The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

THREAT

They had given them food and a spacious room after letting them take a long, refreshing wash. A maid had brought Souna a clean change of diaphanous clothes and a pair of sandals. She hadn't even been conscious of her filthy state until the water in the tub she was bathing in had turned disgustingly murky.

The Yahurian and Axe were now clean as well, Kohu had been fed and Ussi had freed him from his saddle and let him roam around in the palace's premises.

Ussi sat watching Souna making silly faces at the toddler, who was laughing uncontrollably as she tickled his belly. Her wet, long hair cascading over the kid's face and brushing his cheeks.

An unusual tranquility floated in the air, and it made the warrior feel uneasy. This was the calm before the storm, and he hated every second. It was strange wearing a simple linen tunic while his entire armor was deservedly being cleaned and maintained, everything but the mask covering his face… That would have to wait.

So, with the faint sound of laughter reaching his ears, his mind had drifted away to the incoming battle as he sharpened his weapons, humming distractedly. An hour later, he had finished his task... And the sun was about to set.

He decided this was a good time to stretch his muscles and maybe take a brief look at the training pit. See if he could start separating the grain from the chaff and making a few picks.

He had stolen a final glance at Souna and Axe, sleeping soundly next to each other, before grabbing only his spear and leaving the rest of his weapons behind. He found the arena and silently watched the recruits pulling through their last stretch after a long day training, while he took note of their weaknesses and strongest suits in his head.

-That one on the left is Golendhar – A soldier, a few years younger than Ussi spoke behind him – I see you like his combat style, he is one of my best.

-He is not bad – Ussi nodded in agreement, his eyes stuck on the training ground, following the warrior's movements.

-So, you're the Yahun bringing us south then? – The tall, dark-bearded man spoke animatedly, offering him his hand paired with a smile– I'm Phomtek, Sir. It will be an honor fighting beside you.

Ussi spent a little longer chatting to the jovial captain and choosing some names along with him for his list of desired assets, before deciding to go back to their chambers at last.

-They say we are fighting demons, Sir – Phomtek commented as they were parting ways, pausing his steps – Are we?

- Nah, trust me, they are just men– Ussiariah sighed –But every man can be a demon in the eyes of someone else. Now, go get some rest.

The Yahurian had headed to the palace and was calmly pacing through the hallway leading to the room when he heard it: The bloodcurdling scream that made his heart halt for a second… Souna´s scream, followed by Axe's distressed crying.

He had practically flown the remaining distance and kicked the door open with dread, his eyes panning across the room and processing the scene in mere seconds.

The girl yelling uncontrollably, her body slumped against the wall, a trickle of blood oozing from a gash over her forehead and her arms extended in plea at the stranger standing in the middle of the room… The stranger that held Ussi´s own sharpened knife to Axe's throat. Both, the child and the woman immediately halting their bawling as soon as he entered the place.

-Put the kid down – The Yahurian requested in a very low voice, his spear aimed at the man as he scanned his features thoroughly, a sparkle of recognition crossing his sight when he realized this was the sergeant that had first spoken to them at the gate… The same one that had been standing by Hethan earlier through their entire conversation.

- Place your spear on the ground, or I will kill him, Yahun! – The man yelled, his vacillating hand pressing against the child´s neck – I swear I will!

- It's all right Axe, don't be afraid – Ussi spoke, looking deeply into the child's eyes while he carefully crouched and put his spear down on the floor, directing his eyes to the attacker. He slowly stood up with his hands raised in the air - There, I’m not armed anymore, see? Now, put him down.

-Kick it forward! – The nervous sergeant ordered, pressing his knife a little further into the toddler's neck – And tell me where do you keep the strange weapon that I saw you use before?

-Sure – The Yahurian said firmly, pushing his spear towards the man with his foot – I will tell you where it is, and you can even take the rest of my weapons too, just put the child down, he is all I care about.

-Don't play games with me Yahun! – The Cahenian threatened, enraged – Tell me where it is now, or I will cut the child's throat!

- Fine, fine! You win – Ussi gestured in a conciliatory tone, pointing with his finger – It is right there, under the bed. Just take it and put him down.

The man backed away warily, still holding Axe against his chest, his foot probing blindly under it, until he felt it brush with something and a smile crept onto his lips.

He struggled for a while, until he managed to pull the large bundle completely out in the open, his eyes widening greedily at its sight. He immediately squatted down and tried to take it, while scrambling to keep his grip on the child at the same time.

-You will be needing both of your hands to lift it – Ussi advised him - You must put the kid down now.

The sergeant hesitated for a moment before finally placing Axe and the knife beside him, while Souna bit her tongue, trying not to make a sound and react to this action, eyeing the warrior's stoical figure doubtfully as the kid remained standing in confusion just a step away from the man, who had rushed to grab the firearm and point it heatedly at the Yahurian.

-Move away from the entrance, Yahun! – He shouted, waving the weapon menacingly at him -You won't stand in my way!

-You are right, I won't – Ussiariah reassured him, slightly moving aside – But perhaps you might want me to show you how to use that thing first. As I said, the most lethal weapon is useless in incompetent hands. If you are firing that at someone, then you better know how to do it right.

-How… How can I tell that you are not just lying? – He asked, aiming shakily at him.

-That is easy – Ussi nodded, taking another small step aside – Because Yahurians cannot lie, our creed forbids it, everyone knows it. Now, you might want to load that weapon first. See that pot inside the bundle? There is black powder in there, take a healthy pinch and put it inside the tub, then grab one of the pellets and place it in as well.

The sergeant moved with clumsy hands, doing as he was told, before standing up again and hurrying to aim the weapon at the warrior once more.

-Good, now it is loaded – Ussi sighed briefly at him – You hold the power between your hands. But you must know that sometimes the pellets jam, and if that happens, then your weapon will not fire at all. So, would you want to look inside that barrel and see if it is properly set?

The man took the tube and placed it against his eye, looking into its dark contents. So deeply immersed he was in this action that it would be too late before he noticed the Yahurian moves, reaching stealthily to the spot where he stood. The warrior's hand grabbing the firearm in a rapid motion and pressing the trigger while he still held the tube, the intruder's head shaking backwards with a loud bang and his lifeless body violently dropping to the ground.

Souna screaming in profound terror at the sight of his blown-up eye socket.

-Greedy bastard! – The warrior muttered as the blood started pooling behind the Cahenean soldier's head. He rushed to pick the kid up and inspect him thoroughly from head to toe. His eyes welling up with relieved tears once he made sure he was completely unscathed. Before composing himself enough to pace towards the wall Souna leaned weakly against.

-Hey! Look at me – He ordered, waving his hand before her deranged eyes and running a finger carefully down her wound – Are you feeling dizzy? Does it hurt?

- I'm fine – Souna mumbled, chuckling out nervously – But I thought you just said Yahurians could not lie…

- We can't – Ussi admitted, offering her his hand to take – Yet I didn't lie to him, pellets do jam. Then I made a stupid suggestion, and he just happened to take it… That was not my fault.