Redemption Run

Chapter 7

I noticed as the buildings came into view and the people started noticing me that Dimitri wasn't kidding about the village being full of heavy-hitters. I could tell just by looking that many of the citizens that most of them weren't plain humans like me - orcs, vampires, werewolves, elves, the works, all wandering around in straight lines and perfect synchronicity like something out of a dystopian novel. I immediately felt uncomfortable, especially when people stopped doing what they were doing just to stare at me.

"Focus, moor-acu," said Felice, "Remember what we're here for."

"I know, I know." I said, preparing myself as some of the village guards approached me, swords outstretched already. I raised my own hands in surrender.

"State your business in... this... " the head guard said as he stepped forward, trailing off as his face went from anger and confusion, to realization.

"Oktu's Second, in the flesh," the man said, raising his sword and putting the tip on my throat, "To what do I owe the pleasure of you walking into my village like a cow to the slaughter?"

"Oh, I just happened to be in the neighborhood," I said, keeping my eye on that sword blade, "Got lost from my group, didn't know where to go, so if you could just let me be on my way..."

"Very cute." said the guard in a deadpan way that would match mine on a bad day, "So that means your special little orc isn't with you? That's a shame, the Emperor's got a high price on that thing's head as well."

I resisted the urge to attack the man for that and just locked eyes, wishing I could shoot lasers out of them and end this guy's life ASAP.

"Well, that is a shame," I said, "I don't suppose I could talk my way out of this?"

"I don't think so." said the man as he reached into a pouch on his side and pulled out a collar like the citizens had been wearing, "It might take a while for the Emperor's guards to come collect you, so in the meantime, you'll have to pull some weight around here."

The other guards had their swords outstretched, so I didn't even try to fight back as the man clicked the thing around my neck. It felt too tight, but my mind was immediately clouded.

"I don't think this fits my style." I said.

"Well, you won't have to wear it for long." said the man, smiling in a way that made me want to throw up, "Unless the Emperor's right hand decides it looks better on you."

Knowing Sallaena, she absolutely would if she didn't cut my head off first. I shuddered at the thought of encountering her again, especially in the state I was in now.

"Alright welp," said the man, "Let's start by giving you a little tour of our lovely village. Follow me."

I didn't even have time to decide, my own body was completely betraying me and following the man with no input from me. The rest of the guards laughed and looked at me smugly, and I made a mental note to personally try to kill them all the moment I got the chance.

I tried to snark off, to say something sarcastic, but my mouth felt as if it were glued shut. I should've felt like I was in hell, but I was too angry to even want to scream. I couldn't wait to take that man down a peg. Felice on my back was helping me keep focus though.

"These are the barracks for you and... your kind," the man said, motioning to a rather small building, "I'd get you a residence, but since you won't be here that long, that isn't much of an issue to me."

"You're so generous..." I couldn't help but mutter.

Immediately, the man stopped dead in his tracks and turned back to me.