Underhanded

The journey toward the north went surprisingly well, as Tracey sat in the back of a small wooden carriage, watching the lands go by swiftly.

The world looked remarkably different from a horse drawn veridical, with a slightly higher view of the land, Tracey saw the little hilly village again, then another small collection of abandoned homes a little latter, before they passed through a burnt out wreck of another village, that soured the scenery. After another set of ruins, came the once covering thicket of the 'wild-lands', that had been mercilessly turned into a scared landscape, for a hundred meters either side of the rough makeshift road, that had also been hastily made in the mostly cleared strip through the once green forest.

Amanda steered the small carriage from up front, managing the two creatures who dutifully pulled them along, and keeping sharp eyes on her surroundings, while Tracey and Shizuka peered out the small dusty windows to assist in their limited view.

They trundled past many sets of small barricades, that lined the 'road', but none were maned at all, in the vast opened area, as any kind of ambush could be seen well before it could happen. Except none came in the ruined and wrecked space, devoid of any life, and only filled with many small markers - that indicated where the dead had been buried.

There were so many of them, so much so that Tracey stopped looking outside, until they reached the small stone barrier, which marked the former Imperial boarder.

It was amazing to think; that only a solid day's ride could bring the edge of the Empire into reach, after the long and daring trip to get to where they'd gotten too.

Going through the gap in the three meter high wall, apparently at the shortest distance to access Kibble and beyond, it was still watched by a dozen Imperial Army men, in full grey and duller red colours, but after passing them by, they soon found a much more respectable road, one not In a mostly straight line, but not wildly bumpy, and with great gashes in it.

The light had faded away then, so the trio had quietly pulled up by the road, but not close enough to be seen from it either, as this was Imperial land - so the roads weren't safe in the daytime, let alone in the dark.

Shizuka kept watch for the two Humans all night, so when they resumed their travels when the light returned, she mostly curled up on the front seat and got as much rest as she could.

She didn't rise till they slowed through a small village that had some light traffic.

"So these are Human... villages?"

Shizuka kept low, under the small shade cloth, looking out at the impoverished and scrappy place.

"And some of your kind call us lesser beings..."

Tracey could see what the Fox could, people barely living, probably fighting and working hard for scraps in this all too typical Imperial village, that had a name, not that she knew it.

"Most live... mostly like this here... while there are some with ridiculously lavish lives..."

Shizuka watched as some squalid rag wearing people were passed, before turning back to Tracey with a touch of horror in hr eyes.

"This is normal? Why... how?"

It was a good question, and Tracey only had bad answers come to mind.

"It's the wealthy and powerful... they take more and more for themselves... leaving less for everyone... else..."

Shizuka had turned back to Tracey, with an appalled expression.

"Do most Humans not care for others?"

"I'd like to say that's not true..."

The Imperial ruled world Tracey knew really didn't seem to have much compassion remaining in it.

"And this is just the way this... works here?"

"It wasn't always so bad - and some are trying their best to change things..."

"Like you?"

The foxy-girl was still disgusted, but with the land Tracey had lived in, not with her.

"I've watched you long enough to know you're one of these 'trying their best'... But I never knew how bad... how big a task you have been attempting..."

She looked out the partially covered window again, seeing more slum-like conditions.

"Why do the citizens remain in a... broken system like this?"

Tracey didn't voice her thoughts on that, as they would be too depressing to say.

They have no real other options... stepped on for so long, they just grow used to it all, I guess for the most that's the reason... While the upper-class just continue to gather more and do as they please...

The pace picked up, as the carriage pulled away from the struggling village.

Shizuka slumped back into the seat.

"I can see why sometimes you looked surprised in Alama..."

Tracey remained motionless and listened to her.

"I mean we used to squabble between the different tribes, but that was long ago... now we all get along and watch out for each other... to have better lives..."

That was Tracey's dream too; a place were killing wasn't like a means or even a sport and everyone could just get along.

"That sounds... wonderful."

Shizuka had a small smile grow on her face.

"Want to switch sides and fight for my people instead?"

Tracey returned a short grin, having already contemplated that very action, a few times now, and doing something sounded like a much better option than letting things be.

"It's tempting..."

Approaching a long spanning bridge, over a wide river, Amanda slowed up the horses pulling the small carriage along, as something partly blocked the road ahead.

"There's a broken carriage, just on the bridge..."

Amanda called back, while Tracey did her best to see for herself.

As far as she could tell, a slightly bigger transport sat on the stone bridge, with a few men about it, but there appeared to be enough room for them to squeeze by and continue.

Amanda slowed up a little more when they grew nearer.

"Hello there - don't mind us, just a broken axel..."

Tracey heard a man call out to her cautious driver.

"Are you sure?"

Tracey heard Amanda return.

"Sure... just go on by us..."

Their small carriage crawled by, until it didn't.

Suddenly something heavy thudded against her door, just as they stopped moving, then istantly the carriage began to slight rock about, like one or more had climbed onboard, as Amanda made some sounds of distress.

"Amanda!"

Tracey had already sprung up and went for the door, preparing to leap out and assist - but it wouldn't push out.

Shizuka drew her dagger and looked ready to join in, when more forceful rocks swayed their vehicle, and Tracey's good friend made some more muffled cries.

Tracey grew more desperate, and threw her shoulder into the door, but it didn't budge, so she flicked the window covers aside for a second, to see that a group of men had braced a thick wooden beam onto the door to keep her in.

"Amanda!"

Tracey called again; now the carriage had gone still, probably meaning they'd dragged her off the driver's seat.

The outside got real quiet, with a pause of activity, then a man's voice confidently communicated from a little distance ahead.

"We have your lovely... escort... so come out unarmed, or her pretty head will come off!"

Darn it...!