JUSTICE

CHAPTER 5

"Wake up! We need to get moving."

John blinked, but before he could stir there was a sharp pain in his side. He gritted his teeth but couldn't stop a groan escaping his lips. As he curled into the pain he realised something else. Apart from the fact Kilund's boots were steel tipped, he was on his side. John reckoned he must have been out of it for a while. He couldn't remember being untied from the tree.

Kilund went to kick him again, but John caught his gaze. The soldier didn't follow through with the assault, but drew him a warning look as he hauled him roughly to his feet. John yelped as his damaged feet made contact with the ground.

"Keep standing…the pain will ease off in a minute." Kilund kept holding onto his arm. "If it doesn't, you'll just have to suck it up. Or…I could tie the rope around your ankles and drag you the rest of the way on your back." He raised an eyebrow. "I'll leave the choice to you."

It didn't ease off much, but given the alternative John chose to stay upright. He sure as hell didn't want dragged along on his ripped back. He tried a tentative step forward. His feet felt tender and raw, but the pain was bearable.

"Good, boy. I knew there was grit in there…somewhere. Here – take a drink. We have a long, hot walk in front of us."

Kilund handed him the canteen, and John made another discovery. While he'd been out, his hands had been released and retied at the front. His wrists were in shreds. The skin around the deep groves made by the rope was split and caked with dried blood. His bonds weren't any looser, but at least the change of position gave him a little more freedom. He was parched. John savoured the liquid even though it was warm, and it felt good to serve himself again.

John avoided eye contact as the rope was once again wound round his neck and tied to the saddle. He swallowed stifling the panic, as it tightened when the beast moved off. He shuffled alongside relieved that this time the pace was slower. A sharp throbbing pain accompanied each step forward. John focused on the path ahead to try and zone it out.

Intent on putting one foot in front of the other, John didn't know how long they'd been travelling when he saw a river. There wasn't a bridge in sight, and from what he could tell there didn't appear to be any other way around it. The smirk Kilund gave him told him what he'd already guessed. He was going to get his feet wet.

John was conscious of the chains around his ankles, and knew he'd be a dead weight if he got out of his depth. Kilund didn't seem to be worried. The soldier didn't even glance over as he steered his mount into the water. Only a few yards in and the water was lapping his waist. Kilund turned and grinned. It was then John saw something coming towards them at speed.

"Look out!"

His cry came too late. The animal reared, throwing Kilund off the saddle. The soldier hit the water with a thud, and went still.

Instinctively John tried to grab him but the frightened beast was still dragging him forward. Choking, the rope tightening with every passing second, John lunged for the knife in Kilund's belt. Stars were obscuring his vision as he struggled for breath, his numb clumsy fingers trying to control the weapon in their grasp. John knew if he misjudged the cut it would be game over. Yet if he didn't try, the result would be the same.

His hands were shaking, and John took a steadying breath to regain some control before he made the cut. He felt the rope loosen as something warm trickled down his neck. As the cord fell into the water he saw the red stains. It didn't matter. He was still breathing, still alive. John sucked in a huge lungful of sweet cool air, but didn't waste any time in slicing the bonds around his wrists. He looked around for the soldier. Kilund was floating some yards away, face down. The guy had been unconscious since he'd hit the water. John knew if he didn't get him out of there soon, he would drown.

The current wasn't fierce, but weakened by injury and hampered by the chains round his ankles, it felt like a raging torrent. John reached Kilund and turned him round. His face was pale, slack. For all he knew the guy could already be dead, but John wasn't going to leave him behind. The training he'd learned as a young lifeguard during fondly remembered summer vacations, kicked into play. He held onto the soldier and kept moving. Once or twice he nearly fell as his aching feet slipped on the smooth pebbles beneath. John felt as if he'd run a marathon by the time he reached the grassy bank.

Spent, he collapsed in a heap taking the soldier with him. All he wanted to do was lie there, but there was someone else to consider. Kilund was a bastard. John couldn't figure out why he'd saved him, but he'd dragged his sorry ass out the river and wasn't going to let him die now.

His limbs were trembling with fatigue. John fought off the pounding in his brain and the lethargy crippling his body to drag himself to Kilund's side. He was still breathing. John turned his head and watched the water spill out of his mouth, but the soldier didn't awake. He used the last of his strength to clumsily push the heavy man into the recovery position before he passed out by his side.

ooooOoooo

He blinked and winced at the pain in his skull. When Kilund pressed his hand against it, his fingers came away covered in blood.

The last thing he could remember was crossing the river – then nothing. Suddenly he remembered the prisoner he'd been transporting and groaned. Rualin would kill him if he came back empty handed. Maybe kill was too strong a word, but he wouldn't put it pass the Commander to lay the strap on him himself.

A soft moaning sound by his side made him turn round. To say he was surprised to see Sheppard lying there was an understatement. What shocked him more was the realization he had this man to thank for his life.

The noose was gone, as were the bonds around his wrists. So by the look of things was his transportation. Kilund pulled his arms up to rest on his elbows. Once the world stopped spinning he made it to his knees. It took a little longer to get on his feet. He felt sick, dizzy, but when after a few faltering steps he managed to stay upright, he felt quite pleased with himself. One thing he wasn't happy about, being beholden to someone - worse still a prisoner. Sheppard was going in for a fifteen year stretch so it wasn't a debt he'd be able to repay. Kilund didn't like that. He didn't like that at all.

A wave of nausea hit, and he fell to his knees. He retched, spilling his guts into the sand until only the dry heaves were left.

"Concussions really suck…"

Kilund slumped back on his heels and wiped the back of his hand across his mouth. He turned to see Sheppard watching him.

The dynamics had changed. Neither man needed to say it. There was no going back to the way things were. Kilund shrugged and winced at the spike of pain that pierced his skull. He tried to ignore it as he scrambled to his feet.

"You sound like the voice of experience -" No sooner had the words left his mouth when a wave of dizziness sent him reeling. Kilund barely managed to steady himself in time.

"I am…which is why I know you need to sit down, before you fall on your ass."

Kilund didn't argue with the assessment. He staggered over and flopped down beside the nearest rock. He laid back his head. It was spinning. "I need to know…why didn't you leave me to drown? You could have escaped. It would have been days before anyone would have come after you."

Sheppard winced as he struggled to his feet. His eyes were blazing with anger. "Like this?" He waved a hand towards his feet. "I'm in chains…remember. And thanks to you dragging me through that damn forest I can hardly walk!"

Kilund's mouth twisted. "Sorry…but I didn't make the rule about the boots. Some of the cuts were deep. If I hadn't cauterised them they would have become infected, then…"

"Fine. I get it…you can spare me the details." Sheppard's face was creased in pain as he shuffled over to sit beside him.

Kilund turned to face him. "You still haven't answered my question. Why did you save my life? I haven't exactly been easy on you since we met. As for the chains…I'm sure a smart, resourceful guy like you could have dealt with them at the nearest town."

"If it makes you feel any better, it was an instinctive reaction." Sheppard smirked. "After the way you'd treated me, if I'd had more time to think about it, I probably would have left you to die." The smile died and Sheppard's expression grew serious. "I don't want to be a fugitive. It's not my style to spend the rest of my life running, hiding from what I've done. I'm guilty. I need to face the consequences for what I did. Still, I won't deny I hope my boss manages to pull a few strings. The sentence was harsher than I expected. I know I need to pay for my crime, but that judge went overboard."

Kilund gave him a wry smile. "Somehow...I don't quite believe you. You're a good man, Sheppard, whether you want to admit to it or not. And regardless of what I did, I don't think you would leave anyone behind – not even a bastard like me. I don't know all the facts of your case. You may be guilty, although I find it hard to believe. Even if you are you still don't deserve to go to that place. But…I have a job to do, and I'm sorry to say I have to take you in."

Sheppard put out his hands, ready to be tied. Kilund shook his head. "We both know that's not necessary. I owe you my life, so the least I can do is can the hard man act until we reach the prison."

Sheppard screwed up his face. "What the hell is with that anyway? I was already in chains. You didn't need to treat me like shit."

Kilund picked up a handful of sand and watched as it slipped through his fingers. "My first transport was a young man. He was a nice kid, couldn't have been more than nineteen. He'd got six months for getting drunk and punching out another soldier. I was civil to him, tried to make the journey as pleasant as possible. When he arrived at Flenda, he couldn't cope with the harsh regime. He only lasted a few weeks before he took his own life…"

"So… you think treating people like dirt is going to do what exactly?" Sheppard ranted.

Kilund shrugged. "Help prepare you for what to expect…Make you angry enough, fill you with enough rage against me, the system, the other guards, to give you the strength to get through the first days, maybe weeks. Look, Sheppard, for what it's worth – I'm sorry." He held onto the rock, staggered, but made it back on his feet again. "Now… as much as I'd like to lie here and lick my wounds, I have to find our ride."

"Our ride?"

He nearly laughed at Sheppard's surprised expression. "That's right – our ride. You can't walk far on those feet, and the least I can do is give you a decent meal before I hand you over."

ooooOoooo

It felt uncomfortable and more than a little awkward sitting so close to the man who'd oppressed him, but there wasn't any option. The chains around his ankles meant he was forced to sit side-saddle at the front of the beast, with Kilund's arms around him holding the reins. The lack of personal space was invasive, the smell from his companion, rank. At least it beat walking.

When a 'gate appeared over the rise, John wondered where he was going next. Kilund didn't try to hide the symbols this time. It didn't make any difference. He didn't recognise them anyway. On the other side a desert awaited them. John was blinded by the glare of the sun, and the searing heat caught at the back of his throat taking his breath away. Sweat was already trickling down his face, his chest, pooling in the small of his back and he'd only been there minutes. John could tell it was going to be a very long, hot, sticky day.

Kilund was suffering. He was hiding it well, but John could tell. He'd gone quiet. The soldier looked almost pale under his tan. His heavy beard covered most of his face, but the strain around his wrinkled eyes said more about his discomfort than anything.

John pretended to need a break more often than he needed. If Kilund suspected the ploy was for his benefit, he said nothing.

The undulating golden sand stretched out into the horizon. There wasn't a tree or water hole in sight. The heat from the blazing sun bore down on them with relentless intensity. It grew hotter with every passing hour, and soon neither man spoke. John's head was pounding. His mouth was dry as the dust coating his hair. He could barely see the way ahead through the shimmering haze. When Kilund suddenly stopped, it took him a moment to realize.

"It's time for you to get off."

Kilund dismounted first and extended his hand. The men locked eyes before John took it and quickly followed him onto the ground. Without saying a word he turned around, put his hands behind his back, and felt the rope secured around his wrists once again.

The soldier paused before he put the rope around his neck. "I don't know whether you're brave or foolish, but you should have escaped when you had the chance." Kilund gave it a sharp tug, and tied the end around the front of the saddle before getting back on his mount.

His aching feet were burning in the sand, but he knew Kilund couldn't be seen helping him now. To start with the pain was intense, each step agonising, but gradually it began to ease off. Either that, or John reckoned he was growing used to the discomfort.

It was still roasting, but the lengthening shadows told John the heat of the day would soon give way to the chill common in desert nights. He guessed his destination must be close, but Flenda was nowhere in sight.

Kilund put a hand on his shoulder as he brought the beast to a halt. John appreciated the small consideration.

The sergeant took a slim metal fob from his pocket, and pointed at the vast expanse of desert stretching into the distance. What happened next surprised him. John could barely believe what he was seeing as the scene in front of him shimmered, then vanished to reveal a stern imposing fortress. It was Flenda. His new home.

ooooOoooo

TBC

For those who have this story on alert I apologize for the confusion the other day. I can't blame FF this time - it was me. I'd pressed the wrong button - sorry!

Anyway, now that you finally have the chapter I hope you enjoyed it, and please review.

Again, many thanks to all of you who've take the time to send reviews - I really appreciate it. Your comments make my day!