Kagan was no abuser of women and children nor even the simple folk attempting to scrape out a meager living regardless of what side they were on. His men knew he took the child because the small boy of maybe nine rotations would never survive in the ravaged town.
"You serve me well and I will perhaps release you before entering Vidya Cadi territory." Kagan said since the boy looked suddenly terrified again. "Let's move out."
From the looks of the carnage the enemy couldn't be more than a few hours ride ahead. Without motioning his troop understood the imperative to move quietly.
As night descended, they saw the camp in the distance. Kagan's men turned back around and traveled further south to the next rise.
"Dagaa you will take half the warriors, the Toufik and the loaded transports along this valley here." Kagan pointed out the route he brought up on his handheld. His lieutenant nodded. "I will take the other half and only the empty skids we brought to retrieve the new Toufik."
Kagan was glad he'd upgraded the cargo transports and smaller rota. He would need them to move fast after the upcoming raid on Vigdis and his Scelus Cadi warriors. Kagan swung up onto his manx, Idris. The trusty beast was the swiftest of his pride and had taken a long time to tame. But once he had, the mount was unrivaled.
The troops separated and Kagan continued on with his half of the men. As they got closer to the enemy encampment Kagan took the high ground. The terrain was ideal for observing the enemy below with enough cover to hide his raiding party. Kagan looked down upon the Scelus Cadi eating and raising cain, taking note of the number of warriors they would face along with the number of Toufik they could accommodate.
"Blessed Kali, we don't even have to see those fools to know they're there." One of his warriors whispered.
Kagan nodded in agreement. His warriors were better trained, even the manx knew not to growl when all others were quiet. As the Scelus Cadi warriors cavorted and drank to distraction Kagan wondered how this rebel ever bested him. It had to be sheer numbers and the resources that fate had placed in Scelus Cadi territory.
Kagan and his warriors watched and waited. Though his mind was on the upcoming raid, Kagan couldn't help but search out the petite pale female. He almost missed sight of her tiny form obscured by the fire. Much of the enemy laughed as she stumbled in front of them, doing an awkward jig. But from what he could make from Vigdis' expression the bastard wasn't amused.
Kagan almost growled when Vigdis lunged forward and roughly snatched up the female. She dangled from his grasp then was tossed unceremoniously into the gilded cage. The little female ceased to move lying curled up on the floor. Kagan worried the small creature had been grievously harmed. He would soon find out.
Amazingly the Scelus Cadi drank till the bulk of them passed out on the ground. But even at that his warriors were outnumbered. Kagan waited till many of the other ill disciplined men nodded off before giving the signal to move in.
"Take the transports and manx to that point there." He pointed out a flat spot that would make for a quick getaway. "Get into position and try not to rouse them as you collect the Toufik."
"And the unconscious warriors?" One of his warriors asked.
"Do what you must but I prefer we get the chattel and anything else then get out undetected." Kagan replied.
As much as he wanted to slit Vigdis throat as he lay drunk, their party was outnumbered and too far from the borderlands. As it was, this was the most foolish thing Kagan had knowingly undertaken in several rotations. Kagan gave the signal and his warriors moved in with cunning stealth.
Giselle
Giselle moaned begging her head to stop spinning. Not even the pain from where Vigdis had dropped her on the cage floor in a huff detracted from the awful turmoil. Giselle prayed for sleep before she puked what little food her stomach contained. She couldn't afford that.
There was a sound at the back of the cage. Giselle glanced over to see a positively massive warrior swathed in a dark cloak which covered him from head to foot. She had to squint to see him clearly. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open as the giant man gripped two of the bars and pulled. It seemed to take little effort at all for him to splay the bars wide.
Giselle was shocked and a bit too snockered to care when a large hand reached in and took hold of her, pulling her towards the opening. The male hefted her over his shoulder and started running into the dark night.
"I'm being kidnapped...again!" Giselle almost giggled.
Giselle debated screaming then dismissed the thought. Was her new captor really going to be any worse than Vigdis. She couldn't possibly see how. The biggest reason she refused to open her mouth though, was the fear of vomiting as she bounced against the man's broad shoulder. If anything would piss him off, puke down his back probably would, so she bit her lip.