Chapter 9

Castiel groaned to life. Niko dexterously set him on his feet while still maintaining grip on Marina.

He held the back of his head. Blood remained on his hand when he stared at it.

"What has happened?" He staggered.

Niko remained quiet.

They were brought to the large doors that led to the throne room. The towers crept open and King Aleron was the first to enter. His men followed and the prisoners closely in step.

Torches were dimly lit, but Niko could make out a girl in the dark corner. She was pushed and hit the stone with a rigid disposition. Castiel was second to take notice and his eyes widened.

Castiel struggled for his brother, "Let her go! She has nothing to do with this!" His fight was impractical, but he tried to reach Aleron.

The girl was sobbing, "I'm fine Castiel."

"What have you done with her?" Castiel was shouting and spitting. He turned his fight to get to the girl. The man with the feathery helmet strode with pomp to her. He lifted her off the slab of stone by her hair.

"Such a beautiful princess, isn't she Castiel?" The man breathed in her scent. Castiel surged through a new fit of rage, screaming and kicking.

"There is no need, Captin Tyric." Aleron returned to his throne. Tyric dropped the girl to her knees. He let her crawl to Castiel who took her in his arms.

Marina shifted in Niko's arms, "Niko? How did we…?" He let her stand. Before she was able to say another word, he pressed his mouth against hers and kissed her. The kiss was short, but the feeling of goodbye lingered in the touch.

"King Aleron." Niko addressed him.

"Yes?"

"Sir," he spoke with respect, "I request that I join you."

Castiel gazed at him with disappointment and shock. Marina's face changed its shape according to the waves of emotions she felt. First it was astonishment, then anger, and sadness. All Niko was expecting, except more. He could feel her reactions and empathized.

"That is quite an interesting request." The tyrant studied Niko.

"Will you accept?" Niko didn't dare look at Marina. His heart would break and he would crumble.

"You would serve me loyally?"

"With one condition."

"Name it."

"Marina, Castiel, and that girl, who I'm assuming is Princess Velika, live until they die of natural causes." He stressed natural.

The king pondered. He must know the tale of the warrior. You are to bring about his downfall, or his rise.

"Yes. Become my knight." Aleron stood.

Marina slapped Niko firm across his cheek. No longer was he good. He turned. He betrayed her. He didn't deserve that kiss of farewell. He didn't deserve anything. No longer would he have her respect, her friendship, or her loyalty. That betrayal was brutal. What reason could he possibly have for betraying them?

Marina, Castiel, and Velika were chained in a cage on a carriage. There must've been forty others in that same position. Whispers held that they were headed to the mines.

The whispers held truth.

The long and tiresome ride was accompanied by a short rest and no food. The only women were Marina and Velika, the rest of the cage occupants were prisoners of war and Castiel. He had a tight grip on Velika, wanting to never let her go.

Marina was silenced by Niko's betrayal. She felt like crying. He should have known she would rather die than serve Aleron. Maybe he thought he was saving them, but he was only saving himself.

Because of the packed cage, Marina was forced to stand with her arms stretched to the grate of the ceiling. As they neared a large gate, she could smell the putrid and vile scent of the dead burning. Instinctively, she held her breath. The heat from the burning pyres sneaked its way into the cage and made everyone feel sick. Marina was relieved couldn't see them.

When the carriage stopped, the prisoners were unloaded. Marina could see the devastating view without difficulty. Mostly comprised of men, the mining facility was dirty and the air was filled with coal dust. Every breath she thought she would choke. Many of the people there were skinny and bones were visible through stretched skin.

A guard called roll. Two men died on the trip, and more would while working. Men and women were then separated.

Velika made sure she walked next to Marina. She had questions, "I apologize for meeting under these conditions."

Marina failed to regard her.

"That tall man with the dark hair, I presume you two were close? I do not fully understand the situation."

Again, Marina blindly stared at the row of women in front of her.

"Marina?" Velika looked at her.

Marina let a tear slide out.

Velika took her hand, "Do not worry. We will get out of this. Don't be a pessimist."

Marina choked out, "Pessimism, noun. A philosophy forced upon the convictions of the observer by the disheartening prevalence of the optimist with his scarecrow hope and his unsightly smile.' The Devil's Dictionary. It's my favorite book. It's really funny."

"What?"

"There is not a way out. A fool may think himself wise, and the wise know themselves a fool for thinking they are. While the optimist may fill their heads with false hope, the pessimist understands true nature. Are you an optimistic fool Velika? For I know I've been." Marina pulled her hands away and crossed her arms. The chains made that motion difficult, but she was too stubborn to back down from a point.

"Marina-"

"No. I don't want to."

They entered a cold and damp tent that was no better than sleeping in a pit of ice. The blankets they were given had been infested with fleas.

Marina didn't sleep that night. Tears rolled out her eyes and seeped into the rag of a pillow.

"I'm a fool." She softly breathed out before curling for warmth and never wanting to think of Niko again.

...

Don't worry guys, that's not the end. A few more chapters to come, then we're done. Enjoy.