Chapter 1: 1 – Unpleasant Morning

A beautiful sunny day. Birds chirping, cows mooing, cold yet warm wind howling, and a very pleasant countryside amongst which hoisted a small house atop a small meadow.

Outside the house and round the cows, stood a middle-aged man hammering his ax on the trunk of a tree that had been there forever. He kept striking the same part, over and over again until he was out of breath.

The last remaining wood was needed in the house, to maintain the warmth in the midst of approaching winter. After finishing this tree, he had to venture into the woods to collect more or his family could not stock enough.

He lifted the ax again aiming at the edge but stopped midway hearing his daughter’s voice.

“Papá!" She called, tone agitated, expression frightened and hands clutching the sheet of cloth she was trying to hang on the rope.

The man turned around to find the girl sliding the sheet, revealing what looked like a convoy approaching his home.

Two soldiers both in full black military clothing sped on two black horses, followed by a carriage dyed in the same color, drawn by two horses of all-black lineage. The party looked majestic, anyone would be awe-struck by observing their stride, but the man knew what was coming.

Slamming the ax onto the trunk he focused on the entrance of his home where his wife and son glanced, carrying the same expression as the daughter.

“Entra y cierra la puerta.” <Go inside and close the door.> He spoke calmly, leaning on the tree and wiping the sweat off his forehead.

Both of them went inside and he motioned his daughter to follow suit, but only after a hushed warning. “Sara, ¡no corras!” <Sara, don’t run.>

Quietly Sara headed inside and the carriage drew nearer. Comforting his raging nerves and giving a lasting look to the cattle, the man rose on his feet and made his way to the side of the house, closer to the well beside which lay a bowl; full of water.

Taking a deep breath he repeatedly splashed water over his face and neck, wiped any remaining dirt, and finally faced the carriage with a solemn look in his eyes.

The horses along with the wheels halted after a slight tug from the driver who instantly hopped off and opened the door. From the shadows emerged a handsome man wearing the same uniform as the other soldier, yet the black hat over his head shielding his silvery hair differentiated him from the rest.

With one hand in his coat that covered him from neck to toe and another holding a leather briefcase, he slowly walked over to the house trailed by his two subordinates.

“¿Esto es propiedad de Luis García?” <Is this the property of Luis Garcia?> He asked with a beaming grin on his face, hand already out, reaching for a shake.

“¡Soy Luis García!” <I am Luis Garcia!> The Farmer answered, accepting the gesture with a somewhat obligatory smile.

“Es un placer conocerlo Señor. García.” < It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Garcia.> The man in Uniform added. “Soy el coronel Niles de Shadow Company.” <I am Colonel Niles of Shadow Company.>

"¿Qué puedo hacer por ti?" <What can I do for you?> Luis maintained his expression, still holding hands.

“Esperaba que pudieras invitarme a tu casa…” With the same smile Niles took a glance at the men behind him. “...y podemos tener una pequeña discusión.”

<I was hoping you could invite me inside your home… and we may have a small discussion.”>

“Seguramente!” <Certainly!> Ending their unnecessarily long handshake Luis guided the Colonel towards his home. “Después de usted, Señor.” <After you, Sir!>

The soldiers stayed outside guarding the vicinity and the two men entered the house.

Inside, impatiently waited the Garcia family. Upon meeting their alarmed gazes, Niles’s lips gently curled upwards.

“Coronel, este es mi familia.” <Colonel, this is my family.> Luis introduced them and the Colonel stepped forward.

Tenderly, he lifted the hand of the young Sara and pecked a kiss on her wrist.

“Coronel Niles de Shadow Company!” His tone was soft, eyes carrying nothing but compassion. “¡A su servicio, Señorita!”

< I am Colonel Niles of Shadow Company… At your service, Miss!>

In return, just like all her family members Sara let out a requisite grin and Niles continued.

“¡Todos los rumores son ciertos, señorita! Eres tan hermosa como cualquiera podría ser.” Letting go of her hand, Niles focused on the lady beside the young girl. “Usted también señora! Nunca he visto una dama hermosa como tú. Es mi mayor placer conocerte. Por favor acepta la gratitud de este mero sirviente.”

<The rumors are all true, Miss! You are as beautiful as anyone could ever be… You too madam! I have never seen a fair lady like you. It is my utmost pleasure meeting you. Please accept the gratitude of this mere servant.>

“Gracias!” <Thank you!> Before the woman could respond, her husband Luis answered for her; voice a little harsh but not enough to faze the Colonel who glanced at him for a second then moved on to the son, bearing the same pleasant expression.

"¿Cómo te llamas, chico?" <What’s your name, boy?>

“Jose!” The boy shuddered, head facing the wooden floorboards.

"¿Cuántos años tienes, José?" <How old are you, Jose?>

“17, Señor.”

“Hombre joven, tu futuro es brillante. Ya puedo verlo desde aquí.” <Young man, your future is bright. I can already see it from here.> Niles took the hand of the unwilling boy for a greeting.

The boy raised his head, only to meet the glistening azure eyes of the man peering right into his soul, and that too-good-to-be-true smile on his lips did very little to ease the pressure all of them were under.

“En todo caso…” <In any case….> Niles stepped back and turned to Luis. “¿No ofrecerá un asiento a este humilde sirviente, Señor Garcia?” <Won’t you offer a seat to this humble servant, Mr. Garcia?>

“Perdóneme, Señor!” <Forgive me, Sir.> Luis pulled a chair from the nearby dining table and gestured for the Colonel to sit. 

“Gracias!” <Thank you!> Placing his briefcase on the floor and dropping the hat on the table, Niles took the seat and slowly observed his surroundings, yet the smile never faded from his face.

“Sara, por favor tráele un poco de vino al Coronel.” <Sara, please get the Colonel some wine.> Luis’s tone was soft, cautious even.

Giving a tight affirmation, Sara moved towards the kitchen, but Niles caught her by the wrist. “Gracias Señor… pero no.” <Thanks Sir, but No.>

“¿Hay algún problema con el vino, señor?... ¿Quizás no te gusta?” <Is there any problem with wine, Sir?... Do you perhaps not like it?> Uncertainty in his eyes and agitation in his voice, the farmer enquired.

“No… No.” Niles shook his head politely. “<Es solo que, al ser una granja lechera, ¿sería seguro asumir que tienes leche fresca en lugar de un poco de vino añejo?>” <It is just, this being a dairy farm one would be safe to assume you have fresh milk rather than some old wine?>

“Sí!” <Yes!>

"Así que la leche es lo que prefiero." <So, milk is what I prefer.>  

Niles let go of her hand and Sara went to the kitchen for milk. Still, he was observant of her every minuscule action, not just her but of everyone around him.

“Jose, cierra la ventana.” <Jose, close the window.>

Obeying his father’s words the boy closed the glass window behind him, from where the soldiers were visible talking to one another; wide grins on their faces. But this was not the case for the Garcia family, they were trapped inside their own home with no way out.

Sara returned with a glass and a bottle of milk. She poured the milk into the glass and handed it to the colonel. Removing his gloves he drank the entirety of the content in one go.

“Tengo que decir Señor. García, esta es la leche más deliciosa que he probado desde que llegué aquí.” Niles raised the empty glass high into the air. “Tanto a tu familia como a tus vacas… digo… ¡Bravo!”

<I have to say, Mr. Garcia, this is the most delicious milk I've had since I got here… To both your family and your cows…I say… Bravo!>

“Gracias!” <Thank you!> Luis gave a civil bow.

“Por favor únete a mí en tu mesa.” <Please join me at your table.> Dropping the glass on the table he added, to which the farmer followed asking no question.

Luis pulled down the chair beside the Colonel and sat quietly as if waiting for further instruction which came after a few seconds.

“Señor. García, como ya habrá adivinado, lo que estamos a punto de discutir sería mucho más fructífero si se discutiera en privado.” The Colonel bent forward. “Notarás que he dejado a mis hombres afuera... Entonces, si no los ofende, ¿podría pedirle a su familia que salga? Aunque solo por unos minutos.”

<Mr. Garcia, as you might have already guessed, what we are going to discuss would be far more fruitful if discussed privately… You will notice I have left my men outside… So, if it would not offend them, could you ask your family to step outside? Only for a few minutes though.>

“Tienes razón.” Luis nodded carefully. “Cariño, lleva a Sara y a José afuera… Coronel y yo necesitamos tener unas palabras.”

<You are right… Honey, take Sara and Jose outside… Colonel and I need to have a few words.>

Giving a slight bow to the Colonel, the woman along with her son and daughter stepped outside the house; wrapping themselves in shawls.

Scanning the room one last time, Niles took a deep breath and exhaled. “Señor. García, lamento mucho informarle que he agotado la extensión de mi español.” He then removed both his gloves and threw them on the table. “Seguir hablando tan inapropiadamente solo serviría para avergonzarme.”

<Mr. Garcia, I very much regret to inform you that I have exhausted the extent of my Spanish… To continue to speak it so inadequately would only serve to embarrass me.>

“...”

“Sin embargo, me han hecho creer que habla inglés bastante bien.” <However, I have been led to believe you speak English quite well.> The colonel pressed.

“Si!” <Yes!>

“Bueno, da la casualidad de que yo también.” Niles chuckled. “Entonces, siendo esta su casa, le pido permiso para cambiar a inglés por el resto de nuestra conversación.”

<Well, it just so happens, I do as well… So, this being your house, I ask your permission to switch to English for the remainder of our conversation.>

“Por todos los medios” <By all means.> Luis joined in the chuckling but could not hide the obligation he was following, so he quickly shifted to a smile.

“Señor. García, before we get into the demanding topic, I have a few questions that I would be grateful if you could answer.” Niles picked up his briefcase and extracted a file, a fountain pen, and a bottle of ink. He quickly placed them on the table and focused on the host. “But only if you want to. You see, I don’t really like putting anyone under pressure.”

“Please, go ahead.” Luis continued with his forced smile, knowing full well that he certainly had no choice but to obey.

"So, my first query is… While I am very familiar with you and your family, I have no way of knowing if you are familiar with who I am.” The smile on Niles's face intensified. "Are you aware of my existence?”

"Si." <Yes.>

"Nice! I like people with common sense.” The Colonel fixed his posture and sat straight. “Now, are you aware of the job I have been ordered to carry out in Keshmar.”

“...” Luis fell silent, face emotionless but a million thoughts swarming in his mind.

“Señor?”

“... Yes, yes I am aware.” 

“Then please…” Niles clapped his hands, excited like a child. “Please tell me what you have heard.”

"I have heard…" Luis took a breather, trying his best to remain calm. “I have heard that… the High table has put you in charge of rounding up all the Lambent affected left in Keshmar who are either hiding or escaping to Crefance, so they can be sent to camps for treatments.”

The Colonel raised both his hands in the air. “Those folks at High Table could not have said it better themselves.” Lowering his hands, he opened the file.

“But Sir, the meaning of your visit, pleasant though it is… is mysterious to me,” Luis spoke his mind, a bit afraid but lacking any choice. “The knights already examined all my family members and looked through my house a month ago for hiding any affected or being affected and… they found nothing.”

“I am aware of that,” Niles answered nonchalantly, his eyes searching for something on the papers. “I have read the reports of this area. But as you already know, when under new management there is always a slight duplication of efforts, most of it being a complete waste of time…” He sighed, dropping the stack. “...but needs to be done nevertheless.”

“But Señor…” Luis wanted to press on the matter, but Niles cut him off mid-way.

"My next query is, you being a proud citizen of the empire… What are you doing outside the city gates? Aren't you worried about your family's safety?"

"I am… worried." Luis, even though flustered, managed a response.

"But, for some reason still unknown to me, you refuse to stay inside the gates, even inside the buffer zone." The Colonel prepared his fountain pen after feeding it some ink. "Perhaps you feel trapped… or is someone pressuring you or your dear family? There must be a reason, right?"

"No… No, Sir! It is nothing like that." Luis tried to maintain his demeanor which was slowly getting replaced with anxiety.

"Then… Do you or your family resent us foreign bastards or hate the policies of the Empire?" Dropping the pen Niles fell back on his seat, eyes glued on Luis, taking in his every expression.

"Forgive me, Sir." The host lowered his head. "The reason for our stay outside the gates is to make a living. The land provided to us is not nearly enough to sustain our cows. They would die out of hunger, and so would we, without them."

Niles nodded with a grave countenance. Although, the smile on his face returned instantly. "Worry not, I will certainly discuss this matter with the Duke and proper arrangements would be made soon enough. Then will you come inside the city gates?"

"Absolutely Sir!" Luis bowed again, eyes sparkling with false gratitude. "Who doesn't want safety for his family?"

"Well, the other four families who left the walls certainly did not want that."

"Sir?" Luis’s stomach dropped as Niles touched on the topic, he was afraid of the most. Beads of sweat dripped down his forehead as anxiety crept in slowly.

“Come on Señor… Why are you making that face?” Niles leaned forward resting his hand on the farmer’s shoulder. “I am joking… I know all of you had reasons.”

“Si… si… Yes.” Luis replied, mustering every ounce of courage he had left to fix his broken demeanor.

“You know Luis, I just have a few minor inquiries to take care of.” Niles gripped the man’s shoulder. “If you will be kind enough to assist me with answers, my department can close the file on your family… once and for all.”

“...”

“Is that okay with you?” Falling back, he asked again and the helpless farmer nodded without any words. “Gracias!”

Exchanging the one-sided gratitude Niles moved on to the original matter, yet kept his face beaming with that inconceivable smile.

“Now…” He picked up the pen and concentrated on the top side of the paper. “There were five families including you, all dairy farmers like yourself, who denied the security of the Atlas Corporation and went outside the gates before the Lambent outbreak.”

“...” The farmer maintained his silence and the Colonel proceeded.

“Lopez… Gonzalez… Morales… and De León, is that correct?”

“... To my knowledge… they were the dairy farmers who left with us.” Luis’s response was dry, appearing indifferent as he did his best to hide the budding anxiety.

He was careful with every word and expression, yet his worries kept going rampant and his heart throbbing. With every second breathing got harder and harder. If it continued for long, the colonel would notice and that would bring nothing but trouble.

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"Colonel?" Luis asked, coming up with an idea to contain his derailed thoughts.

"Yes?" Niles's curious eyes shifted.

“Would it disturb you if I smoke my pipe?”

"Please Señor Garcia, it is your house, make yourself comfortable." The Colonel responded with a mischievous smile, although he returned his eyes to the papers immediately.

Giving a slight bow Luis left to get his smoke which was tucked in a corner shelf, a little away from the table, but he deliberately took the time to search the same place over and over again. His goal was to get away from the nerve-wracking situation, even for a few minutes.

“Now this report here indicates to me that, during our wide-scale testing all of these families showed signs of being affected, but when it came to treatment only three families have been accounted for.” Niles waited for Luis, who upon hearing the voice immediately came back with a dirtied steel box in his hand. “Somewhere in the last six months, it would appear that the entire De León family just vanished, which leads me to the conclusion that they have either made a very good escape or…” His eyes jumped to the farmer, trying to note any disturbance. “...someone is very successfully hiding them.”

Luis was busy preparing his pipe when the colonel spoke, but deep down he was consciously trying to ignore everything and not let anything change his mien.

Sensing nothing from the man, Niles put forward his question. “What have you heard about the De Leóns, Señor Garcia?”

“Only rumors.”

“I love rumors.” Niles raised his tone, very keen which his too-eager face confirmed.

The farmer’s brows furrowed observing this unexpected reaction, yet he refrained from any needless comments and kept slipping tobacco inside the pipe.

“Facts could be so misleading… where rumors, true or false are often very revealing.” Noticing the farmers' behavior, Niles brought some judgmental lines, albeit did not forget to force the matter in the next moment. “So, Señor Garcia, what rumors have you heard about the De Leóns?”

Luis cleared his throat and picked up the matchbox. “Again, this is only a rumor but we heard that the De Leóns had made their way into Crefance.” He then scraped the matchstick to burn the tobacco inside the pipe which he now put in his mouth.

“So, the rumors going around are of escape?”

“Si…” Agreeing with the colonel the farmer sipped the pipe. “...yes.”

“I see…” Niles nodded looking down at the paper one more time. “Having never met the De Leóns, would you confirm for me the exact members of the household and their names?”

The man bent forward, moving the pipe away from his face. His concerns had somewhat cooled down and he was feeling significantly better. 

“There were five of them. The father Martin, wife Maria, and… her brother Carmen.” Luis mentioned their names, and the colonel shook his head after crossing them on paper.

“Any children?”

“Yes… two. Hugo and Laia.”

“Ages of the children?”

Face in his palms Luis heaved a deep breath, trying his best to maintain the facade, but despite all that his eyes were drawn to his feet, to be exact to the floorboards where his feet rested. Below the boards hid the five members, about whom they currently discussed. 

He knew they were all there carefully watching him exchange the wrong information, so they could all see the light of another day. That is what compelled him to lie. Their innocent lives depended on his words and he must do whatever he could to protect them, save them from the hands of the devil that waited beside him.

“You don’t have to be exact… Just give me a rough number.” Niles spoke, breaking the silence.

“Yeah… Um… Hugo was nine or ten and Laia was seventeen or eighteen maybe…” Beads of sweat trickled down Luis’s forehead which he carefully wiped. “I am not sure.”

Niles wrote down the numbers beside the children’s names and finally closed the pen. “Well, I guess that should do it.” He put the papers in the files and threw everything back into the briefcase. Stretched his hands a few times and leaned on the chair. “However, before I go, could I have another glass of your delicious milk?”

“It would be my pleasure.” Luis rose from his seat and with renewed confidence went to the kitchen shelf where the bottle of milk was placed, though his eyes still trailed at the floorboards inspecting for any irregularities the Colonel could point to, but found none. Yet he had to be careful till the end. 

Thus, he returned with a stoic look and poured milk into the same glass atop the table, and slid it near the Colonel.

“Señor Garcia, are you aware of the nickname your people have given me?” Niles asked with a faint chuckle but was unable to hide his enthusiasm behind the words.

Perceiving this nonsense, Luis sighed. “Forgive me Sir, but I have no interest in such things.”

“But you are aware of what they call me.” He wouldn’t let go of his interest that easily.

“I am aware.” Leaving the bottle on the table, Luis took his place again.

“What are you aware of, Señor Garcia?” Niles' face was practically glowing with anticipation and intertwining his fingers he leaned forward.

Luis was fed with all the humorless topics, yet possessed no power to disagree. So, he gave in, but only after sipping the pipe again. “That they call you The Lambent Hunter.”

“Precisely.” The Colonel slapped both his hands on the table and with his usual inconceivable smile he continued. “I understand your trepidation in repeating it. I also have a friend in the south who hates the moniker, the good people of Estene have bestowed on him. Why he would hate the name The Throat Slitter is beyond me. It would appear he has done everything in his power to earn it.”

Luis’ face turned grim as Niles began blabbering proudly. But he could only hear, for the sake of his friends who lay silently below his feet.

“Now I, on the other hand, love my unofficial title, precisely because I have earned it.” Niles sipped the milk from the glass. “Or because I made it for myself.”

“...”

“Do you know what Lambent is, Señor Garcia?” The colonel questioned, dangling the glass in the air.

“...” With the same darkened eyes, Luis maintained his silence.

“It is a disease that burns your organs from the inside out.” Arranging the glass back on the table, Niles leaned forward. “You… very slowly and painfully will turn to ash and your family inhaling it will become lambent, meeting the same fate as you."

"..."

"So, to protect everyone, we take the affected into our camps where they die by themselves, hurting no one but themselves. That's very noble… isn't it?”

“Yes.” Despite realizing his sadistic nature, Luis acknowledged the solution.

“Yet this menial task cannot be accomplished by those useless knights who put too much trust in their people.” He took another sip from the glass. “Do you think even in their last breath people want to die alone?”

“No…” The farmer answered, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

“Exactly. Because humans are social creatures, they belong to one another. They confide in each other, knowing full well that they may stab in the back, any day.” Niles’ tone rose bit by bit. “They know they will die; their death is inevitable… yet they still cling to the hopes of living another day. Isn't that just pointless?”

“Interesting thought, Colonel.” Luis kept smoking his pipe in hopes of shortening the moment. He just had to bear it for a little while and it would be all over.

“And that is the feature that makes me such an effective hunter.” The Colonel fell back and fixed his slightly rumpled coat. “Families always want to be together. They mourn the dead for the rest of their lives. So, showing mercy and freeing them from the pain I send them together.” 

Those few words clicked something in Luis as he gradually met the Colonel’s gaze, dropped the pipe on the table, and sat straight. “I do not understand what you mean…”

“Let me tell you a story.” The smile on Niles’ face faded as his demeanor turned taciturn. “It was a year ago when a village in the west was first affected by this Lambent disease. I was sent there to gather up all the affected and amongst them was a young boy… around your son's age.”

Luis swallowed hard, his poise diminishing by the moment.

“He was affected and I had orders to send him to the camp. But… his family hid him, hid him so cleverly that...” Niles’s eyes turned to the floor. “...the knights searched for days, but could not find him. Even the Atlas soldiers failed until yours truly paid them a visit.” His eyes suddenly jumped to Luis. “Señor Garcia, do you know where they hid him?”

“...” The farmer shook his head in denial.

“The boy was under the floorboards in his own house.” The colonel broke into a fit of laughter. “Can you believe that? He was there the whole time and none of those morons could find him.”

“Haha…” Luis let out a very involuntary giggle, his conviction gone long ago.

“So, what do you think I did after finding him?” Niles rubbed his palms together, face carrying the same dubious smile.

“You sent him to the camp?” Luis wanted to think of a less negative outcome, but the reality was not that kind.

“Well… I could have sent him to the camp, but you see… I am a good man who couldn't bear to witness the pain the family would have felt without him.” Nils rested his chin on his palms. “So, I let him go.”

“Really?”

“Or so it seemed.” The Colonel revealed a devilish grin. “They agreed to build a sculpture of mine made of rock, in return for their son to live, so he lived.”

Luis’s face momentarily lit up, but the grin on his guest’s face suggested otherwise.

“He lived within the hearts of those thousands of men and women that saw him getting strangled by my hands.” Niles laughed maniacally. “The mother begged but I was bound by orders. The father tried to throw the rock at me, but his luck was not having it… The boy flailed, cried, begged… yet none could save him.” His face went lifeless, tone ominous. “I smashed his neck… and the boy went to heaven, his name forever engraved in the hearts of all the witnesses. His family joined him too. They were crushed under the weight of their own responsibility. Don’t you think that’s hilarious?”

Each and every word Niles uttered shook the very being of Luis. He was protecting someone else’s family but who would protect his family? They might all disappear if this man lifted a finger.

Recognizing the senile mood his words had caused, Niles switched gears. “If it would not cause any discomfort; may I smoke my cigar as well, Señor?”

“... Si… Yes, yes…” Luis’s tone was disquieted, his face pale and body trembling. “Make yourself at home, Colonel.”

Niles accepted the words with a simple dip of his head. From the inner coat pockets, he pulled a Cigar and took the matchbox lying on the table. Lighted the cigar and breathed in. 

“Now, my job dictates…” He respired the smoke. “... that I must have my men enter your house and conduct a thorough search…” Inhaling and exhaling again he propped on his seat, legs crossed. “...before I can officially cross your family’s name off my list. And rest assured if there are any irregularities to be found, they will be taken care of by proper methods.”

Luis faced the floor, contemplating what he would do now. There was no escape for the family that he concealed in his house. The Colonel obviously knew that. If he told him, would he let him and his family live? Was there any chance?

“That is unless…” Niles proposed the idea he supported from the start. “... you have something to tell me that makes the conducting of the search unnecessary.”

The farmer lifted his head and that is what the Colonel wanted. He had perfectly wrapped the man around his lies.

“And I might add, also that any information that makes the performance of my duty easier will not be met with punishment. Quite the contrary… It will be met with a reward.” The colonel smiled for the last time. “And that reward will be that you and your family will cease to be harassed in any way by the Empire or the Atlas for the rest of your life. And for the record, the opposite is also very true.”

Luis gulped down every drop of saliva his mouth formed. Breathing was quick, his heart beat in his ears, every limb shivered, and his conscience pained from unimaginable guilt. The culmination arrived. He had to choose now.

Niles’s face lost color, eyes cold, expression dead and, voice emotionless. “You are sheltering the five Lambent affected, are you not?”

“...Yes.” Luis chose his family, the only choice he had left.

“You are sheltering them underneath your floorboards, aren’t you?” 

“Yes.” Tears swelled in Luis’s eyes as the inevitable future dawned over him, but could do nothing to deter it.

“Point out to me the areas where they are hiding.” Niles pushed on, his unhindered eyes peering right through the farmer’s facade.

Tears dribbled down Luis’s cheeks as his trembling finger pointed out the areas where he instructed the De Leóns to hide. Leaving his seat, Niles confirmed the area.

“Since I have not heard any disturbance, I assume, while they are listening, they don’t speak English.”

“Yes!” Luis covered his mouth, nonetheless, the deed had been done.

“I am going to switch back to Spanish now, and I want you to follow my masquerade.” Throwing the cigar on the floor and mashing it violently, Niles stated. “Is that clear?”

“Yes!” Controlling his sniffling, the farmer gave the final word.

Instantly the colors on Niles’s visage returned, and so did his preposterous smile. “Señor Garcia…” His tone a few octaves higher carried every bit of emotion this world had to offer. “...te agradezco tu leche y tu hospitalidad.” <...I thank you for your milk and your hospitality.> He wore his hat, picked up the gloves and briefcase while Luis froze in one place. 

“Creo que nuestro negocio aquí está hecho.” <I believe our business here is done.> Bowing again he headed for the door and opening it called for the soldiers in a very misleading way. “Señora Garcia!”

Before the eyes of the powerless Luis, two soldiers entered the house and stood in the area where their commander ordered.

“Le agradezco su tiempo... No molestaremos más a su familia.” <I thank you for your time… We shall not be bothering your family any longer.> Niles gave a lasting look to the farmer. “So, Señor… Señora… Me despido de ti y digo… Adiós” <So, Sir… Madam… I bid farewell to you and say… Goodbye!>

With the word Goodbye hitting their ears the soldiers unleashed their guns on the floor. The sounds of gunshots mixed with agonizing screams reverted through the surroundings as the wooden shards flew everywhere. Covering his ears, the farmer wept and the Colonel adored the sound.

The deafening noise stopped once the mags were empty and Niles’s ears caught someone crawling underneath his feet. Following the movements, he traced his steps toward the edge of the room. 

Outside the window, he saw a girl struggling to get out from the floorboards. The soldiers acted too, but he signaled them to stop. Somehow the girl escaped and ran on bare feet, to the vast meadow, visible from the gate.

“Oh, Sweet Laia!” Leisurely, Niles stepped outside the house, handgun in hand. “Run, my dear run.”

Sobbing, the bloodied girl ran as fast as she could, into the endless fields, and behind her, the Colonel raised the gun. With each passing second the distance grew between them and the corner of Niles’s lips kept widening.

“Oops!” He lowered his gun as if missing the chance to shoot and the back of the girl disappeared from his view. But still, he shouted a few parting words for her. “Till we meet again, Laia!”

Swinging the gun around his fingers and grinning under his breath, Niles paced towards the carriage when a soldier rushed in his direction.

“Forgive my intrusion Sir, but what about the Garcia family?”

“Garcia huh…” Niles surveyed the area, noting the cows and house on his list. “Relocate them and all their cattle under the Farmers' Act. Give them land in the southern ward and keep a close watch. They surely deserve a new life, don’t they?”

“Sir! Yes Sir.” The soldier gave a salute and returned until he turned around to catch his commander calling.

“Also, disinfect the area.”

“Sir!”

“Now, go.” 

Dismissing the man and heaving a deep sigh, Niles gazed at the clear sky where a flock of birds gently flew to the east.

“It is about time we try your luck, Grey!”

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