The Land Below our Feet III (Legacy)

OBNOXIOUS

-Ugh! Didn’t I just leave you people down in the south? – Hethan complained in disgust as the quartet of unexpected visitors walked into the enormous hall – I arrived at Cahen a few days ago, and I thought that I had gotten rid of your obnoxious presence at last… So, imagine my surprise when my guards told me that you have followed me home!

-Oh, don’t flatter yourself – Histya condescendingly spat out, rolling her eyes at him – We aren't exactly thrilled to see your ugly face either, you old f**k!

-What the hell is this then? – The uplander retorted, nodding crisply at her – Why else have you come to my door?

-We are here for the children – Souna barked angrily at him – Last time we heard about them, they were heading towards your territory… So, don't play dumb, give back our kids!

-Children? What children? – The monarch mockingly scoffed, extending his arms widespread from side to side – Do I look like a damn babysitter to you, woman? Then look again! Because, in case you haven't noticed it yet, I'm not quite fond of kids… And I haven't seen one in a long while, fortunately.

-I have – A loud familiar voice suddenly announced as the massive Cahenean soldier made his entrance from behind the throne hall and nodded respectfully at his ruler with a resigned sigh – And I'm sorry I failed to inform you about this before, Your Majesty… But the truth is that I did.

-Did? As in the past tense – Ussi pointed out, frowning severely at him – Tell me, Captain, does that mean that they are no longer around?

-It does – Phomtek reticently muttered, eyeing him with remorse – I’m afraid they resumed their journey no longer after they arrived.

-And you let them go? – The Xoltunian queen angrily shrieked, reaching for her back in a fluid movement and aiming an arrow at the warrior’s chest – Are you an i***t? To where?

- Alesh – The Cahenean remarked, staring firmly at her with his head tilted to one side and his hands slightly raised in the air – Now, put that thing down before someone gets hurt, Histya, please...

He hadn't even finished uttering his plea when he was abruptly tackled to the ground by a raging Souna, who had furiously pounced forward towards him, wielding a sharp blade that would only miss its target for a fraction of an inch because she was opportunely caught by her husband midair.

-If she doesn’t kill you, I will! – Souna screamed irately, brandishing the dagger at the Cahenean's face as she was gently restrained and pulled backwards by Ussi´s strong arm – How could you? You were supposed to be the adult here! Why would you ever indulge in such puerile behavior and allow them to go on that far-fetched quest?

-Because it wasn't my place to stop them – Phomtek responded, sitting up and dusting himself off – So, I chose to help them instead.

-Help them how? – Histya bitterly scoffed, releasing the projectile that she had been holding, which flew buzzing dangerously beside his ear – By throwing them directly into the lion's den, you imbecile?

-Enough! – Ussiariah's thunderous voice commanded as he raised his palm in the Xoltunian's direction, who was already reaching for her back once more – Don't!

-See? This is why I dread the sight of you and your impertinent sidekicks, Yahun – Hethan cried out, frustrated, pointing his finger accusingly at him – You have no respect for my person or for my court whatsoever, and you make a mess every time you are here!

-Get up! – Ussi ordered, ignoring the monarch’s rant and c*****g his head purposefully at the Uplander Captain, who was still lying on the marble tiles.

The brief relief that crossed the Cahenean's eyes was soon replaced by a determined scowl when he spotted the sharp end of the former Yahurian's spear pointed firmly at his heart.

-Hethan is right – The blond man stated, gesturing to the enormous doors behind him – There is no reason to be rude. Ours is a family matter… So, let’s take it outside.

The metallic sound of the weapons colliding echoed around the exuberant gardens that surrounded the palace and kept the cruel desert heat at bay.

Souna and the two Xoltunian women had taken a seat at the steps of the giant marble terrace and had sheltered themselves from the blistering sun under the enormous white canopy that extended all over them.

There was an eerie silence floating around them as they all kept their eyes trained on the two muscled men contending ahead.

Even though none of them had been exactly restraining themselves, and that both, the Cahenean's saber and the Yahurian spear had been alarmingly close to piercing each other’s skin on more than one occasion, Souna could tell that her husband wasn't trying to kill the Uplander.

Therefore, no matter how brutal and impressive the spectacle appeared to be from the outside, and despite the multiple welts and bruises that crossed the uplander’s face, calling that encounter a duel would be a little too excessive. Because after watching the warriors' movements for a few minutes, she already knew that Ussi was mostly training and blowing off steam… And she was fuming at him.

-You knew we were coming, didn't you? – Souna heard him point out as he graciously charged at the Cahenean Captain.

-Yes – The visibly tired warrior wheezed as he dodged the point of his spear and pounced back at him with his blade.

-Then you could have at least stalled them a little bit until we got here – The Commander grunted. Leaping and forcefully pushing him to the ground with his boot – But you still chose not to, and let them leave.

-I did – The Captain responded, freeing himself from his weight in a quick motion and darting back at him – Because the Yahurian made it very clear that this was the way it needed to be.

Souna understood that any chance of a real match was irremediably gone the second Phomtek pronounced that convenient set of words, and she saw the flicker in her husband's eyes. So, logically, she stood up and stormed out.

She was reclining against the rail of a lonely platform that overlooked the entire city with her arms crossed over her chest and her lips tightly pouted in disapproval when the Commander finally found her after searching for her everywhere around.

-Don't you dare come anywhere near me, Ussi! – She warned him, waving at his face as he approached her – I'm so mad right now, I can't even look at you!

-That is not true – He carelessly responded, catching her flailing hand in his palm and effortlessly pushing it down while he proceeded to lift her up the fence while searching deeply into her eyes.

-And you didn't really want me to kill Phomtek for not stopping our kids – He added, as he began distractedly pulling her garments down.

-How can you trust destiny so blindly? – Souna defeatedly sighed, breaking eye contact with him but embracing him longingly at the same time while he rendered her naked – Why aren't you all as scared for them as I am?

-Oh, believe me, Souna… I am – Ussiariah whispered in her ear, tracing delicate kisses down her neck as he felt her skin instinctively contract – But why wouldn't I trust fate after everything it has given me? In the end, it was fate that once led me into your arms.

-And it also got you killed, remember? – She gravely reminded him, anxiously clinging to his broad back and avidly inhaling his strong scent – Not every fortune is auspicious... You more than anyone know that. So, if you think I’ll just stand down and let things play out, then you have another thing coming, Ussi, because I'm not leaving our children's future to chance!

-I hear that… And I would never expect anything less from you – He mindlessly agreed. Spreading her legs open and ramming himself inside her warm core with an eager push that would make her worried protests temporarily come to a halt.