The Fall of Vaasar

Chapter 4

The one hundred men and women who were deemed useful by Dabecki were huddled together and driven closer to King Edgar.

He was laughing with the warrior in the large tusk headdress.

"Some fine women you've got there, Captain Zhaz. Enjoy."

The Xayan warrior, Captain Zhaz, took a swig from a flask. Dribbles of what looked like milk rolled down his face, smearing the white paint. He licked his thick lips and replied easily in the same language and not in the stilted tongue his warriors had spoken earlier. "We will."

"But first, before you take your pleasure, sweep the town clean and ensure no more survivors. Hunt down any who have attempted to run."

Captain Zhaz grinned. "As always." He shouted to his Xayans. The warriors who rode horses cheered and thundered into the now deserted town. The women who were not deemed useful, were crowded by warriors on foot, who pulled down their trousers. Screams and cries for help came from the women as they were abused and despoiled by the warriors. Both Sumear and Tamza repeated desperate prayers for Yaseena. She had not been spared. Her fate is worse than death.

Tamza gripped her father as they followed in a procession after King Edgar and his pale skinned men towards a palace dining building, that was untouched by the fire. The Ferts dismounted from horses and entered, heading towards the dining hall. Whilst the room was reorganised into a receiving room for King Edgar, Tamza, her father and the other useful Vaasarians waited in the corridor, guarded by orderly Fert soldiers, so unlike the wild Xayy warriors outside.

Eventually the group was hustled into the hall. There were no chairs here, the Vaasarians ate their meals sat on cushions on the floor, the dishes on low tables. The Fertilian King, the monster who had just caused the death of thousands, sat on one of the tables at the head of the room, elbow on knee and chin on fist. Indifferent. His other hand rested on the handle of his sword. Everything else in the room, including every cushion, had been removed.

Tamza and her father had been in this hall before, their bears giving exclusive performances for Vizier Hannijad on numerous occasions. It was the largest room of any building in Vaasar, and could comfortably fit two hundred people. The thick mudbrick walls had high, arched windows along one side, pillars in a line down the middle of the room kept the wooden roof in place. Colourful murals and patterns had been painted everywhere, including the mudbrick floor. Statues of many Gods lined one wall, but these were hidden by the King's soldiers and more pale-skinned Fert men who were unarmed and dressed in simple garb. It was a dark room, mostly used at night, and the candles had been lit.

A few of the Vaasarians momentarily forgot the horrors of that afternoon to take in the wonder of the hall, never having been in a room – or building – so big.

The King spoke, Dabecki translated, but Sumear and Tamza understood the monster's words.

"You've been deemed of value to me and worth keeping alive. Obey my orders and you will live. Disobey and..." He made the throat cutting gesture. "You'll each be assigned a Fert partner and a group of Ferts who will learn from you. Teach them well. Burrington will take it from here."

King Edgar leaned back and swept his hand to indicate another man. This man was of average height and build. He had red hair like King Edgar, but it was thin and straight, hanging lank against his neck, unlike the other man's bushy curls. Although Burrington must have been similar in age to King Edgar, he had a patchy, short beard, mostly up his neck and not much on his cheeks. There was a meagre gathering of hairs on either side of his chin and a few wisps on his top lip. He had long, restless fingers that he flexed repeatedly. He carried no killing instruments and Tamza guessed he was an administrator. This man glanced sideways at the King, the smallest hint of a sneer on his lips, and started calling out names and professions.