The Fox and the Pigeon hole Chapter 22

22. Allegiances

It’s ridiculous, ludicrous, it’s not real. It can’t be real. The drug inside me must be messing with my mind, yes, that’s it. Lance thoughts are rapid and interspersed with flashing images. His mother falling to her knee’s. His father, caressing him as a child, he must be crazy, it could not be the same man who now stands before him. There is a cruel twist to the mouth and a wild look in the eyes, but the face is unmistakably the same. This is his father, his deceased father. So caught up in his thoughts he fails to notice what is happening around him. Suddenly he realizes that Hourne is pointing his gun directly at Rafiel. For a moment he is confused and has an urge to lunge on Hourne, but then he remembers Rafiel’s treachery. Dawn is at his side, holding his arm tightly. Rafiel turns in shock. He has just revealed himself and lost all pretence of loyalty. Staring down the barrel of Hourne’s gun he looks around frantically. “Come on now Hourne” he mutters, his voice shaking “We can work this out, you and me”

Hourne says nothing; his face is void of emotion. “I have nothing to say to you. Traitor” His voice is quiet, but he might as well have shouted. The forest is silent, not even the song of a bird can be heard in the sky. “Seize him” Hourne says, gesturing a few Insurgo’s to come forward and take Rafiel away.

The army has stopped, Dimitri jogs to the front to oversee Rafiel’s containment. Despite not questioning his arrest many of the Insurgo’s are looking around bewildered. For all they know Rafiel was one of their strongest leaders and most trusted allies. Hourne turns to face them: “You all are probably wondering, why Rafiel, one of our company, has been arrested. I’m ashamed to have let his dishonourable actions continue for this long. But I thought I could use his expertise, I thought I could control him” Hourne looks to the ground, ashamed. But his face turns to anger, even hurt “This man is a traitor. He is in league with the government, and has been lying to us for months” The army, who has been listening silently suddenly, explodes with rage. Some have even raised their guns again. Rafiel is still being escorted away but at least a few men land punches on his face and neck before he is dragged into the forest. Hourne raises his hand, calling for quiet. “I know you will all have questions which need answers. Answers which you deserve. But we cannot delay. Just remember this treachery, let it fuel your anger! We will have justice for every and all wrongdoing once we have taken the city!” The army cheers, a few shots are fired into the air. In the din, Lance keeps quiet. Rafiel was, after all, his friend.

After the men have quietened down and are readying to depart Hourne asks Dimitri to take Lance and Dawn ahead to scout the path. As they walk, Lance hears Hourne call for Marcus. He remembers what Hourne told him, Marcus was the man he had charged with ‘taking care’ of Rafiel. It becomes obvious why they must leave for a while. He is glad Dawn won’t be there. Thinking about it, he is glad he won’t either.