Chapter 101 Alambra's Fight

Chapter 101 Alambra's Fight
The Assassins didn't slow when they reached the outskirts of Alambra. The army had been moving as quickly as it could ever since Ra'Jeem and the others had arrived in the North and found Caldan's people ready to go.

The two of them rode Lomai at the front. The animals trotted along the north road toward the city, with more Lomai and people on foot behind them. They hadn't seen guards along the road yet, and they didn't know if that was a good sign or not.

"Keep going," Ra'Jeem said to Caldan. "There's something I have to do." When the rebel leader gave him a quizzical look, he assured him, "I'll catch up soon."

Caldan nodded, and then the Disciple broke off from the rest of the group. He pushed his Lomai down the farm roads on the outskirts of the city until he reached Stalla's house. He sighed in relief to see everything was still there, but he knew that might not mean anything, so he hopped down from the Lomai and ran to the front door.

"Ra'Jeem!" Stalla said when she opened the front door. She looked tired and thin.

"Is anyone else here?" he asked.

"No, it's just me. Why?"

"I need you to gather up the rest of the family and head north to one of the villages."

Her eyes widened. "Have you come to free the city?" she whispered.

Ra'Jeem nodded and then came inside to help her pack a few things.

"Go," he said when they were finished, and gave her a warm hug. "The rest of the rebels should be in the city by now."

When he was sure she was on her way, Ra'Jeem ran back to his Lomai. As he climbed onto its back, he realized that he'd referred to himself as a rebel. He wasn't sure how that made him feel, but he didn't have time to worry about it.

He'd expected to see people fighting with guards or Assassins at the city entrance, but the army had already moved into the streets. People were cautiously coming out of their shops and homes, looking just as thin and weary as Stalla had. The charming city he'd gotten to know not so long ago was gone. Shops and houses had been closed or destroyed. The well-kept trees and flowers were either dead or overgrown. Here and there, though, he could see a spot of clean and color, like the last vestiges of a dying rebellion.

As Ra'Jeem caught up to the Assassins and rebels, an older man and woman stepped into the street to stop him. They wore aprons covered in flour, but their faces suggested they should have retired years ago.

"Are you here to stop them? Gall and his men?" the old woman asked. Her voice was quiet and strained, knowing what the consequences could be for her if the answer was no.

"Yes, grandmother," Ra'Jeem answered, having gotten used to the more familial address of the Zytherians. Then he smiled and kissed her hand.

The old woman grinned and quickly told the old man. The two of them shouted the news together, and soon bells began to chime, and a clamor went through the city.

"Well, they'll know we're here now," Caldan grumbled as Ra'Jeem caught up with him.

"Yes, but I think we've just found another army to fight at our side."

By the time the rebels and Assassins made it to the top of the hill, it looked like half the town was lined up behind them. Gall had outlawed weapons, so they carried pitchforks, chunks of wood, and anything else they could use.

As Ra'Jeem and Caldan rode up to the Assassins' Headquarters, guards appeared along the walls. They silently stared down at the army, and a moment later, Gall and Sa'Mood arrived. To no one's surprise, they showed no signs of suffering the same hardships as the people of Alambra had. As they looked out at the sea of people, though, Ra'Jeem thought he could see a distinct glint of fear in their eyes.

"This doesn't have to be hard, Gall," he shouted.

The Grand Assassin scoffed. "You are a traitor to the Empire," he sneered. "Why would I turn over the city to you?"

"I don't think you're going to have much choice." When Gall didn't reply, he said, "Look, there's no reason to send your Assassins to die. The fight is over."

Voices started to shout behind him. The people of Alambra were ready for blood. Ra'Jeem understood how they felt and had been prepared for a fight. When he realized how outnumbered Gall and Sa'Mood were, though, he'd hoped they could end things quickly and painlessly. It was starting to look less and less likely that things were going to go that way, though.

Gall looked out at the crowd and snarled. "You are all ungrateful!" he yelled over their shouts. It only made the shouting grow louder until his voice was drowned out completely.

The Grand Assassin looked down at Ra'Jeem like it was his fault, and then motioned for the guards to open the gates. As the heavy wooden doors slowly swung open, the crowd fell silent in anticipation. Standing just on the other side of the gates were rows of Gall and Sa'Mood's Assassins.

Cautiously, Ra'Jeem and Caldan slid off their Lomai and ushered the animals away. When they had moved, Ra'Jeem held up his hands and took a few steps towards the other Assassins.

"You don't have to do this," he called out. "Another group is sailing toward the Imperial City as we stand here."

Surprise and disbelief crossed the faces of Gall's Assassins, and a murmur went through them.

"Lies!" Sa'Mood shouted.

"It's not," Ra'Jeem assured him. "We joined forces with the Zytherians."

Gall and Sa'Mood laughed, but then the Disciple moved out of the way and signalled for the Zytherians who'd come with them to step forward. The two Assassins watched, their smiles faltering.

"No one has to die," Ra'Jeem said, turning back to Gall and Sa'Mood's forces. "You can stay here, in the custody of the people of Alambra, or...you can join us, and fight for the freedom of everyone in Aquilara."