Chapter 47

The mysterious hooded figures led the reluctant captive into their well guarded settlement. Although, to anybody who saw the small escapade, they wouldn't have been able to guess that the prisoner was a Chayran. He had a bag pulled over his head...Partially to prevent any violence on his arrival, but mostly to prevent him from knowing where he was being taken. Though everybody knew that when another Etreshian was brought in, they never had a bag puller over their heads...And they weren't escorted with two men gripping each arm. The notion roused many suspicions.

Before any conflicts could break out, Rayhan ducked into the spacious council room. Emeric was about to follow, but Rayhan stopped him. The expression told him all he needed to know. Emeric couldn't be allowed into the council room because he lacked the needed status. And as chief, Rayhan couldn't grant him passage. It went against the rules and he had to be a fair leader.

Emeric met his father's gaze for a few seconds, considering whether he should challenge him or not, but in the end his respect for his father over-ruled his determination to enter the building. He stepped back and allowed his father to shut the door as the last of the council members entered the building.

Nedes swallowed when he heard a door shut. He had no idea where he was but deep down he knew he was in deep trouble. He was in the heart of enemy territory, and he had no idea what they planned.

Without warning, the bag was jerked off of his head. He winced against the sudden assaulting light that struck his eyes. He blinked a few times when he heard angered exclamations from all around the room. He gazed around at the judging faces that scrutinized him. His heart started racing...They were all Etreshians.

Nedes was standing at one end of the room, in full view of the councilmen.

"Why did you bring him here?" Radclyf asked as he directed his gaze at Rayhan. Rayhan sighed audibly as he sat down in his own chair by a large table. "Emeric didn't want me to kill him when we found him." Rayhan simply stated. Radclyf and the other councilmen frowned.

"And why's that?" The question came from one of the older men who had fought in the war, Malrick. His hate for the Chayrans ran deep. Whether they had been in the war or had been born after, he wished them all dead.

Rayhan met Malrick's challenging gaze, "They knew each other in the Dome." Rayhan concluded, not sure what to make of the whole situation.

"So your son sides with Chayrans. His word can't be trusted." Malrick spoke with venom.

Nedes felt his eyes involuntarily grow large when he realized that Emeric was the Chief's son...His fate became even more dreary. He just prayed that Rayhan wouldn't find out about all the suffering he had caused Emeric.

"Watch your tongue. I won't have anyone speaking foully about my son in my presence." Rayhan reprimanded Malrick. The council man lowered his gaze respectfully, "Yes, of coarse."

"So, if you're not planning on killing him, what are we going to do with him. We don't have the quarters to keep prisoners over a long time." It was one of the younger men who spoke now.

Rayhan was silent for a moment before speaking, however he didn't answer the man's question, instead he directed his gaze towards the Chayran, "Why would Emeric want to spare you?" Nedes paled distinctly. He thought of a reply, but his mind kept dragging up images of the time he had beaten Emeric in the small storeroom. "I...I don't know." he concluded and lowered his gaze, fearing for his life.

Rayhan frowned. He too wasn't sure why Emeric had prompted him into bringing the Chayran to their base. He was risking everything by doing so and in the end he wouldn't have a choice but to kill the Chayran.

Just after he had the thought, Malrick put it in words. "Well, he's seen us and we simply can't risk him getting away and spreading the word. We have to kill him." The other men grunted agreement.

"I won't tell. I swear." Nedes said desperately, "My face is on wanted posters all over the country. There's no way I'll get anywhere near the authorities. I..." He got no further, "QUIET!" Rayhan demanded strictly. Nedes reluctantly shut his mouth, knowing that there would be no way of changing the councilmen's minds. They wanted blood, and he knew they'd make sure they got it.

"The people would like seeing this Chayran scum die. We should hang him." Malrick suggested. Nedes wanted to bolt. All his instincts yelled at him to run, but he was on the far side of the room opposite the door. There was no way he'd make it out in time without the councilmen cutting him down. He wasn't sure why the prospect of death scared him, he had faced death with each Dome battle he had fought...

Rayhan shook his head, "No. I agree he can't live, but we won't do it publicly. The least we can do is give him and honourable, quick death." Rayhan touched the hilt of his sword as he spoke. Nedes saw the action and swallowed nervously.

"Honourable?" Malrick spat, "He doesn't deserve an honourable death. He's a damn Chayran." Malrick's voice was loud and carrying as he objected. Rayhan spoke calmly, "And why not. You're feud is with his parents, not him. He can't be a year older than Emeric, and that only suggests that he was born after the war. He has nothing to do with the rivalry between us and the Chayran lineage. He was simply caught in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Rayhan sighed audibly as he finished. He didn't want to kill the young man who watched him with desperate, fearful eyes. Mostly because he knew Emeric would despise of the notion, but he also knew that he didn't have a choice.

"Are you suggesting that we don't kill him?" Malrick asked with irritation. For a few seconds, Nedes felt his hope soaring, but then Rayhan spoke, "No. We'll do it tomorrow at dawn. Quietly." Rayhan glared at Malrick as he said the last word. Nedes lowered his eyes as his hopes sank, but he had been a Dome fighter for years, he wasn't going down without a fight. He was going to strike when they expected it the least.

*****

Emeric was startled when the door to the council room opened. He was leaning against the wall, Kedo had joined him, and they watched as Rayhan strode out but stopped when he spotted his son. Nedes was escorted out behind him. Rayhan turned and met Nedes's gaze for a second then instructed his men, "Take him to one of the interrogation rooms. Make sure his binds are secure." The men nodded and left.

Nedes met Emeric's eyes for a desperate second. His own eyes seemed to be yelling one word, "Help." Emeric didn't need words to know what the council had decided. However before he could challenge his father's decision, Kedo spoke. His eyes were on Nedes's back and he was frowning thoughtfully. "Isn't that the Domer who almost beat you to death?" The question had been directed at Emeric whose eyes grew wide just as Rayhan's gaze shot at Kedo, "What?" he demanded.

Before Emeric could stop Kedo, the young Rogue continued, "It was really brutal. Nedes ambushed him in the cafeteria and beat him up in a small room." Emeric put a hand over Kedo's mouth to prevent him from saying anymore, "It really wasn't that bad. I'm fine." Emeric tried reassuring him father, but Rayhan was sending a deranged look at the captive Chayran's back. He looked ready to kill him there and then.

Kedo managed to free himself from Emeric's grip. He hated Nedes and wanted justice for the pain he had caused Emeric. "No, it was really horrific. Aire said that you were unconscious for days. She didn't think you'd wake up again. They even broke a few bones." Rayhan took a step in the direction towards Nedes, his anger growing with each word he spoke.

"Enough Kedo." Emeric said strictly as he jumped forward to catch his father's arm. Rayhan turned to his son, saddened anger was shining from his eyes. "Why would you want to protect someone like that?" Rayhan demanded. Emeric was quiet for a few moments.

"He only did it because he saw me as a threat. He needed to earn his freedom more than I did." Emeric spoke desperately. Rayhan gazed at him in a contemplating manner, "Why's that?" He questioned, but his voice revealed the hate he felt toward the Chayran.

"He had to get out so that he can protect his mother. She's alone and vulnerable." Emeric paused a few seconds before adding, "If it had been Mom, I would also have done anything to ensure my success in the Dome." The last few words almost brought tears to Rayhan's eyes when he thought of his wife. "Dad, please. You can't kill him. He won't tell anyone about us."

Rayhan frowned down on Emeric, "How can you be so sure?" Emeric lowered his gaze, "Because if it weren't for me, he would still be in the Dome. I saved his life, so he wouldn't dare betray me."

Rayhan seemed to consider Emeric for a while but then turned away, "I'm sorry Emeric, but the council has already decided. He'll be dead by dawn tomorrow." Emeric was to shocked to reply. He simply watched his father's back as he strode away. Emeric grit his teeth as frustration took hold of him.

Kedo saw his expression and knew he was planning something. "What are you going to do?" Emeric gazed down at Kedo. Not for the first time he marvelled at how the young boy had grown. At fifteen years he was only a head shorted than Emeric and he didn't have a boyish face anymore. He was looking like a true young Etreshian. Emeric ruffled his hair, "It's best if I didn't tell you...That way you can't try and stop me." With that said, Emeric also strode away, leaving Kedo alone with his thoughts.

Deep down, Kedo knew what Emeric was planning, but his respect for the older Etreshian kept him from doing anything against him. He'd keep Emeric's plans a secret...Even if it meant that the Chayran wasn't going to suffer for what he'd done.

*****

The sun fell away behind the horizon and Emeric watched as the last streaks of light disappeared. He was leaning against one of the cabins. His eyes were on the interrogation cabin where Nedes was being kept, or more accurately, on the guard who stood stationed outside the cabin.

Emeric had been studying the hourly intervals at which they operated. He'd seen that a new guard came to relieve the one at work after 3 hours. They all kept to that time interval. Emeric did mental calculations of how many times the guards would change before midnight. He concluded that they would change twice. He just prayed that they wouldn't change the schedule for the evening. His plan depended on everything staying the same.

Emeric turned away and strode to the mess eating hall. He stacked up a plate with food and then left for the interrogation cabin. He doubted that anybody would have taken Nedes a meal, and he saw this as the perfect opportunity to speak to the Chayran.

When he reached the cabin the guard watched him wearily. "My father said I should bring him a meal." Emeric lied guiltily. The guard gazed down at the plate, but he wasn't going to question Rayhan's orders. He opened the door and ushered Emeric in.

As Emeric stepped into the dimly lit cabin, his eyes landed on the hunched figure who sat in the corner of the room. Emeric stopped by the door when Nedes raised his hopeless eyes. Emeric sighed softly and walked up to the Chayran, "Are you alright?" he asked softly. Nedes shrugged, "Despite the fact that I can't feel my hands and that I'm going to be killed in a few hours, I'm just great." His words were thick with sarcasm.

Nedes hands were firmly tied behind his back. His ankles had also been bound to prevent any attempt of running. Emeric smiled grimly as he set the food down next to Nedes. "I brought you food." He stated unnecessarily. Emeric gestured at Nedes hands, "If you promise you won't try anything, I'll release your hands." Nedes met Emeric's gaze for a few seconds then nodded.

After Nedes's hands were released, he hungrily wolfed down the food, making Emeric wonder when his last decent meal had been. As he ate, Emeric whispered, "I'll come get you tonight at midnight. I'll help you get out of the settlement, but you have to promise not to tell anyone about this place." Nedes halted his swift chewing as he gazed up at Emeric with a shocked gaze. He hadn't expected Emeric to go to such drastic measures to help him. Especially after what he had done to the Rogue.

"Won't you get into trouble?" Nedes questioned in a soft voice. Emeric shook his head, "Only if we get caught, but I'm not planning to." Nedes nodded understanding.

When the meal was finished, Emeric redid Nedes's binds and then left. Emeric paused by the door and looked back at the Chayran. Then he mouthed, 'Midnight...Be ready.'

Emeric left the cabin with a nod towards the guard who mirrored the action. As Emeric strode away he felt the adrenaline starting to rush through his system. A shiver of excitement went up his spine. He craved action, and tonight he was going to get some.