DRAGON CAMPAIGN
CHAPTER 13
First encounter
Zieg looked around curiously as he and his two companions walked further and further into the dank dark tunnel under the very city of Gurnatrast. Zieg had to admit he was impressed. The solid stone work cast illuminating shallow light effects around their surroundings making it so that they could see their path fairly well. He assumed the stonework glistened that way because of the cold climates running from outside the city merging with the hot airs and fires coming from within. All in all the effects were elegantly beautiful. The cavernous tunnel was utterly huge and Zieg was fully aware that even the vastness of his old subterranean hometown had little to no comparison to this wide underground villa. The further they walked, the less water they had to trek through. Even still, whoever this old man was, his security must be really tight as they, once again, walked in a zigzag pattern similar to the trek walked up above.
Finally the old man made his way up to an area that was cut off. He looked up one of the side walls then eagerly grabbed hold of a few outcropping rock faces and began to climb upwards. Zieg and Belzack traded curious glances as to how the man was able to be so strong at his age but nonetheless followed him even further. Once the man scaled a few more feet up, he propped himself onto a somewhat comfortable position on a nearby ledge and pointed to the adjoining stone wall. "Ok boys, this is where you earn your metal."
Zieg and Belzack, who were still a good ways below him, gave him dubious glances. "Old man, what are you ranting about now?" Zieg hissed, clearly feeling the fatigue of travel.
The old man chuckled deviously. "You youngin's never listen to a thing us elderly folks tell you. I want that stone moved! Now get to work."
Belzack took one glance at the far wall that the old man was referring to then looked back at the man with a shocked expression. "Are you nuts?!? There's no way even 'I' can move that wall out of the way. Old man I think you must have lost some of your senses on the way up."
"I have not lost any of my senses you young behemoth! Now do as I say or the two of you will never find the answers you desire and you'll be stuck down here forever!"
Zieg shrugged then closed his grip tighter on the few slabs of stone that he had a good grip on. Taking a few quick breaths, he expertly back flipped off the current wall he was on and, doing a twist in the air, he corrected himself and latched on to the other side. Narrowing his eyes in slight strain, he hoisted himself upwards. Unfortunately, he soon realized that the closer he got to the wall the old man was referring to, the less handholds there were in the stonework. Zieg angrily dug his bleeding fingers into the now flat stonewall, trying to get the best grip he possibly could.
From the other side of the wall, Belzack frowned as he watched his friend's labored efforts. With a loud grunt, the big man tossed himself onto the other side, and ascended quickly towards his friend's position. The old man merely watched in mild satisfaction.
Zieg grunted and, raising his hand, pounded against the stone wall, seeing how firmly rooted it was. The stone seemed impossibly heavy. Zieg narrowed his eyes into tiny slights as he felt his grip slackening. "You dirty old bastard. How the hell are we supposed to move this fucking thing?" He yelled in full anger. He clutched again so as to remain on his perch at the wall. "We can barely stay on this wall much less 'move' a piece of it! Just what kind of a game are you playing at?"
The old man grinned mildly as he leaned further onto the ledge. "Just watch…" He replied simply.
"Watch?!? What the hell-"
Just then a loud rumbling sound could be heard from above where Zieg had previously hit the stonework. His ranting immediately came to an end when he saw the impressive sight before him. The outer wall slowly dissolved as if being disintegrated into dust. And now, before them was a wide tunnel opening.
"Now you see…" Replied the strange man. He quickly got up to his feet then ran across and jumped over to the other side; a feat neither of the two companions thought the old man possible of.
Zieg quickly shook his head of his astonishment as he felt his grip lessening once more. He quickly latched onto the edge of the opening and hoisted himself up. Belzack stretched out his hand supporting the heel of Zieg's boot so that the man had a little extra support. Once over, Zieg held out his arm so that Belzack had support up the ledge himself.
The two men panted heavily, glad that the straining trek was finally over. The old man walked over to them, smirking proudly. "You youngin's really disappoint me. An old man like me can easily do this trek but young folks like you can't even run a step without breakin a sweat."
Zieg panted heavily as he turned his gaze towards the old man now. "What… what was that for? What was the purpose of us opening that doorway? If all you had to do was hit it, you could have done that from your position on the other side of the ledge the whole time."
"Not necessarily. There's still much for you to learn young man." The strange old man grinned judiciously. He stretched out his bony arm, pointing his index finger towards where they had just entered. "That there's called the proving rock, boy. Many folks call it a legend and all that but that rock was specially made for rebels such as ourselves, those who cling to the old ways. It can see deep inside you and recognize your true intent. If that intent is for harm then as you said earlier, there would'a been no way you could have moved that rock. However, obviously you two must be pretty straightforward because the wall came down for ya. You passed the final test."
Belzack grimaced angrily. "You mean to tell me this whole time you've been testing us?"
The old man smirked. "In a manner of speaking, yes."
Belzack scoffed and turned away angrily. Zieg let out a flustered sigh. "Ok fine, look we passed your stupid test. Now will you tell us exactly what's going on? We don't necessarily have all the time in the world you know?"
"And for people like us, slaves of Gurnatrast, we have even less time, my young friend. Come; follow me. Time is important but like they all say, there's a time and a place for everything. Don't worry about your schedule at the moment. I have a feeling, this meeting will prove to be much to your advantage."
Once more, Zieg sighed in frustration then turned a quick glance towards Belzack. The big man only shrugged, giving him that 'I told you so' look. Zieg scoffed and followed the elderly stranger further down the trail.
****
Ervain was a fighter from beginning to end. Born into the family of slaves, Ervain always endeavored to rise above his lowly status. Unfortunately, his parents were very similar and paid for their spite with their lives. Once they were dead, Ervain was transported to the floating city of Vangdoria. There the young boy was put to work until he became a young man. Soon after, the call came in for extra work on Gurnatrast. At that point he was once again moved to the Volcanic city. For the first time, Ervain tried his luck at rebellion, trying to escape a Wingly guard. He was brutally beaten for his treason yet the Wingly kept him alive. Afterwards, the rebel Group of Gurnatrast, calling themselves Code-x, took him in as one of their own and before long he became one of their agents. Unfortunately, that career didn't last long. Just a few days ago, he was discovered spying on the Wingly. It was a stupid mistake. If only he hadn't tripped on that can. Well he had plenty of time to dwell on that mistake now, assuming he could blot out the current pain he was going through.
A loud screech escaped his lips as yet another electric pulsed whip seared into his flesh. The Wingly were never known for their kindness to prisoners. That much was certain.
Ervain lowered his head in pain, breathing heavily of the little oxygen he could squeeze through his pain entrenched lungs. They had been torturing him for about an hour now and he could see the irritated expression present on the Warden's face as he recoiled his whip. Aside from the warden, two other Winglys were by his side, both of them with somewhat bored expressions as well.
The warden narrowed his eyes as he walked up to Ervain and gripped the damp, sweaty hair in his hands. "I really don't need to ask you again do I boy?" He sneered in Ervain's face, keeping his head dangerously close. Ervain on his part, choked back a painful sob while trailing his eyes onto the man who was currently grabbing him. All he could feel was pain. His back was laced with whip marks, fresh blood oozing from each and every one of the one hundred and twenty lashes that covered him. Sweat mingled with blood, making the pain all the more intense. His hands were locked up at either side so that he couldn't use them for anything. Effectively, Ervain was completely at their mercy; which wasn't saying much.
The young rebel tilted his head forward, closing his eyes tight as if hoping that when he opened them again it would all turn out to be a bad dream. Unfortunately the warden would not offer such luxury. Savagely, the Wingly kicked the tortured soul square across the face, spraying more blood onto the surrounding floor. "Enough games boy!" He sneered. Once more, he tightened his grip on the young man's hair, raking his neck up so that his eyes met those of his captor. "What are the defenses of this underground cavern?" He growled.
A vacant tear escaped the poor soul's eye as he looked on in pain at his interrogator. "I… I won't tell you anymore… I've told you enough already."
"Oh? Won't you?" The warden asked, a devilish hint of sick pleasure evident in his voice. "I'm sick and tired of giving myself a workout for nothing. I thing its past time I had some fun… at least until you tell me all that I want to know…"
Ervain looked on at the Wingly, fearful of what he may do next. The Warden kept the same sadistic smile on his face. Without warning, he withdrew his sword at the lightning speed, typical of all Wingly, and effortlessly brought it straight across, lobbing off the young rebel's right arm from the elbow down.
Ervain's eyes grew wide with pain and anguish as he hollered, moving the stub that was once his hand, protectively to him.
"Now!" The Warden glared furiously. "Are you going to tell me everything? Or do I have to continue to gut you like the human pig you are!"
Ervain slowly shook his head, pain and shame clearly evident in his form. "I… I told you too much already… I failed my comrades in revealing that we exist… I won't disgrace them anymore! You'll get nothing more from me!" He raised his head defiantly and ruthlessly spat in the Warden's face.
This enraged the Wingly to new heights as he angrily held out his sword and plunged it deep into the rebel's bare chest, smiling viciously as his life's blood poured unceremoniously onto the floor below. The Warden quickly retracted the blade then, with practiced expertise, swung it horizontally, slicing the poor man's head clean off his shoulders.
The scene must have seemed overly brutal to his compatriots as they merely watched, flabbergasted at the gruesome display before them. The Warden straightened his back as he turned from them, wiping the blood from his blade with a discarded piece of cloth. "Go to Vellweb." He ordered mechanically. "Report to Emperor Frahma that we could perceive no further information from the hostage except that rebels do exist down below. Regardless, our men will still operate on schedule and infiltrate the Caverns. If we find any slaves mulling about on the way then we shall slay them. I do, however, wish confirmation on what to do with any potential leaders we may find down there on the way."
The two guards quickly saluted him and exited the room, preparing to relay the order. The Warden walked over to a nearby seat and sat down. He absently rubbed the sharp edge of his sword taking in the fresh scent of blood. He had gone on far too long since last having a decent fight. He eagerly awaited the morrow's dawn. He could just smell the potential kill of slaves as they tried to resist Wingly authority. So content was he on this train of thought, he never noticed when his eyes began to droop and after that he could care less, as he lost himself in the blissful silence of sleep.
****
Rose glared angrily at the rebel behind her as he pushed her forward once more. "Don't! Touch! ME!" She hissed, enunciating every word in her sentence. The rebel smirked nonchalantly and despite her words, pushed her again, this time harder then before. Rose lost her balance and stumbled painfully to the floor. With her arms bound behind her back, there was little at all to catch her on her way down, save the cold, hard stone floor.
Shirley looked on sadly at her companion, wishing there was something she could do to help her. "Why are you doing this to us?" She asked in a somewhat pleading tone. "Aren't we working for the same goals?"
"Just shut up and keep moving!" Ordered the Rebel who had seemingly been the leader when they captured the two women in the forests. "Your time to talk will come soon enough, assuming your comrades proved to be legit or not."
"Allies?" Rose forcefully picked herself up off the ground, using her legs. Once she was at a standing position once more, she glared fire at the rebel behind her. "We don't have allies. What you see is what you get!"
The lead rebel arched a singly eyebrow arrogantly. "Lies will get you nowhere. Especially in this situation."
"We aren't lying!" Shirley got out. The guard behind her viciously slammed the hilt of his blade against her head causing her to double over in pain. "I thought I told you to shut up!" The rebel squad leader said, pointing his finger savagely towards her.
Shirley shook her head heavily trying to clear her thoughts. Rose watched on with fury. She couldn't take this anymore. Be they friend or foe, she was not about to sit back and just watch he friend get beaten to death. Closing her eyes Rose searched her mind for a possible alternative.
"Hey! Get moving! What's the matter with you!" The rebel behind her yelled angrily, when he noticed she hadn't budged. "Come on! Move your feet!"
Suddenly Rose fell to the ground on her knees bowing her head low, letting out a pain filled groan.
This elicited the attention of the rebel group leader as he quickly walked over to the soldier watching her. "What is going on back here?" He demanded angrily.
"I don't know sir. She just fell over."
"Well what's wrong with her? Did you hit her two hard?"
"I barley tapped her sir! There shouldn't be any reason for her to act this way."
"Well if that's the case then that must have been one hell of a tap trooper!"
Rose smiled secretly to herself as she silently observed the heated argument raging above her. With the speed and agility of a cat, the dark haired woman abruptly rose back up to her feet with a swift kick directly between the legs of the rebel leader causing the man to fall over in pain. Not waiting for a reacting, Rose brought her the same leg around into a roundhouse kick, effectively knocking the other rebel completely unconscious. Rose could feel the adrenaline rush of excitement as she quickly dropped low, using the fallen rebels blade so that she could cut her bonds.
The other guards were completely shocked at the surprisingly fast paced events that had just taken place before them. "Seize her!" One of the men called. Rose quickly leaned over towards the fallen squad leader, resting her bent knee on the man's throat. "Take one more step closer towards me and I'll break his neck!" Rose hissed venomously.
She could see that she got the desired effect, for the men did indeed back up, lowering their weapons timidly. Shirley, who was still nauseous from her recent hit to the head, seemed to look at her with empty eyes.
Rose didn't let the look get to her as she finished cutting the last of her binds away. Once done, she quickly gripped the agonized Squad leader by the hem of his ragged tunic and pulled him up to his feet, holding her blade firmly to his throat. "Now! You're all going to do exactly as I tell you."
"I don't think so." One of the guards, the one holding Shirley, replied hoarsely. "Don't forget we've got your friend hostage too!" He quickly brought his own blade up to Shirley's throat in the similar fashion in which she had acted earlier. "You harm our leader and we harm her. It seems to me like we got ourselves a standoff here."
Rose narrowed her eyes at the man's logic and silently cursed her bad fortune. She knew, with the hit Shirley took earlier, the woman was in no shape to do anything right now. She was at their mercy.
"Tell you what…" The man reasoned. "We rebels don't have much to live for here so if you off our old leader there sure we'll moan but we'll get over it. At least he woulda died helping the cause. Can the same be said for your little pretty red haired friend here?"
Rose narrowed her eyes searching the slave's for any truth behind those words. The somewhat driven look in his eyes confirmed that it was very possible he could be deadly serious. Rose hands shook slightly but her face did not betray her apprehension.
"If you lower your sword right now…" The rebel hissed on, licking his lips anxiously. "I can guarantee we won't kill your little friend here…"
Rose tightened her grip on the blade. The rebel noticed this and took a tentative step back. "You've got my word. Release him and you won't have to cry over your friend's spilt blood."
Rose was trapped between a rock and a hard place. She didn't know what to do. Sure she could take his word for it. But then if he was willing to sacrifice the life of his own comrade, he definitely couldn't be trusted to hold true to a bargain could he?
So enraptured was she with her own musings, Rose never realized that the Squad leader had secretly regained himself and was secretly moving his hand into his belt. Before she could react, the Squad leader quickly grabbed her sword hand with his left arm then brought out his own short dagger with his right.
Rose quickly recovered from the slight distraction but now found herself at odds with pure strength as the man forced her down, trying to bring his own blade closer to her. With a loud shout, Rose dropped low, sweeping the man so that he fell onto his back.
Unfortunately when she looked up again, she realized her error. She had lost her bargaining piece. The other rebels quickly rushed towards her. Rose stood shakily up to her feet, trying to recover her composure in time to properly defend herself. Unfortunately she knew that would be nowhere near enough time.
One of the men Struck first, clipping Rose over the head with the butt end of his staff. Rose fell to the ground then angrily tried to get up but already the men were preparing to engulf her. Suddenly a flush of memories came straight back to her, memories she lived with every night when she closed her eyes. Rose let out a strangled cry of alarm and surmounting fear. 'No! Not again!'
"Hey! What the hell is going on here?!?"
Before anyone could react, a swift rustle of tanned brown cloth loomed into sight and before anyone knew what was happening, a sword was drawn. The rebels, completely shocked, took measured steps away from this new intruder.
The man gave them no quarter. The sight before him of a group of men attacking a hapless female was enough to boil his blood with unrelenting fury. The man quickly swung at them, easily cleaving through of the men's staffs then ramming his shoulder into him, effectively knocking him onto his back. The other rebels, surprised at this swift action quickly backed away so that the man eased down next to the fallen dark haired woman. Rose shakily looked up at this new man and noticed the honey brown tint of his hair and the mysterious glowing orbs that were his eyes. Yet his face was dirtied and his tan cloaked appearance pegged his as yet another one of the rebels that had recently attacked her.
"Are you ok?" the man asked holding his hand out to her.
"Get away from me!" Rose hissed, once again sprinting up to her feet and sliding to the far wall, absently scooping up the blade she had discarded. The man watched her with shocked eyes yet suddenly any words he could have muttered to her were cut off when suddenly two of the rebels charged in on him.
The man turned around swiftly holding his sword wide so that he blocked both staff thrusts. More of the rebels came in to end this fight quick and furious. The brown haired defender narrowed his eyes at the challenge.
"Stop this! All of you!" A loud voice quickly rang out. Once more, all present paused in their actions to look towards the new voice. Two figures emerged from the same entrance the cloaked man had come from.
The bigger of the two new strangers was a huge burley man, wearing a similar cloak to the brown haired stranger. The big man quickly ran towards his comrade. "Zieg! Are you alright?"
Zieg, who had now lowered his arm and his sword looked on towards Belzack with a flustered, somewhat angry expression. "Yeah I'm alright. But 'she' would not have been had I not got here in time." Zieg pointed his sword towards the cautious dark haired woman who still held her sword in a defensive stance.
Shirley, who had been pushed aside against the wall, was only now beginning to clear her head. Yet she was absolutely sure she was probably hallucinating now as she watched the strange scene playing out before her eyes.
"Just what in the hell is going on here old man!" Zieg yelled at the stooped form making his way slowly towards the group.
The old man smiled sagely at Zieg. "My young friend, there appears to be some misunderstanding between our two groups I'm afraid. It seems an introduction is in order."
"You mean these savages are working for you?" Belzack asked in disbelief.
"And what exactly do you mean by 'our two groups'? As far as I'm aware, Belzack and I have had no disputes with these guys until I stepped in and interrupted their little fiasco with this woman!"
The old man's eyes seemed to widen in confusion. "… You… you mean those ladies aren't with you?"
Zieg kept his angry gaze fastened onto the old man. "Belzack and I have never met either of them in our life! We travel alone."
Belzack shook his head in disgusted annoyance. "I think and explanation is 'definitely' In order!… From EVERYONE!"
::::::::::To Be Continued::::::::::
Author's note: So… Zieg and Rose have finally met!! But how will it turn out??? Well I'll compound on it in the next chapter. Thanks for reading and please stay tuned for chapter 14.