Ephemeral and Fleeting by Patricia Reding

Author:Patricia Reding
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scripta Manent Publishing
Published: 2017-06-26T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Huddled low together in the midst of a birch grove, Dixon, Dax, and Aliza, watched and listened to the commotion below, as the flits fluttered over their heads.

A half dozen succedunt soldiers, all on horseback, led along a string of prisoners roped together in a line, stumbling along their way. One man fell, then struggled back to his feet so as not to be dragged along.

The leader pulled his black hood back and hooted into the air. “This is as good a place as any,” he cried as he pulled out a sword with a long curved blade and raised it in the air. His mount prancing, he turned it back toward the end of the line of captives.

The prisoners, all covered in dirt-encrusted, shredded clothing, stood shaking before him, as he rode up and down the line.

“So, we’ve some believers of Ehyeh in our midst,” he said, chuckling.

The Oathtakers exchanged glances, then turned their attention back to the goings on.

“You even have your own sanctuary,” the man mocked. “As you’re aware, Zarek doesn’t allow for that.” Suddenly serious, he glared at each of the prisoners, in turn. “So, we’ve confiscated your goods—and your women,” he added, to the hoots of his cohorts.

One of the prisoners rushed toward him, pulling on the ropes that bound him, causing those of his fellow abductees nearest him to fall to their knees.

The succedunt leader laughed. “That’s right,” he said, “on your knees!” Then he called out to his fellows, “It’s time!”

Like a carefully choreographed dance, each of the other guards pulled out a similar sword with a curved blade. Their weapons glistened.

“We have to do something,” Dax said.

“They’re going to kill them!” Aliza cried.

As the guards, now armed, prepared to dismount, Dixon turned to her. “You need to make them think you’re one of them,” he said.

“I— Sure—”

He rummaged in his pack, then pulled out two ropes. Quickly, he tied one to the other, leaving three exposed ends. He tossed one to Dax.

“Wrap that around your wrists—loosely,” he ordered. Then he tossed another end to Aliza. Finally, he wound the last end around his own wrists.

“This is crazy, Dixon,” Aliza said.

“Tell them you’ve been sent with orders to round up all those you can, to march them back as slave labor for a new program Zarek has put in place. Now, there are only a half dozen of them. When we get close, take one out with your blade. Retrieve it quickly, then get another. Now, hurry!” With that, he jumped to his feet.

Aliza engaged her attendant magic. She didn’t know how she would appear to the guards, but she knew each would see her as someone with authority over him.

She rushed forward, with Dixon and Dax behind, behaving as though she pulled them along.

“That’s enough!” she cried when she neared the Chiranians.

The soldiers all turned her way. One by one, they lowered their weapons.

“I’m taking your prisoners from here,” she said.

They exchanged glances.

“I’ve been ordered to round up additional slaves. Now,” she looked the guards over, “hand me that rope.

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