82 CHAPTER 82: I TRUST HIM

"Whether a slave or not, everyone is entitled to live!" Diana yelled at the man in front of her.

The man gave her the chance to speak up. However, when she was voicing her opinions regarding the unfair treatment towards the slaves and forcing the slave men to fight, Kira, the boss of the group cut her off since he knew where she was going.

"Equality, my ass." He scoffed contemptuously. "That thing doesn't exist in this shitty country, missy. They'll die anyway so what's the point? They're only an added burden in these crooked society."

"You are the worst person I've ever known! Just who are you to determine a person's worth? Aren't you just a scumbag robbing off people in the streets? How did you manage to twist the minds of those young innocent men to follow your ways, huh?" She's totally pissed off because the man didn't give her the chance to say everything she has to say.

She was fighting for the slaves' rights and was trying to convince him to spare the weak old men and children from the battle.

Pakkkkk!

The man's palm landed on her cheek and she fell on the ground. Though she was least surprise about it. Raising her voice against the hot-tempered man coupled with harsh words will surely put her in trouble. And she knew she'd be hit but she still chose to voice her thoughts aloud. She doesn't care anymore.

"You are in no position to tell me how to lead my people because you are a mere slave!"

"I rather be a slave with good morals than live a life of debauchery like you!" she retorted fearlessly. "Weren't you once a slave like them as well?" She doesn't know if it was true but she made a wild guess considering how they were able to rob wealthy people in the streets. They must hate the rich people to target them.

"You should know how it feels to eat once a day, the scarcity of food and water, the difficulty of sleeping on cold grounds… did you forget all that now because you consider yourself well and abled to match up the life of a normal class? Mister, just like what you have said, no one can change their past. But if you are determined enough, you can change your future. Those people you view as slaves, you can change their fates! If only you lend some help instead of pushing them to their graves."

"Do you think that's enough to change their destiny? If that's enough, then what do you think happened to us?"

"If Liam was able to change the lives of many, both young and old, then I'd say it is possible."

"Liam? Is it the name of your husband? Hmmm… I think I heard that name before." He rubbed his jaw trying to rummage his memory but to no avail.

"If that single man was able to bring a change in the fates of so many people, then what made you think that you cannot do it?" She was seemingly challenging the man. "Mister, why don't you lead those precious soul in the right way? It's not yet late for you to turn to the right direction."

Kira laughed upon realizing what the woman was trying to do. "Do you really think that a single man can bring a change without walking on both paths? Miss Diana, changing life is very expensive. I doubt if your husband is really that great and mighty without turning both sideways."

She fell silent for a second. Of course she understood what the man was trying to say.

"I know him and I trust him." She uttered with confidence. Although Liam and the shadow knights were quite secretive and mysterious, she chose to have faith on their ideals. The fruits of their actions speaks for them.

Unknown to them, the tent guards have been listening to their constant conversation. Even the fact that Kira spank her was loud enough to be heard outside. They also admire the woman's braveness to talk back to Kira who was known for his ruthlessness. But one particular guard among them beamed mischievously upon hearing her last statement, "I know him and I trust him."

"Tsk! So ridiculous!" the man hissed as he turned his back on her and called some guards outside.

"Sir…" Two men came rushing while three of them were left outside.

"Take her to the women's quarter and lock her up. Don't give her any food and drink until I say so. Let's see if she'll maintain her principles after that." Kira sneered viciously before he motioned the men to take her away.

As soon as they left, Kira called one of the men to notify the cooks to increase the slave's rations and to make sure that everyone will have enough provision three times a day. That woman was able to push one of his buttons and he hates it!

Meanwhile, the two guards escorting Diana to the women's quarter watches her with pity as she treks the street barefoot. She hissed in pain from time to time but the guards only stared at each other helplessly.

***********

Back at the main town of Tubal….

Asher was overseeing the men's training when the town's chief came and stood beside him.

The chief of the land gave him the authority over the fighting men as well as the battle plans. They have heard about the Shadow group and their mysterious leader so when Asher came to him using the group's name, the chief immediately agreed.

"What's the situation at the valley?" Asher asked the chief since he is in-charge of overseeing the post guards at the valley of Kidron.

"Negative." He responded. "There's no movement from the enemy's camp yet."

"Let me know as soon as you spotted even a single person coming near the valley."

"Yes, of course. And thank you for helping us. I never really thought that the Shadow group will help us."

"We won't be able to hear your situation if the raiders didn't take our friend too. Looks like God heard your prayers." Asher quipped.

"Then I guess I have to thank your friend then." He chortled.

Asher emitted a friendly smile before the chief left him. After a few minutes, a black hawk carrying a small rolled piece of paper came flying towards his location.

"Is that from Liam?" Lemuel came to the man standing on an elevated hill.

"Yep." Asher took the rolled paper then read. "He already infiltrated the enemy's camp." He stared at the men training for battle. "I need to speak to them for a while, as for you, I need you to send a message to Drake." He looked at Lemuel who nodded in response.

At the other side of the town, a poor woman was locked up with an empty stomach. She hadn't taken any food the whole day since she gave her portion to a child crying out in despair this morning. And when she saw a woman hurt her foot arch, she gave her sandals for the time being.

"Excuse me…anyone outside?" She called out. Not after a second, the young man in charge of the tent came in. "I really need to go to the toilet right now, please."

The young man called his comrade and told him about the woman's plea. They talk for a few minutes before they agreed to escort her to the toilet. Since the toilet was located a few meters away from the tents, Diana took the chance to plan for her escape.

"Uhm, do you really have to stay so close? I… I'm afraid I won't be able to concentrate… uhm, you know what I mean right?"

The two young men looked at each other reluctantly, but they moved a little distant from the toilet after they handed her a flashlight. The surrounding is quite dark so she'll be needing a little glow to enable her to move freely.

"Thank you." the woman mumbled softly.

Seeing them walk away, Diana left the light inside the privy and slowly sneak out and dash away. On her way, she decided to cut the hem of her dress. She tore it until it reaches her knees before she continued running.

A few minutes later, she heard some rushing footsteps and murmurs so she hides for a while. The guards must have already notice what she did so as soon as the group passed by her location, she stood up and tried to climb over the hedge. However, someone suddenly got a hold of her.

Instinctively, with full force, she stepped on the man's foot and was about to kick his balls but the man swiftly got a hold of her arm and twist it.

"Ahhh!" she yelped in pain. It was loud enough to catch the guard's attention.

"Hurry, in that direction!" she heard a man spoke and the next thing she heard were footsteps coming towards her direction.

Dang it! she cursed within. Now she's totally doomed for real!