Artitay was cleaning the lavatories, cursing Shardoe. He used to be the head soldier, and now stuck being a janitor. He was once considered the best soldier of the Porpuras. He tried to keep his head low, but when Shardoe’s soldiers would harass the people, he would always intervene. Artitay knew he was walking on thin ice. After he was done, he went to the kitchens to grab some food. Everyone was petrified of the Rhudonians moving in and making camp here. They liked to terrify the people, and sometimes they would get physical. Artitay started hiding key players of the resistance and spreading the word that rebellion was well on its way.
“Hey Artitay! Got some nice bread and meat for you,” Listuta said. She was a young Porpura with vibrant black hair and dark purple skin. Artitay was fond of her and always found an excuse to come to the kitchens to see her.
“Thanks, Listuta! You keep yourself out of trouble, you hear!” Artitay said he knew he couldn’t stay long; he had somewhere he needed to be. He walked towards the servants' hallways and looked around to make sure no one saw him. Once the coast was clear, he went inside and headed towards the dungeons. The guard on duty didn’t mind that Artitay came and visited Meshna; he didn’t see the harm. Also, the gold Artitay was giving him helped him keep his mouth shut. He gave him the gold, and the guard took a walk.
“Hey Meshna, how you feeling?” Artitay said. Meshna didn’t look that bad anymore. Shardoe was preoccupied with other things at the moment. Artitay gave Meshna the food, and he took it with such fury that he almost choked.
“Slow, Meshna, slow. So I have good news. Shardoe didn’t get to Frayusha yet. Something about the Masters,” Artitay said. Meshna stopped eating.
“That’s good. I hope she can forgive me for giving her up, and the Piskal people,” Meshna said. Artitay put his arm through the bars and patted Meshna on the back.
“All will be forgiven once we take back control. We have more on our side now that the Rhudons have taken over,” Artitay said. Meshna went back to eating until a noise was heard. A Rhudon soldier was coming towards them. Artitay tried to hide in the shadows. The soldier came to see Meshna.
“Tell me, filth, what does Shardoe want with you?” the soldier asked. Meshna didn’t know how to respond.
“No matter, I’m supposed to bring you to him,” the soldier said. He opened the door and dragged Meshna out of there. Artitay knew this was probably the end for Meshna. He wished he could do something, but there was no hope. He wanted to be there when the time came and decided to hide in the servants' hallways.
Meshna was thrown to the ground in front of Shardoe. He was biting his nails, completely losing his composure. He came up to Meshna and helped him up to his knees. Meshna was confused.
“I am beaten down, like you, yes, like you. We are the same. Stuck in a cage, wanting to be free. Maybe we can be friends, what do you say?” Shardoe said. Meshna didn’t know what to do, so he just shook his head in agreement.
“Ah, excellent. See, you helped me, and now I will help you. When the time comes, I will spare Frayusha and let you marry her. As long as she convinces the people to follow me. She will need your persuasion. Can I rely on you?” Shardoe said. Meshna just shook his head again.
“Brilliant, now you are free to go!” Shardoe said. A Rhudon came over and unshackled him. Meshna just stood there in disbelief. Shardoe was looking off into the distance when a soldier chimed in.
“You may want to leave before the old kook changes his mind,” he said. Meshna quickly left the hall and out the doors. He started to hyperventilate once the doors closed. Artitay came out of the servants’ hallway and grabbed him, scaring him. He dragged him into the hallway for protection.
“I will hide you, okay,” Artitay said. Meshna, tears streaming down his face, just nodded. Soon they were out of the palace, and Meshna was safe. Artitay was heading back to the palace when he saw a Rhudon and a priest talking in the shadows. He decided to get a closer look.
“Now they are going to Rhudon, and they’ll be looking for something. You must be vigilant and keep an eye out for me. Learn as much as you can and report to Brurock. I’ll send with you our trusted bird; she will carry messages between you both. Now go and make yourself useful,” Druya said. Artitay hid himself well and watched the men leave. He knew something bad was going to happen, and he needed a way to get people out.