====
Title: Defiance: (pt1) Palace Liyao
Number: 21
Date: May 15, 2008 at 7:07 PM
====
Divinatas – May 15, 2008 at 7:07 PM
[dotted=http://space-kitten.org/forum/picture.php?albumid=1&pictureid=20]Princess Katarin Ioso
“Psssst!” Came a whisper from behind the long velvet curtains that hung along the entire expanse of the wall. There was a subtle movement behind them, then the sound again. “Pssssst!”
Katarin walked slowly, turning the page of a book in her hand. She stopped next to the curtain, turning slightly to the side so her face was well blocked from the windows and doors. “It’s broad daylight. You’re going to get yourself killed.” She hissed quietly.
The curtain moved guiltily. “Forgive me, but it’s urgent news. What you overheard is true. A rebellion has been on the move for months now. The outskirt villages that managed to escape the recruiting have joined up as refugees and he found out about them. By the end of the month he plans to have most of the towns burned and tell Parliament that the Rebels are trying to destroy Liyao because of the succession.”
Her fingers tightened on the edges of the book, but her face remained passive. “They don’t realize how far his hands reach… do they know yet? If Parliament believes they are attacking Liyao, they’ll send their own forces after them. Lorgunan won’t even have to move a finger.”
“…No. Wen has the Skipper ready and we’re leaving right away. He says if we get there fast enough, the rebellion can send ships to evacuate the villages before they’re burned. If there’s no bodies, maybe Parliament would find the situation suspicious and finally get their heads out of their as-”
“Jinak…” she gently interrupted him. “Hurry and go. We’ve wasted precious minutes all ready.”
“Aye, Princess Katarin. Be safe.” There was a soft shuffle from behind the curtain, a few footsteps and he was gone.
Katarin moved away from the wall, a frown slowly spreading across her face. She set the book down on the table as she wrapped her arms around herself. She couldn’t dare to hope. Not after what she’s discovered about the other worlds Lorgunan had gained control of. As part of Parliament, she and the members were told by Lorgunan that a civil war had broken out on Yiv9, that in the mess of it all they wiped out the entire planet for their war. But she knew better now. Yiv9 refused to join Lorgunan and tried to fight. Now there was hardly anything left. She couldn’t stop Lorgunan from taking Liyao, but she could keep him away from as many innocent people as she could. As long as she did what he asked, he wouldn’t lay waste to her planet like the people of Yiv9.
“HAULT! GRAB HIM!” Came a guard’s cry from directly outside. A sudden realizing panic struck her, as she ran for the door. Outside in the main garden there was Jinak surrounded by Lorgunan’s appointed guards! They would torture him for information within an inch of his life. Katarin retrieved a crossbow from a display on the wall. One of those proud Liyao historical weapons. It was the only thing within reach! She took aim and– Her arm was grabbed, the crossbow wretched out of her hands. Lorgunan gripped her arm tight, standing over her with a displeased look as he examined the crossbow.
“This is unfortunate, Princess Katarin. I have been gracious enough to allow you to roam free in your own palace, yet you repay my generosity by passing information to terrorists and murdering one of your people?” Katarin opened her mouth to object, but not a word came through before there was a PFFFT! The crossbow in Lorgunan’s hands fired. Jinak shot through the heart. Her words stuck in her throat. How many more people were going to die…?
“Take Princess Katarin to the lower dungeon cell. Make sure it has no windows and no means of escape. We’ll discuss the punishment for your crimes later, Your Highness.” He released her in to the custody of his guards. Katarin could hear him giving orders to find Wen’s ship and destroy it as she was led away to the prison cells. As the cell door closed behind her, she was sure Wen wouldn’t make it.
[/dotted]
====