Edie

Edie

SasatheShy

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Chapter Twenty-Four: Justice Served Two Ways

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A tired sigh left Cain as he removed the right boot from off his aching foot. He set it to his side as he started working on getting the left one off when there was a couple of soft knocks at his door. He lifted his head, hoping to God that it wasn’t Verity coming to apologize -- or worse.

“Come in,” he called.

When the door opened to reveal Mark, Cain nodded his head. He was thankful.

Closing the door behind him, Mark walked up to his captain. He bowed slightly, keeping his hands out to his sides as he eyed Cain closely. “Um -- Captain Cain, I was wondering if I might ask a favor from you?”

“Favor?” Cain questioned. His second boot joined the first as he got to his feet. He was only some inches taller than Mark, but even so, he always appeared taller and stronger than his men. “And what might that be?”

“It -- concerns Aleah,” said Mark. “You see, sir, I am worried about her. I don’t think that she should go with Verity. I don’t think that she should be kicked out.”

The captain was, indeed, dazzled by his second-in-command’s sudden interest in Aleah; however, he was also amused. He chuckled a bit as he unbuttoned his uniform jacket, preparing himself for bed. “And why should I let her?”

“She’s innocent,” Mark continued bravely. “She is not like her sister, my Captain. She did nothing wrong. Besides, I happen to know for a fact that Verity mistreats her greatly.”

“Mark, I am well aware that Verity hits Aleah,” Cain said, which shocked Mark.

“You do?”

“But it is not my place to interfere.” Cain pulled off his jacket. He neatly folded it, and placed it on his desk chair. He brushed at his white shirt that normally rests underneath his uniform, running along wrinkles in hopes of getting rid of them. “I highly doubt it’d be good to kick Verity out, and allow Aleah to stay here. They are too close.”

“Then, please -- allow me to accompany her,” Mark pushed on. “I -- I mean, please allow me to be her bodyguard. I can watch her, and prove to you that she’s not like her sister.”

Cain lifted his chin high, eyeing Mark with doubt in his eyes. He was not sure how to fully react to Mark’s sudden liking for the girl. “What is going on, Mark?”

“Captain?” Mark asked, acting dumbfounded to what he was requesting.

“Why so keen on keeping her here?” Cain chuckled as he stared Mark down. “Do you -- like her?”

“What?” gasped Mark. “N -- no, my Captain. Of course not! I just -- think she should not be punished for a crime she did not commit.”

“How sure are you, Mark? She cannot be pure. Sure, she’s -- different from Verity, but just how different? She could be just as guilty or more so than Verity.”

“I --” Mark sighed. He bowed his head, feeling lost. “Forgive me, then, Cain.”

Shaking his head, Cain put his hand on Mark’s shoulder. He gave it a squeeze. “Very well, Mark. You talked me into it. She can stay -- but this means that you are now her bodyguard, and she is not to leave your side. And make sure Verity is gone by morning.”

Amazed by the captain’s kindness, Mark bowed his head. “Of course. Thank you, Captain Cain. Goodnight.”

Once Mark had gone, Cain rubbed at his chin, worried. He knew that Mark was a softy, and always would be. But now Cain felt as if Mark was somehow casting such thoughts onto him. He had to admit, it was an interesting thought. He had allowed Mark to make Aleah’s acquaintance, and he was even helping Edie’s friend. It was not Mark’s fault. Cain blamed someone else.

He blamed Edie.

--

That following evening brought chilliness to Forter. Cain shivered some as he stepped outside. To keep his image clean, he hid the fact that he was cold as he got into his readied carriage. Sitting down, he fixed his gloves before turning his attention on his driver.

“We all set?”

“Yes, Captain Cain,” bowed the driver.

“Good.” Leaning back, Cain waited as the driver closed the door. Soon, the horses were nicked into a trot as Cain was taken out of Forter. He had a date with two snakes in a pit.

--

The sight of his well-guarded jail block caused Cain to stand with pride. He looked up at it, grinning broadly. It’s been a long while since he’s been there, and he never thought he’d return for such a circumstance as serving justice for Edie and her friend.

Making sure his sword was rested well in its sheath, Cain walked solely through the place. He knew it like the back of his hand; like all other successes he’s made. No escort was necessary.

“Look, it’s Cain!” shouted out a Cretchen cellmate. He peered through the bars, smirking at Cain as others in their own cells peeked out. Cain kept his head forward as they whistled and barked at him, cussing profanity and reaching to make a grab at him.

“Idiots,” he said under his breath. He shook his head, glad to have put some of these washouts behind bars.

While he descended down the twirling stone steps, Cain started to construct in his mind the perfect punishment. He already knew his scheme would include trickery. He wanted to make Gil and Bo squirm, yet he wanted to play with them, too. He had the feeling that Verity had used them just as she had him -- of course, Cain knew that, even though Gil and Bo were fierce and deadly, the two were not that bright. Since they had been cooped up for the longest time, Cain new that they’d fall victim to any girl they could get their hands on.

Once Cain had taken the final step down, he faced one of his guardsmen staring at him oddly. The man hardly saw Cain, but for him to come all the way down here? It was never heard of!

“My Captain,” he bowed. “W -- what brings you here?”

“Gil and Bo, of course,” Cain answered. He saw the man’s shakiness, and he had the feeling that this man knew what Verity had done. However, feeling somewhat generous, Cain would not push the man on the subject. He was a good guard, at least. Surely he, and others, had been bribed to help aid Verity behind Cain’s back.

“Open it,” Cain ordered.

Struggling with his keys, the Cretchen guard unlocked the steel door. He obediently saluted when Cain told him to follow. Closing the door behind them, the guard walked behind Cain like some dog as they moved down the skinny hallway up to Gil and Bo’s awaiting cell.

Since Amana’s rape, the cell had been mopped clean. Gil and Bo both sat on the floor, smoking on some papered joints. Raising a brow, Gil peered up at their visitor. When he saw who it was, he snickered, and got to his feet.

“Well, this is a surprise,” he cackled. He walked up the bars as Bo joined him. “Captain Cain. What brings you to our -- pleasant, new home?”

“Cut the shit, Gil,” Cain glared.

“Ooh, temper, temper,” laughed Gil. He shook his head. “I was only trying to be friendly, Cain. But I am curious about your sudden visit. So then -- why are you here?”

“I’ve come to discuss what happened here the other night,” said Cain while placing his palm against the handle of his sword. “Verity brought you a young girl.”

“Oh right!” Gil snapped his fingers. He laughed while pressing his hands against the bars. He stretched his large muscles, causing a loud popping sound. “Mm… And a real treat, she was. Bo and I were -- quite shocked, really, when we found out that she was from you.”

“That’s just it,” Cain said. “She wasn’t. Verity had tricked you in an attempt to get at me. I’ve been seeing a young woman, yes, and when Verity found out, she became enraged with jealousy. She wanted the girl to suffer.”

Gaping, Gil shrugged his shoulders. He put his hands up in defense. “We had no fucking clue.”

“And I believe you, Gil. And luckily for you, it was the wrong girl.”

Gil let out a thankful sigh. He wiped at his brow as Bo leaned against the wall. “Well, that’s good, then. So yer girl is still safe?”

Not answering Gil, Cain faced the guard. “Open the cell.”

“Cain?” gaped Gil. He stood back, watching as the cell was unlocked and opened.

Putting one boot in front of the other, Cain stepped in. He kept his eyes on the two inmates as the Cretchen closed the door behind him. Motionless and stiff, Cain remained quiet as he paced in front of Gil and Bo. He soon halted in front of Gil, facing him. Cain made sure to keep his hands behind his back as he stared Gil straight in the eye. He could sense that Gil was afraid of him, and this made the captain ecstatic.

“I know you didn’t know, Gil. But that does not change the fact that an innocent girl suffered.”

“Innocent?” Gil spat. Since when did the all-powerful Cain care about the innocent? Something was not right here.

The old man had a point. Cain nodded his head, still showing no emotions. “Normally, I wouldn’t. However, the girl Verity handed over to you was close to the woman I’ve become fond with.”

“This Edie?” Gil asked.

Cain raised a brow. So Verity had even told them Edie’s name? Well -- now he knew that this was serious. He should had done more than just cut off that bitch’s braid. To release her name to these men? It angered Cain deeply.

“The two were, and still are close,” Cain pressed on. “And Edie was still hurt. But you know the part that pisses me off the most? The very fact that she it could have been her, instead of her friend. It could have been her you -- fucked…” He took a step closer to Gil, causing the man to jolt. From the corner of his eye, he could see that Bo was starting to tremble in place.

“C -- come now, Cain,” Gil laughed, prepared to try and get out of this murky situation. “Give us a break. We didn’t fucking know.”

“Even so,” Cain pressured. “You still -- did it. Are you two truly dumb enough to fall for Verity’s lies?”

“Fuck, Cain, can ya blame us? We’ve been without pussy in years.”

“Cock for brains,” Cain deemed. He shook his head. “How very like you.”

Grinning, Gil shrugged. “We have to admit, she was -- fucking great.”

Leaning back, Cain lifted his head some, standing taller than Gil. “Was she, now? Well then, that’s good -- because she was the last bit of pussy you two are ever going to get.”

Like lightening, Cain’s sword exited its sheath, soon finding it’s way through the pit of Gil’s stomach. While Bo jumped back, scared, Gil coughed and muttered, trying to get words out. Cain’s eyes kept directly inches from his own.

“Y -- you b -- bastard…” Gil choked as he fell to the floor. Cain’s sword slid out of him the moment he hit the pavement. But the stab had not been an immediate fatal. Cain stared down at Gil, watching the man lurching on the stone, cold floor.

Bo tried to run, but was effortless. Just as he grabbed at the bars, Cain’s sword pierced through his flesh. The Cretchen guardsman gasped where he stood. He watched as the sword left Bo, and he watched Bo crash to the floor.

Blood oozed out of both men, covering the floor in red. Cain wiped his sword clean using Gil’s gray pants. He eyed the gasping man with dark eyes. “Consider yourselves lucky, gentlemen. If it had been my Edie, you’d be suffering more than a single sword wound.”

Cain opened the cell door.

“F -- fucking b -- bastard,” groaned Gil from behind him. “W -- we’ll see you in h -- hell!”

“I’ll look forward to it,” Cain whispered. He turned to the guardsman. “Once they are dead, get some others to help you clean up the mess.”

“Y -- yes, Captain Cain,” stuttered the man. It showed that he was about ready in need of some new pants.

Placing his sword back where it belonged, Cain took his exit while listening to the sweet chokes of the dying inmates. Before he had even reached the end of the hallway, he knew that the two had taken their final breaths.

--

The nap had been well needed. It had given Edie a pleasant boost of energy. The moment she got out of bed, she dressed, and prepared to find Tonisha or Leigh in order to hear how Amana was doing. She was surprised to find that Tonisha had opened the inn. But she had only opened the bar. When Edie descended upstairs, only a few men sat about drinking ale, smoking, and conversing.

Turning her head to her right side, Edie found Tonisha working behind the counter. She was wiping up a spilled drink. Edie went up to her to help.

“Oh,” Tonisha gaped. “Edie -- you startled me.”

“I’m sorry,” Edie whispered. She had moved up right in front of Tonisha, quiet as a mouse. But she had not meant to make the woman jump.

Tonisha shook her head. “It’s fine.” She looked like a wreck, which Edie was not expecting. Never had she seen Tonisha’s hair in a jumble, nor bags under her eyes. It made Edie feel even worse. She looked down at the spill, and decided to grab a cloth and help out.

“Thank you,” sighed Tonisha. She stopped to take a break, arching her back in the process. “Did you sleep well?”

“Yeah,” Edie said. “I did.” She wiped up the counter dry. “If you want, I can take over up here for a little while.”

“No -- it’s fine, Edie. I’m not ready for bed yet, anyway. I just --”

The door opening made Tonisha pause. Her teeth took a grind when she saw it was Cain. She looked down, not wanting to deal with the impossible man, currently. But she knew that the moment she had stopped talking, Edie had grown curious, and looked to see what had disturbed Tonisha.

When Edie saw Cain, her reaction was different. She did not sulk, nor feel sad to see him. In fact, she somehow felt a bit relieved to see that he had returned. She patiently stood there as he smiled at her and Tonisha before walking up to them.

“Evening, ladies,” he said calmly.

“What is it, Cain?” Tonisha asked agitatedly. She avoided eye-contact, currently. But Edie did not.

“I’ve come to talk with Amana,” he stated.

This had gained Tonisha’s attention. Her head shot up as her eyes widened. She was clearly shocked, and a bit mortified by the fact that Cain wanted to have a word with her fragile Amana. “W -- what did you say?”

Knowing Tonisha’s reaction would be as it was, Cain merely ignored it. “I’d like to speak with Amana. Not alone, of course. You and Edie should be there. And Leigh, if you’d like.”

“Why?”

“Well,” Cain sighed. “I have some news to share.”

About to question what sort of news he had, Tonisha decided to give him a chance. She turned her attention on Edie. “Go get Leigh.”

Nodding, Edie left them. She knew Leigh would be upstairs somewhere. It made Edie a bit nervous, considering Leigh was probably entertaining a man. But she could tell that Cain had something important to share, and with her body suddenly trusting in him, somewhat, she raced up the stairs, taking two steps at a time.

Cain chuckled. He enjoyed watching Edie run. He would had further kept his eyes on her, but she soon departed to the top, and was out of sight. Cain looked back at Tonisha. She was giving him the evil eye, along with a distraught pose. “What is it?”

She looked down at the counter. She had made a promise to Edie that she’d keep her mouth shut. But how could she?

“W -- why did you do it?” she found herself asking. She glimpsed up at him, prepared to scream, if she had to.

Baffled, Cain cocked his head to the side. “Excuse me?”

“I know, Cain --” Tonisha said with more anger. “Edie told me. She told me about what you had done to her village, her family, to her.”

The cat was out of the bag. Cain tensed. He knew the secret would not be kept sealed for long. He just was hoping that it would be. He eyed the empty stairs briefly. “She told you?”

“At first, I didn’t believe her,” Tonisha admitted. “She told me after you had left. After -- she saw Amana for a bit. Why did you do it, Cain?”

Cain glared at Tonisha. “You have no right, Tonisha. I do not have to explain myself. You should no me better than that.”

He was remarkable. Even when he knew he had done wrong, he still proclaimed it as right. His attitude made Tonisha take in the demon he was.

“I thought I did,” she replied. “I know what you are Cain. You’re a murderer. You’re a plunderer. You’re a collector. But -- a rapist? Seriously, Cain?”

“It --” he paused. He wanted to be in control, but suddenly he was unsure. “It’s not -- like you think.”

“Do tell,” Tonisha glared. “You’re playing with her heart, Cain! It’s sick. You’re sick!”

“No,” Cain argued. “I really do love her, Tonisha.” He paused. He had raised his voice, but he was thankful that no one seemed bothered by their conversation. Lowering himself, he made sure to speak more quietly. “I love her. That is no lie. When I first saw her, even -- I could tell that she was not like other women. She was so beautiful, yet -- more.”

Leaning against the counter, Tonisha gave him her serious stare. “So what, then, Cain? Are you sure you aren’t just morbid by what you did to her? Hmm? Are you sure this isn’t just some pathetic excuse to make up for what you did? Are you sure you aren’t just being selfish?”

Fury boiled inside Cain. He glared daggers at Tonisha. He was ready to slap his palm against the counter, even if it might had caused a disturbance in the place.

“That’s enough,” he growled.

“Just think about it, Cain,” Tonisha fought.

About to protest, Cain turned his head just as Edie returned with Leigh. He straightened himself, and tried to hold in his anger as Edie and Leigh stepped up to them.

“What’s going on?” Leigh asked. She looked a bit dizzy. Edie was pale. It was obvious that she had to interrupt one of Leigh’s sessions.

“Tonisha, please lead the way to Amana,” Cain demanded.

Frowning, Tonisha did just that. But she could sense that she had hit Cain hard with her words. She looked to Edie, seeing that Cain was looking down at her. She could only pray that Edie would see through Cain’s disguised claim. Tonisha had the feeling that he was only fooling his self.

But was he?

Cain wiped at his forehead. He was sweating. He could hardly believe that Tonisha had said such ridiculous things! Of course it was no lie! He really, truly loved Edie. He loved her more than he could feel.

He peered down at Edie, smelling her clean hair. For once, she was not filthy. For once, she was well-dressed and clean. It made Cain feel better. He brushed off Tonisha’s ignorance. She was only upset, he decided, by everything that had happened to Amana. In time, he could forgive her. But something else was eating away at his mind. Something that made him feel frightened not only for himself, but -- for the special lady he wanted to make happy.

In previous moments, that which had happened in the past normally haunted Edie. But now it was haunting Cain. Now, he was in fear for an emotion he’s never had to deal with before. Now, he was scared that Edie truly was changing him. Now, he had Tonisha to thank for breaking open a thin slice of actuality that made him feel mad at his own self. Now, thanks to the past he shared with Edie, Cain feared one thing.

Could he, by chance, forgive himself?