Chapter Forty-Four
The Unmarked: Book One
Table of Contents:
[Prologue] [Ch.1] [Ch.2] [Ch.3] [Ch.4] [Ch.5] [Ch.6] [Ch.7] [Ch.8] [Ch.9] [Ch.10] [Ch.11] [Ch.12] [Ch.13] [Ch.14] [Ch.15] [Ch.16] [Ch.17] [Ch.18] [Ch.19] [Ch.20] [Ch. 21] [Ch.22] [Ch.23] [Ch.24] [Ch.25] [Ch.26] [Ch.27] [Ch.28] [Ch.29] [Ch.30] [Ch.31] [Ch.32] [Ch.33] [Ch.34] [Ch.35] [Ch.36] [Ch.36] [Ch.37] [Ch.38] [Ch.39] [Ch.40] [Ch.41] [Ch.42] [Ch.43]
📬 If you’d like to receive two new chapters, sent right to your inbox, every Thursday and Friday, become a Subscriber today!
Scarlet.
The tent flap fluttered as a cold breeze blew. Scarlet caught a glimpse of the orange glow of a setting sun. It was getting colder these days. Soon, winter would be upon them. Scarlet shivered. Not from the cold, but at the thought of still being in Corbin’s camp when winter came. She couldn’t really imagine living here for that long. Scarlet didn’t want to imagine it. She still had trouble understanding why Dawn had changed her mind about staying here. Only a day ago, they had been locked up in cages. Now they were part of Corbin’s crew?
A feeling of nausea had permanently settled itself in the pit of Scarlet’s stomach ever since she’d been brought to this tent. Just a few miles away, there were good people who were cold and starved. Meanwhile, Scarlet was sitting at a desk, sipping mulled wine, and drawing.
Scarlet had been visited by one of Corbin’s soldiers – an older looking man named Rain – and told that she would be tasked in reproducing the drawings in Dawn’ book. Scarlet pretended to understand, but she had no idea what he had been talking about. Dawn had never told her anything about any books. But Dawn seemed to be keeping a few secrets as of late, including the nature of her “mission” tonight. Either way, Scarlet had agreed to reproduce the drawings. Not because she wanted to, but because she didn’t know what would happen if she refused.
Despite the surprising gentleness Rain had approached her with, Scarlet knew that it was all a front. He had made it sound like she had a say in whether she could participate in Corbin’s operations or not. Again, the thought made her sick. Scarlet let out a shuddering breath and forced back the sudden tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. She didn’t want to think about working for a man like Corbin. He locked people up and had them starved and raped. He was evil.
Scarlet tried to distract herself with the task at hand. Because she had to wait for Dawn to return with the book, Rain had given her a another, temporary assignment: to reproduce some old, worn-out maps on new parchment. The task was an utter waste of time, in Scarlet’s opinion. Maps of Erom were prominent in every shop across the country. She didn’t need to draw them. Someone could simply purchase more. But she figured this was just a way to keep her busy until Dawn returned. She also guessed that she wasn’t trusted yet to be given more detailed maps of the surrounding areas. Wouldn’t want to give your prisoners blueprints on how to create an escape plan.
Scarlet watched the steam roll out of her mug of wine. She felt like some sort of traitor for sipping her drink while others were out there cold and thirsty. But the spicy scent of cinnamon wafting through the air had overpowered her and she caved. The warm, soothing alcohol washed over her and she lost herself in paintings of lines and triangles that represented the Uplands…
Hours lapsed, cheeks flushed, and first map finished, Scarlet moved onto the next piece of parchment and let her hand move across the paper in strokes and curves. She let her mind wander for a bit. Sometimes it was nice to simply turn off. She drew mindlessly until her eyes fell to her drawing. She realized she had been making a portrait of Rain. Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red and she was mildly embarrassed with herself. But she continued the drawing. This version of Rain, though, was better. His eyes were kinder, his head was held higher, and his shoulders were set back. She removed the frown from his forehead and replaced his hard line of a mouth with a faint smile. This is how she imagined Rain could look like, if he didn’t serve a man who caged and abused people. If he didn’t have to hide out in the mountains, witnessing horrid things daily. This is what she imagined him looking like, if Rain had the peace of serving a noble man, a man like Jeziah, maybe.
💚 The Purelight Stone Trilogy is a free Substack publication. If you feel inclined to give a contribution, your generosity will go toward amplifying the quality of the Purelight Stone Trilogy.
“That’s me” a voice said from behind.
Scarlet’s back went rigid, and her heart jumped to her throat. She scrambled to cover her drawing with the maps.
“I-I’m sorry” she stammered. “I finished the work so-”
“You’re not a prisoner” the voice – Rain – said. “Once your duties are over, you’re free to do what you like”.
Except that I am a prisoner Scarlet thought, the sick feeling that had briefly disappeared during her mindless drawing beginning to churn in her belly again.
“Please, can you… show me the drawing”. He sounded embarrassed.
Scarlet reluctantly removed the maps. Rain set his keys on the desk and leaned over Scarlet’s shoulder. She tried not to squirm at the proximity of him.
“Dawn did not exaggerate when she spoke of your artistic skills. You have a talent, Scarlet”.
“Thank you” she mumbled.
“Can I? he said, reaching for the drawing.
“Of course” she said through the lump in her throat.
Rain took hold of the parchment. Scarlet looked at the man – his brows lifted and his lips curved in a small smile. It was the happiest she’d seen the man.
“Incredible” he said. “The Commander will-”
“Rain!” another voice suddenly boomed from behind them.
Both Scarlet and Rain spun around to see another soldier standing at the tent opening.
“What is it?” Rain asked.
The soldier was panting.
“Corbin wants you in the command tent now. There’s been an ambush”.
Rain slammed the parchment on the table – smearing ink across the depiction of his face – and stormed out of the tent.
Scarlet’s heart thundered.
An ambush?
Men shouting orders sounded from outside.
Scarlet’s mind was suddenly in a frenzy. She didn’t know what she was supposed to do. Stay in her tent? Hide? She searched her surroundings for somewhere she could take cover and felt silly at the disappointment she felt upon seeing her ruined portrait of Rain among the scattered maps.
Then she saw the keys.
The world seemed to stop.
Rain’s keys. The keys to the cages.
Without thinking Scarlet grabbed hold of them and stuffed them into her pocket.
Then she panicked.
What was she expecting to do with Rain’s keys?
Free the prisoners.
The answer felt obvious.
And ludicrous.
I can’t free them! She argued with herself.
But a sudden feeling of conviction weighed itself heavily on her heart.
Scarlet wouldn’t be able to live with herself if she let this opportunity pass her by. She wouldn’t be able to spend her days sitting around and drawing pictures – knowing she could have done something to help those who were being raped, starved and abused – but was too cowardly to do it.
And yet, Scarlet found herself sitting paralyzed at the desk, expecting Rain to come into the tent in search for his keys at any moment. What would happen to her if someone found out she took them?
Give the illusion of control Dawn’s voice echoed in her mind. It was one of the many lessons her sister had tried to teach sweet little shy Scarlet.
Act like you belong, even when you don’t.
Not that Scarlet had ever taken her sister’s advice. Just the thought of feigning confidence made Scarlet cringe.
But this time it matters she reminded herself. She wasn’t pretending so that she could get some boy’s attention or to get away with a prank. She needed to pretend.
For the sake of all those people.
She owed it to Jeziah, for saving her life.
She took in a shaky breath and slowly began to roll up the maps she had drawn; still expecting Rain to come in at any moment. She felt ashamed that part of her hoped Rain would come looking for his keys, so that she could give them back to him and not have to go through with the plan.
But Rain didn’t come.
Scarlet tucked the maps under her arm and made her way over to the tent flap. Every ounce of her being screamed at her to stay put. She was going to get caught. She was going to get herself killed.
But the conviction she felt weighed heavier on her conscience than any of her fears.
“Jeziah, help me” she whispered as she stepped out into the night.
🤔💬 Let me know your thoughts on this chapter by leaving a comment. I’d love to read your impressions!