Maggots and Warriors

Chapter Sufferable Worm

Cracked walls of stone covered with substances anyone would cringe at were what Harry angrily stared at. His hands were bound with hard, heavy leather bands while his legs were covered in cuts and bruises while his shirt was lying bloodily on the hard, stone ground. A long, shallow cut was on his collarbone and his breathing was ragged and pained. The meeting time had been a long time coming.

The heavy cell door slowly opened and the strong, yet thin, malicious, crimson eyed warrior walked in. His boots landing heavily on the stone floor and his hand that was, scarily enough, just a metal claw, being waved harshly at the young boy.

"I just want to go home! I don't know anything about some Aquarian's trying to start a new war, or even some old one! I don't know about where I am and I'm not from some 4th dimension either. Just stop, I don't belong here!" Harry spat out, feeling cornered as he scooted back against the wall, trying to get away from Albel's bloody claw.

"Did I ask for you to start wailing?" The swordsman asked, feeling his irritation levels hit the sky. "Just shut up, get up, and if you don't, I'd love to ignore that "alive" order that old man decided to bring up." Albel snarled, as he grabbed the boy by his forearm, easily dragging him to Woltar's room.

"Please, untie him and let him sit down. I won't need your assistance until later, Albel." The old man said. He was now leader of the other two Glyphian brigades.

Harry stiffened as Albel cut the bindings with a small dagger and then Harry sat in a high backed chair at a small table. Woltar cleared his throat then spoke up.

"Are you saying that you have no idea how you ended up here?" He asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I-. You might not believe me, and I really don't expect you to. But, I got here from a spell." Harry stammered out, feeling as though he wasn't going to like the old man's reaction.

Harry's wand was still in his pocket, since no one seemed to think a piece of wood that size would have any real effect. Since Harry couldn't reach it while he was interrogated by Albel then it didn't seem like a real issue.

"A spell? Gone awry? Well that's interesting?" Woltar mused, his dark eyes trained on Harry's cut face.

"Well, it was on purpose, but I don't know what the spell was for. C-can you do magic?" Harry responded, feeling off center and tired from his last ordeal.

"I myself, no, and generally very few in this country can cast spells. Those of Aquaria do have that ability. Here it is called Runology." Woltar's eyes searched Harry's skin for any marks that weren't from Albel.

"Do you do magic, Mr…"

"Potter. My name is Harry Potter." Harry said quietly, and then he slowly nodded.

"Yet I don't see any marks, other than the one on your forehead. With Runology, Runologist inscribe markings on their body to bring about magical abilities." Woltar explained, "So the fact that you can do magic is surprising, young man. Are you here to harm Ariglyph in any way? Ariglyph is the country that you are in now, ruled by the King." Woltar added in way of explanation when he saw Harry's confused face.

"No, I didn't come here to hurt anyone."

"Are there any hard feelings about your recent treatment here?" The elder man asked.

Harry had to stifle a strong 'yes' and then decided to forgive the people here.

"No, you were just being suspicious. Though, I don't want to see Albel Nox again. Ever" Harry said truthfully. He slightly winced as he rubbed his sore wrist.

"I'm not sure what to do with you. But from your age and your words, this was just an accident that got out of hand. (Harry's hand clenched when he heard accident) but it is going to take some time to see if we can return you to your home. From Albel's accounts, you come from Scotland, and a place called Hogwarts. Odd names though maybe the land far off will bring more answers. I think you should travel to Aquior and ask a Runologist to help you. The king needs someone to deal with our wicked one, so I will have Albel accompany you. At least to the borders of Arias, which separates our two territiories."

Harry flinched and then sputtered out a shocked reply.

"I have to g-go with him?"