Chapter 7: Journey to Fort Kingsley

~Winrol Citadel dungeon, Kingdom of Vasilosse~

Two soldiers holding her firmly by the shoulders, Alexis was guided to her cell inside the dungeon built under the royal tower.

Given its somber nature, it was remarkably clean and well-lit. Burning coal lamps symmetrically ornamented the chiseled stone walls, and the floor looked like it had been cleaned and polished somewhat recently. Each cell was separated by a stone wall roughly one meter in thickness, with iron bars running through the center as reinforcement.

The cells themselves were also curiously comfortable. All identical, they had a clean mattress covered by a thin white sheet sitting on a stone frame. In the corner was a rustic toilet with a retractable wooden wall for privacy in front of it. Opposite from the bed was a wooden desk bolted onto the wall, with a matching chair similarly bolted onto the ground. A weak lamp sat above the metal bars, giving off decent lighting in the cell.

A guard unlocked one of the empty cells, and the soldiers pushed Alexis within the confines of its walls.

She walked around in circles a bit, looking up at the domelike ceiling, before letting out a stressful sigh and crashing on the mattress. “Damn it all…”

As she was anxiously wallowing in doubt and fear, a voice from the cell opposite to hers called out to her. “Excuse me.”

Alexis sat up and looked across the hallway.

“I don’t mean to overwhelm you with questions after you just arrived, but would you perchance be a Kareese? Daughter of Priscillia Kareese, maybe?”

Alexis was stunned. How this man, her cell neighbour, whom she had never laid eyes on, knew of her deceased mother, was a coincidence she was not ready to process.

The man gave her a warm smile. “Judging from that look on your face, I’d wager I’m right.”

“Who are you?”

“My name is Silvers, though right now I’m nothing more than an unfortunate prisoner, just like you.”

“Wait a minute. Silvers Reas?”

“Huh. How amusing that we should both somehow recognize each other.”

“No, it’s not you, it’s your-”

“My… what?”

“Your son, Luck, and your nephew, Hunter, are trying to break you out of here.”

Silvers’ jaw dropped. “You’re kidding.”

“Completely serious.”

“What fools! I told them to not come after me!”

“They’re worried something will happen to you.”

“Of course, they would be. Still… This is the last thing they should do. Where are they now, do you know?”

Alexis tossed her eyes around the hallway. “It wouldn’t be safe to discuss their whereabouts in here. Just know, they’re not alone.”

“They’d better not get caught or they’ll get the biggest earful of their lives once I leave this place.”

“I sent them somewhere safe. They just have to make it there.”

“And where is that?”

Alexis shook her head. There was information she was not willing to divulge in such a setting.

“Right,” acquiesced Silvers.

“There’s something I want to know, too, if you don’t mind.”

“How I know your mother?”

“Yes.”

“I met her once before when I was still a fledgling treasure hunter travelling the world with my brother. She had a daughter, though I highly doubt it was you. That was nearly thirty years ago, after all.”

“Catherine…”

“I believe that was her name, yes. Your mother was especially kind. She took my brother and I in after we got caught in a storm. We’d lost all of our supplies, and our ship was a heap of junk thanks to the storm. We stayed at her place for months, until we’d repaired our ship. She was truly one of a kind.”

“What about my father? Did you know him as well?”

“No, I’m sorry to say we never saw him during our sojourn. He was away on a mission out in the open sea, if I remember what Priscillia told us correctly.”

Alexis nodded. “Thank you for telling me what you remember.”

“You look a lot like her, and even more so like your sister.”

Alexis smiled. “Yeah…”

The door at the end of the hallway creaked open, followed by commanding, resonating footsteps approaching their cells. Admiral Eska Gunn stopped between them.

“It’s been a long time,” said Silvers, his tone shifting to a more defensive one. “I was wondering when you would come pay me a visit.”

Eska ignored the remark. “This concerns both of you, so listen well. Earlier today, a group of fugitives was seen fleeing from an altercation with Commander Iron Fists in the lower district of the high town. The ordeal took place at Miss Kareese’s abode, hence why she lies here now. As of right now, we know the group contains Elesia and Jim Kareese, a thief by the name of Ken Taro, as well as a boy whose identity remains unknown. However, we have reason to believe that boy is either your son or nephew, Silvers.”

“You still call me by my first name.”

“If he truly is your son or nephew, it is reasonable to conclude the other is also part of the group. Another girl might also be with them. As of today, all of them are considered fugitives, criminals on the run. Warrants will be put out for their arrests, and every soldier on the island will be on the lookout for them.”

“This is madness! What are their crimes! What could possibly justify such draconian measures? They are only children!”

“Those children attacked Commander Iron Fists with the intent to kill him. He’s been transported to the infirmary to treat his wounds. He had severe burns all over his body and his face.”

“That’s the least of what that bastard deserves,” said Alexis.

“They have proven to be a great nuisance and must be dealt with immediately. Rest assured, Silvers, your blood will not be punished too harshly. Yet.”

“What does that mean?” warily asked Silvers.

“They will be captured, for the same reason you were. Those are the current orders.”

“How far you’ve fallen, Eska. You did it, though. I suppose congratulations are in order. One of the few commoners to make it in the Royal Army, and the only one to ever reach the rank of admiral. Your goal has been achieved, but at what cost? Look what has become of you.”

“My message has been delivered. Goodbye.”

Admiral Gunn refused to humour Silvers’ jabs and left the dungeon. The echo of the door closing died out, and Silvers and Alexis were once more left to ponder.

“You know this guy?” asked Alexis.

Silvers grunted a sigh. “Believe it or not, we used to be friends back when we were kids. Him, my brother and me. He always wanted to be in the Royal Army, ever since he could form thoughts. His purpose was more noble back then, and I assume it was when he joined their ranks, but… Time passed, and things happened. He changed. I don’t know if he can ever be the same again.”

“Being in the army for too long changes a person,” agreed Alexis.

“That, it does, sadly. My friend is gone.”

***

~Outskirts of Winrol, Kingdom of Vasilosse~

Ken led the group through the city’s storm drains with such familiarity, it was as if he had lived in them his entire life. They navigated the humid, dark, brick tunnels on all fours until a light pierced the darkness around them from ahead. The end of the sewer system was a steep drop into a shallow river streaming far into the plains of the island of Corin.

“Here we are,” said Ken as he stretched out of the cramped tunnel, holding on to a ledge.

“Woah, hold on,” stammered Taina. “You expect us to jump?”

The drop was a long one, well over ten meters, and the river below looked barely deep enough to accommodate their landing without injury.

“Either that or you stay behind, your call,” nonchalantly answered Ken. “See you outside.”

Without a moment of hesitation, Ken hopped off the relative safety of the edge of the sewer, plunging into the coursing water below. The others waited to see him resurface before gathering the courage to follow him.

Luck was the next one to jump, whooping gleefully on the way down. In a more reluctant, grouchy way, Hunter followed suit. Soon, everyone was reunited on the riverbank, wringing out their clothes.

“I’m never doing that again,” declared Taina, displeased.

Luck smiled goofily. “Really? I kinda wanna go again.”

Ken looked eastward. “You said we were going to Fort Kingsley? I know it’s a military base, but you guys seem pretty confident we’ll find help there.”

“Our brother is stationed there,” said Jim.

“Guess that’s the best we’ll get. If we follow the river, it’ll take us almost all the way to the fort, while avoiding the road. We don’t want to pass any town on the way; we’re targets, now.”

Hunter walked up to Ken and spun him around by putting his hand on his shoulder. “Yeah, and whose fault is that exactly?”

Ken tossed Hunter’s hand aside. “Listen, we got caught in each other’s business, but there’s nothing we can do about it now.”

“Oh, sure, just throw accountability out the window. You picked a fight with a commander, you brainless fermented omelet. The only reason you’re still alive is because Luck bailed you out, but by doing so, all of us got a target taped on our backs.”

“I didn’t ask for help.”

“No, but I’m sure you’re glad you got some.”

“Guys, can we not fight already?” asked Taina, trying to meditate the situation.

Hunter took a deep breath and walked away. “Sorry.”

In an attempt to lighten the mood, Luck thought it best to strike up a friendly conversation. “So, I don’t think we ever caught your name?” he asked Ken.

“My name is Ken Taro.”

“Taro?” pondered Taina aloud. “You’re a noble? From the Finhro Kingdom?”

Ken tsked. “Nobility in the Finhro Kingdom is a myth. Only the emperor and his most trusted allies are granted the privileges of nobility. Everyone else is treated like trash. That’s why I ran away. I had nothing there. No family, no friends, no possessions, no money, nothing. So, I thought I’d rather have nothing anywhere else, and I left. I wound up here. Can’t say I’m impressed. The Royal Army is full of assholes here as well.”

“And is there a reason you decided to attack an officer?” asked Hunter somewhat provocatively.

“He killed Sir Mew.”

“Sir who?”

“My cat. My only friend. He killed him. It is absolutely unforgivable. I swear I will make him pay with his life.”

“So, you’re on a vengeance quest?” asked Luck.

“For now, yes.”

“You look the part, honestly.”

“Just try not to get us killed,” sneered Hunter.

“Try not to get in my way.”

“Anyway!” interjected Luck. “Thanks for leading us out of the city. We owe you one.”

“It’s the least he could do,” jabbed Hunter.

Taina had to physically restrain Hunter from picking a fight with their newfound companion.

“I suppose I owe you thanks as well,” said Ken. “You did intervene in a fight that wasn’t yours, and consequently put your life on the line for a stranger. You’re an idiot, but I appreciate still being alive.”

“Well, uh… No problem, any time!” laughed Luck.

Elesia poked her head in the conversation. “Excuse me, but how far is Fort Kingsley?”

Ken looked up and thought aloud. “From here, following the river, by foot… About two days, I’d say. If you can keep up. Longer if we encounter Royal Army personnel.”

“I see. Everyone in the army will know about us by then.”

“They probably already do.”

Hunter tsked. “Lovely.”

Being the solitary young man he was, Ken marched ahead of the others, leading the way to their next destination. It was going to be a long, awkward journey across the island, but one they nonetheless had to make.

The group had been walking the whole day. The sun permeated its evening glow across the clear sky, glistening on the calm water guiding them.

Suddenly on high alert, Ken crouched, signaling for the others to do the same. They hid in the tall grass as Ken peered across the plains like a hawk. Two people sat around a campfire, a rustic tent made with sticks and a large piece of cloth built next to them.

“Soldiers,” concluded Ken.

“Out here in the middle of nowhere?” groaned Hunter. “Just our luck.”

“Should we go around?” worriedly asked Taina.

Ken nodded. “That would be best.”

Remaining hidden as much as the swaying grass would allow, the group crawled around the soldier encampment, moving carefully, without making a noise.

It looked like they were about to successfully circumnavigate the soldiers, until footsteps started coming dangerously close to them. The group scurried, rustling the grass. Soon, a soldier became visible through the long blades of grass separating him from the group.

The soldier unbuttoned his pants and began relieving himself, to the disgust of the people hiding directly below him. As he was finishing his deed, the soldier’s eyes met with Ken’s, blowing their fragile cover.

“Hey, who are you? Identify yourself!” the soldier ordered him.

Ken noticed a knife sheathed on the soldier’s waist. Quickly, he threw his arm to reach for it, grabbed it and sank it in the soldier’s groin. He pulled out the blade, and the soldier fell on his knees, screeching in immeasurable pain.

The unexpected bloody scream alerted the other soldier, who got up and headed for his comrade. Without a second of hesitation, Ken slashed the injured soldier’s throat. Blood came gushing out of his neck like a waterfall, and within seconds, he fell dead on the ground.

By then, the other soldier had seen what had happened to his companion, so he grabbed a hold of his spear and charged Ken. Reading the raging soldier’s predictable movements, Ken avoided the thrust and plunged the knife into the soldier’s neck, twisting it wildly to cause as much internal damage as possible. Blood poured out of the soldier’s mouth and neck as his life rapidly left his body.

Ken tossed the knife on the ground. “No use hiding anymore.”

Hunter was the first one to jump to his feet. “Are you out of your fucking mind!?”

“I Just saved us, chill.”

“You just murdered two Royal Army soldiers, you absolute buffoon!”

“They would have done it to us all if I hadn’t done anything.”

“Need I remind you we are headed to a military base! You cannot walk in there having slain soldiers!”

“They’re not the first ones I killed.”

Hunter slapped his face with both hands open. “Oh my gods, why are we stuck with you… We are wanted! You can’t leave a trail of blood leading back to you, what about that don’t you understand?”

“I understand that you’re obnoxious. All you do is complain. Who is it that got us here in the first place?”

“In this situation? Yeah, you. Not the brag you think it is.”

Luck joined the conversation. “I agree with Hunter. You can’t just disregard life like it’s trash. There must have been a way to proceed without killing them.”

Ken shrugged. “Maybe. The solution often comes after the problem, unfortunately. We have to act in the present, and I did. If you’re not happy with the outcome, maybe you should be the decision maker next time we run into trouble.”

“Just don’t kill anybody. It’s not right.”

“I have no sympathy for army scum.”

“Neither do I,” said Hunter. “But I’m not a murderer.”

“You wanna stay alive living a life on the run, you’re gonna have to get used to it.”

Ken spun around and continued following the river east. Everyone else exchanged uncomfortable, queasy looks, but ultimately left the bloody scene behind.

No one spoke to Ken for the remainder of the trip; he stayed in front, leading the way as he had been doing. Whenever he stopped for a break, the others would do the same.

Eventually, off in the distance, mountains towering above the otherwise flat terrain came into view. They were wooded and bustling with greenery at the bottom, gradually fading to more jagged, barren rocky summits. It was a truly an outstanding view, and a testament to the grandiosity of the world beyond the shores of South Breeze Island.

As they got closer to the mountains, the main road came into view, connecting to a recessed part on the mountainside. Built directly into the side of the mountain was a massive iron wall overrun by tree roots leaping off the broken ground. Turrets littered the top of the wall, and canons, from small windows, aimed at the road to protect the fort.

“Here we are,” said Ken. “Now, how do we proceed?”

“Well, we just go?” confusedly replied Elesia. “My brother will welcome us.”

“You two, sure, but what about us? We’re not his family.”

“I swear it won’t be a problem.”

Hunter stepped forward. “I hate to agree with him but look closely. There are tanks at the bottom of that wall, and guns all over it. You and Jim may be granted special immunity, but we’re first and foremost fugitives. We can’t risk our lives by going to knock on the fort’s door like we were invited for dinner.”

“What if Elesia and I go first?” proposed Jim. “You guys can wait here while we enter the fort and convince our brother and the general to let you in.”

“That sounds like a terrible idea,” disagreed Ken.

“Do you have a better one?” asked Luck.

“I haven’t been with you guys long enough to trust you. If we let them go without us, there’s a chance they won’t come back, or worse yet, denounce us.”

Hunter glared at him. “That street goes both ways. You’re the least trustworthy one here.”

“I’m not trying to gain your trust.”

“Well, maybe you should consider it, as we’re running from the army together. If you want to leave us and go your own way, be my guest. But we’re staying here, because hiding inside that fort is the best plan we have right now.”

Ken sighed and sat next to a tree. “Fine. I won’t wait long, so make it quick.”

Elesia and Jim nodded together and took off for the entrance of Fort Kingsley. It took little time for security to notice them. Soon, every gun on the wall was pointed directly at them.

Jim raised his arms in the air submissively, while Elesia just stood still, trembling in her shoes.

A loud ringing noise bounced off the mountain, followed by a voice in a speakerphone. “State your names and reason for passage.”

“W-we’re not of passage. Actually, we were wondering if we could seek refuge inside the fort for a while. Bradley Kareese is our older brother,” said Jim while trying to keep his voice from trembling.

“Jim and Elesia Kareese, correct?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

After confirming his and his sister’s identity, the two tanks guarding the entrance moved a bit closer, taking proper aim at the siblings.

The voice on the speakerphone came back. “Thank you for delivering yourselves to justice. As a reward for your cooperation, your deaths will be quick and painless. Please sit still.”

Upon hearing the man’s words, Jim and Elesia began frantically looking at all the weapons pointed in their direction. There was nowhere to run in time. They had just walked to their demise and could no longer walk away.

As they took what they presumed to be their last breath, a deep voice came from close to the speakerphone. “You will do no such thing!” The man whom the voice belonged to grabbed the speakerphone. “Hold your fire! No one shoot them!”

Jim and Elesia stayed still like statues for an uncomfortably stressful few minutes, waiting for something to happen. No one moved, no one spoke, but they were still alive. Soon, the door to the fort slowly opened, releasing a shrill metallic sound as it revealed the man standing behind it.

He was a colossus of a man, towering a head above everyone else, with arms and legs alike tree trunks. His blonde hair sat on top of his muscular head, extending to his bushy beard and mustache via sideburns. His eyes were big, blue and kind, radiating tenderness.

He bent forward and ran toward Jim and Elesia at a frighteningly high speed, each one of his steps blowing the dirt on the ground into a puff of smoke. Within seconds, he stood before the dumbfounded siblings. He opened his arms and enveloped Jim and Elesia, lifting them both off the ground in a big hug.

“My dearest little siblings,” he said with a teary voice. “I am glad to see you alive and well.”

Tears formed in Elesia’s eyes. “Big bro…”

“When I heard the news, I could not believe it. I simply could not!”

“What news?”

“Alexis was arrested. You two are wanted, dead or alive.”

“W-what…?”

“Fret not, now that you’ve come here, I shall protect you with my life. I will not let anyone hurt either of you.”

“That’s why we came here,” said Jim, trying to catch his breath from being crushed by his brother’s hug.

Bradley put them down. “You made the right decision. I apologize for the welcome you received. Know that it won’t happen again.”

“Brother, we need to talk about something before we go in.”

“What is on your mind, Jim?”

“We… didn’t come alone.”

Bradley’s thick eyebrow shot up. “Elaborate.”

“You said you saw the news. Did they mention anyone else?”

“Yes, multiple other people. You came with them?”

“Yes…”

“Do not sulk, little brother. Where are they? I don’t see them.”

“We thought it would be too dangerous to bring them this close to the fort.”

Bradley nodded. “Your intuition was correct. Come, let us go get them at once.”

“Really? You’re not going to question it a bit more?”

“That can wait for later. Right now, we need to focus on bringing you all inside, where it’s safe.”

Relieved, Jim and Elesia led their older brother to the small, wooded area where the others waited. Upon seeing the giant that was Bradley, everyone stood up to greet him, save for Ken, who remained leaning against his tree, his eyes closed.

“So, these are the so-called criminals who have been running havoc in Winrol, and who attacked Commander Iron Fists,” said Bradley, examining everyone before him.

Hunter appeared a bit confused. “Running havoc? What twisted information did they say about us?”

“Many things, young man. You’ve all been portrayed as dangerous criminals.”

“That’s crazy!”

“I must agree. I sense no ominous intent from any of you.” He turned to face Ken. “All except for you.”

Ken opened his eyes. “So, I take it I don’t get to come with you guys?”

Jim sensed the tension building, so he intervened before anything could happen. “He’s actually the one who led us here, brother. Without him, we’d be lost.”

“Then you shall come as well,” said Bradley.

“Seriously?” asked Ken, dumbfounded by the captain’s sudden change of heart. “You don’t trust me. What makes you think bringing me inside and treating me as a guest is the right move?”

“You helped my little siblings. I owe you thanks.”

“That’s it?”

“If ever you decide to become a problem, I will deal with you myself. You pose no threat to me.”

“Is that so? I suppose I’ll take the hospitality.”

“Very well, now that we have all that settled, follow me. You’ll have to meet General Freyne and convince her to let you all stay. I can only do so much as a captain.”

“Alexis mentioned her,” said Taina.

“General Freyne is kind, yes, but she is strict, and a devoted officer. She will not accept you simply because I did.”

Luck stretched and tapped Hunter on the back. “Alright, then, what are we waiting for? Let’s go talk to this General Freyne.”

Under the protection of Bradley Kareese, the second of the Kareese siblings, the group headed into Fort Kingsley, hoping to find a safe haven, if only temporarily.