Riches

Standing on the helm of his ship, Cain stared emotionlessly at the slaughter going on in the ship next to him. After years of bloodshed he had become steeled to these types of occurrences. He didn't used to be this way, but no one spoke about that anymore. Instead they focused on his achievements, he was Admiral, second in command only to King Osirus himself. He was extremely highly esteemed for his age, granted he was groomed for this position from a young age by the King. Osirus had seen something in him in his adolescence and taken an interest. Although that didn't mean Osirus wasn't still keeping a close eye on him, at this thought, Cain glanced at Aten. Aten and he had been practically raised together, Aten was the son of the Kings most trusted advisor, Seth. Aten was still pinning for the throne and Osirus kept him close as an asset. It was clear that Cain would succeed the king, so far he had proved as ruthless and clever as the King.

Aten approached Cain, breaking his train of thought. "Yes, General Aten"

Aten gave him a strained smile, "Enough with the formalities Cain." Cain nodded, allowing the request. Aten always hated being reminded of his lower ranking, it was why he loathed the gold lion on his chest. "So far the men only report slaves aboard the ship. No sign of the gold or diamonds the Prophet spoke of to the King". Cain never thought there would be, unlike the king he did not believe in the effect of prophecy on the present. In his opinion the King relied far too greatly on the words of the Prophet. The Prophet had the Kings ear before Cain even set foot in the castle, but Cain also had some more personal issues with the Prophet.

Realizing Aten seemed to be waiting for instruction Cain spoke again. "Clear each of the slave cells, bring them to the deck and do not alert anyone as to what we are searching for. Let's make this a rescue". Aten nodded and headed off to start moving slaves and searching. Cain frowned, the slave traders were poorly clothed, and their ship was falling apart. There would be no precious cargo, this was a waste of his time and talent. After the Prophet had spoken to the King of the great fortune the gold and diamonds on this ship would bring the King, he had insisted he only trusted Cain to personally run this mission. As Cain watched his soldiers dump the last of the slave traders' bodies off the boat, he headed to the wooden bridge hung to connect the two ships. Crossing it he found himself on the helm of the slave ship. As he watched his men start to bring up the women, Cain had to look away. Starved and clearly abused he couldn't stand the empty look in their eyes. Cain turned motioning for a group of soldiers to come to him.

"I want a stack of these crates around the bow in front of the rows of women we are making". Cain directed and the soldiers touched their fists to their foreheads as they jogged off to complete the task. They had the stack complete in a matter of minutes and Cain found himself leaning against the back of it. As much as he wouldn't admit it, Cain couldn't watch the women for long. A small part of him was reminded of unpleasant memories that he had locked deep within him long ago. Cain was thankful when Aten came to him with an update and a strange look on his face.

"Well?" Cain prompted.

Aten looked troubled, "There were no riches on the boat as you predicted, but The Prophet never said there would be…. Only Gold and Dimond." He trailed off meeting Cain's eyes with a strange glint.

"Yes, riches." Cain said irritated with his general.

"No," Aten countered, "Not riches, but I think I may have found what we are looking for." Aten said hesitantly.

Cain began to ask another question but was interrupted by one of his men "Admiral, the slaves have been brought top deck and chained down as you asked."

"Yes, I suppose a statement is in order." Cain steeled himself and climbed the stack of crates like stairs to a stage, Aten right behind him. As he reached the top and looked down at the women, he knew he made the right choice. Their faces blended below him into a sea of starvation and oppression, he didn't want to recognize the looks in their eyes, he'd seen it before. The sway of the boat gave him confidence as well as the presence of Aten behind him, despite the fact Cain was confident Aten wouldn't hesitate to kill him for his place.

"I am Admiral Cain of the imperial Thyrusian army." He began, "You need not fear us; we have captured this vessel with the intent to help all of you. At the next port you can rejoice in your freedom and remember the generosity of Thyrus with each step you take." Cain paused still sensing some unease from the group of girls in front of him. "We will be porting in Adin, a small port of Terris in three days' time. Until then, each of you will be fed and cared for to the best of our resources. You will all remain in your personal quarters at all times and rest with the peace of mind our protection will bring you!" Cain finished with a satisfied smile. This should pacify the women until they could be hurried off the boat for his men to do a more thorough search. Cain was about resume his conversation with Aten when a small voice rang out.

"What do you mean intent to help us all?" Cain slowly looked at the women, focusing on a twig of a girl in the middle of the group.

"We freed you, I would consider that great help." Cain's eyes narrowed suspiciously. He was surprised at the strength she must have to stand up the way she was.

"Maybe you will remove these shackles, and maybe you will feed us tonight, but in three days' time you and you men are going to bring us to shore and dump us in some tiny port in Terris. What of us then? We have no money, no place to go, most of us have been enslaved for years, no family and no skills. I am from the land of Aquinas. What do you think happens to us after you dump us at port. You may have saved us today but in three days' time you are condemning us to certain death once again. Hypocrite! Why would we be thankful?" The girl shouted at him. Cain knew what he had to do, he felt Aten's fiery glare on his neck. He couldn't allow someone to speak to him so disrespectfully. The king would disapprove. He grit his teeth and stepped down, forcing his lips upward at the corners.

"Bring the girl up here, I shall personally attest that she will not die in three days' time at port!" Cain waited with Aten at his heels as his men unchained a pair of girls dragging them forward. He watched with a twinge of admiration as the girl calmly and confidently walked to what she had to know was certain death. The other girl, however, stumbled and had to be half carried by the guard. She was undeserving of even a second glance. Strangely, Cain felt Aten stiffen and take a step back as they approached. Stopping in front of the pair Cain met the eyes of the girl with the small voice. This time the tug on his lips was genuine, she was impossibly malnourished and pale with wild dirty dark hair and a black eye. Her dark eyes looked like smoldering coal, deceptively cold and burning hot at the same time. She stared confidently back at him.

"You're a long way from Aquinas, girl." Even knowing there was nothing he could do for her now; Cain's curiosity was piqued.

She gave an insincere laugh before her sharp rely. "That wasn't really my choice, now was it?"

"That sharp tongue is going to get you in trouble one day." He couldn't help dropping the warning, it was a pity she couldn't hold her tongue.

"I've only got three days left, might as well live it up now." Dropping her eyes, she gave a more strained smile now.

"Why do you assume that?"

"Death is the best option. All it is going to take is one bad man. One bad man, he hears about all of us stranded there and we will be abducted, killed, sold or worse. All over again. If you really want to help us, take us to somewhere we are familiar at least". An understanding rushed through Cain, even in this state her beauty was not lost on him, Cain could imagine what type of slave shed been.

"Don't worry…." Cain couldn't say the words she needed to hear.

"Kahsel"

"Thank you, don't work Kahsel. You will find yourself in no such dangers at port" He smiled bitterly. "Alright then, now you can kill her." Even after Cain gave the command not a flicker of shock or regret crossed her face. "This is an example women. Hear me well, your freedom is a gracious gift to you from the Thyrus Kingdom. If you do not wish to have the gift, then we will take it. Now everyone back to your quarters".

Cain conceded that at least this was what Kahsel considered the best option. He knew her name and face would soon fade from his mind but that her bright eyes would never fade. As Cain considered this the guard supporting the other girl let her fall. Irritated by her presence, he snapped. "What, you'd like to be next?" As she looked up at him with watery eyes he suddenly understood.

Despite the fear, blood and grime obscuring her features her light eyes shone up at him like diamonds. Cain looked back at Aten as the word 'riches' rang in his mind.