A week later, the captain of the guards arrived at the Capital City palace. He was reporting to Chief Rundo. He was there to inform him of recent developments in the North.

‘The boy is now chief and his first act is to end the slavery of his enemies, our enemies,’ said Rundo angrily. ‘Do they ever learn?’

‘We still have a strong military presence in the North,’ replied the captain. ‘If they try anything, we can easily contain them.’

‘We don’t need any unnecessary risks,’ sighed Rundo. ‘We want a strong leader in the North. I want you to keep a close eye on the boy.’

‘As you command, chief,’ replied the captain as he turned and left.

‘I really hope weakness is not contagious,’ said Rundo to himself as he looked over at his eldest son, Waldo, who was playing with a sock puppet.

After he became chief, Sanguine did not make contact with Erin for over a month. He knew this would have annoyed her, so he picked an extra-large bunch of flowers to give her. Erin was at the stream catching small water Sapes for her family’s dinner. He snuck up behind and surprised her with the flowers.

‘Oh, what beautiful flowers!’ said Erin gleefully. ‘Did you steal them from the chief’s garden, stranger?’

‘I did indeed,’ chuckled Sanguine. ‘Don’t worry; I think he is too busy to notice.’

‘Like he has been too busy to come to me,’ replied Erin, frowning.

‘It is too dangerous for us to be together at this time,’ said Sanguine as he placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘Ending the slavery here has not gone unnoticed. I assure you things will soon be different.’

‘Why did I feel freer when I was a slave?’ said Erin as she walked away.

Sanguine sighed as he watched her walk away.

For the next year, Sanguine and Erin continued to meet in secret.

One evening they met in the mountains, and Erin decided to express her dissatisfaction about their arrangement.

‘We can’t continue like this,’ she said to Sanguine in an annoyed tone.

‘You’re right, and we won’t,’ replied Sanguine in a reassuring tone. ‘Many families that fled the North during the difficult years are returning. Even distant relatives of the killed noble families are moving here.’

‘So you want to replace me with a young noble girl,’ said Erin angrily.

‘No, you will be a noble girl from a noble family,’ said Sanguine forcefully.

‘That is not possible!’ replied Erin. ‘We are who we are.’

‘Many nice houses are being built,’ replied Sanguine. ‘One of them is for your family.’

‘A nice house does not make me noble,’ replied Erin in frustration.

‘No, you are noble if I say you are noble,’ chuckled Sanguine. ‘I’m the chief in the North.’

‘Are you ashamed of who I am?’ replied Erin angrily.

‘Absolutely not!’ said Sanguine firmly as he grabbed her shoulders. ‘I’m doing this to protect you.’

‘Then protect me for who I am,’ said Erin as she looked into Sanguine’s eyes. ‘After all, you are the chief in the North.’

‘Fine,’ replied Sanguine. ‘No more hiding and no more waiting.’

Sanguine stepped backward and got down on one knee. ‘My darling Erin,’ he said as he looked up at her. ‘Will you be my unnoble wife?’

‘It’s amazing that you can be so sweet and obnoxious at the same time,’ replied Erin, chuckling a little.

‘Your family gets the new house anyway,’ added Sanguine.

‘Well on that basis, the answer is definitely yes,’ replied Erin as Sanguine sprang to his feet excitedly.

A few days later, Sanguine announced in the local newspaper that he was getting married. The wedding was to occur in ten months’ time, which aligned with the very short summer.

Three months later, Rundo received an invitation for the wedding, but he was very unhappy. He summoned the captain of the North guards.

‘Who is this girl he’s marrying?’ Rundo asked the captain.

‘She is a simple peasant girl,’ replied the captain.

‘First he ends the slavery, and now he wants to marry the daughter of a traitor,’ said Rundo, shaking his head.

‘Her family was not involved in the rebellion, chief,’ replied the captain.

‘They were not killed by the rebels,’ said Rundo angrily. ‘Therefore, we must assume they were sympathisers. Their lives were only spared because we needed them to work.’

‘What do you wish me to do?’ asked the captain.

‘Now that the slavery in the North has ended, so has Locum Alset’s funding for your guards,’ said Rundo. ‘The district has to fund its own protection. The newly arrived nobles will bring in revenue to do that, but the chief needs to use this revenue to continue funding your guards.’

‘I’ll talk to him about the importance of security,’ replied the captain.

‘You better do a good job,’ said Rundo. ‘When the traitors sense the weakness of this young chief, you better be able to fight them off because you will not receive any help from me.’

The captain nodded and left.

Around a week later, the captain visited Sanguine in his office.

‘Chief, I need to speak with you with the utmost urgency,’ said the captain as he stood in front of Sanguine who was seated behind his desk.

‘Relax, take a seat, help yourself to a donut,’ said Sanguine casually as he gestured towards a chair.

‘I heard that the Alset family will no longer be funding the guards,’ continued the captain as he remained standing. ‘I strongly urge that we maintain the same level of funding to maintain the security of the district.’

‘He stopped the funding because it is no longer necessary,’ replied Sanguine. ‘We no longer need guards from other districts. All of you will soon be dismissed and then replaced with local guards. It’ll be considerably easier on our budget.’

‘Sir, do you expect these guards to train themselves?’ asked the captain in an annoyed tone.

‘I already have twelve local guards,’ replied Sanguine. ‘Plus, you trained me so well. I can help train the new recruits myself.’

‘Noble families are moving to the North; you are putting their lives in danger,’ said the captain firmly. ‘The locals can still not be trusted. They will see the weakness.’

‘I’ll tell you about weakness,’ said Sanguine as he leaned forward. ‘Allowing a captain, who is loyal to another chief, to run the guards; that is weakness. Strength is to command complete loyalty.’

The captain turned around and left.

In under two weeks, the guards from the other districts had left. In that time, Sanguine had managed to recruit almost a hundred young males to his new guards. He and the more seasoned began to train them. Erin took over many of Sanguine’s other roles as chief. During this transition phase, there was minimal trouble from any of the residents.

The summer came around, and it was time for the wedding. Several of the other chiefs and many other wealthy families attended the wedding. Sadly, Locum was unable to make the journey. This disappointed Sanguine, but he knew the journey would be difficult for him.

The wedding ceremony was held outside on the Alset family grounds. It was a grand event with a big band and hundreds of flowers. After the ceremony, there was a large outdoor reception. Chief Rundo took this opportunity to approach Sanguine.

‘Congratulations on this joyous day,’ said Rundo as he walked towards Sanguine with open arms. ‘I must admit you have done a marvellous job of transforming this district.’

‘Locum Alset deserves most of the credit,’ remarked Sanguine. ‘He got everything rolling. I’m just merely continuing his work.’

‘Indeed you are so humble,’ replied Rundo. ‘One little thing concerns me. I’ve noticed you don’t have many guards.’

‘Well, we’re not short on them today,’ replied Sanguine as he pointed at Rundo’s large entourage of guards standing around fifty metres from the reception area.’

‘I’m just concerned about your family,’ said Rundo as he placed his arm on Sanguine’s shoulder. ‘Your wife’s little baby bump has not gone unnoticed.’

‘You don’t need to worry,’ replied Sanguine as he smiled. ‘The North is a much safer place than it was twelve years ago.’

‘I see,’ said Rundo. ‘However, if you ever run into trouble. I’ll always be here for you.’

‘We’re cutting the cake,’ called out Erin.

‘Cake! Cake! Cake!’ shouted Waldo, Rundo’s eldest son.

‘We better grab some now,’ said Rundo. ‘My little one has an insatiable appetite.’

Six months later, Erin gave birth to twin boys. Both Erin and Sanguine were overjoyed. They saw this as a double blessing.

‘I want to call the first one Titus, after my great-grandfather,’ said Sanguine as he held up the boy. ‘He will be my successor.’

Sanguine placed the first boy down and then picked up the second boy and said, ‘I want to call the second one Tiberius, after the river where we used to meet.’

‘These are excellent names,’ remarked Erin. ‘I know these boys will make us proud.’

News of the birth of the twins quickly spread to the Capital. Rundo summoned the captain.

‘They’ve only been married six months, and he already has two boys,’ remarked Rundo as he began to pace.

‘To his credit, he has kept his district secure,’ remarked the captain. ‘Maybe he is not such a weak chief after all.’

‘He is keeping the district secure with sons of traitors,’ replied Rundo. ‘That is madness. A disaster is waiting to happen. If the North falls, other districts will soon follow.’

‘That will never happen here,’ replied the captain. ‘The residents of the Capital adore you.’

‘If a Linap does not have noble blood, he cannot ever be fully trusted,’ said Rundo as he stared angrily at the captain. ‘We must not allow the ball to ever get started. Chief Sanguine needs to change his attitude.’

‘I spoke to him before,’ replied the captain. ‘I do not think that is possible.’

‘Words mean nothing,’ said Rundo. ‘What he needs is a strong reminder of the true nature of his subjects.’

The captain frowned and slowly nodded.

Six months later, Sanguine, Erin, and the twins were enjoying a summer picnic on one of the hills near their family home.

‘The summer evenings in the North are so beautiful,’ remarked Erin as she leaned back on the grass.

‘It’s you and the babies that make it so much more beautiful,’ added Sanguine as he leaned across and kissed Erin.

Suddenly, they heard a loud scream in the forested area nearby.

‘She sounds hurt,’ said Erin, sounding concerned.

‘I’ll go and see what the problem is,’ said Sanguine as he quickly got to his feet and ran over to the forested area.

As soon as he left, three male residents dressed in mining gear emerged from the trees in the opposite direction to where Sanguine had headed.

‘Someone is in trouble,’ called out Erin to the three, who were now heading in her direction. ‘You must help her.’

‘Living the life, just like one of ‘em nobles,’ called out one of them as they approached her.

‘What are you talking about?’ said Erin angrily as she stood up.

They pulled out their knives. One of them thrust his knife into her abdomen and shoved her to the ground.

He looked down at her and chuckled. Another one of them picked up the babies.

‘Please don’t hurt them,’ spluttered Erin as she struggled to breathe.

The male holding the babies began to sing loudly. A few moments later, Sanguine emerged from the forested area. He saw the one holding his babies, and then he saw his injured wife lying on the ground. He began to charge towards them.

‘Take him down but don’t kill him,’ shouted the one holding the babies.

Sanguine spear tackled one of them, knocking him flat. One of the others stabbed Sanguine in the shoulder. Sanguine spun around and smacked him in the head knocking him backwards. Sanguine attempted to disarm him. They both fell to the ground in the struggle. The one carrying the babies stomped hard on Sanguine’s head. The two who had been knocked down got up, and all three of them began kicking Sanguine.

‘Beg for their lives!’ shouted the one holding the babies.

The other two pulled Sanguine up on his knees. Blood spluttered from his mouth as he tried to talk.

‘Come on, you have to try harder than that,’ chuckled the one holding the babies. ‘Their life depends on it.’

‘Put them down or I’ll hunt you down and skin you alive,’ roared Sanguine as blood sprayed from his mouth.

‘You’re completely mad,’ said the one holding babies.

‘I’ll give you to the count of three,’ panted Sanguine as every muscle in his face and neck became tense.

The one holding the babies kicked Sanguine hard in the face, knocking him unconscious.

Sometime later, Sanguine woke up. It was now dark. What was left of their picnic basket was smoking. Sanguine crawled over to the basket. Inside the basket were the charred remains of a baby.

Sanguine rolled onto his back and screamed in wild rage. Then he heard a faint cry. He crawled towards the cry. He could see his wife holding a baby.

‘He lives,’ said Erin in a soft voice as she looked at Sanguine.

Sanguine got to his feet, and then he helped her up. He held her up as she clung to the crying baby. They slowly made their way back to their home.

Two weeks later, Rundo arrived in the North. He was accompanied by his entourage of guards. He had come to console Sanguine on his loss as well as offer him support. Rundo and the captain entered Sanguine’s office. Sanguine was standing in front of his desk. He was still wearing his blood-stained clothes, and his face was covered in the ash of his son, Titus.

‘I see you are still grieving,’ said Rundo nervously as he looked at Sanguine.

‘I no longer grieve,’ replied Sanguine. ‘I bask in the awakening of my soul.’

‘I’m not sure I understand,’ replied Rundo.

‘I watched them rape my mother every single day,’ said Sanguine. ‘They didn’t even stop when she was dead.’

‘That was a horrendous ordeal,’ replied Rundo.

‘Do you know how I survived?’ asked Sanguine. ‘I ate her flesh. Even when it was rotting.’

‘I see I have come too soon,’ said Rundo as he and the captain turned to leave.

Sanguine watched them walk through the door. A slight smile came over his face.

Once outside the building, Rundo’s face turned pale. Sanguine’s guards had killed his entire entourage. Two of Sanguine’s guards quickly grabbed the captain and disarmed him. Sanguine exited the building. Rundo backed away from him in panic.

‘I hope I have put you at ease about the security of this district,’ said Sanguine calmly as he continued to walk towards Rundo.

‘This is madness!’ exclaimed Rundo. ‘You dare kill the guards of your chief.’

‘Have you forgotten?’ chuckled Sanguine. ‘This is the North. I am chief. You are my guest.’

‘Do not start a war you cannot win!’ shouted Rundo.

‘I’m sorry, you have clearly misunderstood my intentions,’ said Sanguine as he grabbed Rundo’s face. ‘I want to thank you. Your fools may have killed one of my sons, but my other will be his vengeance.’

‘Please, this is not necessary,’ replied Rundo as his face filled with fear.

Sanguine kissed Rudo’s forehead. He then turned to his guards and nodded. One of them slit the captain’s throat with a dagger.

‘Cut off the heads of his guards and place them in his carriage,’ said Sanguine to his senior guard as he continued to squeeze Rundo’s face.

Sanguine forced Rundo onto his knees and made him watch as his guards were beheaded.

Two hours later, the heads were loaded into Rundo’s Sape-drawn carriage.

‘This is how you will travel home,’ said Sanguine as he watched his guards help Rundo onto the box seat at the front of the carriage.

Rundo appeared extremely shaken as he positioned himself to steer the carriage.

‘I have some important legislative changes you and the other chiefs must make,’ said Sanguine calmly as he shoved an envelope in Rundo's top pocket. ‘It will be very lucrative for all us noble bloods. I know it will please you.’

Sanguine stood back and watched the carriage depart down the road.

A few days later, Sanguine visited the Alset mining headquarters. He wanted to speak with the district manager. He had cleaned himself up and was now dressed in a nice suit.

‘I’ve come to apologise,’ said Sanguine. ‘I’ve too long burdened your great company with regulations that have done nothing but hinder your growth.’

‘Well, since the end of slavery, production has greatly slowed down,’ replied the district manager.

‘That was entirely my fault,’ said Sanguine as he placed his hand on the manager’s shoulder. ‘From now on you will have complete freedom. Maximise your profit in whatever way you see fit.’

‘Yes, we can do that,’ said the district manager, smiling.

Within a week, the working hours of the miners doubled. At the same time, safety standards dropped as the miners were instructed to dig deeper and further to extract as much as possible.

A few weeks later, Sanguine announced that all residents of the North would need to pay rent for their properties. This enraged most of the residents. They decided to hold a protest in the town square.

Sanguine went to the town square to address the angry crowd. He ordered his guards to surround the crowd. He walked up on stage from where he looked at the angry faces staring at him. The more he looked, the more they all began to look the same. To him, they all looked like the killers of his son.

‘When you were slaves, you did not pay rent because you received no salary, but those houses you lived in were not your own,’ shouted Sanguine.

‘We lived in them after we were freed, and we have never paid rent,’ called out someone in the crowd.

‘Exactly!’ shouted Sanguine. ‘I gave you freedom no other chief believed you deserved, and then I let you stay in these homes for free. I have offered you nothing but kindness, and when I ask for something in return, this is how you respond.’

‘Where are we supposed to get the coin to pay for this rent?’ shouted someone in the crowd.

‘Our mining industry is booming,’ shouted Sanguine. ‘Work more hours in the mines. Send more of your family down.’

‘No, we’ll not pay your rent,’ shouted someone. ‘We’ll leave the North; we’re free.’

‘The roads are too dangerous,’ replied Sanguine. ‘I have suspended all transportation services out of here. I cannot risk your lives.’

‘We’ll rebel,’ shouted someone in the crowd. ‘We’ll remove you like we did your father.’

‘Bring him to me,’ commanded Sanguine.

The guards grabbed the angry resident calling for rebellion and dragged him on stage. Sanguine unsheathed his sword and tossed it to the resident.

‘Do it then!’ he shouted at him. ‘Dispose of me.’

He swung his sword at Sanguine. Sanguine dodged and then grabbed his arm. He twisted it hard, forcing him to drop the sword. Sanguine went on to punch him hard, knocking him to the ground.

‘That was pathetic!’ shouted Sanguine. He turned to his guards. ‘String him up,’ he shouted. ‘It’s time to show everyone what happens to traitors like him.’

The guards ripped his clothes off. Then they tied a rope to his feet. They tossed the rope over a pole, and then they yanked him upside down so that his head was just off the ground.

The crowd had become silent as they watched.

Sanguine stuck a sharp knife into his bellybutton and proceeded to cut down his body until he reached his neck. The upside-down resident screamed in pain.

Sanguine looked at his face, but he could only see the face of the one who had killed his son. He quickly kneeled down and shoved his knife into his mouth and began cutting into him. A few seconds later, he ripped out his tongue. He hurled the tongue at the terrified crowd.

Sanguine continued to cut into him. The guards forced the crowd to watch the macabre display of violence. The butchery continued for almost an hour. When Sanguine was done. The guards let the residents return to their homes.

End of Part Two. Continue the story in Part Three.

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Images were created with the help of Bing Image Creator

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Sapien Loop Short Stories

Sapien Loop short stories explore the adventures of some of the characters from the Sapien Loop series. These stories are intended to reveal more about individual characters and the events that have helped shape them.

Currently, two books from the series have been published on Amazon; see links below:

• Sapien Loop: End of an Era
• Sapien Loop: Frozen in Time

All individual chapters can be found on my @captainhive account.

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