by Xander Jade
The elves didn’t think I was telling the truth over the special part, but I wasn’t going to let them know anything regarding the uniqueness of myself. None of them pried, but Sasha stared hard at Cass and Val for a few moments, they subtly shook their heads to leave it be for now, she huffed and I knew they would have a long conversation coming up.
Getting them back on track, "Alright, we have those items in question to give. Now, let’s talk about training. Today we came upon goblins, tomorrow you might face ogres or orcs. Everyone will be learning blades and hand to hand, bows as well. Even though some may use the bow frequently, everyone can be better by practicing more."
They nodded and we finished up with our discussions then went to bed. When getting comfortable, the girls were concerned about the Leshies incident but I advised them it would work out. They nodded and got some needed rest, not caring about showing Max their purchases yet.
***
Weeks earlier:
During those weeks that Max and the others were getting settled in and enjoying their daily routines, Gordon was ordered to find his friend to discuss many things with him. After the meeting with his father and the Whitehurst group, he was unsettled to say the least. Before they set out the next day, he had one last meeting with his father.
"Gordon, I’m sending you with ten guards for your security. Max is the priority, but if he isn’t there then come back and we’ll regroup. Get there quickly and safely son. I’m really not comfortable sending you with the raids getting worse. Your mother will kill me if something happens to you."
Gordon smirked and replied, "It will be fine, father. Hopefully, Max will not give me too hard a time and decide to come with me. I better get some rest. Goodnight, father."
"Goodnight, son," Duke Ackley replied with a smile.
Gordon went to bed early preparing himself mentally for his journey. His entourage set out early that morning after a hearty breakfast headed to BlackCrest. Ten rode out wanting to get this over with, one couldn’t wait to see his friend.
The group stopped halfway to let the horses drink and rest to make sure they would be okay to ride back the same day. After resting, they set out again at a medium trot, BlackCrest was only a few more miles ahead when things went drastically wrong.
Three orcs stepped out in the middle of the road, the party slowed down and finally stopped twenty feet from the green faced bandits. The lead guard was about to shout out a warning when both sides filled with other greenies and something really ghastly. Tall grey beings with their bones sticking out of their flesh, skin dropping, and had rotten teeth. Gordon didn’t know what was going on, but dread filled his mind.
Gordon finally shouted, "What do you want?"
The lead orc, a big brute chuckled, "You and your group. Put the collars on boys, we’re not taking any chances after the last debacle."
The evil group came over and fastened metal collars on the men and they felt a prick on their necks as something embedded itself. Grant, their mage gasped out and trembled after his was put on.
Gordon asked, "What’s the matter, Grant?"
He whimpered for a few moments, taking a deep breath he finally responded, "These infernal contraptions have taken away my magic."
The others around gasped and the evil bastards around them laughed at their predicament.
The lead orc shouted out, "Alright boys, let’s get these humans to the cages and get to the mine before dark."
The surrounding group bellowed out something and pushed the captives through the woods towards their new destination. The orcs even took their horses with them. A few minutes later they were led into a caged wagon, which was pulled by four ogres. Hours later, they ended up in their new home, another cage that was three times bigger.
The group was really down after seeing what was in the abandoned mine, cages of all sizes were inside a cavern that held people of all races. Those ugly grey fuckers were keeping them in check and guarding the cages.
As the weeks went by, people would try and escape, but would eventually get killed or be pushed back into the metal prisons. They were waiting for someone called an overlord to take them to their next destination. All hope of getting rescued was about out.
***
Will was out with his group of rangers trying to figure out how and why people were coming up missing. His team had just come to the town of Horatio when he ran into Wayland. They took an hour or so discussing his group’s trials, smiling when Max came in and saved them. Wayland went on and on about Reaper and Hercules and couldn’t believe no one has mentioned seeing those creatures around. Will had to stop Wayland and his team from spreading news about this discovery otherwise people would swarm Max, wondering about the legendary creature. After making sure he would take care of that, Wayland had given him a ledger that Max had found in a cave.
While studying it for a few days with some of his team members, they discovered another place where the evil ones were keeping captives. Brian had exposed a cryptic code the captors were using. After discussing the plans with the Master Rangers, they set out for this location thinking no one would see them since most of them could blend into the environment around them.
Wanting to do some recon of the area, the team of ten went separate ways into the forest and found virtually nothing of interest. No sign of any evil ones camping out in areas by the mine in question, so Will and team decided to go check out the location in question. As they were coming up to the entrance, movement was seen a hundred feet to the east and went to check it out. They saw a tall emaciated beast with its skin hanging off that turned when they came upon it.
It smiled maliciously and spoke, "Welcome travelers, to your new home."
Will shouted, "Halt in the name of King William! You’re trespassing and if you don’t stop and desist, we will apprehend and or kill you. What say you?"
The grey being laughed at the stupid human, "Why would I do that when I’m having too much fun?"
"Stop chattering and give me an answer beast," Will snarled. "You’re kidnapping and imprisoning innocents. If you won’t comply then we will end you."
It just looked around at the ten humans and behind them, then tilted his head, "You can try but my friends may have something to say to that."
Will and the others looked behind them, three tall grey beasts were in combat stances and the rangers knew that they were in over their heads. Will cursed himself, knowing they had to have backup around, but didn’t plan accordingly.
The beasts rounded them up and took them into the mine, placing them into a cage with others. Will slumped his shoulders, wondering how they would get out of this one.
***
The Oakenshore court was in an uproar, they haven’t heard anything from the group led by Gordon Ackley in two weeks. The Ackleys were worried and concerned for their youngest son, but held out hope that he would be alright. The Duke of Oakenshore sent out men to see if they could locate or get information on the whereabouts of Lord Ackley.
After another week with no word, Duke Ackley got the king and the high mage involved. With some deliberation, the king sent out knights and guards in separate directions to see if they could find the lost lord.
Two months from the moment Gordon left, no one knew of his location and the duke and duchess were having a hard time accepting that he was gone.
"Jerald, where could he be?" Duchess Ackley asked her husband, tears flowing down her cheeks.
Duke Ackley hugged his wife and comforted her, "I don’t know dear. The king has people out looking for the entourage as well, but hasn’t turned up any new information than we already know. He never made it to BlackCrest, nor his guards. It’s like they just vanished. We even tried to find Max, but he hasn’t been located either, though not sure that they even knew where he would be anyway."
Duchess Ackley sniffled and replied, "I want him back here with us, Jerald. I don’t care what or how long it takes."
"Yes, my love
. I will do everything in my power to find and bring him home."
The couple turned and walked out of the court into the bedroom wing of the castle to turn in for the night.
***
*Not knowing any of these events happened in the past weeks, Max and his crew went on with their daily lives.*
As the sun rose, the girls got up and fixed breakfast with Sasha and Leena. Our morning discussion consisted of what jobs were needing done and who would complete those tasks. The ladies decided to milk the cows, feed the animals, work the gardens, and gather the eggs. Elwin and Pelleus would start on the piping and channels for the watering canal. I was going to check the barn for the stop valves then if we had enough, go hunt and check the outskirts of my lands to make sure it was kosher.
When finishing the fulfilling meal, we started our tasks. Walking to the barn and entering the door, I turned left to my tool and equipment section. Glancing over the shelves for a few minutes, I found what I needed, but it seemed they were bigger than needed. The guys would have to change their channel to this valve and fix the clay to harden around the ends. Shrugging, if it didn’t work then I would go get some from the merchant in town. Grabbing what was needed, I hurried back outside to the two elves.
Coming up to them they were discussing the project. "Guys, these are the only ones I could find. Hopefully it will work, if not we’ll have to get some from town."
Both looked over the valves and nodded. Elwin responded, "This will work fine. It’s a little more work but we can make it happen." Pelleus nodded.
"Cool. Well, I’m going to grab my gear and head out."
Pelleus replied, "Okay, boss. When we get done, we’ll deliver the gifts for the Leshies and find out if anything is happening around us."
"Good. Hopefully nothing is going on, but better to be prepared."
They agreed and I walked back to my room to gather my gear. After grabbing my weapons and gear, I strolled back outside to my furry duo that were soaking in the sun. Lazy bastards.
"Let’s go hunting guys!"
They perked up immediately and ran over to join me walking into the woods, headed towards the borders of Lahone (The Elven Kingdom), Dwarfendom (Dwarf Kingdom), and Amenoa (The Amazon Kingdom).
Moving along we saw creatures of all sorts, but none who were evil. Foxes, rabbits, and some stag. While stalking through the woods, I managed to locate a couple of creeks and waterfalls, the girls would love that and mentally put those locations in my mind. Two hours into the search, I picked something out in my peripheral, and went over to the area that had a sign posted.
KEEP OUT.
Of course that peeked my interest and meandered my way through the foliage into a clearing. A small mountain range was in this area, must be near Dwarfendom. Shaking my head at those thoughts, Reap and Herc were right behind me. We wandered around checking out the landscape and some outcrops. Scanning the area, my eyes picked up a pile of oxidized metal. Strolling towards it, I peered down and saw rusted iron, then looked left to find piles of oxidized copper and some other metal, maybe zinc or nickel. Thinking it was odd to see piles of metal, I glanced to the rocky slopes to see if there was a cave or something that these metals came from. Maybe even a mine shaft. That would be the logical idea, someone had to mine these piles.
It didn’t take long to locate where. A couple hundred feet from those piles was an entrance within the rocky background, and it was boarded up. It also had another sign that said KEEP OUT. Coming up to the blocked off hole in the slope, I noticed a big hole close to the ground. Someone or something, created a hole for them to get in. It wasn’t that big either, I could fit but Reap and Herc wouldn’t be able to. I thought about it for a few moments, then made my decision. If we could get some metal from this mine shaft, if that’s what it is, then we could make some coin.
Turning to my duo I said, "Wait here, fellas."
They huffed and snorted, acting like they didn’t want me to go in alone. Taking off my pack, I made sure my flint and steel were available. I’m thinking that a torch is within reach, so I would light one for my path inside. Tying my pack back together, I crouched down and crawled through the hole. When reaching beyond the blocked entrance, I got up and looked around for the nearest torch. Spotting one, I walked over and grabbed it off the hook, then lit it. The torch took a few moments to catch, probably because it’s been some time since it was used. After making sure it would stay lit, I started my way down the tunnel.
I’m not gonna lie, it was damn spooky down in there. Cobwebs, rank smells; something definitely died in here. I kept going to see where and if some mining had been done. Coming out into the mine shaft, I saw a pretty sight, rails that led off into the cavern, and even an old mining car was left there. Hmmm. Walking over to the cart, I held the torch up to see what was left inside, it had some metal left in it.
Thinking nothing of it, I followed the rails to see where they would lead. I passed multiple carts with nothing worth of value in them, but kept on strolling along until reaching the bottom, or at least it looked like it. A huge cavern of darkness was in the view of my torch, but was able to see the end when I walked up to a huge wall of rock that impeded my way. Carts were everywhere, filled to the brim with metal that seemed similar to silver or at least that’s what it seemed. Damn, I didn't know how many carts there were, but if they were filled with silver, that would amount to a lot of fuckin dough.
Shaking my head from those thoughts for now, I walked around the cavern to see the equipment that was left when the workers abandoned the mine. I wonder why they abandoned it, it would seem that someone would come back for the silver, but didn’t. Pick axes, shovels, hammers, and even chisels were strewn over the area, left on the ground. I investigated the area and came to a hole in the wall that measured about four feet wide and six feet tall, almost like a door was built into the rocks.
Holding the torch up, I could see a hidden room about twenty feet long and ten feet wide. Glancing around the chamber, I noticed some scraps of metal scattered around a nest of steel and iron that had a couple of eggs in it, they were about six inches tall. Fuck! Something was living here! I eased my way back out not wanting to disturb the parent of those eggs. I made my way out into the cavern again and tried to be as silent as possible, but evidently not good enough. Several hisses rang out through the air, I looked all around to find what was making those noises, and then I saw them. Seven pairs of orange, reptilian eyes, stalked towards me from different directions.
When the creatures entered the lighted area from the torch, my eyes widened at the sight of the two foot long, four legged obsidian colored reptiles. They reminded me of salamanders, but were way bigger. That wasn’t what had me worried, it was the fuckin fire coming out of their mouths that had me concerned. Two of them walked towards the one closest to me and all of a sudden melted into it. Whoa, never seen that before. Suddenly, roars and sounds of wood breaking apart came from within the tunnel, as the one that sucked the other ones inside itself came back into view. The fucker was now six feet long, the other four stopped and strolled over behind the bigger reptile. Seconds later, their bodies started turning an orange red color and the whole area around me started heating up. Oh. Shit. I now knew what this creature is. An Ignis Squamata Multiplicamini, a damn fire elemental. The Ignis Squamata Multiplicamini is a reptile who can multiply itself and create fire, hence the word ignis. It was also very rare and reclusive, it would seem that I unknowingly found its lair.
Now I knew why the mine was abandoned. No one by themselves could handle one of these, let alone a miner. FUCK! I backed up till my back hit the wall, my damn weapons wouldn’t do anything to this bastard; I threw them on the ground a few feet away, hoping it would deter the bastard from killing me.
The roars and growling were getting closer as was the elemental. The fucker actually came up to me, stood up on its hind legs, and breathed out fire, missing me by inches. Flames were also coming out of its eyes, I didn’t know wha
t it was up to, but since I couldn’t go or do anything, I stood still. The obsidian colored beast stood there for a minute, then shot at me faster than I could follow, and tackled me to the ground. I tried like crazy to heave the fucker off of me, but it was too strong. Reap and Herc came into the room roaring and ran towards our location. They didn’t make it far when the elemental pulled the other four together, grew to eight feet tall, and stomped over to them blocking their path.
I looked back into the eyes of the intelligent being and found a curious intent within them, like it was trying to decide something. It didn’t take long at all until it made its decision, the creature pulled its head back and hissed, fangs came out at that time and it bit into my right shoulder. I screamed out and felt something flowing from the elemental, filling my bloodstream. My veins were on fire and it felt like my body was burning from the inside, my screams were loud and long, and after some time I passed out from the pain.
***
The women were working out in the barn and the gardens while Elwin and Pelleus were concentrating on the pipeline.
Shaila giggled out as she and Lashane was cleaning Zeus and his ladies, "Lashane, are you having as much fun as I am?"
Lashane looked over to her sister and smiled, "Yes. Can’t say I’ve had this much in a long time."
"I agree. Since coming here, we’ve had numerous conversations with our four legged friends. Taking care of these charming animals makes me happy."
She nodded and responded, "Me too. Sasha seems to think we were led here for some reason, like this was meant to be."