Chapter Eleven
Walking though the light of the pale moon, Elena watched as her captors marched across the Unonian countryside with a steadfast gate. Though their stomping boots and torches in their hands shook her inside, she took comfort in knowing she wasn't alone. At least five hundred, maybe even one thousand, prisoners were with her, chained to the same rung of links at the wrists, being prodded by the same team of soldiers, probably just as scared as she was. Her eyes were weary – her feet even worse – but as she scanned the area once more, she noticed a slew of men and woman from different backgrounds and classes. Most were poor citizens from Cavask, as their black clothing gave them away almost immediately. There were Unonian Royal soldiers in the mix as well, their torn tunics of plated metal and metal skirts gleaming under the light of fire and the waning moon. Even upper class, with their elegant dress and jewels, followed in suit just as meekly as those with tattered clothes and dirty faces with cheekbones jutting from their cavernous eyeholes, peering from their bony faces devoid of any hope.
"Elena, is that you?"
Turning to her left slightly, she noticed Lisa, wearing a black, red, and white dress, so common among Unonian woman throughout the nation. Unable to talk, she nodded humbly.
"Almighty, and you're married too?" Her voice squeaked even though it was covered by a whisper. "To whom?"
She bit the cloth of the gag like a horse does its bit. Like the rest, her hands were chained behind her back, making escape, or even legible talk, impossible.
"I'm sorry, Elena. I'm sorry for the way I mistreated you at the wash." She scoffed and jerked forward, as the chain on her hands led her forward. "If anything, I deserve this treatment. It's such a shame how these terrible things bring us all together, reminding us that we are Unonians regardless, and we should stick together."
Elena rolled her eyes. She turned back to Lisa, who appeared apprehensive.
"Elena, please. I'm so frightened. I saw the entire fight a few days ago, how the Mafians tore through the city, yet was stopped by us, the Unonians." She smiled. "There was a man there, a man who reminded us all what it meant to be Unonian. The general of the enemy army came through, but all he did was step right in front of his face and tell him off. I've never seen such bravery. Even through his dark shades I could see fire burning in his eyes. Then he took his weapon and let him have it!"
Elena bent her head towards the ground. She blinked hard, remembering the man she married, the man she almost left behind a few nights ago. Shaking her head, she was sure he was gone forever. How could I have been so blind? I miss him more than ever. But he's gone. He's really gone. I'm so sorry, Todd! Oh, I'd give anything just to see him and tell him I love him!
"But somehow, we were all captured. I saw them move into Ikrisia's home. They came out alone. Then they took their guns and shot Kora and Velisina in cold blood in front of the washing tub." She paused. "You see this?" Pointing to the base of her neck, a look of pride shone in her eyes. "The one who took me tried to have me for his own. He flung me to the ground and broke my collar bone. But I fought him off just in time for his superior to burst through and tell him his orders."
Nodding, Elena brushed a tear from her cheek using her bare shoulder.
"I know. Ikrisia and the rest shouldn't have died that way." Suddenly, she dropped her tone as she shifted her eyes to the left and right. "But the man that motivated us to fight, no one has seen him since. Some say he's off to find McRasko's castle and finish him off on his home turf! Yet I've also heard he's cursed with a mask he carries at all times. Some say it might have killed him, but with the kind of spirit he has, I can't see that happening."
I wish I could tell him I understand why he fights like he does. I'm so selfish to want him all for me, when he tries hard to stop things like this from happening. She drew in a quivering breath as tears continued to fall. He did break my heart, but I can forgive him for that. I loved him.
Suddenly, the people in front of her stopped moving. Thankfully, she paid enough attention not to bump into the Unonian soldier in front of her, staying clear of his frayed metal plated tunic. Confusion slowly bubbled and churned from within the group as everyone tried to get a good look at what was happening. It was no use, as they were too far from the front of the pack to understand.
From the distance, a shout echoed above the muttering commotion. "Line up the prisoners!"
Mafian guards and soldiers immediately apprehended the prisoners, pushing them aside and beating them, hoping the abuse would cause them to move faster. Elena immediately stepped back until she was standing right next to a small kit who looked to be no more than ten. To her left stood Lisa.
"I'll stand by you," she whispered. "It makes me feel better to be around someone I know."
As the remainder of the captives fell into line, the soldiers formed many rows, facing the prisoners about fifteen feet away. A very small group of soldiers walked around and cut the links connecting the prisoners together. Puzzled, Elena watched as they stared impassively out toward them.
"Our group will join forces with our Lord's personal unit!" General McObilu's voice echoed. "We shall embark on the great city once more and finally end the Unonian tirade across these lands once and for all!"
Cheers and shouts echoed across the countryside. Torchlit faces screamed into the open air, as if they were blasting down the Unonian might with one unified burst of energy. Elena looked on, turning her head to avoid seeing the pride and confidence in their actions.
Suddenly, a great clamor came from the top of the corridor formed by Mafians and Unonians. It grew in detection and eventually galloped into view in the form of a white horse carrying a large vulpine man dressed in heavy armor. Chain mail peered from his jewel encrusted breastplate and hard leather skirt. Symbols of unknown origin covered his breastplate, skirt, black leather boots, and gauntlets like snakes slithering up and down his body. A black cape extended down from his shoulders, casting a dark shadow across his body. Armor on his shoulders and kneecaps covered even more chain mail, giving him a formidable appearance.
Not even sparing a moment to address his men, the lofty, muscular vulpine instead turned to the prisoners. His hair was white, and appeared as if it was migrating from the top of his head to the back and neck. His face was horribly wrinkled and somewhat deformed, yet his glowing eyes managed to peer through a thick brow. "I am Bronson Kirik McRasko, Emperor of the New Mafian Republic!" Cheers and shouts rang out once more, much to the dismay of the fatigued and exhausted Unonians watching his face contort with laughter. "Oh, what a marvelous sight. Truly I have been… blessed with such a remarkable crop." Bending on knee, his gaze turned to the young kit next to Elena. "Young juvenile, what is your name?"
The kit meekly stood forward. "Todd."
The wrinkles on McRasko's face forced a smile. "Todd, eh? Such a beautiful name. Would noble Todd mind stepping forward?"
The kit stepped toward the burly vulpine, shaking and trembling. "N-no."
"Good, good." He put his thick hand around his shoulder. "Do you love life, Todd?"
He swallowed hard. "Yes sir."
"Would you believe I do too?" He waited until the young kit shook his head. "It's true, I do. And it's rotten bastards like you that prevent my sons and my daughters from existing, Todd. You are the killer, young one, not I. Do you think it's fair to kill my people, Todd?"
Tears streamed from his face. "N-no… sir."
"Oh, I knew you'd see it from my perspective! Everyone does in the end." He leaned in closer to the kit. "Now Todd, I have another question. Do you think I'm a bad man?"
He immediately nodded as he wiped his face with an already wet arm. "Yes."
"But if you're the killer, and I'm the one who is trying to save my people, doesn't that make you the bad man? And wouldn't I be doing my people a service by taking your pathetic life right now?"
He sniffled hard. "No!" he squeaked.
McRasko nodded his head. "I don't like your logic, Todd." In an instant, he snapped the kit's neck with a clean break, much to the gasps and cries from the prisoner's side of the congregation. Grabbing the body, he twisted off the neck and cupped his hands to gather the blood that poured from the decapitation. Bringing then to his lips, he drank the crimson fluid and wiped his muzzle with the jagged edges of the chain mail on his arm.
"I am the protector!" he boomed as he stood from where he knelt. "When will you malevolent, hideous people learn?" Suddenly, his attention was swayed. Walking toward the line of prisoners, Elena panicked when she realized he was walking up to her. When he approached her, he untied the gag and propped her muzzle up with thick fingers. "Even you are evil."
Anger flooded her face. The pain of losing her husband, her freedom, and all that she once held as just and merciful began to swell within her thin frame. Drawing in a large breath of air, she spat directly in the man's face.
"Bastard!" a Unonian solider shouted.
"Burn in hell!"
Rage attacked the large vulpine's façade, but quickly gave way to more laughter. "But that's right," he spoke as her saliva channeled down his face. "You all believe I am the immoral one. Perhaps I am evil, but that is incredibly doubtful." He turned to his men. "Kill every other prisoner. Kill them now!"
Stepping aside, the brawny vulpine watched as hundreds of guns immediately cocked. As terror swept across the captives, they nervously watched and hoped they would be among the survivors.
"Lisa," Elena whispered. "I might not have long to live, but I can finally speak." She paused as she turned away from the guns. "How do you know if you're pregnant?"
Lisa smiled. "Oh, you'll know when it happens. Nothing changes physically, but it's like a feeling. You'll know."
Swallowing hard, Elena knelt to the ground as commanded by a slew of artillery men. She blinked sorrowfully as a silent prayer echoed in her mind.
McRasko roared with laughter. "As your books are written: one will go, and one will stay." He paused. "So be it!"
Gunfire rang out in the cool night, stabbing its targets with fatal wounds. Elena, along with others shrieked and shut their eyes as the sound of death fell upon their ears. Yet as soon as it had started, the killing was finished. As she opened her eyes, she noticed she was one of the luckier ones, joining roughly half the group. She turned to her left to find a gaping hole just above Lisa's right eye.
"Almighty!" Elena cried. "Why? Why do these things happen? Why?" She turned away, partially due to sadness but mostly due to fear. She had never seen someone she knew die in front of her before, and with such a traumatic end.
"The rest of you!" McRasko bellowed. "Fall back from our lines! Anyone who dares escape shall meet a bloody end!"
Elena stood as the Mafians looked to be organizing at a fast rate. Something seemed to be happening, but she was beyond care. Almighty, you blessed me with a loving husband and a hopefully his child one day. Why do you give me these things only to have them taken away? Why do you let me come so close to the light, then push it another ten feet in front of me? She dried her eyes, already stinging from tears before, and followed the others, being led like cattle to an open field behind enemy lines.