Revolutions

84 - Haesan

My assailant abruptly pulls me back, returning us to the shadows as my shrieks are muffled by their hand.

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" a familiar voice says behind me. When I can finally turn around to see my captor, Onixem glares back at me. "What did you think you would do, being one person against nearly a dozen? Those maniacs will flay you on the spot."

"But we have to do something!" I plea. "They're going to kill those servants!"

"We must see the valley from the mountaintop," she says, her focus fixed on the figures in the garden clearing. "We place ourselves in danger if we interfere, and there's not much we can do to stop the Eye in the Flame if we're dead."

Although she's right in her reasoning, innocent lives are at great risk. Maybe I feel so impassioned and determined because one of those in danger is the person who replaced Yachaman, and I realize how close she was to facing death. But no matter what, I can't, in good conscience, allow these victims to die at the hands of these cold-blooded lunatics.

My eyes quickly search the area, looking for anything to spark ideas to stop this ritual from occurring. With the sun dipping below the horizon, torches have been lit around the perimeter of these closed off grounds. Cast in the fire's ominous orange glow, the silhouettes dance in jubilation as the sounds of their approaching forces grow nearer.

Hoping they're too distracted, I tiptoe over to one of the mounted torches. Ignoring Onixem's restrained protests, I slip behind the stand. Using what little muscle I have, I push against it with all the strength I can muster. It takes me many, many heartbeats, but eventually, I'm able to teeter the torch stand, toppling it over and setting a small patch of grass and flowers alight. The flames are insignificant, barely catching much on fire, but the event halts the celebratory cultists momentarily.

Before they can investigate, I dash behind a column, praying that I haven't been spotted. I hold my breath, gripping the cold, stone pillar tightly. I dare not make a move nor a sound, willing them to inspect the fallen torch more closely so that I can sneak away. What did I expect to happen? I feel trapped, unable to escape. What do I do next?

Another crash, this time on the far end of the gardens opposite of me. Another fallen torch. But this one does much more harm than my pitiful effort. The fire catches the loose garments of one of the cultists. He flails and flaps his arms, eager to extinguish the flames. A few close by offer their help, but the initial efforts are futile. The man begins to yell, but his companions shush him, trying to silence his anguish.

Behind them, a figure flashes briefly as they sprint between two pillars. When they peek around the column to inspect their work, I see Onixem's face partly exposed. Her intense eyes seem to signal to me to get moving, which I more than happily oblige. I quickly race to another post and hide. I sneak a look into the garden, noticing the two servants have been left unattended. Now's my chance.

Throwing caution to the wind, I rush over to them. There's panic in their eyes, but I place a finger to my lips, hoping to calm them. Lifting them up, we make our way toward the entrance to these ground. Their bound legs limit the quickness in which they move, and I begin to fear we'll all be caught if we can't leave fast enough. How can we get away?

In an instant, Onixem meets us, wielding a dagger. She crouches low and begins sawing at their rope bindings. This isn't going fast enough! Then, I remember my satchel, buried deep within my robes. I swim through the folds and folds of fabric, patting around until my hand hits a hard, metal object. The ritual knife. I fish it out of my garment and join Onixem in cutting the servants loose. The ropes are thick and tough, made from tight, twisted braids of agave fiber. I struggle with the tumi knife initially, but finally make progress after a few forceful strokes. Onixem fares better, cutting the male servant free, then assists me with the bindings on which I'm working.