The Land Below our Feet COMPLETE

PLAN

Sehira watched as Njál aimed his weapon at another quail, he made it blow out in a mess of feathers and cheered out loudly in joy at the nauseating result of his deed.

He stood on the open field enjoying his morning practice and being in quite an unusual good mood. She watched him from a close distance, taking note of his every move and trying to memorize all of his actions.

She had forced herself to clap eagerly feigning elation at his most recent kill. The pile of corpses accumulating on the grass while one of his men released target after target with their leader's personal amusement as his only purpose.

-You are so good at it, Master! – Sehira exclaimed happily, the brute turning towards her and bowing with a pleased smile plastered on his face.

-Would you show me how to do that? – The girl finally gathered the courage to ask him, trying to conceal her eagerness and masking it with a flirtatious voice – I would love that your strong arms held me as you teach me, please.

A spark of lust had crossed the man's sight when she stood up and walked innocently towards him, swaying her hips. Her hands darting to his chest, deliberately traveling across it, before trailing down his arm and landing on the wooden pole in his hand. Her fingers rubbing it teasingly, in the same way she did on his, looking deeply into his eyes.

Njál´s smile had widened at her boldness before he finally placed the heavy device into her hands and started showing her how to manipulate the strange weapon. He motioned slowly, guiding her as he made her insert some cartridges into the chamber. The invader then making her stand facing the field and positioning himself against her, squaring her shoulders and separating her legs slightly.

She felt his hardened c**k against her rear as he settled the weapon's butt-stock against the centerline of her body and high up on her chest. Pulling her elbows slightly down, making her hands tighten around the barrel and her cheek to press on the side of the firearm. Aiming for a nearby tree.

His hands griping hers as he steered her fingers, hammering it, then slowly pressing the trigger. A loud booming sound startling her and a heavy thud pushing her forcefully backwards, against his tall frame.

-That was amazing, Master! – Sehira had shouted excitedly, once the initial shock wore off – Do you think I shall try this on one of the birds?

By now, she had been spending a long time practicing with Njál, and he seemed to enjoy bonding over one of his favorite activities with her. As time passed, she began slowly mastering the use of these abominable weapons. So, all that was left to do was procure some of them and share her knowledge with the rest.

Sehira knew they hadn't got much time. Her oral teachings would have to suffice… As there was literally no other way that she could pass her learning to the rest.

She had spent a generous number of hours explaining to Iktan the functioning of them with as much detail as she could spare, in hopes that he would be able to transmit her words to the others. But she was not sure if that would be of any real use in the end.

In reality, all they would be doing was tossing a bunch of strange weapons into the hands of unskilled prisoners and that had her pretty worried. So, she focused on the only thing she had control over, and made sure to improve on her weapon handling by the day.

The night of the heist had come and Sehira waited at the designated spot, engulfed by the shadows, nervously scanning her silent surroundings, when three shadows approached her furtively at last.

-Good evening, my child – Anam whispered in a low tone, gesturing for her two tall companions to step forward – These are Dabether and Yoendar. They are traders, and they had luckily been traveling to Phenjal when the outsiders struck. We crossed paths not long ago, and they have been staying with me, along with the rest of their group, ever since they came back and found out Lowland's gate had fallen.

-You can call us Dabe and Yoe – The one named Dabether spoke, briefly shaking her hand, as did the other.

Sehira nodded at them before swiftly going through Iktan´s plan in a low voice. The men's ears perking up as they received their instructions.

-Wait for us here – The girl told Anam, signaling for her to hide – We shall return very soon.

The two men followed her cautious steps through the shadowy passages until they got to the cellar, the large man guarding him knocked out cold by the herbs that Iktan had made an infiltrated servant sneak into the drunkard beast's booze that day.

The girl hesitated for a second as the two men stood expectantly by her, before decidedly reaching for the door and quietly pushing it open. The three of them entering the storage room and softly closing it behind them.

Sehira lit a candle and illuminated the dark space, her eyes traveling along the vast walls full of ammunition, a faint gasp escaping from the surprised men at the sight of the large armory.

-We need to take just enough, so we don't arise suspicion, and we must do it fast – Sehira ordered, motioning for them to take one crate each, while she grabbed a box full of ammo – Hurry! It is time to leave.

The girl peeked outside carefully, making sure the halls were completely empty before urging the two men to start walking.

Just as they were passing by the sleeping man, he started stirring and Sehira´s heart got caught in her chest. The three of them freezing in spot as they held tightly to their bounty while the guard adjusted himself groggily for a stretching long second, just a few feet away from them, before thankfully resuming his loud snoring.

Sehira let out a shaky exhalation, nodding at the men and leading the way. Their steps trailing silently towards the city outskirts.

Once they had made it out safely and back to their gathering spot. The girl held tightly to the old woman's frame, a stream of tears running down her cheeks, her heart beating with the rush that still coursed through her veins.

-How many traders are staying with you, Anam? – Sehira asked, looking into her eyes once she recovered.

-Five… Counting these two – Anam nodded at her – It's a tight fit, but we make ends meet.

-Our wives were here… When all of this happened – Yoe, whispered doubtfully – We don't know if they died or if they were made prisoners… or which case scenario would be worse.

-What are their names? – The girl muttered, twisting her fingers nervously and wincing – Do you really wish to know?

-Bexana! – Dabe blurted out without a second thought – She likes wearing her hair down… She always has a water lily adorning it.

Silence lingered for a moment before Sehira gave him a tearful look – I am sorry, she is not down there! – She sobbed.

-Hey- Dabe muttered resignedly, patting her shoulder – Do not worry… I am sure it is better that way.

She composed herself and turned to look at Yoe, who was avoiding her sight -How about yours? What´s her name?

-You know what? – The tall young man sighed and smiled weakly at her – I do not want to know just yet… I guess I will find out once we free the city anyway. Right?

She nodded at him and spent a brief time hurriedly instructing the two tradesmen about the basics of the weapons, showing them roughly how to ready and fire them.

-Take them, show the others... Use these days to practice as much as you can – Sehira ordered them – When the time comes, you must be able to wield one and use it right. You are the only upper hand we will have to free our land.

-We will – The young men agreed, hugging her – We will do as you say and master this skill, so we can avenge our families and help you get our city back.

-Good! – The girl spoke with conviction – Now leave. Keep them safe and do not waste all the ammunition while you are at it, or we won't have enough to fight them. Bring them back when you get word from me and be ready to strike.

Just as the old woman and the two men had started walking away, Sehira´s voice called them out once again.

-And Anam… - The girl blurted out with concern – We must warn Mavaer before it is too late!