"Because I now declare you under arrest by the Prime Minister of Amaya," the guard smiled, "you are going to jail."
Rollan still couldn't believe it. One second he was walking out of Greenhaven and the next he was going on a ship to Amaya to be put in jail. The ship he had been put on was covered in guards from Amaya, most of which tried to trip him on the way down to the small prison on the ship.
He was thrown into the small cell as the gate slammed behind him. Rollan stood up and went to the bars where a guard was still standing.
"Does this mean that I will spend the rest of my life in a prison cell?" Rollan asked leaning against the bars.
"That is up to the minister," he said. "I look for her to execute you once you've worked off some debt."
Rollan looked at him funny. "What debt do I have?"
"Working with the Greencloaks, going against your home country, "the guard told him.
"For your information," Rollan started, "The Greencloaks are trying to help everyone and will always help everyone-"
"Lies!" yelled the guard as he turned around and stared Rollan right in his eyes. "You weren't there when my little brother and mom were both killed during one of your little battles. They could have been saved. I remember watching as Greencloaks ran by and my brother was on the ground, bleeding out. You could have saved him but no. Instead my mother, who could barely walk as it was went out to help him. She was shot on sight helping him."
Rollan only stared at him, not knowing what else to say Rollan looked at him calmly. "I'm very sorry about your loss."
The guard stared at him in awe. "I never thought I would hear a greencloak say that to me."
"Yeah well… not all of us are cold hearted," Rollan sat down on the floor of the boat and rested against the wall.
Rollan wasn't sure how long it was before he heard someone yell that they had reached land. Soon after the gate to the cell opened and Rollan was being dragged to his feet and up to the top of the boat. Soon, he and some others were carried off of the boat and once on land, black mesh bags were put over their heads as they walked threw the city.
Food and other stuff was thrown at them as they walked towards the prison. Rollan had trouble keeping his balance with everything coming at him blindly.
Soon they reached the prison where the others were given the ok cells while Rollan was sent to the bottom level. At the very last steps the bag was taken off of his head as he was placed in the only cell that was there.
Rollan said nothing as he went and sat down on the small edge in the corner.
A guard, different than the one he was talking to on the boat, slid a small tray threw a place that bars weren't there. On the tray was a slice of bread and a half cup of water.
"Is this supper?" Rollan asked looking at the guard.
He smiled. "Of course. Only the finest for one of Erdas's finest heroes."
He then left as Rollan looked at the food.
For 6 days it was pretty much like this. He was only given bread and water. Rollan slept most of the time on the hard cold floor. The only time he left was when he had to clean the floors or the restrooms.
Rollan heard footsteps as he sat up. A guard walked around the corner and began to unlock the gate.
"Let me guess, it's time to clean something?" Rollan asked.
The guard laughed a little. "Not even close."
Rollan raised his eyebrows. "So what is going on?"
The guard shackle Rollans arms together behind his back. "The Prime Minister wants to see you."
"Huh… that's new," Rollan said as he was lead through the prison and to the top floor.
Once they had reached the very top floor the guard took the shackles off of Rollan and opened the door for him to go into the room. Rollan entered to see a woman, the Prime Minister, standing behind her desk and looking out the window.
"Are you standing like that for dramatic effect?" Rollan asked as he took a seat in a chair that was placed in front of the desk.
The Minister laughed a little and turned around. "I guess you could say that."
Rollan sighed. "Why did you want to talk to me? Did i miss a spot cleaning or what?"
She sat down and faced Rollan while smiling. "I want to offer you a way to freedom."
"I never thought someone like you would want to bargain with a street kid like me," Rollan said.
"Well you see this bargain is more for me than you but if you reject my offer than you will not like the outcome," she told him.
"What is the deal?" he asked.
She smiled. "I want you beside me as a fighter, a warrior of Amaya. This will take you out of that cell and into one of the nicest rooms we can offer."
"And if i reject?" he asked.
She grinned evilly. "Then you will be stuck here for a very long time and your mother will be forced here as well but will be treated worse."
Rollan stood up. "Hold on a second. My mother has nothing to do with this, this is about me and me only."
"Exactly. And by you, i also mean you family or what you call a family," she told him. "You have till sunset to make your decision. I hope you make the right decision for the sake of you mother and your sanity."
With that a guard came in and took Rollan back down to the cell, not even bothering with the cuffs. As Rollan entered his cell the guard spoke.
"I would take the offer," he said.
Rollan sighed. "Why?"
"Because it is a way to get out of this cell, away from here. Also since you would be right by the Minister."
"Why would i want to be by her side?" Rollan asked.
"Because i heard that we are going to have a truce with Nilo. That means that you would be able to see one of your four fallen friends," he told Rollan as he shut the cell.
At that moment Rollan knew exactly what he wanted to do.
Rollans new "cell" was one of the greatest upgrades of his life. The room had a wide window that overlooked the city. His bed was soft and warm as if it was just cleaned. The one thing that he hated was the armour and outfit he was giver. It was official Amayan armour that was usually given to the second in command but was given to Rollan instead. That night Rollan had gone to sleep thinking about what was going to happen the next morning.
He was woken up by a guard banging on his door. Rollan got ready quickly and left him room and followed the guard down to the docks. Along the way he saw people look at him in awe. He just kept his head down and kept walking… next to the Minister of course who was getting an applause as she walked by. Once on the boat Rollan had gone straight to his small room.
There wasn't much to do. There was no way Rollan was going to go and talk to the other guards or anyone else on the boat. This was going to be a boring 5 day trip to Nilo.
After the 5 days, 5 intensely boring days of doing nothing and eating fish they had arrived in Nilo and were met by the Chieftain and his soldiers. When they stepped on land the Minister and Chieftain shook hands and then began to talk.
Rollan stood to the side of everyone and happened to catch a glance of a leopard and a girl following. He smiled as everyone started to walk towards an area that had tents set up in a giant circle. As the leaders and some others went in, Rollan decided to look around.
He headed around toward the back of the main tent and sat down on the ground. There wasn't a lot to look at. Mostly… sand and rocks.
"I thought you would be back here," a voice said.
Rollan turned to see Abeke standing in front of him with Uraza at her side.
He smiled. "I thought i would be able to hear you come."
Abeke sat next to him. "How is everything so far?"
"Ehh… it's ok. I'm happy i got out of a really nasty cell they put me in."
"Same," Abeke started, " the Chieftain came to get me, i had only been in the cell for 4 days at the most. Gave me water and fruit to eat twice a day."
"Still better than what i had. They gave me water and bread, " Rollan told her. "Have you heard anything about Meilin and Conor?"
Abeke shook her head. "All i know is that Zhong and Eura have a truce and are spreading their forces across the land as we speak."
"At least Conor and Meilin are together. Well hopefully," Rollan said.
Abeke stood up. "We should probably head back. The meeting shouldn't have taken long."
Rollan stood up and walked back with her to the front of the tent where everyone was outside and talking.
"Whats going on?" Rollan asked an Amayan guard.
"Someone came back with some news about Zhong and Eura," he told Rollan.
"What was the news?" asked Abeke.
"I think he is delusional because he spoke of these soldiers that are unstoppable. They feel no pain, they are faster than any other human, and they are stronger than a herd of rhinos."
"Attention everyone," the Chieftain said, "we have decided to go through with the truce and we are going to head to the southern part of Eura where we will be met by an army of Zhongese warriors. That will be the first area we take and claim as our own. We will leave as soon as the rest of our armies arrive."
"This is going to be interesting," Abeke said.
"Do you think we will see Meilin and Conor?" Rollan asked.
Abeke turned to him. "Hopefully."
"I don't think i have ever seen Eura this… dull," Abeke said as the boat they were on reached an abandoned dock.
"It's all of the negativeness in the air," Rollan told her as he grabbed his dagger and helmet.
Abeke smiled a little as she followed Rollan and some of the other Nilo and Amayan soldiers off of the boat. Once they were on the ground they began to walk inland with some of the archers and far range fighters in the front. It soon began to rain as they made their way towards a grassy plain that had piles of rocks and trees everywhere.
Someone in the front held up their hand in a signal of stopping. Everyone got down while he and two others went a little further. As soon as they reached a set of rocks and knelt behind them arrows came raining down and explosions came from everywhere.
"Spread out so they can't get us all at once, "someone yelled.
"Who are we shooting at?" Abeke asked.
One of the guards turned to her. "Someone said there are people surrounding us. They are dressed in all black."
"What kind of uniforms are those?" Rollan asked.
No one answered as they all spreaded out and soldiers dressed in black came out of everywhere.
"Abeke we need to find better cover," Rollan told her.
"But where?" she asked firing an arrow.
Rollan scanned the surroundings and found a tree just a little out of reach of the battle ground. "Over there."
Abeke looked up to where he was pointing. "How are we going to make it over there without being shot or stabbed?"
Rollan looked at her. "Run."
Abeke fired another arrow and ran ahead of Rollan as they both headed towards the tree. Before Rollan could even catch up to Abeke, he was tripped.
Standing over him was a warrior in black. He had a sword and got ready to stab him. Rollan swung his leg at the enemy's to make him fall. He then stood up and ran away as fast as he could.
Ahead of him Abeke shot two others and punched another. Right after she punched the guy, Abeke held her hand by her side and winced when ever she moved. The guy got ready to swing his sword but she was ready and stabbed him in the side with an arrow.
"Abeke keep running," Rollan yelled.
She turned to him and nodded. They both continued running, dodging swords and punches as they ran. Once they reached the tree, Rollan got down and Abeke knocked another arrow.
"We can't stay here," Abeke stared as she let loose 2 more arrows, "there is no way no one saw us come over here."
Rollan nodded as he watched the battle rage on. As he watched he noticed that there was more people than to begin with and...they looked nothing like the other warriors or enemies.
"Hey Abeke...where are they from?" he asked pointing to where he was looking.
Abeke looked and shook her head. "I have no clue… the uniforms they are wearing are not from any country or continent in Erdas."
"We need to get-" an arrow out of nowhere slashed Rollans ear. He looked up to see one of the people with the weird uniforms looking right at them.
"We might have attracted some unwanted attention," Abeke told Rollan as the guy got closer.
"What do we do?" Rollan asked.
Abeke turned to him. "Fight him if he gets too close."
The guy in black kept advancing, not even caring about what was going on around him. Rollan stood up and pulled out the two daggers from their holders that were around his waist and took a fighting stance. Abeke stood next to him with her bow around her shoulder and a sharp hunting knife in her hand.
"I suggest you don't run and come with me. I can help you," the man said.
Rollan looked at Abeke who just stared at the guy. Before they knew it an Eura/Zhongese soldier came towards them. When he got close enough he grabbed the other man and slammed their heads together. The man in black stumbled backwards. When he stopped moving he was met with a sword but the other guy.
"Those who do not follow the true leaders do not live, "he said turning to Rollan and Abeke as the guy in black fell on the ground. "So, do you want to live or not?"
"I'd like to live," Rollan responded as he lunged towards the man.
He was ready as Rollan slashed towards his right arm, swinging his sword up to meet Rollans. Abeke attached his left side and was able to cut his forearm. The man hissed, Rollan brought his sword to the mans leg. He dropped to one knee and swing his arm around hard, hitting Abeke in the head hard and then turning right to Rollan who was shocked and looking at Abeke. She was motionless on the man punched Rollan in the face and wrapped his arm around Rollans neck in a choke hold.
The man then pulled out a cloth and placed it over Rollans mouth and nose. Blackness soon overcame his vision as he fell to the ground. Everything was blurry as more soldiers walked over to where they were on the ground.
"Take them to the cells and put the blond one where he belongs," one of the guards said pointing the man in black on the ground.
Rollan then blacked out.
He woke up to the sound of metal banging on metal. Rollans eyes went wide as he scrambled to his feet taking in his surroundings. Dull stone with green moss growing on it scattered the 3 walls along with some brick. The bars were shinny which stood up among the small room.
"Glad your awake," a guard said who was on the other side of the bars. "It's dinner time."
Small trays were slid under the bars with an awful smelling liquid in a cup and some meat the looked 10 years old.
"I'm not eating that," Rollan told the guard.
He smiled as he began to walk away. "Then you will starve to death before your execution."
Rollan turned around to see that Abeke was sitting in the corner, having just watch the whole thing she just shook her head and sighed.
"I'd rather be executed then starve to death but i'm not eating that so i guess that's that."
Rollan nodded as the sound of heavy footsteps and chains got closer. He turned around as Abeke got up and stood next to him. A guard appeared and opened the gate, holding a sword to Abeke and Rollan so they wouldn't try and escape. Another guard came from behind with two people who had bags over their heads.
They were shoved into the small cell along with Abeke and Rollan. The gate then shut and the soldiers walked away laughing.
Rollan turned and looked at Abeke who just shrugged her shoulders.
"Whoever you are can you please get this bag off of my head? My hands are still cuffed behind my back."
Rollan took a step forward and pulled the bags off of the two people. Once the bags were off Rollan stared at them. They both had blond hair, one of them darker than the others. In the dark of the cell it was hard to tell what color their eyes were so Rollan thought they were a dark green almost dark blue. As Rollan looked at them he noticed they were waring Zhongeese and Euran armour.
"Why are Euran soldiers in a prison cell that they maintain?" Rollan asked the two guys.
"Before you ask us any questions why don't we introduce ourselves?"
"Ok. My name is Rollan and this is Abeke," he told the two who looked similar to someone but Rollan couldn't put his finger on it.
"Wait, you mean that you guys are part of the four fallen?"
Rollan and Abeke nodded their heads as the two on the ground looked at each other.
"Huh well this isn't how i expected us to meet," said one of them. "My name is Wallace and this is Garrin. You know our brother."
Rollan looked at them. "You mean that… you're Conors brothers?"
They nodded. "Do you happen to know where Conor is?"
Rollan shook his head. "We haven't seen him or… Meilin since we all left Greenhaven."
Both of the brothers seemed to frown at the same time. "We thought you would say that."
"What are you guys even doing down here?" Abeke asked.
Garrin sighed. "They figured out that we were related to Conor and put us in here."
"But," Wallace started, " we know how to get out. There is someone in here that works with this group of people that are starting a rebellion. He can get us out."
"Who is this guy?" Rollan asked them.
"What was his name?" Wallace turned to his brother.
"Wasn't it Eric?"
"No, that's the guards name. Derik?"
"That doesn't sound right."
"Oh i remember," Wallace said turning to them. "His name is Tarik."