When Samuel woke up the next day, he found a note underneath his door.
Opening it, it read, ‘You’ll find a washcloth with a bucket of hot water and some clean clothes by your door. What you are wearing will be cleaned by the time we return.’
“I hope they fit,” Gabram said when Samuel came out of his room. He remembered Iseac once wearing this shirt while he was preparing him for his unlocking not that many years ago.
“Yes, they fit just fine, thank you,” Samuel said.
He was dressed in black trousers and a deep green shirt laced in front and embroidered vertically with a gold pattern along the left side. It was a nice shirt, or, at least, nicer than anything he’d ever owned.
“Walk with me,” Gabram said as he handed Samuel what looked like a new cloak, and they made their way into the misty morning.
A single leaf dropped from one of the trees; it swayed in the air as they passed by. A new season was about to begin.
Chapter 21
A Hole to the Abyss
Iseac heard a growling sound as he was jabbed from behind; his vision was still spotty, but he blindly stepped forward, not wanting to be pushed again. As he walked, he couldn’t help but notice the rancid smell that clung in the air that made it hard for him to breathe. He felt as if he was being choked and coughed, trying not to breathe in the foul smell. He was pushed again and asked to pick up his pace.
Along the way, his vision came into full focus and he could see they were somewhere underground, or in a cave, maybe; he wasn’t sure.
The tunnel he was in was narrow and could only admit four normal-sized adults at a time. The walls had red gems planted along a rough surface that gave off a soft glow and they were the only sources of light along their way. The tunnel in some spots branched off to unknown areas, with each junction supported by heavy wooden beams.
Outside of the low grunts and stomping sound of footsteps behind and in front of him, Iseac heard another sound. It was a low murmur that grew the farther in they went, and after a short span, was clearly. It was the crackling sound of whips mixed with screams and the clanking sound of working tools. The sound of raised voices that weren’t human giving commands rose and fell along the way.
As they meandered through the tunnel, they came to a vast opening inside the cave. Several yards from their position was a suspension bridge. As they crossed the massive canyon, Iseac saw other bridges above and below him as far as the eye could see.
“How long has this been going on?” he wondered as they moved across.
Once he was over the bridge, they led him through a wider tunnel that sloped down slightly. Just before it leveled off, the Agoras in front of him stopped.
From where he was standing, he saw two armed men with their backs facing him. Guards, he suspected. They were abnormally broad and muscular, with networks of veins making their way up their necks. The guards’ breastplates were dull and dark, like the cave, and their helmets looked like they were built right on their massive heads.
One of them turned to look at Iseac and he was surprised to see a wolfish face. They were half beasts with yellow eyes and thin pupils. The creatures all had a grayish tone to their skin, with arms wide as a bull’s hind legs.
This part of the tunnel, Iseac observed, was darker, and instead of gems, they had fire posts.
The man who led the group spoke to the two guards briefly and then left with his men, leaving Iseac alone with the guards.
“Bring him,” the one in charge said, and Iseac moved before he was pushed. In the dim light he saw bars lining this section of the tunnel. There hadn’t been any along the way till now. This was one of the areas where the people were being held. The guard in charge opened one of the iron gates and before Iseac could step in, he was pushed inside. Iseac fell, sliding on the dirt floor as the rusty cage was locked behind him.
He rose from the floor, listened to the sound of the guards walking away until he couldn’t hear them anymore. He had no light in his cell as he pushed himself up and grunted from applying weight on his bad arm. He felt stiff all over. A result, he suspected, was due to the way they had traveled to this place. He made himself walk to his cell bars. Fire posts were placed on both sides of his cell, both dim, so he couldn’t see much, but at least he knew the guards were a safe distance away.
Iseac took in a deep breath, allowing his weariness to overcome him as he got down on one knee. He placed his left hand on the damp floor and began to concentrate.
It was hard to focus with all the pain. It felt as if every part of his body was pounded back together. His head was still foggy from the loss of blood, but after several minutes of painstaking concentration, images of his four walls came into view. He began the slow process of spreading his mind and, within seconds, flashes of life began to pop up around him, but he was too exhausted to continue, so he withdrew.
Yosterio was a lot of work, and he needed to conserve his energy till he found out why he was being held. He had his suspicions.
After weeks of mining and watching people fight for food that was delivered once a day, time became subjective. Iseac, like the others, looked forward to the gathering. It was an arena, of a sort, where he and roughly five hundred other people were herded. In this cramped space, some struggled for the best position, with everyone looking up for what was coming. A black metal pot containing food enough to feed fifty was poured down into the area. They did this throughout the day because of the number of people the area could hold. Those who could not fight died from starvation, while others were killed by those stronger in the fight for food, with the guards watching above.
“You there,” the grinding bass of one of the guards called to Iseac as he stepped toward his cell, unlocking it. It had been a long time since anyone had paid him any attention; he was beginning to wonder if he was just another victim.
“Around your neck,” the guard said, tossing Iseac a metal chain with an open ring at the end.
He looked up into the wolfish yellow eyes of the guard, whose size was almost the weight of his cell, and without saying a word, Iseac rose up, walked over to the chain, and clamped it around his neck. The creature spoke to Iseac with the same distaste it had for all humans.
“While my men enjoy the chase and killing those of your kind that think they can escape because they have not been bound…this, I guess, helps to tame that urge,” He watched Iseac pick up the chain.
“Good,” he said as if addressing an animal, once he heard the clasping sound of the ring around Iseac’s neck. He tugged on it, jostling Iseac forward before he was led out of his cage.
The creature took him through a different part of the tunnels. For several minutes they made their way in almost pitch blackness with the guard, who could clearly see in the dark, leading the way.
After several minutes, a flickering light appeared overhead. As they got closer, the tunnel opened up, revealing the first double doors he’d ever seen inside the cave. Two guards stood at the entrance. They relaxed, lowering their weapons when they saw their commander.
They let them through, closing the door behind them. Once inside, they made their way through several open draperies that extended from the rooftop of the long hallway. This part of wherever they were was completely different from the damp rock wall he was used to seeing.
Finally, he thought. He was going to meet the person behind all the people that have been disappearing.
Ahead of them were several young women standing along the side of archway they were approaching. They were scantily dressed, but clean, and stood evenly split on opposite sides of the wall, watching something in the direction they were heading.
They turned briefly to look at them and just as quickly returned their attention to what they were looking at before.
The men facing the entrance as they entered lifted their heads to look at them; but they weren’t the ones who caught Iseac’s attention. His eyes were instantly drawn to the figure who had his back turned to him, dress
ed in a dark red silk robe similar to a Patron.
The man took his hands from the table as he stood straight. Iseac could not help noticing his companions watching as he turned. The man had a narrow face with dark blond hair. His feet made no sound as he walked down several flights of a well-polished marble tile to meet them.
He was of average build and taller than Iseac, standing at the same level. His hair was cut below his ears and eyes ashen gray as he looked at Iseac as if studying a piece of his missing puzzle. He half−raised an arm and opened his fingers in a flickering motion. The chain around Iseac’s neck snapped and dropped to the ground.
“Thank you, commander; I will take care of this one,” he said, dismissing the creature. He walked around Iseac once before speaking.
“We know who you are, Anamerian. Do you see the wreath boy?” he asked rhetorically.
“Your gift,” he said with some distaste, “is what our Lord seeks. If you do as you are told and prove yourself worthy of his mercy, then maybe your FALLING will not be cut short.
“Tomorrow we shall begin, and you do not want to find out what will happen if your information is false,” he said, picking up his slow and purposeful walk again around Iseac.
“My companions think we should do it without you, but they will need parts.” The man sounded as if he hadn’t quite made up his mind.
“As tempting as that sounds, I’ve asked that we hold off for now and give you a chance, with the right incentive. Young men nowadays need something to help them stay focused, right?”
The man stopped pacing and looked at Iseac. “I wonder what yours might be.”
He raised his hand in the air, beckoning at someone Iseac could not see. A guard came out from the corner of the room with someone held tightly in his right arm. Iseac hoped it wasn’t whom he suspected it was. As the person came to view, anger flared inside him. It took a considerable amount of effort not to lash out at the guard and everyone in the room.
It took a second, but he recognized the person. Elena. Her hair was matted in dirt. There were bruises on her arms and legs, which was also covered in dirt. Her upper arm was like a twig wrapped around the guard’s massive hand. She lifted her head to look at him and dropped it back down as the men in the room watched him for some reaction.
“It appears,” the man in the red robe said, “the Anamerian does not know this woman. Maybe I was mistaken. I guess she is as useless to him as she is to me.”
He reached toward her, straightening his arm as if trying to reach out and slowly clenching his fingers. Elena grabbed her neck and began to struggle violently, trying to pull apart an invisible noose around her neck. Her face slowly turned red.
“Stop,” Iseac croaked, as if the words were ripped out of his mouth. The man in red turned to look at him.
“Oh, so she does mean something to you,” he said dispassionately.
“Don’t hurt her,” Iseac said, conceding to his test.
“Good. I’m glad we have an understanding.” He relaxed his fingers and Elena dropped to the ground, coughing. “Take her away,” he said, waving his finger. Taking their cue, two of the women ran up to him.
“Show him to his quarters,” the man said as he started making his way back up to join his companions.
It had never crossed his mind, but now, seeing Elena, Iseac feared the worst for his family and townspeople.
“Follow me,” the servant said, breaking his thoughts.
He glanced at the man in the red robe before following the young woman through a different doorway. He stayed with the young woman as she scurried along, fading in and out of the firelight on their way, until they arrived at a section of the tunnel with a red stone that provided the only light in the area. The soft glow revealed a door made of stone.
It was several inches thick and two guards stood waiting, their massive eyes bright in the dim light.
“Here,” the servant said, standing next to the door that was open.
Iseac said nothing as he walked past her into the room. Once inside, the massive door was pushed in until it closed. The clacking sound of keys followed as the door was locked behind him.
His cell was whitewashed, so even though there was no light, he could still see a little. Oddly enough, Iseac was relieved to find the place not as damp. His cell was empty except for a tin bucket, bowl, and cup. The cup reminded Iseac that his throat was dry. He reached for it and discovered it empty. Disappointed, he sat down, crossing his legs.
After all that had just happened, he was beginning to reconsider his original plan, which was to wait for Samuel and the Ackalans while he gathered information on their enemies’ plans; but now that Elena was here−and maybe his family−he needed to do something.
He was beginning to formulate a new plan when a tray came sliding toward him. It stopped halfway in his direction, and he rushed over to pick it up. He saw scraps of meat in some sort of broth that had spilled some along the way.
He dug in, eating with the fierce intensity of a wild animal.
Within minutes it was all gone, but his stomach growled for more. When the tray was clean, he placed it back down and stared at his right hand, opening and closing his fingers. He was pleased to see that his arm was getting better every day.
His shoulder was still sore and stiff, but there was no permanent damage. He took a look at his shoulder, now that he could see better than before; the area where the arrow struck was still covered in dry blood, now mixed with dirt. He unbuttoned his shirt to examine the area and was pleased to see that it was beginning to heal.
After a considerable amount of time contemplating the next plan of action, Iseac made his decision; he placed his right hand on the floor and concentrated. Soon he gained sight outside his cell.
The numbers of tunnels from his chamber were so numerous that he could not make sense of the maze. There were twice as many people on this side than those in the cell where he was initially held. It made things difficult, but he would search every day until he found her, using the necklace that he saw she was still wearing.
While yosterio allowed him to brush through and see images of a vast number of people, focusing on a single object took more effort. After a short time, Iseac withdrew from exhaustion.
He could sense the guard’s presence the next day before he heard the clacking sound of a key unlocking his door.
“They are waiting,” the guard said, tossing him the familiar chain to fasten around his neck. “Now it begins,” Iseac thought as he walked over to the chain.
Chapter 22
History Behind the Story
Samuel kept up with Gabram as they made their way through the woods that led them in a semi-circle to the back of Gabram’s house, from what he could see. They were now on a footpath that gently sloped up as they walked side by side.
“Something is coming…worse than the great battle at Ambacer…” Gabram said, turning his head sideways to look at Samuel, “and you are a witness of this brewing storm.”
The battle of Ambacer, Samuel thought. He remembered listening to the tale told long ago of that battle at the valley of Ambacer, where Orums (giant half men) and other beasts never before seen fought against men.
The story was of a man named Rorrah, a former mercenary who rose in his king’s service and, over time, began handling matters the king wanted dealt with privately, outside his Council. Those who served with Rorrah respected him and trusted him with their lives.
Over time, Rorrah won the heart of the king’s only daughter, Sarah, and so became the first king not of royal blood. For fifteen years, King Rorrah plotted to expand his role. Rorrah was said to be an attractive man, with both physical strength and the cunning tongue of a great speaker. Building a correlation with outlanders, including the Orums and creatures never before seen by men, he invaded the lands north, destroying those that did not swear fealty to him, including the king.
As rumors of his invasion north reached the kings from the other Kingdoms, they sent
spies to corroborate the information and learned that it was true. They sent messages to meet with Rorrah, which he declined.
Rorrah’s intention for the kings was clear; they needed to be prepared to defend their Kingdoms, so they began making preparations for war, knowing they could be next.
Rorrah’s army continued to grow as he swept the northern lands. It was said that his men were so numerous there were ten for every person in Bayshia during the harvest festival.
Rorrah’s men moved west and were met by King Leeram. For two days they fought unceasing, and by the third day, Leeram knew they would all die there. So as the sun rose the following morning and the commanders prepared for their final stands, they heard the royal horns of the southern Kingdom. There was silence, at first as the men of Leeram stared in the direction of the sound. Then they heard it. The low thundering stomp of horses as they appeared out of the horizon, dressed in the royal colors of red and gold, with the banner of the rising sun flapping in the air. The men of Leeram raised their voices in a thunderous hail as King Henric rode in with the sun rising behind him.
The rousing cheer was reported to have been heard by Rorrah’s men, who were surprised to hear that men from the south had come to fight alongside the army of Leeram, which had never been done before. The surprise, however, did not deter the men of Rorrah, who were on the attack; by the end of the third day, they had both lost almost equal amounts of men.
Something did changed on the third day, as the men of Rorrah were beginning to lose heart. They hadn’t planned for such a long siege.
Sensing victory, both kings decided to take the offensive on the fourth day. But Rorrah’s men held their ground, and that night, men from the east rode in to aid King Leeram of the west. With the reinforcements, they scattered and drove back Rorrah’s troops.
It took two years after that victory for most of the land north to be reclaimed. Rorrah was killed in the battlefield and the outlanders were pushed back to what is now known as the “Abyss of Rorrah.” It was the bloodiest war ever recorded in history, caused by a single man who tried to bring the four Kingdoms under one rule.
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