OUTCAST : THE PATH OF A WARRIOR

11. CURFEW

CHAPTER 11

I couldn't believe the amount of times my life had come close to joining the afterlife...A place that may or may not exist, so I've been told by some atheist humans.

But there I was again, this time arrows, most preferred weapon for warfare and hunting, aiming point blank at me.

But this time there was no escape from it, or so I thought...

"Stop...!" Shouted the general.
Everybody froze, as this unusually quiet but strong man, stood in front, shielding both Tinman and myself.

It was more of a lion's roar, challenging another, defending his rights to survival.

He suddenly had everyone's full attention, as the soldiers relaxed their arrows, but kept them drawn at the ready.

"I am General Karaskes, formally general of the kingdom, and I ask you to stand down!" He said, in such a remarkable manner that it actually seemed like the great General has returned.

The soldiers stalled.

" In the name of the king, I order you to let your arrows loose!" Screamed the Master, waving his arms around.

"Or I'll have you all hanged for civil disobedience! And you...! You will be the first to go... Captain!" He continued, shaking with anger.

The soldiers were at a loss, and confused as they all looked at their Captain. " Well don't look at me!" said the Captain to his troops.

"This is the man who won many victories and battles for us all, and look how they repaid him, banished in the Arena, for refusing to accept the new so called crown!" He continued, then pauzed a moment to recollect.

"Of course with the help of underground rats like this man here."The Captain said, gesturing towards the Master.
"How is it that we've reached this critical pivotal moment? Where tyrants and vermin run our once great city!"

"Why you traitor!" Shouted the Master , and lifted his walking stick to hit the Captain.

The General, acted swiftly, throwing his long arm through the metal bars, catching the stick in mid flight, yanking him to the ground, and knocking him out cold.

"Now what?" Said the Captain.

"Now that you've committed treason, Captain, I suggest you open the doors and let us out!" Said the General.

"And if I were you!" He continued
"I would join us, or die by that hand of unworthy king, and his vile minions!" He said, gesturing to the man on the ground.

" But how could we put it right again?"

"You be dead this time tomorrow before sunset anyway, if you stay. I'm just saying, Captain!

" I Will if you agree to help me put the rightful king back on the throne! Help me rid the scum and dirt from this city?" The Captain said.

"Whoa there Captain, let's get out of here first, then perhaps we can discuss the idea of an uprising, somewhere safer, perhaps!" Said the General, half in jest.

"I'll take that as a possibility then, shall I General?"

"I'm gonna be totally honest with you Captain, we're going to need a strong army to take the city back! And with the right men behind me, I promise you, this city has not seen the last of me yet! Are you with me?"

"Well if you put that way!" Said the Captain, smirking. " That's exactly what I've been waiting to hear, for a long time now."

"Who's with us then.!" Called the Captain to his soldiers.