The Coming From the Shadows Series
Coming From the Shadows: Lydia
Previous Instalments:
- The Ambush: Part 1 – Surviving the Cult: A Journey Through Chanthaburi
- The Ambush: Part 2 – Surviving the Cult: A Journey Through Chanthaburi II
- The Ambush: Part 3 – The Ambush: A Tale of Survival in Siam
- The Ambush: Part 4 – The Ambush: A Tale of Survival in Siam II
- The Ambush: Part 5 – The Price of Loyalty: A Tale of Survival
The Secret Wars and Dangers of Fanaticism
The Ambush: Part 6
Story Recap
Background
The Twins; Elizabeth and Lydia; born in 1890 AD to Cathryn and George.
Elizabeth, the Elder Twin – she was the spitting image of her father, with her Long Blonde Hair and Icy-Blue Eyes, since childhood she had been a loyal and devoted daughter to her father; George, she was fanatical to the Cult of the Minotaur and its parent organisation; the Imperium.
The younger twin; Lydia though was her polar opposite; she was almost a copy of her mother; she shared long Raven-Dark hair, with Silvery-Grey Eyes, she was once an innocent child raised in an environment that demanded loyalty, taught with a brutal education – her screams after rang out in the silent halls of the Smythe Families Manor – unlike her older twin, Lydia struggled, she was horrified by the lessons often involving brutality, the torture and killing of animals which later was demonstrated on innocent men and women.
In 1900; Lydia and Elizabeth were forcibly separated from their mother; while Elizabeth was unphased, Lydia’s only warmth and connection had been removed; but, it later fuelled her desire to escape in 1905, alongside her Half-Brother; William, a once-loyal Son who, after learning of George’s intention to murder Lydia as a sacrificial lamb, betrayed George, escaping with his younger Sister; Lydia, an event that burned down the Smythe Estate – the consequences of which almost destroyed George Smythe’s reputation entirely – the Cult of the Minotaur, the once more dominant Cultist group in the Imperium almost entirely collapsed, clinging just barely to a position of power, George’s Family Business Empire just barely keeping George’s position intact.
Lydia would reunite with her mother in London, adopting her mothers maiden name of Langdon and escape with her and ‘The Monk’ from Britain to France beginning a life of training under her Mother’s watchful gaze, Cathryn’s attempts to provide Lydia a sense of normalcy often conflicted with the constant attacks from the Imperium; their forced involvement in a life they desperately sought to escape – eventually, they would meet and save Norina from Italy, a year younger than Lydia; she was eerily similar, almost identical – sharing the same Raven-Dark Hair and Silvery Grey eyes, people easily mistaking Lydia and Norina as twins.
Over the following months to years; Cathryn gathered Allies trying to interfere with the Imperium; her daughter, Lydia adapting to this new life – Norina, while not a fighter provided assistance with her quick learning, often they would seek out ancient structures that the Cultist would show interest in, undermining the Cultists in the political ambitions – as time passed, Damir, a Serbian soldier joined the group, alongside a former ally of Cathryn from her youth; a Manchurian; Xian alongside the occasional accompany of ‘The Monk’ created a unique team – Then, came Thomas and Miquel; British soldiers encountered during a mission in the Himalayan mountains – the encounter left a much more lasting impact for Lydia – from a dislike of Thomas to developing feelings.
Following the reunification between sisters in Egypt; the initial interaction saw Elizabeth attempt to kill Lydia, Thomas’ rescuing of Lydia to the eventual confrontation months later in the Greek mountains in 1908 – after George’s callous disregard of Elizabeth after witnessing Lydia in action he declared he focused on the wrong daughter – breaking Elizabeth’s illusion and loyalty – as Elizabeth joined her mother and sister; a tension remained even as the twins completed tasks set by Cathryn – though they would eventually reconnect with one another.
As for George; the loss of Elizabeth created further trouble for him within the Imperium; with his inability to maintain control over three of his children, it emboldened other Cultist leaders and Imperium Council Members – George’s position was no longer as powerful as it once had been.
Reduced to a need to reclaim Cathryn, to restore Elizabeth’s loyalty and find a solution for Lydia – George crafted a plan; he would use Bartholomew and Jack; two of his most successful operatives to capture Cathryn, Elizabeth and Lydia – he would use Cathryn as an example that he will always retrain control by breaking her back into domestic slavery – he would restore Elizabeth’s broken loyalties, but that still left Lydia.
Approaching an equally powerful family; George visited the Cain family in the north of England, visiting their country estate that straddled the border between England and Scotland – He proposed to marry off his daughter to their son; Albert – Albert was initially uninterested in such an offer, and sceptical of George’s claim regarding Lydia’s beauty, eventually he was swayed with promises of access to the Smythe’s Business Empire, and his Imperium support – they now simply needed to act, to capture the three.
Luckily, word reached George of Cathryn’s group being in Australia – once again, she was interfering with Imperium activities, undermining their Political ambitions and searches for Ancient Sites, but, the eventually telegram revealed the Imperium’s Cultists; a combined group between George’s own Cultists of the Cult of the Minotaur and a secondary Cultist group; the Brothers of Liberty, forced Cathryn’s group to break up and flee; Xian had been lost entirely – there had been no sign of him after Cathryn’s safe house was secured – Cathryn, her twins; Elizabeth and Lydia, along with Norina and Damir had been sent into flight – they sought to escape.
Intending to travel; George and Albert secured passage aboard a Warship alongside other Imperium Council members to the Raj.
Meanwhile; Cathryn’s group fled Australia by November – seeking to escape to a safehouse in Burma’s Yangon, but, first they had to travel through the Kingdom of Siam.
Local Cultists, aware of them launched a night time ambush breaking the group up; Cathryn and Elizabeth – seeking safety at a Lodging House would be captured first, Cathryn injured by a gunshot to the arm by Bartholomew.
Jack would apprehend Damir who had reunited with Xian in the morning alongside Xian’s Thai-Companion; Nintau.
Lydia and Norina meanwhile found safety with an ally; Nang who escorted them to ‘The Monk’ – but, the urge to rescue the group led Lydia to sneaking off; Norina shadowed her, refusing to let Lydia be alone, when the two found their way to the Lodging House, a confrontation erupted between Lydia and Albert – swords would clashed in a deadly game of survival; Lydia would be beaten, but not broken – Xian, focusing on Cathryn’s injuries would lead the group to abandon Lydia, leaving her behind much to the despair and upset of Norina and anger of Elizabeth.
William’s arrival though, he took the chance to take Cathryn to safety.
Lydia, would be taken on a days-long trip from the Lodging house in Siam to Burma; Albert’s intention to show her back to George with the intention of marrying her; with the Imperium’s coastal settlement in sight; they bore witness to the devastation of a Dreadnoughts power; the bombardment of the Imperium’s facility, questions arose, but left unanswered as French Cultists attacked Albert’s group; Lydia would find herself separated after falling into a raging river only to be rescued by Thomas.
As things finally begin to settle; encounters become the only outcome.
Chapter 1:
December, 1908
Along the Burmese Coast: The Imperium Coastal Facility
The air reeked of burning oil, coal and charred remains; blazing fires ranged as workers fought to keep them under control; but, it also represented the shattering of an illusion; the Imperium’s Private Port, a hive of illicit trade and even darker dealings had just been struck by a devastating attack – The colossal Dreadnought that had launched the attack; a steel Leviathan spitting hellfire, was already a smudge on the horizon – it’s mission complete, leaving behind a trail of destruction and chaos; William’s orders had been followed to the letter.
Within the remains of one of the still standing buildings, its lavish decorations a symbol of what was power and prestige; George, his face florid with rage and humiliation was stood with his fellow Imperium Council members; their faces – normal masks of serene power, were etched with fury “Explain this Smythe!” a Council named; Dubois bellowed, his French accent thick with contempt “Your Cultists were in charge of the protection of this settlement; and they failed to protect this vital asset; millions in capital; gone!”
George’s jaw tightened “The attack was…, unexpected” he was barely containing his fury as he spoke with a calm, measured voice; but the strain was evident, he was not use to anyone daring to raise their voice to him “This was coordinated, how would any of us have kn-..”
“Unexpected!” another Councillor sneered; a thick German accent – A gaunt man with eyes like chips of ice “Or were they simply inkompetenz?; perhaps you divided loyalties allowed this carnage to happen; for too long have you held reigns of power that allowed you to do as you pleased, it is clear it is beginning to draw even more enemies against the Imperium!”
George, despite his frame radiated power and menace; his tailored suit hid his physical power; he had to repress the urge to physically lash out, he was powerful, yes; but that power was very quickly and clearly slipping from his grasp – the Imperium was like a hydra, and he was only one of its many heads “My loyalty to the Imperium is absolute!” he snarled “The Cult of the Minotaur serves the Imperium without question”
Before the argument could escalate further; a Cultist barged into the room “Sir; we have a problem; British soldiers are entering the Port!”
The Council members exchanged uneasy glances; this was not part of their plan, they operated from the shadows, to have an Imperial Power openly entering their facilities was something they couldn’t openly stop; influences in Government allowed them to operated unhindered, even acquire Military equipment and Naval assets – but all fell within strict limits – now, now the British Army was in their domain openly.
Outside; the measured tramp of boots and sharp barked orders echoed out through the ravaged port; a Company of British Soldiers, clad in Khaki and armed with Lee-Enfield Rifles, advanced cautiously; their eyes scanning the scene, at the head of their company was a British Captain; Alexander Chambers, his gaze swept over the carnage “What in God’s name?” he muttered
Taking in the sight of the burning warehouses, the mangled bodies and sheer scale of the devastation; his eyes eventually landed on a flag that was fluttering high above; it was not a flag of the Empire, it bore now resemblance to any British flag, it was a deep scarlet in colour, almost blood-like with a strange symbol at its centre – it fluttered defiantly in the wind.
“That flag…” Alexnader commented, he was confused; but this only reinforced the belief of why they was event sent in the first place; it was clearly an uprising against British rule “Seize the port!” he ordered; his voice roaring out and cutting through the din
The soldiers; well trained and disciplined, moved with practised efficiency; they fanned out – the Cultists though, realising what was about to happen reacted in a panicked aggression; a volley of gunfire erupted, the British rushed for cover without hesitation, sheltering behind shattered walls – their rifles now raised as they returned fire, and they fired with a much deadlier accuracy displaying their training.
The entire port erupted into a chaotic firefight between the soldiers of the British Empire and the Imperium’s Cultists; the air filled with the screams of the dying and sharp crack of gunfire as British soldiers began to forcibly bring order to the chaos.
Alexander turned to one of his men “Go get Wilson’s regiment; we need them here, now!” he ordered; the runner nodded, setting off back the way they had come.
The Riverbank, Further up along the Hills
Lydia shivered, still wet from her recent experience in the frigid river; the memory of nearly drowning was a constant unsettling though; if it hadn’t been for Thomas, she most likely would have drown; she felt his presence as he sat beside her – they were both looking into the hastily made fire that was set up to hep keep Lydia warm.
While Thomas had many questions – many of them wanting to know what Lydia was doing in Burma – his last exchange of letters, Lydia had said she was in Australis – yet, here she was, right beside him, and not with her usual, more practical attire; she was dressed in a much more feminine silky dress of Siamese origin, she hadn’t explained anything, nor why she had been bound by her wrists when he pulled her from the river; she was hesitant, but those walls were slowly breaking down around Thomas – he wouldn’t push though, he was content with her simply being safe.
Miquel; a Kenyan-Born Soldier came over, adding more pieces of wood he’d carefully collected to the fire, Thomas shifted his gaze towards him, nodding in acknowledgement “How is she?” he asked quietly, though Lydia could still hear him
“Clearly exhausted” Thomas smiled “She just needs rest” he said softly, his eyes shifting towards Lydia a moment, Lydia, while she hadn’t physically moved, she had actually kept Thomas within the periphery of her vision, maintaining the illusion of being some-kind of statue, in truth, she was deliberately focusing on Thomas – Thomas sensed this though, he understood what Lydia was like, he simply smiled softly
In the distance, the cracking of gunfire could be heard; it drew the soldiers attention “Something is happening down there” Wilson; the commanding officer of the regiment commented, he slowly moved forwards, the rest of the soldiers glanced towards him with questioning expressions
When a young runner came up; his face streaked with sweat and grime; he approached Wilson while his chest heaved from his heavy panting; saluting sharply, he gestured back “Sir; Alexander requests your support immediately, it seems that there has been an uprising taking place along that coastal facility”
Wilson looked past the young soldier a moment towards the smoke in the distance; the sounds of gunfire ripping out; he then turned his head to look at Thomas “Davidson!” he barked “You and Miquel escort the young woman back to the barracks; everyone else, we’re moving out”
Thomas nodded; he returned his gaze back to Lydia as he rose up to his feet “Come on Lydia; let’s get you somewhere safe”
The Hillside
Cathryn spurred her horse forwards; her face a grim but determined expression; the air was thick with the scent of woodsmoke and decay, the group has been travelling the past few days in a desperate need to catch up with Lydia; so far William’s information hadn’t been wrong, there was little reason to question him – though she was still mostly driven by the primal desire to ensure her daughter’s safety.
Elizabeth, Norina, Xian and Nintau followed closely behind while William was leading the way; though William quickly reigned his horse at the crest of the hill, gesturing for the others to stop, below was a scene of carnage; an overturned cart, a body of an Ox; boxes with their contents scattered, and littered around were numerous bodies; the clothing easily identified them as Cultists – but, there were also French Cultists as well, the earth churned and stained with blood.
William dismounted from his horse and approached the scene; Cathryn quickly following, as William’s eyes narrowed in though he began to examine things “Clearly; this was quite the fight”
Elizabeth observed her older brother carefully – she didn’t remember him being someone that examined battle scenes, though – examining such things was never really part of their upbringing, it was usually just about harming people, she began wondering what else William had been doing since his disappeared in 1905.
“It was clearly quite significant too; Cultists from both factions…” he spoke with a low voice as he moved around the scene; slowly approaching the ledge, noticing blood and a mark indicating someone slipped to the river below “Someone fell from the ledge”
Cathryn felt a lurch as she moved to the ledge, looking to the river below “Lydia?” she whispered; the name catching within her throat
“Possibly” William looked towards his step-mother carefully, he could see the pain in her eyes “There isn’t that much blood, perhaps she received only a flesh wound that caused her to fall; if, that is, it was her that fell; we should follow the river and see what we can find”
The Riverbank, Burmese Interior
Miquel and Thomas had begun making their way back towards the barracks; Lydia, clung to Thomas as he carried her on his back; her small frame though was drowned in his uniform jacket, which Thomas had removed to provide for Lydia to wear as a source of warmth after noticing her still shivering – she was also far lighter than he realised.
The riverbank itself was quiet; the sounds of the distant battle was muted by the dense foliage; the sun was slowly setting in the distance darkening their surroundings.
Then there was a sound that caught their attention; Miquel, weapon raised came to a stop in front of Thomas; a figure stepped out from the tree’s; he was tall, he had a rather dashing figure; he carried himself with an easy confidence; his strange blend of Eastern and Western styled clothing; a Talwar sword strapped to his back with a Lee-Enfield slung over his shoulder – he also had Lydia’s bag dangingly down long his left, her Jian Sword tightly tied against the bag the same way Lydia carried it – Lydia recognised him as Albert, her captor – behind Albert was a group of Cultists that had previously acted as Guards during their travel from the Lodging House in Siam “There we are” he stated; while his voice was smooth, it carried an undercurrent of menace “British soldiers playing hero I see”
Miquel maintained his position in front of Thomas – Thomas was left in a more vulnerable position with his arms behind him keeping Lydia securely against his back, Miquel narrowed his eyes as he kept the rifle pointed “Back off; I will shoot if you even try stepping any closer”
Albert though ignored Miquel; his eyes fixed on Lydia clinging to Thomas as she rested against his back “Hand her over soldier!; she belongs with us, that right there is my fiancée”
Thomas’ eyebrow raised slightly; but, he could feel Lydia’s body tremble against him; her arms instinctively seem to tighten around his neck in some desperate display of not wanting to let go of Thomas, it was enough to know what Lydia was thinking “I don’t know who you are mate; but I am not handing her over to you”
“Thomas…” Lydia whispered, she was genuinely surprised – some part of her thought that he actually might of handed her over
Albert’s eyes narrowed; but, he could barely hear Lydia’s whisper – he recognised the name ‘Thomas’ from previous mentions and from when he read Lydia’s journal; ‘So, this is the man she likes’ he thought, Albert stepped forwards, Miquel shouted immediately a quick movement and the rifle pointed downwards as he squeeze the trigger – a loud bang rang out as Miquel shot the ground in front of Albert, it was a clear warning that stopped Albert in his tracks “I said; Do not move a step forwards!” Miquel growled
Albert looked to Miquel carefully – he was impressed by the Kenyan’s fierce determination, raising his hands as a gesture to ease the tension, his eyes returned back to Thomas “She has spoken of you; she spoke very highly, and the things I have read in her journal paint you as someone she seems to deeply care about” Thomas’ eyes narrowed – he was questioning why Albert would be reading Lydia’s journal “But, regardless of her feelings; she is promised to me by her father, she is to be my wife, it doesn’t matter if she likes that or not; she has no say, she belongs to me”
“Piss of mate” Thomas said simply “Your lot really irk me at times; I get what my dad meant when I was a kid now, you upper-class lot don’t mind walking over people; no wonder unions were formed”
“Listen here you blood peasant!” Albert snapped; Thomas simply smirked
“Temper-Temper” Thomas said calmly; he found it amusing how quickly Albert’s initial image of a powerful presence just crumbled in the face of a class-issue comment
“You know what” Albert smirked, regaining his composure “I challenge you to a fight; If you win, I shall walk away from this encounter and pretend I never saw you; I will make an excuse up that Lydia escaped, but…” he watched Thomas carefully “If I win; you hand her over; you both lay down your weapons, and allow us to leave with her”
Thomas let out a chuckle of amusement “Yeah; alright” he agreed without hesitation; Lydia’s eyes widened
“No…, no; don’t” Lydia said urgently; her voice tinged with fear, an unusual reveal of her emotions that normally were hidden behind her tough exterior
“Trust me” Thomas simply responded to Lydia; Miquel, while not happy eased his movement back as Thomas gently lowered Lydia to the ground; as he turned, Thomas looked at Lydia carefully, gently cupping her face “Just trust me” he smiled at her softly before turning away – he shoved the rifle off of his shoulder, letting it fall to the ground “So; hand-to-hand, or are we using weapon’s?”
“A Test of strength” Albert smiled; dropping his own Lee-Enfield to the ground and then passing Lydia’s bag over to a Cultist stood nearby while also removing the Talwar sword and dropping it down
The Hillside
As William one again led the group; the air felt thick with tension, Elizabeth could see the desperation in her eyes, the need to find Lydia; then she shifted her gaze towards Xian, she still blamed him for abandoning her sister during the escape, she shook her head and looked to Norina, Norina like Cathryn was visible saddened.
“There seems to be signs of searching” William commented, as he indicated towards disturbances along the riverbank
“Cultists pursing Lydia?” Elizabeth questioned her older brother; William hesitated but nodded, while there was no clear confirmation on who was searching, they could only guess as possibilities, but, William sensed the need to maintain some form of hope
“Let’s just keep searching; it is possible she escaped” William suggested “By the number of disturbances, it was a large group that has been searching, so I suspect that yes; it was Cultists that were searching around, so it could be Lydia they are looking for”
The further they progressed along the riverbank; the sounds of grunts and thuds began to become noticeable; William raised his eyebrow as he glanced towards the group, they pressed on; eventually happening upon a confrontation just a little further ahead of them.
Thomas, had been skirting around Albert carefully; he had a few cuts along his knuckles and a sliver of blood running down his nose from a recent punch that Albert had landed – but Albert was in no better condition; he was panting much more heavily than Thomas, unlike Thomas, Albert had been making use of a combination of different styles, blending together a mixture of Eastern fighting styles with his Western fighting styles – Thomas just fell back onto what he learned in the army and typical boxing; but, he used much more economic movements, it afforded Thomas more control, he kept his guard raised as he adjusted his footing – sweat covered his forehead.
“Bloody hell” Thomas mumbled “I was actually expecting you to be a bit tougher than this” he commented, he observed Albert’s movement carefully
“Screw you!” Albert lunged forwards; he landed a kick against Thomas’ left knee forcing the soldier down but also opening Thomas’ guard as Albert drew a knife and came to swing it down at him; Thomas, despite the surprise managed to still react swiftly
Thomas grabbed Albert’s wrist preventing the knife from landing a strike “Thought we was not using weapons?” Thomas grunted as he slowly stood back up; shoving Albert backwards; he moved his hand behind him a moment before purposely pulling the bayonet free and holding it up “I think this might be a bit bigger mate”
Lydia tilted her head a moment as she observed the fighting between Thomas and Albert – she had been worried about Thomas, but, it seemed she didn’t need to be, he had proven himself much more capable than she had ever realised – her eyes drifted to Miquel a moment who noticed her looking at him “You just thought he only trained with firearms didn’t you?” he questioned; Lydia slowly nodded “Military training involves a lot more than that Lydia” he said with a smirk
As Lydia turned her eyes back to Thomas; he had moved again.
As Albert made a lunging movement towards Thomas; Thomas intercepted his attempt, with a quick movement he managed to disarm Albert.
But Albert decided to try tackling Thomas in the same moment; grabbing at his legs to try taking him off balance – it created a struggle between them, eventually both men landed to the floor in a tense struggle for power over each other; Thomas felt a few punches land down against his face which on served to fuel his irritation.
With a swift movement; Thomas, mid-roll managed to land an elbow-strike against the side of Albert’s face; the two now rolling over one another; the brawl descended into a more chaotic encounter until Thomas finally pushed himself free and got back to his feet; Albert, growing more frustrated jumped back up to his feet before lunging forwards – As he came forwards, Thomas shifted his position as he swung a punch around, landing a devastating blow against Albert’s temple; sending him sprawling to the floor.
As Thomas finally relaxed his stance, he edged back a little “Not sure what you thought was going to happen; but, in this contest of strength there is more than just skill at work, you do know that right” Albert slowly pushed himself up – in truth, he had only been testing Thomas’ determination for Lydia, though even he recognised that if this had been a real, life-or-death situation, Thomas would still have won, he was clearly a brawler, use to fighting and not just in a military role, he suspected Thomas was use to street fighting
Slowly, Albert struggled up to his feet “Alright” he said taking a deep breath “You win”, moving back to the Cultists waiting for him, he snatched Lydia’s bag from the Cultist holding it; turning back, he walked towards Thomas and held it up; his eyes, momentarily cast his gaze onto Lydia, but they soon returned to Thomas “I do not know your feelings for her; but she, she certainly doesn’t understand her own feelings for you” Thomas raised his eyebrow, he looked at Albert with a confused expression “While she is promised to me by her father; I recognise that she has feelings for you; to me she would be a possession, something for me to beat into submission, but I am not without honour”
Thomas felt a desire to lash out at his comment about ‘Beating her into submission’ but managed to stop himself, he had already won their little fight; there was no need to restart it, he snatched Lydia’s bag away from him; he narrowed his eyes.
“Don’t misunderstand me; what I am saying here, I accept she doesn’t have feelings for me, she might have them for you, she just doesn’t understand them; you demonstrated something for me when you accepted my invitation to fight for her” Backing up, his eyes returned to Lydia “Until we meet again my dear”
The Cultists move towards Albert; one handing him his weapons as they continue off into the distance; Lydia, her focus never once leaving Thomas, she watches him carefully as he comes towards her; Thomas simply smiled before turning back around after putting her bag over his shoulder and lowering himself down, while nothing was said, the offer was rather obvious as Lydia gently eased herself onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck as he stood back up – they then noticed William and Cathryn’s group finally approaching them “Mum” Lydia’s breath caught as her eyes landed on her mother
Cathryn dropped down from her horse, rushing forwards towards Thomas and quickly looking to her daughter; she then looked at Thomas; with him holding her daughter on his back, she made a quick, but gentle movement to hug him “Thank you” she said as she stepped back
Thomas nodded “We’re going to our barracks; you’ll be able to get something to eat there”
While Cathryn’s group; Elizabeth, Norina, Xian and Damir would go with Thomas and Miquel with Lydia to the British barracks; Nintau silently disappeared, and William parted ways – his objective was still to try dismantling George’s empire, and right now; he was closer to that goal than ever before, and so he parted ways .
The Imperium’s Coastal Settlement
The stench of cordite and burning oil wafted around; the scene of devastation unfolded as British soldiers put down the Cultists of the Imperium; the fanatical Cultists, who would usual show no fear against weaker opponents or within a political field; broke, they were faced with well-trained soldiers, the training of which far-out matched theirs.
It didn’t take much more than a British advancement to send the fighting Cultists into retreat; those that did remain faced a swift death or capture as British soldiers began checking buildings to secure them – as for the Imperium’s council, they had used the chaos to escape – George had managed to escape aboard a ship that was parting from the port.
It had been a humiliating event; first, a Dreadnought devastated the Port; the centre of the Imperium’s operation within Burma, and the subsequent British occupation had just sent the Imperium retreating – but, George knew he would be able to turn this situation into an advantage; when he had escaped, he was the only one to escape with a ledger which contained information of great importance, as well as information that he could use to prevent the French Cultists from openly challenging him again.
As for Albert, who had arrived long after the battle had ended, he managed to evade the British entirely by turning his direction away from the settlement to a city close by, intending to travel further in the direction of India, he harboured plans to reveal all he had learnt about Lydia to his family – the things written within the journal he had read which detailed many eye-opening discoveries regarding George Smythe and the cruelty that went further than anyone in the Imperium ever realised.
While Albert had accepted Thomas’ victory – he had become rather enamoured by Lydia; her beauty and resilience – he still desired to break her though; he wanted her to be submissive, but, for now, he would accept the current situation, his time in the East had been an eye-opening affair.
The British Barracks, Burma
In the aftermath of all that had happened, Lydia once again wearing something she found more suitable; instead of the feminine Thai silks Albert had forced her into wearing; she was once again back in more practical attire more useful and freeing – though, her limp remained from when she had been shot along her thigh.
As she was finishing writing in her journal; she heard movement, twisting around, she looked to see Thomas coming into the room she had been using to try and be alone to have time to gather her thoughts, to write out her feelings – as her eyes lingered on Thomas though, her mind just seemed to go blank as he sat down beside her “I hear your going to be leaving today”
Lydia slowly nodded.
“I’ll be leaving the army next year” he told her; Lydia tilted her head, she watched him carefully “How about, once I have my papers, I come find you; join your…” he smirked “Your ‘Little Band of Brigands’ eh?” he joked, it caused Lydia to smile
“I’d like that” Lydia said; her voice unusually soft
“I got a glimpse of some of the things you carry in that bag; but I tell you something I have noticed about you” Thomas looks her in the eyes carefully; she raised her eyebrow “There is just a little something your missing”
He stood up as he began to check his pockets a moment; Lydia tilted her head to the left, a genuine curiosity plastered across her face as she watched him “Bloody pockets” Thomas commented with a smirk; then managed to finally pull something from his pocket; a small aluminium disk with a chain – on the disk it clearly had Thomas’ name on it “I am meant to wear it; but…, I don’t like chains around my neck”
Lydia stared at him a moment; but she didn’t say anything.
“Here” he said gently, stepping directly in front of her and moving it over her head and letting it fall against her chest with a gentle sway; he smiled at her
She moved her hand to lift the small little disk up; looking at the little information stamped into it; along with his name, she then looked at him again and smiled “Thank you”
“I’ll come find you once I am finished serving” he said; gently Lydia decided to hug him, it broke the usual tough exterior, though it was an unseen act between the two of them.
Later into the evening, Lydia accompanied her mother; Cathryn, her older twin; Elizabeth along with Norina, and they decided to leave; Xian would part ways with them, travelling to China, while Damir would continue to travel with Cathryn, Elizabeth, Lydia and Norina as far as Egypt – but in Egypt, another calling demanded Damir’s attention, he would travel back to the East, intending to travel to Persia.
Cathryn; her twin daughters Elizabeth and Lydia, and Norina, who had more or less been adopted into the family dynamic travelled from Egypt back to Europe – the fight against the Imperium continued, but, with growing connections a resistance was building.
The British army, after their confrontation would learn more, and while the fight was not as personal for them as Cathryn and her daughters; British soldiers would find there own reasons to fight, seeing the Imperium as a direct challenge to the Empire that they served.
The failure in the East showed the Imperium their weakness; new plans would be made, for now; George’s intentions in Siam halted as he tried to deal with the rising tension that had come about as a direct result of the events I Burma.
Written By: Westley H.
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