The Uprising (The Mamluks Saga: Episode 2) (12 page)

The soldier gave me a bow. “Right away, Great Emily.” He radioed to the others and had them bring the woman to me.

She was an older woman, wearing a plain dress. I watched her closely as she kneeled and bowed her head. “Hello, My Ruler.”

I drunkenly waved my hand over her. “Rise.”

She rose and waited.

“Why have you come to my building?”

The woman took a deep breath. “This is hard for me to say, but sadly, I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t live this lie anymore. I can’t keep pretending like I’m happy with my life. Therefore, I humbly request to leave this area and begin a new life.”

I laughed. “You have the freedom to live however you choose, just so long as you obey my laws.”

The woman nervously smiled. “Thank you, Your Greatness.”

I gave her a nod, but before she could leave I stopped her. “However, there is something upsetting about your statement.”

She turned and looked at me. “Such as?”

I folded my hands over my midsection and leaned my head to the side as I stared at her. “What is this—
lie
you speak of?”

She fearfully glanced at the soldiers, then focused on me. “It’s nothing really. I just feel like I can’t express myself, and I wish I could.”

I felt a burning sensation in my chest as I narrowed my eyes. “I see.”

She exhaled and gave me a fake smile. “Well...goodnight, My Ruler.”

“Farewell.” The soldiers who had brought the woman to me led her to the exit. I waited until she was gone, then I glanced at the soldier who had introduced me to the situation and gave him the signal to kill her, sliding my finger across my neck.
Freedom of expression? I don’t think so.

The next morning, I sent a private message to London and Lauren-Lynn and ordered them to the conference room. Isabella was set to give birth at any moment. The time for spying was over; I needed to know what Juozas was
really
up to.

They arrived promptly and stood by for instructions. I rose from my seat and walked up to them. “We have to get to the bottom of this at once, and since Juozas trust you as friends, we’re going to use that to our advantage.”

London grinned. “Very nice, My Ruler.”

I marched around the room with urgency. “I want you both to infiltrate his operation and find out where the human refuge is.”

They quickly kneeled and bowed before me. “We will not fail you, Great Emily,” Lauren-Lynn said.

A
t the end of the day, I got a message from London and Lauren-Lynn, asking me to join them in recreation. It had been a while since we’d spent time together, and I was eager to catch up on things. But oddly, instead of meeting at a lounge like usual, they requested we meet at a more private setting. Right away, I realized this was a trap.
Mother has gotten to them.

Regardless, it would be beneficial for me to find out what her plan was, so I agreed to meet them at a popular hiking trail in the forest. When I arrived they were already there, waiting for me. I landed my ship next to theirs and went outside. After sharing a warm embrace, we headed up the trail at a steady pace.

I wasted no time and got right to it. “I’ve known you both my whole life, Old Friends. Why did you
really
bring me here?”

London took a moment before starting. “It’s simple, Juozas. We’ve seen a change in you, and we want to understand why.”

“Of course I’ve changed. I’m older now—I have a child on the way.”

Lauren-Lynn let out a kind chuckle. “It’s more than that, Juozas. Please, tell us.”

I couldn’t tell them the truth. There were clearly trying to get some information about the rebellion out of me.
How much do they already know?
“Believe me. Everything is fine.”

London stopped and faced me. “You don’t have to lie to us, Juozas. That’s why we came out here—so we could have some privacy.”

Lauren-Lynn stood by and crossed her arms, staring at me, waiting for me to talk, but I wasn’t going to give in. There was too much at stake.

“You’ll just have to trust me, My Friend, because there is nothing to discuss on this matter.”

London grinned mischievously. “What about your frequent trips to the northern ice lands in the middle of the night?”

My heart rate increased dramatically as I watched him closely.
Mother had indeed gotten to them.
Still, I had to remain vigilant. “I knew someone was spying on me, but I could never have imagined it was you.”

His eyes tensed as he stepped closer. “Of course I have. I’ve worried about you, Old Friend.” He stopped in front of me and sighed. “Let us help you, Juozas.”

I shook my head. “I’m very disappointed to hear this. It seems you have lost trust in me.”

London glanced at Lauren-Lynn. “We can’t force you to confess.” He looked back at me with a caring, yet sorrowing stare. “Nevertheless, remember—we’ll be there if you need our help.”

I gave him a nod, and we all turned and continued up the trail. They were
very
convincing, and rightfully so. These were my lifelong friends. I couldn’t begrudge them for following orders, or believing in what they’d been taught their whole lives. However, at that moment, the horrible truth of the situation hit me like a rock. Our friendship had died. We were now enemies.

I
t was early in the morning. I was on my way to the roof to board my ship when I got a private message from London and Lauren-Lynn. Their attempt to get inside Juozas’s operation was unsuccessful. Still, they assured me that they would eventually break through. I was upset, yet understanding at the same time. This wasn’t going to be easy.

I picked up my pace when I arrived at the roof. I lifted my arm and entered the code on my
sija
to open the ramp on my ship. Then, suddenly, an urgent report popped out. I froze and read the hologram. Isabella had gone into labor. My heart rate spiked and I trembled with anticipation.

I was scheduled to hear someone’s case in Asia, but clearly plans would have to change. I hurried inside the ship and the soldiers followed me. I got situated in the cockpit and quickly took off. Immediately, I pulled up the scanner and searched for Isabella’s ship. Naturally, she was at the Caregivers Academy.

I sped up a little and arrived within minutes. After landing on the roof, I saw Juozas’s ship fly in and land beside mine. I left my ship in a flash and waited for him to exit his ship.

When he came out, I locked onto his face and studied it carefully. “Hello, Son.”

He smiled as he walked up to me. “Hello, Mother.” He gently placed his hand on my side and led me to the entry on the other side of the roof. “Come, she’s waiting downstairs.”

Juozas was playing it smart, acting as calm as possible, trying to defuse me, but I knew— that he knew—I was onto him. Yet I didn’t believe he knew what my plan was.

We went inside and headed to Isabella’s room. Less than a minute later we arrived and found her lying naked on a bed with her parents sitting beside her. Giedre was standing over her, rubbing a soothing gel all over her body.

I walked up to Zydrunas and Susan and gave them each a big hug. I was sure I could see a little acting in them, too. I backed away and flashed a forced smile. “It’s so wonderful to be here with you all.”

Together, they returned a fake smile to me and made a slight bow. Then we turned and watched Isabella.

She was breathing deeply and pushing with all her might. Juozas kneeled and took her hand. Even as beautiful a moment as it was to see them in that setting, I couldn’t help but look at them and feel utter sorrow.
I wish it didn’t have to be this way.

Finally, after a long while, the baby gradually came out, crying loudly. Giedre used her laser to cut the umbilical cord. She held the infant in her hands for a few seconds and checked its body. “It is a female.”

Even in pain, Isabella glanced at Juozas with a lively smile. Instantly, he was overwhelmed with joy, and he gently rubbed along her face.

Giedre cleaned the infant up and wrapped her in a thick baby blanket. With an ecstatic smile, she carefully handed the baby to Isabella. I put my chin up and looked on with wavering eyes.

Juozas released a few tears and kissed the baby’s head. “My spawn.” He wiped his eyes and glanced at Isabella. “Our daughter.” 

Zydrunas held Susan close as she cried in his hulking arms.  Indeed, it was a touching moment for everyone, especially me.
My granddaughter.

Still, I was growing impatient with the situation and needed to move things along. “You must name her, Isabella.”

Without hesitation, she looked at Juozas with a loving smile. “This was easy for us.” She turned to the baby and said,
“Sam.”

I, along with her parents, gave each other a confused look.
“Sam?”
we said with one voice.

Juozas nodded with a grin. “Yes.”

Susan quickly stepped in. “Well, technically,
Sam
is a boy’s name. However, the girl version is Samantha.”

Isabella and Juozas looked at each for a moment, nodding. Then Isabella looked up at her mother. “We like it.”

Juozas merrily laughed and kissed the baby again. “Our beautiful little girl, Samantha.”

Happy as I was, I stood there and looked on at a complete loss.
Why in the world would they pick Sam?

Shortly after, we headed to my building for the celebration of Samantha’s birth. In honor of tradition, I had to at least give them the ceremony before arresting them. Deep down, there was a part of me that hoped Samantha’s birth would mend the conflict between Juozas and me, and restore order to our reign.

I was standing at the top of the long stairs that led to our building, watching the parallel lines of soldiers dancing and singing as Juozas and Isabella walked down the line toward me. Isabella was holding Samantha, while Juozas waved at the crowd. I watched them closely and smiled as I listened to the soldiers chant a celebratory phrase.

“Juozas spawn, here at dawn! Juozas spawn, here at dawn!”

When they arrived at the edge of the steps, the singing stopped and everyone froze. I took a deep breath and gradually walked down. Juozas and Isabella stood tall as I approached. Finally, I came off the last step and walked up to them with my hands held below my waist.

After staring at Isabella for a moment with a warm smile, I began. “Isabella, as Ruler of all Mamluks, I look on you with great pride. You have conducted yourself with tremendous nobility, and you will one day become a great Ruler.”
It’s a shame that you’ve betrayed us. You could have been my successor.
I glanced at Juozas. “And now, you bear the responsibility of nurturing the spawn of our Champion into a worthy successor.” I paused for a few seconds and looked into her eyes. “Do you accept this responsibility?”

Isabella stared at Juozas with a smile. “Yes. I do.”

I carefully studied her with a bittersweet grin.
So beautiful, yet so misguided.
Then, along with Juozas and all the soldiers, I kneeled and bowed my head. After a short while, I rose and held my hand out toward the crowd. “Rise.”

The soldiers jumped up and started dancing and cheering again. I reached out to Isabella and led her up the steps. Juozas rose and followed us. We went to the top and faced the soldiers. As I looked down at them with a delighted grin, I gradually became somber and my grin faded into a frown. It was time.

I turned to Isabella and kindly placed my hand on Samantha’s tiny body. “I’ve been dying to hold her.”

She was hesitant to let go, and Juozas looked on with a worried gaze. I flashed a tense smile to try and calm them, and at last, Isabella carefully loosened her grip.

Samantha cried out as I hugged her close. “There, there, Dear. It’s just Grandma.” Then, in the blink of an eye, I turned on my force field and backed away.

Juozas lunged at me and his hands sparked against the bright, see-through shield. “Mother!”

A group of soldiers hurried up the steps and turned their shields on. They surrounded Juozas and Isabella and aimed their
sija
s.

In the background, I heard a collection of ships flying in. Then a message from London came over the radio on my
sija
.
“Ready at your command, My Ruler.”

I nodded and sent a response. “Very good, Soldier.”

Juozas and Isabella quickly turned on their force fields and got back to back.

I shook my head and let out a mournful sigh. “It’s over, Son. Release your shields.”

He glared at me with seething eyes. “Mother, give us our child, or I swear I will kill you now.”

“You’re grounded, Juozas. And...I brought a little insurance.” I lifted my arm and radioed to the soldiers inside the building. “Bring them out.”

Seconds later, a group of soldiers dragged Zydrunas and Susan out from the building and threw them to the floor. They had been beaten badly, and Zydrunas’s
sija
had been removed—and they were wearing prisoner collars.

Isabella gasped and wept. “Mother! Father!”

Juozas released an angry screech with his teeth bared. “How could you do this?”

I laughed. “How could I do
what
? You’re the ones who betrayed us.”

“Let them go, Mother!”

“No. You release your shields at once, or they die now.” I waited a few seconds. “Fine.” I heatedly pointed at Susan. A soldier marched up to her and aimed at her head. “Fire.”

In a hurry, Juozas threw his hands out, stopping the soldier. “All right!”

He held his fire and stepped back.

Zydrunas looked up at Juozas with a bloody face. “No, My Champion.”

Juozas looked at me and slowly reached for his
sija
. He turned off his shield and lowered his head.

I looked on, lightly tapping my foot. “Isabella?”

She followed along and lowered her head, too.

I exhaled and gave the soldiers an urgent nod. “Detain them.”

Two soldiers rushed forward with prisoner collars in hand, but before they could put them on, a large group of soldiers charged up the steps.