Loving Mary

Chapter 13

Pavel awoke to the sound of a commotion. There were footsteps and many grunts from those around him. Then he heard a familiar, angry voice yell, "Where are you taking them?!"

Kail received no answer, just the slam of the cell door in his face. Pavel tried to move, but hissed in pain almost instantly. "Gah.." He gasped, placing a hand on his chest. It hurt to breathe, and felt as though a hot poker was stabbing him with every breath.

"Your Highness. How are you feeling?" Kail asked, immediately coming to his emperor's aid.

"Wh-where are we?" He gasped, placing a hand on his chest. His head felt as though it'd been involved in a game of football, and he could feel a trickle of blood on his forehead.

"The dungeons, sir. You've already asked that." Kail replied. He was standing in front of the bars, his grey hair tousled and his face covered in grime.

His usually perfect blue robes were now black thanks to the mud and dirt and who knows what else. Kail's eyes were tired, and his wrinkles seemed to stand out even more.

Kail was no more than fifty, but with the expression on his face, he seemed ancient. "I don't understand any of this."

"Neither do I. What happened to the others?" Pavel asked, attempting to sit up. He managed to prop himself against the wall, and he sighed.

"Those soldiers took them. When they invaded they took us hostage, asked us many questions we couldn't answer. We've been down here since the beginning. But I guess they worried the elders would get sick. I hope that's why they took everyone."

"Caa've. He's one of them. He wants to keep the transition peaceful. But he's not in charge. There's someone else pulling the strings." Pavel said, he raised his sleeve and wiped at the dried blood on his forehead. He sighed when he couldn't get it off.
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The main hall where the citizens of  Zindaki where taking refuge was always very large. People crowded it, laying on blankets, and using whatever they could to stay warm.

As Asonia walked, she noticed the stares and whispers. By the time she got to the front of the room, everyone was aware of her presence.

She made her way up the steps leading to the doors that opened to the throne room, the citizens gathering around her. She turned around, met their eyes, her own hardened and focused.

She held her child in her arms, abandoning the sling. Laila's head was left uncovered from her blanket, her blond curls poking out. "I have many things to say," she began, her voice powerful and loud. She was struck suddenly, with a memory from her childhood on earth, the fear of public speaking she had left behind.

"These people invading our planet are not strangers. A long time ago we faced them, and they lost." Whispers spread through the crowd as the news sunk in. No one had been told of a war. "The emperor at the time decided it would benefit the populace and future citizens of our world if it was forgotten. But now we know that was a decision that has cost us... But we aren't just going to sit idle while they destroy the planet we've called home since time began."

She glanced down at her baby, and many eyes went to her child as well. "As your empress I learned what it feels to be responsible for the lives of others. As a doctor, I learned how it feels to lose the person who you've been given responsibility over. And as a mother, I've learned how it feels to love a child with every single part of my heart."

From somewhere in the back, many women whispered their agreements.

"There is nothing I would not do for her..." She glanced up at the people. "There is nothing I would not do for you. You are my people. And while the thought of allowing these people to destroy our planet, and kill our children... But as your ruler, I can't just make decisions unless you are willing to accept any outcome." She closed her eyes, and took a small breath. "So, while it kills me to do so, I am not ordering you to risk your lives unless you feel it is worth the outcome. For generations we've been a peaceful people. If you want to keep it that way, then I am willing to march to that side of the palace and surrender myself to end the violence."

The crowd was silent. As she waited for them to make a decision, she looked around. Meeting the eyes of farmers, chefs, woodworkers, mother's, children.

Finally, near the back, a man stepped onto a crate. He caught the empresses eye. "I am willing to fight for you, empress. We've built our society this far, we aren't going to let them destroy it!" More men in the crowd cheered with him, raising their fists above their heads as a sign of respect.

Asonia watched as more and more people volunteered, and she smiled as she realized that, even they failed, even if they died, they wouldn't stop fighting. Sighing, she turned to Jim, who had been standing beside her. "We need a strategy, captain."

Jim nodded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kail watched as the rat scurried across the far corner of their cell. It had been hours since the guards came and took everyone else. He was left alone with his emperor for the first time, and had opened up in a way that he felt was long over due.

Pavel lay on the ground next to him, his breathing slightly labored, but steady. His face was very pale, and Kail worried of possible infection. He turned his attention to the young man bedside him, his usually angry eyes softened.

The poor kid wasn't very old, he realized, and already he was not only married, but emperor, and soon to be father. Kail jumped slightly when he realized he had no idea what the condition of the empress was, or even if her baby was okay.

Beside him Pavel jerked awake, his eyes flying open. He panted for a moment before composing his breathing. Another nightmare.

Kail wordlessly helped the young man sit up, frowning as he felt the tension in the muscles of his chest. They sat in silence for what felt like hours, before finally the Russian spoke. "Asonia had the baby." He whispered. "They sent her to the Enterprise. She told me before Caa've knocked me out "

Kail felt relief at his words. At least she and the baby were safe.

"I can't imagine myself not being with her..." He paused. "All I want is to hold my child."

The heartbreak in Pavel's words struck a cord with the old man. He felt his eyes watering. Sighing, Kail turned to his emperor. "I promise you, sir. I will do everything in my power to ensure you see your baby."

He heard a slam down the hall, and felt a sense of dread as he heard the hard, clapping footsteps. The emperor tensed beside him, and he felt his own hand reaching for the rock beside his hand.

They were getting out, no matter what.

Heeeeeeeey! Sorry about the sudden disappearance, it seems all I ever do is apologize.....

But I hope you enjoyed this, and until next time (hopefully tomorrow), I hope y'all have a nice day/night!

~Clieo