Derek and Alexander had plotted and schemed throughout the night, desperately seeking a route to freedom. But every possible path to the ravine and south outskirts was blocked by guards, their only hope was to use the chaos of the summoning to their advantage.
Surrounded by the town's entire population, the main street teeming with bodies, Derek and Alexander remained hidden, their eyes trained on the stage - standing guard around about it were the Leo family Royal Knights. Prince Ramiton stood close to a fire pit at the middle of the stage, backing him were five Rare guards and two town guards on their knees. Derek recognize the Rare guards - they were the same once serving as escorts.
As Prince Ramiton's authoritative gaze swept the crowd, a hush fell over the townfolk, raising his right hand in a gesture of command, he called forth a silence.
Prince Ramiton's voice echoed through the town square like a harsh, cold wind. "Some filthy, low life bastards had the audacity to steal from me," he seethed. "I never saw that coming, not in a thousand years. The peasant rats have forgotten their place. They need a reminder of what it means to misuse privilege."
He unsheathed his sword, its glittering edge a harbinger of doom.
"I'll remind you all what it means to misuse privilege, starting with these folks."
He began with the Rare guards, stabbing through their necks from behind. In his exercise no one dare utter a word, some watched while others looked away, but Derek and Alexander didn't look away - it was the least they could do for the guards dying in their place, a way to easy the guilt pressing hard as Derek thought.
Prince Ramiton wiped the blood off his sword before sheathing it.
He stood before the two guards. "These scum-bags were so idle, a group of thieves sneaked in and out through the bridge without their knowledge, such incompetence cannot be tolerated."
Two Royal Knights quickly walked up the stage, each holding the arms of the guards, Prince Ramiton walked over to the fire pit, picking up two steaming red-hot knives by the handle.
"Your eyes are not useful then." Prince Ramiton declared as the guards began pleading. "Consider this my solemn act of, mercy." He pressed the knives over the eyes of the first, he wailed out in pain and anguish - unable to struggle as the grip of the Royal Knights was a firm one.
Fear and horror swept through the crowd as Matt and his family were dragged onto the stage, their cries for mercy echoing through the square. Derek, eyes wide with shock, watched helplessly as the scene unfolded, his heart throbbing with a nauseating helplessness.
"No," Derek whispered, his voice a frail thread of anguish.
"Derek, we have to go now," Alexander urged, his grip tight on Derek's arm, a silent plea to flee.
"He never said anything about having a family," Derek replied, tears pricking at his eyes.
"Listen to me, Derek," Alexander's voice came in a whisper. "A dying man has nothing to lose. If Matt spots us, we're dead."
With a heavy heart, Derek turned away, following Alexander's lead as they slipped into the throng. They darted down a narrow street, feet swift and silent, before diving into an alley, racing against the keening of those condemned to die on the stage.
Their breath came in desperate, ragged gasps, each step taking them further from the chaos of the square.
As Derek and Alexander rounded the corner, they halted, before them stood Commander Lonart and four guards, wielding their short swords.
"I knew you would be involved in this," Lonart spat, the grip on his sword tightening with anticipation. "Always the troublemaker, Derek. I'm going to enjoy this."
"Don't worry about me, Alex, I'll slow them down." Derek's hands rolled into fists.
"Not today Derek, we are in this together." Alexander held his ground.
"I'm not going to let you put your mother through pain," Derek growled, ready to face whatever consequences lay before him. "Go!"
In that moment, a dagger sliced through the air, burying itself in Lonart's throat.
The guards whirled around to face the shadowy figure standing behind them.
With war cries two guards charged at the figure, while the other two at Derek and Alexander.
Derek sidestepped a wild slash, his fist driving into his attacker's nose and skull, leaving the guard in a crumpled heap on the ground. Alexander danced away from a deadly strike, his kicks and punches finding their mark with brutal precision.
Derek and Alexander glanced at each other then at the huge figure striding towards them. As the figure sheathe his sword, Derek took a peek at it, there was no mistake, only one man had that kind of bastard sword in Amon, dark hilt with a well polished blade.
"Commander Jerome," Derek breathed, meeting his old mentor in a heartfelt embrace.
Jerome unveils his hood. "I take my eyes of you for a while, the guards are at your throat."
"This was beyond me, I…."
"You don't need to explain Derek." nodded at Derek, his jade-green eyes full of understanding. "Take care of him, boy," he said, turning to Alexander.
Alexander nodded in agreement, the familiarity in Jerome's gaze hinting at a shared history, yet a quiet reserve held his tongue.
A parting smile dawned on Jerome. "Be on your way boys, till we meet again."
Derek smiled back, he nodded in agreement then hurried further alongside Alexander.
∆∆∆
As soon as Derek and Alexander arrived the Chancellor compound, they found Victoria seated on the bench, her head bowed and her hair ruffled all over.
"Mother!" Alexander shouted out then rushed to her, dropping to his knees before her.
"It's fine Alex." She spoke in a soft-weak tone.
There were bruises all over her face and her lips were bloody.
Alexander held her face - checking her, inspecting the torn parts of her gown.
"What?...What?...Who did this?" He snapped.
"Say the bastards name and I'll end him immediately." Derek assured with a vengeful tone.
"Way ahead of you." A familiar voice spoke.
Derek glanced forward as did Alexander, Paul was approaching from the hall cottage, holding three packs.
"How did this happen?" Alexander grinned.
Paul approached them placing the packs on the table, "The bastard pig just arrived and decided to force himself on Victoria, in her own room." He revealed. "She fought back and won."
"Tell me he died in the worse way possible." Alexander asked.
Paul gave a smile, nudging his head towards the building.
Alexander, a bittersweet smile curling his lips, embraced his mother.
"It's all good now, mother," he whispered, the promise of safety ringing in his words. With a brief kiss to her forehead, he straightened, turning towards the cottage with a determined step.
Derek took regard of the compound, "Where are the maids? The guards?" he demanded.
"Maids, all gone," Paul replied, his eyes dark with grim knowledge. "The guards tried to force themselves on Victoria after she stabbed Aaron. They thought she was easy prey. I had to put them down."
"Are you alright?" Derek asked, knowing there was more to Paul's actions than met the eye.
"It takes time, but I'll be fine eventually." Paul answered with a straight face, "They were only partners in the long run."
Alexander walks into a room, it was littered with blood splats on the walls, torn pieces of clothes on the ground, three guards by the side, dead. Then there was Mayor Aaron, seated beside the ruffled bed, leaning on it. He was covered in blood, slow grunts accompanying each breath, as Alexander approached, Mayor Aaron narrowed his eyes towards him.
"What a shame, Uncle," Alexander sneered, his words dripping with contempt. "Gutting you slowly would have been the perfect death for the pleasure and amusement you enjoyed. But the current situation won't let me."
Alexander, his eyes glinting with the sickening amusement of a hunter with his prey, picked up an oil lamp - pouring the oil on his legs and crotches then walks backwards towards the entrance, trailing the oil on the floor.
He tosses the lamp at Mayor Aaron's head. "We all have our days of reckoning." He picks the candle hanging on the wall - setting the oil aflame, which slowly trailed towards Mayor Aaron. "A fitting reward, for a pervert."
Mayor shook his body a little, trying to get away, but it was of no use, his grunting became louder, the fire got to his legs consuming them immediately. He began groaning, his eyes begging Alexander to be spared.
Alexander glared at him then walks away.
Derek was kneeling before Victoria, tenderly wiping her face with a wet rag, he glanced towards the hall cottage noticing Alexander, he was approaching with a broad smile sparking out relief, he narrowed his eyes further to the side, there was smoke pouring out from a room.
Derek straightened up, "We have to go, we have a situation on our hands."
"Like I said, way ahead of you." Paul assured, he picks up two packs. "Follow me."
Derek helps Victoria up on her feet, then positioned himself, allowing her to get on his back while Alexander took the third pack, hanging it across his shoulder.
They went for the back of the hall cottage, Paul handed the two packs to Alexander then approached the end of the garden, he pulled down some ivy stalks, exposing a wheel, which he began turning as hard as he could. There was a sudden rustle followed by a loud rumbling, then the walls shook and began splitting in two.
Alexander and Derek watched with surprise as it became wider.
"Don't just stand there." Paul urged.
They hurried through it arriving at a stairway leading down to the seashore below. There was nothing in sight aside the unending sea and seagulls screaming.
As soon as Paul left the wheel, it began closing up so he hurried out to the stairs.
"We are in this together." Derek glanced at Alexander.
"Always, brother." Alexander glanced back at him, giving him a fist bump.