Rifted - Chapter VII - Fallings Apart

If my name had been Aster, I may have heard a silent plea drift up into the clouds of my domain. Upon the wind his wings beat sorrow into the stars. Perhaps, if I were Lyloria, I would have answered. But I am neither of the two, and I doubt that any of the Five were listening that night. It is not like them to do so.

They are far to busy with themselves.

I surely was not, though, and the things which I heard spill from this man’s lips were a bit touching, that is, if I cared for mortality the least bit.

Petty.

That is the only word which you have to describe him. His very actions contradicted his desires, his wants laughed in the face of his needs. And as for those of his son, he was entirely oblivious to the truth. A common theme, it seemed.

Two men had been severely injured, requiring medical attention as soon as possible, but they would live. Several others limped with minor wounds, but beyond this there were few casualties. Argaes doubted that these barbaric nomads would dare venture beyond the borders of the Empire for sometime. And the men, though tired, were excited and prepared to celebrate their small victory. There would be singing and dancing.

But for the General, there was only the pain.

Mordan had and would continue to be a stain to his name, but such was the way of a military life, and he was just another casualty of war. Kora, on the other hand….

Him, he could not lose.

Brower returned then. ‘You were the last one to see him, it seems.’ He informed his commander, after having searched the camp. ‘A few of the men say they may have glimpsed him walking into the desert, but they could not be sure, as it was night.’

General Argaes swore, cursing the gods for their lack of kindness towards him. Brower stood silently for a moment longer, reflecting on the troubles which beset them all. He respected his commander, as did the other men, but they were not blind and all had seen the rift continually growing between this father and son, man and child.

Perhaps, it had simply been too much.

-  -

There was a moment where he could not believe that events were transpiring as they were. It baffled him that someone in a position such as this could act in such a way. With such hostility. But then he recognized that fear drove men, and women, to do the unthinkable.

He sensed no fear in her voice, though.

‘If you move I will slit your throat and feed you to the hounds.’ The girl spat in his ear. ‘Now explain to me what it is you are doing here, and why.’

‘Loosen your grip a bit…’ Kora choked, gasping in pain. ‘And I might be able to te-’

‘Speak! Or you never will again.’

For some reason, he did not distrust her, and he did not doubt that she would do everything she said.

‘I am a soldier in the ninth division, stationed at Gayne’s Outpost to the north.’

‘Go on.’ She said, urging him with a prick of the dagger.

‘Our company received orders to…demonstrate on these barbarians, who attacked several provinces on the edge of the desert. Including Darjon. Of which you are a part?’

The girl spat a laugh, then pulled her face into a scowl and gripped his arm tighter. ‘You are a soldier? Then what were you doing snooping around? Not fighting.’

‘And what were you doing tied up?’ He countered, not wishing to answer that question. His own angered her greatly and she forced his arm as high as it would go, threatening to tear it from the socket, and she forced him to kneel on the ground.

‘Answer the question! Why were you not with the other men? If you hurry, you might escape before the barbarians return.’

Kora was shocked that he had not thought of that, but then, it was not as if there had been the time. And suddenly, he did not care. His silence caused the girl to growl and she forced him to the ground, mashing his face into the dirt, her knee pressed hard against his head, crushing the air from his lungs.

‘Are you deaf?’ She cried. ‘Tell me! Why are you here?’ Her voice had become frantic as sounds drew ever closer. Kora was confused, though. Why did she not run? What need was there to know?

Something did not fit.

‘To die.’ He said, finally, coughing through the sand. ‘That is why I have come.’ And it was not a lie.

Not anymore.

‘Perhaps.’ She said, letting up a bit and allowing the air to flood into his lungs. She leaned closer to him, her breath tickling his ears. ‘Tell me the truth, and I will give it to you.’

What truth was there to tell? He had explained his entire existence in a few, short words. Beyond his service, there had been nothing. Except…just that once….

There was the crunch of a boot behind them, and the ring of a sword being unsheathed. The girl’s body tensed as the edge of the blade came to rest along her own neck.

‘Release him.’ A familiar voice commanded. Kora was unable to see who it was. The girl’s weight prevented him turning his head. But he did not have to look. He knew, and though he truly wished to be rescued from the situation, he was unsure which would be worse. But there was no preventing it.

Slowly the girl let loose of him, the blade urging her to continue until she had risen to her feet. Two other men rushed at her, ripping the dagger from her fingers and forcing her to the ground, wrenching on her thick locks of hair. Kora stood, with a bit of help, wiping the trickle of blood from his neck and spitting the sand out.

His father’s gaze was waiting for him.

‘Would you like to explain yourself?’ Argaes asked sternly, pointing to the girl who’s snarling eyes growled like an animal.

‘What is there to explain?’ Kora answered indignantly, patting the sand and dust from his clothes, though it helped little.

‘Do not play games with me boy!’

Those who were present fell quiet, even the girl. The men were shocked. It was rare that their commander became enraged, and few had witnessed him act upon such emotions. His outburst stunned them.

For Kora, though, nothing changed.

‘What was I supposed to do?’ He asked. ‘She was tied up, a captive, unarmed!’

General Argaes gritted his teeth, hissing through them with violent quietness.

‘That changes nothing. You are a soldier, and should always be on guard.’

‘Against what?’ Kora countered logically. ‘There was nothing of concern here. All the pieces fit. She was one of those taken from Darjon, she was tied up. She is a woman, for Aster’s sake!’

‘So was your mother.’ Argaes muttered quietly, shaking his head, uttering the unspeakable.

It struck Kora’s burning heart like an icy gale, freezing him to the core.