“Terrible news,” Andrew declared shaking his head.
“What is it?” I asked sounding concerned.
Andrew stared at me. “The Prince was abducted at Sunglow.”
I had to make believe I knew nothing about this and only hoped I was good at acting like it. I sat on the nearest chair I could grab like what someone being shock would do.
“Do they know who did it?” I asked attempting to sound convincing.
“Defiers. Report says they were ambushed after he left the manor, no one was left alive and now he is missing,” Andrew replied.
Thomas and Olfren were successful then. They must’ve killed everyone even the ones who they replaced, leaving no witnesses.
Andrew was grim looking down on the floor. “Such bad timing this has to happen now.” He then stared back at me intensely. “The Emperor already ordered Captain Furlong and most of the Protectors to return to the Empire leaving us with only a few.”
“But we’ll be left unprotected,” I said with urgency.
“I know but the Emperor had declared an emergency so Captain Furlong is needed elsewhere, making Pinewood not on the priority list,” Andrew explained.
As much as I was pleased to hear the Protectors were leaving, it worried me what was going to happen when we were left unguarded. The people who resented us would definitely have more confidence to take action against their Duke and Lord.
“There must be something I could do to appease the people,” I suggested.
“You will only make this worst if you step out from this manor,” Andrew said.
“We’re on our own then,” I said solemnly.
The news about the abduction of the Prince was all over the Empire the next morning. We read reports the citizens were agitated no matter what station they belonged. Many were engrossed on the newspapers or the moving holograms they could find reporting the details of the abduction and the Emperor’s speech about his plan of action, one of them was the order to deploy the Corps, the Empire’s trained military army. The Emperor clearly wanted to instill fear and terror to his people that such an act of treachery wouldn’t go unpunished.
There were talks that what the Defiers did gave a renewed vigor to the lower stations especially the Omegas but some remained fearful of what was to become of their fate. There was apprehension among the Elites of the rumors circulating they could be next if their subjects chose to commit treason against them while the Alphas were distressed they could lose their wealth due to this crisis.
The presence of the Corps brought no ease to the citizens. They were deployed to all the major cities and dukedoms across the Empire including Pinewood but they weren’t here to assist us of our local problem, they were only an outpost for the investigation solely focusing on searching and finding the Prince.
The abduction gave the people of Pinewood a sudden surge of vitality to fight against their Duke while they outnumbered the Protectors. It started in an evening where we were all in the dining hall when Mr. Thistle, our butler, came interrupting our meal with a look unlike his much reserved manners. He approached Andrew and informed him a group of angry villagers were outside the gate trying to break through. Upon hearing this, our food became unappetizing. Katherine and Ellie were horrified, and Andrew was furious, clenching his fist on the table.
“Send all the guards and Protectors to the gates now!” Andrew shouted an order.
“At once your grace,” Mr. Thistle obeyed then left.
I wasn’t planning on sitting idly by and wait for the villagers to breach the gate, more people were going to get hurt if it continued like this. I stood up and I saw the bewildered expression on their faces.
“Where are you going?” Andrew asked sharply.
“To stop them,” I replied.
“Are you crazy? They will tear you apart,” Andrew said in aghast.
“I have to try or this could end badly.”
I commanded to the nearest footman to have a car ready for me.
As I was about to leave the table, Ellie stood up and said, “Let me come with you.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s too dangerous.”
I left the hall in a hurry, not waiting for Ellie to insist on coming. I went out the main entrance and the driver was already waiting beside the car. I entered and he closed the door after. He drove through the long driveway until we reached the gates, and what I saw disheartened me. A crowd of about thirty or fifty villagers, men and women, citizens of Pinewood, who were once good and loyal people, and lived here throughout their lives were now at our doorsteps. Some of the men were holding wooden clubs and burning torches, all ranting and outraged.
They had the kind of fury that was beyond reasoning with. The Guards and Protectors, about a dozen or more assigned in the manor were pointing their firearms directly at them, shouting threats and ordering the crowd to get back. The gate’s steel bars were the only thing that was dividing us from them.
I got off from the car and approached the scene. Their anger grew from the sight of me, and they protested more and cursed with hate, I felt vulnerable with all their rage.
“Please can we talk in a more civilized manner,” I shouted but my voice was only drowned by the sea of their spiteful screams.
I tried again but they refused to listen and instead, they started to rattle the gate like caged wild animals wanting to be free. Then a guard hit one of them in the face who were close enough between the bars using the other end of his firearm, and it aggregated them more.
“Don’t hurt them,” I commanded the guards then I turned back to the crowd in despair. “Please hear me out.”
They rattled the gate harder and the metal clanging sounds became louder, refusing to be rational, they were all blinded by their pain and hate. This was their boiling point, and I couldn’t see any other way to calm them.
Then suddenly, I heard a horse galloped towards us from behind. The sound grew louder as it approached and when I turned around, it was Ellie, riding a brown horse unsaddled and without a bridle. I went towards her direction to meet her and the horse neigh to a halt in front of me.
“Go back Ellie,” I urged.
She went down from the horse with determination on her face. “I can talk to them.”
She walked pass me and proceeded to the gate, standing behind the guards.
“Please, listen to me,” she pleaded loudly.
They continued to shout, ignoring her then she moved closer.
“I know you’re all scared and angry but please I can help you, I understand what you’re going through,” she shouted loudly but with sincerity.
Her words slowly silenced the crowd then a middle aged man who was in front scowled furiously, “How can you understand us, you’re one of them!”
The people behind angrily voiced out they agreed with him and started to protest again loudly.
“No, I’m still one of you. A Beta, born in the lower stations before I came here.”
The crowd hushed down again and she continued, “Working all day so my family and I can pay our bills and put food on the table, and when it became a struggle, we had to give up some of the necessities to have the important ones. I know my problems would never exceed the suffering you have felt but I understand what you’ve been through. I know what it’s like to work hard and be dedicated to your occupation but despite all of your efforts, the fruits of your labors would never be rewarded, instead, you’re given what the Empire dictates of you. No matter how hard you try to be better, our stations would never allow us to rise above ourselves.”
The silence of the night echoed her firm yet heartfelt voice taming the hostility burning in the eyes of the oppressed.
Ellie stared at them with strength in her eyes. “But it doesn’t mean we have to behave like this, we’re neither cruel nor selfish. We may not be as wealthy as they are but we’re by far better people than they’ll ever be. So please go back to your homes, your children, your families, and let’s settle this in a
compassionate way at a much more convenient hour.”
“Then who‘ll listen to us?” someone shouted from the crowd.
“Yes nobody ever listens to us,” a woman said loudly nearby.
“Lord Curtis will listen,” she answered reassuringly, glancing at my direction and I silently nodded.
She turned facing them again and said, “And I will listen.”
“Forgive me my Lady but listening wouldn’t give us the help we hope for in the end because it’s always the Duke who will decide,” said an elderly man in front.
“Then I’ll convince the Duke myself,” she asserted with conviction and added, “Appoint leaders among yourselves who’ll be representing on your behalf, and when it’s done, we’ll meet at an agreed time and place.”
The crowd remained calm and now looking at each other, whispering, deciding whether her words were trustworthy. After a few moments, they seemed contented with her proposal and finally started to slowly leave the area without any further objections or show of violence in the late night that grew cold.
They soon went their separate ways, with exhaustion in their eyes. Ellie’s words were promising, and the way she took control was impressive. I just hoped it gave comfort to the persecuted minds when at the end of the day, they had to face the reality they belonged to the lowest station were dreams and ambitions were crushed the moment they were born.
CHAPTER 7: RUCKUS CITY
ELAINE
I was afraid they’d notice me trembling. It took a lot of my strength standing there in front of that magnitude of a crowd, looking at them in the eye to show how I genuinely cared. The words came out from me without a moment of thought. I guess the rush of speaking to an angry mob made me forget my nerves. I felt the weight of what I just did after, when they finally conceded to our terms.
It took almost a week for the villagers to appoint a representative on their behalf and Andrew wasn’t happy about it, the thought of hearing out the concerns of the villagers wasn’t in his vocabulary. He insisted they were all his subjects and were obliged to obey him without any hesitation, and giving them a voice to be heard meant he had no power over them.
We met with the leaders at the manor grounds where it’d be safer for us. A large white tent was set up on a lawn in one of the gardens near the gate. A long table covered with white cloth and five wooden chairs were placed beside it. Three of the leaders sat on the other side of the table while Curtis and I on the other.
No guards and Protectors were present to suppress their doubts and feelings they were on hostile grounds. A man of strong built with a friendly face, who was around forty or so, and had short curly black hair sat on the middle. A woman with a brown hair and a stern look, about the same age as him sat on one side while on the other was a thin elderly man with balding white hair.
The man with the curly hair introduced himself as George and he spoke for them. He had a strong, yet easy going aura in him, grinning in an amiable way. He was cordial when he began to speak and grateful that we agreed to meet them.
The first subject matter he mentioned was to end the unnecessary arrest of the people who never committed any crimes but were taken simply because they displeased the guards and were sent to work at the steel plants. They also requested the released of the ones already arrested for unreasonable accusations. We agreed to their terms and gave our word that all would be released and those who’d work at the steel plants from then on would be voluntary. They showed delight after, George all the more than the rest.
The second agenda was the removal of the Protectors in the villages and towns. Curtis and I agreed it was out of our hands, the Duke still believed the Defiers were still in Pinewood, and the presence of the Corps were beyond our control since they came here upon the Emperor’s orders. Curtis assured them though he’d speak to the officers about showing decency to the people.
George understood and was pleased at Curtis’ kind offer but the woman beside him frowned and gave a sharp look. She conveyed with a harsh tone her loath for the Protectors and how they were mistreating them. George tried to calm her and explained again it wasn’t in our power to withdraw the Protectors. She soon settled after but her eyes still showed discontent.
The third and last was the request for the taxes be the same, before the Duke apparently rose it. We agreed and would speak to the Duke about it. I also added the dukedom wouldn’t be taking a portion of the harvest for now. Andrew was going to be furious about this but what can he do at this stage when his entire dukedom was falling apart.
By the end of the meeting, they shared to us stories of how difficult their lives became. George told us he wasn’t aware the villagers were enslaved until the explosions of the plants but he knew some of the villagers arrested and only heard rumors where they were taken.
The woman believed the rumors were true after her mate was arrested for simply staring at a guard. She was helpless to do anything about it. She and some of the women, whose mates or sons were also arrested, tried storming to the prison facility in Westwood where the prisoners were kept and demanded they be allowed to see their family but the attempt failed and took for the worst when some of her companions were arrested and apparently taken to the steel plants as well.
The elderly man who showed wisdom with his age was in distraught that he lived all this life here but it never occurred to him such terrible sufferings would befall upon Pinewood while he was still alive. He claimed the late Duke Triston, Curtis’ father, was a hard man but at least he was a just and fair ruler.
After he spoke, I glanced at Curtis who seemed impassive about it. It was the first time I heard a villager mentioned Curtis’ father. Curtis never spoke about what his father was like with the people, I wasn’t sure if he even knew himself. This actually shed some light what kind of a man his father was.
They were finally satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, Curtis and I assured them we’d relay their concerns to the Duke and make sure everything would push through as agreed. George and the elderly man left in high spirits while the woman showed no emotions.
Curtis and I were alone sitting quietly under the tent. Guilt suddenly came over me and Curtis noticed my uneasiness that he asked with extreme worry if I was alright.
I reluctantly faced him and said, “I couldn’t help but wonder if this was our fault.”
Curtis was taken aback by my statement. “What do you mean?”
I didn’t answer right away, gathering my thoughts. “I mean the Protectors are here because of the Defiers. We’re the Defier who helped destroyed the steel plants… I can’t help but feel that it’s our fault the people are suffering this ordeal,” I whispered.
“No.” Curtis shook his head. “The Protectors abusing the villagers is not our fault, but I understand what you’re saying Ellie, they’re here because of the Defiers, but it was a foreseeable outcome and what we did was necessary to stop what Andrew was doing.”
I knew what he said was right but I still felt bad. “You know the only way this could end is when someone is caught,” I sadly revealed.
Curtis laid his hand over mine. “I don’t believe that. Nothing will change, it will probably get worst now that the Corps are here but all we can do is be here for the people and make sure Andrew doesn’t cause more trouble than he already did,” he said convincingly.
“I hope your’re right Curtis,” I acknowledged.
“I’ll make things right, I promise. We’ll report to Andrew tomorrow what transpired in the meeting and make sure he agrees with it.”
That was another thing we had to think about, how to persuade Andrew to do what was right for the people. He listens to no one especially those he deems lower than him, and he thinks his words were the law and was absolute. Such a righteous being was difficult to convince and make him realize the error of his ways.
Sure enough during the morning of the next day, he refused to comply with the agreement that was made. He was stubborn and proud and wouldn’t hear any
reason Curtis had to say. He was sitting behind his desk in his office, mad at what he just heard. Back and forth Curtis told him he had to yield to the wishes of his people and Andrew insistently denies him of it over again.
I stood there glaring at him and I couldn’t contain my silence any longer. “If you refuse this agreement then you wouldn’t have a dukedom left,” I blurted fuming.
Andrew stared intently at my direction with a menacing look but I ignored it while I continued, “They’ll destroy everything you have because they’re not afraid anymore. The Empire is a wreck after the missing Prince and no one would take notice what’s happening here in Pinewood, there’s nobody else coming to help us.”
Andrew was deep in thought. What I said was the truth. Every attention was focused on the missing Prince and nobody was willing to help a local dispute when the other Dukes worry of their own dukedom. He had no other choice and he had to see it.
Andrew rubbed his hands over his face once and sighed heavily then dropped his hands on his desk. “Very well…” he surrendered in despair.
I glanced at Curtis, his face shone delight and triumph. The victorious feeling I had of finally defeating Andrew at his own game was extremely fulfilling.
“You’ll release the prisoners and give your word not to enslave them again?” Curtis repeated.
“Yes,” Andrew answered, with no life in him.
“And you’ll roll back the taxes as it was?” Curtis added.
“Yes!” Andrew replied annoyed. “But I will only concede to all this under one condition… if you and your mate will accompany me to Ruckus City.”
Curtis and I briefly glanced at each other confused. “Why? What’s in Ruckus City?” Curtis asked.
“Oh nothing, just an invitation from the mayor there for a cocktail party that is all. He wants to meet us and is particularly excited to meet Lady Elaine when he knew she and the Prince are closely acquainted,” Andrew responded grinning.
What was he up to? I wasn’t keen on the idea I’d to go to another social event with him. Andrew was fond of using us as social bait for his own benefit so I had my doubts why he needed us to go with him.
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 11