They brought out a wooden block and pushed him to fall on his knees in front of it.
“Let him go!” I yelled. “What’s the meaning of this?”
One of the guards shot me a vile glare.
“This has nothing to do with you, maggot. This rat was caught stealing food from the general himself.” My mouth fell open. How many times did they accuse an innocent person of a crime by now? Including me!
“He did no such thing!” The guard tightened his grip on me. I bit down on my teeth to fend back the anguish. One of his hands were digging into my arm wound and it stung like hell.
I looked at Renold for answers, but he only said, “I admit. I did it.”
I was surprised by what I was hearing. Regrettably, his clean commence only seemed to anger the guards even more so. A man with a mask, dressed in black robes, holding a gigantic axe emerged from the crowd. A horrible realisation settled over me.
“No, wait. What are you doing?” No one answered and the man continued his approach.
“Stop! Turn back! Exit! Roll over!”
The man ignored me and stood beside poor Renold. His axe wasn’t blunt. I felt as my heart lurched and my stomach twisted up after doing three summersaults.
“You are thereby sentenced to death,” a guard announced.
“That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it? The man only needed food! It was just a sandwich!”
The only response I got was a kick to the leg. I bit down on my lip.
Renold’s eyes widened and signs of panic started dancing across his face.
I have to admit that he was never the bravest of the lot…
“Please no! Please, have mercy on my soul! I was starving, I had no other choice!”
“Enough! Executioner!” the guard ordered.
“No, please no!” Renold pleaded. I couldn’t watch. I didn’t want to lose him, not now! Not ever!
“Renold, I won’t leave you!” I yelled, trying to stretch an arm out to him. He was about to reply, but was cut short by a guard pushing his head against the chopping block, keeping his head their with the sheer force of his foot.
My eyes glistened and I could feel the tears lying shallow.
The executioner lifted his axe and let it fall.
“NO!”
I closed my eyes and I could swear a tear or two left my eyes.
“You Suntarian bastards!” I couldn’t dare open my eyes. I saw nothing but Renold’s separate head rolling away. I couldn’t find my voice. They guards left and the sound of an iron door slamming shut echoed throughout the entire mines. I dropped to my knees and broke.
After seventeen more days, I still couldn’t forget about my recent loss, not even a bit. Even the sight of Adrian couldn’t cheer me up. I had to burry his head and his body myself. It wasn’t pretty. And it certainly wasn’t an image prone to leave my mind anytime soon.
When Adrian shot me a friendly smile for comfort, I only dropped my gaze and kept on walking. Holding my head in my hands. I was driven by both fear and hatred. The mine only felt emptier, despite the newcomers coming in by the week.
I didn’t know what I wanted anymore but only… revenge. They took everything away from me. My freedom, Cassius’ sword… Renold… though that amulet of mine they left with me. At least someone had a fragment of heart somewhere.
I couldn’t stand this for much longer, knowing I’ll lose it soon and go completely mad if I don’t get out of here. I took one more chance and called this so called Borin once more by his name. I had never before been so desperate. My voice was forceful and I wasn’t about to stand down and walk away again.
Out of the darkness, someone finally called, “Alright already! I’m comin’!”
I didn’t respond, but only stared into the direction from whence the voice came. A short man appeared into sight with a thick red beard and hair that came together as one. He was wearing traditional dwarven armour.
“Uh, are you the Borin I seek?”
“No, I’m Charlotte Dickens. Of course I’m Borin!” I frowned.
“Well, sorry for asking,” I said bitterly.
“Ya better be!” I sighed and knew better than to keep this argument going.
“Why did ya call me and how do ya know mah name?”
I was about to answer, but couldn’t concentrate since he was staring intently at me with those menacing dwarf eyes. He could stare a person to death with those eyes, if you ask me. They really distracted me and… sorry - I should really stop getting carried away.
Borin snapped his finger to snap me out of my daze.
“Hey! Answers!” I shook the daze away.
“Oh sorry. It’s just that I need your help.”
He stared but nonchalantly at me and then turned around, walking away. This was no use, but I had one more thing that might help.
“Terrowin,” I said. He suddenly paused and turned around.
“Tha annoyin’ human? Ya know him?” I scratched my head.
“Uh… sure.”
“Well why didn’t ya say so? I’m Charlo – Borin.”
I chocked back a laugh.
“Yeah, I think I already know. I’m Carlaylin. Friend of Terrowin.”Borin snorted. I said the word ‘friend’ with such a detest at my tone of voice.
“The one tha’ hit this guy with a mug and attacked a witch as a chicken?”
He nodded in satisfaction and said it all with a laugh of joy as though I was some sort of celebrity amongst his kind. I was in shock and felt uneasy. I was too afraid to ask how he knew, but I preferred to keep it all a… TERROWIN!
“Terrible to meet ya. Nah, ya have really inspired all of us! What do ya need?”
“I need help getting out of here.”
He took a while to study his surroundings.
“The Mines of Suntaria. Sure. I can get ya out of here.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“Really? That’s great! But… I would like to help the other prisoners too. I don’t think they deserve to work here as slaves any more than I do.”
“Now aren’t we tha charitable one? What do ya think I’m runnin’ here?”
He took a moment of silence to shake his head, until finally asking, “Ya can use magic like the other human?”
“Yes, I can.”
“Then I can help, but only under one condition. Mah kind gets Suntaria back!”
“Uh, yeah sure whatever you want.”
He gave a scheming smile and rubbed his hands together.
“Perfect,” he purred.
I hope I haven’t agreed to something bad.
“I can dig ya a tunnel. I know where a weak spot in tha wall is. We can dig, ya break tha’ last wall. After tha, we’ll be outta here. Deal?” I shook his little hand that had an unnatural strong grip.
“Deal.” I tried one more thing before he left.
“Say, what do you think about fire?”
What? Can’t blame me for trying. I’m really curious as to see what happens…
His one eye started twitching.
“Fire?”
“Yes, fire.” He lividly puffed his cheeks and blew.
“Tha annoyin’ human has caused more than enough trouble with fire! Fire makes me think of tha’ human. And tha’ human makes me want to take off mah clothes!” I yelped. I did not need to see that. I repeat: I DID NOT NEED TO SEE THAT.
It’d probably scar me for life. Before it could get out of hand I said goodbye and speed walked away. Why didn’t I just listen to his warning?
Another month and a few days passed since my disturbing meeting with Borin. I have been stuck in this godforsaken mine for about three months now. I was pretty pale…
At the moment I struggled to carry a large crate on my way back to the clearing. I was meandering a widened tunnel. It was about three times my own weight and twice my size. (I admit, a bit exaggerated, but well, that’s how I see it.)
Slowly, I mov
ed forward, foot by foot, until my legs couldn’t take it anymore. They gave in and sent me collapsing to the ground, allowing the crate to tumble away, rattling the mining equipment inside.
A guard standing nearby was furious and quickly approached.
“Get up!” he demanded. I had no choice but to obey and tried to get to my feet, but by my own surprise, I couldn’t.
“I said, get to your feet, slave!” I tried once more, but still couldn’t manage to succeed. My legs felt numb and there was no way I could use them. They had almost lost all feeling.
“I can’t...” I reported shakily caught in disbelief and close to tears as I was brought to a possible realization and apprehension.
Unfortunately, the guard didn’t believe me and hit me hard with the whip. I winced as pain spread across my body once again.
“No, please I can’t!” I pleaded, but the guard gave no mercy and took one more swing.
“Stop! Please!” He hit me again.
“No, I promise you I can’t!” He crossed the limit and hit me again. I shut my eyes tightly as the next swung came, but surprisingly, felt no pain – beside the pain that was already there, of course.
I looked up, my eyes filled with tears. Another guard had grabbed his arm.
“Stop! She is clearly of no use to us anymore. Leave her here to die.”
My heart skipped a beat and I felt like shrinking, disappearing…
The guard gave me a scowl and followed the other one away. They left me there on the ground. I couldn’t go anywhere. Everyone that passed me by only ignored me. I couldn’t even call for help with my voice that left me. I was too weak to crawl… The illness, infection, the terrible beating and all those heavy-duty crates really took their toll on me.
I lay there until I couldn’t take it anymore. My mouth was dry after coughing so much. My sickness had gotten the best of me and the light soon left me. I was unconscious.
Hours have passed until Adrian passed me by, but dropped the barrel the soon as he caught sight of me. He was quick to rush to my side, kneeling down beside me.
As you can tell, I was slowly coming to.
He noticed the all the wounds and bruises and gashes adorning my skin, the blood that decorated my useless attire… My back was facing him and he slowly turned me around to look at my face, to see if it really was me and if there was still a hope that I was alive.
He cradled my head in his arms.
“Carlaylin...” He tried shaking at me, but I was too weak to respond. I was still caught between consciousness and unconsciousness.
“Carlaylin!” I started to stir and weakly, but slowly, opened my eyes. My vision was blurred. Adrian gave a sigh of relief, glad that I wasn’t dead... yet. His worried grin immediately turned grim.
“What has become of you?”
I was too weak to reply. I was pale and dark circles formed beneath my eyes.
“You’re not well. We have to get you out of here…”
As I could get more of a grip on my consciousness, he tried to help me to my feet, but my head started to spin, flashing memories of the guard hitting me with his whip when I tried to find my feet myself. I couldn’t help but panic, my heart starting to race.
“No, please don’t! I can’t walk!” I paused to catch my breath. “I can’t walk.”
Adrian froze, quite stunned, but respected my plea and slowly let me down.
“I’m sorry…” I finally said, still trying to keep my eyes open. I gave him a quick explanation the best I could.
“Barbarians!” His eyes met mine. “Come on. I will find a way to escape. If it’s the last thing I do.”
I coughed painfully.
“Just leave me here to die. It’s too late for me anyway.”
Adrian furiously shook his head, refusing to believe the idea. “No, I will not!”
He went for plan B and picked me up and held me in his arms.
“I overheard you talking to that dwarf in your plan to escape and help us all. I am truly grateful for that and will repay you. I met with him a few hours ago and he said that he had finished the tunnel. All you need to do is help with the last wall – the weak spot. He recalled something about… magic?”
Adrian had a glint of confusion glinting in eyes as he asked. I nodded but faintly. I’ll have to explain everything later.
“Okay. You ready?” My gazes fell to the ground. “As ready… as I’ll ever be.”
Adrian didn’t hesitate to help and carried me to the wall as he carried me in his arms.
We met Borin and a few of his men there, all dressed in their sacred dwarven armour, looking ready for a battle. The tunnel was well hollowed out, but only a thin layer of rocky wall stood in our way to freedom, unable to be dug through, not even with the strongest of dwarven weaponry and equipment.
He was almost glad to see me. He grew sceptic at the sight of me.
“Hello… Oh, what happened to ya?” I glared at him, managing only a few words.
“You took your time…” I couldn’t help but cough. I kept my gaze on him. He merely dismissed the matter.
“Oh well, onto more important matters. Point is, time to keep to yer deal and help us with this wall.”
I nodded. Adrian shot me a look of concern.
“Look, I know you’re trying to help us and all, but… Are you sure you can do this? We can always find another way…?”
“No… No, I have to do this.”
He respected my decision and let me do my magic, though I wasn’t sure if it would work. It didn’t work when I was strong. Will it even work whilst I’m weak? It was something I was willing to figure out. I paged my thoughts and searched for a proper spell. I wasn’t exactly sure, for I never really had any real practised and or training before.
Time to improvise.
My arms felt numb, but I had no time for games. All I could think of was getting away. I kept my focus and feebly stuck my hand out, holding in the direction of the wall. I splayed my hand and willed my powers. I could feel the tingle of electricity running through my bloodstream. I could feel it. I could feel my magic… Gradually, and with all the force I had to muster, I curled my fingers. Cracks started to snake across the stone wall, bit by bit, more and more, until I finally closed my hand into a fist and with that, as if by magic – duh – the uneven rock wall exploded into pieces. Boulders and stone were sent shooting outward and some of the dwarves were sent to cover themselves from the onslaught of raining stone. I felt drained and my arm slumped, my body going numb.
When the dust cleared, there was a bright light, a hole – a massive opening. I squinted my eyes. It had been so long since I’ve seen any sunlight. It was almost blinding. It was the first sign of daylight I had witnessed in three months.
My eyes swept about and noticed nothing but shocked and surprised faces all around, caught in disbelief. Some of the faces were these of captives who had caught a glimpse of their escape. I have to admit that I too couldn’t believe it, just how powerful I had been. It was almost unearthly, unworldly… It was like some extraterritorial power had seeped into my veins and gave me that one last boost to bring unto me my freedom.
Borin shot me a glance, actually impressed for a first.
“Tha’ was amazin’! We thank ya. Now we can claim back what was once ours.”
I pursed my lips into a thin line.
“F-Forgive my curiosity, but h-how did you lose Suntaria in the first place?”
What? Even in my current state, it was still a question I was dying to know. And this felt like one of the only chances I might get to get that answered for me.
He sighed.
“In a very humiliating way, we lost it in a bet.”
All the wonder, all the mystery and this was the answer?
My voice was frail, almost cracked.
“A-A bet?”
“Ill-fatedly, yes. Who knew humans were such good gamblers?” I didn’t respond to th
at.
“Well, I guess this is goodbye for now then. Next time ya see Suntaria… well… I can only say tha’ it will belong to tha dwarfs once again!”
He winked and yelled out an order to charge. All the dwarf warriors obeyed and charged ruthlessly into the streets, yelling and roaring out their battle cries. I could hear pedestrians cry out in fear, screaming for their lives. Some yelling, “Help! We’re being attacked by hobbits!” and another, “The short man stole my shoe!”
Okay, it was definitely time to get out of here. I could even see a fire starting nearby. Only one minute into game time and the dwarves had already managed to start not one, but four fires.
My only wish was not to catch sight of Borin right about now.
Even the prisoners stormed out, creating havoc on the streets as they enjoyed their freedom, murdering and stealing once again.
My throat was dry. I coughed a few times, feeling as my vision started to slip again.
Adrian wasn’t exactly one for sightseeing and rushed onwards, me still in his arms, to the streets and into the rays of the blinding sun.
“You have my sincere gratitude, but I will not leave you like this. I will not leave you here. I have to get you to someone that can help.”
“N-No…” It was getting harder and harder to make as much as a sound.
“You have already… done too much.” Adrian shook his head.
“Never! Is there any place you know of that might be of aid?” I didn’t want him to do all the work in getting me there, but I had no choice. How else? Murray sent me out to do something, and I wasn’t about to die without doing it. My voice was hoarse, almost faded.
“I hope it’s not t-too much to ask, but… Morrowburg…”
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