The party had not even reached the cells when Kadra came running down the tunnel. She fell into Lukor’s arms crying for joy.
“You’re here, you’re really here!” she cried.
Lukor nodded. “I told ya I’d return.”
Then Kadra saw the two winged beings. She seemed stunned.
“We met some friends on the journey,” said Lukor. “I believe they are the answer to Debbie’s prayer.” He hesitated. “And ours.”
“Come, everyone,” announced Kadra. “We shall all gather in our home. There we can talk.”
Then Kadra turned and hugged every human child in the group starting with Debbie. To most of them it came as a surprise.
The group made their way into a place that no human save Debbie had ever seen, the village of the Wulvers. To say the least, the group attracted a lot of attention. This was especially true of their two winged guests. Lukor and Debbie took this time to fill Kadra in on the events of the past three days. It appeared to be a bit overwhelming yet it was an answer to her prayers.
“Then the time has come,” announced Kadra. “But there are things to be seen to before we do anything else. Those bands about the ankles of these young people must be removed at once. I shall not have them wearing them any longer. Take them to the blacksmith’s shop and have them removed. I assume that will not present a problem.”
“It will not,” confirmed Lukor.
“Then send the young ladies back to our home,” continued Kadra. “I will see to it that they are properly dressed for dinner. I will no longer have these young people dressed in rags. They will be dressed as equals not slaves. Oh, and I will need that key for the ladies. You know the one I’m talking about.”
Debbie was surprised when Lukor handed his mate the key without objection. That was a first.
Kadra continued. “You must see to it that the young male humans are taken to the public baths. The other men will object, of course. Use your authority to admit them, they must be cleaned up. Then see to it that they are dressed properly.”
Lukor nodded but said nothing. There was no doubt in Debbie’s mind, Kadra had trained him well.
Then Kadra turned to their special guests. “Abaddon and Lenar, I would be honored if you would come with me to my humble home. I would like to hear more about your mission.”
“Of course,” confirmed Abaddon.
Lukor led the young people on through the commons to the blacksmith’s shop. From there they would be making their way to the public bath, a place where the wulver males cleaned up and congregated. It was near the end of the work day and the place would be well populated with wulvers. No doubt this would create quite a stir.
It was the better part of two hours later that the group met once more in Lukor’s and Kadra’s simple home. By now all of the young people had been cleaned up and clothed in fine clean clothes.
“There’s something that I don’t understand,” admitted David, examining the fabric of the comfortable robe he wore. “The cloth of this soft robe I’m wearing, what is it made of?”
“Oh, that material,” said Kadra. “We don’t make that sort of thing here if that is what ya mean. It is brought to us by traders that frequent these parts several times a year. They are agents of a distant kingdom that serves the drells. They call themselves the people who breathe darkness.”
“Charming name,” noted Camron.
“Their leader is a wizard by the name of Malfacian,” noted Lukor, “a fanatic follower of the drells. His people bring us cloth and clothing, many varieties of spices, and dry goods.”
“And you pay them how?” asked David.
Kadra hesitated. “Well, we provide them with the magical glowing crystals for one thing. They are indeed prized among their people. And then there is aurum, I believe your people call it gold. We run into it in our diggings from time to time. That too they treasure. But our main trade item is slaves. I am told that your kind brings an indeed high price on their markets.”
“Why,” asked Marci. “I’ve seen these traders. They are human as far as I can see. Surely they would buy and sell their own people as well. Why would we be any different, any more valuable?”
“You just are,” interjected Lukor. “I know not why. Maybe it’s because yer out-worlders. That might make ya different somehow.”
“What do they do with us?” asked Camron.
Lukor and Kadra exchanged glances. It was Kadra who responded. “I don’t know the details, young one, but I fear it is not pleasant. Your bodies must contain something they want, something they can get nowhere else. The people they take are led to believe that they are going to a new life, but I fear that all they will find is a different form of death.”
“Lovely,” replied Camron.
“Do they come from the surface?” David asked.
“They come from a place of light,” said Lukor. “That is all I know. We are forbidden to go to their realm. The drells say that if we did we would surely die.”
“And you believe them?” asked Debbie.
“Yes,” replied Lukor. “Perhaps the nature of their world would not kill us, but the drells would if we were so foolish as to make the attempt.”
“I have had a lovely talk with our new friends,” said Kadra, anxious to change to subject. “I believe we have come up with a plan, but first we must eat.” She turned to her winged guests. I’m sorry but I didn’t ask. I only assume that you eat.”
Lenar smiled, though slightly, “Yes, from time to time.”
“Will you join us in a meal?” Kadra asked.
The dark beings nodded.
Very good. Our people even now are gathering for our communal meal in the commons. I suspect that you would not have the peaceful meal you so well deserve if we took our meal there, so I shall see to it that it is brought here. We sometimes have meetings here in our quarters so we have a large table. I have already seen to the arrangements.”
It was only a few minutes before several wolver females brought several very large plates of food to their residence. Looking outside of the door Kadra could see a large group had already gathered, perhaps in the hope of getting a glimpse of their mysterious winged visitors.
The group feasted of cooked cave beast and a variety of mushrooms and even greens that looked like carrots and celery. After long months of meager meals, the humans felt like royalty.
Following the meal came a time of planning. The members of the wolver community council joined the group in a strategy session. They dreaded the prospects of war but they dreaded even more the thought of a continued life under the drells. This was their moment. There would never be a better time.
The discussions went on for hours. A plan was crystallizing alright but so very much could go wrong.
“Abaddon, can’t you or Lenar travel back to Earth and share our plan with Dr. Wilson and his team,” asked Debbie.
Abaddon shook his head. “Sadly, no. We are forbidden to make any more contact with the researchers on Earth. I have already revealed more than I should have to them.”
“I can convey the plans to them,” said David. “From what Debbie has told me they will be beaming me up very soon.”
“Beaming you up?” Kadra asked.
“Never mind,” said David. “I think I can remember most of the details, pass on whatever message you want me to pass on. Personally I’d rather stay here and fight.”
“No,” insisted Debbie. “I want you to get out of here. I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you.”
“We need to get Gwen out of here too,” insisted Marci.
“Yes, yes, this is all very good,” said Lemnock, impatience in his voice. “But we will need every man who can hold a sword or draw a bow at our side when the time for battle is at hand. If the humans are spirited away, we will be left to face the drells alone.”
“Rest assured I’m seeing this through till the end,” said Marci. “I told you that I would fight at your side and I will.”
That comment elicited a slight smile from Lemnock. That was unusual.
It was nearly midnight when the meeting finally broke up. Different members of the council offered to take a human into their homes for the night but Lukor had a different idea.
“You can’t be taking them into your homes,” he objected. “It would arouse the suspicions of the drells were one of their agents to come into our caverns and demand an accounting. No, they must return to their cells, and not dressed as they are but as they were.”
“No,” objected Kadra. “We cannot return to the ways of the past. These are now our allies. They cannot spend the night in their cells.”
“They can do nothing else,” objected Lukor. “I’ll not be having the drells asking questions that I cannot answer. My decision is final on this issue.”
Kadra literally glared at Lukor but in the end she didn’t pursue the argument further, even after Lukor procured a bag with a new set of leg irons for each of the young humans.
“These are the new leg irons the smiths have made,” said Lukor, pulling one from the bag. “They look very much like the old ones with but one exception.” He motioned to a small indentation just below the heavy pin that joined the two halves of the shackle together. “We have added a little flaw to the shackles. Press on this and they will release. The humans can unchain themselves at will, yet to the untrained eye this little trick is invisible. You have to know exactly how to do it. In the next few days we’ll have a pair made for each and every human. They will be our prisoners in appearance only. That appearance must continue.”
Kadra nodded. Debbie got the feeling that she was not one hundred percent behind this plan but had decided not to argue the point.
“They will need to put these on and understand how to get out of them quickly,” continued Lukor. “However I wish David and Debbie to remain here. I have matters that I wish to discuss with them.”
The humans took a few minutes getting used to these strange restraints that indeed weren’t restraints. After half an hour they had all changed clothes and had been escorted back to their cells.
As for Abaddon and Lenar, they insisted that they would not need sleep for at least another week. They set off on a scouting mission, vowing to return by morning. That left only David and Debbie behind in Lukor’s and Kadra’s home.
“Tis important to me that ya learn more about my race. In the darkness of these caverns, our lineage shall perish before the passage of a few generations. Take but the knowledge of us back ta yer world, should ya be so fortunate.” Kadra, extending a hand to Debbie and David. “Come children, let me show you wonders.”
The vast hallway was nearly deserted as Kadra led Debbie and David from the humble home. They walked into the great mall, which seemed considerably darker than before, a realm of twilight.
Kadra gazed up into the dusky realm, toward the now dim light of the crystals high overhead. “The drells regulate our day, cause the light of this place to grow and ebb. Thus our lives are controlled by the masters.”
Kadra led the two to the far wall of the great passageway, and there motioned to the huge mural which occupied it. “Generations of my people carved this grand hallway from da cold gray stone around us. They did their best ta lighten its harsh environment and instill the memory of our ancestral homeland. I wish it were possible for us to return to the land of our ancestors, to the sunlight, but we can never go back. We’re no longer a part of your world. We’d be freaks, out of place in the glorious land of our ancestors.” Kadra paused for a moment, composing herself. “Come, there is much ta see.”
Wulver passersby stared in wonder at humans dressed in the traditional garb of their people. They appeared to hold a natural disgust, perhaps even an envy, for these people who were so much like they once were.
Before Debbie, over two dozen long stone tables formed the community meeting place and central dining area of the wulvers. A young wulver couple sat at one of the tables, arm in arm, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. They hardly took note of the strange trio that passed by them, for their minds were elsewhere.
A thought came to Debbie, a thought that she feared to give utterance to, yet the question had to be asked. “Kadra, what do your people eat?”
“Mushrooms, some vegetables, and fish that swim within da waters of da Great Sea of Darkness. Occasionally, hairy cave beasts wander into da caverns. They are vicious, dangerous, yet their flesh is tasty, and their huge hides provide us with the warm coverings upon our floors and beds. Fat boiled from their meat provides us with oil for cooking and for the lamps that we use from time to time. Food within da caverns is not so easily procured, our lives are uncertain, and famine looms always over us.”
“Then your people don’t eat...” Debbie hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
“Human flesh?” responded Kadra. “Of course not, only the drells would condone such an abomination.” She looked at Debbie’s frightened expression and placed her arm around the shivering child. “I can understand how ya might feel so, after what you’ve been through, but I promise ya that it is not so. Come, let us speak no more of it.”
At the end of the great hallway, they walked through a narrow tunnel and into a vast natural cavern whose air was thick and putrid. Here, beneath luminous crystals on the walls and ceiling, mushrooms and sickly looking greenish yellow vegetables subsisted in a soil of ground rock and excrement.
Down another tunnel, Debbie beheld the forge that had cast the black metal bars of her cell and chains of her servitude. In the twilight the forge stood cold and silent.
“Ore mined by yer people is refined in this place. It’s given us no pleasure ta forge da things ya see here.” Kadra pointed to a tall stack of black cell doors leaning against the wall. “Yet, there is one thing I would have ya see, a secret thing”
Kadra directed the pair’s attention to a small room hidden behind a pile of rocks, where they beheld enough finely crafted swords, daggers, and crossbows to equip a small army. “We’d hoped ta one day take our revenge upon those who condemned us ta this place.”
“There’s enough weapons for both of our peoples,” said Debbie, picking up one of the sharp swords. “I’ve learned a little bit about handling one of these. Together we could make this work.”
Kadra’s expression turned abruptly solemn. “Perhaps, if our people can put aside da hatred they hold fer each other.”
“They have to,” replied Debbie. “I know they will.”
“I think they will,” said David. “It’s human nature. We’ll do it to survive.”
Kadra looked away. She apparently had her doubts. “The ever repeating patterns of life here has become traditions and traditions are not easily laid aside. My people have grown to hold the humans in contempt. We’ve forgotten that your race was the wellspring of every wulver that ever lived. And your people, how can they forgive the injustice that has been wroth upon them? I want to believe that we can work together, but I have my misgivings.” Kadra paused. “Tis late, we must return.”
Debbie and David were nearly exhausted as they walked back into the home of Lukor and Kadra.
“Tis late,” said Kadra, stretching.
“Yes it is,” confirmed Debbie, “but I have one final thing I need to do before I rest. I’d like to go back to the cell block for just a few minutes, there are some people I need to talk to before I go to bed this evening.”
“I’ll go with you,” said David.
“I think I need to go alone this time,” said Debbie. “It’s kind of personal.”
“Go then,” said Lukor, “but don’t tarry long. You need to get some rest. Anyway I need to speak with David for a few minutes before he leaves us. It’s important. Don’t worry, I suspect he will still be here when you get back.”
Debbie made her way out into the eerie darkness of the commons and toward the cell block. She felt ill at ease though she wasn’t sure exactly why. She encountered no one until she reached the entrance of the cell bloc
k where she met Lemnock and another guard.
“I’d have thought you’d have had enough of this place,” said Lemnock.
“It sort of grows on you,” said Debbie. “I need to talk to Leslie.” She paused. “I’d have thought you’d be asleep by now. You had a long day.”
“Can’t sleep,” said Lemnock. “Got too much on my mind. I need to sort it all out. Anyway, the slaves won’t be working tomorrow, Lukor’s orders. I suppose we have all earned a day off.”
“I suppose so,” said Debbie.
“Don’t be long,” said Lemnock. “You look like you need some sleep too.”
Debbie nodded and quickly made her way to a cell that was all too familiar. It was strange to be looking at it from this side of the bars at this time of the night. Leslie was still awake, sitting up in her bed reading the Bible by the light of the crystal. She looked up to see Debbie beyond the bars, she smiled.
“Having a good night out on the town?” she asked.
“A busy one for sure,” Debbie replied.
Leslie rose to her feet and walked to the bars. “Is David still here?”
“Last time I checked,” confirmed Debbie.
“You two need to spend some quality time together while you can,” said Leslie. “You don’t need to be down here with me.”
“Yes I do,” replied Debbie. “I’ve been thinking.”
“That could be trouble,” joked Leslie.
“No, seriously, you can go home too,” said Debbie, holding Leslie’s hand through the black metal bars of her cell. “I have to stay here for a while, but you don’t. I’ve got it all figured out. David can carry word to Dr. Wilson and the others to bring you home. I mean, your earthly body is right there. I wish you would go with him.”
Leslie squeezed Debbie’s hand warmly, “Sisters till the end, isn’t that what we said?”
“Leslie that was back home in another life.”
“I’m staying. You might need my help. We’ve got a score to settle with the drells.”
“God bless you, Leslie,” replied Debbie, the trace of tears in her eyes. “I wish I could let you out of that terrible cell, but Lukor said that we have to keep up appearances for the moment. I promise you that it won’t be for long.”
The Realm of the Drells Page 26