Chapter 7: Vana

Reya looked up at the four, and then at me. His mouth was wide open, a big, gaping circle, just like each eye.

"Did you say Roden?" I heard him whisper. The hooded figure nodded subtly, but the other three either didn't hear Reya or ignored him.

"Hey, he asked you a question!" I yelled, squirming in the man's grip, "Can't you at least answer him?"

"Why should we answer the nonbelievers?" Eriz began as what looked like a train began to cut across the horizon, drawing closer and closer, "Even when the evidence is in front of you, you still question it."

"I just wanted to be sure, dammit!" Reya yelled. I had never seen him explode like that. He pulled away from the man and scrambled further down the platform as the train came closer, riding what looked like a monorail track. Eriz grabbed him by the collar and threw him to one side.

"Stop!" I felt my body being pushed to the ground.my hair fell over my face and my cheeks stung. The larger man had pinned me down to the ground.

Reya looked up from the platform as it began to shudder. I was lifted back up as the train came to a screeching halt. The hooded man lifted Reya in his arms and carried him in. Eriz and the two men followed, holding me tightly.

"Let's not make this difficult, nonbeliever," the large man said to me as we sat down. I scowled.

Reya and the hooded man sat across from us. I looked around at the seats, most of which were empty. The train began to move and soon, we were offered a view of the fleeting landscape with the sun's harsh beatings being delivered across it. As pretty as it was, I was in no situation to enjoy the view.

"What do you want from us?" I asked bitterly.

Eriz, who sat next me but looked straight ahead when she spoke, said, "Your questions will be answered once we arrive at the courts. For now, know that you are on Roden and that you are our prisoners."

I bit my lip. Reya and I looked at each other, and I deeply wished that we could communicate telepathically.

The trip was by no means short. I counted the seconds in my head as the train stopped at stop after stop. People stepped out and others entered, and then the doors slid shut with a hiss and the car lurched forward before moving smoothly again.

The sky changed from a clear blue to a dank grey, and I wondered if it was going to rain. The sun was blotted out by thick daubs of clouds that streaked across the landscape and over the once extremely prominent skyline. I sighed and wondered if I'd fall asleep, given the circumstances.

"Get up," Eriz shook my shoulder. I looked around and saw that Reya was being taken outside by the hooded man. I hurried after him, but was pulled back by a large set of hands.

"Keep your distance, girl," the man said gruffly. I didn't respond and simply did as the man said.

We were led out of the train and into a large and somber looking structure, constructed of ancient stone and iron. Winged beings of stone stood silently by the ends, their eyes blank and without irises. I shivered as we were pushed up the steps and past the rancorous black doors. The Chained Ones' Court, I guessed.

"His Excellence, King Vana awaits you," Eriz led us down a hall and to a blank and bleak room. There was a throne at the the front, and an elderly man sat there, eyeing us as though we were animals.

Eriz and the three kneeled after pushing us down onto our knees. I looked at Reya. He swallowed slowly and turned to face the man on the throne.

"King Vana," Eriz began, "Here are the nonbelievers Note and Reya. We have kept them alive, as per your requests."

The king let out a long, whooping cough. It filled the air and echoed in my ears. I watched as the hooded man ran up to the king, a concerned look spread across the lower half of his face.

King Vana waved a hand dismissively. "I'm fine," he said, his voice deep and hollow. I felt his eyes against my presence again, "So...these are the two."

Eriz nodded. "The ones who witnessed it," she said, "The boy is nothing short of a miracle, as he walked right into our hands, and the girl is of little significance."

I scowled, wishing that I had the strength to beat this woman to a pulp. Instead. I kept my head down and listened to her as she went on.

"We could have the removal done right now, if you wished," she said. The king nodded.

"Go ahead, Seven," the king said. I watched the hooded man pulls needle out of his cloak. The large intimidating man grabbed my arms. I watched the hooded man come closer, and then he stabbed the needle into my arm.

"Ow!" Red fluid began to fill the transparent cylinder of the needle. He pulled away almost immediately and examined the volume.

"Good enough," he mused, and then left the room. I grit my teeth and eyed the king murderously.

"Take them to the Lawless," he said quickly, "Decisions concerning their fate will be made in the next few days."

"My Lord," Eriz gestured towards the two men holding is, and they pulled us back up to our feet, as though we were rag dolls. We were taken back out of the court and once again put on the train.

At that point, I had started compiling all sorts of murderous thoughts into a little folder in my head.