Part 32: Memory of Ratika: Hidden Discovery

Hidden Discovery

Ratika is scowling, silently cursing the Pygarian quartermaster. During the initial rebuilding, that sharp-toothed Pygarian had assigned her and her younger brother to different tasks and since that day, Holden had vanished.

Ratika pushes aside the itch to try the Balalaika, wondering if the instrument's magic has any sway over Pygarian minds... If such power existed, the Godless-Priestess would have included that information, wouldn't she?

The quartermaster finishes his drumstick, casts it away, and struts off in the direction of the soldier barracks. Before disappearing, Ratika lunges in his direction, but as she arrives at the barracks, the Pygarian has already slipped from view--

No! Wait! That's him there, behind the barracks, sliding into a camouflaged underground door! Deep in her sternum, Ratika feels a prodding, an instinct to follow. Down, down goes the passageway before leveling out. The dank throughway continues for a good span. There is an opening up ahead and what is that sound? Ratika nears the other end of the tunnel and strange snaps and cracks, ungodly noises, grow louder. The Rodentian emerges, only a nose-length above ground, stealth and caution her only weapons. She expects her sleuthing to provide a formidable ambush against the lone Pygarian. Instead, desperation rises like bile in Ratika's throat at the sight she now sees. Young Rodentians, too many to count, fall under the lash of whips while others go limp as fabric snaps over their faces. Older Rodentians are dressed in Pygarian garb, armed and sparring with Imperial Enforcers. What madness is this? Ratika's mind gropes for an answer as anger and terror claw at her.