This scene follows "A Gift for Father".
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Kismet sat across from Lucas in the cargo bed of the caravan. Tim, one of the farmers the squad was assigned to escort home, sat rigidly at the opposite corner of Kismet, with his back pressed against the side. He leaned in closer to Sara, never taking his eyes off the Catheran that sat across from him. “Hey…do we really need to have that thing around?” “Trust me, I don’t like being around it either. If we were allowed to get rid of it, I would’ve done it a long time ago,” replied Sara, with crossed arms and a huff. “And since when did the military become an escort service?”
“Trust me, I don’t like being around it either. If we were allowed to get rid of it, I would’ve done it a long time ago,” replied Sara, with crossed arms and a huff. “And since when did the military become an escort service?”
“You never heard?” asked Jed. “Those damned Kival outcasts have been raidin’ villages and food shipments for the crop.”
“I also heard they’ve kidnapped a couple children one time too,” added Tim.
Kismet watched Lucas turn his gaze to the side of the road behind them. A tinge of frustration and sadness glazed over his eyes. Kismet shifted her attention back to the conversation. “The Kival Tribe? I thought they lived in the Lokem Republic. Why would they be raiding villages and kidnapping children of the Empire?”
“Ohh ho, the cat can speak?” snorted Jed.
Kismet glared at the back of Jed’s head. Beads of sweat formed on Tim’s forehead, as he eyed the Catheran nervously. Sara contributed with a hearty chuckle. “Hah, that’s exactly what I said when I first heard her talk! I sure do wish it weren’t true, though. If it were up to me she would be locked away somewhere, bound and gagged.”
Jed laughed, “After what they’ve gone and done to us, I’d say we’d be lettin’ it off easy. I don’t see why any of them cat-folk are even down here in the first place. They should just stay up north in Telan where they belong.”
Kismet dug her claws into the carriage and closed her eyes in attempt to ignore their comments. Tim grew very uncomfortable with the situation and nudged Jed in the back. “’ey. Stop that. If you go and make it angry it might eat us alive or somethin’.”
Jed waved off his words, “Fine, fine.”
Tim cleared his throat then stuttered his answer to Kismet’s question. “W-well. You know how the Republic are forcin’ the Kival out of their cities? I think they’re blamin’ Rokan for it or somethin’.”
Lucas clenched his fists. “But it’s not as though we’re not suffering from a food shortage either. To kidnap and raid innocent people....”
“These raids; how long have they been happening?” interjected Kismet.
“Quite some time now. Maybe a month or somethin’? At least that’s what I heard,” answered Tim. “They’ve never gone as far as kidnappin’ before. But now they take ‘em and demand ransom for ‘em, like food and clothes. Happened to Pokey’s girl didn’t it, Jed?”
Jed nodded. “Mm hmm, sure did.”
“The children they kidnap…they’re returned unharmed right? They don’t hurt them do they?” asked Lucas, with saddened eyes.
“Don’t think so. At least lil’ Millie wasn’t hurt when they gave her back,” answered Jed.
A farming village came into view as the group continued around the curved dirt road. Several farmers came out to greet them, standing near a large pile of crops, ready to load. The afternoon sun began to descend as they rode into the village. As they grew closer, the villagers whispered amongst themselves at the sight of Kismet riding in the cargo bed.
“Thanks for bringin’ us back to Levan,” said Tim, jumping out of the back.
“Yeah, thanks,” seconded Jed.
Sara hopped onto the ground and stretched. “That felt like it took forever. The general needs to give us something less boring to do.”
The dubious glares of the villagers bore through Kismet’s hide. She stayed behind and averted her eyes into the woods, hoping only that they would resume their business.
“Better than putting our life on the line,” stated Lucas, following behind her.
“But that’s where all the fun is. I’d much rather take some risks and enjoy myself instead doing stuff like this every day.”
A young man inched toward Sara in disbelief. “You—you’re her! You’re really her aren’t you?”
Sara stared blankly at him. He took another step closer. “You’re Sara Stiles, the grand champion of the 56th Annual Archery Tournament! I watched you win every single event!”
Sara stood up tall, full of pride with a big grin plastered on her face. “Oh? I must say I was a little impressed with myself that day too.”
“I was more than impressed. I always practice shooting for fun, but wow! And was only able to see you from far away, but I must say you look even better in person.”
Sara let out a small chuckle. “Well, what can I say?”
Kismet rolled her eyes and glanced back at the trees that surrounded the village. A silhouette of a cloaked figure caught Kismet’s eye, as it watched the three soldiers, motionless. Kismet squinted at the shrouded figure, trying to distinguish any features, but the person was too far. Lucas looked back at Kismet, puzzled, as she walked toward the border of the woods.
Sara continued basking in the villagers’ praise and admiration toward her. The silhouette quickly slipped into the shadows. Kismet dashed after it.
“Kismet? Hey! Wait!” yelled Lucas as he ran after her.
The villagers fell silent and watched in confusion. Sara chased after them. “Hey! Where the hell are you going?”
Kismet weaved through the trees, hardly keeping up with the shadow’s trail. As they ventured deeper into the wooded area, the trees became more and more dense. The silhouette slithered through the trees, managing to escape Kismet’s pursuit. She slowed to a halt and listened to the footsteps fade into the woods. Lucas and Sara stumbled behind Kismet, out of breath.
“What… the hell is wrong with you?” gasped Sara.
“Someone was spying on us.”
“Was it… one of the Kival?” asked Lucas.
Sara glared at Kismet, annoyed. “What are you talking about? I didn’t see anyone.”
“I saw someone hiding behind the trees,” claimed Kismet.
Sara sneered as she walked back toward Levan. “Whatever. I’m going back.”
Kismet looked one last time in the direction of where the person had escaped. Lucas gazed at Kismet for a moment before scanning his surroundings nervously as they walked back to the village.
* * *
Sara knocked on Devin’s office door with Kismet and Lucas behind her.
“Come in.”
Devin looked up from his paperwork, “Oh, you’re back. I trust everything went fine?”
“We escorted them home, as you ordered. But for some reason, Kismet here ran off into the woods. The villagers were already nervous with her around, but when she ran off they really started to worry,” reported Sara.
“There was someone spying on us, Sir,” defended Kismet.
“How do you know if it was even someone spying?” asked Devin.
“The person was very suspicious. They were watching us ever since we arrived at the village from the shadows of the trees, and when I walked toward the person they ran.”
“Did it ever occur to you that it might’ve been another villager?”
“With all due respect, villagers typically don’t hide behind trees, Sir,” insisted Kismet.
“It very well could’ve been someone who hid when they saw you. You should know better than anyone how people react when you’re around.”
“I suppose so, but I found it odd that the person was wearing a cloak.”
“Mere suspicion, in a situation like that, doesn’t warrant a sudden pursuit that more than likely frightened the villagers. Even if the person was spying, what would they even gain from watching you escort those two back to their homes?”
Kismet averted her eyes downward. “I-I don’t know…Forgive me, it won’t happen again.”
Devin continued in a stern tone. “I don’t need you bringing me more trouble than you already have. The only reason you even made it this far is because of His Majesty. But let me assure you, if you continue to act irresponsibly then even His Majesty won’t be able to help you.”
Sara grinned evilly as Kismet acknowledged her defeat. “Yes Sir, I understand.”
“Good.” Devin sat against the back of his chair. “I’ve decided that the three of you will be making a classified delivery tomorrow.”
“A…delivery?” asked Sara.
“Yes. Tomorrow morning you’ll need to capture a wild rabbit then deliver it to a researcher that resides in the cave directly East of the castle. His name is Rahnt Hoffman.”
Sara rose her tone in frustration, “Why can’t he just get a rabbit from some farm?”
Devin narrowed his eyes at Sara, “Did I not just say that he wanted a wild rabbit?”
“But making deliveries is a pageboy’s job. General Raze will never know what I’m capable of if I keep getting stuck doing these trivial things.”
Devin pounded his desk and leaned forward. “The military isn’t about showing off, Sara. You do what you’re told to do, whether you want to or not. There’s nothing less desirable than a soldier who whines about their orders. I suggest you start shaping up and learn to take orders as they are given, because at this rate, even Kismet would have a better chance of becoming a member of The Elite before you.”
Kismet struggled to suppress a snicker as she watched Sara clench her fists.
“Now, is there a problem with tomorrow’s assignment?” continued Devin.
Sara’s face contorted with frustration. “No, Sir. There’s no problem.”
“Good. Now get out. You’ll be leaving soon after dawn.”
Sara stormed out of the room, shoving Kismet and Lucas aside.
“I swear…how in heaven’s name did I get stuck babysitting these three…” mumbled Devin as Kismet and Lucas closed the door behind them.
First: Kismet vs. Bandits, Scene v1
Previous: A Gift for Father, Scene v1
Next: The Smile of a Princess, Scene v1
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