War Cry of Slaves

"Peter give Nia her doll"

"But she started it"

"I don't care who started it she's your little sister and we have company now behave" Luca watched as Peter, a thin twelve year old who looked very much like his father, reluctantly handed a homemade doll in a pink dress over to his six year old sister who was red haired like her mother. It was their last day in Sanction so they had all decided to take Jay Bird up on his invitation and pay him and his family a visit. He had been right when he said that his house would be hard to miss. Not only was is located near the most successful theatre in the city but it was...unique to say the least. Jay had done all the renovations him self he said. It had once been a normal two story house with three bedrooms and a rather spacious kitchen.

"We fell in love with it the moment we saw it but it needed a few adjustments" those adjustments had included adding on an entire third floor which outwardly resembled a small play house. It was the children`s play room but it also doubled as a stage which Jay rented out during festivals and other special ocaisons to small acting troupes that could not afford to play in the big theatres. The whole thing looked as if Jay had enlisted the help of all five of this children to decorate it, even the baby. It was all bright colours, pictures of dragons and massive fish and anything else you might imagine that could have been pulled right out of a child's storybook.

"I could have sword that he'd gone mad when he first talked to me about the idea but knowing him I decided to take the chance and its been fun honestly and it brings in a little extra money" had been Bess`s reply when they had asked her about it.

"I think they're both mad" whispered Aldemere at one point, which earned him an elbow in the ribs from his brother. The inside of the house it self was relatively tidy despite being inhabited by five young children. In order there was Anita who was fourteen, who would have been very angry to know anyone had called her a child, then Peter, Nia, Tanisha who was three, and lastly the new baby Robert. They all seemed to live rather harmoniously save for little incidents like the one that had just taken place and that now had Nia sniffing quietly even though she had her doll back. Luca felt bad for her and got up from his seat to pick her up.

"Come here" he sat down again and placed the little girl in his lap. "You know I have a secret weapon you can use against big brothers, would you like to hear it?" Nia looked interested and wiped her eyes before nodding. Luca smiled and leaned in close to whisper, "Next time he tries something like that you put on your sweetest smile and give him a great big hug, be sure to tell him that you love him. I promise he'll never bother you like that again"

"Really?"

"Cross my heart" Nia smiled then hopped down off of Luca`s lap to go play with her doll. Luca smiled at her.

"Secret weapon brother?" asked Lance. Luca chuckled.

"Well it always worked against me. I cant imagine young boys being so different from one another, not that they are all the same but it is worth a try and it made her smile so if nothing else there is that" Lance smiled at his brother then took a drink of his tea. They were all seated, the adults at least, around the dinning table which sat between the main room of the house and the kitchen. They had all eaten breakfast before coming over but Bess had served them tea. Luca watched the two little girls playing for a little while more before turning back to the adult conversation.

"Well how have you been Robin?"

"Very well thank you Luca" Jays older brother Robin was taller than him by a good head and a half. His hair was now the gray of wet stone but his eyes were bright to match his smile. He was in his second marriage and had three children, the size of his younger brothers family in comparison did not bother him in the least. He was a carpenter and he also made toys, his speciality was puppets, he was practically famous for them. He had been at the house when they arrived, delivering the doll that Nia was playing with.

"So you have decided where you will be going next then?" asked Jay as he refilled his cup.

"Yes we will be journeying to Adlatum"

"Adlatum? Are you sure? You know that Thane will not take you there, he refuses to even go near it"

"Yes we know, we talked to him about it last night. He said he would find another ship and pay for it to take us"

"Do you know why he stays away from it Jay?"

"No Aldemere I do not and I cannot begin to even imagine the reason. Thane is very secretive about his past. I doubt that even his closest friends know why he left his home land so many years ago"

"He was apparently married once. Perhaps she is still back there"

"It is possible but somehow I do not think that would be enough to keep him from the land where he was born and raised. No it is something more and it is strong. I hope that you all know what you are doing. If you get into trouble"

"We will be alright Jay, don't you worry. We've been in trouble before and always come out of it alright. Am I right brother?" Lance looked at Luca who smiled back at him and nodded.

"That you are indeed Lance"

"Well if you are set on going I guess the only thing all of us can do is wish you luck" They stayed for another two hours or so till Robin left and they decided it was time they packed up all their things back at the Sailors Delight and headed down to the dock to meet up with Thane as they had promised. Bess gave all of them some of her cookies before they departed. Jay and Bess watched them from the door of their house for a long time, both very worried and both wondering if any of them would make it back.

They found Thane waiting for them as agreed and next to him stood a tall half elf with long dark hair. Thane smiled at them as they arrived and raised a hand in greeting to them.

"Welcome lads, I would like you to meet Captain Fritz. His ship is the Star Rise and he has agreed to take you to Adlatum"

"It is an honour to meet you Captain" Lance held out his hand and Fritz took it slowly.

"Thane tells me that you all have your sea legs and that you are good in a fight so if there is trouble I expect you to pull your weight. Captain Thane has already paid for your passage so if you are ready we can leave right now"

"Just a moment Fritz I would like to talk to Lance for a moment if I may" said Thane.

"Suit your self but I wont wait for long"

"Understood. Lance" Thane placed a hand on Lances shoulder and led him away from the others. "It grieves my conscience to do this but I had no choice, do you understand?"

"I understand Thane"

"Never the less I cannot let you be entirely to your own devices. If anything happens to any of you I will never forgive myself. So listen carefully. I will give you three days, not counting today, and then I will come with the White Stallion and get you. Whatever it takes you must make it to the south beach at midnight on that third night. Do I make my self clear?"

"Yes but Thane why are you so worried?"

"I cannot tell you that now. You will find out for yourself soon enough, I am sure you would not believe me even if I did tell you. Just remember to get to the south beach, I will be waiting that I promise you. Do you trust me?"

"I do" hearing that made Thanes heart ache. If Lance only knew what he was getting into he would not be so trusting and after this he might never trust him again but Thane knew already that he could not dissuade him without revealing his past and he was not ready to do that. Instead he nodded and squeezed Lances shoulder.

"Alright then, go and may the Gods protect you"

"If they want to help me Thane they will stay out of my way" Thane looked surprised but Lance turned away and walked to rejoin his cousins and Luca before the centaur could ask what he meant by that. Thane caught up and followed them to the Star Rise. It was smaller than the White Stallion by a good few feet. It was not a merchant ship it was meant for passengers with light cargo. The ship it self looked as though it were made of silver and its sales were blue.

"What a magnificent vessel Captain" said Aldemere who stood in wide eyed wonder. Fritz smiled.

"Thank you, I am rather proud of her"

"And well you should be I have never seen anything like her"

"And never will again. But enough about my ship we should have been gone long ago. Get aboard, my first mate will show you to where you will be staying" all nodded and shook hands with Thane before boarding the ship. Fritz was about to follow them when Thane called to him,

"Captain! You take care of those boys you understand me? I hold them as dear as my own family"

"If they are anything like you told me they are Captain they will be fine I promise you but you know I cannot be held accountable for whatever might befall them once they leave my ship" Thane nodded solemnly.

"Yes I know. Fair sailing to you Captain" Fritz nodded then turned and walked swiftly up the gangway. Thane did not stay to watch the ship depart. His heart and his conscience weighed heavily upon him. He tried to convince himself that they would be fine and that they would be waiting for him on that beach when he arrived but even to him self it sounded unlikely.

It took the ship till night fall to reach the legendary island and even then it stopped short of the shore.

"This is as far as I can take you. One of my crew will row you the rest of the way"

"So even you fear this island Captain?" asked Aldemere. Fritz became stone faced as he answered.

"Do not call it fear I simply do not wish to get involved with them and I wish that you all were of the same mind"

"Do you know why Thane would not bring us here himself?"

"I don't but I cannot say that I blame him"

"What was it Thane said to you Lance before we left?"

"Only that he would give us three days to see the island then we were to wait for him at the south shore on the third night. If we were not already here I would say turn back"

"I am curious brother now that we are here to see what might cause so many to now stay well away from someplace that was once hailed as one of the most beautiful in all of Krynn" this from Luca as he leaned out over the bow of the Star Rise, trying to get a better look at the island.

"Well we did not come all this way just to look. Lets go" said Jarrin as he picked up his pack and placed it over his shoulder. Lance nodded and turned to face Fritz.

"Thank you for bringing us this far Captain we are grateful" the half elf didn't say a word as he offered his hand. Lance took it then joined the others in the row boat. The boat reached the shore quickly and was on its way back again as soon as they all got out. They watched the Star Rise depart then attempted to take in their surroundings, a difficult thing in the dark.

"Well what now?" asked Aldemere.

"Now we find a place to rest for the night and head out in the morning" while saying this Lance made his way up the beach and into the forest, the others followed him. They never even heard their attackers coming till it was too late. For beings with four hooves they could move quietly when it suited them to do so. The centaurs set upon them like a violent storm and the last thing Lance remembered before being knocked unconscious was Luca calling out to him from somewhere amid the crush of horse flesh.

Lance had woken in a cell and had since then been attempting to free him self but had at last given up and now sat with his back against the far wall. The irons around his wrist were well forged, as were the bars of the cell, there was no way for him to break either and he knew that when the irons came off, if they ever did, that his wrists would be bruised and bloodied from his efforts. Now in the full light of day he mused that this cell might be one of the best he had ever seen or even had the pleasure of staying in before. It was large due to the manner and build of prisoner it was accustomed to holding. It was dry and it was also above ground as he supposed it would have been difficult to manage stone steps with hooves, especially if they were slippery, and being half horse might have given centaurs a fear of the dark as much as they were famous for being afraid of fire. Any attempt to find out why he was there met with no success. Even the young one that brought him food and water was not willing to talk so Lance resigned him self to wait it out and see what happened next. All the others were in separate cells somewhere. Luca might have tried to play the diplomat while the brothers were probably maintaining their cold silence, which had served them before in times like this. It was evening by the time two armed guards came to open the door of the cell.

"You will come with us" one of them said. Lance nodded and got up slowly to follow them. They were joined on the way by three more pairs of guards all leading another of Lances party. They were not permitted to speak to one another and were led to a large grand hall made of wood. The word grand could only describe its size as it was as plain on the inside as it was without. Lance was confused as he had heard stories of this islands wealth and that of its people. But then he had also heard of their generosity and kindness which so far had not turned out to be the case. At the head of the hall stood a storm cloud grey centaur with slightly darker hair and cold eyes, he was the leader here. As they approached he turned to face them his arms held even at his sides. They were put into a line before he addressed them.

"Who are you and where have you come from?"

"My name is Lance Dasrenvair. Those you see with my are my blood brother Luca and my cousins Jarrin and Aldemere Stoneshield" he did not have to speak for all of them he knew but under the circumstances they found themselves in he thought it would be better to save as much time as possible and no one seemed displeased that he had. "We have come from the Continent of Krynn"

"And what business had you here?"

"We had none, we came only on a whim to see this place that we had heard so many stories about and if you permit me we have been met with disappointment" this produced a smile from the leader but it was not meant to be comforting nor joyful.

"So sorry but times are not as they were. And now comes what I am sure you have all of you been wondering. What is now to become of you while you remain here"

"I do not believe that any of us wish to remain here longer. If you will let us go we will be on our way and will be sure never to return" laughter fallowed this, rippling through their guards and others that stood about the hall. Their leader glared at them and the hall fell to silence again.

"I do not think you understand your situation. When I say while you remain here I mean that you will remain here. For as long a time as I see fit. Further more you are no longer free men you are slaves and will do as you are told"

"Slaves!" Jarrin burst up and would have rushed the leader but the guards were upon him before he had the chance, knocking him too the ground and binding his legs so he could not get back up. "How dare you? You cant do this"

"We can and we have, you will see more for your brethren soon Minotaur. You will be sent immediately to the house that you will serve and in the morning you will be introduced to your true task in your new lives here"

"I'll serve no one and I will kill all of you for this" Jarrin struggled to regain his footing in vain. Lance inwardly praised and cursed his oldest cousin for his strength of will and his bravery but it was not the time for it and all he would avail him self would be trouble.

"Muzzle that one and send them to their masters house" Lance watched with the others as Jarrin was fitted with more ropes, tying his mouth firmly shut like a rabid dog. Once this was done they were all loaded into a waggon and taken west. The house they arrived at reminded Lance of Thanes own house in Flotsam. Except for its size and change of furnishings they were identical. Their "Master" the lord of the house was enormous for one of his kind, a dark bay Clydesdale from the waist down that would have been the envy of any knight or farm that might have claimed him had he really been a horse. The guards warned him about Jarrin, who had calmed down by now but whom they had not released from his bindings. The lord sniffed at their warning.

"I have dealt with his kind before he will not be a problem. You may leave us" the guards bowed and departed. "Am I going to have trouble with the rest of you?"

"We would know the name of the one we have been sent to" said Luca.

"I am Nalln but you will address me as lord. I need one of you to escort the troublesome one to a cell"

"Please lord Nalln, I will do it. He is my brother"

"Very well. Unbind his legs and take him" while saying this Lord Nalln unbound Aldemeres hands and the ash grey Minotaur hurried to aid his brother. Lance and Luca watched the brothers depart as Nalln unbound their hands also. "As for you two. I will have someone escort you to where you will stay"

"Lord Nalln what became of our weapons and belongings?" asked Lance, he was worried about his grandfathers sword.

"They are not yours any longer and you have no further use of them. From now on what is yours is only what I give you do you understand?" Lance would have pushed his line of enquiry had Luca not grabbed his arm and squeezed tight a warning not to. Lance swallowed hard and nodded. Nalln left them then and returned with and elf man dressed in a simple white shirt and pants.

"Drist will lead you to your quarters" the elf nodded to them and motioned for them to follow. Lance and Luca followed Drist silently to an outer building where all the house servants slept and luckily there were two empty beds next to one another.

"Thank you Drist" said Lance. The elf smiled sadly and departed to his own bed. Lance and Luca settled onto theirs.

"This place has good beds at least" said Luca as he laid down on his back to look at the beamed ceiling. "What do you think their leader meant by - "Our true task"-?"

"I don't know but I did not like the sound of it"

"I hope Jarrin is alright"

"He would be better if he kept his mouth shut. I don't like this any better than he does but for now it would be better if we just cooperated till we figure something out"

"I don't think he agrees with you"

"Well right now he doesn't have a choice. I got all of us into this and I'll get us out but I cant do that if he keeps drawing attention to him self" the two were silent for a while. The cramped space was filled with the breathing of the others.

"Do you think Thane knew about this?" asked Luca.

"I don't know, he was worried but I think he would have told us about something like this"

"Not if it meant risking us finding out who he is or used to be"

"Still I refuse to believe that he deliberately led us into this. What we need to focus on now is getting out of here on the third day to meet him on that beach"

"I wish that it were tomorrow night instead"

Lance and his cousins discovered in the morning that all the minotaurs were used for field work and other heavy jobs like felling trees or repairing fences. The elves were house slaves so Luca was kept there. Lance took the opportunity that ploughing provided him to speak to Jarrin.

"How are you doing?"

"Well enough for someone that is lucky not to have been horse whipped this morning. Nalln said he would have if he had not needed me for work"

"You are lucky indeed then. I know this is hard for you but please try to be quiet from now on and don't loose your temper. Remember three days and we will get out of this"

"How?" Lance smiled at him.

"Haven't I always come up with something?" Jarrin smiled back at him and nodded. In the afternoon all the slaves of the house were gathered together and led by Nalln to a wide field about six miles east. There was another group of slaves standing at the opposite end of the field. The leader that Lance and the others had met the previous day stood on their side with a group of warriors. Upon arriving they were all moved into ranks and given weapons.

"What is the meaning of this?" asked Lance, addressing him self to the leader.

"You will address me as Lord Ulrin slave"

"What is the meaning of this Lord Ulrin?" Lance had to grind his teeth to keep his tone civil.

"We are in the midst of what you might call a civil war. Today there shall be a battle and you will decide the victor"

"If it is a civil war why involve us?" he could tell Ulrin was preparing to not answer his questions, really he had no reason too considering the situation but something about him must have held the lead centaurs interest and he answered.

"This war has been going on for some time now and we have fought with our own warriors. But not long ago we realized that we were loosing countless generations of young man and so endangering our future but still we had not settled the differences which had caused us to fight it the first place. So it was decided that we would use our slaves and other outsiders to fight for us. So now there will be a proper victor to decide everything but we wont lose our own men in the process. Simple isn't it?"

"I call it cowardly and I wont fight!"

"You will or face immediate execution the choice I leave to you" two of Ulrins men came forward with weapons brandished, prepared to carry out the execution their leader had threatened. Lance felt a hand on his shoulder and found Luca standing behind him. The elf shook his head slowly and Lance looked back at Ulrin.

"It would seem that I have little choice"

"Indeed. If it is any comfort know that you will be buried and not left out to feed the carrion birds. Now get back into ranks and prepare yourselves" Lance got back into line with Luca and his cousins. This was utter madness. Thane could not have sent them into this knowingly, it was impossible. He would not die here, he refused, so when the signal to attack was given he charged forward with as much passion and fire in his breast if he were back home fighting to protect Solace. All that mattered was survival.

They emerged from the field of battle victorious and relatively unharmed save for a few minor injuries. Ulrin was pleased with them and they fought again the next day with the same result. Lace managed to get a moment alone with Drist when they all gathered for lunch back at Nallns after the morning skirmish and asked him what he knew about this civil dispute.

"I do not have very much that I can tell you. I know that when Ulrin came to power, after deposing his brother, that he tried to change many of the old traditions here and of course there were those that disagreed with him. Those that he did not kill formed alliances against him and that is when the war started. I do not know the names of the other leaders and I do not really care. I am spared from the battles only because I hold Nallns favour and I intend to keep in that way"

"Understood. Drist there is someone coming here tomorrow to take my self and my three family members back to Krynn. Is there any way for us to get away from here and retrieve our belongings?"

"Your things are more than likely being held in the treasuries back where you came from. If you can remember how to get back there you have a chance of finding them. The building is near the grand hall. Its the only stone building there so you cant miss it. Your best chance for getting away from here would be at night. If you need a distraction I can provide you one but after that you are on your own"

"Understood and thank you Drist, we wont forget you for this"

"I would rather you did honestly" Lance chuckled and shook the elf's hand before returning to the others.

The next day it rained all morning and well into the evening. After dinner Drist walked close to Lance and pressed a key into his hand.

"They wont be able to lock the door of the out building tonight. I'll lure as many guards there as I can and then I think you know what to do" Lance nodded his thanks then hurried to carry out the chores that had been given to him. That night when the guard tried to lock the door but found the key missing he opened the door to demand it back, assuming correctly that one of the slaves must have taken it. Before he could speak a word however Jarrin bashed his head with one of the empty chamber pots. The Centaur fell like a stone and it took ten of them to drag him outside to the back of the building so he wouldn't be seen. Drist then ran out and began calling at the top of his lungs for help, that there was a fight in the out building. Three guards returned with him and rushed into the out building. Lance and the others, who had hidden them selves outside behind the open door, rushed forward, closed and locked the door, trapping the guards inside.

"Run!" shouted Lance and took off in the direction of the grand hall and its compound. It was still raining and they were all soaked through in no time but in the rain they would be harder to see so they were thankful for it. Reaching the treasuries, which had been easy to find as Drist had said it would, they silently took out the guard and grabbed his keys. Inside was a mess of weapons, packs, purses, and other things valuable that they had taken from their other slaves, all unfortunate travellers or merchants it seemed. They all found their weapons easily enough but finding their packs proved difficult. They lost track of how long they searched but eventually they did find them all. Lance only hoped that they were not late. After taking a look around outside they bolted from the building with weapons drawn, heading south, straight for the woods. Alarm calls followed them and a few stray soldiers tried to halt their flight but were quickly dealt with. After a while Lance was no longer sure if he was hearing his own pounding heart or the thunder of hoof beats but they had not been caught yet. The trees thinned and the beach came into view . Lance ran faster, not daring to look behind him. In the moon the White Stallion was in plain view and could have been mistaken for a ghost ship. It had not yet reached the shore but it would take mere minuets. Lance and the others came to a halt and turned to face their pursuers head on. To their surprise Ulrin was with them, sword in hand. The others numbered thirty easily and were all armed.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"The meaning is that we are leaving. We are not your slaves we are free men and will always be" this from Luca and Lance smiled to see the effect that these words and the ship seemed to have upon Ulrin. There was silence and then Ulrin scowled and stamped his right fore hoof.

"You will be free when you're dead!" he bellowed and prepared to call his men to charge when from behind the companions something gave a mighty roar and a splash was heard after. Thane had leaped over the rail of his ship and landed in the shallows. He wielded twin spears and looked so fierce that for a moment Lance and the others were not sure if it was the same Thane. Ulrin looked just as surprised as they were if not more so but he soon regained is composure. "And who are you?"

"My name is no matter of yours. These men are coming with me and you will not lay a hand upon them. Gods help me I will slay any man that does my self"

"By what right do you"

"Right!" Thane thundered and Lance prayed that he had only imagined the island quake. Ulrin swallowed hard and his men were seen to flinch. Thane let go a heavy sigh and his expression softened. "Right has nothing to do with it. To think that I used to be your brother"

"Brother?" asked Ulrin, then suddenly a light seemed to spark in his eyes. He reconsigned Thane and was about to say more but was interrupted.

"I say again these men are coming with me and you shall I pray see them no more" Thane then looked to Lance and asked, "Have you got all of your things?"

"Yes"

"Come then" Lance nodded and sheathed his sword, the others did the same with their weapons. Richard had lowered a boat and shouted for them to hurry. Thane waited for all of them to get into the boat, keeping a close eye on the shore, his twin spears ready to meet any threat. The boat was raised, Thane stayed below and waited for it to be lowered again. Once Thane was aboard he handed his weapons to Richard before barking at the other crew men to weigh anchor and turn the ship about. Only when the island had vanished from sight did Thane seek out Lance and the others again. "I am sure you have many questions but for tonight I will ask you to please rest and in the morning I will tell you everything I promise" all four nodded and followed Richard below deck to a warm and comfortable cabin where they all soon fell into dreamless sleep.

Thane was good to his word. In the morning after breakfast he did seek them out and led them into his own cabin. Once seated the Centaur began his tale.

"Ulrin is my younger brother, though it seems he has come close to forgetting me after all this time. He did not depose me as you might have heard. I gave up ruling the island to him because to be frank I did not think my self a very good leader and thought that he might do a better job. He was thrilled with the idea of course and showed every sign of being pleased just to leave me be and allow be to follow my true calling in life. However after the third failed assassination I decided it was time that I quite my home all together"

"And that is why you left your wife?" asked Luca

"Yes but we had not been getting on well up till then so I don't think she took it as hard as you might expect"

"You cant know that"

"You're right" a look of regret crept into Thanes eyes, "But maybe thinking that way is the only way I can forgive my self"

"Did you know about the war when you let us go?" asked Jarrin.

"I had heard whispers of something awful having happened but I did not know there was a war"

"And yet you let us go!"

"I tried to warn you didn't I but you wouldn't listen" Jarrin clenched his jaws tight to prevent himself from saying more. Lance placed a hand upon his cousins shoulder.

"You are right Thane and in the end it was our choice to go. No matter what happened you came for us when you said you would and I, we, are grateful"

"I would not blame any of you if you did not want to see me again for some time. The fact remains I should not have let you go and been honest right from the start"

"What is past is past Captain. I beg you please to not be so hard on your self. I am still proud to call you a friend"

"As am I" said Luca

"And I" said Aldemere. Lance squeezed Jarrins shoulder and the dark minotaur nodded slowly. The blow to his pride it seemed had been more than he could bare. Regardless Thane smiled and thanked them all, inviting them to have dinner with him later when they reached Sanction again to which they all agreed.

It was sunset when they reached the docks of Sanction and Lance had never thought he would be so happy to see any place save for his own home. They acquired rooms at the Sailors Delight again and took hearty advantage of Thanes offer of dinner, after which they sat up for long hours talking about anything that would take their minds off of the events of the past three days and Thane seemed very thankful for that. Later that night when Thane had left them to retire to his room, for he and his crew would be setting off again the morning, the four of them all swore to never set eyes upon that island again and began discussing where they would go next.