Stories from Semenia

Return to Syrille

Three bipedal beings with spears and fish tails waltz down the darkened trail with their Striderhorses in tow. Three more of this strange and vicious race follow close behind, riding the mighty steeds, the massive, six-legged air-walking horses pulling covered wagons.

The first, a male, speaks. "Hey, Roald? Where's we going, pal?"

"Kinok, shut your face. We's get there when we's get there, you'll see." The second, a male as well, calls back.

"Youse two shut up. We're almost there. Stop worrying me." The leader of the group, a female, speaks. "I don't get paid to break up fights between youse two alright, pals?" She finishes harshly, letting them know who's in charge.

"Kyoto, sniff it," Kinok says.

She slaps Kinok. "Smolfe! If i didn't need you for this expedition, you would be dead right now! Your position as Seargeant has been revoked for disrespect!" She spits at him. "I don't want to hear anything else from you or your friend. Is that clear?'

"Yes, ma'am." Kinok says.

"Good." She falls silent and signals for the rest of the caravan to follow her.

****************************

The seven children in the middle wagon were terrified. It's dark and smelly, like two fish had sex in the back of the carriage on a bed of kelp. One of the children spoke in a low whisper.

"Hey, Milan?"

"What is it, Marco? Do you see I'm trying not to get killed, like the last boy?" The other child said in a fierce whisper.

"I understand, but Milan, I wanna go home, Milan." The small boy silently cries.

"Well, if you don't shut up, they will eat your innards like the last boy!"

"Milan, you're mean."

"I'm not mean, I just want to survive!" She whispers, teeth clenched. "Shut up, Marco."

"Okay, Milan. You're still mean." The two children fall silent.

A little Makanean girl sits next to a older boy. She uses his lap as a pillow as she falls asleep.

Another boy sits, his eyes glowing orange from his eyeshine as a few rays of moonlight penetrate the cracks in the carriage and fall on his retinas.

He looks around at the other doomed souls surrounding him, eying the little girl-older boy pair with a fair bit of suspicion. He wonders how his siblings are at home, alone, without their mom.

Had they found their mom? Was his little sister okay?
Did his two little brothers make it out of the Inn alive? He didn't know...

********Two days ago*******

"Listen to me, Spike and Lukas. Run. Run away as far and as fast as possible. Run. I will be okay. I promise."

Lukas looks at him, Spike's eyes watering. He hugs his brother, refusing to let him go.

Lukas runs and takes refuge amongst the trees, praying his brothers would find him.

"Let me go! They'll kill you!"

"No." Spike stubbornly refuses.

"Let me go!"

"No. If you go, I go with you!"

"LET ME GO!!" It was too late for the older one. He yanks his brother off, throwing him as far as he can.

Lukas and Spike run away as fast as their hooves can carry them, their older brother caught in a wire net, being dragged with three other Makanean children to the wagons.