Chapter 72 - Begging For Food  

"Hmm…!"

Reklaw stopped in his tracks and stared at Daichi in surprise. The boy was small and thin, his clothes were tattered, and his face was smeared with dirt and grime. He looked like a street urchin, a homeless waif who had been living on scraps and sleeping in alleyways.

"It's... it's just a brat," Reklaw muttered, lowering his Aether Sabre slightly. "There was no need to be so alarmed."

Fendrel, who had also dismounted his Geoderor and approached, scoffed. "A brat? Out here? In the middle of nowhere? What's he doing here?"

He addressed Daichi gruffly, "Hey, kid! What are you doing here? Why were you hiding in the bushes?"

Daichi swallowed hard, his throat dry with fear. "I... I was just looking for something to eat," he stammered. "I'm... I'm hungry."

Fendrel narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Daichi's face. "Looking for something to eat? Or were you planning to ambush us?"

Daichi shook his head vehemently. "No! I... I wouldn't do that. I just... I just need some food."

His stomach growled loudly again which proved his hunger.

The two guards exchanged a look of suspicion and disdain. They didn't believe the boy's story. He looked too shifty, too untrustworthy. And besides, with the recent invasion and the branding regime, they had become wary of strangers who had their foreheads concealed, viewing them as potential threats.

"Why should we believe you, brat?" Reklaw asked with a sneer. "You could be a spy, a scout for the Aerithran army."

Daichi shook his head again. "I'm not a spy! I'm just a... a traveller. I'm trying to get back home."

"Home? Where's that?"

Daichi thought carefully before he responded, "A village in the Nathor region, not too far from where Nathor Prison Camp is. I can't remember the name because I'm starving. But the warden of that region, she's my… she's my aunt." Daichi bit his lip as he said this last part. Calling Warden Poahf his aunt was strong blow to his ego, but he had to set aside his pride to lower his suspicion.

"Hmm, could you be talking about Kairuolong settlement?"

"Yes, that's the one!" Daichi answered with zest.

"Good brat. As long you're not one of those scums from the Floating Leaf Islands above us."

"The Aerithra Kingdom, huh?" Reklaw spat on the ground. "The land of cowards and weaklings, those who hide behind their wind walls and their Cloud Butterfly steeds."

Fendrel added, "They're the reason we're in this mess. They're the reason our kingdom is on high alert. They're the reason we're all being branded like pigs."

Daichi bristled at their words he wanted to retort, 'That's not true! The Aerithrans are not cowards! They're brave and strong, and they're fighting for their freedom!' but he held these words back and instead said, "You guys sound like you hate the Aerithrans. I hate them too, but I sometime envy their freedom."

"Freedom?" Reklaw scoffed. "They're just a bunch of delusional windbags who think they can stand up to the might of the Dune Empire."

"And the Ignis Kingdom." Fendrel chimed in, shaking his head in disgust. "They're doomed. Just like you are, brat."

"Silence!" a voice boomed from inside the carriage, cutting through their argument. "What is all this commotion about?"

Orson poked his head out of the carriage once more, and with an air of authority, surveyed the scene. His gaze fell upon Daichi, and he frowned.

"Who is this boy?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity.

Reklaw explained, "He's just a brat from Kairuolong village, Master Orson. We found him hiding in the bushes. He claims he's just looking for food."

Orson's eyes narrowed as he studied Daichi. "From Kairuolong, huh? That put my mind at ease. In these troubled times, one can never be too cautious. Why is he here though?"

"He says he's trying to get back home," Fendrel replied.

Orson pondered for a moment before a glimmer of understanding crossed his eyes. "Ah, I see. I heard that food supply has been temporarily cut off from that region due a disturbance that occurred recently."

He glanced at Lorain, who was seated beside him in the carriage, her face pale and her eyes filled with concern.

"My wife... she's also from the Kairuolong village," Orson explained. "She's been worried sick about her people, about her friends and family who were caught in the crossfire of some insurrection."

Lorain nodded, her lips trembling slightly as she spoke softly, "Please, Orson. Let's help the boy. He's just a child. He's hungry and alone."

Orson hesitated for a moment, torn between his caution and his wife's pleas. He knew the dangers of helping a stranger, especially during these times of war and suspicion. But he also couldn't deny the compassion in Lorain's eyes, the empathy that resonated with his own heart.

"Very well," he finally conceded. "Reklaw, fetch the boy some food. A small portion from our rations. We can't afford to be too generous, but we can't let him starve either."

"Yes, Master Orson," Reklaw replied reluctantly. He turned and strode towards the back of the carriage, muttering under his breath about the foolishness of helping a starving brat.

"Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you!" Daichi's heart leaped with joy as he heard Orson's words. He had been so focused on avoiding capture that he had forgotten about his hunger. But now, with the promise of food, his stomach growled even louder.

"Come along, brat," Reklaw barked, gesturing for Daichi to follow him. "I'll make this quick."

Daichi hurried after Reklaw to the back of the carriage where the crates and barrels were piled high. He could smell the tantalizing aroma of dried fruits, smoked meats, and fresh bread, and his mouth watered in anticipation.

'I'm going to eat like a king,' he thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. 'And I'm going to save some for Woodworm too. That lazy fat worm's probably starving by now.'

As they reached the back of the carriage, Reklaw stopped and turned to face Daichi. His expression was grim, and his eyes were filled with a cold, calculating light.

"You know, brat," he said with a menacing tone, "I don't like you. You look shifty, untrustworthy. And that cloth on your forehead... are you concealing your treachery?"

Daichi's grin faded, replaced by a look of apprehension. "I... I told you, I'm not a spy. I'm just trying to get home."

Reklaw scoffed. "Home? Which direction is that in again, do you know?"

"Ah…"

Perceiving Daichi's hesitance, Reklaw reached out and grabbed the cloth that Daichi had tied around his forehead, ripping it away with a swift movement.

Whoosh!

"Huh? That mark? This brat is an Aerithran scum!" he hollered with hatred and disgust. "He's been lying to us all along!"

"What!"

The sudden accusation startled Daichi, and he stumbled backwards in shock. He had been so focused on getting food that he had forgotten about the air affinity brand on his forehead, the mark that identified him as an enemy of the Dune Empire.

Orson and Lorain emerged from the carriage and stared at Daichi with a mix of surprise and anger.

"An Aerithran?" Orson's voice was laced with suspicion. "But... but you said you were resident of Kairuolong."

Daichi tried to explain, "I... I am! I'm just... I'm just trying to get back home."

"Home? To the Aerithra Kingdom? The land that attacked our people? The land that is responsible for the branding regime?" Orson's anger flared as he spoke. He had been willing to show compassion to a starving boy, but now, his trust had been betrayed.

"You... you Aerithrans are all the same," he spat. "Liars and deceivers, cowards and weaklings."

Daichi's heart sank as he listened to Orson's words. He had hoped to find kindness and understanding, but instead, he had been met with hatred.

'I have to get out of here,' he thought desperately, glancing around for an escape route.

He turned and sprinted into the forest, hoping to lose himself among the trees.

"Get him!" Orson roared, pointing at Daichi.

Reklaw and Fendrel gave chase.

"You're not getting away, brat!" Reklaw yelled as he closed in on Daichi.

"We'll teach you a lesson you won't forget!" Fendrel added.

…

Daichi ran as fast as his legs could carry him, dodging and weaving through the trees. He could hear the guards' footsteps pounding behind him, and he knew that they were gaining on him.

'I have to find a place to hide,' he thought desperately.

He spotted a large rock formation and ducked behind it, hoping to conceal himself from his pursuers. But the guards were relentless. They pursued him, searching for him with their Aether Sabres slicing through the brush.

"Come out, brat!" Reklaw yelled. "We know you're here!"

Daichi peeked cautiously around the rock, his heart pounding with fear. He could see the guards approaching.

'I'm trapped,' he thought, despair washing over him. 'There's nowhere to run.'

Lorain and Orson watched as the guards cornered Daichi. Lorain's face was pale with concern, and her eyes were filled with sympathy for the young boy.

"Orson, please," she pleaded with her husband. "Don't let them hurt him. He's just a child."

Orson's expression was grim. "He's an Aerithran, Lorain. He's the enemy. He deserves whatever punishment they dish out."

Lorain shook her head. "No, Orson. He's just a boy. He's lost and alone. He needs our help."

Orson sighed. "Lorain, you're too kind. You always see the good in everyone. But this boy... he's dangerous. He's a threat to our kingdom."

Lorain retorted, "He's just a child, Orson. A child who is scared and alone. We can't just stand here and watch as they beat him."

For a brief while, Orson was caught between his wife's entreaties and his own caution. He was aware that Lorain was correct. They couldn't just watch helplessly as the guards mistreated a defenceless infant.

But then, a thought occurred to him, a thought that made his eyes widen in excitement.

"Lorain, you're a genius!" he exclaimed, a sly smile spreading across his lips.

Lorain frowned, confused. "What do you mean, Orson?"

Orson explained, "The Dune Directorate,. They've issued a bounty for any Aerithrans brought to them. A reward of five thousand Volt Tokens per head."

He paused and added with a grin, "We could capture this boy and make a fortune. What do you think, my love?"

Lorain stared at her husband in disbelief. "Orson, no! We can't do that! He's just a child!"

But Orson was already lost in his own delusions of grandeur. He could see the Volt Tokens piling up, the wealth and status that would come with capturing a high-value Aerithran prisoner.

"Reklaw! Fendrel!" he yelled. "Don't kill the boy! Capture him alive! We're taking him to the Capital!"

"Yes, Master Orson!" the guards replied, already overcome with greed as they envisioned their share of the reward.

They grabbed Daichi by the arms and dragged him back towards the carriage.

"No!" Daichi struggled against their grip, but it was futile. He was outnumbered and outmatched.

"Let me go!" he cried out.

Orson chuckled and patted Daichi's head condescendingly. "Don't worry, little Aerithran. You'll be well taken care of... in the dungeons of the Imperial Palace."

He turned to his wife, who was watching the scene with a look of horror. "Come, Lorain, my love. Let's go and collect our reward."

For a brief period, Lorain stood there, divided as she was between her husband's allegiance and her sympathy for the youngster. Even though she knew what they were doing was wrong, she was helpless to stop it.

With a heavy heart, she turned and followed Orson back to the carriage.