The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

INTEL

-Well, well, well… What have we got here? – Ussi asked tauntingly, his eyes sparkling with interest at the sight of Souna´s prey. The helpless man trashing around and frighteningly receding while he uselessly tried to get as far away as he could from the Yahurian´s amused look – Where’d you find this one, uh?

-He tried to sneak up on me while I was out training – Souna replied, nodding at the foreigner – I did not detect any more of his kind around, but I thought that it was still worth bringing him in.

-Oh… So, you screwed up quite badly out there, right buddy? – The masked warrior mocked the clueless hostage, letting out a loud laugh and side-glancing at Souna with a hint of pride – Consider yourself lucky that you are still breathing then.

-See? – Souna cooed happily, winking at the terrified man, who kept scrambling around and mouthing repeatedly in an apparent desperate plea – I told you we would make him smile!

-How can you tell if I'm smiling or not? – Ussi inquired with curiosity, ignoring the stranger's gibberish, and scanning her body blatantly up and down.

-I can see it in your eyes – She simply responded, raising an eyebrow playfully at him – All right, have fun!... Come on Axe! - Souna called out, turning towards the child, who had been silently staring at the scene from a corner - Let us have some breakfast and leave Ussi to his thing.

She crouched down and extended her arms towards the kid, who smiled and immediately stood up, running happily into her embrace as she picked him up and took him outside. The young man's horrified screams reaching their ears just a few moments later.

-Oh, come on! What are you yelling all about? – The Yahurian clicked his tongue, taking a seat and looking down disdainfully at the defenseless man, finally addressing him in his mother tongue – I haven't even laid a hand on you yet!

-W-Who are you? – The evidently shocked stranger stuttered with a startled look on his face.

-I am the one asking the questions here – The warrior replied serenely – Now, tell me… Why would you try and sneak up on a lady like a goddam creep?

-I… I don´t know! I didn't mean to. I was just trying to run away! – The prisoner mumbled, his words soon turning into a rushed, whimpering rambling – We defected from our unit last night. I got lost… it was my fault! I talked him into this! And now he must be dead because of me!

Ussi tilted his head at the man's abrupt sob symphony, rolling his eyes and patiently waiting for a few moments as the terrified stranger shamelessly bawled his eyes out.

-Are you done? – He inquired after a couple more minutes, resting his shielded chin over his fist and sighing – I have other issues to deal with. So, if you could, you know? Cut the crap… It would be great.

- I am sorry! – The afflicted captive cried out – Please, don't kill me! I am just a farmer! We never wanted to get caught in the middle of this war, we just wanted to work the land!

-You keep saying WE – The Yahurian commented, nodding at him – Who's We?

- My brother and I… They brought us all here with the promise of a bountiful land! All we ever wanted was to start a farm and live peacefully. That's why we tried to escape! But we got separated... And now, they'd already killed him because of me and my stupid plan!

-Backtrack – The warrior ordered, raising a finger at him – You say you went AWOL last night from your unit, right? Where were you camping at?

-I… I honestly don't know, I am not really a soldier! I got disoriented, I´m sorry! I must have run for hours! – The flustered young man apologized profusely – All I know is that we were heading back to Lowland's gate!

-That works – The Yahurian nodded at him, standing up and making him flinch – So, I see your leader got my message, then?

-Oh, he did – The juvenile green-eyed man agreed, hugging himself while sitting on the cold, hard ground – And he killed the messenger too.

-Is he still in Mavaer? – The Commander asked him with interest – Or is he heading back to reclaim his conquer along with your group?

-No – He replied, shaking his head – He won't retreat, the army is still marching to Midland's gate soon, no matter what. He just dispatched our unit with the task of getting that city back.

-When was that? – Ussi inquired, pacing around the tent - How many of you did he send?

-Four days ago, right after he received word about Lowland's gate being freed. He deployed roughly a hundred of us, mostly on foot and with just a few horses.

-Good… – The Yahurian narrowed his eyes at him, gesturing for him to stand – What is your name boy?

-Orstig, Sir – The young Argantean farmer replied, slowly getting on his feet and standing shakily before him.

-Alright Orstig, now tell me… Do you, by any chance, happen to know when he is planning to march towards Midland's gate?

Souna was finishing her meal and watching Axe help himself to a large quantity of cured meat and corn bread when she spotted the Yahurian strolling by the dining site, escorting the golden-haired prisoner, who was shyly walking by him.

-Feed him! – He ordered Mondaveh, grabbing the man by his clothes and throwing him towards the warrior's large chest, before making his way to the place where she sat by the kid.

-What on earth? – She asked, side glancing at the stranger with apprehension, her hand darting towards her dagger and wielding it – Why are you treating him like a guest?

-The man is famished, I'm just keeping him alive – Ussi rolled his eyes at her – Sheathe your weapon.

-He is one of them! – Souna cried out, crossing her arms over her chest after placing the blade on the table – Why are you sparing his life?

- Because Orstig is a defector – The Yahurian simply responded, sitting down before her, then reaching for a piece of bread– And because he is cooperating.

-Orstig? – Souna scoffed, eyeing him with disbelief - Do you trust him?

-I trust his fear – Ussi shrugged – He is just a frightened boy, caught in the middle of a fight he doesn't even understand.

-What did he say? – She mumbled, putting her blade away and staring intently at him.

-Njál sent a small unit back to Lowland's gate. They were tasked with reclaiming control over it.

-And? What are we doing here? – Souna hissed at him – We can't let that happen!

-We aren't – He answered, toying with the piece of food distractedly- Finjël is there, he knows what to do.

-But… - She started saying before noticing his cold eyes staring at her with a frown.

-But? – The Yahurian leaned towards her, his sight piercing her and making her blush. Silence lingering between them – Have I ever let you down?

-No – Souna mumbled, looking down at her lap.

-Then why don't you believe in me? – He whispered, his shielded face closing in on hers.

-I do – She replied, looking regretfully into his sparkling eyes.

-Good! – He declared before standing abruptly up and turning around, taking the chunk of food with him. His steps pausing after pacing a little distance, his back still turned away from her – And I know you are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself, but I would appreciate a heads-up if you ever decided to go on another of your little expeditions.