The twins rushed silently through the dark streets of Neriak their leather boots making almost no noise on the cobbled roads. Kiara watched her brother's back, a grin spread wide across her face. Their hair was pulled back into basic ponytails; however, hers was tied with a blue ribbon. As they ran she had fun shaking her head, causing the ends to swish across her back with her movements. Their clothes were identical, dark blue peasant shirts and black leather pants fit them each perfectly. At eight years old Kerian had finally started to grow significantly bigger than his sister and for the first time in their lives they could no longer swap clothes.
Suddenly Kerian ducked around a corner and she quickly followed. No light filtered into the depths of the narrow, grime-covered alleyway they had just entered. Kerian had come to a complete stop so when she turned the corner she bumped into his back. Kiara could not stop a giggle from escaping her lips despite their need for stealth. Kerian looked over his shoulder at her and their identical, light blue eyes met. He grinned at her, his eyes twinkling with amusement, and put a finger to his lips indicating she should be silent.
"I know I have to be quiet! You don't have to remind me." She said as she stomped her foot in annoyance. No one would overhear her because she used mindspeak. It was a very rare ability that allowed them to communicate silently with each other.
"Well you're the one who giggled." He turned his attention back to what he was doing. He cautiously peeked his head around the corner of the building, looking back in the direction they had come from. "Well we've lost her. What should we do now?"
The twins had been able to mind speak for as long as they could remember. It had come naturally to them and they had developed a very close bond because of it. In fact they were never seen apart. A few years ago Daeva had suggested to their father that they be given their own rooms. Kiara had refused to sleep away from her brother and Kerian had refused to go to bed without her. After three nights of sneaking into each other's rooms and two nights of continuous screaming when their bedroom doors were locked. The adults had finally given in and allowed them back into a single room.
The 'her' they were referring to was Daeva. She had been their nanny since they were born and there was nothing more fun that getting out of her sight. She turned such a delicious shade of purple when angry with them. Kiara pondered Kerian's question for a full minute before she got an idea.
"Lets go to the area where the other people are!"
"What other people?"
"Oh you know, The trolls and ogres. We've never been there before."
He thought about her suggestion before another grin lit his face. "Ok! And maybe we can even go to the arena and see the fighters!" Kerian grabbed her hand and they again went racing through the streets. Most of the adults paid them no mind, too busy with their own concerns. After making their way to the common quarter of the city the twins slowed to a walk. The hard part about getting to the foreign quarter was going to be getting past the guards on the bridge. They didn't let unaccompanied children cross to the outside.
When they reached the outer wall Kerian gave Kiara a boost onto an old barrel that was sitting against the wall. She then climbed several old canvas-covered crates to where she could see over the stone wall. The canvas was dusty and even the slightest movement sent a cloud into her face to tickle her nose. With her right hand she covered her nose and mouth trying to prevent herself from sneezing. She placed her left hand on the wall and used it for support when she stood up to peer over the edge.
"What do you see?" He asked impatiently.
"The two guards are Eram and Michael. They are wide awake. I don't think we can pass them without being seen."
"Is there no other way to the other side of the lake?"
Kiara snorts, "Not unless you're willing to get wet."
After she thought it, her eyes opened wide. She looked down at her brother and saw that he was grinning as well. Kerian steadied her as she lightly hopped down from her high perch and they took off for the docking area. The docks were actually just two wooden walkways built to extend out into the underground lake. They were about fifteen feet long and aged from years of service. The continual contact with the water had caused the planks to warp and bend. A single dingy was tied up to the end of the longer dock. The docks were unattended giving the area a deserted feeling.
The water made a soft lapping sound against the stone shore and two small lampposts provided the only light to break the gloom of the large cavern. The dark water looked cold and intimidating. It remained still with only tiny ripples marring the surface, giving testament to the strong currents that flowed beneath. Kiara could not stop a shiver from traveling down her back as Kerian sat down on the wooden dock and began unlacing his boots.
"What are you doing?"
He looked up surprised to hear her voice out loud. "What's it look like I'm doing? I'm taking off my boots. It's dangerous to try to swim while wearing them."
"Oh," Kiara quickly sat down next to her brother and began to remove her boots as well. While she struggled with a particularly difficult knot she looked out over the water. "It's a really far distance to the other side. Do you think we can do it?"
"Sure we can! Just think how much fun it will be to get to see the fighters in the arena!"
Kiara sniffed. "I wanna see the tunnel that leads to the surface. Hey Ker, What do you think the surface looks like?"
Kerian shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno. I heard that there is no protective ceiling on the surface. The Air just goes on forever. And in the place called the sky there is something called the sun. It is supposed to be brighter than all the lanterns in the underdark put together."
"Do you think we'll ever get to go there?"
"Of course, when we are older we will get to fight to bring the Tier'dal back to their former glory!" Kerian said as he leapt to his bare feet. He danced around for a few moments, pretending to slash and hack as if he were swinging a sword at an unseen enemy.
"Oh please! You look silly doing that!" Kiara stood up and waited until her brother performed a particularly ridiculous lunge that left him off balance Taking advantage of the situation presented to her she pushed him quite hard causing him to trip over a loose plank on the dock and fall headfirst into the water, making a loud splash.
He came to the surface sputtering. "Hey! Whatdidya do that for?"
"Cause you looked dumb."
"Did not! Gimme my boots and get in here before someone comes."
Kiara nodded her head in agreement, the splash had been loud enough that it might attract attention. She handed his boots to him then tied the laces of her own together and slung them over her shoulder. At the edge of the dock was a ladder leading into the water. She carefully climbed down it until she was immersed to her shoulders, then she let go and began to tread water. The water was cold; it had a metallic odor and tasted like vitamins. Her now wet clothing clung to her skin, making her movements slow and awkward.
Kerian began swimming; his slow, confident strokes set the pace for them trying to keep their splashing to a minimum as they followed the shoreline. Several minutes of silence passed, each of them lost in their own thoughts as they plodded across the inky blackness of the lake. Soon the stone bridge that crossed the great lake appeared in their view. The guards patrolled on top of it, paying no mind to the water below. Ten feet from the bridge Kerian turned and began swimming parallel to it, crossing out into the deeper part of the lake. Kiara followed, her limbs were starting to feel heavy and it was getting harder for her to keep up. Her bootlaces dug into her shoulder dragging her down. The shore on the other side seemed to grow further away with each stroke. What had seemed a short swim before, now appeared miles away to her.
"Cant do it!" even in thought, her voice sounded out of breath.
"Yes you can! You're not going to quit on me now are you?"
"I'm tired, lets go back."
"We're almost there. I'm going to beat you! I always new you were weaker." His voice taunted her in her mind.
Her eyes narrowed, and her strokes grew stronger. "Take it back!"
"Make me!" Came his arrogant reply.
Kiara began kicking with her legs and stroking in earnest trying to catch up with her brother. By the time they reached the opposite shore her lungs were bursting and her chest felt encased in iron bands; but they touched the shore at the same time. While still standing knee deep in the water she lashed out with her fists at Keiran, His words had stung her pride and she was determined to blacken his eye for the insult. At the same time he threw his arms about her, pulling her close before her fist had a chance to land and incasing her in a waterlogged hug.
"What are you doing! Lemme go!" she said while struggling to step back.
"I knew you could do it." Came his laughing reply.
"Hey! You tricked me!" She thought at him, as they climbed quietly onto the rocky shore.
"Yep, now quiet while I think."
She sat down on a rock with a huff and began wringing out her hair while he examined the cavern wall. Once done she placed her wet boots back on her feet and laced them up again. When she stood she could feel the wet leather squishing under her toes. Her nose wrinkled as she thought of what her feet would feel like later after being in the wet boots for a long time. Curious she stepped up to her brother and followed his gaze along the wall. The cave wall was smooth from years of water wearing away at the sides of the walls. It rose up about 200 feet before joining with the caverns high ceiling. Up ahead the wall made an abrupt turn where the bridge connected on this side of the cavern. The path that went on from there was hidden around that bend.
"I think if we climb half way up the wall and walk along that ridge up there, we will be above everybody's sight. The guards seem to look only in front and behind, not above or below."
Kiara nodded her head and followed her brother as he cautiously began climbing the wall. There were lots of nooks and crannies that their small fingers and toes could fit in, making the long climb easier. Above her Kerian made a small noise in the back of his throat, she looked up just in time to see him loose his footing above her. His feet kicked at the wall in a panic, less than a foot away from her head, trying to regain purchase on the stone wall.
"Quit flailing. I can help." He ceased kicking with his feet and just hung from his precarious grip on the wall. "Raise your right foot two inches and move it four inches to the right." He followed her instructions and his toes found the ledge she had described to him. They both resumed climbing and moments later reached the narrow rock ledge that had been their goal. Panting, the brother and sister sat on the ledge holding each other while their pulses calmed. Once their hearts calmed to a normal level, Kerian stood and helped Kiara to her feet.
"Well Sis, now we're even. That's enough rest, let's get going"
"Even?" Kiara snorted. "By the end of the day, I will have saved you more then you'll have saved me."
Grinning Kerian replied. "You're on."
Together they made their way along the ledge. Below them the people, mostly dark-elves, continued about their business; never noticing the creeping shadows high above them on the cavern's walls. After a short walk the ledge they were traveling stopped as the passage raised, entering the Foreign Quarter of Neriak. They slid down the wall until their feet once again touched the ground below them.
Here in the Foreign Quarter all the streets were wider; more to allow for the high volume of trade traffic then out of consideration for the larger races that frequented the area. Many of the buildings in this area were little more than ramshackle hovels. Doors hung crookedly on battered hinges and stained curtains hung in most of the windows. The majority of people who lived in this area were Ogres and Trolls that lived here at the mercy of Tier'Dal land lords, as long as they paid their rent not many objected to the arrangement. Most of the streets were empty, it being Nalday, the day of the week the arena fights were held like clockwork. The two children could hear the dull roar of a large crowd coming from the northeast corner of the city and followed the sound until they found the massive structure.
The Arena was built like a coliseum; the high tiered stone seats looked down into the central pit. The twins saw the guards collecting tickets at the doorway. Ahead of them a large troll with voluminous skirts was slowly making her way to the entrance, a large canvas bag slung over her bent shoulder. Her large ears were pierced with multiple bone loops adorning them and her gaze was glassy, indicating a recent encounter with a large amount of ale. Silently the twins crept up behind her, doing their best not to attract any attention. Kiara lifted the trolls brown outer skirt and quickly draped it over both their heads.
It became a hectic dance to stay close enough that the trolls skirt covered them but far enough away that her awkward gait and sudden stops would not send them tumbling into her legs. The thick wool skirt was stifling with the troll's overpowering body odor nearly bringing Kiara to her knees. Not soon enough for their tastes the troll made her way past the ticket guard. As quickly as they could they scrambled out from under her skirts leaving a confused Troll shouting at their retreating backs. "Eh? Wa goin on dere?"
Breathless but laughing, the twins climbed to the top of the Arena's steps and found a seat behind some portly merchants in the rear. Kerian wiggled restlessly in his seat, anxious for the entertainment to begin. Kiara's gaze traveled over the crowd, examining all the different people gathered for the event. The king and queen sat on a raised dais located next to the pit. Two armored guards stood at attention in the dais with them. Most of the tiers closest to the dais held the noble houses that were in favor with the monarchs. At one such tier her gaze stopped and a started gasp escaped her lips. "Kerian," she tugged on his sleeve. "That's father down there!"
He leaned forward in his seat, his body tense. "Where Kiara?"
"Right there," she pointed with her finger and he followed her direction until he spotted the seat in question. The twins took this chance to admire their father. They didn't see him much as he was always too busy to be bothered with them. He was a tall man with an angular face and his clothing was finely made which only added to the confidant air about him. He sat there relaxing and leaning back to talk with those surrounding him.
As they watched, another familiar figure joined their father on his bench. It was Daeva. Her mouth was compressed into a thin line and by her gestures and facial expressions the twins could tell that she was angry. They watched as she stalked toward their father, every muscle in her body tense. She leaned down and spoke quietly in his ear. As they watched, their father's expression became clouded and stormy. Guiltily the twins looked at each other.
"It looks like we're in trouble Kerian."
"Oh well, nothing to be done about it now. OHH the fight is starting!" Kerian's attention was completely distracted by the opening of one set of doors on the arena's floor space. A figure was thrust outside and the doors quickly closed behind her. The children leaned forward trying to get a better look at the distant figure. The figure slowly made her way out to the middle area of the fighting pit. Her skin was a pale peach color and her brown hair was matted and tangled. She wore leather armor that seemed to be in bad condition with many cracks and tears marring it's surface. She held no weapon in her hands; her wide eyes swept the audience, fear evident on her countenance.
Kerian snorted in disgust. "That's one of the light elves that we have been fighting for so long? Pitiful." He jeered at the woman in the pit. How is that skinny one going to give any kind of a good showing? She didn't even bring a weapon!"
Kiara watched with a sense of growing horror. A second set of doors opened and both twins gasped when they saw what emerged from the darkness. The creature had a golden lion's body, it's armored red tail arched high above it with a large black stinger on its end. The creature's head resembled that of a man but when it opened its mouth a multitude of razor sharp teeth gleamed from within. The creature's body showed gashes where blood dripped from the opened wounds. It's eyes showed it was in a bestial rage and its body quivered when it spotted the elf.
"Kerian, this is not the noble fight you said it would be. Our people are making a spectacle of her death."
Kerian said nothing, his attention was riveted on what was going on below. The elf had frozen when the manticore first appeared. Now she backed slowly away from the advancing predator. Keeping her face to the creature stalking her she called out to the crowd, her voice surprisingly strong. "And will you cowards not even give me a fighting chance? Throw me my weapon, if you wish to see a fight instead of a slaughter."
The crowd erupted at the audacity the wood elf had shown. Some shouted agreement and others shouted that death was all she had a right to ask for. Most turned their head to the royal dais, waiting for the decision from the king and queen. "See Kiara, the king will give her a weapon. We are giving our enemy the opportunity to die fighting instead of locked in a cell. We do have honor!"
The queen leaned over and spoke into the king's ear. The entire crowd hushed, waiting for their decision. The elf in the pit waited breathlessly for her fate to be decided. Even the manticore seemed inclined to hold off the attack. Its tail lashed back and forth across its flanks as it moved steadily closer to its prey. The king stood and with great deliberation held out his hand, thumb turned downwards. A large cheer came from the crowd; the manticore took a single last step before launching itself at the elf.
Kiara hid her face against her brother's arm, unwilling to watch the bloody end of the wood elf woman. Kerian's eyes were wide and his expression stony. He watched the futile struggling of the elf to fend of the manticor's tail strikes. He watched as its knife-like teeth ripped her forearm off of her body. He watched until the elf's besieged body lay still. The manticore used its claws to rip open her stomach before lowering its mouth to feast on her tender flesh. The crowd's cries were deafening cheers, their eyes filled with bloodlust. Each cry caused Kiara to shake even more. Kerian wrapped his arms around her shoulders in an attempt to offer her comfort. Tears streamed down her cheeks re-wetting his recently dried shirt.
"This was wrong Kerian, something inside me tells me this is not how people are supposed to behave."
"I know Kiara," he answered quietly. "I know,"
To their surprise a warmth seemed to surround their shivering bodies. They felt comforted and could not explain how. Kiara's tears wound themselves to a stop and the twins avoided looking at the pit any further. They cautiously stood in preparation to sneak back out of the Arena when a large hand descended on each of their shoulders. They were lifted, struggling, off of the ground; and turned until they were looking straight into a troll's large bloodshot eyes. "Well naw. Wha do we has ere?" Came the gruff voice.
Across the stadium, the twins saw their father's attention shift from the pit's floor to where the troll held them aloft. His eyes gleamed with excitement from the display he had just witnessed but as his gaze focused on them it hardened again. He waved at the troll who held them, indicating he would meet them outside. After they left, unseen by any in the crowd, a woman's form stood where the children had been moments before, her expression sad; before she disappeared.