to live, they will only continue to spread their ideas. They could bring down Sacoridia from the inside. Though they are not the sole ones with their ideas, the twisting of this story could strengthen their cause, and weaken yours.
"It is your country, of course. And your decision. Princess Graelalea has ordered me to obey what you order." Karigan glared, perversely angry at Pacífica. Then she sighed, knowing that none of this had been the fault of Pacífica.
She could not risk her country. She could not possibly risk Zachary. After all, he would be a primary target of the Second Empire if they wanted to fell Sacoridia and bring Mornhavon back to power. Karigan growled to herself, angry again, but this time at Mornhavon for bringing this all about. Finally, she came to a decision.
"Kill them," she whispered, pain in her voice. "But do it quickly, and I do not want to hear it." Fastion and Brienne gently led her a distance away from the camp.
Pacífica looked sadly around the camp. She had not enjoyed pushing Karigan to such a decision, but it had to be done. Her eyes scanned the terrified faces of the younger children, and the awe that mixed in with some. She gave her orders to the Eletians, deciding to leave the Sacoridians out of it. They would only protest, and besides did not need to be a part of it.
Dragomir, an Eletian, crept up behind her left shoulder.
"You truly mean to do this, Pas?" He said quietly in their tongue. Pacífica nodded.
"It must be done. They are an unnecessary risk alive." Dragomir nodded, leaving his friend to her thoughts. She lifted her hand, signaling the archers' shots.
Pearly arrows rained upon the remnants of the camp, striking down the remaining people of the Second Empire. After all was said and done, there was still one child left alive.
A small boy, only a few years old, stood by a woman's body. Tears ran down his face and his sobs echoed around the area. The terror shone unmasked on his pudgy face, but he did not look up, not once.
Pacífica closed her eyes, and a tear slipped down her ashen cheek. "Kill him," she whispered.
The boy's wide, petrified eyes whipped over to her and he whimpered helplessly.
I know it is shorter than I wanted, but I could not resist stopping here. Sorry! The next chapter will be out ASAP. I will try to get out at least a few more chapters before the end of next week, b/c I will probably be going up north sometime then, and I will have limited time to write, and no time to type it up.
Okay, now that I have wasted an extra minute or so of your time, I will sign off.
~Scaarlett