Legend of Antalasia

Chapter 10

Pitiful moans filled the gathering.

All the prisoners were randomly separated into groups of different sizes. Hundreds of prisoners were surrounded by a handful of men. One might think that the prisoners might have tried to overpower the few guards. However, it was not so.

The pain-filled screams were from the prisoner who had tried to escape. A guard on the dragon-horse Rhazaqat was brutally whipping the prisoner. Shocked by the cruelty, most remained where they were, not daring to move or utter a word. The few who raised their voices were immediately targetted by other guards. Getting into their faces, the guards threatened them. The ones who dared to protest more were punched and kicked until they were left bleeding and groaning on the ground.

Not a single prisoner attempted to help the brutalized prisoners terrified of being targeted themselves.

With eyes darting in fear, a young man tried to run away. Furious, another guard caught him and threw him on the ground. The guard was so focused on this single person that he did not realize that there was a gap behind him.

A young village girl and a young man inched their way slowly. Realizing that the guard still had not noticed them, they ran. The further they ran, the more hopeful the other prisoners became. Everyone became agitated and were itching to run as well. A few others darted away.

All of a sudden, a monstrously large shadow loomed out from the shadows and an ear-piercing scream was heard. 

All that could be seen initially was a gigantic pipe that seemed to never end and the runaways couldn't be seen anymore.

In the increasing daylight, the Rhazaqats gliding around the gathering slowly became clearer. They were enlarged centipedes of varying sizes. The largest centipede was so long that it could surround a large ship and was two arms wide. The smallest was as long as a small boat.

The centipede-like Rhazaqats had red fur all over their body. With a flattened head and brown droopy eyes, their heads came up to the prisoners' chest. Perfectly positioned, two sharp claws extended from their mouths ready to inject a paralyzing venom. 

The prisoners watched in horror as the Rhazaqat pierced a runaway and chomped him down in a single bite. The throat walls of the Rhazaqat moved to show the movement of the prisoner making his way to its stomach. Someone swore that he saw the runaway's hand from inside the Rhazaqat.

 None dared to move. No one dared to utter a word. Even tears and cries of fear were muffled.

A lone guard standing on top of a large rock began ordering the prisoners.

"All of you in this group are farmers. Follow that man," he shouted, pointing to another guard. 

"All of you there are shepherds. Follow that man," he said, pointing to a different guard this time. 

The list went on until only the last group remained. There were 10 people left including Antalasia, Michaelo and Lizzy. "You are breeders. Follow me," the guard ordered.

The group walked for days. The guards rode on their dragon-horse creatures holding long whips. The whips had a thick handle affixed to multiple long strands of barbed wire. Whenever anyone fell back, they were whipped leaving deep puncture wounds along with lashes. The screams of pain were haunting. 

An old man unable to keep up fell back and kept getting whipped. Antalasia tried to protest. She was slapped so hard that she felt to the ground. Hearing Michaelo and Lizzy cry, she stopped protesting. Instead, she quietly lent her support to the old man and helped him walk the rest of the way. Terror crawled into everyone's heart and everyone shook with fear.

Insubstantial scraps of food and dirty water were given to eat and drink. The majority fell sick. Never having consumed anything of such terrible quality, Antalasia and Michaelo were sicker than most. They lost weight rapidly and had a scorching high fever that lasted several days with no signs of abatement. By the time the prisoners reached their destination, they were dehydrated, starved and exhausted.

It was close to nightfall and the dry, arid land was still scorching and radiating heat. Not a single tree could be seen. There were only a few shrubs and cactuses spread out on the drought-ridden, cracked land. The air was dry and there was no wind. Seeing a group of buildings in a distance, the prisoners eagerly began to make their way to the buildings.

Crack! Crack! Aah! Crack! Aah!

The guards slashed their whips at the prisoners. "You think you deserve those building. Absolutely not filth. That's where you sleep," scorned a guard pointing to an open field fenced with barbed wire. 

"Don't even think of running, the Centi-Razaqats will eat you," warned the guard, grinning in glee.

As it was dark, the prisoners initially thought the field was empty. However, on reaching the field they soon realized that there were many more prisoners. A few Gemmas were also among the captured. The Gemmas, who usually live along the sea could be identified by their diminutive features. The Gemmas are short in stature with big, blue eyes and a wide, generous mouth.

A young Gemma tribeswoman came across the field. Her dark skin made her tired blue eyes pop and even her tired features did not diminish her exotic beauty. She was wearing a short pleated white skirt and top that had seen much better days. "Let me help you," she said and gently looked at the wounds on the new prisoners. She took a few dried leaves out of her pocket and crushed them in her hands. She then sprinkled the powder on the wounds.

"If that's all that has to be done, let me help," said Antalasia.

The young woman nodded and gave Antalasia a few leaves. Very soon, the wounded were treated.

"There is no food. We'll get some tomorrow night. There is some water in the corner. It's dirty but it's the best you will get. Rest as much as you can. There are no beds here. You have to sleep on the ground under the stars," said the young woman and went to a corner of the field and laid down.

Miserable and out of their comfort zone, the children huddled together. 

"I want to go home," cried Lizzy. 

Michaelo desperately tried to hold back his tears. 

'I'm the eldest. I must be strong for them', thought Antalasia trying her best to look calm and positive. However, her eyes betrayed her. They were terrified. Yet, they were furious as well. Antalasia was by no means broken. Only the thought that Michaelo and Lizzy were depending on her for protection and would be left alone if something were to happen to her, prevented her from fighting back without caution.

Watching the three children huddle would have broken anyone's heart. The rare few who had any compassion left had no energy to console. Terrified of the unknown, the guards and the Rhazaqats, each prisoner remained lost in their thoughts.

"Come lay your head on me," urged Antalasia.

Both the younger children settled down and soon fell into a deep, exhausted sleep.