Links - Chapter 28 - Rebels

For the overseers at Windhill Ranch, there was nothing different about the evening process of putting the slaves down for the night. Once the evening bell rang, the exhausted slaves made their way back to the compound, ate their evening meal, and were then escorted to their respective barns.

Once in the barns, each slave would take their place on one of the many piles of straw that would serve as their beds. There was the odd fight over what pad was whose, but a sharp word, or blow from a switch, would silence any such argument. Once down on their straw, each slave had a chain attached to their collar and then bound to one of a half dozen solid iron bars that ran the length of the barn.

As soon as all the slaves were secured, the last two overseers would do the final counting.

"Two hundred and fifty nine.... two sixty... two sixty one..." With a satisfied nod, the overseer turned to her partner. "Yep, that's all of em."

"G'night ladies," the second overseer called out as he left, sliding the barn doors shut behind him.

For a few moments, all was still, aside from the sounds of the outside chains being fed through the locks and secured into place.

But after the doors were closed and locked, and the sounds of the overseers' footsteps faded into the distance, the usual sounds of rustling and yawning were instead replaced with the low buzz of nervous conversation. One by one, the occupants began to sit up, glancing around nervously and talking amongst themselves.

As she sat up onto her knees Syn took a deep breath. This was her moment, her chance to finally get off of the ranch and out of Halcyon, and she was not going to miss it.

"I'm going home," She grumbled to herself, her claws digging into her own skin.

"You'll be fine," Nori said softly, shifting against Syn and nuzzling her cheek.

"I know I will," Syn replied, a note of sharpness in her voice as she leaned away from Nori.

Nori paused for a moment, before forcing on a confident smile and nodding.

"No one wants to remain this way." Syn's eyes turned to glare at Fray and Keeli who were sitting a few rows away from her, both talking to a number of other slaves around them. "They're just scared. But the moment they realise how easy it would be for us to overpower the humans..."

"You think you can convince them?"

"I know I can."

"I can't wait to be free... with you." A hopeful sigh escaped Nori's lips as she stared up at the ceiling. "We'll go wherever we want, do whatever we want. Eat and sleep when and where we want."

Syn said nothing, instead rehearsing what she intended to say.

"We could even... become mates, if you wanted." Nori reached out to take Syn's hand.

"Nori, will you knock it off, I'm trying to focus!" Syn jerked her hand away.

As Nori shrunk back, Syn glanced up at the fore's nest. She could just barely see the heads of the fifteen fores all huddled together in conversation. She couldn't hear anything they were saying, but judging by their body language, an intense debate was taking place.

'Fray is nothing... Those traitors are the real challenge.' She took a deep breath, willing her own heart to slow.

A few moments later, the fores seemed to finish their conversation, each one nodding their head in turn, before turning to stand on the edge of their nest, looking out over the rest of the assembled slaves.

At the head of the fores was a feline woman for whom Syn had a particular hatred, Cane.

Cane was feared, with even the other fores reluctant to issue any sort of challenge to her authority. As the lead fore, one of Cane's jobs was to get new slaves acclimated to life at the Windhill ranch, a task she carried out with brutal efficiency. Syn bore more than a few scars as a result of Cane, as did many of the other slaves.

Cane's fur was as white as cotton, both her eyes and hair the colour of honey. She had a powerful, savage sort of beauty, her lanky form marked with a great many scars. One particularly large one ran across her throat, a wound she had gotten as a result of an attempted Order cull. Despite having her throat slit, along with every other slave at the plantation where she had originally worked, Cane had survived. How she had been spared afterward was a mystery, one that few were foolish enough to try and pry out of her.

When she spoke, though her voice was little more than a raspy whisper, every slave in the barn heard each word clearly.

"There is a matter to be discussed." Cane's sharp gaze darted across the sea of faces looking up at her. "As this matter concerns the survival of everyone here, we have decided to allow a discussion to take place."

'Allow,' Syn scoffed to herself. 'You couldn't stop it, and you know it, you old crone.'

Cane glanced down at Syn. "As the one who is responsible for all this, you may speak. Do so, quickly."

Taking a deep breath, Syn got to her feet, the chain around her neck barely allowing her to stand. "The 'matter' as you call it, is a simple choice, to remain a slave for the rest of our lives, or to be free."

A flurry of hushed whispers ran through the slaves as Syn continued to speak. "The rebellion that was rumoured to have been in Lillyvale, it is real. I know this because I have met one of their number, and after speaking with him, they are offering us support." She raised her chin as much as she was able. "They have weapons, they are willing to give us those weapons if we are willing to stand up and fight."

"And have you seen these weapons?"

Syn's eyes narrowed as Fray also got to her feet. Fray's chain groaned as she stood as straight as she was able to. "I met the same rebel that you did, and I didn't see any weapons, other than a knife, no bigger than any of the ones that those of us who work in the kitchen are trusted with every day."

"Don't be dense, he's not going to carry rifles around," Syn snapped back.

"And why not?" Fray's eyes narrowed. "So far, all we have is your word and his that there is any kind of rebellion left."

"Why would he lie?"

"There are many reasons." Fray looked around, glancing from face to face. "I know no one wants to be here. None of us want to be slaves, and we have all lost someone dear to us because of this fate forced upon us."

Syn felt the fur on her back prickle as Fray turned back to her. "I understand your frustration... your anger, but fighting will just get everyone killed."

"If it was just us, maybe, but it isn't! Halcyon is preparing for war against Graize, and the Northern Federation is offering us weapons, supplies, and control of Flinton valley if we help them! This is our best chance, and it may never come again!"

"And have you spoken to them yourself?" Cane asked, tilting her head slightly as she stared at Syn.

"O-of course not! But they've offered us all of Flinton valley! Imagine it, taking revenge on the humans for everything they've done to us!"

"How can we trust the North?" One of the other slaves spoke up. "They're humans after all!"

"Yeah, and they're the ones who allowed Halcyon to go to our plane and capture us." Another grumbled. "They're all the same."

"You can't trust a human, any human, to keep to their word." A third agreed.

"But it's worth the chance!" Syn protested, spreading her arms. "We outnumber the overseers on this ranch alone more than ten to one! Two hundred and sixty females, three hundred and ten males, and that's not even counting those children and mothers able to fight! We are stronger than humans, faster than humans, we can outsmart and outfight them!"

"And yet you were caught."

Vali's words sent a cold spike of rage up Syn's back.

"All these supposed advantages, and yet you were caught and dragged across the border." Vali's eyes narrowed. "If you are so eager to fight, why did you not fight then?"

"I did." Syn snarled.

"And you lost."

"There has never, ever, been a successful slave rebellion in Halcyon." Fray shook her head slowly. "Between the collars we wear, the runes they possess, and the weapons they command, the humans are too strong. If we fight, it will mean we all die, not just the ones who fight, but everyone else, our children too."

A murmur of agreement ran through the other slaves.

Syn's voice cracked slightly as she felt the tide shifting against her. "S-so you'd rather live as a slave?! Just let them keep walking all over us, using us when and how they please?!"

"It's better than being hanged or garotted," came one particularly frightened-sounding voice.

"That's the attitude of a coward!"

"If you truly would rather die than live as a slave, why did you try to free yourself when I had you by the throat." Fray's soft gaze turned hard, her tail swishing back and forth behind her as she evenly met Syn's hate-filled glare. "And for that matter, why did you not struggle against your captors so that they would have to kill you? It's easy to talk about dying until the time comes. I've seen a lot of our people who said they'd rather die than live as a slave, and each and every one of them looked as terrified as you did as they died."

"W-well that's... I'm not..." Syn frantically looked around for the pregnant slave that had supported her before. "What about your children? Do you want them growing up as slaves?"

"O-of course not..." She replied. "But... but I can't... I can't put them in danger either..." Tears ran down her face as she looked away, unable to meet Syn's gaze. "At least this way... they will grow up. Maybe... maybe they will get to be free someday."

"When?! How?! What are you-"

"If you are willing to die rather than live as a slave, you are welcome to do so," Fray said, cutting Syn off as she started to speak again. "But there are easier ways to kill yourself than putting everyone here at risk."

Syn tried and failed to find any words to fire back.

"No one is suggesting that we do nothing," Vali spoke up, drawing glances from some of her fellow fores. "But we need to be careful how and when we make a move, if we make one at all."

"But... the rebels... if they move and we aren't helping them, what if we get left behind? What if they lose? If they fail then we all pay for it anyway!"

"Sh-she's right," Nori called out, getting to her feet. "If the rebels don't win, then we could all be culled!"

"No..." This time it was Cane that spoke. "If Halcyon and the North do go to war, they won't be able to waste good workers."

Fray nodded as she spoke. "The rebellion and the Order already fought, and there were no mass cullings."

"And master Windhill is better than a lot of other masters." Another slave spoke up. "He ended the breeding schedule, we get better food, and more time to sleep."

"He's a slaver!" Syn snarled, loud enough for several nearby slaves to hiss at her to be quiet. "He owns you! You are all things to him!"

Fray nodded. "Perhaps, but it doesn't change the fact that it could be worse. We should be patient."

"If we keep our heads down, we will be safe." one of the other slaves called out. "And if Graize wins... we'll be freed anyways!

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"But-"

"I understand that you want to go home," Fray said softly. "But your desire to be free again doesn't change the fact that we have no idea whether or not you, or this rebel, are telling the truth. We can't take that chance."

"Enough," Cane called out, her voice silencing the barn in an instant. "The decision is whether or not we will assist this rebellion, so now we make a decision." She glanced down at Syn, "Those of you who wish to support the rebels, stand."

Syn's heart plummeted as only a few dozen slaves got to their feet, far less than even half. Most of the others shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet Syn's gaze as she looked desperately around her.

"Case... Lux... Rose, aren't you... Please..." But no one else got to their feet.

Cane nodded solemnly. "The decision is clear. We will not take any action. If this rebel returns, he is to be told not to come back, or we will report him to the overseers."

"Cowards." Syn snarled, angry tears streaming down her cheeks as she bared her teeth. "All of you... worthless cowards... You all deserve to be slaves."

"You should stop before you say something you'll truly regret," Vali growled down at Syn. "You've already dodged death once today, don't push your luck."

With a deep breath, Cane nodded. "It is time to get some rest. This debate is over."

"No!" Syn barked back, "If none of you will fight, then I-"

"You will do nothing."

The icy venom in Cane's tone was even clearer than if she had issued a far more overt threat. Recognizing the danger she was in, Syn slowly dropped to her knees, furious tears dripping off her cheeks.

"Now, to sleep, all of you. We have a great deal of work to do tomorrow."

With that, the fores stepped away from the ledge of their nest and turned to their beds. The buzz of quiet conversation quickly died as the rest of the women settled down to sleep.

Still fighting the urge to weep, Syn lowered herself onto the straw that served as her bed. Whether her tears were more out of humiliation or frustration, even she didn't know.

"It's okay," Nori whispered, hesitantly reaching out a hand to touch Syn's shoulder.

Instinctively, Syn turned, drawing in a breath to issue a harsh word, but the tender look on Nori's face stopped her.

Nori managed to smile as she pet Syn's shoulder. "You did your best. I'm proud of you."

Unable to hold back anymore, Syn curled up into a ball and began to weep. Nori quickly pulled Syn into her arms, stroking her softly.

"It's okay," she whispered, "It's okay..."

"I'm going home." Syn growled quietly between sobs. "I'm going home, and no one is going to stop me."

***

Fray sighed as she lowered herself onto her straw bed.

"I guess we won," Keeli whispered as she shifted closer.

With another, far heavier sigh, Fray pulled Keeli close. "We didn't win. We just... lost a little less..."

"We... we made the right decision... right?"

"I don't know." Fray held Keeli tight, stroking her back. "I hope so..."

***

Azee let out a long, happy sigh as she sank into the warm water of one of Solstice's in-ground pools. The rocks below her feet glowed slightly as the runes embedded within them heated the water to a beautiful temperature. A gentle waterfall sent a cascade of warm, sweet-smelling water over her head and back. It was utter bliss.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself."

Azee opened her eyes a crack as Eloise slipped into the water across from her. "Yeah... it's so... perfect..."

"Shinra would be glad to hear you say that."

"You know... I wasn't so sure about him at first... but he actually seems nice."

"Not sure? You had your hackles up and your teeth bared."

"Well... yeah, I suppose. It's just... Chara told me about chiropines, and how they betrayed us. But Shinra has been a good host." Her face turned a little red. "A bit forward at times... but nice."

"You should tell him that yourself."

Azee sank lower into the water. "I guess I should..."

Eloise smiled, watching as Azee's eyes drifted closed and a pleasured smile crossed her face. "You know, it's actually quite nice to see you looking so relaxed and happy."

"Yeah... I haven't been this relaxed since..." Azee's eyes slid open a little. "Since Chara was sold..." Immediately a rush of intense guilt flooded Azee.

Eloise raised an eyebrow as she noted Azee's expression change. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine but.... But what am I doing here... relaxing like this, wasting time, while my sister is in danger. She... she could be debris now for all I know, or dead... or sold to some awful pervert...or dying in a ditch..."

Raising a hand, Eloise gestured for Azee to join her. "Come over here sweetie."

With great hesitation, Azee drifted over to Eloise. She let out a little yip of surprise as Eloise gently put her arms around her, lifting her off her feet and holding her close.

"You've come a long way, and you've been through a lot." Eloise smiled down at Azee and gently brushed a few strands of hair away from her face. "You deserve a moment or two to breathe."

"But I... what if she-"

"Listen to me, we're going as fast as we can. We'll be leaving New Burleigh soon."

"I... suppose so..."

"There could be a very long road ahead, and you need to stay strong. You need to learn to treasure the moments like this when they present themselves... because before you know it... they are gone... forever."

Azee tilted her head slightly as she looked up at Eloise, the sorrow in the older woman's voice clear.

"There are going to be some hard things ahead, and I am going to need you to be strong enough to face them."

"I'll try."

Azee paused as Eloise reached down and put a hand on her chest, directly above her heart.

"You're going to have to. You are special, Azee, very special."

Azee tilted her head slightly. "You... you keep saying that... but I don't understand... How am I special?"

Eloise was quiet for a time, simply stroking Azee's head.

"There are several ways... but there is one that, if I tell you, it will put you in danger."

Azee managed a smile. "I'm weeks away from home, in a strange city, with my former master and a witch... How much more danger could I possibly be in."

"You do have a good point. Still, telling you will put you at risk."

"Well you know it, so doesn't that put you at risk too?"

"Yes, I suppose so..."

"Then I want to know." Azee managed a confident nod. "You've helped me so much, I want to share the load."

"I'm not certain that is how it works... but very well." Eloise took a deep breath. "I believe... that you have the ability to resist runes."

Azee blinked in surprise. "R-resist them?"

"It would seem that, when you are subjected to extreme stress, your feelings are enough to overpower the runes you are exposed to. Your sister being sold was enough to burn out a very powerful Serenity rune, and on the train, you were able to shrug off a stun rune that should have been enough to kill you."

"B-but how? How does that even work?"

"That's what I was hoping to find out. There have been rumours of other pelts that were able to break free of runes, rumours that the Order has been quick to try and snuff out, which makes me think they are true."

"But... how, I don't understand."

Eloise shrugged. "Who knows? Perhaps something in your blood, or your past. Perhaps it is something that is totally random, or all pelts can do it under the right circumstances."

Azee paused for a moment, her eyes widening. "That's.... that's why you agreed to help me? You... you wanted to study me!"

"At first, yes."

"A-at first?"

Eloise smiled down at Azee, gently scratching her between the ears. "I grew fond of you. You became more than just an interesting subject. Fact is... I care about you Azee, I care about what happens to you." Eloise sighed and rolled her eyes. "And as much as I am loathed to admit it... I also care what happens to that Windhill idiot we're travelling with."

"You do?"

"Well... more that I want him to learn a much-needed lesson."

"Huh..."

"Are you okay?"

For a few moments, Azee was quiet, thinking to herself. Finally, she looked up at Eloise and smiled. "Yeah... yeah I'm okay."

"Good. Just remember, you can't tell anyone about this power, especially Windhill. The more he thinks that the Rune was the problem, the better."

Azee nodded. "Right, I can do that. I kept the fact that the rune was failing secret for more than a season, so I think I can keep this a secret."

Eloise smiled brightly as she pet Azee's head again. "Good girl."

"By the way... I've been meaning to ask... you said you had a grudge against Luke's family, right?"

Eloise's smile faded slightly. "Yes... that is true."

"Can I ask... what was it?"

"It... was a long time ago." Eloise replied at last. "To be honest... I really don't want to get into it."

"Alright." Azee nodded. "Then there is just one more thing."

"Mhmmm?"

With a flick of her wrist, Azee splashed Eloise.

"That's for scaring me and treating me like a test subject." Azee stuck out her tongue as she ducked out of Eloise's grasp and danced backward, splashing her again.

"You little scoundrel!" Eloise grinned and splashed back, soaking Azee's hair.

"Ah!" Azee giggled as she raised her arms to defend herself, before sending another wave back at Eloise. With a playful growl, she dropped down, only her nose and eyes sticking out of the water.

"Oh no you don't!" Eloise laughed, before lunging across the pool at Azee.

The bath filled with laughter as Eloise and Azee splashed each other back and forth, the troubles of the world forgotten, if only for a short time.

***

"You're insane!"

Allec shrugged as he took a sip of coffee. "I'm just sayin', you wanna give Baskerville and Duke a black eye, setting the rebel free would do it."

Mel stared at Allec, her mouth hanging open. A half-empty pot of coffee sat between them. Mel had just returned from checking on Coryn when Allec had spoken up.

"You... you're serious?" Mel said after a long pause. "You're actually serious. You want to stage a jailbreak?"

"It ain't like I can say 'jus' kiddin' at this point, now can I."

"I... I suppose but... how?"

"Dunno. But I got me a mate, works as a.... contractor, doing odd jobs for odd sorts of folks. He'd probably be willing to help for a few larics."

"Sounds... reputable."

"I trust him more than I trust anyone what is with the Order. Present company excluded of course."

"You're talking about... rescuing a pelt, a high-level prisoner, from the Order chapter house!"

"The way I see it, the Order's got folks wound up so tight these days, ain't gonna be long 'fore something gives."

Mel nodded slowly. "Yes... I suppose that's true."

"I mean, just look what folks been doing! Killing pelts, suspectin' their neighbours, seeing Northern spies round every corner..." Allec leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "I mean, damn, it ain't like I love the pelts, but ain't no reason on this plane nor any other to treat an old boy like Coryn the way they did."

Despite the blasphemous nature of what Allec was saying. Mel couldn't help but nod in agreement as a burning tightness grew in her chest.

"I've seen what they seem to wanna turn Lillyvale into. Don't get me wrong, ain't like there's a whole lot in this town worth much. But that being said, I ain't interested in just sitting back and watching as good people get hurt while they try and turn our town into some kinda... pack of zealots."

"I'm not denying any of that Allec... but to attack the Order..."

"I ain't talking 'bout attacking them. But if we deal Duke a black eye, folks'll come together an tell him to send that Baskerville twat packing. And getting that poor little wretch out of his claws seems just the way to do it." Allec smiled a little as he took another sip of coffee. "That, an' I'm sure Duke endin' up with a chicken coop's worth of egg on his face would give ol' Coryn something to smile 'bout."

Mel knew what Allec was saying was insane. She wanted to tell him off, to tell him that the Order would come down with an iron fist on anyone who was even suspected of treachery, that there would be consequences the likes of which he couldn't even imagine. And yet, the memory of Trip reaching out for her, begging her for help, haunted her. The sounds of his fear and pain filled her mind.

They were the same sounds her own son had made as the sickness claimed his life.

"Let's do it," she said at last, the words startling even her as they left her mouth.

Allec blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Yeah... This has gone too far. Baskerville, and his chaperone, they both need to go."

"Mhmm. Guess the next question is, what do we do with our little rebel once we have him."

"I'll take care of him," Mel said quickly. "He's going to need medical attention, and he's got nowhere to go."

"Well... you can't keep him here."

"I'm not going to keep him here." Mel took a deep breath. "I'll take him to the estate."

"Eesh... Mr. Bailey ain't gon' be happy 'bout that."

"He doesn't have to be happy about it, just keep his mouth shut."

Allec nodded. "He's a good sort, loyal too, I think you can trust him."

"Dust and Patch have always been well-behaved, and I can't imagine the idea of hurting the Order would bother them much."

"So... we're doing this then?"

"Damn straight we're doing this." Mel looked up at Allec, her hands slowly curling into fists. "This friend of yours you mentioned, you're sure he's reliable?"

"Totally."

Mel took a deep breath. "Good. Then tell him... tell him we are going to need help getting someone out of the Lillyvale Chapter house prison as soon as possible."

***

"You really are a little brute, you know that." Eloise chuckled as she and Azee made their way out of the bath. "You got my hair all wet!"

Azee giggled as she stuck out her tongue, her tail wagging behind her.

"It seems you both had some fun," Shinra said with a smile as Eloise and Azee arrived in the main entrance lobby of Solstice.

Azee nodded. "We did. It was... it was nice to laugh again." She bowed low. "Thank you for your hospitality."

"No no no," Shinra said quietly, gently lifting Azee's chin. "No one bows here, least of all a brave one such as yourself."

As Azee straightened, she stepped forward and pulled Shinra into a hug.

"Thank you... for everything."

Shinra blinked in surprise, looking over at Eloise, who could only smile and shrug.

With a gentle purr, Shinra patted Azee on the back. "I am honoured. I know it must have been difficult accepting anything from someone like me."

Azee released Shinra, she shook her head. "No... I mean..."

Shinra smiled and put a hand on top of Azee's head. "I know what you are saying. For what it's worth, I am sorry for all that has happened to you. Regardless, I am glad to see you smile. As a friend of Eloise, and now a friend of mine, you are always welcome here Azee."

"Thank you, Shinra." With a heavy sigh, Azee looked down at the collar in her hand. "I guess... it's time to go back out there."

"This world is harsh, dangerous, and unpleasant." Shinra reached out and put a hand on Azee's collar. "But you must always remember, you wear the collar, it does not wear you. You are stronger than it, and what cannot break you can only make you stronger. And someday, I have no doubt, you will never have to wear this horrid thing ever again."

"Yeah... I guess you're right." Azee's grip on the collar tightened, the leather creaking in her grasp.

Shinra tilted his head slightly and smiled. "Should the day ever come when you feel the urge to leave this country, come and speak to me. I may have some friends that could aid in such an effort."

Slipping the collar around her neck, Azee snapped the lock shut and turned to Eloise. "Shall we go?"

"One last thing." From a small cloth bag, Eloise withdrew a paper-wrapped package and handed it to Azee. "I was going to wait until we got back to the hotel, but since Shinra helped with getting this for you, I thought perhaps now was an appropriate time."

"F-for me?" Azee looked down at the package. Hesitantly she undid the twine holding the paper together and unwrapped the object inside.

Azee's breath caught in her throat as she saw what was wrapped within the package. It was a book, bound in rich, dark green leather and decorated with elegant copper scrolls in the shape of ivy vines. The paper was a creamy white and cut razor straight with not a single flaw. A simple wood fountain pen was tucked in a small leather pouch, along with a bottle of pitch-black ink.

"This... this is the one..."

"I saw you looking at that." Eloise said with a smile. "I thought perhaps... you would enjoy having something to call your own. Of course, you won't be able to write when there's a chance of being seen, but when we're on the road, or someplace safe, you can write."

"W-what should I write?" Azee asked, turning the book over in her hand, gazing awestruck down at the elegantly decorated black spine.

"Whatever you want. It's your voice, no one else's."

"I... I don't.... I don't know what to say..." Azee rubbed her eyes as tears welled up. "I... I'm sorry I... I'm so happy but..."

"Come here, sweetie." Eloise pulled Azee into a tight hug. "You deserve this, a chance to have your own voice."

"Thank you." Azee mumbled, burying her head in Eloise's chest. "Thank you so much."

"Can I get in on this hug?" Shinra asked with a grin.

"Oh shut up and get in here you horny bat." Eloise opened her arms for Shinra.

***

Both Azee and Eloise turned and waved as they left Solstice. Standing in the doorway, waving back, was Shinra, framed by the golden glow of the lamps beyond. Both watched for as long as they could, until soon enough they were unable to make out the front of the building or the sign above the door in the foggy gloom of night.

"Are you ready?" Eloise asked, glancing at Azee.

Taking a deep breath, Azee nodded. "Yes... let's go find my sister."

With a shared nod of determination, both Azee and Eloise started their journey back to the hotel, unaware of the pairs of eyes that followed them in the dark.

***

END OF CHAPTER 28