DRAGON CAMPAIGN
CHAPTER 6
Exit points
"Oh Rose! Look at these blossoms! Aren't they absolutely gorgeous?"
Charle was a woman obsessed with the beauty of flowers. Many would comment at how much in contrast the loving woman was with her maniacal brother Melbu Frahma. However, after a long life of being compared to her brother, Charle had perfected the art of ignoring all of those criticisms.
However, seven years ago, Charle's whole dedication towards flowers took a back seat as a new factor entered her life. After her brother crushed a small rebellion, she had learned about the misdeeds of her brother towards a young girl. Charle immediately came to the girl's aid and after confronting her brother about his deeds, he had completely ridiculed the whole situation. It was then and there that the last ties that held them together as brother and sister were snapped. Charle was so appalled by her brother's actions she had migrated to a lower level floating city.
The city of Ulara used to be a desolate floating city, mainly for those Wingly who were of lesser status and couldn't afford a higher living in any other more prestigious Wingly sector. It was here that Charle came after escaping the cruel ways of her brother. Charle, never before noticing the condition of this city, immediately took action and transformed the city into a beautiful garden of flowers and blossoms. After seven years, Charle's efforts were shown clear in the most evident of ways. So beautiful was the city of Ulara now that its majestic qualities rivaled those of even Vellweb. However, Charle made it so that this city was the lowest floating city and the one farthest away from all other existence around.
The reasons behind this were two-fold. For one, the way of life here were different then that of the rest of the world. In Ulara, there existed no difference between Wingly and any other race. It was a free realm to all so that all could walk freely. The Wingly that were poor enough to be stuck in this city immediately took an interest to this idea, as they were also sympathizers with the equality of other races. The second factor that made this city so secret was the mystery of how it was able to float. There were no humans generating fuel for the reactors. The city just simply floated on its own power. There had been many theories that because of the way it was constructed, years ago and after a battle that had taken place on it, the balance was distorted in a way that it could continue flying on its own weight. However none could be positive of its true origin of flight.
Nonetheless, none of the citizens really cared much, as they were more content with the joyous way of life they were currently living.
And what a joyous life it was for the young woman named Rose. She still bore the many emotional scars of what happened to her in the past, however, in her own little ways, she still expressed her pleasure at living in a place as free as this. She had been there with Charle at the start of the construction of this magnificent new city. She had even taken part in some of the ideas that would make the city as beautiful as it was now.
Rose would seldom smile and talk lightly but that was only with Charle. It was true she would still converse with the other people of the city but her words were always few and to the point. Many would regard her as somewhat cold and detached from everything else. Even Charle found that she was forced to agree with this theory. Rose never laughed for as long as Charle knew her and that struck her to the soul. To be able to hear the girl laugh would be a beautiful feeling for the elder Wingly woman. But she knew the ordeal Rose went through was a traumatizing one and it would take time before she returned to any semblance of how she used to be, if she even returned at all.
Nonetheless, Charle still smiled as she looked towards the silent girl now. Rose returned the look back as she carefully examined the flowers the Wingly woman was talking about.
"I still can't believe how wonderfully they've blossomed in only two months." Charle continued. Rose still did not speak as she was too busy simply admiring the texture and life of the flowers in her palm.
"Yes, they are indeed pretty madam." Rose finally replied, in the same demure voice as always. Ever since Rose had met Charle, she always addressed the older woman as Madam, even after Charle had all but screamed to her that it was ok if Rose simply called her by her first name. Though it was slightly annoying for her, Charle still accepted it when she realized she couldn't get the girl to call her otherwise.
"Rose, you seem particularly down cast today. Is something bothering you?
Rose shook her head as she turned her face in her general direction. She carefully releasing the gentle grasp she had on one of the flower buds. "No madam. I was just thinking…"
Charle smiled. "Honey, its quite alright to think but don't do it in excess. It can ruin your smile and bring doubt in your mind if you do."
Rose grinned gently, tucking an arrant strand of her dark black hair behind her ear.
"Thank you Madam. I'll try to keep that in mind."
Charle frowned slightly. Rose often got depressed at times but she never seemed this bad. "Rose, deary, why don't you go inside and take a rest. I'll finish tending to the flowers here."
"It's not a bother for me Madam. I don't feel at all tired today anyway."
"Rose, you aren't acting at all like yourself. Are you sure you're feeling ok?"
"I'm fine." Rose reiterated. As if to prove her point, she immediately returned to nurturing her flowers.
The elder woman only looked on in sadness as Rose continued toiling about her work, possibly to the point were she was completely oblivious to her own troubled soul.
Charle didn't know what to do. She had tried her very best these past seven years to make a friend and daughter figure of Rose yet she couldn't do anything if the girl wouldn't ever open up to her. She wanted to help but she knew of only one way to do that.
Charle continued to watch silently as the dark haired woman tended the plants. Finally the elder woman closed her eyes in defeat. She knew of a way that could possible help the young woman but the consequences of that choice were almost always too painful to think about. However, now she was beginning to consider things in regards to the best interests of Rose. Perhaps the only way Rose could ever heal was if she were removed entirely from the very element that brings her distress.
Charle sighed heavily. During the past seven years, she had found herself growing more and more attached to the young human girl. So much so, she found herself hesitant to do what she knew had to be done. She liked Rose and she was beginning to fear that if she finally let the girl go, she might choose never to return to her.
Nonetheless, Charle wanted Rose to be happy again more then anything. Giving a final sigh of resolution, Charle walked tentatively up to her young companion of seven years.
"Rose… I have a proposition for you."
Rose broke her concentration to look up at the elder woman. "Yes Madam?"
"I was wondering…" Charle began. She could feel her voice constricting in her throat as she found it harder to continue. Rose continued to regard her calmly, completely clueless.
"I was wondering if you'd like to run an errand for me deary."
Rose immediately stood up. "Yes Madam, I can retrieve more soil from the market square immediately."
"No, no!" Charle quickly interjected. "This errand is much more time consuming I'm afraid."
Rose gave the woman a questioning gaze.
Charle could feel the lump building in her throat and she quickly swallowed it down to continue.
"I'm afraid this errand will require you to go on a journey."
"A journey Madam? I don't think I fully understand what you mean? What kind of an errand are you talking about?"
"Yes, I realize you must be confused and all but well… I've been hesitant to ask you of it for fear of your reaction."
"Madam, you've rescued me from darkness years ago. You should know that I'm obligated to you."
Charle sighed. This was becoming harder for her by each passing second. "Rose, let me be blunt with you. I've been wanting to acquire a specific… 'flower' for years now. A flower only found in a specific area. It's a rare kind actually. It only blossoms once a year and from what I'm told, that is the only time you can actually transport it. I'll give you the directions of where it can be found and what it looks like later."
Charle could see she had sparked Rose interest as the woman's eyes hiked up ever so slightly. "That shouldn't be a problem Madam. I would love to see a flower like that."
"There's only one difference with this Rose… The reason why I asked you is because… well because it can only be found on the lands below us."
"You mean where the other races live!?!"
That was it! Charle knew it as soon as the words left the younger woman's lips. She knew she had hit the nail on the coffin. Rose tried to hide it be Charle immediately picked up on the suppressed anxiety she detected in the woman's voice. She immediately continued with new vigor. "Why yes deary, that's it. I really don't want to trouble you with this and all but I really couldn't think of anyone else better for the task. Why, all week I've been thinking of who to send and every time, I thought of how you would be the most qualified person for the job. Finding the flower is by no means an easy task mind you. It could take months to find it but I'm sure you're the one for the task."
"But Madam… what about your work here?"
"Oh I can find some other towns people to cover your end. Don't you worry a wink about that."
Rose was beginning to grow tense now. "…Madam… I'd like to help but… You know… I'm human. A lesser being then the Winglys. There would be nothing to protect me from them if they pick me up."
Charle smiled gently. "Not so child. Here take this." She gently lifted a gold medallion from around her neck and placed it around that of her surrogate daughter-figure.
Rose fingered it questioningly. Charle could tell the young woman was growing more and more anxious and confused by the second.
"It serves a double purpose my dear. If you show this medallion to any Wingly, it will mark you off as belonging to a high standing Wingly official and that you were specifically sent on a mission by me. The second purpose of it…" Charle smiled sadly, placing both hands on Rose shoulders. "The second purpose is that you remember me and all our times together…"
Rose became even more confused as watery tears began sliding down the older woman's cheeks. "Madam… why… why are you crying? You act as if we won't see each other again."
"No Rose, I pray that that is not the case… it's just… well we will be apart for a long time… You will be missed…"
Now Rose to began to feel a strange pang of sadness in her own heart as she stared into the eyes of the only woman who gave her kindness when she believed kindness could never again exist for her in this cruel world. "I won't forget you!" Rose replied in a broken voice. She quickly hugged the woman who had been like a mother to her.
"Do not worry Madam. I will find this flower for you and I will bring it back as soon as I can."
Charle found that it was difficult to reply as she continued hugging the younger woman. "Thank you deary…" was all that she could say while wiping the tears from her eyes.
Finally, she broke away from the dark haired woman, holding her at arm's length. "Now, you must get ready. There's a lot to be done."
Rose grinned. To her slight surprise, she felt as if it were the closest to a 'real' smile she had ever gotten in seven years.
****
Zieg was a warrior born. In the beginning, he started off as a young boy aspiring to look up to his brother figure. As he grew older, his dream shifted to a quest for earning a place in the Dragon Guild. However, upon perfecting this, he realized his goals were not yet sated. As time passed, the boy matured into an age of his own. His desire shifted once more and his life became dedicated to one solid dream; revolution. Yet again time passes and slowly the boy becomes a man. However, with maturity of age comes the realization of reality.
And now, the man no longer sought revolution, or acceptance or even power. All he wanted at this particular moment of his life was for his grip to stay locked into place on the ledge he was currently holding. It would also be a good thing if his other dislocated arm not tear off as it was still connected to a seemingly comatose giant of a man who hung limply a few yards down.
Zieg let out a low grunt of protest and pain as sweat began to dance down his smooth forehead, matting his hair so that stands of it plastered around his face and eyes. The Wingly warnings were not at all false. The hole they had fell through was indeed an endless fall that could very well lead right out of the floating city and directly towards the cold hard earth. Even still, Zieg was positive he'd die of the cold rushing air that would assault him, long before he died from the impact of the ground below.
However, whether or not there was an actual whole through this cave-like pit was still debatable. As he had assumed earlier, there were many rock like junctions and ledges around. Given they were few and far apart, he considered himself fortunate that he was able to grab at least one before he suffered an endless fall into oblivion.
At least that was what he thought a few painfully long minutes ago. Now, he was beginning to regret having ever thought that. Another low moan escaped his lips. It had been at least a half hour since they had fallen through the pit and he was sure that at the very least, the Wingly crowd was in the process of dispersing. It seemed like a safe enough time as any to finally make his move.
"Hey…" The word came off as mostly a horse grunt. He grimaced at the parched sounds emanating from his own throat. He slid his wet tongue across dry, parched lips. Another trail of sweat ran down his nose then dropped off, falling all the way down the pit. This was all the incentive he needed to try his voice again. "Hey!" This time it came louder then before.
"You still with me down there big fella?"
Zieg's whole body stiffened with anxiety as he waited for a response. If the man was dead then he wouldn't have to wait long before he joined him. He knew he couldn't hold his grasp on the ledge for a minute longer. He knew the other man was huge but the hit he received from that Cyclops could easily fell any man. Zieg tentatively closed his eyes, biting his lower lip to once more suck in the enormous pain that was shooting up his left arm.
Finally there was a jerk. Very slight but a jerk nonetheless. He didn't want to get his hopes up just yet. That could have been anything. Even still, he trailed his eyes down to regard the hanging figure. Much to his relief, the figure was no longer simply hanging, he was moving, albeit slowly.
"…Yeah… I'm still here." Came a gruff reply. "Just hangin about." He added in jokingly.
"Enough with the wise cracks." Zieg chimed, once more stifling his pain as the giant man shifted again.
"Here's the game plan buddy. My arms torn to hell and back so your going to have to swing yourself to some sort of ledge. Problem is, your going to have to hurry because I really can't keep my grip on this ledge any longer…"
The giant didn't reply. Instead all Zieg received were swift forceful bursts of pain shooting back and forth through his left arm as the man began to propel himself to one of the wall ledges. Zieg tried to keep it in but more then once he let out a harsh grunt of pain.
Finally the gigantic man slammed his body into one of the rocky outcroppings, grabbing a secure hold on the ledges. A slight trace of a smile graced Zieg's lips as he saw this.
Unfortunately it was then that his grip finally slipped. Zieg barely had time to let out a shout of protest before he went plunging down the long pit. Zieg could feel the strong gusts of wind as they hammered into his body while plunging downwards. Suddenly there was another jerk. Pain raced throughout his whole body as he could feel himself stopping in motion. Zieg had no control of his body now as a harsh scream issued forth from his mouth.
Zieg looked up to see that the giant was gripping the chain coil locked around his wrist so as not to throw his own arm out as he was holding his partner up. "Just hang on…" The giant hissed. He forced back the strain he felt then swung low. Zieg could feel himself blacking out from the horrible pain. Death didn't seem so bad now. At least it couldn't be worst then the pain he was feeling right now.
Zieg looked up at the bigger man. "Are you sure you got a good grip up there?"
"… Yeah… I gottcha covered…" The big man grunted.
Zieg smiled despite himself. "Hey… If I lose this arm… you're gonna have to be my sword from now on."
"Shut up!" The giant yelled angrily. "Don't talk like that! You're gonna be alright! Just hang on!"
"That's really all I can do at the moment…" Zieg joked. His face quickly assumed a grimace as his body was once more laced with pain. He felt his body swaying left and right even farther now.
Just then, the Giant dropped. Zieg's eyes widened in shock and fear. Once more he was falling weightlessly through the air.
He had only just begun to scream when his body suddenly slammed into something solid and hard. It took everything he had to move out of the way as the giant soon followed, crashing down right next to him on the solid stone ledge.
Zieg's breath came in huge gulps as the pain and exhilaration coursed through his veins. The two men simply lay where they were for a few moments to try and recollect their air supply and strength. "Whooo! That was a rush!" Zieg finally breathed, in exasperation. "I'd say our plan went off without a hitch!"
The giant turned his shocked eyes onto Zieg. "You've got to be kidding me! I must have been crazy to have actually gone along with this suicide plan of yours!"
Zieg laughed at this. "Oh come on! It wasn't that bad! We managed to get out after all."
"Not that bad? NOT THAT BAD??? First you have us throw a mock fight to get access to the pit! Sure that's not bad. But then somehow we end up having to fight 'FOUR' monsters instead of two! And then, to make matters worse, we nearly died just now, barely hanging onto these ledges. It was just sheer luck that this ledge just 'happened' to be here!"
"Hey!" Zieg chuckled. "I wasn't the one who charged in headlong towards three club bearing Cyclops. I've gotta say, even 'I' was shocked to see that Belzack!"
Suddenly realization hit him full force and the smile immediately left Zieg's face. "Oh shit! That's right! That thing clubbed you good. Are you alright?" For the first time, Zieg noticed the huge amount of blood around Belzack's chest area.
The big man simply waved his hand nonchalantly. "Don't worry about it. I've suffered much worse then this. This is only a scratch compared to some of the other injuries I've endured in my life."
Zieg still couldn't erase the shock from his eyes. "Hell… That thing really caved into you too. I gotta hand it to you Bel, you never cease to amaze me!"
"There's still a lot you don't know about me my friend. Although I must say, apparently the same goes for you. I never would have guessed, in our three year friendship that you would ever go this far to fulfill your dreams of revolution against the Wingly."
"I'm still not done yet." Zieg replied, pushing himself up to a sitting position. "I've got a long way to go before I complete my mission."
Belzack nodded slowly. "I've always known you to be dedicated. And despite everything… I must confess I am grateful. You 'did' get us out of that hell hole after all."
"We're not out of the woods yet." Zieg replied. "I don't know how I'm going to get out but you've still got a chance to move on. I can't climb with this bad arm but you've still got a chance to make a good escape."
"No way!" Belzack protested. "Zieg I respect you as a man of courage and determination. You've earned my trust and my friendship. There's no way I'm leaving you behind."
"Well then that leaves two of us dead!"
Belzack frowned slightly. Suddenly he grabbed the shorter man by his good shoulder, pulling him up to his feet.
"Hey what the hell are you doing?"
"Fixing one of our problems." Came the big man's short reply. He firmly pushed Zieg against the wall, adjacent to the ledge they were currently standing on. The big men then took a few tentative steps back.
Zieg could feel the rising tension flowing through his face as he continued to regard the big man's odd actions. "Uhh… exactly what problem are we trying to fix again?"
Without warning, Belzack quickly rammed into Zieg full force. The shorter man let out a loud shout of pain as he felt the tendons and bones in his shoulder snap roughly into place. The pain ran straight through his body like a hot butter knife. Even dislocating it hadn't felt this bad. Yet a second later the pain began to subside to a dull throbbing. Zieg slid back onto the ground in pain and exhaustion. As he looked up, his eyes met those of his now grinning friend.
"Next time Bel… Let me know ahead of time before you do something like that? Shit, that hurt!"
Belzack continued to smile despite himself. "Yeah but look on the bright side. At least it's not hanging at an awkward position anymore."
"True but That still doesn't eliminate the fact that I can't climb. We're still stuck!"
Belzack let out a frustrated sigh as he leaned his arm against the boulder he had just recently rammed Zieg into. There had to be a way for them to get out. He knew Zieg wasn't a quitter and he knew before long the younger man might try anything to find a way out just short of killing himself. Belzack grinned slightly at this. It was one of the reasons he respected Zieg so much. The younger man had a strong sense of dedication no Wingly could ever break.
Unfortunately, that still didn't come in much handy here. No matter how much bravado he spat out, Belzack was positive Zieg was hurting big time. He wasn't feeling much better himself. He knew he was still loosing a lot of blood. It would probably be a good idea if he tried to staunch the flow so he wouldn't black out later during their escape. If they even managed to escape at all.
Once more the big man sighed. Suddenly, he felt something give. Immediately he pulled himself back so as not to fall forward. This had alerted Zieg's attention as he quickly turned his head to see what was the matter. To the surprised shock of both men, the wall Belzack had leaned against continued to cave in slightly. Its stopped short but there was enough of a hole now that the two could see an offshoot passageway on the other side.
Both men turned their surprised gazes towards one another. Zieg looked pointedly at Belzack's hand. "What the hell? You must have the magic touch or something!"
Belzack simply let out a shocked laugh of disbelief. "I never would have suspected. Clearly we have been blessed with fortune."
"Yeah, now let's get out of here before our fortune turns bad and this ledge gives way!" Zieg said, rising up to his feet. He stumbled slightly as he tried to position his injured arm in a better position.
Belzack noticed his friend's plight and stopped in his approach. Letting out a few even breaths, the big man quickly grabbed the chain linked to his wrist cuff and pulled hard. Finally after a few tries, the coil snapped and the chain was now severed from his arm.
Zieg looked on at his friend with a confused expression. "…Well that was productive…"
"Shut up and hold still." Belzack sighed in friendly humor. He carefully helped Zieg position his arm in an "L" like shape so that he could wrap the chain around him in a way that it acted as a crutch keeping his arm from being moved too much. "There. It's crude but it should at least do the job for the time being."
Zieg grinned at his friend's resourcefulness. "Hey that's pretty smart! I guess the rumors aren't true after all."
"And what would those rumors be?"
"That all big muscular guys are stupid!" Zieg laughed jokingly.
Belzack let out an exaggerated sigh. "Whatever. Now stand back. If we're going to get out of here, I'm gonna need to break the rest of this wall down."
"Break away, Bel. I'm not holding you back." Zieg said, taking a few steps in the opposite direction so the big man could have enough space.
Belzack didn't take a second to wait as he quickly rammed his shoulder into the crumbling wall. The rest of the partition generously cooperated as the rock crags gave way and parted for his entry. Both men smiled at Belzack's success.
"Belzack you're my hero!" Zieg joked as he walked forward through the new exit.
Belzack chuckled at the comment, dusting his hands off. "Well, it's now or never. Like it or not, I guess we've got no other choice but to walk onwards."
With that, the two men started their journey down the cave, a journey that would inevitably lead to a change in both men's lives.
::::::::::To Be Continued::::::::::
Author's note: Thanks for reading and please stay tuned for chapter 7.