The Silver Isles Kingdom

Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

Loth, surprisingly, seemed less guarded than the other islands. Both were able to get closer to the city walls than at any other island, save for the one of the sister islands. No one guarded the tops of the wall, no patrol at the base of the wall, it seemed too quiet. They had no trouble walking straight up to the main gate without having to duck and hide in the forest or the shrubs along the way. Looking up at the large gate, something seemed off. They looked at each other, silently saying they each had a feeling that something wasn't right. Almost as if the enemy were expecting them somehow. The mage then took Alexis away from the gate and found a small group of trees next to the wall and signaled her to hide there. No words had to be spoken, Alexis could tell something dreadful was about to happen.

Jacque found that a corner on the wall had bricks jutting out from it, much like on the first island. He began to climb up so he could survey the city from a higher view. Before fully pulling himself up to the wall's walkway, he peered over the edge to see if it was a possible trap to lure them in. No hidden wall patrol, nor archers to watch for coming allies or enemies. Jacque pulled himself over the top and crept to the other side. There, where he expected them to be, Jacque saw the enemy army; standing guard and watching the people of the island. They were kept huddled in one place, as if they were being inspected or something must have happened to force a punishment on all the people.

Looking over the scene, Jacque suddenly realized what was going on. Beyond the group of people was a gallows with five people standing in wait to be hung for some crime that they committed, or a crime that the army Veshua considered a crime that was deserving of hanging. Jacque hoped to himself these were disobedient soldiers of Veshua. But as he strained to see better, he realized that these were indeed citizens of the kingdom. Jacque knew there was only one thing he could do to save those people, and Alexis was the only one he could get to help with a distraction. Jacque quickly hid himself using shadows to blend in with the wall. He found Alexis sitting where she hid and used his earth manipulation to bring her up to him on the wall.

Alexis was startled from being raised up from the ground so suddenly, but recuperated quickly and followed the mage as he silently signaled her to stay low as they walked along the ramparts. As they moved along Alexis saw the people on the gallows, about to be hung. It was clear to her now that this was why the mage had brought her up the wall so quickly.

"I need you to create a distraction. I know this isn't the best idea, but we need something to keep the enemy occupied a while longer so I can release the prisoners and get the people to rise up against the enemy," the mage explained.

"Okay," Alexis said, feeling both anxiety because of the scene and fear for going out on her own, "I'll see what I can do. How are you going to free them?"

"There's an archer over there above them on the wall. As we know their skills, and how good they aim, I'll have to take him out quickly and quietly. Then I'll do my best to burn the ropes with a flaming arrow. They have other archers are among the crowd, it'll be tough to target them. I'll try using my own distractions to draw them out of the crowd."

Alexis nodded, it wasn't the best plan anyone could come up with, but it would have to do for now as the trial and execution just about to finish. Alexis climbed down the wall and made her way to the back of the crowd. As she did so, she saw the mage make his way closer to the archer on the wall. As he got closer, the executioner reached for the lever to hang the prisoners; it was now or never. Alexis took a deep breath and gave a half yelp, half scream. It was enough to grab everyone's attention, enough to stop the executioner who was confused by the sudden noise.

With everyone's eyes on her, the archer was taken out, the bow and quiver claimed by the mage.

"I am the princess of this kingdom!" Alexis shouted, hoping it would stop the execution further as the mage knocked an arrow. "As long as I live I will not allow such cruelty to happen to my people. Surrender and I may let you live!"