Chapter 71 Beautiful Mistakes [5]
The war between Calonia and the Kaelin Empire had begun over a dispute on a piece of land. Negotiations between the two countries by their ambassadors had been made, but Calonia had backed out of every said word.
Their president felt fooled to be subdued by mere some negotiation that he would not be granted access to the land. This said land contained rich mineral resources such as diamond - and thus the Calonians wanted to claim ownership of the land.
The land was a strip of land which was positioned between the two nations. The Kaelin Empire being bruised by Calonias' betrayal and their thirst for war, had no choice but to return fire for fire.
The Calonia nation had an army unlike the Kaelins, but it seemed like this game of chess was better played by the smarter nation.
Ryder's mother had lost her first son and husband to the cruel war which had started three years ago. When another call for enlistment blurred the air, his mother would not allow both of her last sons to leave.
And such disobedience to the call of service was punishable by law if discovered. So Ryder Jenkins who had been 23 decided to sacrifice himself while his younger brother, George who had been 18 at that time the call was made starting to dress like a girl.
Girls weren't enlisted or forced against their wishes to join the war. Only those who needed or wanted to serve as nurses, cooks, and maids took delight in serving their nation.
This had awarded Ryder's brother to be under the scrutiny of their mother's safe arms.
But if such grievous offense was found, treason was the price for such a deed.
Flashes of George's face filtered through Ryder's subconscious mind, he missed George. George was turning 20 soon, and Ryder had been darn sure he would be returning home since the war was over.
His brother's image was blurred to nothing and Tiana's naked pictures replaced that of his brother's.
Ahh, the joy of feeling a naked woman's body against his very own. The explicit ecstasy dwells in the softness of a woman's body. He wanted to feel that over again.
He was a virgin young man, who had been unfortunate in the time past to enjoy the vanities of sex. But Tiana had made all that possible, and he wanted to treasure every minute of that very moment.
Where was Tiana now?
He tried to reach out but he felt his hand stiffened, he couldn't move and his head ached tremendously.
Slasphhhhhhhhhhh...
Water slashed on his face and he was forced to open his eyes.
Blurred visions.
He shook his head, hoping that would do the trick of making him see clearer images of the figures standing before him.
Two burly men stood before him while one was smirking at him from the corner of the room.
Where was he?
His head rotated around the room, hoping he would catch a glimpse of Tiana. They had been making love when the maniacs had captured them.
This room was dark except for the lamp which sat in the centre of a table.
"Who are you?"
Ryder's lips quivered.
"Finally, he's awake," the bigger of the men grunted, moving close to Ryder.
"Where am I? What is this place? Where is Tiana?" Ryder asked all at once.
Fear was stirring up within him gradually, muddling his senses, numbed from any thinking.
"You dare to rape a woman of Kaelin!" The other man beside the bigger one brushed a blow at Ryder's mouth.
Ryder felt his mouth tear slightly and blood trickled from it.
Kaelin?
His head jerked to the badge on their shirts.
The men who had captured both him and Tiana were Kaelin Empire soldiers.
He was in the clutches of the enemy!
Now, he was doomed.
He had run from a hot swizzling oil, only to be thrown into the fire.
The word rape dragged him back to reality.
Ryder had never raped a woman in his entire life, why would he be held accountable for such a crime?
But wouldn't it be meaningless to fight against such a notion?
"I am no rapist," Ryder bared his teeth at them, dragging his body from the chair.
But that was fruitless, it only resulted in more pain.
The men let out a laugh. The bigger man grabbed Ryder's hair. "You think we care about the likes of you? By the time we are done with you, you will return to your people like a sack full of meats."
Then they started to rain punches and slaps. Ryder's head swam in a slow daze amidst the activity.
Had Tiana left him to his fate?
He shouldn't blame her, after all, she was serving her country likewise.
He hated himself for being understanding. Just once, he needed to confirm if she ever cared about him as he did care about her.
He was sure to die in this place, there was no two ways about it.
"Where is Tiana?"
Ryder continued to mumble despite the throbbing at the back of his head.
It hurt deeply that it felt like his head would explode.
"Why does he keep asking for Tiana?" The man at the back of the room asked.
"I have no idea. I admire his stamina but all that will leave him in due course, I assure you," the bigger man flexed his muscles as he started to roll up his sleeves.
Ryder's eyes caught him picking a club from the floor. They weren't even questioning him the usual way an enemy should be interrogated.
Instead, they chose to torture and beat him to a pulp. Maybe, the fact that he was caught naked with a woman from Kaelin nation had irked them to oblivion.
His eyes began to flutter to a close - death was nigh, he should rather embrace it.
He would miss his mother and George.
But they should well know that he had died because of a beautiful mistake which he had committed.
A shot was fired, and the place stilled but Ryder had already fallen into an unconscious state.