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Chapter 1
It was just as the first ray of sunlight poured over the horizon that Ree saw the flash of light. The flash came from across the garbage dump, away from the city. Curious to the source of the light, Ree nimbly picked his way through the refuse, careful to conceal the sound of his approach. There were many dangerous things roaming the world these days, and he did not want to fall prey to one of them.
Ree was a small young man, of the age of thirteen years. He and his family had lived in the abandoned mine of the keep, Zalzaban, for a long as Ree could remember. Unfortunately, five years ago the mines were no longer abandoned. Dark and evil creatures, called Demons by those they enslaved, captured Zalzaban, and started the mines. Things were hard for Ree and his family before the Demons had arrived, now the mines had become unbearable and there was no escape. The Demons ran the mine with the slaves they captured, and would not allow a single slave to escape or reprise unless they were dead.
The network of passages and shafts of the mine were well known to Ree. That is how he was outside to see the sunrise, where no slave should be. The passages to the surface are small, too small for a grown man or woman, but lanky Ree could still slip through them. If his mother could have escaped through those tunnels, Ree would have lead his family away years ago. He could not leave his mother or his little sister, just born when Demons had arrived. So he stayed, but occasionally he would slip out through those tunnels to see the sun, and forage for more food in the garbage pits of the city.
In a few short moments, Ree crossed the dump to where he thought the light had originated. There he found a man. Ree had seen many men from many lands that had been brought to the mines, but this man was different. Where they were sunken eyed and shoulder slumped, this man stood tall, his eyes alert and aware. He wore plan brown robes with a leather cord around the waist. His hair was dark brown, nearly black, and his skin tanned. Head and shoulders taller than Ree, he looked stronger than any man Ree had seen. In his hand he carried a rod. The rod was half as long as the man was tall, made of a golden wood, polished until it gleamed with the morning light. Atop the rod was a smoky white orb, the size of a grapefruit, with speckles of azure blue within it. The speckles seem to shine with their own light, as if to consume the orb with their color, failing only due to their lack of number. A very strange sight in an garbage dump, thought Ree from his concealed vantage.
"You there," called the man, "you can come out now. I will not harm you."
Ree froze at the voice. His instincts screamed for him to run, but something told him that the man spoke truly, and would not harm him. Cautiously, Ree stepped from his cover.
"I am called Albret." the man said. "What name do you go by?"
"They call me Ree, sir." Ree answered. "If ye don't mind, could ye tell me what ye'r doin' in this garbage pit?"
Albret chuckled and smiled. "Straight forward you are, little Ree, are you. Have a good heart too, I can tell. I wish I could tell you what I am about, but I am not permitted. You have nothing to fear from me, though."
"Then I think I'll be headin' back home then, if ye didn't mind, sir Albret. You look like trouble, and me and me family canna' handle any more." Ree said, and began to turn away.
"Wait, lad!" Alberet called out. Ree paused. "Your from the mine, are you not? How did you escape?"
Ree nearly ran at those words, yet the voice of the man seemed to hold him. "I didna' escape an' I have to go back. Me family needs me."
Alberet looked to be ponder what Ree had said before he spoke. "I need you to do me a favor. Carry this scepter into the mines when you go back. I will be there in a few days to retrieve it from you."
All Ree could say was "Why?" so astonished he was at this request.
"Why do I want you to do this, or why will I be in the mines? I cannot answer either of those questions, not yet at least, but I ask you to do this all the same. I know we have just met, and I know you have no reason to trust me. Answer me this then, why did you not run when I first called out to you, why did you stay when I asked you to? Don't answer. You know that I will not harm or betray you. You know that I am trustworthy. I ask you to do this for me because I know, too, that you are trustworthy, and loyal, and if you agree to do this, you will with all your ability. Will you do this for me?"
Ree was astonished before, now he was in awe. His own thoughts spoken for him by a man he had met for less than a couple of minutes. None of his actions could have given him away like that, if anything, he had behaved more like a curious timid animal. Ree had never betrayed any of this friends, and had always done what he said he would do. It was the only way to survive in the world he lived in. How did he know? How could he know? Ree was in awe, and scared.
"H-h-how did ye know that?" Ree stammered. "A-a-re ye one of the..."
A great sadness fell on Alberets face. "No, the Ancients have gone from the world of men, sworn never to involve themselves in the plights of man. I am simply a man."
Striding forward, regardless of the filth of the ground, Alberet rested his hand on Ree's shoulder. Ree could fell the strength of the hand, the warmth of the touch. That touch seemed to fill him with strength as well. "You deserve better than you have been given in life, little one," Alberet said. "I need your help. Will you give it?"
"I will." The words sprang from Ree's mouth before he could even think about it, inspired by the power in Alberet's touch.
"Thank you. Now take the scepter, wrap it in what you can find here, and bring it into the mines. Be patient, it may take several days before I arrive. Conceal it from all until I arrive to retrieve it." Alberet said, handing the wooden scepter to Ree.
Ree nodded, cradling the scepter in his arms. "I will keep it safe till you come."
Alberet watched the boy leave, scowling to himself. Too much risk. The boy he knew he could trust, that he would do everything he could to keep the scepter safe. If that would be enough was yet to be seen. It felt wrong manipulating the child though. It left a taint in his heart that would not leave. How many more lives would be manipulated before he was done?
He could stop Ree, even now, retrieve the scepter and try to force his way though the gates of Zalzaban to get at Balbazak. With some luck, he might even catch Balbazak before he fled the keep. He could not sneak his way in carrying the scepter. Together, they would stand out to Balbazak like a clap of thunder.
People would die any way he went about this. That he knew was unavoidable. The boy was here when he arrived. The hand of fate had arranged their meeting. That meant the one he served had brought them together. For better or worse his course was set.
Chapter 2
Returning to the mines was always a simple matter. The guards never bothered to look for those trying to sneak in. Either way, Ree knew routes through the maze of tunnels that ,as far as he knew, even the shadow formed Wraiths did not even know of. Carrying the scepter in did not hinder him. The problems began after he was by the guards and into the sleeping quarters of the slaves.
The mines of Zalzaban had been supplying ore for the city and the nearby countryside since the founding of the city nearly eight hundred years ago, after the last great war. There had always been times when the mines would shut down after all the known veins had been exploited, but eventually new ones were always found, and the mines grew and grew. After their invasion, the Demons had restarted the mine's production at a level unseen in a hundred years. Tons of ore were mined every day, refined into iron, and brought to the forges in the keep to make weapons and armor. There were a huge expanse now of large open chambers, twisting tunnels, shaped by man, and reshaped by collapses. It was one of the more stable larger chambers in one of the many depleted sections, where the slave were housed.
Ree had just entered the quarter, eyes watering from the smoke from the large pyres used to light the open chamber, when his close friend Dobin fell in step beside him. Unlike Ree, Dobin had not lived in the mines before the Demon's arrival, but had come with the first shipment of slaves to work the tunnels. Too young to do much work then, he and Ree had made a quick friendship, spending much of their time trying to ignore the hardships around them. Now he did the work of men twice his age. Not much taller than Ree, he was at least twice as broad across the shoulders. His blond hair and blue eyes marked him as a country folk, compared to Ree's light brown hair and eyes of those the city.
When they had first met, Dobin had asked Ree why his family lived in the mine, even before the Demons arrived. Ree didn't know the answer, so he asked his mother. She told him that they had no other safe place to go. For a boy of eight, that had been enough. Dobin still asks, and Ree wonders at times as well. Once, less than a year ago, he asked his mother again. She looked so hurt by the question that Ree did not stay to hear an answer. He never asked her again.
"Roamin' again, Ree?" Dobin asked, eying the bundle Ree carried. 'Roamin' was their secret word for when Ree went outside. Dobin had joined Ree on a few of his outdoor excursions, but since last year, Dobin had been too big to fit through even the largest of the tunnels. Dobin had four older brothers, who loved him dearly. They work long and hard to keep their rations, always sharing them with Dobin. Ree thought that they kept Dobin fed on the hopes that one day, at least he could survive this cursed place. Dobin never said so, but he agreed with Ree.
"Just a bit." Ree answered. "Me mum is a bit under, so I was thinkin' to help her out."
"I heard she's dien'," Dobin said. "Heard that she ain't likely to make it to the end of the week."
Ree didn't answer. He knew she was bad. Any day now, she would be gone. He had gone outside to try to find her something to help her, anything, even if it just eased the pain. Meeting Alberet, he had completely forgotten. Shame welled up inside him, and he began to cry.
Dobin put his hand on Ree's shoulder. "Ya have to be strong, Ree. At least fer yer sister."
"It's just the smoke," Ree lied. "Worse than normal t'day."
"Show her what cha found, make her smile. I'll find ya after rations," Dobin said, shaking Ree goodbye. Ree continued to walk, not answering.
It didn't take him long to cross the chamber to the nook he and his family dwelled. Ella, his sister, would be still be up in the keep, with the other women and children, washing laundry. That was the insurance of obedience from the men in the mines, any disruptions and orders would be sent to keep to slaughter every third woman and child. It had happened once, and it was luck that his entire family had survived. Dobin had lost his older sister that day. No one talked openly of revolt since that day. His mother was not working today because of her illness. The dwelling in a ring around theirs had been vacated in fear of catching her sickness. If one did not work, one got no rations. Being sick meant you went hungry, unless someone shared their meager share with you.
As soon as Ree saw his mother, he knew things were far worse than when he had left. Her eyes were closed, body twisted by the coughing spasms that wracked her body and her lips were stained with blood. Breathing was a shallow rasp that tore at Ree's heart. She would not live through the night.
Taking one of the strips of cloth that covered the scepter, he dipped into the small water basin beside his mothers pallet, and began to gently wash the blood from her lips. Almost as soon as he was done, a new fit of coughs would overcome her, bring fresh blood to her mouth. Every time, Ree would start anew, cleaning his mothers lips in silence. Shame filled him. He had found nothing to help her. He was mad at himself for the shame. What could he have found to help her? Nothing.
"I am sorry, Mum," Ree said softly. "There is nothin' I can do to help ya. But don't ya worry. I'll keep and watch over li'le Ella, I will. I'll work twice as hard, as hard as I can to keep her fed, I will. Don't ya worry."
Ree paused, for a moment, then continued, "I met a man while I was roamin'. Called himself Alberet. Wish you could'a met him. You would have liked him. He asked me to do somethin' for him. Not much really, and I don't know why he wanted me to do it. Gave me somethin' to bring into the mines. Told me not to show anyone. Though I could show it to ya. Ya aint be tellin' anyone soon anyway. It's the first nice thing I ever been givin'. You'ld be proud of me. Wish ya could have met him..."
Carefully Ree unwrapped the scepter and held it up to show his mother. "It's very nice, don't ya think, Mum. Ya can hold it if ya want." Lifting one of his mother's arms, he placed the scepter next to her, placing the are over it.
"Look, Mum, you look like a queen." Ree fumbles around and found a dirty metal plate, rubbed it to try to make it reflect, and placed it so his Mum could see her reflection. At that moment another coughing fit took her. Her body bent double by the spasms, pulling the scepter tight to her body. Blood splattered by coughs fell on the orb of the scepter. A soft azure light erupted from the orb, and was gone. At that same moment, Ree's mothers coughs ended and her cramped and twisted body relaxed.
Stunned, the metal plate Ree was holding slipped from his fingers to clatter on the rough stone floor, but not before he heard Dobin's gasp behind him.
Chapter 3
Ignoring Dobin, Ree rushed to his mother's side. She appeared to be sleeping peacefully, the rasp of her breath gone. Carefully, Ree took the scepter from his mother's sleeping form.
"Is she dead?" asked Dobin, moving next to Ree to gaze at the scepter.
"She's asleep," replied Ree, "as far as I can tell."
"Where did ya get that thin'?" said Dobin.
Ree looked over at his friend and then bean to rewrap the scepter in the soiled cloths. "I found it roamin'."
"Roamin'!" Dobin said incredulously. "It must be some sort of magic. Ya saw what it did to ya Mum. She was dien'!"
"Ya can't tell anyone 'bout this," said Ree. "If the Demons hear of this, ya know what they'd do."
"I'm no fool, Ree, but we aught to let someone know. There's got to be someone here who knows somethin' 'bout that sort of thin'. I can ask around. Maybe get me brothers to ask, too. Maybe it's a sign. A sign from the..."
"Ya can't tell no one! Ya mustn't!" interrupted Ree frantically, grabbing at Dobin's shirt. "Don't tell no one!"
Batting Ree's hand away, Dobbin step back. "What's the matter with ya, Ree!" he spoke angrily. "Ya sick or somethin'. Maybe, ya should use your little stick on yerself."
"I have to keep it hidden, I have to!" Ree pleaded. "Please, Dobin!"
"Ya a little bit worked up over ya Mum, Ree. I'll say nothin' for now, if it makes you feel better," said Dobin.
Which it did. The frantic energy faded so fast that Ree slumped to the floor exhausted. He had never raised his voice like that to his friend like that. He was sure that is Dobin hadn't given in he was moments away from clubbing him with the wrapped scepter. His best friend. Maybe he was sick.
"Ya'ld better go, Dobin," said Ree. Without a word, his best friend walked away.
Ree spent the next several hours tending to his mother. With the fits of coughing gone, she slept soundly, but Ree watched still the same. His mother would live. It was an incredible gift given to him, but he feared it cost him much. Dobin is his best friend, but could he trust him to keep quiet. Dobin and his brothers shared everything. Ree did not believe that Dobin could keep the knowledge of the scepter and its healing powers secret from them for long. With luck, Dobin, had gone to sleep before he had a chance to talk to his brothers. They would not hear about it until he woke for his next shift. That would give Ree time to hid the scepter. He would need to go for a work shift soon. Without rations, he would go hunger, and so would his mother and sister. Ree could always ask Dobin if he and his brothers could spare some, but Dobin might ask to be allowed to spread the knowledge of the scepter as payment. Deep down, Ree knew he could not accept such an exchange. Better to avoid it, than force that situation.
While the slave quarters were quiet with those sleeping for the next work shift, Ree slipped into the abandoned cubical next to the one he and his family dwelled. In an attempt for privacy in the open chamber that served as the slave quarters, many families had build make-shift walls of old stonework, metal, and rags. Often, when an owner of one of the walled areas died, there would be much conflict over who would inherit the abandoned 'home'. The Dobin's brothers had secured one such niche in that way. Ree's family simply moved from their previous home in the mines, carrying their makeshift walls with them. After several years, it became easier to move the people than the walls of these 'homes', as many shared common walls. It was to the adjacent 'home' that Ree crept. The owners had fled with the news of his mother's illness, occasionally returning to make sure none moved in while they were gone. Fortunately for Ree, no one was there when he slipped in.
Having witnessed the construction of most of the 'home' around his, Ree knew that the far wall of this home was supported by a large metal pipe. A pipe large enough to conceal the scepter, if it was placed inside. As long as Alberet returned in a few days, and news of his mother's recovery did not spread, this 'home' should be vacant long enough to serve as a hidden cache.
Finished his task, Ree lay down to rest next to his mother. It had been many hours since he had slept. Planning on waking in time for the next work shift, Ree closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep. He woke with a start, when his sister Ella shook him. Panic filled him, as he gazed at his startled little sister. He had slept too long and missed the start of the work shift.
"Is Mum ok?" asked Ella.
Ree smiled at her and answered, "She's fine for now. Come, lay down, ya need ya rest."
Ella returned Ree's smile and snuggled next to him on the pallet and soon fell asleep.
Ree did not sleep. His mind was racing. There was nothing he could do, he would have to wait for the start of the next work shift. Dobin would have gone on the evening shift as he had last night. As Ree would be leaving to go out to work, Dobin would be coming back. The scepter would be out of his sight for the whole shift. He could only hope that he had hidden it well enough. That thought was not enough to comfort him, and so he rested fitfully waiting for when he would have to leave.
Chapter 4
Yet again, Ree had been chosen for the Scout Crew. It was the job of the Scout Crew to search for new veins of ore for the Mining Crews. It consisted, usually of three Tunnel Rats, who would haul the ore samples from the test hole, and several Haulers, who would carry the samples back up to the keep to determine if sufficient ore was present for full scale mining. Ree's usual job was as one of the Tunnel Rats. He had been doing it for the five years that the Demons had held Zalazaban, and was somewhat renowned as one of the best Tunnel Rats. The hardest part of being on the Scout Crew was not the constant threat of being buried alive hauling ore from the test holes, but the presence of the Wraith that always lead the Crews.
Wraiths could best be described as living darkness. Their shape was vaguely humanoid, at least a head and arms were sometimes apparent. When they desired, they could make their eyes stand out from their black form by making them glow blood red. It was rumored among the slaves that one only saw the red eyes of the Wraith just as it was about to consume your soul. Although the Wraiths were as solid as darkness, they could make their touch as cold as the coldest ice or as hot as a burning forge. That was not their greatest power, however. Each Wraith was a master of powerful magics. It was these magics that they used to bore the test holes for the Tunnel Rats. Watching the earth crumble as the Wraith points its shadowy appendage was enough to shake the spirit of the strongest willed of the workers. Ree had learned long ago never to watch them work, the sound of the earth succumbing to their power was enough for him.
Disturbed by the thoughts that haunted him all night, this work shift was not easy. How easy it would be for Dobin and his brothers to search for the scepter while he worked. The hiding place was good, but was it good enough for his best friend. Despite his efforts to put this aside it kept creeping back into his thoughts, so much so that is was becoming a distraction. He almost succumb to an unstable tunnel, pulling out just moments before the collapse.
This caught the attention of the Wraith. For over a year he had been known to be able to tell when a tunnel was going to collapse so well that no one would disagree with his judgment, even the Wraiths. The first three times that he had refused to enter a tunnel and the Wraiths had forced another to go in his stead had resulted in three dead Tunnel Rats. The Wraiths didn't care that the Tunnel Rat was killed, they just didn't like the delay tunnel collapses caused in the search for ore. Better to rebore the holes than have a time consuming collapse. These days slaves were starting to become hard to come by, with the number of new slave shipments each year dropping from where they were at the opening of the mine. Good Tunnel Rats were always the hardest to find among the slave population.
Ree began to sweat under the eyeless gaze of the Wraith. He could feel its mind probing into his. Panic filled him. He wanted to run, but there was no where to go. Soon this thing would find out about the rod. Alberet would be betrayed. His family would probably die. Oh, Ella, I never meant for you to get hurt.
"Back to work," spoke the Wraith, words sounding like wind in the tunnels.
Surprise and relief filled Ree. How had the Wraith not known what was wrong? It has magics. The joy of this escape faded quickly, replaced by the anxieties of before. How much longer until the shift ended? Ree could almost hear Dobin's cry of victory as he discovered the rod's hiding spot. The shift continued to drag.
What seemed weeks later, the Wraith called a halt to the scouting. Ree was drained both physically and mentally. His body moved almost on its own as it dragged him back to the slave quarters. There was no rush. Ree already knew what he would find. Step by step, he crossed the large smoke filled chamber, his rations in hand. As if in a trance, he entered his family's home. His mother was awake, but still looked drained. Without a word, Ree helped her eat, then lied her down so she could sleep. He watched her until her breathing was deep and regular before he left. The adjacent home was still empty, but Ree knew someone had been there. It took only a moment to find that the rod was gone.
Euphoria filled Ree as he worked his way through the homes. All his exhaustion had lifted away. Some where deep inside him, only a small part, thought that he might be mad. Everything seemed so simple. He knew what he must do. Dobin's home was straight ahead. He know what he must do.
Dobin looked as if he had just woke. Of his brothers, they were no where in sight. Ree already crossed the short distance to where Dobin sat. Before his friend was even aware that Ree was there, Ree's hands where around his throat.
"Where is it!" Ree cursed. "Tell me where it is!"
All Dobin could give was a gasp as he tried to pull Ree's hands free. Arms wrapped around Ree's head from behind. Hands where reaching for his arms to rip them away from Dobin's neck. Ree flailed, kicked and screamed as his assailants dragged him from Dobin and forced him to the ground. Still he fought. He had freed one arm and tried to lash out at one of his attackers. The results were unseen by Ree as more weight was brought down on top of him till it felt as if his chest would be crushed. In a final cry of futility he screamed "Give it back!" Something hard stuck him in the head and the world went black.
Chapter 5
"...three of my brothers to hold him down..."
Voices, Ree thought. I hear voices.
"...a fever. He will need rest..."
Who is that?
Ever so slowly, Ree opened his eyes. He was lying down face up. The rough, low ceiling said he was no longer in the slave quarters. Turning his eyes, Ree could make out three people, each progressively shorter than the next. The light and angle was poor to make out many details, but the shortest wore a long braid.
"We need to know where he found this," the tallest spoke. "How soon before we can talk to him?" The voice was that of a man, deep and surprisingly strong for a slave.
"With luck he will awake soon." The response came from the shortest. A comforting feminine voice, with the touch of despair so common to the mines.
"Luck indeed, he is awake now," the taller said, leaning over to give Ree the first look at his face. A beard of red hair covered the lower half. His nose was large and the left nostril was split and scared. The eyes were green and shone with an inner fire contrasted by the dark circles of exhaustion that surrounded them. The image was framed by stingy unkempt red hair that hid his ears from Ree's view.
"Young Ree, I am Harond. Your friend's brothers apologize for striking you so, but they saw no other way to stop your cries."
"The rod..." Ree said weakly.
"It's safe, Ree," spoke the third person. Ree recognized it as Dobin.
"Your friend brought it here to me and my wife, Feena," said Harond.
"I am a priestess of the Earth Mother, Ree," said Feena.
Ree turned his head towards the voice and regretted it immediately. Pain lanced through his skull, making him wince and gasp. He could barely seen the woman as she turned him head back. "You must not do that, your wound is too fresh."
"Why not use that stick to fix him up like it did his Mum?" ask Dobin.
Ree could see Harond shaking his head. "Did you not notice the Wraiths hovering all over the quarters last night? They must have felt the power of it and were looking for it. We were fortunate that they did not find it then. To use it again so soon would bring them down on us for sure."
"Trust Harond, Dobin, he knows what he speaks," said Feena.
Dobin reached down and grasped Ree's hand. "I am sorry for what was done to ya. I would of asked ya, but you were off workin'. Ya have to know I wouldn't have done it to hurt ya."
Anger welled up in Ree. The desire to strike Dobin returned, but he was too weak to do anything about it. Frustrated he lay there in silence.
"Where did you find this thing?" asked Harond, filling the silence.
Ree gave no answer.
"Lad, this staff may be the answer to all our prayers. It may be the key to all of our freedom. It may be a trap as well, a way of tricking us to rebel and give up those who would fight the Demons," Halond said, growing fiercer as he spoke. "I have to know where you found this," he demanded.
Still boiling with anger, Ree snapped, "It's not yours!"
"It's most definitely not yours, either! Whose is it? Who does it belong to?" Harond viciously responded, gripping Ree's shoulder hard and pulled him up sitting. Pain ripped through Ree's head with the movement.
Feena placed her arm between Ree and Harond, resting her hand on her husband's shoulder. "This is not the way, Harond," she spoke firmly. Reluctantly, Harond release Ree. Instead of falling back, Ree stayed sitting up. The pain was intense, but quickly began to fade to tolerable levels.
Feena and Harond held eyes for several moments. With visible anger, Harond turned and walked away. Feena's eyes still followed him for a few more moments before she turned her attention to Ree. "You really should lie back," she said softly.
It was not the kindness, but the despair in Feena's face that stalled Ree's anger. Her face was not broken like her husband's, but had kept much of its youthful look, blue eyed and brown haired. She looked as if she was about to cry. Something had happened to her that had beaten all hope from her, so much so that is was only a pale memory. Ree did not want to imagine what had happened to her. Reluctantly, Ree laid back.
"He wants to believe so badly," she said, stroking Ree's hair. "This place is killing him slowly. I fear that he may not wait for death to take him. Harond is passionate enough to convince others to help him. I wonder how many will die because he can no longer wait?"
"That has nothin' to do with me," Ree said coldly.
"No? You have a sister don't you. Do you think the Demons will limit their retaliation to just those involved. Dobin says you've been here a long time. You must remember what happen the last time." Feena said calmly.
My sister! Fear spread through Ree's mind. Would Harond do it? He was willing to harm him for answers, even when he was hurt. Feena would stop him, wouldn't she. Ree gazed into Feena's eyes, looking for some clue as to how she would act. All he could see was despair. She would do nothing.
"If I tell ya where I found the rod, would he stop?" Ree asked.
"If he knows everything, he may reconsider"
Between keeping his secret, or saving his sister, Ree had only one choice. Alberet was a good man, he would understand. "I met a man when I slipped out the day before. His name was Alberet. He gave it to me to keep until he could get it." So much for my word, Ree thought. Tears began to slip from his eyes as he described the man and everything he knew of the events that day.
Dobin spoke out, surprised. "Thats the man they brought in this morning. He's over in new arrival section."
"It will be a couple of more days before he is released to the slave quarters," said Feena. "We will learn more then."
"Thank you, boy," said Harond stepping out from the shadows. "This Alberet will have the answers we want."
Chapter 6
Ree paid little attention to his surroundings. He heard Feena say that he needed to rest for a few days to be fully recovered. Dobin had said that he and his brothers would make sure that his mother and sister got fed. Ree said nothing. His thoughts absorbed all his attention. Never in his life had he felt so used. The Demons used him. Feena, Harond, and Dobin used him. Alberet used him. It seemed that he had been used his entire life. He didn't think he could stop it all. Right now Ree wanted to know why.
The why of the Demons was easy. Ree barely but more than half a thought to it. The Demons used people because that was what they are. They prey on others. There was nothing else to them.
Harond and the others had used him because they wanted what he knew. That's not uncommon in the slave mines. He just didn't understand why they were willing to risk so many peoples lives. Yes, things in the mines were bad, but at least if you did your work you would eat every day. Before the Demons arrived, Ree could remember going days on end with no food. They were not like him, though. They hadn't lived here as long as he had.
Why is Alberet using him? Alberet had said that he needed Ree to carry the rod. The rod is magical. Couldn't Alberet just have walked in. Why is he in the new arrival area? These questions eat at him.
With a grunt of effort, Ree sat up. He was never the brightest person, and he knew it. Best to do something than to wrack his feeble mind for explanations. He would go to the new arrival section and ask Alberet. There were several unused tunnels that ran to that section. He had done it several times before when he was younger and curious as to what happened there.
The new arrival section is where the Demons prepared new slaves for life in the mines. They were always worked the hardest under strict supervision. Ree had seen them beat those who failed to meet their quotas, then force them to work the next day. Usually once a slave reached the general slave quarters, conditions were so much better than the new arrival section that any though of actions that may send them back usually stopped any ideas of revolt. The section itself was much different than the slave quarters. It was made up of many smaller individual rooms that all lead into a larger chamber. Demon guards were always here. The green skinned Ogres usually made up the complement with one of the Wraiths has the guard captain. In the past year, the number of new slaves that came had been so small that most of the guards in the new arrival section had grown complacent. Ree was certain he would be able to reach Alberet.
The journey itself was not as easy as Ree thought it would be. The pain in his head got worse instead of better as he went along. Twice he foolishly went down the wrong tunnel. It took him several minutes to backtrack and refind the path. By the time Ree reached the new arrival section, he was drenched in sweat and was sure he was seeing stars.
The guards he found were in the midst of some sort of dice game, and paid no attention to the unused tunnels that Ree emerged from. Light only shone in one of the adjacent rooms. As quiet as he could be, Ree skirted along the wall and slipped into the room, nearly stumbling into the closed door that bared his way further. Ree could not remember there being doors the last time he was here, but it was years ago. Fortunately, it was bared on this side, obviously meant to keep the new slave in. It took all Ree's effort to lift the bar, the whole time spots filled his head. He could feel himself slipping into darkness. With as much speed he could muster, he quickly stumbled through the door and closed it behind him. When he turned back to examine the room, his knees gave way and his view spun. The last thing he saw as the darkness took him was Alberet reaching for him.
Ree's eyes snapped open. He was lying on the floor of the room. Alberet was leaning over him, cradling his head in his hands. His body felt warm and relaxed. The pain in his head was gone. In fact, even the blisters on his feet seemed to not hurt any more. Wide eyed, Ree gazed up at Alberet.
Gently, Alberet raised Ree up into a sitting position and said, "Quietly and quickly tell me what went wrong."
It was the voice Ree knew he could trust. Just being near Alberet brought all those feelings back. "The rod healed my Mum. Others saw it. A man named Harond took it and said it's the power they need to fight the Demons. He wants to talk to ya."
Alberet looked to be in thought as he help Ree stand. "Can you lead us to him?"
"Yes," Ree said surprised, "but what about the guards? Won't..."
"They will notice nothing if we are swift and quiet," Alberet interrupted.
"My head, it no longer hurts. Ya healed it didn't ya?" Ree said, feeling the dried blood on his scalp.
Alberet looked sad. "It was small compensation for all the pain I seem to have caused you. No more questions now. You must lead us out of here," he said.
Ree nodded quietly and peeked out the door. The guards had noticed nothing, still absorbed in their game. The pair quickly slipped from the room, closing the door behind them and replacing the bar.
The journey back almost ran into a problem. Ree had forgotten that many of the tunnels that he uses may not be large enough for Alberet. Alberet trusted Ree's knowledge of the mines, and after several detours, they were able to finally arrive near the slave quarters. Going on ahead, Ree spent several moments trying to locate where Harond and Feena were. This took longer than expected as well. By the time Ree returned to Alberet, he had a worried look to him, constantly glancing at the walls and ceilings. When questioned, Alberet put him off, stressing the importants of his meeting with Harond.
Harond was found in the same abandoned side tunnel where Ree had lay while he was injured. Several more slaves from the mine were gathered including Dobin and his brothers. Conversations ended and all eyes fell on Ree and Alberet as they entered the tunnel.
"Which of you is Harond?" asked Alberet calmly under the gaze of the men gathered.
"That would be me," Harond said, stepping forward from the crowd. "Judging by your company, and that I don't recognize you, you must be Alberet." Harond's eyes shifted for a moment, glaring with hate at Ree. "You are here much sooner than was expected."
"Be wary of expectations," Alberet said, closing some of the distance between the two men, "they tend to prove false. You have something that belongs to me."
"I do, but I will return it to you if you answer some of my questions." Harond said.
Alberet sighed. "I will answer what I can."
"I've heard Ree's story of meeting you, and now that I see you in person I am sure," said Harond. "You serve the Ancients don't you? That staff is a gift from the Ancients."
"Yes, I do serve the Phoenix," Alberet replied. The room, including Ree gasped in awe. The Phoenix, the most powerful of the ancients. A symbol of justice and all that was right.
"Then you must be here to free us. Lead us against Demons!" said Harond excitedly. Many murmurs of agreement followed.
Alberet raised his hand and the room went silent. "I wish that is were true, but I cannot help you."
Everyone was stunned. Ree shook his head, trying to deny what he had heard. Alberet had healed him, he carried the magical rod. What other reason could he have for being here.
Harond recovered faster than the others. His voice was filled with rage. "How can you say you will not help us? We are suffering here! How can you leave us here like this?"
None of Harond's anger touched Alberet. Calmly and softly he spoke, yet all heard, "Because you will live." Ree did not understand, and apparently no one else did either. Alberet continued, "You all live because it is more convenient for you to do the work instead of Demons. If you revolt, it will be less convenient, and they will slaughter you all."
"I don't believe that," snapped Harond. "With you leading we could easily overthrow them and take the mines."
"Overthrowing the mines will not save you. There is no one to come to your aid. The result will be the same. You will all die. It is moot, anyway, since I will not lead you. I have answered your questions, return the Scepter to me," spoke Alberet.
This was all too much for Ree. Everyone killed? Alberet would not help them? He was here for a reason. What could it be? Why had he asked him to carry the 'Scepter', as he calls it, for him anyway? Confusion muddled Ree's mind.
Fury marked Harond's face. "No, I won't give it to you."
"If that is your choice," was all Alberet said as he stepped forward. In that one step he seemed to grow a foot in height, towering above everyone in the tunnel. Men backed away in awe and fear, even Ree took a step back. Harond stood his ground.
"You call yourself a servant of the Phoenix," Harond taunted. "Call your righteous wrath down on us poor desperate slaves. Show them the judgment of the Ancients." Alberet took another step forward. Harond stood his ground alone. "Where were you when the Demons razed Tristain? Where were you when they took and raped my wife?". Alberet grabbed Harond by his shirt with one hand and lifted him off the ground. "If this is living in the Light, I would rather be dead!" he cried and spat in Alberet's face.
"You think I like this?" Alberet growled back, shaking Harond. "I feel every ounce of suffering the Demons cause in this place. I would free you all in an instant, if I thought for one second it would make difference. WE ARE LOOSING THIS WAR. The Demons are everywhere. I will do what I must to make a difference, not what you want." With that, Alberet tossed him away into the arms of the nearby men and began to wipe the spit from his face.
All was silent. Ree felt like weeping. He never thought the Demons might rule forever. Someone would come eventually to overthrow them. There had been less slaves each year. He had thought that it meant that the Demons were being stopped, not that they were running out of places to get slaves from. If Alberet was right, their brief grasp of freedom might cost the rest of the world. The scope was too large for Ree. He was paralyzed by the implications. Many in the room shared the same thoughts.
"A squad of Ogres is coming," shouted a man as he ran into the light of the gathering, ending the silence.
"They're coming for me. All of you leave, NOW!" spoke Alberet.
Everyone fled. Ree stayed as long as he could, but had no intention of being there when the squad arrived. Alberet had a resigned look to him. At the last moment, before Ree was about to leave, Alberet turned and smiled at him. It lasted only a second, and then Ree ran.
Chapter 7
"They will probably kill him," Harond was saying when Ree caught up with the group of men. "I say we go ahead as I had planned anyway. Any disagree?" No one spoke up. "Spread the word then. At the morning shift change we strike. Move quickly if we are to inform those going on shift." The men nodded and scattered. Ree went with them concealed in the crowd.
It took a few moments, but Ree was able to find Dobin. He quickly moved in step beside his friend. "I don't understand all of this, do ya?" Ree asked.
Dobin looked over at Ree and smiled. "Not a bit. I'm glad ya ain't mad at me anymore. I just did what I thought was best. I didn't know it would lead to all this."
"I think Harond is wrong," Ree whispered to Dobin.
Dobin nodded in agreement. "He's out to settle his own grudge. I've seen the look before. Ya think Alberet is right. We all goin' to die?" he whispered back.
"I don't know for sure, but I think we have to stop this from happenin'," said Ree.
"What ya have in mind? There be no way we could talk Harond into not doin' this. My brothers say he's right, and when I'm older I'll understand better," Dobin said. "It's no better outside. We both know that. They won't listen."
"I have an idea. Where did Harond put the rod?" asked Ree.
Dobin smiled understandingly at Ree. "He gave it to his wife to keep at their home. I overheard him telling her to keep it safe. He's gone on the next work shift to help get things organized. It'll just be her there in a few minutes."
"I think we found a use for them big shoulders of yours, Dobin," smiled Ree in return.
Alberet's body ached all over. The Ogres were strong and had a pension for giving pain. They especially enjoyed how much he could take. They had only stopped after several ribs were broken and all the fingers on one hand. His right hip had a bruise on it so big that he did not think it could hold his weight any more. They had brought him to the dungeon cells just above the mines. He was closer to the center of the Keep than he ever was before. Small compensation, bur compensation none the less. So far, it had been twelve hours since his meeting with Harond and subsequent capture. Just then a Wraith arrived with two Ogre escorts. It would have to be enough time, since his had run out.
The Wraith floated in confidently. It felt it had nothing to fear. Alberet's wrists were bracketed to the stone wall of the cell above his head, his body with its weight on those wrists. He looked no threat. The Wraith reached with its spectral hand and cupped Alberet's chin. He flinched at the unnatural cold of the touch.
"It is now time," the Wraiths unnatural voice hissed, "for you to reveal how you escaped from your cell." With the words came a probing into Alberet's mind, searching for the answers.
Alberet showed the creature what it was really up against. He could feel the shock and surprise of the Wraith as the information flooded its mind. Alberet gave the creature no time to recover. In a flash his body was immolated in a golden fire. Where the flames touched him, the wounds healed, and shimmering gold armor covered him. The brackets that held his wrists were vaporized by the flame. The wall behind him cracked from the sudden heat. Then the flames were gone. With one fluid motion, Alberet stood and grasped the Wraith by its shadowy head as if it were solid. He summoned the Fire of the Phoenix and burned it to ash where it stood.
The two Ogres recovered from their surprise and charged him, drawing wicked curved swords. Fire formed around Alberet's hands in the shape of talons and he dove between his two assailants. The talons of fire tore through the Ogres mail shirts and deep into their flesh. Screaming, the pair collapsed as the flames burned them from the inside out. Alberet did not stop to watch them die.
There was confusion in the Keep. Harond had gone ahead anyway, thought Alberet. I hope Ree will not let me down, or this will be all for naught. He did not have much time. Quickly, Alberet glided from room to room, eliminating any opposition he found. He was fortunate. The Demons were traveling in small groups, and were easily dispatched, unprepared for the power he unleashed on them. A group of Wraiths, or Steel Hounds, with their metal jaws, could have proven troublesome, but only Ogres were found. The rest were probably involved in quelling the uprising.
Soon Alberet found himself in a part of the Keep with no Demons. His prey was close. Unsuspecting and overconfident, he had dispatched his to deal with the current problems. Alberet would be able to face him alone. Searching for a few moments, he found the large double doors leading to the study where his prey resided.
Still no sign of Ree and the Scepter. I will have no better chance than this, Alberet thought. With a sign of resignation, he blasted open the doors.
"I've come for you, Balbazak!"
Chapter 8
Ree pulled Dobin back into the doorway where the pair were hiding. Three Ogres ran by the opening to the hallway where the doorway was. All were wearing their dark mail and carrying various nasty looking weapons. It was the third group Ree had seen in as many minutes. Could it be Alberet, he thought.
"That damn idiot, Harond, went ahead, even without the rod. That has to be it," Dobin commented, answering Ree's unspoken question. The rod lay cradled in Dobin's arms.
It had taken longer than either of them had expected to get the rod from Feena. Harond hadn't gone with the work shift as they thought he would. Instead he had gone back to his wife and the pair of them had talked for several hours, probably making plans for the revolt. To be sure he was gone, Ree and Dobin had waited another half an hour before the moved in. Feena had claimed that the rod was well hidden and they would never find it. It took Ree a full ten seconds to figure out where it was hidden while Dobin held Feena a bay.
The journey through the mines and finally into the Keep had not been uneventful as well. Once the pair had retrieved the rod, they had checked the new arrival section to see if Alberet was being kept there. After discovering his absence, they had figured he must have been taken up to the Keep itself. Ree had been up to the Keep itself only once, and that was during his younger wandering before the Demons had arrived. It had taken them a few hours just to find there way up without being seen. Neither of them knew exactly how large the Keep was, or even where Alberet would be. So far they had been guessing.
It had been quiet enough long enough for Ree to venture out and see if there were any more Demons about. He crept silently from the doorway and peered into the chamber. It was empty. He motioned for Dobin to join him and the pair scurried across the chamber and through the far hallway. Ree had lost count how many times the two of them had slipped by similar chambers. The Keep seemed to go on forever.
The door behind them along the hallway burst open and an Ogre stepped out, wielding a spiked mace. The monster struck with vicious speed and accuracy. Ree barely dodged back out of the way, feeling the wind from the force of the swing. Dobin tossed the rod in Ree's direction and body tackled the Ogre before it could recover from its swing. The impact sent the Ogre back against the doorway.
"Run!" screamed Dobin.
With all his young strength, Dobin held the Ogre against the doorway, its mace pinned between the pair. Ree had just enough time to pick up the rod where Dobin had tossed and begin to turn, when with a massive heave, the Ogre tossed Dobin off of him. Dobin slammed into the far wall, stunned by the impact. Ree ran, trying to shut out the bone crushing smack that filled the corridor.
Balbazak closed the leather bound ledge in front of him and stood up out of his fine oak chair. He hoped that whoever this fool was that he would not get any blood on his fine royal purple robe. The color went well with his dark green, scaled skin. Absent mindedly, he began to stroke the black hair of the goatee that he wore and flexed the green skinned bat-like wings that adorned his back. At times he wished he really could fly with them, but that might have made him lazy.
The man who had disturbed his work strode defiantly towards him. The armor should have been a clue, but it had been long since someone had challenged Balbazak. He barely managed to throw up his magic to defend himself as the blast of flame slammed into him. Even with his protection, he was knocked back hard against the now smoldering tapestry that had hung behind his desk. A mere mortal would have been stunned by the impact, but Balbazak was no mortal.
Using his powerful legs, he leapt into the air, lashing out with the magical lightning he commanded. His adversary dodged his blast, diving to the side, and let loose a blast of fire along the path of his flight. Balbazak's wings whipped out, catching the hot air from the flame, halting him in mid flight before the falling into the path of the flame. The wings snapped back and he dropped to the ground, on guard for another attack.
"My, I haven't faced one of Vulcar's pawns in a while," spoke Balbazak as he landed.
"How dare you speak that name, Demon!" his foe cried out, sending a gout of flame from his hands.
Balbazak called on his lightning to counter and the two magics met with an explosion of sparks and fire. The fire had been too close when Balbazak struck, and the force of the explosion sent him crashing into one of the book shelves that lined the walls. Balbazak lashed out blindly with the lightning, trying to keep his enemy back while he recovered his sense. The sounds of furniture, shelves, and books being destroyed by the carnage released by Balbazak filled the room.
He had been lucky and he knew it. Another mistake like that and this fool would burn him down. The man was charging him, rapidly eating up the distance between them, his hands coated in flame in the shape of talons. The moment before the man could strike, Balbazak summoned his magic to create a blinding flash. Surprised by the momentary brilliance, the man could do little as Balbazak spun, swinging his muscular tail like a club. The blow struck on his right shoulder, buckling armor and bone, knocking from his feet.
No wasting a second, Balbazak blasted with his lightning. The man threw up his arms as he fell, calling upon the flame to shield him. It was his turn to be bounced around the room as the force of the strike carried him halfway across the floor. Smiling, Balbazan pressed his attack, taunting, "Where is your precious Vulcar now?"
Ree had been running blind for minutes when he heard a rumble like thunder from the corridor ahead. Unsure what to do, he slowed his run to a trot and peered cautiously ahead. The rumble had been replaced by a loud sizzling sound, and he was sure he heard voices. He dare not slow down, though, lest the Ogre that had been trailing him would catch up. As he got closer, the sounds seemed to be coming from an open set of double doors off the main corridor. The smell of smoke hung in the air as well.
As he approached the doors, he glanced inside, ready to run again if he was noticed. What he saw stopped him dead in his tracks. Alberet, dressed in shimmering gold armor, lay on the floor of a vaulted ceiling chamber. Red and yellow flame seemed to be sprouting off of his left arm, distinctly shaped like a wing. The flames where deflecting arcs of lighting that were coming from the hands of the rooms other occupant. It stood almost seven feet tall, with green scaled skin. Stubby wings could be seen on its back and a tail swished back and forth from behind its slightly burned royal purple robes. It had an all too human face with a black hared goatee. The thing wore a vicious smile on its face as the bolts of lighting leapt off its clawed fingers.
As if on automatic, Ree took the rod and slid it along the floor toward Alberet. As the rod closed the distance, the crystal on top began to glow with azure light. The bolts of lightning halted for but a second, but in that time, Alberet dove for the rod and brought it up in his left hand.
The barrage of lightning began again, but this time the bolts were drawn into the crystal on the rod. Incredulity creased the winged Demon's face as he screamed "How?" Alberet pressed his advantage, raising his wounded arm and calling forth a blast of fire. The Demon ceased its attack and moved to avoid the flame. Alberet did not let up, sending an unending pillar of flame at the creature. The Demon turned in its run from the fire and launched itself into the air at Alberet. His wounded arm prevented him from bring the fire up fast enough to strike the Demon in mid flight. The creature slammed into him, claws digging into Alberet's shoulders. The collision brought both tumbling to the ground. Alberet twisted frantically, breaking free of the Demons grasp, but not before leaving terrible bleeding gashed through his armor on his shoulders. Rolling nimbly to its feet, the Demon pounce again, clawed hands aimed for Alberet's throat. The Demon was inches from striking home, when Alberet's body was engulfed in flame. Heat from the fire struck Ree like a wall, almost knocking him off his feet. Screaming in pain, the Demon was thrown back, hands now smoking stubs. I final blast of flame shot out from the flaming body of Alberet and stuck the Demon, burning it to ash where it lay.
The flames surrounding Alberet evaporated, taking the golden armor with them. Still griping the rod, he slumped down on the floor where he lay. Ree sprinted over to him from the door. The cuts on Alberet's shoulders were still there, though they no longer appeared to be bleeding. His right are was definitely broken below the shoulder, judging by the odd angle it hung at.
"Thank you, Ree," said Alberet softly.
"What was that thing?" Ree asked.
"That was Balbazak, the ruler of this Keep," Alberet answered. "Ree, I need you to go over to the remains of the desk and find a blue crystal shard. It was sitting in a glass case on top of the desk when I first came in the room."
Ree quickly did what was asked, finding the case shattered but the shard not far off. Returning to Alberet's crumpled form he said, "I have it here."
"Good," he said. "Place the shard on the crystal sphere on the top of the Scepter." Alberet raised the head of the rod up to Ree. When Ree placed the shard on the sphere, there was a flash of azure light and the shard was gone. It seemed to Ree that there were more azure impurities in the smoky crystal than before.
"Now I have to leave," spoke Alberet, his voice strong. Ree looked at him as he stood, noting that all the wounds that had marred his body seemed healed.
"What about the revolt? What about the slaves?" Ree asked. "You killed Balbazak!"
"I only came here for the shard, Ree. Balbazak would not have let me just take it. Killing him was the only way."
"But the people!" Ree cried, thinking of his sister and mother.
"The entire continent of Ajor is under the Demon's sway. They will not let the revolt here last long. I tried to warn them. I am only one man. I cannot stop an army." Alberet shook his head. "What I do is our only chance at final victory. I will not stray from my path."
"What am I to do? What about my family?" demanded Ree desperately.
"Flee while you can. That is your only chance for survival." With that, Alberet walk away.
The fall of Zalzaban during the Final Demon War lasted four days. A force lead by the clever and cruel Demoness Cassiandra recaptured the Keep and slaughtered all slaved that could be found down to a man as an example of the cost of opposing the power of the Demons.
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