Catch of the Day

Another alarm blasted throughout the city streets and my ears had continued ringing for a few more seconds even after they had stopped. It was that annoying 'every-hour-hunt' routine the Circle Council in this city imposed. A nationwide rule of the Circle to stop the spread of a taboo ability known as, "Oath Taking". They considered it as the most evil and chaotic type of skill any man could possess. And yes, thanks to their strict policies, persisting efforts and brutal punishments, Oath Takers were all but present in society.

I watched safely from the darkened alley I was hiding in. Blending with each shadow as carefully as possible. Making sure not even the tip of my shoe was seen by anyone, I watched the Circle Enforcers inspect each citizen on the main road. It was mandatory that all of them would have to stand in line, on the street, whether it be raining, snowing or hell, even if flaming stones started falling out of the sky or if it stormed blood and frogs, every citizen was expected to be standing there. And absence from this sacred ceremony meant only one thing. Guilt.

The guilty would be prosecuted under the claim that they have the ability most vile. That, in turn of being absent from the inspection they are indeed Oath Takers. There was only one way that you could deal with an accused Oath Taker, execution. As expected though, everyone was present while I, I'm not really a registered citizen here anyway, I couldn't bear to resign myself to these rules, and frankly I didn't want to get caught.

I'm not an Oath Taker but, my father was one. One of the best they used to tell me, but this was not to our favor. Being a well-known Oath Taker never is a good thing in the long run. My mother used to say as we ran from village to village, "Being a Kross is hardest at these times, but never should you forsake being one." Her face would look the happiest then. Even if we were escaping or hiding for our lives, she seemed like she was ready for it all. Ready for everything and anything. And back then, all I cared about was being with her, the day she was taken by the Circle was the worst in my life.

She let me escape. "Don't make a sound." She said as she assured me as always, and as I ran away from the small shed we were once hiding in, I could faintly hear the struggling screams she made trying to fight off our pursuers. I couldn't look back though. And today I still wonder if I could have saved her. Maybe not. But I promised never to let something like this happen again.

The inspection continued quietly. I noticed the people getting quite nervous as they looked towards the entrance of the town. I was curious of this, but trying to peek out of the alley would give away my position. Should I even think of risking it? Soon enough though, I could hear the loud march of steel and the loud clacking of armored plates. It would seem that the knights were in town, and it would mean that this inspection must be serious. Did they find another one? If they did... I'd have to do something about it. Well, if I could.

There were about thirty of them all polished up and pristine looking, just like all those noble men you would read about in story books. Though I never did like knights in those stories. They were lined up evenly on each side, but one thing that was peculiar about this squad was their leader. She had fierce crimson armor, something I had never seen on a typical knight and her cape had the dragon insignia on it which would mean something much more different altogether. Her short black hair swayed slightly as she took each step, and her right hand rested on her sword as it laid in its sheathe.

If I had my information correct, she was what the soldiers would call an "Ace". There was no sure way to identify an Ace from your run of the mill commander, but one thing for certain was, they all would have this kind of aura that would send chills down your spine. Let's just say I felt one of those chills running down mine too but, this particular knight looked far too young to give me any more fear. She seemed almost out of place as she walked down the street with the rest of them.

Trying to get a better view I stepped closer to the entry of the alley I was in. Her eyes looked into the darkness I was in, a sly smile formed on her thin lips. And I could only guess what would be happening next.

The sound of alarms filled the small town as the woman raised her hand a glowing crest circled around it. The knights around her turning their heads my way. The chase had begun. Turning almost immediately I sprinted further into the alley. I ran faster than the knights could. Passing through tighter streets, low walls, and debris large enough to halt some nit picky pursuers from the bunch. I scanned every possible escape I could but every door was barred, every window shielded by grates, and every sewer entrance blocked by an on flow of discarded items. Tired, I slowed my pace as I knew that the knights wouldn't catch up to me anyway. I focused more on finding a real escape to this crude game of cat and mouse.

"You think you can escape?" A voice suddenly filled the alley I was standing in. Her crimson armor now looking like sculpted blood in the dark. Her fit small frame though non-threatening was made into a fierce spectacle as I watched her move fluidly in the shadows.

"Trying to outrun me? Pathetic..." She slowly stepped closer to me. My breathing got heavier as she slowly drew her blade. "I know what you are. Running away has proven such." The tip of her sword was inches away from my face and yet I stood my ground. I stood straight as she sized me up. Her smile widening as she spoke again. "Tall guy huh? Well, I won't kill you here. Not yet." Raising her free hand, a blinding light emerged from her palm. Trying to shield my eyes from the light I could not protect myself from being disoriented.

I tried to run as the scenery before me started to shake. I stumbled trying to get my footing before I felt a searing pain striking my back. Brought to my knees, I could feel the pain pulsing throughout my body. My arms growing numb as I fell face first on the cold damp pavement. My vision blurring, I could faintly see the armored men slowly surrounding me, murmurs filled my ears as I felt a strong pulling feeling on my left arm. Her proud voice though somewhat distant, sounded clear enough to me. "Men, let's take this one to the square, I want his head in a bag." I was the catch of the day, I felt the rough streets scrapping my pants and soon my knees as they dragged me quietly. And soon I felt nothing.