by Aimee Hunter
Pure folly, she thought.
“Lady Mason, Princess Lana.” Alexander greeted as he approached them grinning. “So what do you think of our wall? Impressive isn’t it?” he asked, pride evident in his tone.
“Honestly, Your Majesty? Fifteen years ago, this wall would have stopped any army. But, I’m afraid that’s no longer the case.” Mason informed him bluntly, deciding to be honest. They were running out of time.
Alexander blinked, staring at her blankly.
“Excuse me?” he frowned deeply, not quite understanding.
“Your only defense is a wall that has fallen into ruin. When it’s breached, the city will be lost.” Alexander scoffed at her words, shaking his head.
“That will never happen, my Lady.”
“Alexander. You have no plan. No escape. Your army may be the strongest in the land, but what good will they be if you can’t keep the monsters from breaking down your gates?” The King tensed at her use of his given name.
“You underestimate us, Lady Mason.” He snapped. Putting emphasis on her title.
“No, Your Majesty, I don’t. I’ve seen the army marching on Culville. It is at least thirty thousand mutants strong.” She ground out. “Regardless of what you may believe, twenty thousand soldiers will not hold this city for long against a force of that size. Especially if they settle in for a siege and knowing Damian. He’s prepared for that possibility.” Mason took a breath before continuing. Making sure the man was actually listening to what she was saying and not letting it go in one ear and out the other as his son is so fond of doing whenever he hears something he doesn’t like. She was about to lay out for him just how hopeless their situation was. “Your food stores alone will defeat you. There isn’t enough food for 28,000 civilians plus your army, to last a month. Your people will be dying of starvation before the wall is ever breached.” She informed him. “While you have a hospital, it is in no way prepared to deal with mass casualties. You have six doctors and a team of nurses who, after twenty years of peace, have never had to deal with the carnage of war. More people will die waiting to be treated than will die fighting.” She exclaimed. “Your soldiers are brave and obviously well trained, but inexperienced. Half of them have never even been in battle! They’ve been working their farms, feeding they’re families. They will panic at the first sign of combat and break formation. That is all it would take for Culville to be overrun.”
Mason could see how angry he was becoming, his normally kind eyes were now cold and hard. She hated that she had to be so blunt with him, but from what she had seen, this King was a politician not a soldier. He’d been successful keeping his borders secure, but those were only minor skirmishes. Not full scale battles that required a strategic mind to field his soldiers in a manner that would secure the city and hold it. He was relying entirely on a defense that had long since aged out of its usefulness and been allowed to fall into disrepair. He was also relying on an army that, while the largest of any kingdom, was untested. All of this spelled one thing to Mason; this wouldn’t be a battle for survival. It would be a massacre.
“That wall will hold, my Lady. So will my men. There is no army on the continent better trained than mine. We will weather this storm as we have all others before it.” The King insisted angrily.
“This storm, as you call it, will sweep through this city like a cleansing fire. It will wipe out every man, woman and child in its path. You will have condemned your people to death before it ever reaches your gates.” She said, wanting to shake some sense into him. Alexander Corlando was perhaps one of the kindest monarchs she had ever come across, but like all men of power, he was convinced of his own invincibility.
“I hardly think it will come to that. The wall…” he started to say only to be cut off by the Stone woman.
“Will fall.”
Alexander shook his head stubbornly, refusing to believe the situation was that dire.
“That wall has never failed us before and it won’t now. We will survive this attack and Culville’s forces will repel the invaders.” He said with a finality.
“No, you won’t. Not this time.” Mason called to his retreating back as he had already begun walking away. She knew that she had obliterated the line of propriety but she couldn’t find it in herself to care when the stakes were this high. “You’ve never faced an enemy like this. They will not quit. They will not retreat. They will crash through your precious wall as if it weren’t even there. Culville will burn!” Alexander turned back around and glared at Mason. It unsettled him that she returned it in equal measure. He wasn’t used to being so openly defied like this. Where any other person would be fearing for their life at the look he was directing at the frustrating woman, she was not the least bit intimidated. If anything she seemed annoyed.
“What makes you so convinced it won’t hold?” he finally asked, hoping that by humoring her, he could bring this unpleasantness to an end quickly.
Some of the irritation left Mason’s expression, at least he was starting to listen.
“After your last war, the wall was severely damaged and never repaired. It’s crumbling.” She explained and shook her head at the blatant disbelief directed at her. Foolish man, she thought.
Exactly my thought. Lana sent, startling her sister who had been so focused on trying to make the King understand their predicament, she had forgotten that Lana and Rena were standing next to her. Her sister simply met her gaze when she turned to look at her.
“You have to show him, Mason. He won’t believe you until he sees it.” Rena nodded in agreement as well and all three women turned to the, now curious, King.
“Show me what?” he asked, wondering what in the world they were talking about.
“Follow me.” Mason told him then turned without another word, walking towards the south wall. Alexander stared after her in confusion before glancing over at the other two.
“There is much in this world that you don’t understand, Your Majesty. Many things you’ve never seen that she has.” Lana told him cryptically, reminding him vividly of Diana’s mysterious words two days ago. She tilted her head, focusing on him intently. Her regard made him distinctly uncomfortable. “You would be wise to listen to her. You might learn something.”
“I’m old enough to be her father. What could I possibly learn from her?” he wanted to know. Alexander felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end at the youngest Stone sisters enigmatic smile. Lana and Rena turned without another word to follow after Mason, leaving the confused monarch to decide whether or not to join them. As they drew closer to the southern portion of the wall, Sylvia joined them.
Alexander trailed after them, his curiosity getting the better of him. Once he was standing next to the three women facing Mason, he crossed his arms silently. Waiting to see whatever the Westland heir wanted to show him. The woman gave him a long look before nodding to a soldier who was standing off to the side, obviously waiting for her signal. He picked up a simple hammer, pulled his arm back and swung. On impact, the stone blocks that made up the infamous wall began crumbling in a cascading fashion. At first, it was just a bit of dust, then pebbles, then it began resembling an avalanche. Alexander found himself skipping backward to avoid being crushed as the entire section crumbled at his feet.
The blood drained from the Kings face while he stared at the fields stretching out on the other side. His expression was horrified when his eyes snapped over to meet Mason’s.
“How could this be?” he didn’t understand how it could be so weak. It was made from solid rock!
“The last war compromised its integrity. The ensuing years saw its decay, then finally its ruin.” She told him. Alexander shook his head walking up to it. The one thing that had protected his family’s legacy for generations. He reached out to touch the section still intact next to the massive hole a carpenters’ hammer had made. He could feel its fragility.
“It was made from solid rock,” he said quietly. Trying desperately not to succ
umb to the devastation shattering his heart.
“After the last bomb went off at the end of World War III. Man and beast retreated underground. Everything above ground, changed. Nothing is as it once was. Stone, no longer has the strength or longevity it once did. Especially if it suffers damage, and is never replaced. It simply became weaker.” Mason explained, stepping up behind him. “Everything the scientists of the Twentieth and Twenty-First centuries theorized about the after effects of a nuclear war and the inevitable fall out was nowhere close to what actually happened,” she said. Casting a glance back at the gathering crowd, she understood the fear that was beginning to sweep through the inhabitants of this beautiful city. “They never believed that nuclear fallout could create an entirely new species of humans. They only knew it was lethal. The entire scientific community back then, never realized what would happen after a worldwide nuclear event. Or the world a long nuclear winter would create.” Bringing her attention back to the distraught King, Mason felt like she was watching the man age right before her eyes. “They didn’t take into account evolution or humanities ability to adapt. Nature always finds a way, Alexander. Even if all seems lost. Life goes on because Nature always finds a way.” He turned slowly to face Mason. Seeing her as if for the first time. Her sister’s words rang in his ears, as his gaze once again locked with the woman’s before him.
“What about us, Mason? Will nature find a way for us?” he asked softly. She shook her head solemnly.
“You must find your own way, Your Majesty. Nature can do no more for the human race. You nearly killed her once and she has nothing left to give. She’s still trying to heal.” Alexander nodded wordlessly. Accepting what she said.
He noticed how she spoke of humanity, as though she did not count herself as part of it. Looking at her and her sister again, he could see the subtle differences between them and his own people. Even the Eastland Princess seemed to carry the same differences. It was a sense of them being more, somehow. A shine to their eyes that humans just didn’t have. The uncanny way they seemed to know what the other was thinking with just a glance. Then there was the way the Stone woman looked at him, sometimes making him feel very young. Mason was looking at him in such a manner now. He felt no fear towards them, however. Not after the way this woman had fought for him to see what his arrogance refused to allow him to acknowledge. For that, he would always be indebted to her.
Turning back to the wall, tears welled in his hazel eyes. She was right. His beloved Culville would fall. And there was nothing he could do to stop it, not without the wall as a buffer. Alexanders troubled eyes drifted behind them to look upon his beautiful home. The sun had already set, the city becoming illuminated by the lights flickering from the various houses scattered throughout the large city. Yet, even though the sight was beautiful and full of life, all the King could see was the ruin it would soon become. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he turned to face the women once more. Noticing for the first time that the mutant woman had joined them, surprised by the empathetic look she gave him.
“What do we do?” he wondered, willing to do anything now to save his people. Relief washed through Mason at the emotional question.
“Evacuate the city. Now. Get your people to safety. Leave enough of your army here to buy you the time you need to get everyone out, take the rest with you for protection. We will stay behind to help cover your escape.” She told him. He remained quiet, his gaze bouncing around Culville’s interior. She could tell he was reliving the past, memories of his life playing across his mind’s eye as he said good bye to the only home he had ever know.
“Will we ever be able to return?” he wanted to know suddenly, hope filling his grief stricken face.
“I don’t know Alexander. Maybe one day you’ll be able to rebuild.” She offered the only reassurance she could. As saddened by what was happening as he was. “You need to make the announcement. We don’t have much time.” She pressed gently.
“Of course.”
“Tell your people to take only what they can carry. They’ll need to be able to move quickly and quietly.” Alexander again nodded his understanding. Staring off into space blankly. She was about to say more when Rena’s hand landed on her arm.
“Let him be, Mason. His mourning his city.” She said quietly, pulling Mason away from the distraught man. Lana and Sylvia fell into step with them as they went. They were passing the main gate of Culville when Mason heard her name being called. She stopped, bringing the others to a stop with her. Looking around she saw a young man racing towards them. He skidded to a stop in front of them, bent at the waist breathing hard. His behavior drawing the attention of several Palace guards.
“What’s happened?” Mason asked, recognizing him as one of the soldiers in charge of the communications systems that were tucked away deep inside the Palace that she had discovered one afternoon when she’d been bored and decided to go exploring. Hearing several voices coming from a room as she drew closer, she heard the unmistakable crackle of radio communication. This young man had been manning the radios that day. For him to be out here looking for her meant something important had happened.
“Captain Dumas just checked in,” the boy gasped. He was a radio technician, not a soldier. Therefore, he rarely had a valid reason to race from his little room at a dead sprint as he just had, he feared his heart was about to burst from his chest. “Princess Diana and Captain Dumas’ squad were attacked by a company of mutants and are now being hunted. The Princess wanted you to know they have passed Omaha and that someone named Kylie is with her and safe. She also wanted you to know that despite the mutants following them, she’s proceeding to someplace called Sanctuary.” Rena and Sylvia looked on in confusion as both sisters immediately tensed, sharing a loaded look. A gasp from the left tugged the two women’s attention from the exchange, seeing Captain Grimes’ shocked expression. Rena wondered where he had popped up from, she hadn’t seen him all day.
“That was the dead scouts name. I heard Lady Mason call her that.” He claimed. Mason reached up and rubbed the center of her forehead in frustration. Diana’s new destination was telling. Kylie had obviously rushed to catch up to her mother when she woke, no doubt to make sure Diana didn’t walk into a trap. Hopefully she was even able to direct Diana to their mother. Captain Grimes remembering what she had called the scout and somehow managing to pop up out of thin air everywhere they went was just another aggravation.
“She’s alive?” Rena gasped, causing all eyes to focus on her. “Oh, thank God!” she exclaimed. “While everyone was dealing with the shock of Westland’s invasion, I had one of Mason’s people come to collect her body and he found a weak pulse. I thought she had died but she was still hanging on when Mr. Stewart whisked her away.” A huge smile split her face, seeing the tense crown relax as they accepted her story.
Her stomach dropped when she saw the deep frown on her Captains face.
“But she wasn’t…” he began, trailing off when Rena moved closer to him, grasping his arm. He was surprised by the strength in her grip.
“Jonathan, she had a pulse and she was barely breathing,” she said quickly, cutting him off. “But she was clinging to life.” She was very aware of Grimes’ almost fanatic fear of anything he didn’t consider normal. He was one of the many reasons she had hidden her ability to shift in the first place. If she were being honest, he was the main reason. Rena had no doubt that Captain Grimes would have led the mob to burn her at the stake. Her relief was nearly staggering when he bowed his head, accepting her explanation.
“As you say, Your Highness.”
Thank you. Mason’s voice sounded in her mind and she struggled to keep the smile from her face.
Of course, she replied. She could feel the other woman’s relief and gratitude through their link, which caused an odd sort of peace to settle over her like a warm blanket. A feeling she was quickly associating with Mason every time they spoke in this manner. Which confused her to no end. Here they were, in th
e middle of a city about to be sacked by a mutant horde. And she’d never felt safer than she does at Mason’s side. She looked over at Mason, finding herself getting lost in those incredible blue eyes.
Lana’s slightly exasperated voice sounded in both of their minds, breaking them from their staring contest before it could cross the line of propriety.
Not that I’m not enjoying watching you two being awkward little puppies, but we should really try to figure out how to get these people out of here. Her amusement was laced with a touch of irritation which earned her a sheepish smile from both women.
You’re right, Lana. Mason conceded. Her gaze falling on the Nightkin woman that was never far from her sister since they reunited, despite the continued underlying tension, and became thoughtful.
Sylvia, noticing the close scrutiny, shifted her weight from foot to foot uncomfortably.
“What?” she finally asked, ignoring Lana’s poor attempt at hiding her amusement.
“I was just wondering how you’ve been managing to slip in and out of the city unnoticed all this time.” Mason explained casually. Sylvia hesitated, torn over whether or not she should tell them exactly how she was able to move so freely. It wasn’t something she openly shared, not even with her own people.
“There’s an entrance that leads underground under the soldier’s barracks.” She said after a long moment, praying they wouldn’t press her for details on how she kept from being discovered.
Rena frowned, turning her head to look at the barracks. Odd, she thought to herself. How did she keep herself from being seen? The two buildings in question, were long, single story structures set in an open space in full view of the Palace and most of the city. There were no other buildings close enough to offer protection from being discovered. There was only the training area with its various sections. Turning her curious gaze back to Sylvia, she found those lavender eyes trained on her. She frowned at the pleading she saw there and wordlessly, nodded her head, indicating she wouldn’t say anything. Something about Sylvia’s expression told her that there was something about her ability to sneak around that she didn’t want anyone to know.