The sun had almost risen and everyone knew it was almost time for the guards to wake up and start moving about. They watched anxiously as the ten prisoners headed by Angelo returned from the underground cave.

Angelo and the nine other prisoners reached the shed which was adjacent to the guards' quarters when the door opened and a guard took a step out. The ten prisoners hunkered down behind the shed, just out of sight, not knowing what else to do. A few steps further and the guard would see them for sure. 

A voice called, "Celric, where are the maps?" The guard, Celric turned and headed back inside. 

Seeing their chance, the ten hurried to the field and the everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

Celric came out again. Seeing all the prisoners awake and clustered, he paused on his way to saddle the Dragon-horse Rhazaqats and looked at the prisoners suspiciously.

"What's going on here? What are you up to?" he asked.

Everyone remained silent. "Answer me," he shouted.

It was hair raising. The youngsters and the new prisoners were more optimistic. They stood strong and faced Celric fearlessly. Positive that they would escape, they itched to fight with the guard and avenge the atrocities they experienced. 

In complete contrast were the aged and older prisoners. Their eyes darted everywhere, reflecting guilt, fear, and desperation. Trembling, with folded hands and bowed heads they hoped that the guard would leave them alone. To get caught after coming this far would break them for sure.

"Fine. Double-shift for all of you. Move it," Celric snarled.

The prisoners hurried and began working. 

Hours passed and the sun descended and the temperatures fell low. 

"Keep working," the guards shouted. 

Shivering, the prisoners continued to work until the moon was high in the sky. Unable to take anymore, most began to stumble dropping the wool and unable to complete the trip to the shed.

"Alright, we are done. Pack it," shouted a guard. The prisoners dragged their feet. Stumbling and leaning on each other, they slowly walked to the field, their pace as slow as a snail. 

The guards tired as well and freezing, quickly made their way to their quarters. The lamps were soon blown out and it was pitch dark. A thin sliver of the moon provided minimal light. Most prisoners laid flat on the ground exhausted, not bothering to even eat. 

Antalasia, Angelo and three other youngsters quickly checked the surroundings for guards. Seeing no one, they whispered, "It's clear. Safe to talk."

"Are we escaping tonight? Did we finish the tunnel?" asked an old woman who was barely able to keep her eyes open.

"Yes" answered Angelo. 

At the same time, Antalasia said, "No."

They looked at each other in frustration. Angelo, who had headed the party the previous night said, "The tunnel is complete. It opens far away from the Centi Razaqs. Now is the time to escape. Let's move."

She said calmly, "Everyone is tired. Even if we complete the journey, it's impossible to put enough distance to escape the guards on Dragon-horse Rhazaqats in our current exhausted state. It's just one day Angelo."

He shook his head. "Everyday wasted is a chance lost. We must escape now before they come back," he said forcefully.

"Before who comes back? I'm tired of these half-truths. Just tell me what's going on. Who's coming? What are those moans from the sheds? And what else is going on here?" she asked in frustration, her brow scrunched up and eyes flashing.

Angelo pursed his lips and remained mum. In a flat tone, he said, "You are right. It's just one day. Getting rest will help."

Antalasia's jaw dropped. She stared at him flabbergasted and watched him lie down on the ground and roll over.

Stomping in irritation, she joined her siblings and fell asleep.

***

The next day was a hot day. To the west of the prison camp, deep into the dessert was the Central Continent. This was where most of the advanced Rhazaqats lived. To the east was the way back to the sea and the Dragon Kingdom.

It was mid-afternoon and sweat rolled down like a stream after a heavy rain shower. Clothes damp and hair matted, the prisoners continued to toil.

It was the Centi Rhazaqats that first betrayed the approaching horrors. Usually lazy, they would lay stationary as though sunbathing all around the camp. Now, they slithered faster than anyone had ever seen and congregated to the east on one side of the camp. The Dragon-Horse Rhazaqats began neighing and grew restless. The guards pulled hard at the reins trying to control them.

Michaelo wondered out loud, "Do you think there's an earthquake or a sandstorm? I remember Lehrer saying that animals react first."

Angelo shook his head and said grimly, "No. It's something worse."

Before anyone could question him, a loud rattling sound like a rattlesnake echoed followed by strange clicking sounds like those of knitting needles, only amplified.

Drawing a sharp breath, the guards' demeanor changed in an instant. Their backs straightened, heads looked straight ahead and faces turned cold and hard as a granite block. Hands shook slightly as though they were desperate to check that their uniform was perfect.

As the sounds grew louder, vague forms came into sight. Shortly, creatures of various forms came into sight and the caravan seemed endless. 

The most startling and eye-catching creature was the Giraffe-Camel Rhazaqat. Twice the height of the tallest giraffe, it's thin legs were never-ending. The body and head were that of a camel. Its stride was slow but long. Each time their legs bent, a snapping sound ripped across the desert. Atop them sat guards holding arrows and bows.

Near the Giraffe-Camel Rhazaqats' legs, toad-like creatures carrying heavy loads crawled, looking very small and harmless. However, as they grew closer, it became quite clear that they were almost as tall as the Dragon-horse Rhazaqats and as wide as an elephant. A forked tongue slithered out of their elongated mouths making rattling and hissing sounds. Almost all carried heavy loads of boxes and bags of goods strapped across their back. Two of them carried tall cages. These cages were cramped with corpses, bodies lying on each other with disregard.

Lizzy gasped and clutched Antalasia's hand. "That blonde girl's hand moved. Did something inhabit her body?" she asked terrified.

"No, they are not dead. they are alive," Angelo growled.

Everyone stared in disbelief. That could not be possible. All bones and no muscle or fat, with multiple bruises in various stages of healing, the caged prisoners hung limply, staring blankly into oblivion.

More guards rode Camel-Rhazaqats, surrounding the caravan in a circle. Unlike normal Camels, these Rhazaqats had thick strong legs and a long mane hung below its neck. Strangely enough, the guards that rode the Camel Rhazaqats did not carry any weapons. They wore heavy armor plates across their chests. The shoulder was padded with armor shaped like horns. Their right arm was enclosed in a long claw-like metal structure. Very broad and muscular, these guards were imposing and far more fearsome than any of the Rhazaqat animals.

The caravan had by now reached the camp. The guard heading the caravan narrowed his eyes into slits. His silver eyes glimmered through the narrow opening. 

"You're not scared of me? Little girl," he asked in a low hypnotizing voice. 

Unsure if he was addressing her, Antalasia looked around. Her eyes widened when she realized everyone had stepped a few steps back. She stood alone in front.

"Puh Please, sir. She's just scared to move. For. Forgive her sir," mumbled Baltasar, the old man who had given information about the underground cave.

The guard's nostrils flared. He swung his leg over and jumped with a loud thud from the Camel Rhazaqat. He stalked around Baltasar, glaring at him. 

Baltasar shook visibly from fear and tears flowed freely. He swiped his snotty nose and sniffled.

"Celric" the guard shouted angrily.

"Sir, yes sir," answered the guards on a Dragon-horse Rhazaqat. Dismounting, he stood in attention.

"Have you changed the system here?" the new guard growled.

Celric's knees shook. "No. No sir," he said, gulping loudly. Celric's face was pale. Antalasia was shocked to see the original guard so terrified.

"They why are half of them smelling of water. They were all in the underground cave," he snarled.

"Sir?" said Celric and as even as he spoke, a dark stain grew across his pants.

Baltasar fell to his knees and started sobbing loudly. Antalasia froze, unable to move a step, shocked by the horrifying sight in front of her.

A flail extended from the new guard's back - a long flexible whip with a think sharp claw, it wrapped around Baltasar, lifted him off the ground and shook him so hard that his teeth chattered. The claw remained steady at the neck, ready to pierce Baltasar and poison him.

"Betraying scum," he said, getting into his face.

"Let him go. It was my idea. Any punishment should be mine," said Antalasia boldly.

Angelo sucked sharply. Running in front of her and pushing her back, he said coldly, "Frezo, she doesn't know what she's talking. I am the mastermind. Let them all go."

At the same time, the Gemmas chieftain's daughter, Lydia screamed, "No Angelo. Get back."

Frezo threw his head back and laughed loudly. "Never before did I think that I'd see the day where you would sacrifice for another. Interesting Angelo," he said.

Ignoring Angelo, he stalked leisurely towards Antalasia and wearing an amused smile he asked, "Do you accept that traitor's punishment, little girl?"

Antalasia stepped aside and said determinedly, "Yes. I do."

Angelo whipped around and shook her, "What do you think you are doing? Fool."

Antalasia shook him off and said, "Frezo, whatever the punishment is, I accept." In a quieter voice, she whispered so only Angelo could hear, "I promised to keep Baltasar safe. Watch over Michaelo and Lizzy for me."

Author's Note:

As promised, this is my second update for this week. Hope you liked it.

I'm so happy that my story has 1k reads. Thank you so much. I hope you are enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying writing it.

I'm also dedicating this chapter to @SheWhoLovesPineapple
Thank you for all your feedback and being the first to read my chapters.😊

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