A Year of Silence, Scene v1

“Welcome back. And who do we have here?” asked Raze as Devin and his squad rode up to the castle gates just before noon.

Devin hopped off his saddle and handed his horse over to a nearby soldier. He helped Isella off of Kismet’s horse as he spoke, “We found Isella here involved in some Kival activity while we were in the Republic. Kismet insists she’s the same person that had been spying on them in Rokan as well.”

Raze looked at her curiously, then at Lucas. “Isella…that name sounds familiar. Isn’t she—never mind. Let’s go inside.”

As they took Isella to her cell, the squad debriefed Raze about their encounters with the Kival. “I’m still amazed. How did you know Hazalin was going to only take three of the wagons, anyway?” asked Sara as they left the dungeon.

“When I heard he abandoned his position as one of the five Commanders of Lokem to help the Kival find a new home, I felt it best to learn more about him incase something like this ever happened. Eleven years ago, during the Catheran Invasion, Lokem received word that the Cathera were moving through Rokan from the Telan Empire. Hazalin led a group of a hundred archers to ward off any incoming Cathera at Jastor’s Pass to prevent Lokem from suffering the same fate as Rokan. Although over eighty of those soldiers died, it was still the most effective strategy. Since the Kival have become more aggressive, it was obvious they were becoming desperate for food. But despite that, I heard Hazalin always strived to keep good relations with people, since the last thing the Kival would want is a war against them. So I had the last two wagons filled with rocks, and left the third with food and a note.”

Sara was entranced in the General’s story, never blinking an eye. Her brow furrowed in curiosity. “A note?”

Raze waved away her question and began walking off with Nakita and Devin. “That’s not important. Anyway, good work in capturing Isella. You’re all dismissed until further notice.”

“Wait. What’s going to happen to her—to Isella?” asked Lucas.

Raze looked back at him. Confusion and anxiety clouded his eyes, as he braced himself for her response. “We’ll need to find out what she knows, then we’ll see. I’m sorry Lucas.”

Lucas stood there, trying to stop himself from shaking, as the Generals walked off. Sara rolled her eyes and walked off. Kismet gazed at him for a moment, then touched his shoulder sympathetically before searching for Delphi.

Lucas returned to the dungeon. The warden glanced at him as he walked by toward the cells. The rancid stench of urine and body odor lingered in the air. The stone walls seemed to grow colder the further cells he walked. Only two of the sixteen cells were occupied apart from Isella’s. He stood in front of her cell while she lie on the mat against the wall that served as her bed.

“Isella…” he looked at her, desperate for a response. “Why won’t you talk to me?”

Isella didn’t move. She continued to stare at the ground in front of her. Lucas grabbed the bars of the cell. “Why won’t you say anything—or even look at me? Was it something I did?”

“No…” she answered softly.

“Then why?”

A tear fell from her eyes. Her mouth twitched. “I guess you really never did get any of my letters.”



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