Fifteen

…He threw it off and spun around opening his eyes, struggled up onto his feet again.

The youth gasped and crumbled forward onto his knees in submission.

Martouf wheeled around looking for the officer in charge while the youth stared up at him dumbly. There was no one else in the room so he got out of there while he was able to.

He ran quietly to an alcove in the left of the way. Pressing back against the wall he edged to the corner and glanced down the empty way zat in hand. He couldn't have been more confused by his situation.

He ran about 50 meters away to the next alcove staying close to the walls.

It pressed heavily on his mind, why hasn't he caught us yet? Why has he remained only watching up until now?

Tiring, Martouf was becoming more and more unsure of how to deal with it.

The halls smoothly bronzed to gold and he snuck into a silent but lit chamber which he'd passed before.

A vast red valley spread out rising around him. He found himself standing at its the lowest point. In a hazy illumination a swarm of wild jackals materialised ahead charging at him fast, the dust and wind swirling in a cloud around and before them. He could run, he thought, but the cloud flew up and hit him in the face. Though it wasn't felt he flinched. The jackals split into two groups passing by him on either side as one with orange light in its eyes parted them and growling rose before him into the form on a man equal to him in height and strength. The figure stood looking into Martouf's eyes through the visor of his black metal helmet.

Martouf backed up, uncertain of what the figure would do next, but heard a feint sound not of the illusion and there was a man standing in the doorway behind Martouf.

"My lord," the man said and knelt stealing a brief glance up at him with welcoming, alert eyes – a very high ranking officer.

Martouf regarded him, judging him as no immediate threat he placed his hand over his heart in greeting and close to his weapon hidden within his casual clothes.

"You want to see Torres?" the man more suggested than asked. Martouf was compelled to follow as the officer lead him out of the chamber and down another staircase to the doors of another chamber and handed Martouf a weapon.

"Do not hesitate."

Martouf looked to him then fixed his attention on the doors as the plain youth swung them open.