Page 16 of 1000 of You
They reached the outskirts of townjust as another loaded cart pulled by soldiers passed by on their way to theburial pit.Torisetinstructed them to head downanother avenue, which they took.
Muamturned his thoughts and his vision inward. For some reason, he had awakenedhere in this strange time, in this strange body, in this strange land. He hadno way of knowing how he’d gotten here, or what had led up to his being here,yet one thing was certain. He was no longerMuamKai.That man, that body, had died, killed byKolis’sbroken sword.
Whyam I here? For what purpose am I serving?
“Heads up, men.” The warning jerkedMuamback to the present. Ahead, a man was dragging abody out of a building. It was evident this was another dumping.
As they drew the cart closer, theman threw an arm up to cover his face and tried to hurry away, but one of theother guards drew his sword and ran after him.
“Defiler!”
Ramestesalso pulled his sword, but it was unnecessary. The first guard brought hisweapon down, striking the man, who screamed. Blood poured onto the street asthe guard continued to hack at the man.
Muamraced up to join the others. The guard casually cleaned his sword on the deadman’s dirty and ragged clothing before sheathing it.
“Why didhe…”He glanced over atRamestes. The man took the tip ofhis sword and flipped the man’s shirt away in order forMuamto get a good look.
“He was already among the dead.”
One glance at the man’s face explainedit all.
“Estiardspared him an agonizing death.”
“By chopping him to pieces?”Muamargued.
Ramestesfrowned at him. “What is with your sudden change in attitude,Samanus?”
Pressing his lips together,Muamforced himself to swallow the words he’d meant to say.Instead, he gave a single nod. “Like all of you, I am sick of this.”
“Have faith,Samanus,”his friend remarked. “Hopefully the gods will have also had enough of thispestilence, and will remove their curse soon.”
They piled both bodies on the cart.Not seeing any corpses further down the road, they took the corner to go downthe next avenue. Rounding the corner,Muamspottedanother body being removed from a building. This time, it was a female who, tooweak to pull on the dead weight, had resorted to rolling it.
Estiarddrew his sword again as they neared the couple. Hearing them approach, thewoman glanced up, andMuamfelt his knees go weak.
“Gova!”
The words were out of his mouthbefore he could think.
Her beautiful violet eyes widenedwith shock. “Muam?”
He rushed over, enveloping her withhis arms, and holding her tightly against him.
“Soldier, what is the meaning ofthis?” a voice roared in anger.
Muamglanced over at whereTorisetstood, face flushedwith anger. The sight of the man reminded him ofKolis,and a sick dread began to infuse him.
“This isGova.She is my wife.”
“Yourwife?”Ramestescountered. “You have nowife,Samanus! What is wrong with you? Why are youmaking such a claim?” He waved a hand atGova. “Shecannot possibly be your wife. She is a slave.”
“And she is marked!”Estiardexclaimed. He reached forGova’sarm, butMuamblocked his way.
“Leave her be! She is mine!”
“She is dead!”Torisettersely exclaimed. “Look at her! She is cursed, and so shall you also becursed!”
“Then let me end her,”Muamasked, humbling himself in tone and posture. He bowedhis head atToriset. “Allow me to end her life.”
