Chapter 53 - The Opening Move

The chilly night breeze ruffled Mila’s cloak. Isabel was standing next to her and shivered. Behind them, Andrew was exchanging words with Silinth. Mr Crow was high above on the lookout.

They were waiting in one of the courtyards near the temple. Mila had gotten this place from Percy, who was interested in them making even more mess.

There was more movement on the streets than usual. Guards were out patrolling, and so were local army reserves. These men and women couldn’t cover the whole city, but they tried.

Even without knowing what was to come, they did their best to protect their home from harm.

Mila brushed her palm against Isabel’s. Her girlfriend's presence was both reassuring and worrying. She did not want Isabel to be here, but truthfully, she felt a little glad she was.

The sound of footsteps announced the arrival of Viola’s group. They entered through the building, all five dressed in local garbs, playing their roles as your average citizen.

Viola waved at the four people behind - two men and two women, and spoke. “We are here. It took longer than expected, but it couldn’t be helped. We were interrupted by a patrol and had to talk our way out.”

“I am surprised you were not taken in for questioning,” Mila noted. She imagined the guards were quite jumpy and likely were instructed to watch out for anything suspicious - which a group of five was.

“They just shooed us to move faster after we showed where we are living,” Viola explained. “Told us to take care of our loved ones.”

“How much time do we have before the beginning of the operation?” Mila decided to not focus on the people's lives. “And do they know what is expected of them?”

“They do.” Viola walked closer. She sniffed the air and avoided Silinth like a plague.

It did result in Isabel twitching in annoyance. “That’s enough. No need to come closer.” Her voice was cold and authoritative

Viola shrugged but didn’t challenge Isabel. “We have about ten minutes. More or less. We won’t miss it.”

There was a grumbling behind. Mila felt lucky Andrew had chosen to stay. He wasn’t happy or supportive of their ideas and behaviour. Honestly, she wasn’t sure what his goals were.

The four people Viola had brought with her settled away from their party, content to silently brood.

With Isabel standing beside Mila, Viola spoke with them for a bit, making the last clarifications. She soon chose to join her people, giving them the instructions.

“How are you doing?” Mila pressed against Isabel’s side.

“It’s cold.” She answered. “Otherwise… I don’t know.”

“There is still time for you to leave. To not partake in this…” Mila searched for a word. All that suited the situation painted a bleak picture. “Madness.” She finally said.

“It was my choice.” There was steel in Isabel’s voice. She had made up her mind.

There was nothing more Mila could say. She had tried before. Several times. But Isabel wanted to be with her.

Once again, she was reminded how significant Isabel’s acceptance of Mila’s follies was.

But it also made Mila think. What would her actions do to Isabel? Her methods were brutal in their effectiveness. They were not something that a person should grow accustomed to.

Mila’s mind was at an impasse.

But she didn’t have the chance to consider the topic for any longer. Mila raised her head as the first sounds of trouble appeared.

In the beginning, it was only a distant shouting. A sound of impact, a scream and the sound of wood splintering.

Then, the explosion came. The terrible light arrived first. From all sides, a thunderous roar announced a night of bloodshed and death. The sky was lit up by the blaze as it extended towards them.

The rumbling followed, the earth groaning under the force that had torn large wounds in the flesh of the city.

And then the screaming started. Just as the sound of the explosions passed, it was replaced by shouts and cries.

Clouds of dust and debris covered the city like a blanket, suffocating the sudden outcry in its unfeeling haze.

Mila heard Andrew swear. She looked back at him, wondering if he would leave them now.

But Andrew didn’t. He looked around, his eyes wide, lost and confused.

Silinth stood next to him, untouched by the sudden chaos. From him, a dome formed, guarding them from falling rocks, wood and fleshy bits, charred and unrecognisable.

Mila felt Isabel support herself on her shoulder. She turned towards her girlfriend, helping to hold her still. “You shouldn’t have been here, Isabel.” She whispered.

But Isabel’s face showed no regret. She looked down at Mila and smiled sadly. “And leave you alone? No way.” She poked Mila’s cheek. “Just look at your face. You need me.”

There was nothing wrong with Mila’s face. And if there was, it was because Isabel was taking part in the sins Mila should have carried alone.

Another wave of explosions washed over them. This time smaller, but more numerous. The screams intensified. The whole city was awake and suffering.

Then the fighting started. Lighting shot up to the sky, and ice broke a dome that formed somewhere south. The wind howled and shaped into a storm to clear the dust to be thwarted by a sudden fiery ball that swallowed it up.

And those were the more impressive spells. There were countless tinier examples of those echoing the destruction of their larger cousins.

Mila watched the terrible spectacle while holding Isabel’s hand. Despite the death and suffering it brought, it was beautiful in the wild way it disregarded everything that people had built.

Once again, the sky was lit up and illuminated the surroundings despite the cover of dust resisting it. Mila shook her head. “This will bring hate towards your Kingdom.” She spoke towards Viola. “Too much and too violent are your chosen methods.”

“And yet, this is what they did to us.” Viola hid her face under a hood. “They will hate us, yes. But they will also fear our brutality.”

Mila did not continue. There was little to say to someone who willingly chose to kill so many civilians. Even if she…

A bit of sickness churned Mila’s stomach. Wasn’t Munny much like the rest of the civilians that inhibited this city? She was, but Mila didn’t change her mind.

Not that she chose to forget. Mila forced herself to remember this feeling and reminded herself to reflect on it. Her logic was still dictating this to be the correct path.

For Mila’s and Isabel’s safe future, she would kill anyone. If there would be regrets after, she would work through them at that time.

Shouting around them grew louder. A few buildings further, a sound of fighting broke out. But a moment later, pressure from above pushed down, and for a moment, the cacophony of sounds died down.

“STAY CALM AND DON’T LEAVE YOU HOMES!” A woman’s voice boomed over the city. “THERE HAS BEEN AN ATTACK ON THE CITY! I REPEAT WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! IF YOUR HOUSE IS-”

Mila frowned. This pressure was heavy. She glanced back at where Silinth was picking his nose. The man was not paying enough attention.

“Any idea who it was?” Mila raised the question.

Viola looked towards where the voice was coming from. Even now, the woman was giving instructions on how to act and what to do. “Probably someone from the Temple.” She guessed. “We didn’t dare to snoop around it too much and decided against targeting it. Especially since the Pillar of Eternity Inquisitors were spotted there. We guessed some from The Nature Temple would stay there to keep the balance.”

Mila nodded. It was a reasonable conclusion. She had arrived at something similar. Only… The loud woman seemed more powerful than she had expected.

By Mila’s estimation, Silinth could still take her out, but it would be difficult. She also doubted that this woman would be the only one guarding the temple.

“Will your comrades be able to deal with this?” Mila was worried they would die too fast.

A couple more loud voices shouted over the chaos, giving instructions.

“Unlikely.” Viola’s voice took a sad tone. “But that was expected. They won’t go down without a fight. They are ready to give their lives to weaken the enemy. It will be worth it in the end.”

Mila doubted it. “Why are you so desperate?” She asked.

There was silence, but instead of Viola, one of the men behind her was the one who responded.

“Because Tordgo is not the only enemy vying for our lands. We can only lash out.” He whispered. “My home it was…”

“Don’t say more.” Viola turned around and put her hand on the man’s shoulder. “It is, as Horn says. We are desperate. We don’t see another option but to become a fruit too hard to swallow.”

Andrew finally woke up. He joined them at Mila’s side. “There had to be another way.” He simply stated. “You are monsters.”

“We are patriots.” One of the women spat out. “Don’t belittle us, boy.”

There was more Andrew wanted to say. He opened his mouth, then closed it several times.

“What?” Horn spoke again. “You have a better solution than letting our families die?”

But there wasn’t anything Andrew could say. His resolution was not the same as theirs. “I… don’t. But this is…” His voice was full of bitterness. “This world is fucked up.”

“It always has been,” Viola added. “You have been lucky to be guarded from its shadows. You have much to learn from your friends.” She pointed at Mila and Isabel.

“It’s not something that anyone should learn.” Andrew disagreed before turning around and heading back to where Silinth was now looking at the sky, still holding the dome above their heads.

“Cheery kid,” Viola remarked.

“He wasn’t wrong.” Mila judged.

“Then was he right?” There was a challenge in Viola’s voice. There was also desperation.

It was Horn’s turn to put his hand on Viola’s shoulder. “We understand we won’t be remembered as heroes. Come, Pepper, we should pray before we head out.”

Viola nodded and joined her comrades in their prayer.

They didn’t ask for survival. They didn’t ask to be forgiven. They asked for their families and homes to not see the same fate as the city of Ocheon.

At this point, Mila felt like a useless bystander. There was so much emotion and willingness to sacrifice in these people's voices.

They were wrong in doing this. Mila thought so, too. But she also didn’t understand.

Back in her dreams, Mila never had a choice. She always just watched the situation grow worse. And the same was happening now. She didn’t want to live through the horrors of war again and again.

Not now. Not now when Mila had Isabel.

Another rumbling explosion rocked the earth. There was more shouting. More crying. Mila heard people rush towards the temple for safety. She fastened her cloak.

They would use the chaos to get in. People sought out safety, and the Temple was likely going to accept them.

Mila grabbed Isabel’s hand and squeezed. It had grown cold in the night’s chill, but Mila’s touch soon brought the warmth back.

“Are you ready?” Mila whispered.

Isabel squeezed back. “As much as I could be.”

“Call down Mr Crow,” Mila instructed.

Andrew whistled, and a moment later, the bird dropped down and landed on the nearby wall. Mr Crow chirped, informing his bond of what he had seen.

After processing the information, Andrew spoke. “There is chaos everywhere. People are running towards the temple, seeking answers and safety. Fires are spreading, and there are several places where fighting is fierce. People are dying.” He hung his head. “I am not going with you. I can’t.”

Mila nodded. She had expected he wouldn’t. “It’s time.” She checked her daggers and the remaining throwing daggers. Viola had retrieved some of them, leaving Mila with six.

Without saying anything, their group exited the yard and joined the chaos.