Clouds of Tyranny Page 11
After Terra dressed from her nightclothes back into her white skirt and green tank top, she left the bathroom and saw that everyone else had already gone to breakfast. Terra walked down the hall thinking about her ‘new’ competition. When she reached the dining area, she walked over to the infirmary looked in to see how Clyde was faring. Clyde was reading a book so Terra left him alone and went back; when she reached the dining area she saw that Alex was in her spot next to Ruthie. The only vacant spot was next to Pearl where Ray usually sat, but he was missing. Terra walked around the table and sat next to Pearl. “Where’s Ray?” asked Terra looking around. Pearl used her fork to cut off a piece of the grayish meat that sat in front of her, “He couldn’t behave himself, so he gets to sit over there with Smith.” Pearl pointed to the next table and Terra’s eyes followed to see Ray waving to her. She waved back and smiled. “What’d he do?” inquired Terra. Pearl sighed as she glared at the back of Ray’s head, “Something along the lines of carpet and drapes at Alex.” She looked over at Locke who was on the other side of Pearl and he raised his eyebrows in a halfhearted ‘Hello.’ Terra blushed and turned away. Locke raised a single eyebrow, What was that about?, he thought. “Did you ever actually meet King Velxeer?” asked Ruthie at Alex. “No, but my father did.” “Wow, his son is so cute. Cant wait till he’s king then I can be his queen,” giggled Ruthie. “Not if I beat ya to it,” winked Alex. Terra’s eyes narrowed at Alex; she dint much care for this ‘new’ girl, “Aren’t you a little OLD for prince Luther?” Alex glared in Terra’s direction for rebuttal, “Aren’t you a little YOUNG for Locke?” Locke’s head peeked up from his breakfast, “What are you two going on about?” asked Locke sternly, “Why don’t both of you-“ “Do I have to break up an argument every single morning?” asked Smith angrily. All got quiet. “We are all on the same side, you know.” No one said a word and they all went back to eating. “After breakfast we meet. I need to know what you know,” he said pointing at Alex.
After breakfast, Pearl, Alex, Terra, Ruthie, Ray, and Smith went into the meeting room next to Smith’s room; it had a large table in the center of the room with twenty chairs around it and the walls were covered with maps of the world, individual continents, and blueprints of various towns including Pan’dier. They all sat down and Smith stood waiting. “What are we waiting for?” asked Pearl. Then, the doc pushed Clyde into the room in a wheelchair, “I CAN walk, you know,” whined Clyde. “Yes,” said the doc, “And I can scratch my back with a sickle, but that doesn’t mean I should, right?” “Please, be my guest,” laughed Clyde. Smith sighed, “Didn’t you give him any drugs to make him less irritable?” The doc looked at Smith, “This IS him on drugs.” Ruthie giggled over in the corner where she was sitting Terra and Ray. The other end had Alex, Locke, and Pearl; Pearl and Locke were merited with being at a higher level than everyone else due to their experience in the field and Alex was seated with them because she has the information they need. The doc scooted Clyde over next to Ruthie; the two of them held hands under the table.
“Let’s begin,” began Smith, “Tell me what the situation is in Pan’dier.” “Well,” Locke began to say, “about two or three lieutenants as well as approximately fifty soldiers and a dozen attack dogs scattered throughout the town of Pan’dier.” Smith nodded, “How are the civilians?” “There being forced to cook for them and offer their homes as shelter, but no extremities. A few murders have already occurred, though.” “Good. Now, Alex, tell me what you know.” Alex stood up as Smith sat down, “Pan’dier is just as Locke said; though I would have been an additional casualty if he hadn’t arrived. I do know for a fact that in two weeks they will take yet another town under their power, but this time there will be no survivors. Their plan is to take the town from three sides and kill all who inhabitants it and turn it into another base to bring prisoners.” “No, where?” asked Pearl. “Harmon.” “Dammit!” yelled Ray, “That’s my hometown.” “Two weeks, plenty of time to plan a counter attack,” said Smith, “What else? Any insights on how many are actually IN the Empire?” “About two hundred thousand strong and growing larger everyday. Currently, Francisco Gerard is the head man, Ralph Germ is in charge of diplomacy, and the armies are commanded by a real homicidal maniac, Krazz.” “Krazz what?” asked Locke wanting to know his last name. “He just calls himself Krazz; he brags about killing the innocent and it’s rumored that he has raped and killed over a thousand little girls. He has no remorse and no conscience. He will not hesitate to sacrifice a million lives just to get what he wants. And to top it off; he’s one of the most skilled fighters anyone has ever seen.” “How do you know all this?” asked Smith. “Huh? Oh. Uhh, a few of the soldiers got drunk one night at the pub in Pan’dier and blurted everything out and I overheard them talking.” “Hmm,” said Smith, “Okay, Locke, Pearl, and myself will devise a plan to infiltrate Harmon prior to the empire’s attack to map out our battle strategy,” offered Alex sounding like an experienced general when she shouldn’t. Ruthie, take Alex and Terra in the training move and continue your training with Terra and I want a report on Alex’s capabilities. “Got it!” said Ruthie. Ruthie gave Clyde a kiss on the cheek and left the room followed by Terra and Alex.
On the way to the training room Ruthie enlisted a dozen of the young men from the men’s dorm to challenge Alex and Terra’s abilities. When they made their way inside there were three more wooden dummies standing there waiting to test Terra’s majick. She started by trying to move one of them using telekinesis; this time it was much easier because of all the emotional feelings of passion and jealousy inside her. Alex stood with several young men looking at her. “Okay, which one first?” Ruthie asked herself. “One?” said Alex, “You three! Let’s go!” she ordered pointing at three boys of about eighteen years of age. They hesitated for a moment. “Do yourselves a favor; forget I’m a woman.” The boys looked at each other and ran towards her; the first two at the same time and the third behind them. Alex side kicked the one the right in the chest pushing him into the boy in back. The boy to her left swung his fist toward her head as she dodged her face out of the way and caught his arm and turned her body flipping him over the front of her shoulder. The boy recovered from her kick and rushed towards her; Alex waited for him to get close enough and did a back flip extending her right foot forward kicking him in the chin in midair before landing on her feet. The last boy ran up and froze just before she roundhouse kicked him across the cheek. She looked down at her handy work where three injured boys lay; one of them unconscious. “Next,” she asked. The rest of the boys stood there shaking their heads from side-to-side. She laughed and looked over at Ruthie who stood there with her jaw to the floor. Alex chuckled and looked over at Terra who was looking right back at her. “You want some too?” yelled Alex with her arms stretched out to her side. “Sure,” whispered Terra in anger as she walked slowly and casually to Alex. When she was ten feet from Alex, Alex put up her fists, “I’ll go easy on you little girl.” “That makes one of us,” grinned Terra maliciously. Terra thrust her right palm forward and Alex felt a cannon ball hit her in the chest as she flew back forty feet till the wall stopped her and she fell to the floor. “Looks like she brings out the worst in you,” whispered Ruthie to Terra just before running to check on Alex. Alex laid there thinking She’s so lucky I promised not to use MY power, damn you Locke! Ruthie kneeled down to check on Alex, “You need the doc?” Alex jumped up to her feet like nothing had happened, “Why would I?” Alex walked out of the training room giving Terra an evil vengeful look.
“No! Absolutely not!” yelled Smith at Locke’s idea. “You know damn well he’s a valuable asset,” retorted Locke. “I kicked him out of here for a reason.” “Smith,” interrupted Pearl respectfully, “He might be able to help. I mean, he can go places and not be seen. That’s something that could benefit us in Harmon.” Smith sighed and slammed his fist on the table, “Fine, go request his help. Pay him no more than a pound of gold.” Locke stood up from the table and o
bjected, “One pound to risk his life for a man that banished him from his home?” “One pound! If he doesn’t want it, he can stay in the wasteland of a swamp he lives in,” said Smith then walked out of the meeting room. Pearl and Locke looked at each other as they heard Smith’s door slam from next door.
Ruthie and Terra walked in the room distracted by the noise they just heard. “How’d it go?” asked Pearl. “Well, I think Terra’s ready for the field.” Pearl smiled at Terra, “Good, and Alex?” “She’s very talented, but I don’t think it would be a good idea to send them on the same mission together.” Locke looked at Terra, “What happened? Did she do something to you Terra?” “No,” smiled Terra, “The other way around.” Pearl hung her head and slapped her forehead with her palm. “Go get some rest guys. We’ll discuss our mission later.” “K, bye,” squeaked Ruthie as Terra followed. Locke shook his head at the idea of Terra and Alex, then turned to look at Pearl who was scanning him up and down followed by an intense look into his eyes, “I don’t see it.” “See what?” asked Locke. “What all the fuss is about.” “What are you talking about?” Pearl sat down and waiting for Locke to sit with her, “Are you blind?” “No.” “So you can see the way Terra looks at you?” “Sure, she respects me. I saved her life, after all.” Pearl laughed maniacally, “No, she can’t STOP looking at you. In her mind you’re the man of her dreams. She wants to marry you, but only cause she doesn’t know any better. I doubt she’s ever been in love.” “So, she has a crush on me?” “Wow, the last horse finally finishes the race. Just don’t hurt her Locke and the best way to not hurt her is to not get involved, got it?” “Of course, I would never-“ “Oh, and as far as Alex goes; I know.” “Know what?” Pearl stood up and looked down at Locke with a suspicious grin on her face, “I ain’t stupid,” said Pearl before turning her back on him and leaving the room. Locke stayed sitting for several moments thinking…
CHAPTER 11: THE RETRIEVER
Terra sat with Ruthie in the dining area making small talk in the late afternoon waiting for Locke to come explain the mission to them, while Alex sat on the opposite side of the large room. Alex felt like an outcast every since the embarrassing incident in the training room where Terra made her look like a damn fool. Pearl and Ray entered from the door leading to the Returner’s private room; Pearl sat down with Terra and Ruthie as Ray made his way over to Alex. Alex watched as Ray sat down in front of her. “Hey,” said Ray sadly giving her a look of condolences. “I’m guessing by that look, that you heard about the incident.” “Yeah. I came to tell you that you and I have a mission tomorrow with Pearl acting as our leader. “What’s the job?” asked Alex sliding the bottle of whiskey in his direction. “Thanks,” nodded Ray taking a swig, “Mmm, good stuff. Well, me, you, and Pearl are going to Harmon to survey the town and arrange the townspeople with safe passage out of the town a few days prior to the Empire’s scheduled attack and to plan spots for constructing traps to ease the threat to our benefit.” “Sounds good to me.” “So, what’s the deal with that girl with the green hair?” “Terra? Don’t ask me, I don’t know anything about women. Ask anybody,” laughed Ray at his own ignorance of the opposite sex.
“You’re not coming with us?” asked Terra at Pearl. “No, I’m going with Ray and that new girl to Harmon for reconnaissance and Smith would like me to keep a close eye on Alex. I’m a pretty good judge of character.” “Okay,” said Ruthie, “So, our mission will involve me, Terra, and Locke going into the ‘Forest of Sorrow’ and past the swamp to enlist the retriever? That’s awesome; I haven’t seen my buddy in forever.” “I knew you’d like it,” laughed Pearl, “Oh, and Terra? Don’t ask the Retriever any questions.” “Why? Is he a private person? Or like a bounty hunter with deadly secrets or something?” Ruthie frowned at Terra, “No, just cant talk. Had his tongue cut out a few years ago.” “Ouch, by who?” “His old partner,” explained Pearl, “Quadra, a girl with only four fingers on each hand.” “Ouch again, how’d that happen?” inquired Terra. Ruthie sighed and muttered, “She was a thief as a child and someone decided to teach her a lesson one day.” “Anyway,” said Pearl standing up, “You leave bright and earlier so get a good meal tonight and a good night’s sleep. Don’t forget to bring spare food for the trip tomorrow. Good luck.” Pearl walked over to Ray and Alex and sat down. “Woohoo,” chanted Ruthie, “Get to try my new gloves and you get to test yourself tomorrow. It’s gonna be fun.” Terra swallowed hard, “Is it gonna be dangerous?” “Of course, that’s why its fun. Don’t worry though; a few saber wolves, worsps, and maybe a few swamp plants. Nothing we can’t handle.” “Ruthie, I’m just worried I’ll be too frightened to do anything. What if I just freeze?” “If you ever feel yourself getting scared just get angry instead and tell yourself ‘I will not die!’ or just call to me, I can help you.” “Thanks Ruthie,” smiled Terra giving Ruthie a one-handed hug.
Locke was in his room making preparations for the next day; packing nonperishable foods, sharpening additional blades for battle, and testing his fighting boots that had a retractable blade in their toes. Locke picked his head up when he heard a knock at the door, “Yeah?” The door crept open and in the doorway stood Ray, Pearl, and Alex. “All is set for tomorrow, Locke,” said Pearl assuredly. “Good, be careful you guys and good luck.” Ray nodded, “Thanks, you too.” Pearl and Ray began walking away. “Can I talk to you?” asked Alex. “Sure, close the door.” She entered his private room and closed the door. “Listen Alex, about last night.” “I could have killed that bitch with a snap of my fingers if I wished.” “Who?” “You know damn well who, that little whore that can’t stop fawning over you.” Locke laughed at the irony, “Jealous?” “Me,” scoffed Alex, “That’s funny. Too funny. Can’t even muster a chuckle. Do you want her?” “No, I don’t want anyone. I want the Empire to fall and my countrymen to be safe.” Alex turned toward the door, “Be safe Locke.” She left and closed the door behind her, “You too,” whispered Locke to himself.
Alex walked into the dining room and asked one of the waiters, “When do you serve supper?” “In about an hour ma’am.” “Thanks.” Alex had a little while so she decided to go to the women’s dorm and prepare for tomorrow. She walked past the infirmary and heard, “Psst, in here.” She stopped dead in her tracks and backed up to see the same burly wheel chaired man she saw in the meeting room lying in a bed with a bowl of fruit on the table next to him. “Hey,” he said, “I’m Clyde. We weren’t properly introduced.” “Hi, I’m Alex. Just got in last night.” “What’s wrong Alex, you look down.” “I’m sure you heard.” “Heard what?” “Well, I had a bit of a spat with that Terra girl.” “Oh, the girl with the supposed powers?” “Yeah, she decided to use her ‘powers’ on me; someone that relies on her sword to fight. A little one-sided if you ask me.” “Well, can’t get along with everyone, right?” “You ain’t lyin’ Clyde. So, what happened to you?” “Shot by an imperial bastard, but I’ll live. Doc says I can get out of the infirmary in four days and eat real food.” Alex laughed as she looked at the dried fruit and oats next to his bed. “Where you from Alex?” “Me, Pan’dier.” Alex’s mouth curved; she was getting tired of the lie. “Hmm, do you know Lisanella?” “Can’t say that I do, I’m afraid.” “Oh. That’s okay. So what you up to tonight?” “Have to get ready for tomorrow’s mission and was thinking about finding Terra and rectifying today’s little ‘incident’.” “Missions. Can’t wait to go on another one of those. Just don’t do anything rash to Terra, okay? She’s just a kid and she seems a little confused and out of place here. Locke told me she’s been sheltered and never had to face death or violence until he found her.” “Thanks for the tip, hope you heal quickly.” “Thanks for talking with me, good luck tomorrow,” said Clyde giving her a military salute from his bed.
Alex continued to the dorm after talking with Clyde and saw Terra by her bed, which was just below hers. She walked over casually and nodded at Ruthie, “I hear your going on a little mission in the morning.” “Yeah,”
lighted up Ruthie, “Get to see an old friend of mine in the swamplands.” Terra stood there feeling a little awkward. “That’s a nice blade you got there,” said Terra towards Alex in an attempt to break the ice. Alex looked over at her and smiled maliciously as she wrapped her fingers around the handle of her dragon blade. “Yeah, it has served me well,” she said just before pulling it from the scabbard and holding it up in front of her face. The entire room got quiet; all the girls in the room were looking in Terra and Alex’s direction anticipating some action. Ruthie broke the silence, “Where’d you get it?” “I made it last year after my broadsword got destroyed. Once I began using this one I realized that one-handed swords were more my style; quicker and more versatile.” Ruthie looked at her cross-eyed, “How does a broadsword get destroyed? Aren’t they near unbendable?” “I was fighting a Tagmyte and holding my sword out was the only way to stop his jaws from crushing me into dust. Luckily, I got away with my life. Learned my lesson, I’ll tell ya,” chuckled Alex as if near death experiences were natural. “A Tagmyte? Wow, I’ve never actually seen a Tagmyte,” said a preteen girl from across the room. “How many of you were fighting it?” asked Ruthie. “Just me, I was challenging myself. Guess, I was in over my head,” answered Alex. “What’s a Tagmyte?” asked Terra. Ruthie looked at her in fear, “A Tagmyte is a large four legged beast the size of this room, maybe larger, with razor sharp claws, two rows of teeth along it’s jaws, and four large fangs on each corner of it’s long snout.” “Wow,” gasped Terra, “We won’t see anything like that tomorrow will we?” “Nothing that big; mostly beasts no larger than you. Alex, you’re going to Harmon, right?” asked Ruthie. “Yeah, a few banshee tigers along the way, but a rather simple journey I’d say.” “Pretty much, “ said Ruthie, “But watch out for the plains east of Harmon; that’s where a family of Lizarros live.” “Really?” said Alex, “The color changers? Good, I’ve never seen one.” From the bed adjacent to Ruthie’s came a voice, “Good? Lizarros killed my entire family on our way here to escape the Empire,” said an oriental girl of about thirteen years of age. Alex sunk her head in embarrassment of being so impertinent.