The Land Below our Feet III (Legacy)

CAUSE

-Kaionte… It’s been a while since I’ve last heard that name – Ussiariah said as his sole greeting, calmly pacing inside the cell and taking a seat before the olive-skinned boy.

-Well, it’s not a common name around here, Commander, is it?– The youngster bitterly replied, staring at him with contemptuous eyes.

-Maybe not, but it sure is kind of infamous – The warrior responded, nodding purposefully at him with a wink – And you have inherited your father’s factious nature, I can see.

-My father was just trying to keep us safe, that’s all – Kaionte defiantly spoke – He never intended to cause any real trouble.

-Oh, but you did, didn’t you? – Ussi deduced, giving him a wolfish grin – You didn’t care about your group’s cause that much either, you were just deliberately trying to raise as much havoc as you possibly could before you got caught… Am I wrong?

-What makes you think that I am going to tell you a single thing? – The boy scoffed – If you already know who my father was, then you should also know that he was not a rat.

-That depends on what your definition of rat is – The Commander shrugged off – He betrayed the trust that we had placed upon him. So, he is a giant one to me.

-You’re such a hypocrite! – Kai hissed at him – You dare to blame my father for that breach, but you were the one keeping those deadly instruments around in the first place, not him!

-Ah… So, that is why you stole my son’s rifle then, uh? – Ussiariah pointed out, tilting his head at him amusedly with squinted eyes – You disagree with the way that we have been handling the gun situation so far, and you think that you know better.

-Well, at least I’m not so delusional to think that Queen Eleande´s was an isolated case - The boy angrily murmured – There are plenty of other people that want to get their hands on those weapons, and it was just a matter of time till someone did.

-And you figured, what the heck! Why not just us? So, you stole that gun and attacked the warehouse to prove a point – The Commander inferred, shaking his head scoldingly – It was a reckless move, and you got a lot of your own people killed.

-You don’t get to judge me for my actions! – Kai spat out – Who died and made you boss? Why is it that you get to decide who wields those stupid guns anyway?

He paused, taking a deep breath and glaring at him with a mix of pain and utter hatred.

- Don’t you get it? I did it because I despise you, Commander! You ruined my life before I was even born!

-I understand why you might feel that way – The warrior admitted with genuine sorrow – But believe it or not, I had nothing to do with your parents´ demise. They both made their choices, and they forced my people to make their own in response.

-Ugh! Why would I expect you to say anything remotely different? – The young man sneered, staring at the ceiling in evident annoyance - Elhyna was right… You are as evil as they all are, you were spawned from the same vile race that massacred our land!

-So, that is her reason then – Ussiariah resolutely sighed – You are both bound by resentment and hate. That is the essence of your so-called cause.

-You will never understand the kind of relationship Elhyna and I have – Kai defensively snorted, condescendingly huffing at him while he fidgeted with his restraints – So, quit pretending you do. Now, where is she? What have you monsters done to her?

-Oh, don’t worry, she’s fine – The warrior reassured him, dismissively waving his hand – I have no interest in hurting any of you... yet. She’s just having a little chat.

Souna stood solemnly before the large monument that marked the place where their people have rested for the past sixteen years.

The large memorial stone that resembled a gigantic fist had been erected more than a decade ago, and it was supposed to symbolize the strength and unity of their land… But nowadays, Souna had been doubting that such a thing had ever been more than a beautiful utopia. A lie that they told themselves to feel less weak.

-My husband is buried down there, you know? – She murmured, staring blankly ahead as she felt the feminine presence being hauled beside her by a guard – Along with your family and everyone else.

-Your husband? – The woman boldly replied, struggling with her handcuffed wrists and the bandage covering her right hand – Your husband is one of them, Your Grace! You married the personification of the demons that did this to us!

- No, I didn’t, Elhyna… I married the progeny of the heroes that saved us from them once before and got themselves killed by our own in return! – The monarch severely replied, shaking her head with contained anger – I married the man that freed us from them once more!

-How can you not loathe the sight of him? – Elhyna exclaimed, scrunching her nose – Why aren’t you terrified in the very least?

-I was once, if I’m honest – Souna confessed – When I first saw him, I was petrified. But then I got to know him, and I quickly realized that there was nothing about him besides the color of his skin that resembled the people that did this to me.

-So, that’s why you brought me here? – The rebel sneered at her – To tell me that nor do the ones we tried to kill yesterday? Save your breath then, I’m not buying it.

-Listen – She began saying, placing a tentative hand on her shoulder - No matter how much they remind you of them, and how hard you want someone to pay for your suffering, those aren’t the monsters that killed your family, and they will never be.

-Why are you so sure? – The woman muttered, shaking Souna´s palm violently off her and taking a little step aside.

-Because they are all dead, trust me… I made sure of that myself – Souna shrugged off, staring away from her.

-Well… I hate to break it to you, Your Majesty, but I think you missed a few – Elhyna snickered, letting out a loud huff.

-The ones we saved were spared for a good reason – Souna calmly explained – And it was not for free either. You wouldn’t know, but they’ve all had to prove their loyalty continuously and in many ways throughout the years.

-What good reason? – The woman cried out in disbelief – You forgave them only because they surrendered! How does that magically erase all the evil they did?

- Elhyna, I’m going to say this once more and I hope you hear it loud and clear – The ruler sighed, softly massaging the bridge of her nose - I know that you’re hurting, but these aren’t the culprits you seek.

-How do you know? You weren’t even there! – The rebel yelled exasperatedly – How can you tell?

-You’re right – Souna agreed, raising a hand and waving two fingers back and forth – I wasn’t, but he was.

-Your Highness – An old, blond man saluted as he materialized seemingly out of thin air next to them – You called...

-This is Jakul – The Queen introduced him, pointing at the sturdy elder – He was Njál ´s second in command when the Argantean troops attacked our land. Jakul, would you please tell Elhyna a little about the unit you sent to Raghtaer Cove?

-Ma´am – The former warrior tilted his head politely at the woman – I picked those men specifically because they were not useful for me in battle, and I could go without them… They hadn´t seen combat yet and they weren´t even raiders, like the rest. They had enrolled because of the promise of a better life and a decent pay.

-So, you are telling me that they are all honest and pure now? – Elhyna spat out with incredulity– And that they have done nothing wrong in their entire lives?

-No, I am sure that there must be plenty of assholes among them – Jakul grinned at her – And they are far from being innocent… All I’m saying is that it is highly unlikely that this group in particular had taken part in the war crimes that you are accusing them of, being that they were a bunch of greenhorns.

-It doesn’t matter! I’m not trusting your filthy word for it! Don´t you see? You are the lowest scum of them all! – The woman shouted, giving Souna a defiant stare – So, you better go ahead and kill me already, My Queen, because I am starting to get bored.

-Oh, I haven’t got any intention of making a martyr out of you – The monarch amusedly announced, waving her hand at the guards, who hurried to grab the girl by the arms again – Believe me when I say that we have better things in mind.

Souna had just walked a short distance away from the prisoner and the soldiers when Greghan swiftly intercepted her and bowed to her.

-Your Majesty, the Xiblenean prince has returned – He informed her – They are taking him to the Commander to be questioned. I thought you should know.

-Good – She nodded as she kept walking decidedly towards the palace – Where's Yarinthza?

-She has been in custody ever since we found out about the theft, just like you ordered – He obediently told her.

-Well, what are you waiting for? Bring her! – Souna instructed him in a fake cheerful tone – Let’s make this a lovely family reunion between mother and son.