Chapter 61: War Against My People (Alex)

My head pounds against my skull. The world is a cacophony of voices hammering my ears like a rusty shovel scraping against rock. I squint my eyes as light pours between the gap of the cell bars, forcing my hand to cover my face while I barely lift my face off the hard stone floor.
I groan as someone grabs me from behind and helps me to sit on something. A voice whispers in my ear, but I can’t make out what they are saying. My vision is a blur, I can recognise some shapes and colours, but that is it. Blinking doesn’t help, not when every subtle movement causes a nasty migraine.
Even though I shouldn’t think this. I have to admit, that is one good kick to the head.
As my sight clears, Simon and Thorgan come into view. Talking to me and each other about. I don’t know what they are yapping about.
‘… we need to get out of here.’ Simon shouts over Thorgan while he pants around our shared dungeon cell. From the looks of things, it seems Max is too lazy to drag us outside of the palace. There aren’t even guards near our cell, or really, there aren't any at the dungeon.
‘I’m all ears, Cinari. But unless you have something, we are stuck here until Max decides when it’s the best time for a public execution.’ Thorgan snarls back.
I rub my head, doing everything I can to mentally recover from the loud noises. ‘Shut up,’ I whisper. Thank goodness those two turned to me and stopped talking. ‘How long have I been here?’
They look at each other before Simon responds to my question. ‘Only for a few minutes. We just got here.’
Okay, it isn’t that long ago. That is good at least. ‘What are you two arguing about, anyway?’
‘We are discussing…’
‘Be quiet!’ I raise my hand to shut Thorgan up. ‘I am right here, no need to shout.’
The old man clears his throat before he can whisper. ‘We are discussing how we can escape here. We both agree that dying here is not what we both want.’
‘However, the problem is we need a plan.’ Simon comments as he leans against the wall at the other end of the cell. ‘But at this point, we might as well prepare to face the music and ready ourselves for what Max has for us.’
Ha, giving up already? From Thorgan’s expression, he agrees that there is no hope of escaping. Not that I can blame them. Max has, from where I am sitting, control of the palace and possibly the entire region.
No, I doubt she does have everything under control. She doesn’t have my Syndy locked up. There is also the fact that there are no guards here ensuring we don’t escape. Which means one of two things: she is facing resistance, or no one is aware of the coup besides her most trusted followers.
It has to be the case! Because after giving people the power to vote on any issue and following on my promise that I will respect any outcome. I’ve gained some respect and power from them, showing that I am a leader of our people first. Max taking control will only lead to most of them losing the privilege to have a voice. Even if they agreed with her, I doubt some will like the idea of losing something when she takes charge. This coup must be more of a desperate attempt than I originally thought. In this case, we don’t need to do anything but wait.
Simon raises a brow, confused as to why I am smiling. ‘Alex, something is on your mind.’
As he says that, the dungeons swing open. Dogs rush into the cells with their crossbows at the ready.
‘That,’ I say in a smug tone as Syndy comes into view, her short stature and white fur make her stand. Once she lays eyes on me, her expression darkens.
‘Unlock the cells, now!’ She barks, ordering two large Dogs with flat faces to unlock our cell and set us free. But before Simon and Thorgan can walk out, Syndy barges past them straight to me to smack me across the face. ‘Are you fucking dense!?’
‘Ow! What is that for?’ I cover my mouth, utterly baffled at what she just did.
‘I heard you tried to get under Max’s nerves. Are you trying to get yourself killed or something? Didn’t you consider how it will affect me!?’
‘I uh…’
Everyone awkwardly stares at us. Unsure if they should speak up and get moving or let me deal with an angry and heavily pregnant woman who evidently organised our escape.
‘Syndy, right now isn’t the time…’
She grabs me by the collar and pulls me close to her face. ‘Right now is exactly the time! Max is trying to gain control of the city and take out anyone loyal to you. We need to escape and keep you alive!’ Syndy shoves me aside to turn to the Dogs she commands. ‘Get everyone ready, we are making our escape.’
‘No.’ I turn to her. ‘We have to fight back and take back control.’
‘Syndy is right,’ Thorgan chimes in. ‘We need to keep you alive. If you die, your legacy falls apart.’
‘If I leave, she wins and takes control. We have to fight her on the inside and put an end to this now besides allowing a war to happen in the South.’ I look down at Syndy’s furious expression. My heart aches. I know she isn’t angry at me or hates that I angered Max or got captured. She is worried, through that anger is someone who is deeply terrified.
‘If you guys got here without resistance, it would mean Max doesn’t have enough loyal followers, or few people know about this coup. We can take the fight to her and retake the throne and put her on trial.’
‘And how do you know that is the case?’ Simon asks.
‘I only heard Alex is in trouble because of a mutual friend,’ Syndy responds while she reloads her crossbow. ‘The coup is not known. Most of the guards that we went past to get here don’t even know what is going on.’
So I am correct, this is a desperate measure done by Max. Which means I can take the fight to them and bring the fight to Max. But why now? Why try to take control now? She is always scheming, and she isn’t brash enough to jump into a plan like Midrax. There is more to this.
‘Thorgan, take Simon and gather some forces loyal to us to fight against Max. I know the head guard supports my position, so he shouldn’t be far.’
Thorgan and Simon take one of the Dogs as they immediately head off. It will only take a few minutes before they reach the guard section of the palace. It is a gamble, but I hope they will get everyone we need.
‘Syndy, we’ll both head straight to the throne room and take on any opposition.’
She raises a brow, unimpressed with what I suggested. ‘You’re not going to argue against me.’ She gestures to her pregnant belly like I forgot.
‘Syndy, you are the last person I can convince to walk away from this. I am not going to waste our time by trying to tell you to walk away from a fight.’ I respond before grabbing a crossbow from one of the Dogs. ‘And I think you want a chance to kill Max.’
With an eager smile, she stands beside. ‘You know me too well. Lead the way.’

...

We march out of the dungeon and straight into the west wing of the palace overlooking the central garden.
The wood of my crossbow handle groans as my grip tightens the closer we get to the throne room. Max is foolish enough to think I will kneel over and give up!? I will make her regret going against me, and this time, I have a cause against that white mane bitch! If it isn’t morally reprehensible, I will turn her skin into a rug once this is all over.
Two Dogs notice me and my retinue marching down the hall. Their faces turn to panic as they realise the traitor they threw into the dungeon is out and thirsting for traitors blood.
One turns to shout, but I silence his cries for help with a single bolt through his neck.
‘Take cover!’ I order, taking shelter behind a pillar, the moment the second Dog starts firing back at me. Crossbow bolts whistle past me, slamming against stone or bouncing off against crystal. Soon, more Dogs arrive to assist the guard in attacking me to continue this duel of modern weaponry.
I look out of the window at the sight of Dogs on the second story on the other side of the courtyard.
‘They are on the second floor!’ I alert, breaking the pane glass with the butt of my crossbow to shoot at the advancing forces. Managing to kill one of Max’s soldiers as a bolt pierces his stomach and nails them to the wall.
As we continue to fight them, the twang of crossbow rope overlaps with the shouting and cries of everyone involved. The more I realise we are in a terrible position. We are pinned, and we need to move out of there. I can’t hope for Thorgan to turn up; I need to turn the tide of this fight if we have a chance of winning this. The only thing I am thankful for is that the enemy is too cowardly to charge and overwhelm us.
Thwang!
‘Shit!’ I groan, ejecting the empty magazine out of my crossbow to slam a fresh one in. I peek around the corner, only to have a bolt hit me in the left arm. I hiss, though grateful it is only a cut.
There are five Dogs on the ground floor, and I think there are about six on the second floor. Not including Syndy or I, we only have four Dogs on my side. Two have already died. The Dogs on the second floor are keeping us pinned, but from where they are standing, they won’t have the best view of the area. The ones on the ground floor will cause issues, as they are actively keeping us in one spot.
‘Alex! We need a plan!’ Syndy shouts, hunkering down before shooting her crossbow at our foes.
I point to three random Dogs. ‘We have control of this area. I need you to fall back and go around to attack the ones on the second floor. We will cover you!’
They nod to me, understanding their assignment. I need them to occupy the forces across from us before we can push.
‘When I give the signal, we will focus our fire on the ones down the hall. We will force them to keep their heads down so the three can flank the enemy.’
‘What will happen to you?’ One Dog asks.
‘They want me dead! I will stay here so their attention is on me. It will look like you are running away from the fight and abandoning your support of me.’ Before I can continue, marble chunks spew near my face. Coughing, I turn back to the Dog to relay my orders. ‘Move! Move! Move!’
Without delay, the three Dogs bolt out of their positions while Syndy and I relentlessly fire our crossbows at the Dogs down the hall. Racking our crossbows and pulling the trigger in quick succession without ducking behind cover. Doing everything in our power to ensure my plan works. Which it does. Not a single Dog falling back to flank them has died. The only exception is the dead Dog that was staying with us to hold this line.
Syndy hugs her crossbow, leaning against her pillar as bolts start to fly in our direction once again. She pants, clearly scared at what is happening. They are using my plan against me, and this time, the one down the hall slowly advances our position. Going from cover to cover, firing their crossbows at us to keep us pinned. Shit! I made a mistake; I made myself open to them for the hopes of outflanking them.
Oh, Syndy, I am sorry. You should be the one flanking them, besides staying alongside me. But if I am going to die, I prefer to die alongside you.
‘Defend the regent at all costs!’ A familiar voice echoes down the hall. Thorgan! Help has arrived.
Max’s Dog’s advance screeches to a halt as allied forces rush to my position. Shooting their crossbows while some with shields and swords charge in to cut down the traitors with their blades. Locking themselves in a brutal melee with the ferocity they have for the Cinari.
I turn to the ones on the second story to see them engaging with the Dogs I ordered to flank them. But this time, with additional help. Pushing the enemy back to take control of the area.
Thorgan rushes to my position with a short sword in hand. ‘Everything’s okay?’
I glance at Syndy to see that she is safe before turning to Thorgan. ‘We are. How is everything going?’
‘We…’
At the other end of the palace, a bang shakes the entire palace. This is bigger than I thought. The fighting goes beyond the walls of this palace.
‘The head guard and Max’s loyal fools are fighting everywhere in the city.’ Thorgan pauses before gesturing for me to follow him to the direction of the throne room. ‘This is bad, Alex. The whole thing is falling apart faster than I thought. Cinari civilians are running away from the city, and the situation is deteriorating fast. Most Dogs haven’t picked a side yet, but I don’t want to wait to see if they will support you or not.’
‘What about Max? Is she still here?’
‘Aye,’ he responds.
My face sours as I am hoping she ran away. But of course, I have to deal with the stubborn fool to take back my throne and end this conflict.
‘The path to the throne room should be clear, but we have to move now.’
I nod in agreement while I reach down to grab additional ammo for my crossbow, as well as a knife in case I need to get up and close to them. ‘What about Simon? Where is he?’
‘Did the Cinari run away?’ Syndy chimes in with an annoyed expression.
‘No, he is with the head guard as we speak. From what I understand, the Cinari is telling him everything about the city’s layout and possible secret passages that we can use to win back this city.’ Thorgan’s answer calms Syndy for a moment, but I can tell that she is still furious at everything and everyone. Right now, I need her anger aimed at Max and not our allies.
‘Alright, lead the way and let’s end this!’ I snarl as I make my way to the throne room. This coup will end, and I will celebrate it with her death. Traitors don’t deserve redemption, not when my city burns.
The path to the throne room is slow and arduous. Every hallway, corridor, room, and open space needs to be cleared before we can even push forward. Every step we make is a piece of ground we need to fight for and dominate. The traitors are putting up a fight, their anger and determination clashing against our own, similar to when we battle against the Cinari.
Yet, I have to feel pity for them. Those Dogs fought alongside me and took part in the liberation of our people and the breaking of our bonds. We all have a reason to unite, to fight against the evils of slavery. However, it hurts to admit it. They all have a different interpretation of what the end of our subjugation should look like. Their pain and fixation on the past blinded them to what our future should be. Their anger turned on their own people, and I need to help them. I need to end this as soon as possible.
Smoke emanates from all across the city. Thorgan is right, the fighting is happening in the streets. The scenery, how the fires outside reflect off the palace window glass, is surreal. This is a civil war, a real civil war, and I am fighting against my own people. It makes me wonder if I am even a good leader if we are killing each other openly. No, I need to focus. I have to rebuild this city once this is over. The quicker this ends, the better.
‘Alex, we need to keep moving.’ Syndy gently nudges my shoulder, taking me out of a trance from looking out of the palace window.
‘Sorry,’ I shake my head. ‘This is just a lot to take in.’
We all rush to the entrance of the throne room. I keep my crossbow raised as I find it odd that no guards are waiting at the entrance. Thorgan cuts me off to be the first to get to the oversized doors. Cackling with a hopeful expression, ‘looks like she packed up and left.’
Syndy heads to the other side of the door frame to take up a position with a few Dogs. ‘I doubt it. She will be behind that door.’
Thorgan sighs, ‘someone still has to open it either way.’
I grab his hand. ‘Thorgan, this is a bad idea. There has to be another way to open it.’
A Dog steps in, but Thorgan raises a hand to deny their request. It is he who should do it. ‘Unless you want to open it with me and risk your life. No, I’ll open it. Just make sure not to miss.’
He cuts me off as I try to protest. The old man doesn’t want to hear it. He knows we need to fight, and we need to get in as quickly as possible. For that to be possible, he needs to push the door. The last act of service after living for so long.
With a heavy breath, he unlatches the doors and pushes them wide open. Soon, a bolt strikes his chest. Knocking him to the ground with a thud.
‘Thorgan!’ I try to reach for him, but have to jump back into cover as more bolts fly in our general direction. I turn back to Thorgan’s body. I wait for him to move or say something. Yet, he lies there motionlessly.
‘I know you’re there, Alex.’ Max shouts from inside the throne room. She chuckles to herself, amused by this whole situation. ‘I have to admit, I didn’t expect you to get out of your cell.
Of course, she didn’t; she is an idiot with an inflated ego. ‘You should've killed me when you had a chance.’
‘That I can agree with.’
We exchange bolt fire. While I try to get the layout of the throne room and everyone inside, she and her traitorous band are trying to find a weak spot in our defences. It seems that having only one entrance in and out of the throne room makes things difficult for both sides. I can’t get in, and she can’t get out. My room connecting to the throne room can’t be exploited because it is not connected to the palace. Nor do I have the time to have soldiers find another entrance into the throne room to kill them. I need a different way in there, or at least, a way to get her out.
‘You can’t stay in there forever, Max. You are trapped, and we have you surrounded.’
Max laughs. ‘Alex, the whole city is fighting for you or me. Do you really think this is a permanent thing? Sooner or later, you will have to leave your spot and save the city from burning down.’
‘Are you willing to destroy what we have built?’
‘Took over, Alex. But yes, I am willing to win by any means necessary!’ Max growls. ‘Besides, we can always rebuild once I put your and your bitch’s head on a spike.’
‘There won’t be anything to rebuild if we kill each other, you have to give up!’
‘Since you are so concerned about the health of this Cinari city, how about you surrender over to me and we can end this once and for all? We both have people fighting for one or the other. But I wonder how many of our people are willing to support a traitor such as yourself!’
I growl, leaning around to fire my crossbow in her general direction, only to miss. ‘I am chosen to be a regent! Not you! Marak trusted me to be the leader of the South while he fights for our people.’
‘And yet you fight for our enslavers, a demonic species deserving nothing but pain and suffering. How can people trust your leadership if you can’t even represent us?’
In a way, she has a point. How can I represent everyone if this is the end result of my leadership? I can’t wait for my forces in the city to win. I can’t take control of the throne room and end this coup as soon as I like. This is a disaster, a hopeless situation for everyone, even for her. She also doesn’t represent everyone. Max might not admit it, but she is on the same boat as me. If we are to win against the Cinari and recover from this war, I need everyone, even the Dogs who betrayed me.
Syndy frowns, knowing that I am thinking of something ridiculous. ‘Alex, don’t do something stupid.’
I ignore her, shouting to Max so she can hear my offer. ‘Then face me, just you and me. I challenge you to a duel for control of the throne in Marak’s absence.’
Max scoffs at my offer, while Syndy is fighting the urge to aim her crossbow at me to shoot me in the head. ‘And why do you think I’ll face you?’
‘Because everyone is fighting for what we stand for, Max. Everyone here shares our own beliefs about how we should continue once this war is over, and will die for that belief. This conflict will weaken us and make everything worse off. I demand we settle this conflict ourselves, let us fight for them!’
The Dogs from the throne room halt their attack, waiting for Max to respond. It seems they are in favour of the idea of us duelling, and I can understand why. This is our conflict, not theirs. We should handle this our way and not put the lives of brave men and women on the chopping block to die.
‘Ah, so let me show myself so you can ambush me? Don’t think you can trick me.’
Syndy protests as I chuck my crossbow to the ground to walk into the throne room. ‘This is no trick. I am demanding you stand for your beliefs and face me alone.’
Max smiles, lowering her crossbow at my daring entrance. ‘That is bold, Alex.’ She aims her crossbow at me. ‘And what makes you think I won’t just shoot you?’
‘Because then you are a coward, someone who can’t even fight for what they stand for.’ I approach her, unfazed by her threatening posture. ‘Tell your forces to stand down, and I’ll tell mine to stop fighting. An armistice!’
‘You sound desperate, Alex. To tell me to stand down like that, practically begging in front of me to duel me. I like my odds.’
I gesture to Max’s Dogs. ‘What will they think of you when you allow the further killing of our people? It doesn’t matter if I am desperate or not, we both know it is best for our kind!’ I smile, knowing that I can lever her and press on her ego. ‘Besides, don’t you want to kill me yourself in front of a crowd?’
Max frowns; her confidence fades when she knows what the implications will be if she just kills me and continues the senseless violence in front of her supporters. My death by her hands after calling for a duel will make her cause and rule weaker in comparison. She might solve one problem, but she would open herself to future rebellion and assassination attempts. No one likes a coward for a ruler.
‘Fine, I’ll accept. We’ll settle this in three hours when everything is settled down. But since I am the challenged, we will wear no armour and we will only be wielding swords. Nothing more, nothing less. We will meet at the centre of the city so everyone can watch. Understood?’
I gave her a nod. ‘I’ll allow you to send the word out.’
She steps out of her way so she can walk out, but she mumbles to me before she leaves. ‘Not like you have a choice.’
No, Max. I do have a choice. What you fail to realise is that I am willing to put the needs of my people first over the needs of my own pride. But I’ll let her go, no need to start something now. Our duel will be soon.
Syndy rushes into the throne room. ‘Alex, you don’t know what you are doing.’
‘I’m trying to put a stop to this.’
She shakes her head, but cuts herself off before she can continue. ‘Just…’ she stutters for a moment. I reach out to hold her hand to provide some sense of balance and calm so she can speak her mind freely. ‘Do you think you can win?’
‘No,’ I bluntly admit. ‘But I have to try.’
‘You can’t just try, Alex. You have to win.’ She pulls on my hand so it can rest on her stomach. ‘At least for us if anything.’