The Son of Light

Chapter 24 The Trial

Hannah ate the stew that Thad had created for them to eat rather worriedly. Dipping her bread into her bowl she stared almost hungrily at the now silent smoking city.Aryeh and Armitage were both attempting to break the curse in order for Scythorahir to recover his lost strength. "Bishop, do you know who killed my Mother?" Scythorahir supped the last of his stew and wiping his mouth with a cloth nodded grimly. "The Drûhadda you described is a very powerful Drûhadda that has claimed hundreds of lives if not thousands. She is a High Priestess, and dark Captain of the Black Prince. She has an eclectic penchant for cruelty and the beheading of her victims. Her bloodlust has claimed the lives of dozens of Fidellators who have attempted to defeat her. Her name, is Herodias Malsang." The name pierced Hannah in a fashion comparable to a spear of ice. Cold and painful. For years she had wondered who that women had been and now she knew: Herodias Malsang. And at the sudden knowledge Hannah's feeling of cold suddenly dispersed, replaced by a intense hatred. 

That Drûhadda murdered my Mother, beheaded her and ate her heart! And now I know who she is! Turning to Scythorahir she asked, "Did you catch her?" Guessing the answer already. "No, she got away before any of us could retaliate. The war between Mahgiddo and Ehlyngahd claimed so many that our forces were diverted from their posts, which the Echthroi took advantage of in our absence." "Did anyone survive?" She continued. "No Hannah, all of Ludovrik and the surrounding valley was completely annihilated. Those who may survived the initial attack were captured and sacrificed to the Black Prince!"

Hannah remember the two brothers Peter and Frank Smyth that had been dragged away while they had attempted to escape. She wanted to know their fate, but she was so revolted at the memory of their screaming faces she did not dare to ask how they had been sacrificed, lest she vomit her supper. The rest of the week went slowly by with all of them growing more and more anxious with each passing day. Even Aryeh was becoming forlorn. All Hannah could do was as she lacked any power to contend with the curse was pray continually between meals begging the Allfather that they would prevail. "Please." she prayed "Keep Matthias safe!"

Matthias was screaming. Once again as he had been on that boat that terrible day, he was strung up naked and was being flogged by an NCO while another interrogated him. " I'll ask again, Where is the Ghüddsche Renaissance location?" Matthias who had tried to be unyielding in his torture had finally given up. What was the use? they had lost everything. "I don't know! We never knew! We were always instructed by Officers Alois and Moxley. Only they had direct contact!" "Well isn't that unfortunate! Continue!" Just then the door to the cell opened, and in walked Tallant. "Anything yet?" he asked politely. Matthias roared at him and tried to break his restraints. "YOU TRAITOR! YOU FUCKING TRAITOR!" "Evidently not!" remarked Tallant cocking his head to one side. "You all can take a break, I'll deal with this one. Go get something to eat!" "Thank you sir!" said the NCO's gratefully and wiping their hands and removing their aprons walked briskly out eager for lunch. "You fucking-" Bam! Tallant punched him in the jaw and then in his gut. "Shut up!" he said. The Tallant Matthias knew was gone, all was left was another devil with revulsion in his eyes. 

The door opened again and in walked. . .  No it couldn't be! Billy Wandy sharp as ever, brushed his long hair aside and seated himself backwards on the chair, smiling with mock benignity. "Hello, Matthias. Its been awhile!" Matthias heart sank. For awhile now he had hoped slightly that there was still some great plan, that Tallant had infiltrated the enemy and was merely keeping up appearances. But now seeing Wandy alive and well without so much of a scar. "YOU DEVIL!" Matthias spat balefully. "I am not the one who just commited mass murder of innocent civilians Matthias." he responded indifferently. "Ahh Matthias, Matthias. You could have done great things, but instead you had to go and become infatuated with hate and Ghüddsche Nationalism-" "WHAT WAS IT ALL FOR THEN? ALL THE OTHERS? WHAT THE HELL WAS IT ALL FOR THEN?" "Matthias we must atone for our sins of colonialism. Look what happened when you unreformed Ghüddsche got weapons? Why do you think we keep you in Internment Zones? Your inherently evil! You must atone for your sins! Our family realized this horrible truth at the height of the second Ghüddsche Empire. So many nations and peoples subjugated by our race and for what? power and wealth at the expense of the world. And so we sought to end the Ghüddsche oppression of the world and its resources, and establish a diverse and free society built upon the tenants of Liberty and Fraternity between nations! Unity in Diversity-" "DON'T YOU FUCKING LIE TO ME DEVIL! I KNOW THE TRUTH. YOUR TREACHEROUS FAMILY DARED TO CRAVE THE KINGS CROWN FOR YOURSELF AND SO YOUR SUPPLANTED HIM AND CREATED THIS FALSE NARRATIVE WHILE SECRETLY CONTROLLING THIS-" But Tallant punched Matthias again, stunning him.