Blank

By Josh Draeger

Table of Contents:Cover...1Table of Contents...2Chapter One: Serenity Scarred...3Chapter Two: Blank.........................................15Chapter Three: Escape For All or Escape For Some22Chapter Four: Captured or Free, Same Destination..Chapter Five: Strangers in A Cruel Land.Chapter Six: A Rendezvous with TruthChapter Seven: Home BoundChapter Eight: Retaliation...Chapter Nine: Ones Revolution, Anothers War.Chapter Ten: Chapter Eleven: ..Chapter Twelve: ..Chapter One:Serenity ScarredSkies filled with fantastic colors of fruit as the ocean's mist reflected even more colorful rainbows. The young man, Clive, being rhythmically pushed and pulled back to land to the clear and crisp western waters of Tyecia Island. The waters gently lured the tired fisherman back to his home without ever leaping near the sides of the boat. Sun baked black skin as it held in heat while the island breeze cooled over. Eyes stared absentmindedly along the horizon as The Coconut Queen, Clive's one-man-powered raft, drifted back to land. Fish filled most of the boat, with Clive an ink blot next to other water-colored seafarers.Although great care was put into the ship, the island's seasonal storms had shown their effect on the craft. Its formerly bright blue paint had been torn off by the wind and rain to leave slightly warped wooden boards beneath. It had certainly taken it's share of battery at the rocky cliffs of eastern Ondecia.Often, as the waves waxed and waned, Clive remembered his father's words,Our ancestor has used this boat to support him and the whole of Prailicia. This boat has endured more than we could bare to imagine. Take great care of her, and great care of our home.The ocean seemed to always call out stories from his father to the boy.Clive recalled ten years ago, in the 66th year of Prailicia; the northern island of Jurlacia's crops had been fried by the golden tropical sun, and so the chieftains of the other three Tribes of Prailicia had sent their aide, as way of the Prailician people. Clive's father had met his doom in the rough far eastern waters trying to traverse to the starving Jurlacia. Clive's mind wandered on the quiet trip back from work as the sunset slipped out of sight and the moon soon to take its place as the spectacle of the sky.It was the middle of spring, one of the four seasonal days of celebration of the alignment of the Prailic Tribes seventy-six years ago. Being the spring celebration, the party was hosted in Tyecia. By now, Clive could hear the fireworks being set off in the distance. The party had begun. Clive anchored his raft and slumped the net of fish corpses over his shoulder. Up the pale yellow sands of the beach and into a small shack built of dark wood, he finishes his work day. A large weight system sits in the room, with one end being pulled down by large spherical boulders and empty on the other. Clive loaded up his catch to the correct proportions, and usually let his boss handle distribution to the people, but she was absent on this holiday, celebrating the holy day with the rest of the island's inhabitants. Clive separated the island's fish and his own family's and began the process of saving the rest of the catch, but only one thing remained on his mind, the festival.Through the winding dirt path cut into ancient forests, passed colorful birds and painter's palettes of flora with green everywhere in between. The soft ground skipped up as Clive jogged along the trail. Wet plants and various ferns swiped across Clive's shins as he ran through, disguising the odor hunched over behind him. Various scents teem in the air as Clive arrives at the center of Tyecia Island, The Village. Fires spit wildly into the setting sky, smells of all kinds of edibles filled his nose, and the crackle and boom of fireworks swarmed the night. Clive navigated his way through the carnival, detouring to chat with townsfolk and discussing the utmost trivial things. Clive walked by some of the many wooden stands offering small games and prizes, eventually passing one particular stand selling a chance to win a shot of Winston Biley's Bitter Peach Brew, imported from Jurlacia, in exchange for throwing arrows at a target. Clive's old childhood friend, Jahn Rau'ussa, was working this particular stand, so Clive was obligated to partake in at least one game.Jahn jeered his friend over to him, Hey, Clive! Come play a game! Shoot the shit! The parties have just started!Clive straighten up and said, If I have to. You know, I do have plans other than playing games tonight.Jahn quickly spoke back, Oh bullshit, you got time to play a game and take a shot. Hell, I'll give you a free one just for good luck.They both laughed and Clive said, You know I can't turn that down, set me up with three. as he put his day's work on the ground next to the stand.Clive took his ammunition, his 'good luck charm', his aim, and took his throw of the arrows at the ringed hay target. Of the three berry red rings, he made a triangle all within the smallest ring.Jahn poured another shot onto the table, soaked from spills and slams of glass, as he said, You know what that calls for!Clive swung the glass up and down to his throat. He wiped his mouth as he said, Look, I'm really sorry, mate, but I can't just stay here drinking all night, I've got to find Sonja.They both gave a laugh and Jahn released Clive from his social grip. Jahn said as Clive left, Alright then, I'll see you soon enough.

Clive made his way passed more carefree nonsense and joyful amusements, to the main cookery, where he found Sonja Djeli with a large chunk of meat being spun over an enclosed fire. The fire highlighted and shaded her maple skin, her dark eyes intent on the task, and her long black hair tied away. Her delicate hands slowly turned the rotisserie as she noticed Clive at the doorway.Clive! You finally made it! I was beginning to think you wouldn't show! But never mind that, I'm just glad you're here.Clive dropped the fish as Sonja left her post and embraced Clive with both arms. She talked to his side,I'm just about finished here, are you all ready to go?With this, Clive nodded and saw his mother in the back of the kitchen. She smiled, signaling that he had done his job, so Clive waved away to his boss and the two dashed off through the town. By now, night had taken over day and the party was in full effect.What a merry night for all Prailician peoples! A celebration of culinary delicacies, mutually accepted debauchery across both ends of town, the carnival games, the music show, and of course, the great speech given every year by the Chieftains of the islands fondly remembering the past season's events. But, with all this joy in the air, Clive and Sonja were no where to be found. They had escaped the noise pollution of The Village to the north-western coasts. The rocks were being beaten down by the moon's relentless waves as our couple lie in each others arms watching the stars underneath a small shack built by them.Every Prailician absolutely loved the celebrations, but this tradition between Clive and Sonja had been set. Every night they lay together, watching the stars, listening to the waves and letting the island breeze drift them off to sleep. They were as inseparable as the stars to the darkened sky. As the two kept up their nightly tradition, The Chieftain of Tyecia's booming voice spoke back at The Village.All of us, the many of us, we all come here to today, merrily, joyous, and full of life's energy, to celebrate one thing.He paused for silence.
That thing is us! Prailicia, our home. It is not merely a congregation of four grand islands. It is us. We are Prailicia, and Prailicia is all.At this point, the crowd went wild until the four Chieftains had to calm the mob. He continued about the past year; about the Ondecian dive squad's discovery of the sea god monument, Shago's Statue, and about the success of Suracia's crops this year. Finally, he touched on the subject everyone was waiting to hear; the new people coming onto Jurlacia's northern shores.I know our peoples are both frightened and intrigued by these new people in Jurlacia. Jurlacia's Chieftain could not be present at this year's celebration once again, for he has been away with the visitors being introduced to their lands. All we know of these people is that they've come to enjoy what our islands have to offer, just like the rest of us. I see no threat from these people, and I expect the same from all of us. At the moment, not much else is known of them, as we are awaiting the Chieftain of Jurlacia's return. But if one encounters these foreigners, I expect our peoples to treat them with honor and Prailician respect! That is all for tonight, enjoy the festivals people!And with the clap of the Chieftain's hands, the party had resumed to it's normal tune. The dancing, the drinking, the falling over and the getting back up all went on well into the night. So much so, the next day's sun even took a glance of some of the commotion.*Clive woke up with the sun, and he gently left the make-shift bed they had been resting upon.Clive left to the island's ferry on the Eastern shore. He sailed through the calm sea that separated Tyecia and Ondecia, named after Shago, the sea god. Known as His Winking Eye, because it was an almost entirely enclosed sea, where as the far eastern Ondecia's waters were open into a great ocean.His ferry eventually arrived at Ondecia's capital, Cora, located on the south-eastern coast. He stepped onto land and uttered a short prayer out of respect for the sea and his father. The grand marble pillars of Ondecia's library stood tall in front of young Clive at the center of Cora.The only leavings to Tyecia were early mornings and at sunset due to the night's control over the middle sea. Clive wandered through the city center, with its white wind cut buildings and awnings covering various amenities. The smiles and waves gesturing to indulge in whatever the island inhabitants' had happened upon followed Clive towards the edges of the metropolis.He left the booming Ondecian capital and made his way to the residential area of Cora. Outside the central urban area was covered by lush grassy hills and dotted with small houses built by the ancestors of those who live there now. He arrived at a white-brick house built into the green hills with Mali written above the doorway. The name wasn't the only misplaced thing of this home, as the structure struck an onlooker as distinguished and yet off in the back set of brightly colored dwellings.Clive approached the door as it opened before he even made it up the steps with a older man swinging it open from behind. Sun-charred skin, rough sea-scarred face, and a scruffy white beard like the tips of ocean waves to match his salted personality, the great Mr. Mali stood before Clive with a welcoming smile....

Clive knew his way to the Chief Historian's office, left and right through labyrinthine hallways, up and down grand stairways and passing by not so grand book-ladders.He arrived only to find it was unoccupied. Quite a rare occasion, for the Chief Historian only left the library if it was a matter of utmost importance, and he was even more rarely late to set meetings. As Clive wondered the reason for the Chief's absence, he decided to pick up some papers and indulge himself. It was titled, The Coconut Queen, written by none other than the current Chief Historian, Olin Ujamaha.The text read, ...known for it's extremely rough seas, the passage between Ondecia and Jurlacia has been the only way of passage between the two lands, without of course, trespassing on The God's Mountains. These waters were particularly used when Jurlacia's famine occurred in the 66th year of Prailicia. As the other islands of Prailicia sent their aide, the rough Ondecian waters claimed the lives of only one ship, the Coconut Queen, with only one survivor out of the two men operating the boat. Through interviews with the survivor in the 75th year of Prailicia, it was revealed that rough waters was not the only cause of the sailors' demise.With this, the Chief entered his office hastily, exclaiming,What are you doing, Mr. Cetshwayo? This, is an unfinished copy, and will not be read by anyone but the author. Do you understand?Clive nodded and waited for another outburst. The Chief frantically searched about his office, then looked back up to Clive.Well, I seemed to have misplaced my rough drafts. Might as well get you to work, so why don't you head to Cora Hills and see if I left them at Elijah Mali's house. Hurry now!Clive once again nodded and went off immediately. Every step he wondered about the passage he read. The words repeated in his head, ...rough waters was not the only cause of the sailors' demise... This was the first Clive had ever heard of such a thing, and so he thought, who better to ask than his dad's old fishing buddy, Mr. Mali.He bellowed,Hello! I thought you or Mr. Ujamaha would be back soon. I assume you are looking for this?He held up and flung around a roughly gathered stack of papers. Clive nodded and asked permission to enter the household. They walked in and sat down at a small circular table with tea materials set. Mr. Mali poured a cup for Clive first, then himself. They both sipped, as was custom, before getting to the matter at hand.Mr. Mali was Clive's father's right-hand-man. They had sailed every body of water from the northern tip of Jurlacia to the southern swamps of Suracia. He was also the lone survivor of The Coconut Queen crash. Clive never had the desire to talk to Mr. Mali about his father, he always just assumed and accepted what happened to his father and preferred not to bring it up. But he kept repeating the passage he read back at the library, and felt compelled to ask what could have possibly crashed the ship besides Ondecia's waters. Mr. Mali spoke first,Ah. Good tea. So what have you come to discuss, little Cetshwayo?Clive spoke up, Well, sir, I was in the library earlier today, and I caught a glimpse of the papers you're holding right now. And-Mr. Mali interrupted, And I suppose you would like to know what really ended your father's life?Clive was shocked at Mr. Mali's bluntness, So he didn't drown? What happened?!Mr. Mali calmly responded, Well, it's about time you knew. Keep it down, we don't need to hear the whole island talking about some conspiracy theoryClive opened his ears as wide as possible.Mr. Mali leaned in and continued, Come by the same time tomorrow, and I'll explain. Right now, I have very important duties to attend to.Mr. Mali smiled as Clive frowned. They finished their tea and Clive rushed back to the library, filled with questions to his brim. His entire life had turned upside down with a single paragraph, and he daydreamed to himself about the possibilities. When he reached the library, he naturally began to ask around. Although, it seemed that it was exactly as Mr. Mali said; an elaborate conspiracy that everyone was in on except Clive. Everyone gave Clive the same look of confusion, and the same look of pity on the young's imagination and the same answer of, Oh I remember that. Tragedy for sure. Why, of course that's how your father died! It's not like a monster showed up out of the sea and took your father, just ask Mr. Mali!Clive spent the remainder of his day reorganizing the Chief's private library. He caught the ferry heading back to Tyecia and once again looked for his lovely Sonja at sunset. The Village had calmed down extensively, and returned to it's normal quiet trading and general labor about the town. Once again, he found Sonja cooking away. This time stirring a large cauldron of soup as the spitting fire once again highlighted her lovely face. She noticed Clive at the door and smiled. With the same routine as the last day, and days before that, Sonja' finished her job and left to join Clive at their coastal getaway hideout. Clive decided not to tell Sonja about his news until it was more certain. They let the waves wash over them as they lay on the rocky coast, careful to stay with at least a finger still on land.As night came, they returned to sit with each other in their arms, drying back at the hut on the beach. They slunk back and drifted off to sleep, with Clive thinking of the latest news in his father's death, and Sonja thinking of Clive.As Clive woke, he was successful in his attempt to leave Sonja undisturbed. Today was the day of rest, and so Clive headed straight to Mr. Mali's house in Cora. Mentally, he prepared his questions, many and varied they may be. As he knocked upon Mr. Mali's cloud-white door, he didn't get an response. He didn't even hear the rustling of someone heading to the door. Clive knocked once more. Again, the same lack of response. Clive decided to investigate and walked around to the backyard garden. The back door was left open. Clive wandered in slowly, calling out for Mr. Mali. To Clive's discomfort, Mr. Mali was no where to be found.Clive left the Mali household and dumbstruck, he went to the Chief Historian's office at the library. As he entered the office, he stepped onto paper on the floor. It was every where! The office had been ransacked and destroyed! And the Chief Historian was no where to be found as well! Clive left hurriedly, and ran to the outside to the marble pillars outside the library. The Chief was sitting beside one sulking.The Chief looked up and noticed Clive, Oh, my dear boy, they ruined me! They destroyed my research and beat me up! I couldn't believe it, it all happened so fast!Clive placed his hand on the Chief's shoulder, Mr. Ujamaha, who? Who did this to you?The Chief straighten up, No one. Leave. I don't care where you go, but you cannot be here! You need to leave, now! It's not safe here, it's not safe anywhere! You need to leave Prailicia!Clive respected the Chief so much, he thought it better not to question, and did as told. At this point, Clive didn't know where he was going to go, but he knew he needed to bring Sonja. So, Clive hurried back to The Village to look for Sonja, only this time, the sun was at high-noon. More was changed from last night, as he couldn't seem to find Sonja at her usual post. He searched the whole of The Village, to their getaway, to Tyecia's harbor, he went to and fro on both ends of the island, and Sonja was still missing. It became night, and with no other options in mind, Clive returned to Ondecia to find the Chief was at the ferry.They made eye contact as Clive exited the ferry, and the Chief spoke,Clive. It's not safe here, I can't explain, but we need to leave. Now. I have arranged a ship to take us out to sea, where we will have to remain until I can think of a plan. We don't have time to pack, so what you have on your back will have to do. Let's get movingClive followed the Chief and boarded the boat. He frantically asked questions, but only received silence. The boat was the famous, Coconut Queen. They set sail, and Clive watched as Prailicia slowly faded away. Everything Clive knew and loved all just slowly faded away in one day, all because of one paragraph in a book. Clive's mind raced, but he thought he ought to get some sleep and try to figure this out in the morning. As the waves became larger and larger, Clive drifted off to sleep, dreaming of Sonja.

Chapter Two:

Blank

Sonja scampered through wet forest floor with a near nightly shade laying over the understory of the forest. She began gathering various hues of berries from about her. Bursting reds, blooming blues, bright yellows and all kinds of greens all in beautiful bounties scattered throughout the grounds. As her labor produced the fruits, she noticed noise in a far direction beyond the trees.She readied her blade. The Prailicians traditionally solved their disputes through a practice called Dag'oh. The Dag'oh ritual involved two persons, each with a small blade lined with Garuca poison, a nerve-damaging poison that caused paralysis. Sonja's tendency to stand her ground tended to land her into lots of Dag'oh rituals, and so for the peaceful islands of Prailicia, she was war incarnate.She moved fast and silently, passing bark and leave to tract her target, following her ears intently. She was focused and prepared for anything the land offered. Experience from her years sleeping in canopies, refusing to stay in her family's home made her adamant in her pursuit. As she soon encircled the area of noise, her eyes glimpsed the culprit. An island boar, tusks swinging about in an unexplained rage. Eyes were red with blood, as the beast seemed to crave it. Sonja crept into position behind a large fern. She slowly pressed her body like a tiger ready to pounce as the boar snapped its neck into eye contact with Sonja. She released her stance and landed upon the animal, grabbing a tight hold with one arm and setting her knife to empty the creature of life. It kicked and squirmed when she drove the poison spiked weapon into the boar's side. Ripping flesh and drawing blood, the poison work fast into the wild tusked noise. As it calmed, Sonja once more struck the knife into the boar, this time in the neck. It let out a final squeal and let go of its world as it dripped the life giving fluid.Sonja took the beast to the couple's coastal home and prepared it for a meal. She set aside most of the meat to be made to stay for a long time. She would give this to the rest of Tyecia, but she would celebrate her victim's life by herself, and Clive when he returned. She started a fire on the beach and began to cook her game. She ate her choice cut as Clive's stayed far above the fire to warm. She waited, watching the waves for hours. Her eyes started to refuse her alertness. She began to fall asleep upon the sand.Sonja lie half-conscious on the beach down from her and Clive's structure. Her sleepy eyes lulled around the coast. Watching the waves crash over and over, she notices something out of place in the distance. People. The north-western coast of Tyecia were entirely uninhabited at all times of the day. The reason being, the jagged rocks of the coast had claimed many lives throughout Tyecia's history, and every parent in The Village warned their children to never play anywhere near. This of course, attracted young Clive and Sonja, being the adventurous type.Sonja decided it was time to leave her humble hut and find out who these distant characters were. She got up, removed the sand from her body, and walked her way towards the far away shapes. As she got closer, she discovered one had a telescope, and the other seemed to be making a map. Sonja thought to herself, why would anyone need to make their own map? The Council makes maps for everyone and they're always on display at The Village.Sonja decided to approach the strangers and greet them with the expected Pralician respect. But before Sonja could get within a comfortable speaking range, one of the strangers called out in a frightened voice, Who goes there?!Sonja replied in her angelically soft voice, My name is Sonja Djeli, and I might ask the same of youAfter the strangers had adjusted their eyes and noticed Sonja was simply a young women, they shrugged and continued their work.Sonja repeated herself, Excuse me, might I ask, who are you two?The stranger holding the telescope replied, Not to worry, just go back to your village, young lady. We are just doing our own business, none of your concernThis of course had the opposite effect, as it further intrigued Sonja's curiosity. Sonja continued to question the strange men until they became frustrated and threatened her. Sonja ignored the threat and confident in herself, she continued her investigation.The stranger's tone changed as he said, Listen, lady, we don't want any trouble. For you, of course. But we're also not afraid to give it out. So, are you going to leave? Now?Sonja was always one to stand her ground and so she chose to ask more questions. The men suddenly dropped their equipment and lunged after her.She dodged the first man's advances, but the second had gotten a hold of her arm. She struck the man with her other elbow and released herself from the grip. She reached for her blade, hidden in her loin-cloth, but she wasn't fast enough in her attempt. They wrestled her down to the ground and hog-tied her.They looked at one another for a moment, then one said, Alright then, damn savages. Let's just take this one to the ship. She can probably cook or at least something, as they carried her off down the coast. Sonja screamed and screamed, as she was not the one to give up so easily, but being that far away from The Village meant that she might as well have been in the middle of the ocean. One of the two men knocked her out and she dazed off.When she woke again, she was in a very different setting than her beautiful island home. This room was made of hard metals, like those for plowing and cutting crops. It was cold and damp. She no longer heard the smooth wind of Tyecia, the island's varied bird calls heard throughout the days and nights. Instead, she heard a single drop of water echo when it hit the opposing surface. She tried to pull herself upright, but her hands and feet were still tied together. Luckily for her, she managed to wiggle her way out of the rope holding her, and made her way around the small room. Then it all hit her. This wasn't a room, it was a cell! She had been imprisoned by these strange men! She had no idea where she was or what to do. Then, trembling in anxiety, she heard a whimper.It was coming from the next cell over. Sonja peeked her head out of the cell bars and looked around. The saddest sight Sonja had witnessed in her entire life lay before her. It was Mr. Mali, crying on the floor of the next cell over. His legs had been crippled and he had been beaten badly for what could have only been several hours. He was bloody and blue from head to heel. There is not a sadder sight than a formerly active and strong man crippled and bloody on the floor.Sonja gasped to herself. She thought to herself of the trouble she had found.Sonja was stunned by the sight, but Mr. Mali stopped her trance as he barely uttered, Th-th-they, c-c-ame, a-and t-to-took m-me. Th-they, c-came, a-and, t-to- He was cut off by his own fatigue. Sonja realized the fate she had stumbled upon, and so she slumped herself against the back wall of her cell. She sat there for some time, thinking of Clive. It was about this time when Clive had found Sonja missing from the beach, and he too, sat for some time, thinking of Sonja.*On The Coconut Queen, Clive awoke to rumbling and salt-water splashing in his face. The Chief was standing above him with an empty, upside-down bucket.The Chief called out to the sky, Yep, boy! This is it! Somehow I always knew we'd be in this predicament together!, he turned back to Clive, Now, I'm sure you have plenty of questions. Well, I've got plenty of answers, and plenty of time! Although, more importantly, plenty of things to be done! We're going to be on this boat for a good while, so try not to think of it as a cramped prison cell, and instead, think of the massive open ocean we're floating upon!Clive rubbed the water off his face and opened his eyes up at The Chief. Clive said,Okay, since I'm up, I guess, let's start with the big ones. Where are we going? What are we doing? Why are we doing this? And when will I be able to go home? I'm terribly worried about SonjaThe Chief looked disappointed. He said, Well, I thought you'd be more excited about the journey, because I know you won't be for the destination, so I'll keep that one to myself. Um, what are we doing? Well, we're sailing of course! The Chief let out a chuckle to himself, Why? Well that one's a bit trickier He paused to gather his thoughts.There are people after us. They don't want us to know what we know, and they'll do anything to stop us. We may never go back to Prailicia, but I can damn well guarantee you won't die there. You can thank me later. Anyway, that's about it. For now you can help me bring in this shrimp netThe two men pulled in the massive shrimp net, somewhat full, as Clive got his wits about him. He asked the Chief, Okay, well what do we know that they, whomever they may be, don't want us to know?The Chief responded quickly, You mean you haven't figured it out? Put the net down, you might need to have a seat too. Let's make this brief. You father's death was no accident. He was murderedJaws wide open, Clive said, How was he murdered? What happened?!The Chief turned himself into the boat to face Clive and began to narrate, Well, your father, according to Mr. Mali, was killed by the new people that have been touring Jurlacia. The stories are true, their ships are massive, and as your father struggled to leave their path, to continue his mission to help our brother nation, they caused this boat to flip, and they resumed their path without a thought of their destruction.Clive couldn't find the right words he wanted to say.The Chief continued, I know, boy, I know. Apparently, Mr. Mali managed to flip the boat and drift to the rocks with your father now gone under the sea. He stayed in the boat, bashing against rocks until a rescue boat came to save him.The Chief paused.But now is not the time to think, now is the time to act, for these men are after us as we speak. They destroyed my research at the office, kidnapped Mr. Mali, and if you say Sonja is missing, I'm afraid they must have her as well.Clive was forced to think about his situation for a long time, as he saw no action to be done. As the Chief navigated his way through the sky, the stars and the sea, Clive droned on physically, but mentally, was stuck in thought. As the sun left them, and nighttime approached, Clive hadn't come to any conclusions. He seemed to just repeat the same thoughts over and over to himself; What to do? What to do?Clive's prayer for an answer was responded, but with more of another question, as oppose to an answer. In the distance there was a ship. And just as the Chief had said, it truly was massive. It stuck out on the horizon like the remaining clouds in the sky, large like one too. A deafeningly loud and low boom had come from the ship. It was like no man-made horn Clive had ever heard, and he covered his ears in complaint.Clive hollered to the Chief, Are those-?The Chief only responded in silence with his eyes. Completely still except for stares at the boat, then back to each other, the two were frozen in fear. The ship made it's way closer and closer. It was obvious they wouldn't collide, but the mystery of if they knew who was in this raft, and what they would do if they did was enough to cause a heart to stop.A mere few hundred feet away now, was the massive metallic ship cutting its way through the waters. It went by the side of The Coconut Queen, and both men stood silent staring at the ship. In total anticipation, they watched as it cruised directly by the small raft, and then away. They hadn't noticed.A wave of relief washed over them as they continued their journey.Clive decided to break the silent tension,What are we going to do? Those things will stomp us out like ants!The Chief said nothing. And so the night went on, all silent but the wind. The moon crept its way to the sky, the stars shone bright, and the two men lie and drift into the dark open sea.

Chapter III:

Escape For All or Escape For Some

Clive and the Chief had been at sea for three days now, and this day they had caught no fish. Trouble brewed in the air, along with the tension of secrecy between the two heightening. Curiosity had begun to take a hold of Clive's mind, and he felt compelled to find out more from the Chief. Every repeating motion of the sea's waves caused Clive to ask another question in his mind. Clive thought of The Once Great Coconut Queen, now seeming to barely handle the ocean's rough waters. The boat's floors seeped salty sea-water, and the relentless flow beneath rocked the boat so intensely it seemed to come as near as it could to flipping before the next wave jolted the raft again.As the men pull in another empty fishing net, Clive speaks up,We need to find land. We can't just stay out at sea for our whole lives. Where are we going?They put the net within the boat and throw out another as the Chief speaks, That's of no concern. I told you, those men are out to get us. You saw their ships, we have no way to defend ourselves. If we land, I have no doubt they'll find us soon after. But, you are right in your assumptions. We can't stay out here too much longer The Chief had turned to face Clive,I can tell you this; we will land todayWith that, the Chief had pulled out his navigation tools and began to direct Clive. The ocean's constant bumps went on for some time in silence, except for the occasional direction from the Chief, until on the horizon the smallest bump of non-blue showed up. As they enclosed in upon the land, Clive noticed a statue upon the tallest hill of the island. It was the statue of Sheyoh, the wind goddess! Clive realized they had arrived at the northern most island of Jurlacia! It struck odd that to escape the foreign threat by heading to where they congregate, but the Chief explained before Clive could even ask,Yes, Jurlacia. I thought it'd be best to hide in plain sight, you see? When we land, we'll need aliases. I am a researcher from Suracia, and you are my son I brought for protection. We are simply here to visit the monuments. Got it?Clive nodded in understanding. They came to Jurlacia's harbor and once again their feet stood on solid ground. The last time Clive had been to Jurlacia was with his father as a very young boy. Even though he had a slight impression made on him as a child of Jurlacia, he knew things had changed drastically. There never used to be strong men welcoming you from the harbor. There never used to be this scent of a strange fire's smoke in the air. And there certainly never used to be this many buildings! Everywhere they went, buildings dominated views. Where as a boy, he could look in any direction to see Jurlacia's lush hills and forests.They made their way to the capital city, Kama, nestled within the hills of Jurlacia. On the path to the capital, another new sight had entered Clive's eyes; a man sat on the side of the road, asking for a donation of charity. Quite a sad sight indeed, but to Clive's eyes, this sight appeared more shocking than depressing. All of Prailicia, the people have been fed well. They have been clothed and homes have been built by the people of Prailicia, for the people of Prailicia. Poverty was unheard of, as the people saw themselves as family. They cared for one another, and empathy was felt all around.So, to see a man asking for charity, obviously beaten down badly by life, was a new sight for Clive. He immediately sat down with the man and grabbed a fruit from his backpack. He asked the man of his ailments, to which the man replied,I've been homeless since those bastards showed up. I live on the charity of the Prailician people, but the new people have outlawed this! Can you believe that? And so, I live on the outskirts of Kama, picking fruit off the remaining trees and scavenging what I can find. It's just terrible what their doing to this placeAll of this was so new to Clive. So much had changed. Clive made a decision.Would you like to come with us? We are heading to Kama, and we could use a guideThe man rustled himself up and smiled. He exclaimed, Of course! Haven't been to the city in over a year! And trust me, if you aren't from around here, you'll need a guideAnd so the trio walked along the road, Clive staring at the massive buildings everywhere in sight. They finally made it to Kama, the capital city. The first thing Clive noticed was the people. As far as he knew, the largest city was Cora, in Ondecia, and there had never been a population like this there. Clive thought it must have been a festival, for the only other times he had seen such crowds of people were at Tyecia's spring celebrations. Clive asked the Chief,What's going on? It's spring-time. The Jurlacians shouldn't be celebrating their winter festival for monthsThe Chief somberly responded, The visitors have changed this place. They brought themselves here and made it their own. I don't even know where they all fitClive replied, But how? How could all this happen? They've only been here for such a short amount of timeThe Chief said, No. You are wrong there. You'll come to find a lot of things are different than what you thought they were. The new people have been here for over a decade. They've controlled the island for some time now, and they plan on doing the same to the rest of Prailicia. They've kept this a secret to the other islands, but I've found them out. This is why they're after usClive said, But, I thought you said they were after us because we know what they did to my father?The Chief said, That is true. You'll learn in due time. For now, we need to make it to Sheyoh's Tower. The answers to your questions lie thereThey pushed their way through masses of people, and on to the trail to Sheyoh's Tower, the giant statue the symbolized Jurlacia. It's inner walls had been used as a meeting place for Jurlacia's Council since its creation. As they arrived at the entrance gate to the trail, another strong-looking man stood waiting with a hand on a large sheathed blade. They approached, and the man sprung into life like a stone gargoyal.He spoke in a stern and solid tone, Halt! State your purpose for entering Sheyoh's TowerThe Chief explained, We are researchers from Suracia, we seek to record measurements of the towerThe man said monotonously, Papers, pleaseThe Chief looked to Clive. They both had no idea they needed identification. Then, the homeless man spoke up and showed a small paper,Here we are, Jurlacian citizen, right hereThe man quickly glanced at the paper, and then stood the side of the gate.The group walked through and made their way to the tower. The man followed behind. When they came to the doorway of the tower and feet of Sheyoh, the man spoke up,You may now follow meThe Chief responded, Um, sir, we need to take measurements of the tower, where will we be going?The man unsheathed his blade and said, You are now prisoners of the Jurlacian Colony. Follow meThe Chief blurt out, Prisoners? What happened? What's going on?To which the man said, That I.D., was expired a year ago He turned to the homeless man, You, are not supposed to be within the city-limits of Kama. Let's moveThe Chief looked to Clive, and in silence they agreed to see where this took them. They followed the man around the tower to a doorway in the floor. The man turned a key in the large lock outside the doorway and opened it. They walked down stone stairs into a dark room lit by a single torch. Inside, filled jail cells lined both sides of the room. At the sight of light, people screamed out in agony. The man opened a cell and directed the two men into it and held the homeless man back. He locked the bars and walked away. The homeless man yelled insults, but to no effect. The man dragged the two's former acquaintance and left the room, closing the door behind him. The sound of the large lock ensued.They could barely see their hands in front of them, so the Chief called out, We need to get out of here. I have no idea what they'll do to us here, or how long they'll keep usClive too called out, Okay, how are we going to go about doing so?Clive heard a rattling metallic sound, then something heavy hit the floor.The Chief said, That's how, my boyThe Chief pushed the doorway and called out to Clive to follow. As they left their cell, they could see the dimly lit faces of other prisoners. One had realized they had escaped and began to plea,Please, sirs, please. Let me out! I've been here for so long, I can't count the days anymore. Please. Please free me! Oh, please! Please help me!He began to cry and weep uncontrollably. Then, Clive heard the lock on the door outside. The guard was coming! As the lock sounds continued, the two had to make a decision. Should they rush the door and run away to freedom? Or should they help these men escape, and perhaps they could help fight off the guard? Clive had no time, and he decided to rush the doorway.Light crept in as the door opened and Clive yelled as he attacked the man behind it, shocking and knocking him over. He yelled back, Let's go!, and the two men ran out of the prison with their lives depending on it. The last sound Clive heard was the sad sobbing of the man in the cell. Clive could only imagine the Hell that man faced as he ran through the trees, clinging to his life like a toddler to a toy.____SonjaChapter 4:

Captured Or Free, Same Destination

...

Chapter 5:

Strangers In A Land With Cruel Ways

...

Chapter 6:

A Rendezvous With Truth

...

Chapter 7:

Home Bound

...

Chapter 8:

Retaliation

...

Chapter 9:

One's Revolution, Another's War

...

Chapter 10: