Captured Love

Chapter 35

We moved with swiftness not wanting the let the night be wasted, we would only have one chance before war completely broke out between us and the kingdom. I couldn't forget those sorrowful expressions and empty eyes of the families. Most were children fending for themselves after being left abandoned or were hiding till their parents would return. I found it astonishing how progressive the innovations were for the public yet lacking so much in the overall stability of its lower-class citizens. The men of the slums were taken for cheap labor while the women and younger girls entered brothels just to be able to have shelter and food. I doubt we would be able to help them all right away, but the slums were the immediate priority since they were on borrowed time due to a number of variables like starvation or illness.

"We're about to reach the first foothold for the operation."

"Alright, Trot unit branch off now and hold the support line." We sped past as each order was given so we would have the different stealth teams set up the arrays for our escape after rescue was underway.

At the frontlines Alpha unit, myself included would be the main force to infiltrate and create a trail so that it would be easier for the new refugees to head toward. We made sure nothing was leaked of our plans and only used a rumor to give fuel for the slums to have some morale of wanting to choose to flee with us. This was an important key step considering they may not want to try running for fear of being caught and facing a worse reality than their current lives. As the last of the support departed from our charge, we slowed our pace to quietly get through the security perimeter. Thanks to my magic and the arrays outside the first phase was completed without any issues.

"Commander no sign of the enemy just yet were cleared to move through the back alley." I nodded as a response and then moved ahead. 

We got off our mounts, making it through the backstreets as we finally reached the slums. Many of its residents were hiding in worn out sheds or condemned buildings, leaving few to be seen in the open. I used my power to sense for anyone nearby.

"Try not to use your magic so much otherwise it could put a heavy strain on your body and that wouldn't be good for either of you."

"Shut up!" I whisper yelled at myself knowing he was listening.

"Are you here to raid us again lady?" A small voice whimpered from an alcove hidden between some rubble.

I jumped slightly at the sudden sound of another person thinking they might've heard me talking to myself. The moment went and passed as I processed that this was now the start of our efforts to get as many people as possible out before we would be discovered.

I crouched down slowly extending my hand wanting to show I mean no harm. 

"We're actually here to rescue you, were here to save you." I tried to look as unthreatening as possible but might've not come off as such considering we were armored with horses draped in dark colors.

"Are you the ones from the rumor? The people from the goddess sent down to lead us to a paradise?" I smiled confidently and spoke with conviction through every word.

"I am that queen, and we are the way to paradise." The began bawling as I reached in pulling them out. 

My heart ached thinking what he must've suffered through to feel such relief from the mere words of a stranger. 

"C'mon kid we have to find everyone else who needs help before time is up." The little dirt covered boy nodded and pointed into the ground below. I directed some power into my eyes seeing several bodies down below us huddled together in the sewers. 

"Hold on tight were going to head in and get your friends now. Rashan they're down below, two of you come with me while we lead them topside up and pass them along to the next team so we can keep this mission moving." The warriors nodded at my directive; with a wave of my hand, I opened the ground creating stairs as we moved downwards into the tunnels. 

The children shrieked at the sudden invasion, but the little boy named Benny calmed them before they could run off further. The plan was going off without a hitch as many of the children headed through the various posts stationed beyond the wall. Any children unable to move were carried off by one of us. After emptying out the last of the group we were all about to wrap it up till an unwelcomed presence could be felt. 

"Quickly head back with the rest of them and activate the smokescreen now." I figured he would only follow me considering I was his target, so we separated as I made my way back through a different route not wanting to endanger anyone else. Lune was getting restless as the pursuer kept getting closer. A flare was fired into the sky signaling completion of our goal and a sign for me to start running as I try to gain some space between us and him.