Redemption Run

Chapter 5

The village came into sight, though we tried to stay hidden in the trees. It looked like a small mill village, like the one that was just away from the castle. Some people were wandering around, some people were talking, some kids were running around. When we charged in, it was as if the whole village stopped to watch.

Much to my surprise, when we got in there, the guards who had been walking around keeping an eye on things stopped, dropped their weapons, and surrendered immediately. I was genuinely shocked.

"It's like I said," Dimitri told me as we rounded everyone up to offer them to join us, "Most of these guys don't even want to be here. It's the bigger villages and cities that are gonna be a problem."

Kydro stepped forward. When the crowd of soldiers and people realized who he was, they started cheering his name. I had almost forgotten that he was basically a celebrity to these people.

When Kydro raised his hand, everyone silenced immediately.

"My dear citizens," Kydro said, "I come to you with an offer. You see, the belief that my participation in the Requiem Run was voluntary is not true. I was forced to partake, with this!"

At that point, Kydro held up the possession gem, turning it around so that everyone could see it.

"A gem that controls my will and wants. If it weren't for the brave efforts of Oktu's Second, I would still be controlled."

Rhys gave me a gentle nudge, and I moved to step next to Kydro. Kydro shot me a quick smile, then turned back to everyone else.

"This young woman saved my life by removing this damned gem, then spared me when she had the chance to take my life in vengeance. If it weren't for this woman, I wouldn't be standing here before you and telling you any of this. This is what I think of that damned empire!"

With that, Kydro threw the gem down, slammed it on the ground, and stomped on it for good measure, shattering the cursed thing into pieces. The crowd's respond was thunderous applause and moving towards the two of us like we were celebrities and they wanted to bask in our glories. I could feel my face getting hot while my personal space was being violated. Fortunately, Rhys stepped forward and pulled me away from the crowd, apparently realizing how uncomfortable I was getting.

"Thanks." I whispered to her. Rhys nodded and squeezed my hand in response. The crowd backed off from me, keeping a lot of focus on Kydro, which was just fine on me, since I figured he was more used to being in a public spotlight.

"Join us!" Kydro called out, "Let us show that damn emperor why he should have never messed with us to begin with!"

The applause was earth-shattering. People started yelling, clapping, all at once, and I had no clue what to do, so I just stayed close to Rhys and Kydro and tried to act like I wasn't bothered by the large crowd.

Dimitri took over, telling the citizens and guards to get their weapons so we could begin our march on the next village and liberate it as well, and everyone who had joined us ran off to do so.

"I was expecting a fight." I said, "When should I expect a fight?"

"Who knows?" Dimitri said, "We're not entirely sure which villages are being drafted by force, which ones just fight because they're told to, and those who are siding with the emperor. We're just going to have to figure that out as we go along."

"Oh, great." I said, "Improv's always been the best strategy."

"It is in this case," Dimitri said as he led me away from the crowd and leaned in close to whisper, "We're on a roll, and the best thing we can do now is keep going and get as many people on our side as possible, or at least lower the emperor's forces to bare numbers."