Putridum Regnum 1: Centuries (Homestuck AU)

Chapter Six

Carmine sighed, smiling up at the warm green sun. It was early morning and most of the trolls in the rebel town were sound asleep and would be until nightfall. His sermon the night before had gone as planned; many trolls seeking guidance showed up to listen to his words of freedom.

There had been a mini ship tied to a dock near where the sermon had been held. Following the sermon, Psiioniic told Carmine that he swore he saw the pirate Mindfang on a rooftop not far from the crowd of trolls. It pleased him to know that a blue blood might be interested in helping him achieve his and many others goals.

Carmine had wanted to stay in the hope-filled town but he knew that they would be caught if they did so. He would never let his friends be tortured and killed, he thought, no matter the cost.

Disciple trotted slowly behind him, grumbling about how early it was. "This is stupid. We could have left later on during the day. You always think we are going to be caught and I'm sick of it! Fur shits sake..."

Psiioniic followed behind the tired female, squinting. "Carmine, it's too fucking bright for this shit. Can't we just leave at nightfall when it's decent out?"

"No," Carmine replied. "Rosa taught me to love the sun, to bask in it's wonderful light." He spread his arms out and looked up towards the sky, closing his eyes. "Isn't it nice, Rosa?"

Dolorosa walked next to Carmine, smiling at his words. "It is warm and bright. Your words and the sun. Never forget how special the sun is; it allows us to grow our crops and gives us warmth," she said smoothly, copying her grub's actions.

"IT'S TOO FUCKING BRIGHT OUT!" Psiioniic yelled, blasting red and blue beams towards the sky. "And early. We aren't like either of mew," Disciple complained. "QUIET. BOTH OF YOU," yelled Carmine, growling at the both of them.

"Sorry," they said in unison, picking up the pace to follow Carmine who was now storming away. Dolorosa glared at them, changing to a rainbow drinker and back again, causing them to shrink back.

A cart tumbled down the road, pulled by two donkey lusi. Driving the cart was a maroon blood. He slowly brought his cart to a halt as Carmine stood in front of it.

"Hello, sir. May I ask what you are carrying? It smells... Strange," questioned Carmine. The troll in the cart stood up, revealing chains attached to his wrists and ankles.

"I can't tell you. It is against my job position," he said, getting a good look at Carmine. "Job? This isn't a job, mister. This is slavery," Psiioniic butted in. Psiioniic walked up to the man in the cart and inspected the chains.

"You are a slave of the empress. Her sign is on the shackles." Psiioniic clenched his fists and turned to Carmine, who was checking the cart. "He is carrying two dead psionics," Signless said grimly.

"They were killed by the empress because they failed to tell her anything about Mindfang or the growing rebellion," said the slave. Carmine took a step back.

"She killed them because of...?" Psiioniic grabbed Carmine and slapped his hand over his mouth. "Quiet! He'll tell her," snapped Psiioniic. Carmine glanced at the bodies again and Psii hit him over the head, attempting to knock him out.

Disciple, who had been petting the lusi, quickly ran over to them and helped Psii hold Carmine, nuzzling his shoulder. "I-I think I need to..." Carmine fell over onto Disciple's lap, unconscious.