T"OPEN UP!!" The voice outside roared. Slamming its fist against the old wood so forcefully, It almost rattled the entire house. The stranger was now seconds away from breaking down their door with their bare hands.
Mother and Father kept silent shaking in place. Nadia kept quiet as well. Holding her sister back with her hand from inching closer.
"OPEN UP!! The deep voice screamed even louder. "Open up or were blasting it down! You're choice!"
Father slowly walked toward the mantle of the fireplace. Reaching for his bow and quiver of arrows and hiding it under his massive green cloak careful as to not make a sound. Mother reached for a knife and hid it under in the pocket of her dress. Nadia stayed out of sight just above.
Suddenly the door swung open with a loud crash. Being torn cleanly off its handles. Nadia watched in horror as a large grey crocodile in golden shimmering armor stepped into the room making himself comfortable as if he already owned the place.
"That's better." He breathed aloud hoarsely. Finally a place to rest."
The soldier turned his gaze toward father. Inspecting him up and down both unimpressed and with a sick feeling he didn't even consider him a threat.
"You're house I take it?" The soldier asked sternly.
"...Yes" Father said. He hesitated in talking to this brute.
"We're looking for any royalist soldiers or sympathizers. You seen anyone dressed in navy blue carrying a gun?" The soldier asked.
"No father said cautiously. What is the meaning of this? Me and my wife have done nothing wrong."
"Not that we know of bug." It's just procedure. The soldier then wiped his elongated nose and walked closer to inspect the both of them. Mother hid further behind father's back.
"This your wife?"
"Yes father said. We live alone." Father gave a quick wave of his hand behind his back to Nadia. Telling her to stay out of sight. She obeyed and leaned back away from the edge to tell Nya to keep quiet and keep her calm.
Any weapons? Asked the soldier eyeing the two of them up and down.
No. Lied father. Clutching tighter to his bow and notched arrows hidden under his cloak.
The armored savanese soldier then Smirked and started to sniff the air. Smiling and revealing dozens of sharpened white teeth and one gold tooth at the front. He was particularly ugly to look at.
"What's that smell? he smiled. It smells good." For a second Father was worried he was referring to the girls but was instantly relived when the soldier instead lumbered over to the pot boiling on the stove. The crocodile lifted the lid and gave a big long whiff. Growling hungrily.
"My My! You're wife sure can cook!" The soldier said excitedly. He then grabbed a bowl out of the cupboard clumsily and filled a bowl of stew for himself without even asking. Esvia grew enraged but said nothing. The soldier turned back to face them. Slirping the soup in a loud revolting fashion before wiping his mouth on the table fabric.
I don't think this is legal." Father asked cautiously.
"It is now." The soldier said with his mouth full. He then pulled out a piece of parchment from behind his back and handed it to father. Father read it aloud as the crocodile took a seat right at their family table.
"All former citizens of the liberated Monarchy province of Orevan are required to provided food and shelter whenever ordered by a Savanese official. Any who do not comply will be flogged.
Father gripped the paper tighter. The crocodile smiled and continued eating.
"Any citizen who refuses will be severely punished for their crimes of disloyalty and treason against the Savana sovereignty. As well as have all their land and belongings confiscated as retribution for their crimes.
Mother held tighter to father as he continued reading. Trying to avoid the reptile's gaze as it gorged it self on her cooking.
Any citizen found actively harboring or assisting any fleeing Royalist soldiers will face the death penalty along with their family. A reward is offered to any who show true loyalty to the sovereignty by providing valued intelligence to aid in the capture of Royalist soldiers or turn in any traitor showing disloyalty against the liberating force."
Sighed Commander Kal Veseno. Leader of the warriors of the sun. And Newly appointed Governor of Orevan.
Father's hand's shook as he slowly handed the paper back to the soldier.
Will you leave us alone if we let you stay? Father asked.
"Depends.." The soldier said without looking him in the eye. Licking the spoon with saliva drooling from his fangs.
On what? Father asked fearfully.
"On how fast your wife can cook. I'm commander Kenno. My lad's are very hungry after a hard day's work. And if we don't see fresh food on the table. We might try snacking on those two kids you got stashed upstairs. The soldier said calmly without even batting an eye."
Mother gripped her knife tighter under her dress. Father stopped her from rushing forward.
"It's not smart to lie to a soldier bug." The crocodile said smugly. "I smelled them the first moment I walked in. So why don't you call them down and we can all have a lovely meal around this table and have a pleasant conversation like civilized people. Surely you won't refuse? Kenno then slowly placed his hand on his dagger. Tapping his long black talon against it keenly.
As if I have a choice. Father said dismayed.
"That's the spirit!" Kenno said aloud. "The crocodile then scooted his chair back creating a loud screeching noise against the wooden floor that was unbearable to hear. His scaly back turned as he exited toward the door to call his team inside. Father slowly began to reach for one of three arrows hidden under his cloak."
Nadia glanced out the window as she and Nya approached nervously down the stairs. Quickly gesturing for father to stop what he was doing from what she saw parked just outside their door unbeknownst to him.
Tank's! She whispered frantically. "Tank's!"
Father kept still. Barely able to contain his rage at seeing six men enter into their cramped home one after another laughing and sniffing the air. They were all unruly and terrifying. Wearing black ebony armor that made them look like freshly carved obsidian warriors.
The crocodile patted on what looked to be his second in command's back with a loud smack and smiled. Whatever their size or species. They all had one thing in common. They were murderer's and they believed they were the one's in charge now.
The group filled and spread throughout the room inspecting their new headquarters. Looking through boxes and started eyeing the fabrics decorating the walls enviously, almost as if they were figuring out a price they could get for them. Esvia was usually glad when someone was interested in her tapestries. But because it was now this crew. It made her sick.
Lads'! The crocodile tank commander said aloud. "You can look around later! The food's getting cold. Wouldn't want to let this nice bug's cooking go to waste now would we?
The soldiers quickly huddled around the pot trying to get a large serving first. They then quickly formed hastily around their table trying to get to one of the only four seats first. Leaving the others standing upright frustrated as they all proceeded to devour all their food they somehow believed were entitled to stealing.
Nadia and Nya hid behind their mother as their entire family slowly backed away to keep their distance at the edge of the room from the revolting deadly sight that had invaded their home.
"She cooks good..!! One warthog said with its mouth full. "For a bug."
"Were not bugs." Nadia whispered under her tongue enraged.
The soldiers stopped eating and all their cold gazes snapped sharply toward the little spider instantly.
Nadia gulped. She saw that she had made a grave mistake.
The crocodile after finishing his second serving. Then pushed his chair back behind to fall against the floor and slowly approached. Father stepped in front. This only amused the massive reptile as he knelt down right in front of her.
"And who might you be little not a bug? He asked. His voice hoarse and creating a low growl.
She didn't answer. She was now terrified at the mere sight of him. His breath was horrendous. His large green eyes frightening and alien as they could ever be, especially by the narrow black iris cutting straight down the middle that was seemingly devoid of any compassion in their cold gaze locked on her.
"I'll ask again. He inched closer, demonstrating his dozens of sharpened teeth which could easily rip her apart. "Who are you? It's very bad manners not to introduce yourself to an honored guest."
She had no choice. If she didn't reply he would do something terrible. Then again he might do something terrible just because he felt like it.
"...Nadia." She said timidly.
He grinned.
"Pretty name." Can you weave silk yet?"
Mother's pulse froze instantly as the creature looked back up at the wall. Seeing the tapestries enviously.
"Did you do that?" Kenno asked.
"No I did." Esvia interrupted quickly. Trying to draw his attention away from her. "They aren't old enough to make silk. I handcrafted each and everyone of these fabrics. If you're looking to buy, I'd be happy to sell a few."
The Crocodile stood away and looked right at her intrigued instead.
"You did all these? I must say you have quite a talent bug." You're all orb weavers right? I can tell from the golden strands. But it's still difficult to be sure. All you crawlies look alike after all."
Father nodded enraged. Squeezing tighter to his hidden weapon. Wanting to correct them all about their family being arachnids by biting them with his pincers and watching them die. But he knew it best to stay quiet until the time was right.
"Excellent." The creature snarled. "You're skills will do nicely." Nadia could hear its throat bellowing loudly like a thunderstorm. Kenno then turned his gaze toward little Nya cowering in fear beside mother, clutching to her dress in fear of the towering reptile. He smiled a sickening grin at her cowardice and approached her eagerly.
And what's you're name little one? Kenno asked in a more softhearted tone. Clearly it was not real. Nya replied with her hands. Both shaking from unnerve she was feeling.
"What's that? Kenno asked confused. "She flipping me off or something? He began to snarl. Clutching tightly to his dagger.
No NO! Father stepped in. It's how she talks...
"She's mute."
Ahhh! Kenno nodded. Leaning closer and inspecting her. Causing Naya's obvious clear terror of him to build in magnitude. He looked like a monster. He was a monster.
"Don't worry little grub. I'm nothing to be afraid of." He laughed aloud. "Let me see your hands. Are they tiny enough to make small fabrics?
Father kept having to use every once of restrain from bashing this reptile's skull in with the end of his bow. Kenno then stepped back away finishing his inspection of the children.
"Why only two kids? The reptile asked confused. "I thought your kind could have hundreds?"
Esvia replied slowly and fearfully."
"We...We just wanted two."
Kenno started rubbing his chin disappointed.
"A shame. You could have made a small fortune selling dozens of grub's silk. But I guess the heart wants what the heart wants."
The crocodile then turned to his men ordering them to start loading up the fabrics.
"We'll take the whole lot." He grinned.
Esvia's eye's closed in anger.
They never had any intention of buying.
The famed seamstress could only watch in silent pain as the soldiers started stealing her dozen's of fabrics right from off the walls and carrying them outside as claimed plunder to be divvied up.
But it was only cloth. She reminded herself. Only cloth.
"Please...just take the fabrics. Their yours's. Just don't harm my family." Esvia begged him. Hoping to find some shred of mercy in his cold heart.
"Don't worry ma'am. Just don't get in our way and you'll be aright. You'll live the rest of your days unharmed. Kenno said confidently.
For the next few minutes the soldiers entered in and out of the building. Taking mother's quilts, pots, pans. Even what little jewelry and wealth father had stored away for a rainy day. A day that would never arrive they all now feared.
Kenno quickly folded and handed the last quilt to his second in command before turning back to face the terrified family he had left with nothing.
"Any other valuables? Remember, It's not polite to lie."
No..Father said resentfully. "That's everything we own."
"Not everything." Kenno said calmly. The crocodile then turned to his soldiers, gesturing them to prepare just in case there was trouble. Father gripped his bow tighter and tighter.
"Take the kids and the wife. Tie them outside outside."
That was the last straw. In a flash, Naru drew for his hidden weapon under his hooded cloak with a violent flurry of the green cloth to reveal three arrows already drawn side by side having rested comfortably against the jade bow, ready to defend his family's lives.
The soldiers scrambled to raise their guns as the world seemed to move in slow motion all around the room in the dreaded confrontation now erupting to the surface.
"NADIA, NAYA RUN! Father shouted fractally. Firing all three arrows at once, three hands gripped tightly to the golden string, the other three to the sturdy bow. The wire shot loudly as it snapped back, propelling all three arrows to speed forward searching for the nearest and biggest threats against his children in front.
Two of the arrows sped left and right toward two of the larger soldiers opposite their crocodile commander as they tried to reach for their own weapons in time. The arrows hit dead center through each of the water buffalo's necks through the small gap exposed through their armor and left them to collapse to the floor gurgling and drowning in their own blood across the beautiful multi colored carpet. The third arrow however was not as lucky it's counterparts, as it sped through the air. Only to collide and shatter harmlessly against the Crocodile's gauntlet raised in time deflect it with a snarl of his voice. Just as father began to speedily notch three more and eye his next targets, one of the warthog's rushed forward in a sudden fury, slamming him against the wall with its tusks with a loud crash, shaking the house and pinning him against the edge of the room unable to break free. Spilling his quiver of arrows and scattering them like twigs across the floor.
Mother ran screaming toward the warthog and before attempting to slash it in his exposed shoulder. The warthog just smirked at seeing the small bloodied scratch before knocking the woman aside with a backhanded fist not giving her much thought. It had hardly even hurt him. Mother fell back hard and hit her head on the table corner as she fell. Collapsing motionless to the ground beside the two maimed water buffalo soldiers choking on their last breath. With their blood spurting from their gaping mouths like a volcano and dripping along her bashed forehead staining her once vibrant dress and face in red.
"Mother!!! screamed Nadia. Tears filling her eyes.
No reply.
Nadia eye's narrowed with rage before darting in the direction toward her wooden bow tucked away in the corner with Nya trying to run to mother sprawled across the floor. The rest of the soldiers quickly rushed in to catch the two little spider girls before they could reach their desperate goals and pressed them down on the ground side by side. Their six thin arms twisted behind painfully. And the heavy soldiers' armored knee's on her and her sister's back to keep them both from running or interfering anymore.
Father struggled in place wildly, desperate to free himself from the large soldier's grip and reach a fresh arrow just out of reach on the floor. The warthog kept still and focused regardless of the skinny insects best efforts and raised his tusks higher, dragging the bug's back up against the wall humiliatingly for all to see and knocking his bow aside. Leaving him just as helpless as his family he had fought and failed to defend.
The crocodile slowly knelt down over the woman to check for a pulse. Not concerned for her safety. Just to see that she was still alive enough to be able to make silk.
"She's just knocked out." Kenno said relieved. Darg you should have been more careful, you almost damaged the goods.
"Sorry sir. The warthog grunted ashamed. "She came at me with a knife."
"I saw don't worry. Said Kenno reassuringly ."You hurt?
"Just a scratch in the arm sir." Nothing serious." He snorted loudly."
"Good." Said Kenno. "Thanks' for the save by the way." I owe you."
"No problem sir." The warthog tried to say aloud. Father was hitting the top of his large head to no affect. Father then started flexing his pincers resting against his face in growing rage.
"Watch him Darg He might have venom."
"Got it sir. The warthog then rammed his fist into the spider's face with all his strength. Knocking his head violently back against the wall. Leaving him dazed and half limp raised in the air unable to move.
Kenno then proceeded to step over the unconscious spider to check for a pulse on his two water buffalo soldiers. He afforded a slight grimace realizing there was no point. Seeing them stare up at him with fear in their eyes in their last moments reaching out a shaking hand for any help. Kenno knelt down and pulled the loged bloodied arrows from each of their thick black throats with a look of unnerving calm as if he had done it a thousand times before. The blood spilling further across the room like a river from the sudden action.
Are the...? Asked one soldier.
Yep. Said Kenno not looking away. Finishing the both of his dying men off with a quick stab to the sides of their brains with his drawn golden dagger. Dead. Idiots. Kenno then pulled the slain soldiers sun medallions with a snap of their chains before stuffing them in his pocket. Take them outside. Tie em to the tank for the travel back.
Kenno watched camly as two of his men nodded and proceeded to drag the two heavy corpses out the door with much difficulty. Wiping his golden dagger of the blood on the table cloth before quickly sheathing it and turning his attention back to the bug who had done this.
"What do you want to do with this one?" The warthog asked bored.
Kenno walked closer toward the spider pinned against the wall. He didn't seem that interested in him in the least. Choosing instead to glance toward the floor. Only to be surprised at something that immediately caught his eye.
"Is that..?!" Kenno said astonished.
The reptile quickly knelt down and picked up the jade bow father had dropped. Inspecting the priceless treasure absolutely obsessed.
"Where did you get this?" Kenno said aloud to father.
No reply.
"Drop him." Kenno Ordered.
The warthog obeyed and removed his tusks which had entered the wall. Leaving two holes behind. Father dropped on his back. He had the wind knocked out of him but still tried to stand and fight. Kenno drew his golden dagger from his belt and pressed it right under the squirming spider's throat to slice it if he heard something he didn't like.
"Don't try it." Kenno said in a cold serious tone. "I thought we said no lying bug? Correct? If I asked if you have no weapons. And you said no. Then what's this doing here? And remember I'm not a fan of lying." The dagger inched closer and closer right against the spider's thin throat which could so easily be severed. So think carefully about what you want to say."
"It's..It's mine. Father gasped. "It belonged to my great grandfather. It's a family heirloom! I swear!"
Kenno inspected the green ore bow in his hand bewildered. He knew his treasures. But he also knew is history much better.
"This is a Jade Empire bow. Kenno grinned impressed with the find. "You're telling me your great grand father fought for the Jade Empire?"
"Yes.." Father gasped. Just take it! Do whatever you want with me but please! Leave my family be!"
"Oh I'll take it. You bet. But I'm not sure you understand the situation bug." I'm the one in control here. Not you. So I'll make the deals and you just sit tight and listen like a good little bug. Wouldn't want any more unfortunate accidents to happen to your family now would we? I do so hate harming children unnecessarily. And I've killed enough of em for today. So will you keep your trap shut unless I say otherwise?!"
Father nodded in terrified silence. Feeling the dagger begin to cut his skin.
Kenno continued looking at the bow fascinated. Then the menacing crocodile did something no one, not even the soldiers watching the interrogation expected.
He chuckled.
"You know....It's funny." Said Kenno. "You're nation was once the crown jewel of the world. And now. This bow and a few ruins are all that's left of your nation's legacy that almost ruined ours's. The grey reptile paused, continuing to observe the ancient weapon that had survived the ages.
"How well do you know you're history?" Kenno asked the bug as if it's life depended on it. Which most likely it did.
"I..,I know a bit!" Father gasped, gripping tighter to the soldiers arm trying to remove the blade from his throat. It did nothing.
"The Jade Empire helped destroy the Savana Sovereignty once. But look at us now. More powerful than ever." Kenno said arrogantly. "We built ourselves up from nothing while your once great nation let it's guard down and were easily conquered by invaders from the sea. Now your protectors have turned tail and run, abandoning you all to be saved by us of all people.
"I'd say that's poetic justice. Wouldn't you say?"
Father said nothing. Only looking at this creature's green emotionless eyes in a pure seething rage. This reptile knew nothing of justice.
"Thanks' for the bow bug." The army appreciates your support." The crocodile grinned as he raised his new rare treasure tighter and higher in his clawed hand proudly as a trophy.
It was the best find he had ever earned.
"Take the father outside." Kenno ordered without a second thought. Torch the house first. Then, string him up with his own webbing.
Naida remembered screaming in grief as she watched helpless as her father was dragged outside to the nearest tree. Her favorite childhood tree now being used as an executioner's tool. She struggled and fought with all her might, begging to the gods to escape the grip from her captor but all her prayers went unanswered that day. Nadia began to beg for mercy before the only way she knew how anymore before it was too late. Desperate to save him and hoping to find some flicker of humanity in these evil creatures in order to spare him.
You..You promised to let us live us live unharmed! She gasped. Tears streaming down her face as the heavy boar standing atop her back twisted all her arms together in place painfully. Her cry for mercy caught the attention of Kenno before he could step outside to watch the fun. His cold-blooded gaze briefly glanced down at the little bug with a remorseless smile infected across his hideous gold toothed face.
"That I did." He replied kneelng down in front of her. "I just didn't say you would all live together. I hate liars. And when I'm through with them. They never lie again.