Sergun's Mission Read online

  ‘If you want a slut there are many markets in this wonderful city. Any age and you pay for what you want and instead, you come to kill me. You southern dogs deserve only to die.’

  ‘She was kidnapped when her party was attacked in the south. She was taken here and is a relative of a powerful ruler of Tharne.’

  ‘Yes, we found your gold pendant. You’re here on behalf of the government of Tharne yet you sneak around like assassins. Anyway, if the Raiders bought her to us then your dispute is with them. We bought her from them fairly. You’ve no right to attack my household and kill my employees. You should have fought the Raiders and punished them.’

  ‘We punished the Raiders who kidnapped her and killed members of her party. She’s an innocent, wealthy girl called Jannesse.’

  ‘Her old name is meaningless. I’ll have named her and if she’s here then she belongs to me. She’s been traded and is mine under city law. There are two kinds of people in the world; slaves and slave owners. You and your fellow criminal have become the former. When we capture your comrades, we will have more slaves.’

  Sergun was pleased to hear the Lord had not captured all of his team, but he wasn’t interested in the man’s crude self-justifications. People normally he knew preferred to live and be happy and proud of their lives. Find any job, no matter how low, find any society no matter how corrupt and there would be people to justify it as natural and honest. ‘Perhaps there are those who become slaves who should not. Mistakes can happen, wrongs can be righted. She is a member of a Tharne ruling family, hence the pendant.’ He gasped, his throat hurt and he felt afraid. He wondered where his friends were, and how soon before they were back?

  ‘She was bought fairly. Under our laws, she belongs to me. You’re the invader, the criminal, and the murderer here. You’ll be punished according to the laws of our home.’

  Sergun waited in pain and discomfort. Without his weapons and with his hands tied so tightly as well as being strangled he was in no position to escape. If he was alone he was going to die or become a slave. ‘Tharne will find a way to avenge.’

  ‘You’re in no position to make threats. You could have offered to buy a girl from me. Tharne would not be so foolish as to make war against our four mighty cities.’

  ‘You’d have asked too much money. You enjoy power over others it’s not wealth you crave. We were trying to avoid a war.’

  ‘Hah. I would sell any slave for the right price, but it’s too late to discuss prices. The world is full of many kinds of people and you are about to find yourself in a new role. This conversation is tiresome. You will be screaming for mercy soon but male pain does not appeal to me.’

  The bodyguard pulled on a mechanism behind Sergun and he was forced onto his tiptoes. The man undid his belt and pulled his trousers to his ankles. Arconis left the room together with his bodyguard. Sergun felt panic. His feet and ankles were uncomfortable from being on his tiptoes, his neck was painful and the bonds on his wrists painfully tight. He was exposed and defenceless. If Grer and his Galls and their soldiers failed in their mission then he and his friends were doomed.

  A long time passed. All of his discomfort and pain increased, along with his sense of frustration. If only he could get his hands free. Eventually, the door opened and it wasn’t Arconis. It was a slender woman wearing a short blue dress revealing long slim legs. She had masses of dark, curly hair and a stern expression on her pretty face. She held a large metal instrument with jaws and he was terrified.

  ‘Please young lady. We came here to save a girl kidnapped into slavery. If you help me then we can leave this city together. Get away from this horrible place and these cruel deeds.’

  ‘Old man stop whining I love doing this.’

  The expression on the girl’s face did not change. From a small bag, she took a piece of cloth and moved closer. He opened his mouth to speak and she thrust in with the material. He choked and tears streamed. There was some foul taste. She said nothing and tied a cord around his mouth to keep the gag in place. Then she spat in his face. He told himself she must be going to use some dust to knock him unconscious. He wondered how the girl came to do this and could come to no conclusion. He was terrified.

  The woman smiled and pushed the large blades close to his eyes. ‘Such a small thing to lose. I’ve seen boys with bigger ones! There are those who are slaves and those who rule. You who tremble in fear, who cry, who beg, lie and plead. You’re trussed up like the pitiful animal you are and I Shanis will remove your manhood and turn you into a eunuch.’

  Unable to speak Sergun blinked his eyes furiously.

  ‘Is that the best begging you can do? How about offering to lick my feet and kiss my arse? Begging is so boring. I enjoy this life and I-’

  She was interrupted by muffled sounds from outside. The noise became louder with voices raised and screams. Shanis looked confused. She ran the blade down from his throat to just above his privates. The noise outside was closer. She sighed and said to Sergun. ‘One moment old man, just be patient.’

  She opened the door and stepped back in surprise. A large shape appeared at the door. Grer said, ‘there you are. Just in time!’

  He stepped into the room. The girl moved back to the far wall and said, ‘please help us. That cruel man Lord Arconis is holding us prisoner.’

  Grer looked at Sergun who blinked his eyes frantically. The Gall looked at the woman and said, ‘oh is the poor girl needing help?’

  Shanis smiled, nodded and put her hands down. Grer lunged forward with the pointed shaft of his axe and then upwards lifting her off her feet. She looked surprised and in agony as she died. He lifted up his friend’s body. He collapsed onto the floor with pins and needles in his feet. Grer cut his bonds and Sergun pulled free the gag and cord. From his back, Grer pulled out Justice and handed it to his friend. Sergun pulled his trousers up and tried to smile. He coughed and spat and recovered enough to stand. His rescuer explained Jehran called for help when the two men disappeared behind the doors.

  22. Rescue

  Out of the darkness, they heard screams and fighting. Grer explained they were still hunting for both Arconis and Jannesse. Feeling in a furious mood Sergun held his sword. He was led along the corridor and upstairs. The fighting died. Several bodies lay in the room they came to. Sergun did not recognise any of them. Grer’s brother stood armed with his axe dripping in blood. Sergun thanked him. Kall arrived and grinned, ‘glad to see you survived as well!’

  ‘Over here,’ yelled Sarish. ‘Quick!’

  They went to the doorway and she explained Arconis disappeared behind it. Sarish helped Grer and Sergun push against it as hard as they could but they were unable to achieve anything except for sore shoulders. It was hardwood and very thick. Was it a safe room or a secret escape route? Sergun longed to ram his sword into the guts of Arconis but finding Jannesse was the greatest prize.

  They found an unarmed male servant cowering in a nearby room who showed them where the slaves were kept. They were hidden underground behind a curtain, a door and a secret passage into their underground prison. The first guard was surprised to find a sword in his guts from Sergun. Barely satisfied he strode ahead full of hate. The way was lit with torches and eventually smelt of stables. Beneath there was an open area well-lit with manacles on the wall and various instruments of punishment. Asleep on a comfy bed was a large man. Kall prodded him with his sword, he opened his eyes slowly and leapt out of bed reaching into his gown. Taking no chance Kall ended his life. Two guards didn’t seem many so carefully they searched for Jannesse.

  Above the slave pens were the following words. ‘It’s forbidden for slaves to speak. It’s forbidden for you to move from your bed. It’s forbidden for you to make a sound.’

  It was gravely quiet. It was unclear if all were asleep, drugged or obedient. There were lines of small cages on either side hidden under sheets. They called out Jannesse’s name but heard only a few whimpers and cries of fear. Sergun lifted a sheet and the smell of h
uman waste and sweat wafted his way. All of the slaves were hiding at the back of the cages, looking too sleepy or terrified to speak. There were so many Sergun grew furious and sadder than before. He desperately wanted to save Jannesse and get away. A quick getaway was vital.

  ‘She’s not here,’ said Sergun.

  Sarish strode forward and found another set of cages further back. They were bigger, but still not big enough to stand up in. ‘Here’s a blonde one. Let’s get her out.’

  The girl whimpered at the back of the cage. Sarish spoke in her softest tone. ‘Jannesse? We’re here to take you home. Please come quickly.’

  The girl crawled out of her cage on all fours as the exit door was so low. She appeared clean but also terrified and confused. Her lack of clothing meant they could see the confirmation marks they were looking for. Sergun reached for a gown and Sarish helped her put it on. Obediently she followed Sergun. From one of the cages a soft female voice whispered over and over again, ‘please help, please help, please help.’

  Sergun walked back. His heart did not normally listen to such words during stressful times but his experience in the cell had opened him. She was someone’s daughter and he opened the cage. She crawled out and held onto his leg. She looked a similar age to Jannesse but skinnier and with dark hair. ‘Get up child. We must leave now,’ he said as he gently lifted her grasp from his leg. He walked towards the robes and turned to her. She slowly stood up and looked around as if seeing the place for the first time. She stepped to Sergun, took the robe from him, pulled it on and they walked out together. No one else in the cages made any intelligible sounds until it was too late and they did not have the time to explore any further. Having lots of slaves running around as they tried to make their escape would not help.

  The opulent house was far grander than his yet Sergun felt no admiration. He told the girls not to look at the dead bodies. He expected shouts of people after them but so far it seemed their attack and capture wasn’t known yet outside of the man’s home. He still didn’t know if the Lord was locked in a secure room or if he had escaped via another way. They needed to get away as soon as possible. If an alarm was sounded and guards were waiting outside, it was better to fight their way out than surrender. No mercy would be shown to them.

  They walked out into the cool night air. The larger moon was out and many stars were visible. It was quiet and the air was a welcome breeze of freshness. The dark-haired girl remained silent and held onto Sergun’s hand tightly. One of their soldiers waited for them and led them towards the docks. Two Galls waited in the shadows. It was quiet outside of the Lord’s home the man told them. They heard no cries of the Militia after them nor saw any torches apart from those at the house. Sergun had only sailed once before and the experience was unpleasant. The seas were rough and the craft bounced on the waves like a child’s toy. He hoped the sea they were heading to was calmer.

  More Galls greeted them and two of the ship’s crew who were still on board were persuaded at sword point to assist them to run the ship. He looked back and saw both of the soldiers who were watching outside. He grinned as they ran on board. Sergun stood waiting for an alarm or men to attack them. Everyone climbed on board and eventually, the ship moved gently away from the quayside. From faint moonlight, they could just make out other docked ships.

  Few words were spoken, Sergun knelt with the girl he had rescued still holding his hand tightly. Kall escorted Jannesse below desks. The mood wasn’t yet one of triumph, they knew until they landed on their own shores they were far from safe. Only when they left the docks and bay behind did they permit the ship’s Captain’s request to light their front signals as otherwise, they might collide with another ship with such poor moonlight.

  Sergun found his quarters on the ship wonderful compared to the last time he sailed. The ship’s movement made him sigh. Jehran provided him with a calming drug to prevent seasickness and he took it with disbelief yet when the boat moved he didn’t feel sick. He preferred riding a horse to being on the water. The bed was a comfy double one and the room was grand with a tiny porthole. The girl was holding his hand but not as firmly as before. ‘Look. Holding my hand is nice, but I won’t leave you if you let go. Sit down on the bed. Let go and I’ll get you some food and I promise to come back. What’s your name? I’m Sergun.’

  Carefully as if she was hanging by her hands to the edge of a cliff the girl slowly removed her hand from his. He smiled warmly and praised her. ‘What’s your name?’

  ‘Yurul,’ she slowly said.

  ‘I’m Sergun. I’ll get you some food. Do you want anything special? Pork, chicken, fish, apple cake?’

  ‘Everything please sir!’ she said slowly with an amazed expression.

  He went to wipe the sweat from his face and she cowered in fear. He winced and stepped back, putting his hands by his side. ‘We haven’t taken you from that place to harm you. Please call me Sergun, I’m not a ruler, I was born in poverty.’

  He took a few minutes to persuade Yurul he would be back soon and she would be safe while he was gone. He found the galley guarded by sergeant Dules and congratulated him on his role in their missions. He asked where the rest of the men were. The Sergeant replied they were ordered to make their way home. There were limited supplies on board but the Galls were fishing and had their own supplies so they should make it. He took food and drink back to the room and was relieved to find Yurul lying on the bed looking relaxed. She beamed when he opened the door and giggled when she understood what he’d brought her. He laid the food on the table and was pleased the journey so far was smoother than his last one. She ate with her fingers and he didn’t want her to feel out of place so he did as well. She heartily finished nearly all the food on her plate and soon after clutched her stomach in pain. He found the bathroom and gave her peace while he heard her vomiting. Too much rich food he guessed. She took her time but came out after a long time and looked so clean and smelt so good he wondered if she was wealthy in her own land. He sat on the bed and smiled at her. ‘Feeling better?’

  She nodded, raised her arms and began to take off her gown. He stood up and tried to pull it back down. There was a short tussle and she dived past him and onto the bed crying with the gown back on. He sat on the bed and tried to comfort her but each time he went to gently stroke her hair or shoulder she shrieked ‘no!’ He felt it was going to be a long night. When she was asleep he crept out and went on deck. The moonlight was enough for him to see they were far from any land.

  ‘Lord Arconis must have raised the alarm. I wonder how far pursuing ships are behind us?’ Sergun said.

  Grer stood watching the moon. ‘I can’t see any ships, perhaps in daylight, we’ll see if they’re following us.’

  ‘Will you and your brother come to my home when this is over?’

  ‘The invitation is pleasing, but I don’t know where we will go to next.’

  ‘Seeing you enter the cell, I knew I was safe, it was a wonderful feeling. I wish you’d arrived quicker!’

  ‘We were delayed waiting for guards to pass when entering the city. We were as quick as we could be!’

  Grer put a large arm around Sergun’s shoulder and said, ‘we couldn’t let down the mighty Sergun and friends, we’ve had more action with you than in the previous hundred. You’re good at getting yourself into scrapes.’

  ‘I hope that’s an end for now. We’ve found and saved the girl, and as long as we get home safely I’ll be satisfied.’

  ‘When was life ever so simple?’ Grer said.

  ‘Hmmm, how’s life in your kingdom these days?’

  ‘Factions debate our future, independence or alliance with humans. The six-legged monsters will never be friends of ours. My family are well but I grew bored and so went to find excitement and bloody some young.’

  ‘I longed to see you again and regret I did not try.’

  ‘We cannot change the past, we’re here now and have fought and been victorious once again, let’s feel no sorrow except f
or our losses.’

  Sergun put an arm around the bulk of his friend’s strong back. ‘You’ll stay with us until Northtown I hope. You deserve a good rest and excellent meals and entertainment for your assistance. What losses did you suffer?’

  ‘We suspect some of the men waiting outside the city are lost. They wanted to kill us as well but must have thought we had fled south. We lost one but it’s to be expected in combat.’

  He hoped it wasn’t true and that most if not all had managed to escape south. Leaving men behind in battle was a rotten feeling, and he wouldn’t believe the loss until confirmed.

  23. On The Way Home

  She looked peaceful when he woke, smiled when she watched him looking at her, and stroked his face and hair. He lay beside her as chastely as an innocent brother and sister. To be aware she was only a short time ago a plaything of Arconis made him wish Jehran and Sarish great success in ending his life if they met him again.

  Ships were spotted the next day well behind. From such a distance it wasn’t possible to see any flag and they watched for half a day with the pursuing ships not gaining. They had so few on board and no heavy weapons only their speed would aid them. Smaller ships were spotted but as they got closer they turned out to be fishing vessels.

  Sergun wasn’t concerned if Lord Arconis knew he was from Tharne and on official business. The government was sure to defend his actions. The Lord’s dismissal of Jannesse’s status was a serious mistake. The trail to find her took them longer and further than they anticipated, but they had finally succeeded. The price paid if the missing men were all dead wasn’t one he considered worth paying. He would not tell those above him that. He hoped the remaining men outside the walls managed to flee before being murdered or captured.

  In the evening it was impossible to see if the ships were catching up. The ship’s Captain advised them to move further out into the ocean. They warned him if anyone managed to board them he would be the first to perish. Cloud cover came visibility became poor. Sergun hoped if anyone was pursuing them the task would be impossible at night.