A New Beginning

Chapter 12 – The Destruction of the Bourgeoisie

It was a bright and sunny day on a weekend. The Bourgeoisie were having tea parties in their gardens spread all over the central Bohemianita. The agents of Chernobog (Creator) were able to find suitable human hosts. Immediately, they entered their living bodies as they inhaled the air around them. Two days later, in PCO Gallows residence, the PCO was lying in bed due to a fever. The physician had arrived and prescribed a concoction of medicine to reduce his fever. “Where did I get this fever, Doctor?” in a dry coarse voice, “I’m a strong man and had never been ill for a long time.” “Sometimes, it’s good for our body to fall sick so that the toxic can be driven out of our body,” replied the wise old Doctor Josef whose family had also benefitted much from its association with the Bourgeoisie. Unknown to the doctor, the agents of Chernobog had now entered his body. “Please take your medication three times a day, I’ll be on my way to the Inspector’s residence,” the old doctor advised as he bid farewell to the PCO. Inspector Grouch too is not well, thought the PCO.

In the residence of the Inspector Grouch, he too had taken ill and was lying on the bed with a wet towel over his forehead. The wise old doctor arrived and prescribed the same concoction for him. “How soon will the fever be gone?” asked the Inspector grouchingly with a coarse dry voice. He could feel a burning sensation in his throat. “Finish the medication and you should be fine,” replied the doctor, “I’ve to be going now, I’m feeling tired, not young anymore and get tired easily after visiting PCO and you,” as he bade farewell to the Inspector and closed the door behind him. The PCO is not well too? That is strange, thought the Inspector.

As the wise old doctor was about to get into his carriage, a messenger from the Governor’s residence arrived. “Doctor, we need you at the Governor’s residence immediately, he’s fallen ill,” said the messenger. That’s very odd, thought the wise old doctor who was now trying to connect the dots. He made his way immediately to Governor Hynek’s residence. He arrived to see the Governor too lying in his bed. The doctor took his temperature and found it to be the highest amongst the three highest ranking officers in the country. He too prescribed the Governor with the same concoction of medication.

On the fourth day of the PCO, Inspector Grouch and the Governor falling ill, all three highest ranking officials of the country were now lying in hospital. The doctors had convened a meeting of the head nurses and highest rank doctors in Bohemianita, all were present except for the wise old Doctor Josef, who had taken ill and resting at home. Doctor Josef was the Chief Physician in Bohemianita.
“We don’t have enough doctors! The entire central Bohemianita people are sick! Those who are sick will have to wait!” exclaimed the Deputy Chief Physician. “Our hospital beds are already full,” said the Head Nurse. The infection

On the sixth day of the PCO, Inspector Grouch and the Governor falling ill, all three highest ranking officials of the the country were now having breathing difficulties. PCO Gallows was floating in and out of consciousness. He saw Anton standing in front of him, Anton was squeezing his neck, he could not barely breathe. The PCO started to kick, shaking the whole bed and wave his hands wildly as his eyes dilated. He tried to reach out to Anton but there he had no strength. Then both his hands laid flat down and the PCO stopped moving with both his eyes wide opened. The agents of Chernobog were dancing and prancing about in his lungs and throat. They would now have to look for another body to infect.

Inspector Grouch was gasping for breath. He was running alone in the forest, running away from Anton who was chasing him. Anton caught up with him, he began to hit the Inspector. The doctors and nurses were around him, they tried to stop him from swinging wildly from left to right, as if someone was hitting him. Suddenly, the Inspector arched his back, his eyes dilated and then he stopped breathing. His struggle for breath was finally over.

The Governor summoned for Chernobog. Chernobog what is going on? What is happening to me? Chernobog was standing beside him. I would like you to join me and my forces, Governor Hynek, the devil looked at the Governor sniggering. Afterall, you’ll make a valuable addition to our ranks as you had appreciated our services to you. Anton was beside the Governor, the Governor was not afraid and got up of his bed. He stretched out his hands to try to grab Anton but there was nothing. The Governor gasped for breath as he tried to inhale air but found his windpipe had choked. The agents had blocked his windpipe but he tried again and gasped harder. He finally collapsed to the ground before he could exhale his breath and died with his eyes wide open. Chernobog was beside the Governor’s spirit to usher him into his ranks.

All over the central Bohemianita, the Bourgeoisie families succumbed to the infection. By the time they had discovered it was an infectious plague, the majority of the Bourgeoisie had been infected. One by one their family members died due to suffocation. The infection continued to spread till the last Bourgeoisie was infected. Their businesses could not continue as traders from other countries had about the plague in Bohemianita. Their industries began to crumble. The Bourgeoisie began to lose their positions of wealth and importance in society.

The fields that were under Anton and Aneta enjoyed the most harvest for they had a double blessing from Svetovid and Ziva. Alexis was now a year old. She had black hair w, almond eyes with green irises and an oval shaped face.

The land of Bohemianita was at the dawn of a new beginning.

The End

Chapter 11 – The Punishment of The Bourgeoisie

Denisa, I have not forsaken you all. I have seen the sufferings of the people and their oppression. Their being slayed on the night of the revolt tore my heart apart. The Bourgeoisie shall get their just punishment, you have my word. I’ll send a plague to destroy their riches and it will end only after the last Bourgeoisie family riches had ended. Tell your people to stay in their barn houses when the sun rises tomorrow till the plague is over, do not come out till you have hear instructions from me. After the plague is over, there will be a new beginning.

“Listen, send the message out to every county and every peasant household – stay indoors when the sun rises tomorrow. Upon our land will come a plague brought upon by Svetovid. He will fight and avenge us!” Denisa instructed in her usual croaky voice to the group of peasants gathered in front of her. Blanka, Dominica, Bartolomej and Bedrich, the remaining Lieutanent of the revolt were amongst the group. Deep in their hearts they were crying for their loss comrades, the peasants who had sacrificed and loss their lives. They were also fearful of a backlash from the Governor and his gang. Now, they felt assured that at least Svetovid would protect and avenge them.

The Humming Stone was hovering above Earth’s atmosphere unseen to the naked eyes. As Agents #1 and 2 floated down the main carriage, mutterings and murmurings from the other passengers could be heard. "I'm headed towards Africa!" one of them exclaimed. Another shrieked, "My destination is Egypt!", "And mine is South America," shouted another. They were all very excited about being posted to their new destinations. Most of them had only been created for less than half-a-light-year. Agent #1 found its contingent, before departing with Agent #2, it gave out a short telepathic message, "see you on the other side!". Agent #2 sent back another telepathic message, "Take care, stay strong and safe!". Agent #1 responded, "I will do our Creator proud in Bohemianita! So must you." Both Agents stretched out their spikes to touch one another for a final farewell. Agent #1 and its gang floated into Earth’s stratosphere and then the troposphere before finally reaching the sea level.

Chapter 10 – The Favour of Svetovid

The Grand Hall Way was adorned on both sides by pillars of titanium decorated with intricate carvings plated with gold. Each pillar was 10 feet high, carved into each was 195 groves, each representing the name of a country on Earth. At the top of the pillar was a square shaped cornice crafted with 24 varieties of flowers painted in pure gold which reflected the golden beams of sunlight. The floors were laid with marble made from the hardest minerals - lonsdaleite - from the planet Uranus. When the Grand Hall is lit up, the floor would sparkle and twinkle like a sea filled with a thousand stars. The walls in the Grand Hall were made too from lonsdaleite and sparkled just as bright. It had to the grandest and most opulent palace in Heavenlies, amoungst all the thousands of palaces. A meeting of the Gods were taking place in the The Grand Hall.
“You killed my people after you tricked me into attending a procession in honour of me?” roared Svetovid in the Heavens as he stomped about the Heavenly Hall. In front of him was Chernobog and Strzyga, the gods of darkness. During the revolt and attack on the PCO and warehouses, Chernobog had invited Svetovid to a feast and celebrations in the Heavenlies. The intention was to that darkness and oppression could be perpetuate on Earth.
"Enough! I have seen enough!", hollered Svetovid as He stormed away from the Mirror Earth from which He had just been watching. "This is not the way they my people on Earth should be treated! Time to teach them a lesson!", He continued as the Great Hall resounded with His voice. "Chernobog, I command you now to send your armies of sickness to punish the Bourgeoisie. They shall suffer greatly since they have put the peasants into oppression and hardships! If not, I shall barnish you, Chernobog and your devils to the deepest end of Hell never to be able to redeem yourselves again!" Svetovid commanded as He sat down in His majestic throne looking outwards to the Grand Hall Way.
“My Lord,” Chernobog voice carried a tone of defiant and defense, “the peasants wanted to revolt and had no regards for authority.” “They are peasants, they have no riches nor power!” Svetovid’s voice stormed throught the Great Hall seemingly to shake the majestic pillars. “Do as I say! How many peasants lives have been lost by your blood thirsty devils! Did you ask my permission before you killed my people?” rebuked Svetoid of Chernobog who now seemed a bit shaken.
“Yes, my Lord,” replied Chernobog.
“Arrange for a great sickness to befall upon the Bourgeoisie. There shall be no cure that can be found by them in their lifetime for this sickness. Their generations will be lost in this sickness and their wealth will be worthless and not save them in this time of great sickness!” commanded the infuriated Svetovid that Chernobog should try to defend the hideous killings of the peasants.
“The Bourgeoisie shall have a taste of their own medicine, their oppression and ill treatment of the peasants! I will fight for my peasants and be their great Equaliser!” Svetovid exclaimed and stamped His staff on the hard lonsdaleite flooring that caused it to tremble.

Chapter 9 – The Rescue

The ex*****on was over. The country of Bohemianita was now in a state of fear. Fear of further oppression and repercussions arising from the revolt. However, a small group of three peasants making up of Fransitek, Blanka and Dominica were waiting behind the bushes enroute to PCO’s residence. Now that Anton had been killed, they need to rescue Aneta and her child from the crutches of the PCO. The PCO did not have many Guards with him thinking that it was safe since the revolt had been squashed. He was riding in the centre with the PCO carriage with four Guards, two in front and two behind him. The shortest path to the PCO’s Residence took them into a small forest that would take about fifteen minutes to pass through. The three peasants did not understand why Svetovid did not help them to win the revolt but they were grateful that the Wind God had blocked the Sun with clouds. The forest though small had a myriad of tall trees with broad branches and leaves blocking out sunlight. At this time, it made the surroundings even darker.

Before the two front Guards knew what had happened, they had fallen into a pit with their horses which were now in a state of panic. Neigh!...neigh!...neigh! They tried to scramble out of the pit but it was too steep. The next moment the two hind Guards were knocked down by a huge swinging tree truck that swung out of nowhere. They fell to the ground and were caught in a net which was hauled up to hang in mid-air. Dominica and Fransitek quickly tied the ropes round the tree trunk to prevent the net from falling back to the ground. PCO Gallows looked to the left and right with sword drawn out in his hands, prepared for combat. There was no one in sight. Cold beads of perspiration began to form on his forehead.
“Come on out! Who’s there?” he challenged his unseen adversary. Fransitek, Blanka and Dominica appeared from behind the tree trunks where they were hiding.
“Go rescue Aneta from the carriage while I keep the PCO busy!” instructed Fransitek holding a rake in hand pointing at the PCO.
“Do you think you can get away?” challenged the PCO to Fransitek
Dominica opened the carriage door to find Aneta still slumped on the seat and unconscious.
The PCO slashed his sword at Fransitek who quickly dodged it. Fransitek returned with a slash from his rake. Both men crossed sword and rake. With a quick hard twist of the rake, Fransitek managed to twist the sword away from the PCO. It dropped to the ground. Dominica jumped onto the rider’s seat of the carriage. With a whip of the lash, she directed the horses to charge towards the PCO and Fransitek. “Get up here, quickly!” shouted Dominica to Fransitek gesturing to him to jump onto the oncoming horse carriage. The PCO had picked up his sword and was now aiming to throw it at Dominica. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain on the back of his head. He dropped his sword, turned around to see Blanka holding hoe as darkness engulfed him as he fell to the ground.
Fransitek stepped up onto the passing horse carriage and pushed himself up onto the rider’s seat, “thanks, that was very quick action,” he said panting as he sat down beside Dominica as she whipped the horse and sped away.
Blanka was behind galloping after them on her own horse.

The Gods had spared Aneta and child.

In a barn house in northern Bohemianita county of Usti and Labem, Aneta had been gritting her teeth so hard for the last twelve hours that they could break. “Anton, Anton, I wish you were here,” cried Aneta clutching the bedsheet with her forehead filled with hundreds beads of perspiration. “You have to breathe in deeply and breath out using your mouth,” the midwife instructed Aneta while massaging her tummy with cramp bark tincture. “Arghhh!” groaned Aneta her eyeballs rolling up, showing only her eyeballs. The midwife quickly applied a potion of valerian to ease her pain. Then she proceeded to check Aneta again. “I can see the infant’s head, you need to continue pushing, press on,” encouraged the midwife. Anton please help me to push our child out to the world, Aneta thought. Anton’s spirit was there watching her wife. Aneta, I’m here, don’t be afraid, you can give birth to our daughter. She could feel the spirit of Anton with her. She smiled and her muscles relaxed. With a final push and using all her might, an infant’s cry soon broke the silence of the night. Aneta had given birth to a baby girl. She would name her Alexis.

Chapter 8 – The Ex*****on

“Anton, did you incite the revolt on the Provincial Office and warehouses last night?” PCO Gallows bellowed at the prisoner as he folded the whip in his hands.
“No, I didn’t! They know that I cared for them and looked after their interests, that’s why they came by themselves!” retorted Anton as he hung on a bar with his two wrists tied up and legs spread across by chains locked locked to the ground.
“So you deny any involvement that destroyed our properties – the warehouse and winter stock – last night,” interrogated Inspector Grouch his superior left off, tapping his baton in his hands.
“I did not know and had nothing to do with it,” murmured Anton, his head hung down and beads of presperation dripping down his body. He had been beaten and interrogated for the last two hours by his adversaries.
“Give us the names of those who planned for the revolt! Or the consequences could be worsed!” thundered PCO Gallows with his eyes bulging out and face contorted with rage.
“I really have…no idea, even….if you were to kill me,” murmured Anton this time his speech was slurring as he tried to lift his head up to look at his tormentors.
“Very well, it looks like he still wants to the saviour of his people! So, let it be! Inform the Governor and we shall prepare for his ex*****on!” hollered once again PCO Gallows as he stomped out of the prison cell.

“No, don’t kill my husband! Please spare him, I beg you!” screamed Aneta as she woke up onher bed with beads of perspiration on her forehead. She opened her eyes to see PCO Gallows looking at her with a devilish smile.
“My dear, I’m so sorry about your husband. He has not confessed who the troublemakers were last night, he’s prepared to die and cover up for them,” said the PCO as he lifted Aneta up from the bed and stroked her hair affectionately. “Don’t touch me!” shouted Aneta pushing away PCO Gallows so strongly that he stepped a few steps back.
“What are you going to do to him?” asked Aneta curtly with the tone of her voice rising, “don’t forget Anton is the father of my child!” she continued caressing the child in her tummy.
“Don’t worry, my dear, I can take care of both of you after he is gone,” chimed PCO Gallows grinning from ear to ear.
“What do you mean by after he is gone?” demanded to know Aneta as her heart began to beat faster and faster.
“Come with me and you’ll find out shortly,” PCO Gallows said putting his nose so close to Aneta that she could smell his bad breath. Aneta covered her nose and moved away from PCO Gallows. “Come with me!” he shouted as he pulled Aneta to follow him. They headed towards the public square. As they approached, the crowd could be heard whispering and murmuring, “he shouldn’t have incited a revolt, he’s getting what he deserves.”, “they didn’t plan the attack properly.”, “they have been abandoned by the Gods.”. Aneta could hear some whimpering amongst the crowd as PCO Gallows dragged her along to the observation tent built for important officials in the Provincial County. Who are people in the centre of the square? Is Anton amongst them? Is this a public ex*****on? Her heart was beating faster and faster as she approached the tent. The full sight of the public square dawned upon Aneta, as she screamed, “Anton! Anton! What have they done to you?” Immediately, she flung off herself free of the clutch on her hands. PCO Gallows tried to grab her back but Aneta had already dashed to Anton.
Anton was in chains from the neck to both his hands and legs. He was in a kneeling position and could not stand stand or sit up. Loud grasps of astonishments could be heard from the crowd. The murmurings got louder and more intense, “that must be his wife, she’s pregnant, it’s terrible.”
Anton looked up at Aneta, “zlatíčko moje…how are you…I missed you, how’s our child?...are you ok ?”
“I missed you too, my love,” cried Aneta hugging her husband feeling the warmth of Anton engulfing her, indeed she had missed her husband so much.
“Please…forgive me,” wailed Anton so loudly that his cries resounded the entire public square.
“You’ve done nothing wrong, Anton, I’ll get you out,” cried Aneka but realising that it would probably be futile.
“It’s no use… Zlatíčko Moje… they already intended to harm me. I think…we’ll have a daughter, I can feel it,” said Anton looking at Aneta and her tummy, “I may not be able to see her, let’s call her Alexis…” as he buried his head in Aneta’s bosom. As if knowing that the Father was close, the baby in Aneta’s womb did a somersault, with outstretched hands gave Anton a punch, then another punch. Anton felt it, “zlatíčko moje…I just felt our daughter…she knows it’s me, she…just punched me,” Anton’s heart jumped with joy at the fact that her had recognised his voice. Aneta hugged her husband closed and could no longer keep her sorrows. “Svetovid! Svetovid! Why are you doing this to us? What wrong have we done to deserve this?” bursting out Aneta with loud wails, her face looking up to the sky looking for justice. Soon loud sobs and wails could be heard from the crowd of peasants young and old who were gathered there. The hearts of the peasants were totally broken to see the real life tragic drama unfolding before them. What was about to happen would totally smash and crush their hearts.
Inspector Grouch approached Aneta from behind. Without any warning, he grabbed Aneta by the hand and pulled her away from Anton. Aneta clinged on to her husband and refused to budge.
“Come with me, you silly lady!” yelled Inspector Grouch as he once again tried to pull Aneta away from Anton.
“Let go of me! Let me go!” shouted Aneta resisting the Inspector. “Guards!” Immediately, two Guards came forward and pulled Aneta away from Anton. They were too strong for Aneta to continue clinging on to Anton.
Anton had no more tears left, “Zlatíčko Moje …take care of our daughter!” he wailed with a look of despair in his eyes. The rest of the peasants captured the night before during the raid on the warehouses had resigned themselves to fate and hung their heads low, waiting for their death.

The hounds had not been fed for three days, they were waiting by the side of the tent, their mouths drooling with saliva. Once the command was given, they would lunged forward to feast on the prisoners.

“PCO Gallows, are we ready to proceed?”, asked Governor Hynek in a calm and cool voice as he seated on the elevated throne in the tent tasting his favourite tea. “Yes, Governor, I’ll take care of it,” replied PCO Gallows obediently.

The PCO stood up, walked towards the hounds, took a small windpipe and blew. The Guards let loose of the hounds. They dashed forward immediately, barking and growling madly. Anton knew he could not free himself but he would not let the hounds get a free meal either. He laid on one side, prepared to kick any hounds that would attack him. Even if he had to die, he would fight to the end with the hounds. The hounds pounced on Anton, he threw his legs on the hounds, one of them flew off and another was thrown into the air. “Arghhh! Arghh!” Anton screamed and writhed in pain as another hound sank its jaws into his legs and blood spurted out from his veins. Then another started to tear his calf muscles, another ripped into his shoulders, and yet another gnawed on his stomach as Anton now laid on the ground barely able to breathe. He could hear faintly in the background “Anton! Anton! Anton!” his name being cried out. A hound walked over to Anton, looked at him salivating at the mouth and growling. Before Anton could move one more inch, it plunged its jaws into Anton’s throat and tore it out. “Antonnnn!” cried Aneka as she felt the world around her spinning and darkness blanketed her. The public square had turned into a sea of blood red with messy blobs of flesh all over and the hounds chewing on the bones of the dead peasants.

The Governor watched the killings with great satisfaction as if it was a blood sport between the hounds and its helpless prey. He stood up to leave the tent once convinced that he had witnessed the ex*****on of Anton, the presumed leader behind the peasants’ revolt. He could see Strzyga but not the others. The horned devil with his flame torch was dancing around him like a pesky housefly, in his terms. Governor Hynek, I would like to claim my ten young lambs, if you remember our deal. The Governor could hear Strzyga’s telepathy messages. You will find them in the barn at my residence, replied The Governor. He stepped into his carriage and signalled his carriage driver to head for The Governor’s Residence.

PCO Gallows was riding back to his residence. Aneta who had not yet awaken from the shock of seeing her husband’s slaughter was placed in the PCO’s carriage. There was no sun in the sky as the clouds were thick and the wind was strong. PCO thanked the Wind God for the fine weather as his entourage and him rode their way home.

Chapter 7 – Shock and Defeat

The four Lieutenants at the North, South, East and West locations of the warehouses stood rooted on the ground with eyes wide opened and mouths agape in disbelief…the warehouses were completely empty! The peasants behind them were equally shocked and could not move a step further. The thought that was running through their minds – Where’s all the winter stock? When they regained their senses, “Nemozne! this is cannot be!” cried Fransitek from the Liberec county. “Lieutenant Filip, we have the angel to guide us to the warehouse, did they know that it was empty?” questioned Fransitek looking at his Lieutenant with eyebrows furrowed and smoke starting to billow from his ears. The Lieutenant was equally puzzled and at a lost. All over in the warehouses there was a sense of lost and panic. Have we been tricked? Did the nasty PCO Gallows and Inspector Grouch knew they were coming? Are we in danger now?

The eight angels were shocked and surprised too that the warehouses were empty. They sent a message to Denisa’s angel, which was the lead angel, to find out what had gone wrong. What has happened? The reply that came back was even more unexpected. Get everyone out of the warehouses now, quickly, there’s danger! Our enemy is a stronger one than we are, that’s why we couldn’t detect him. Immediately, the angels sent their messages to the four Lieutenants. Get out of the warehouses now and follow us!

Strzyga, the devil was observing the movements and actions of the peasants and their four Lieutenants from afar. His little devils army was ready to attack, he could sense their hunger and readiness to feed on the peasants. They hovered around the warehouses now with their wings flapping and tails swinging, waiting for permission from Strzyga to attack and feed. Zachvat! Instantly, the little devils swamped down on their prey. The peasants found themselves under attack from little flying creatures with horns, a forked tongue and swinging tails. “Its Strzyga and his children!” they screamed and went into frenzy. “Svetovid, our God, help us!” another peasant cried out, soon to be followed by others…screams could be heard resounding through the night. The little devils, a dozen of them could be seen biting and tearing through the flesh of the peasants that they caught. “Arghh!!! Arghh!!! Svetovid help us! Help us!” They screamed and they cried their lungs out but their fate was doomed, there were too many of Strzyga’s children. The devils were making a killing, enjoying their feast of flesh and blood.

“Everyone, follow me! Bezel! Bezel!” shouted Hubert to his comrades as he charged towards the exit.
Hubert led his group and ran for their lives towards the warehouse exit. Before they could dash out of the door, they stopped dead in their tracks and their hearts sank to the floor. The hounds appeared out of nowhere in front of them, growling with saliva dripping from their mouth, their teeth glistening under the moonlight. Before Hubert could move further, the gang pounced on Hubert and his peasants. Bouts of screams and cries could be heard from Hubert and his peasants. “Arghh!! Arghh!! Svetovid help us! Help us!” Hubert picked up his axe to slash at a hound gunning for his throat. The axe slashed across its head before it could avoid it, blood spurted out, it yelped and flew flat to the ground. Another hound sank its jaws on the neck of its prey, a peasant whose neck broke immediately. Hubert looked around him in terror. Where’s Svetovid, my God? Why are we being slaughtered? He continued to swing his axe at the hounds attacking him, with each swing realising that his energy was dissipating. A swamp of little devils had formed a circle around him. Hubert wielded his axe high with his hand, prepared to strike once they attack him. Then, they all zoomed down on Hubert, tearing at his hair, clothes and flesh. The warm blood started to trickle out in rivulets from his wounds. He continued swinging his axe to fend them off, screaming and shouting. “Arghh! Arghh! Svetovid, my God you have forsaken us!” lamented Hubert before he took one more final swing, collapsed and breath his last. Soon, his body was swamped with the little devils feasting on their lastest kill.

The same scene was playing throughout all the warehouses in the Provincial Centre. They had become the death bed for the peasants. As the warm blood streamed out from the dead bodies, the hounds were quenching their thirst, lapping up every drop of blood on the ground. Panting heavily, Bedrich hobbled into the the warehouse leaning on his hoe, “My son! Where are you? Retreat, we have to retreat!” Then he recognised Hubert’s coat and pants which were made by his mother amongst a pile of bodies lying in the warehouse. “Hubert! Hubert! My son!” Bedrich burst into tears as he hobbled double quick forward to retrieve Hubert’s body. “Cover, the Lieutenant!” shouted one of the peasants as they encircled Bedrich allowing him to move closer to Hubert’s body. The stench of death filled Bedrich’s nostrils as he hurled Hubert’s body from the pile and over his shoulders. With a shattered heart, Bedrich carried his son’s body as they retreated to Bila Hora.

“Ustrani! Ustrani! We have to retreat!” Blanka shouted to Bartolomej and Dominica dodging the blows from the Guards as they retreated. The peasants were no match for the giant Guards. A single swing from a mallet wielding Guard would send three to four peasants flying off. They were big but not clumsy. The Guards dodged the flying arrows and axes effortlessly thrown at them. Within an hour into the fighting, the Guards had reduced Blanka and her team to rumbles. They had no choice but to retreat. Gallop, Gallop, Gallop they heard Bartolomej horses coming from behind them, they hastened their footsteps towards the horses. Bartolomej cried in his heart when he saw that only five horses came. The rest must had been killed fighting the Guards, he thought. “Vstávej!” shouted the young riders as they bent forward to rescue Bartolomej and Dominica. “I’ve got you,” said Frantisek hurriedly as he lifted Dominca on his horse. Grrrr…Grrr…Wow! Wow! A hound was behind them and lunged itself on the side of the horse only to be met with a hind kick as found itself being flung off, yelping helplessly. “Sit tight,” Evzen said to Bartolomej as he quickly galloped off dodging a flying axe as he lowered his head. Bartolomej held on to Evzen tightly like a baby tied to his mother’s apron, he closed his eyes tightly, not wanting to see the dead bodies of his fellow peasants that now littered their escape path. Tears were flying out of his eyes as they rode against the wind. The wind, where’s the Wind God, Stribog, he suddenly remembered. Wasn’t he supposed to help us? What has happened?

Denisa was in her tent seeking Svetovid, her heart feeling very heavy. What had happened? Why was Svetovid not answering her prayer? Her angel had reverted to a stone in her hand and did not revive itself. Denisa got up from her meditation pose with her staff, her lips twitching as she hobbled up and down her the tentage. Her palms were turning cold, her eyes were welling up with tears and her feet began to wobble. “Svetovid! Svetovid! My God! Why did you forsake us?” wailed Denisa kneeling down on the floor with rivulets of tears streaming down her face, head bowed down and hands covering her face.

Strzyga stood above the warehouses tap dancing and whistling, grinning like a Cheshire cat, “what a night of feasting for my children!” “After tonight, they will grow and become stronger. How wonderful! Hahahaha!” he exclaimed in a hollow voice that resounded through the darkness of the night. Hmm…why did Svetovid their God allow this? What happened to their angels? Strzyga thought to himself.

“Retreat! Retreat! Ustrani!” were heard echoing through the night as fires burned and raged through the warehouses. Wails and cries followed the peasants as they retreated, many were hobbling and limping away. Their faces, hands and legs were mauled, rivulets of blood streaming out from the wounds and soaking their clothes. Some were heard wailing, “it’s all the fault of Blanka and Bartolomej who have brought us into this!”, “where’s Denisa and Svetovid? Why have they forsaken us?” There were those that were dragging along their hoes and rakes, their heads were down and their faces had no expression as they trudged on the escape route into the night.

From a distance, Strzyga saw the peasants retreating as he played with his flame torch. He let out giggles of laughter as he reminded himself of claiming the ten young lambs from the