Fate of the Empires

Two weeks in a cage. Two weeks at sea. Two weeks of containing my rage! I must remain calm in order to keep up the morale of my fellow slaves. They are not warriors. They are farmers, merchants, vagrants, and children. Everything they know has been stripped from them. They are lost. They are frightened. And their world is going to get much worse when the slavers reach their destination. I cannot let that happen.

The slavers keep a close eye on me. They are afraid I will try to escape. I am routinely injected with sedatives to keep my strength down. Fortunately these slavers do not have a full understanding of my species. An Orrock’s immune system adapts quickly, even to toxins developed from the rare plants that affect us. My body built up an immunity to the sedatives within the first week of my capture. I only keep up the pretense of weakness to give the slavers a false sense of security.

I have spent the majority of my time watching the slavers that watch me. There are five that frequent the lower decks and of that number, four are frightened of me. The bald one I met the first day in this cell is called Brant. He is the lowest in the chain of command around here. He gets to clean out the prison cells when the smell of human feces penetrates the upper decks. Unfortunately, his lack of power makes him the most aggressive towards the slaves. Beating them with his whip makes him feel more important. At least he scares easily.

Erik is the second most common face we are graced with. He’s young. No more than twenty human years old. He’s a quiet one. Never speaks to anyone. He does his work, which is usually bringing down food, then leaves. He has a soft spot for the slaves. I can tell that part of him does not agree with his current profession yet he does it anyway. Perhaps out of fear or maybe the gold is just too good to pass up. He will not be spared in either case if he tries to stop me from helping these people.

There are two enforcers that usually escort Erik or Brant down. The big brutish one is called Raynor. He’s hot tempered and quick to exert force upon those weaker than him. He could probably rival my own strength, but is nowhere near my speed. Raynor’s smaller Densetsun counterpart is Tsai. Tsai is calm, calculated, and reminds me a lot of Jun. He assesses everything around him instead of acting on impulse. He may prove to be a problem. Both of these warriors would never show it on the surface, but I can smell their fear of me.

Aside from Tsai, the slaver that worries me the most is Gage. He has only come below decks twice, spending around forty minutes both times. There is nothing impressive about his size or build. He appears to be in his thirties. His dark brown hair is very long and tied into a single braid, which he keeps wrapped around his neck like a collar. He dresses like a man of importance and always walks with his head up. He keeps his hands clasped behind his back at all times as he slowly paces the room. Spending a few minutes at each cell, he stares at the captives as though he were trying to peer into their souls. He looks upon me the longest and with unflinching conviction. He is not afraid of me. Admirable and yet foolish at the same time.

The guard rotation is fairly regular. Erik and occasionally Brant come down in the morning and early evening with some gruel, bread, and water. Every couple of days Brant is escorted down by Raynor and Tsai. The enforcers shuffle prisoners around so that Brant can clean out the cages. When it comes to my cage things are handled differently, however. I am not allowed out of the cage. Raynor and Tsai hook two blades around my throat through the bars to hold me in place while Brant quickly enters and cleans the cell. The slightest noise and he jumps back out practically clinging to an annoyed Raynor. Sometimes I let out a low growl just to enjoy the coward’s humiliation.

Other than feeding and cleaning we are only visited when Brant feels the need to take out his aggression on the slaves. He keeps his distance from Emily and I. Someday very soon I will make him suffer as he has made these captives suffer. His death will be slow and excruciating. I want to hear him scream!

My current situation has forced me to take Emily as my ward for the time being. The more I am around humans it seems, the more I act like one. I have promised this girl that I would return her to her parents. I have sworn to protect her. She is not, in any way, part of my mission and yet I find myself going out of my way to procure her safety. Orrocks do not make promises for they are mere words that can be unkept. And while humans realize that a promise is easily broken, the meaning behind it inspires them to carry on through even the most adverse conditions.

To help keep her mind off of the slavers I have been teaching Emily the ways of the warrior. I have no weapons to instruct her on so I have begun with the basics of hand fighting. Because of her size I have been stressing the importance of speed and precision. The largest of men will fall if you strike them in the right place. Emily is a very quick study, especially considering her age. She takes in everything I show her and she retains it. Of course there are times when she wants to play little games and it tries my patience. It’s those times that I have to remember that she is a human child, not an Orrock.

Having Emily at my side will not make escaping from this ship any easier. I cannot wage a war when I have to keep watch over someone. My plan to free these people is simple, but it could be risky. Once I know the ship is close to shore I can break out of this cell and free everyone below deck. With my strength completely returned the craftsmanship of this cage will not suffice to hold me. After I have freed the other slaves from their cells I will go topside and take control of this ship. So long as Emily and the others stay below I should not have to worry about their safety.

“Draccus,” Emily’s voice shatters my meditation.

I open my eyes to find the little girl standing right in front of me with an intent look of curiosity. “Draccus, what are you doing?” she asks.

“Thinking,” I answer, “Something you could stand to do more of.”

“You think with your eyes closed?”

“Sometimes.”

“Why?”

“It is called meditation. It helps you focus when you need to think about something very important.”

“Oh. What were you thinking about?”

“I was thinking about how much I like silence.”

“Silence? Why?”

“Sit with me child.”

Emily sits down in front of me. She is always so eager to listen when I speak. “Part of becoming a good warrior is being attuned to your surroundings,” I say.

“Uh huh,” Emily nods in agreement.

“I want you to close your eyes with me.”

Emily closes her eyes. I close mine and continue the lesson. “Now just listen. What do you hear?”

“I don’t hear anything,” Emily responds almost immediately.

“That is because you are not listening. Don’t speak. Just listen. Listen to the sounds in this cage. What do you hear?”

A few minutes pass. “I can hear…my heartbeat,” Emily says.

“What else?”

“I can hear you breathing.”

“Good. Now listen outside the cell.”

“I hear…the other people moving in their cages.”

“Now listen beyond this deck.”

“I can hear the creaking of wood. The waves hitting the boat. I can hear the wind! And…footsteps. Someone is coming this way!”

“Are the footsteps hard or soft?”

“Um…they are…soft.”

“Who do you think walks with soft footsteps, Emily?”

“The…the quiet man.”

“And what does that mean?”

“It’s time to eat!”

I open my eyes to see Emily’s eyes pop open with excitement. She stands up and looks towards the stairs. Sure enough Erik comes down the stairs moments later with the usual dinner meals. Emily turns to me with a big grin. “I was right!” she exclaims, “It was him!”

“Very good, young one. What did you learn?”

“That you can see with more than just your eyes!”

“You will make a fine warrior someday, Emily.”

“Thank you, Draccus! Now let’s eat!”

I find it difficult to rest on this ship. I feel like I must keep one eye open at all times in case Brant gets any funny ideas. As it is, one of the two times Gage came down to watch us was a late night visit. I have to get some rest to maintain my strength, but I sleep very lightly. The slightest out of place movement wakes me. “Draccus,” I hear a familiar voice.

I sit up and look around. It is still late. All is dark and the other captives are sound asleep. Am I hearing things? “Draccus it’s Magnus,” I hear the voice again.

“Magnus?” I ask looking around the empty room.

“Don’t speak, lizard. I’m not there with you. I am in your head. Just think and I will hear you.”

“How are you doing this?” I ask in my head.

“Magic. I don’t have much time here so listen closely. Jun, Leaia, and I are on a ship that is closing in on yours. Where are you located?”

“I am on a lower deck with many other slaves.”

“How secure are you?”

“I can get free when I want to.”

“Good. Wait for my signal before you do anything.”

“Is there room on your ship for the others?”

“The others? You mean the slaves?”

“Yes, the slaves, Mage.”

“Uh…yeah, there’s room. Bring them along.”

“Then I will wait for your signal. I assume it will be hard to miss.”

“You assume correctly. See you soon.”

What an unusual way to have a conversation. It is a shame the mage cannot keep all of his conversations confined to his own head.

I gently wake Emily. “What is it, Draccus?” she asks with heavy eyes.

“My friends are coming to help us escape.”

Emily springs to life with an over abundance of energy. “Really?!” she asks.

“Yes and once I get us all out of these cages I need you to stay down here with the others until it is safe.”

“But I want to help you!”

“You will be helping me by staying down here.”

“I want to fight.”

“Emily, someday you will be a fine warrior and I will gladly fight by your side, but this is not that time. You will stay here where it is safe. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Now we wait.”

“What are we waiting for?”

An intense explosion from above rocks the entire ship! “That,” I answer.

I can hear startled crew members scramble for the top deck. The rest of the captives wake with looks of confusion. Now is the time for action. I nod to Emily before turning my attention to the bars of the cell. It would take too long to bend the bars apart in hopes that I could make a opening big enough for me to fit through. Instead I reach through the bars and grab the metal lock that binds the door. The ease at which I rip the lock off the door is laughable. I push the cell door open. Emily and I leave the cage getting one step closer to freedom. Another explosion from the upper decks jolts the ship! I proceed to tear the locks off the rest of the slave cells. I address a room full of wide-eyed faces. “I want everyone to wait here until it is safe!” I say with authority, “I will come back for you! You will have your freedom!”

Even though my encouragement seems to bring no reassurance to these people I must fight to show them all is not lost. I make my way up the first set of stairs. Crew quarters and a makeshift mess hall. There is a door to the left that probably leads to the galley. The entire room is overturned. The force of the explosion appears to have done the blunt of the damage, but some of the chaos is in part to the panicked slavers rushing to the upper deck. Another explosion shakes the hull! What is Magnus doing up there?! I continue to the next set of stairs.

The top deck has been decimated by fire. The stench of charred wood and flesh fill the air. There is a smaller vessel alongside the slave ship’s port side. I see Magnus on the deck of the other ship. A ball of fire flares forth from his hands hitting the main mast of the slaver’s vessel. The mast cracks from the intensity of the concussion and crashes down onto the deck shattering parts of the wooden floor! “Magnus, watch it!” I hear Leaia’s voice shout towards the mage.

I see Leaia on board the slave ship. She battles the slavers with her own band of pirates at her side. With so much fighting going on securing a weapon will be no trouble. I grab a slaver from behind and pull him out of his current melee. He swings at me with his cutlass. I grab his sword arm by the wrist and crush it within my hand. I take his sword and silence his screams with his own blade. The cutlass is a smaller weapon than I am used to, but it will get the job done. I join in the fray!

I unleash all the fury I’ve been containing these long weeks. Humans would like to paint me as a monster and in this moment…I am! All my hate strengthens each strike against my enemies. Careful. Do not follow the path of the Orrockian berserker. There is no coming back from the madness of rage. I take a few breaths to calm myself down.

The smell of fresh blood begins to overpower the fumes of the dying flames on board the ship. I cut my way through slaver after slaver slowly making my way towards Leaia. I am almost to her when Tsai blocks my path. He is unarmed but that won’t stop me. I take a couple swings at him, but he is more nimble than I would’ve imagined. He avoids each attack with cat-like grace.

Tsai’s hands move fluidly like water but faster than the blink of an eye. He lands two fairly effective punches before I even see them coming. He follows up with a spinning jump kick that connects with the side of my head, knocking me back a few feet. I shake it off, but I don’t have time to advance. Tsai comes at me with another barrage. This time someone intervenes. This familiar figure blocks Tsai’s every attack and counters with a punch that knocks my attacker back. “Care to take on someone your own size?” Jun taunts Tsai.

I step back as the two Suang Tai masters engage each other in combat. Their attacks are so quick and precise yet wild like two tornadoes colliding in an open field. I turn my attention back to Leaia who is having a struggle all her own. She is crossing blades with Raynor and all her help has fallen. Raynor is far stronger than her, but Leaia uses her size and speed to her advantage. I am about to move to her aid when I get the feeling I am being watched. I look up to see Gage watching me from the poop deck near the helm. He’s carrying my sword!

Before I move on Gage I look back to Leaia. Raynor takes a big overhead swing at her. She sidesteps the strike and helps his sword into the ground. Raynor tugs on his sword to free it. Leaia takes her opportunity. She swings high. Raynor’s eyes widen just before his head is severed from his body! Leaia immediately continues to the next group of slavers.

I turn my attention back to Gage who seems to be waiting for me. I hurry up to his level. I must be careful with this one. I know nothing about him. He points my sword at me. He wants me to attack in anger, but I know better. I approach him slowly. His eyes are calm, but in an instant he is attacking with an onslaught of slashes. He wields my blade with exceptional skill. He drives me back with his attacks. I catch him off-guard with a tail strike and knock him back.

I charge him. He matches me blow for blow as our swords collide with sound-shattering force! He flips over me bringing his blade down hard into my tail! I hold in a roar, but before I can react he digs the sword into my right side. I drop my right arm to trap the sword against my side. I bury the cutlass into Gage’s chest with my left hand. He releases the sword in my side and stumbles back. He pulls the cutlass out of his chest. I attempt to dig my own sword out of my side as Gage comes at me once again. Just before he reaches me a ball of flame sweeps passed me taking Gage along with it. “Don’t say I never did anything for you, lizard!” Magnus shouts from the other ship.

I nod to Magnus before freeing up my sword. I look at my tail, which lays on the ground still twitching from the dying nerves. The pain is considerable, but it’s nothing that won’t heal. I look back to the main deck. Jun and Tsai are still at it. Both men look tired, yet they fight furiously. Jun catches Tsai in the throat with the top ridge of his hand. Tsai gasps for air as Jun finishes him with a leaping knee to the face.

I make my way down to the main deck. I pass the body of Erik. Doesn’t look like he put up much of a fight. I don’t see Brant’s body and that worries me. I need to get back below deck! I rush down the stairs. I find two dead slaves at the base of the stairs. The other slaves stand back in fear. To my horror Brant stands at the far end of the slave deck with his blade pressed to Emily’s throat. She is terrified, but she keeps it inside. “One false move, beasty and I’ll slice ’er little froat!” Brant threatens.

Emily looks me in the eyes. She nods. I know what she is about to do and I cannot stop her. I nod back. She elbows Brant. Brant doubles over and Emily runs towards me. I see Brant stand up behind her. He raises his sword. “Why you little-” Brant starts to run at her.

“Emily, drop!” I shout.

Emily drops to the ground as I hurl my blade across the room. It lands directly in Brant’s chest sending him flying back into the wall. He falls lifelessly to the ground. I have no strength left. I drop to my knees. Emily rushes to my side. “Draccus! Are you okay?!” Emily is practically in tears.

This human child has grown on me more than I would have expected. If Brant had hurt her I might have slipped into the berserker rage that is forbidden amongst my kind. It takes a lot to push an Orrock into the madness and yet I was ready when he pushed that blade to her throat. “I will be fine,” I pat her on the head, “You were very brave just then. I am proud of you.”

“When he came down here I was so scared. I thought you were dead, but when I saw you I wasn’t afraid anymore.”

“You have…a warrior spirit,” I slowly stand, “Come on. It is time to leave this ship.”

I look around the room. Smiles begin to spread across the faces of these former captives. Their hope has been returned. They are going home.

Once everyone is aboard the Dark Stalker and we are safely away from the slave ship I meet with my comrades in the captain’s barren quarters. “I knew I would see you all again,” I say holding my side.

Leaia cast a healing spell on the wound when I got on board the Stalker, but it is still tender. “I’m sorry that we did not get to you sooner,” Leaia says apologetically.

“There is no apology necessary. I knew you would come.”

“It’s good to have you back with us, Draccus,” Jun says.

“Where is this ship taking us, if I may ask?”

“We’re headed for the village of Jinwu in Densetsu,” Magnus answers.

“Can we have the captives taken back to Athusia?” I ask.

“The captain has already agreed to take them all back to Cove upon his return,” Jun replies.

“Jun, there is a little girl on board that was taken from Windfall. I promised her that I would return her to her parents. I know we have a mission to complete, but this is something I have to do.”

“I understand, Draccus,” Jun turns to Magnus, “Magnus, do you remember the port in Windfall?”

“Yeah,” Magnus nods.

“Do you remember it well enough to teleport there?” Jun asks.

“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Magnus shrugs.

“Then once we reach Densetsu I want you to teleport Draccus and the little girl to Windfall so she may be returned to her parents.”

“As you wish,” Magnus does a half bow.

“Thank you, Jun,” I say.

“We’ll talk more about this in the morning. Get some rest, Draccus. We’ve still got a long journey ahead.”

Two more weeks pass before we reach the southern shores of Densetsu. It is unlike anything I’ve seen before. Bamboo forests. Terraced fields. Waterfalls that pour off of moss covered cliffs into the ocean. Everything is so quiet and serene. Even Jinwu, the small fishing village seems to operate without all the hustle and bustle of an Athusian city. There is no real harbor so we lay anchor off the coast and take rowboats to the beach.

We receive some strange looks as we approach, but most of the Densetsuns pay us no attention. Emily is the only person from the slave ship, beside myself, that is coming ashore. Her eyes are wider than I have ever seen them with wonder and amazement. This whole experience may have been trying on her, but she has now seen things that living the life of a farmer would’ve not made possible. Her life will never be the same, even after I return her to Windfall.

It’s funny…the same thing is true about me. I never wanted to leave Orrock, but I have learned so much more about the world since it happened. Before I left my home in the forest of Ollehll humans were just another species of beast plaguing the world. Now I see how our cultures parallel in many ways, yet we remain so different. There is no word for friend in the Orrockian tongue, but I have come to think of some humans as friends. And now that I know what a friend is I wouldn’t want to lose one. Ignorance may be bliss, but knowledge is power and I wouldn’t do anything differently if given the opportunity.

“Leaia,” Emily tugs on Leaia’s cloak, “What is this place called again?”

“This is Densetsu,” Leaia answers.

Over the last two weeks Leaia and Emily have bonded. Leaia has allowed her maternal instincts to show if only for moments at a time. Even Magnus has joined in this bizarre family circus by dazzling Emily with stories told using magical illusions. The only one who has remained distant is Jun. Something has been weighing heavily on his mind ever since we got near Densetsu. I hope, for his sake, he is not keeping secrets from the rest of us again.

“Magnus, are you ready to take us to Windfall?” I ask the mage.

“Ready when you are,” Magnus responds.

I kneel down by Emily. I still have some slight discomfort from my injuries. My side was completely healed a week ago, but a new tail takes time to grow. It is only at a quarter of the original length and quite tender. It will be a few more weeks before my tail is restored to its former glory. “Are you ready to go home, little one?” I ask Emily.

“Yes!” Emily responds with a hop.

“Then it is time to go.”

Emily runs over to Leaia. “Goodbye, Lady Windamere!” Emily says with a big smile.

Leaia kneels down and gives the child a big hug. “Goodbye, Emily,” Leaia says, “I will miss you.”

“I will miss you too,” Emily gives Leaia one more hug.

Emily has no fear and runs up to the very silent, Jun. “So long, Mr. Fang,” Emily says as she holds out her hand.

Jun smiles down at the little girl. He takes her hand and shakes it. “Take care, Emily,” Jun says.

Emily approaches Magnus. “No need to say goodbye to me,” Magnus grins, “I’m escorting you and Draccus back to Windfall.”

“Oh,” Emily gets a puzzled look on her face, “But if this is Densetsu, how are we getting back home?”

“Magic,” Magnus winks at Emily, “Now take my hand. You too, Draccus.”

Emily takes hold of Magnus’ hand with hers. I reluctantly do the same. Magnus speaks a couple of words in his magical language and no sooner than the last word escapes his lips we are standing on the docks of Windfall. Emily’s mouth drops wide open. “Wow!” she jumps up and down, “I’m home! I’m home!”

Windfall is a farming community and has a very small port used only to export their crops. We couldn’t even dock here when we were on the New Horizon for the ship was too big. We anchored out in the harbor and a few crewmen went ashore for supplies. Life seems to move at a slower pace in this quiet city. It is probably a good place to raise a human family. “Well, this is your city, Madam,” Magnus jokes with Emily, “Lead the way to your home.”

In our many conversations Emily told me that her parents farm is on the outskirts of the city. She takes us right through the middle of Windfall on our trek to her home. All of the buildings are small. Mostly cottages with livestock pens attached to them. The animals do not leave the most pleasant of smells in the air, but I’m certain the people here are used to it.

It’s not surprising why Emily was taken from here so easily. There are no walls around the city. No guard towers. No defenses of any kind that I can tell. The local magistrate is an old man and the few guards under him look far too young to carry the responsibility of protecting this city. Windfall could use a properly trained warrior to help keep the peace both from outside threats and those within.

We reach the crop fields at the edge of Emily’s farm. It is one of the larger farms I’ve seen in this province. “This is it,” Emily says.

“I will wait here, Draccus,” Magnus says, “You take her the rest of the way.”

I nod to Magnus. “Thank you, Magnus Domagus, master of magic!” Emily says to the mage.

Magnus beams at her words. “I like this kid,” he says to me.

“Farewell, sir!” Emily hugs Magnus.

“Farewell, my lady,” Magnus says in response.

Emily leads me along the rows of fresh vegetation growing in her parents’ fields. She is so happy to be home she is about to burst with excitement. I walk with her until we reach the small wooden fence that surrounds her family’s large stone cottage. “Why are you stopping?” she asks me.

“This is as far as I go, little one.”

“Why? I want you to meet my parents.”

“I think it is best if they do not see me. Let them enjoy your homecoming without the fear that would inevitably come from my presence. I must go.”

“But I don’t want you to go,” Emily’s eyes begin to water.

“I have to, child. I have a mission I must complete if this country is to stay safe.”

“But you said you would teach me to be a knight!” tears stream down her face as she speaks.

I kneel down and put my hand on her little shoulder. “I will. When my mission is over I will return to you and teach you everything I know.”

“Promise me! Promise me you’ll come back!”

“I promise you…I promise you I will return.”

Emily is still very upset, but she wipes her eyes. “Then I…won’t…cry,” she says still sniffling, “A good warrior doesn’t cry.”

“I will see you soon, little one.”

Emily gives me a long hug before turning and running towards her house. Such a vibrant youth. Her strong will. Her unbreakable spirit. She reminds me much of my own offspring. How I thought I would be there for them…to teach them about the ways of the warrior. I have let them down. I will not do the same to Emily. I will return. I will keep my…promise.

I make my way back to Magnus at the edge of the farm. He looks bored. I fear we may have been gone longer from Densetsu than originally planned. “How is she?” Magnus asks as I approach.

“She will be fine. She is with her family now.”

“I never would’ve thought of you as the fatherly type, Draccus, but you didn’t do half bad…for being a giant lizard.”

“And I never would’ve thought you as the caring type, but you’ve done fairly well for being a heartless mage.”

I do believe this is the first time the mage and I have joked with each other. It is a nice change from wanting to rip his head off all the time. “Well, shall we get back to Densetsu?” Magnus asks.

“Yes, back to the mission.”