The Land Below our Feet II (Unleashed) COMPLETE

QUESTIONS

The seemingly endless lines of men had been slowly advancing towards the stage where the pair of women stood.

One old, one young. Both patiently welcoming each warrior as they respectfully knelt before them and recited the Yahurian creed.

The group of numerous inductees that steadily flowed forward took a couple of hours to finally dissipate as they received their masks one after another, proudly joining their fellow sworn brothers at the other side of the hall.

Iktan had been one of the last warriors to set his knee on the cold ground and look at Sehira´s newly masked face with reverence. He'd recited his oath flawlessly without any hesitation, in a clear and serene voice, his eyes piercing hers as he enunciated every single word purposely with a broad grin hanging from his lips.

Once he finished pronouncing the last of his vows, she placed the cold metallic shield against his face and swiftly fastened it to his head. Her pupils beaming with pride at the sight of him.

-Rise, my son! – Sehira ordered, her tone dripping with raw emotion as she gestured for him to get on his feet – May your fate bring glory to Yahur.

-And may it always keep me by your side… My love – He whispered back discreetly, his irises happily glinting as he stared at her for one more second, before reuniting with his pledged peers, and standing in formation along with the vast group.

Souna had been watching the ceremony's development with incessant goosebumps running down her back at the overwhelming air of formality that prevailed around the massive place.

The obvious joy that exuded from every shielded face contrasting greatly with the imperturbable sturdiness with which they all remained perfectly poised.

-Children! – Pahoka-Xe called out, clutching Sehira´s hand into hers and raising it in the air cheerfully once the last of the recruits had been granted a metallic mask and taken their place among the crew – Welcome to the Yahurian Order… May your actions be worthy, and your steps be righteous. Aig Yahurah Nahe!

-Ahir Yahurah Kah! – An alluvion of firm voices replied loudly - When serving none, we serve them all!

-And most importantly, we serve peace – The old Guider said, nodding at them knowingly – Now go feast, my lovelies! Be sure to celebrate and rejoice tonight… Because every sunrise brings a new challenge with it, and war is never too far away.

The white-haired woman was watching the horde of masked warriors exit the place, her eyes trained on Sehira and Iktan, who were exchanging hushed giggles a short distance ahead… The girl's hand resting casually on the soldier's plated chest as both clearly smiled behind their face shields, when she felt the familiar presence approaching from behind her.

-I know, my son – She said, without bothering to turn around, taking a deep breath as the large, unmasked warrior stepped beside her, along with his Lowlander wife – It is time... Now, follow me.

Calmly and quietly, the old lady had guided the couple and the newly appointed co-regent Guider to a secluded chamber, away from the noisy festivities of the freshly consecrated Yahurians.

The enormous room was eerily calm and deserted when the four of them entered it and the ancient woman took a seat on a feathery cushion situated on the floor.

She adjusted herself in her spot and crossed her legs loosely as the warrior and the two sisters sat before her on some equally fluffy pillows. Ussi and Sehira flanking Souna, who positioned herself in the middle.

-Are you hungry… Or thirsty? – She tentatively asked, her hand hovering over a silver bell placed on a low table in front of her – I can have Elaien bring you some food and beverages...

- Thank you Guider, but there is no need – Souna cut her off politely, yet firmly. Her sparkling eyes staring piercingly at her – I would like to have our questions answered without any further delays now… If you don't mind.

-Very well, my child – Pahoka-Xe agreed, nodding kindly at her – What is it that you wish to know?

-You've kept a lot from us all these years – She stated, briefly glancing at Sehira, who sat on her left with an inscrutable expression in her eyes – You say you did it for protection… Yet I can't help but wonder, whose safety was being guarded in the end? Yours? Ours? The Kingdom's?

-My dear, this entire land's future was in jeopardy – The Yahurian Mother sighed gravely – I believe Anam must have told you already that the blood running through your veins is as much a blessing as it is a curse…

-Yeah, she said something along those lines once– Souna admitted, her face contorting in a scowl of frustration – But she never explained why, or what does it have to do with the fact that you let us both be raised in a complete lie!

She paused, her head heavily collapsing on her hands with sadness. Her voice decreasing into a mumble.

-Everything I once thought I knew has been erased to nothing in the past couple years – She puffed out disheartened – Our identity, our history, even our purpose… Nothing was what I'd originally thought, nothing before that was real, and I've come to the realization that it is just an utterly cruel thing to do to a pair of innocent children… Why? Why would you ever allow so much suffering to happen? You knew! You always did! And yet, you didn't stop any of it…

Souna winced, her eyes instinctively darting to Sehira´s face and stealing a compassionate glance at her.

-That's just wicked! – She finished saying. Her sight returning accusingly to the Yahurian leader.

-My child… - Pahoka-Xe reasoned, extending her hands forward in an appeasing motion – It is terribly unfortunate, but you must understand that disgrace is a fundamental part of one’s fate. Everything that has happened in both of your lives, good and bad, has molded you into the people that you are today... Don´t you see? You were meant to endure those unspeakable events! How else would you have been forged into the strong women that sit before me today?

-So, you're saying that my poor husband had to die, and that Sehira had to be raped – Souna scoffed scornfully, eyeing her with undiluted resentment – You think that our city needed to be mostly wiped out of existence, and that a stream of blood had to be spilled only so we could hold this conversation tonight?

-I don't think so… I know it – The white-haired woman calmly replied – And it may seem incredibly unfair and harsh to you now, but trust me… The alternative was a million times worse.

-How? – Souna sighed, defiantly crossing her arms over her chest – We lost plenty of lives!

- And we could have lost millions – The Elder responded sternly - Had we done anything differently, neither this land nor you...my sweet girls, would have stood the tiniest chance of survival. It was a painful choice to make for everyone involved. You can't imagine how much… But I’m convinced that it was the right one in the end.

-Who are those people involved you talk so mysteriously about? – Souna asked, her tone dripping with bitterness – Who are the responsible culprits for blatantly gambling with our lives? Anam… Our father? You and who else?

-Everyone who cared about you two! – Pahoka-Xe blurted out, her usually serene voice cracking somewhat before returning to its normal cadence – Everyone that wanted to protect you from her.

-From whom? – She curiously inquired, her mind suddenly sparkling with recognition as her eyes widened impossibly - King Ahau said something similar to me… What does it mean?

-I think you already know the answer to that question – The Yahurian Elder spoke, nodding encouragingly at her – Don't you?

-Queen Elande… - Souna muttered, her hand traveling to her mouth and covering it as she audibly gasped in shock, feeling the warrior react beside her, his frame noticeably stiffening– But why?

-Because you were the living reminder of the insult that she suffered at your father's hands when he openly rejected her – She explained - You were both the constant proof that he could never ever love her.

-So, she wanted to kill them – Ussiariah deduced, his somber voice breaking the heavy silence that had installed among them as they all processed these new facts.

-Yes… - Pahoka-Xe agreed gloomily, her eyes shining with deep concern –And I'm afraid that she still wants to.