A
rclin watched with interest as Sranic whispered in the corner of the room with Ryzen. Now that he could get a closer look at her in the light. She stood just a little shorter than he was, and her dreads hung down just past her shoulder. Her skin was darker than his, showing off her Silvi heritage. Overall she looked like one of the warriors his mother had read to him of the Silvi Dynasty. Except she looked way more annoyed than the women from the stories.
“I think you’ll do fine for now,” the healer said, drawing Arclin’s attention back to him. “I have things to pack up, but if something doesn’t feel right in your head or chest, just let someone know and I’ll be there.” He headed out one of the two side doors and Arclin was tempted to go with him.
Ryzen walked over to him as Sranic went through the same door the healer had left through. Ryzen’s eyes bored holes into Arclin as she came to stand beside him and leaned against the nearest wall while muttering under her breath.
“Your name is Ryzen, isn’t it?” Arclin tried.
Her lips pursed together in annoyance.
“Ooookay,” Arclin said, looking away.
He took a few more bites of his bread as he watched some more people coming in and out of the room carrying supplies.
“Where is everyone going anyway?” he asked.
She continued to ignore him.
Arclin wanted to know what was going on, but more than anything he wanted a drink. I should’ve asked the healer before he left. Based on her current behavior he doubted Ryzen would be willing to get him anything. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try. Clearing his throat, he looked at her and asked, “Would you be able—”
“Could you just shut up for a moment!” Ryzen growled, her eyes threatening violence. “I’m not going to tell you where we are, or where we’re going. So just shut up, be a good boy and sit still.”
Arclin sat for a moment until he was sure it was safe to talk again. “I was just wondering if you could give me a drink of water?” he asked, speaking as fast as he could before she yelled again.
He could hear her gritting her teeth as she walked across the room to where a lone jug rested on a table with a few cups beside it. Grabbing one she began filling it so much that it overflowed, and when she came back, she trusted it into his open hand, splashing water all over him.
“Thanks,” he said, wishing the cold liquid dripping down his front was in his mouth.
She grunted, which he took as ‘you’re welcome,’ and she leaned against the wall once more.
By the time his bread and water were gone, the guy named Fig, came through a door. “Alright Princess, it’s about time we got Wolf-boy out of here,” he said, his voice heavy with his Mehlri accent.
“Wolf-boy?” Arclin asked.
“That’s what Princess here called you,” Fig answered. Pulling out a strip of cloth, he moved towards Arclin.
“I didn’t make that big of a mess, did I?” Arclin asked looking down at his wet shirt.
“No, it’s not for your shirt,” Fig said with a chuckle. “This is to cover your eyes as we take you through the base.”
“Ah, now come on,” Arclin protested, holding up a hand. “You guys are really going to blindfold me?”
“It’s either the blindfold or I can knock you out,” Ryzen said, her eye’s glinting dangerously. “I’m itching to hit something right now and you look like a good punching bag.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll do it,” Arclin said, holding up his hands defensively. “Just don’t put it on too tightly.”
Fig handed the cloth to Ryzen and Arclin groaned as she tied it on, yanking to make sure it was good and tight.
“How is that, Wolf-boy?” she said, almost in a growl.
“Great, if I start seeing things I’ll be sure to let you know.”
“Stop smart mouthing and get going,” Ryzen said, punching him on the arm.
“Okay. Geez, sorry.” He paused for a moment as he rubbed his arm, then asked, “So who wants to hold me by the hand? I can’t exactly see where I’m going.”
Fig sighed. “Go ahead and put your hand on my shoulder. I’ll lead you to where we’re going.”
Bully, Arclin thought as they placed his hand on Fig’s shoulder. I bet you made him be the one to lead me didn’t you, Ryzen? Shaking his head he let himself be led from the room and into what sounded like a cement hallway as their footsteps echoed around him.
Arclin cursed his luck, how had he gotten himself into this predicament? First it was the Enforcers, now he was getting dragged into the Revolt? All he wanted was a full belly and a good night's sleep. He perked up as the smell of fresh rain wafted back to him, and he sniffed a little harder, enjoying the smell. Someone—he guessed Ryzen—pushed on his back, nearly causing him to topple over if he hadn’t been holding onto Fig’s shoulder.
“Stop that and keep walking,” Ryzen said gruffly.
“You know, I can walk faster if you didn’t do that,” Arclin snapped at her.
“And I could have left you back in that forest to burn to death,” Ryzen replied. “It would have made my life so much easier.”
“It would’ve made all our lives easier if you two hadn’t met,” Fig said from in front. “But here we are, and I would appreciate it if you didn’t push him into me, Ryzen.”
She gave a low feline growl, as she gave Arclin another soft push. I really hate that woman, he thought savagely.
They led him through a few more turns and Arclin had to wonder how he had even run across the Revolt? From everything he had heard, the group were a bunch of extremist shifters from the Silvi Dynasty, and the Rathi Sovereign. From what his father had told him, the Revolt had been established to avoid the estrangement and prejudices shifters were having in their own country as a direct result to the revolution the non-shifters had here in the Drahl Empire, now known as the Re-public of Alamitos. With the new country having been born from the old, anyone found to be a shifter was considered illegal. To make matters worse, if a shifter didn’t turn themselves in and were found guilty they were hanged.
Not that it matters, Arclin thought angrily. It’s not like they don’t already beat us and torture us once captured. During his time looking for his sisters, he had met other homeless shifters like himself. Now they were all either dead or dying in a cell, waiting for the guilty verdict they all knew was coming. Hardly any of them made it to the noose. And for those who did? It sickened Arclin’s stomach thinking how much of a spectacle they had made of it when he had been in Drannogal.
“Hey, you mind not squeezing so tight?” Fig called back over his shoulder.
“Sorry,” Arclin replied, forcing himself to relax.
This was all ridiculous. Why was he walking around blindfolded when he was essentially on the same team? Did they have to be so secretive? Perhaps things are worse in their countries than they let on? Arclin thought. Perhaps they don’t know who they can trust even if they are on the same team? It made sense, but with no way to prove it he wasn’t about to accuse them of the very thing they claimed to be fighting.
A breeze brushed his face and Arclin caught the scent of smoke and some other smell. Was that oil? Arclin could hear the whirring of engines, and he perked up, now wishing he didn’t have a blindfold over his eyes. Where on Jung-Mar are they taking me, and what kind of machine makes that noise?
Rubbing his free hand along the side of his face he made like he had an itch as he moved the blindfold a little.
“Hey, leave that alone,” Ryzen said, slapping him on the shoulder.
“Sorry, had an itch,” he said. He smiled when he was able to open his eyes and could see through the slit to his feet and the ground below.
Perfect.
Lifting his head and taking a whiff, he looked through his new peep hole and saw what they had been hiding from him.
Anchored with dozens of ropes in a large clearing stood a massive airship nearly three hundred feet long. If it hadn’t been for all the lights turned on Arclin doubted he would have been able to see it in the dark of the night with its nearly black hull. Along its sides were at least two propellers, and a three-tiered deck hung beneath the giant balloon with a large ramp leading up to the lower decks.
“You’re flying us out of here?” he asked, only to realize he should have kept his mouth shut.
“I said no peeking.” Ryzen bopped him on the head and then they stopped as she made sure the cloth covered his eyes again. Arclin groaned as they continued walking.
Why did I have to open my mouth? He berated himself, regretting the loss of sight. Well, at least I know they aren’t leaving me here.
Fig and Ryzen helped him as they boarded the gangplank to the airship, and both had to guide him from the front and behind as he cautiously walked on the moving ramp. It was disorienting to feel the ground beneath him rise and fall with each step, and Arclin gritted his teeth in frustration at not being able to walk without help. It’d just be easier if they undid the blindfold.
Once aboard the aircraft, and without the tilt of the ramp, Arclin found it easier to move about and sighed in relief. He still felt the floor moving beneath him, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as it had been on the plank.
Fig and Ryzen led him down a few hallways before coming to a stop. A door opened and he was lead in. A door closed behind him, and he assumed it was the same one. With a flourish, the cloth covering his eyes was removed. He was in a small room with no windows, and the only furnishings were a table, two chairs and a small light dangling above it all.
“I don’t think there’s enough seats in here for all of us,” he said, glancing to Ryzen and Fig.
“We don’t have more chairs for our interrogation rooms,” Ryzen said as she handed the cloth back to Fig. “I’ll be in here with you and Fig will be just outside the door.”
“Ah,” Arclin said. Then he added, “You wouldn’t happen to have more water nearby, would you?”
Time passed slowly for Arclin. Fig stood guard outside the door, and Ryzen sat in the chair opposite from Arclin, glaring the whole while. It took a while, but soon things got exciting as the room began to tilt a little from side to side, but after Ryzen commented that it was just the airship getting into the air, things were soon boring again.
Couldn’t they have at least given me a book or something to read, he wondered as he tapped his fingers on the table, racking his brain for something he could do to pass the time. Glancing over to Ryzen, he marveled that she could just lay back and sleep!
I guess I could try that. Positioning himself in his chair, he leaned back. For a split second he sat with only two chair legs on the ground, then as the airship titled to the other side, he fell back and smacked his head on the wall and promptly fell to the floor.
Ryzen jumped to her feet, pulling out a knife that Arclin hadn’t noticed before, and Fig came bursting into the room. Both glanced around the room before turning their attention to his prone form.
“Hey guys,” Arclin said in a squished voice. “Just thought I’d relax for a minute. You know, to pass the time?”
Ryzen scowled at him, but Fig chuckled.
“Need a hand?” Fig asked, reaching out toward him.
“Thanks.” Arclin took the proffered help and grunted as he sat up. Rubbing the back of his head he turned to where he had hit his head against the wall. “Man, that hurt.”
“What’s going on in here?”
All three of them looked to see Sranic standing in the doorway. The giant of a man had to duck to get into the room and Arclin wilted a little under his gaze.
“Wolf-boy fell back in his seat and smacked his head into the wall,” Ryzen said with an eye roll.
“I see,” Sranic said. “And why would you do that?”
“I wasn’t trying to,” Arclin said, suddenly feeling ten years old before his father. “I’m just out of practice when it comes to leaning in chairs.”
“Uh-huh,” Ryzen said dryly.
“Let’s see you go without a proper chair for four years and try to do it then,” Arclin snapped.
“That’s enough you two,” Sranic said softly. “Ryzen, Fig, I want you two to wait out in the hall while I talk to Mr. Venglath.”
Fig nodded respectfully, but Ryzen just frowned before following Fig out the door and slamming it shut.
Sranic shook his head. “I don’t know what to do with that girl.” Taking the other chair, Sranic sat across the table from Arclin. “Please sit.”
Arclin did so, wondering what was coming next.
“How are you doing?”
The question was so unexpected that Arclin just stared at Sranic for a moment before answering. “I... uh, fine. I guess. Could do with a drink and some more food if you have it.”
Sranic nodded and his shoulders seemed to relax. “I can get you those things.” He called Fig back into the room and ordered some more food and water to be brought in. When Fig had left and the door was shut again, Sranic turned his attention back to Arclin again. “While I’m glad you have cooperated with us, I’m surprised you haven’t complained yet for how we have treated you.”
Arclin shrugged. “I could’ve done without the blindfold but compared to what I’ve had to deal with these last few years, I’d give the food five-stars and the company three.”
Sranic bellowed a laugh. “Only three?”
“Eh, your daughter is a little cold towards me, but otherwise a much warmer greeting than what I have gotten ever since I started living on the streets.”
“Fair enough. She’s a good soldier when she wants to be, but takes after her late grandmother and her temper,” Sranic said, still chuckling.
“So, what can I do for you?” Arclin said. He figured it would be best to work with these people until he had a way out. As much as he liked their cause, he did not want to stick around maniacs who could get him killed.
“Straight to the point, I like that. Well, what I really want from you, is to know what you want.”
Arclin raised his eyebrows. “What do you mean what do I want?”
“That’s just it. I want to know what it is that you want, besides food and a place to sleep,” he added with a wave of his hand. “I know life can’t be easy living as a street urchin. But I want you to push aside those concerns for the moment and tell me what you want, and I mean really want.”
Arclin leaned back in his chair as he studied the large man. What game is he playing at? he thought suspiciously. No one offers free food, drink, and a place to sleep unless there is a hidden cost somewhere. He’s wanting to know if he can buy my help with something, Arclin realized. He’ll give me as much food and drink I can handle, so long as I can help him. “What’s the catch?” he said aloud, looking intently at Sranic’s face for his reaction.
Sranic smiled sardonically. “I like you kid. I’ll make this quick then. But first, you tell me what you want, and I promise to tell you what I want.”
Arclin thought for a moment, leaning in his chair but not so far as to be in danger of falling again. He must be really desperate if he’s wanting to know what I want. But it couldn’t hurt to tell Sranic what he wanted…could it?
“I want to find my sisters,” he said finally. “I lost them a few years ago and I haven’t been able to find them since.”
Sranic shook his head slowly before responding. “Your sisters Tirza, Annica, and Nichole, correct?”
Arclin nodded briefly. “That’s right.”
Sranic was quiet for a while before speaking again. “I’m looking for knowledge about World Gems. I’m assuming you know of the legends?”
“Yeah, I do,” Arclin replied. “But that’s all they are. Myths, legends, stories. Why would you go chasing after that?”
Sranic eyed him and even when sitting the man was imposing. “What do you know about your ancestor, Jha’dor Venglath?”
Arclin barked a laugh. “The dark lord? Yeah, I know about him. Every Venglath child is raised to know his story of how he rose and fell from power. How in the end he was considered mad in his quest to supplant the gods.” He chuckled for a little longer until he noticed that Sranic wasn’t laughing. “Why?” Arclin asked as he sat up straighter, becoming more somber.
“I will help you find your sisters, if you can locate for me the five World Gems of Kelrok.”
Arclin’s eyes grew wide. This idiot is trying to resurrect Jha’dor, he thought marveling at how insane Sranic was starting to sound. Although the gems were called by many names, in his family, the tales his family told how the Dark Lord Jha’dor Venglath would one day be resurrected when all five Soul Gems were brought to his old palace of Vengoluth. It was a warning, put into poetic form to help the Vengluth line never to forget what awaits those who will try to awake the past when it should be left there.
“You can’t be serious,” Arclin said, still staring at Sranic. “Jha’dor may have been a real person from the past, but the Soul Gems of Kelrok are pure fancy. All of this is just myths and legends from the past about pride, and the fall of magic from the world. Besides, even if he was real, I’m sure he made it all up to puff up his importance and to try and gather followers to his cause before reality caught up with him.”
“That may be how you were presented with the story, but we were taught a different tale in my country,” Sranic said. Standing he began to pace back and forth across the small room. “The World Gems, or Soul Gems as you called them, were great sources of power for the different nations of Jung-Mar. Every one of them were used to cultivate magic, and to help provide peace and prosperity to their nation.”
This was true. In the version Arthenor had told Arclin the Soul Gems were at the seat of magical power and industry of the four nations. He had grown out of those fantasies, but he knew it was one of the many popular beliefs for why people still believed in magic. Something happened with those Gems when the Dark Lord had stolen them that brought on the slow decay of magical potential in the world. Arclin hadn’t given it much thought, figuring that the whole thing was ridiculous since magic wasn’t real to begin with.
But there was that healer, he considered, his mind trailing back to before they put him on the airship. Perhaps there is something to those old stories of magic and gods.
“This is our chance to set the past right,” Sranic said standing suddenly. Arclin realized he had been lost in thought for a while as Sranic had kept talking. Fortunately, the big guy didn't seem to have noticed as he continued pacing back and forth in the room. “Somewhere out there those Gems are waiting to be reclaimed. To be found. Think of it,” he said enthusiastically, a gleam in his eye as he looked away to some far-off place. “Imagine being the one to bring back magic to our world, where magic could heal so much more than a bruise. We could save lives. End wars. Stop those who would hurt us for being different.”
“You mean to undo the Revolution,” Arclin added, thinking back to his parents and the mob that had killed them.
Sranic stopped his pacing and turned to look at Arclin, his eyes ablaze with energy that seemed to seep into the very air. “Arclin, I promise to help you find your sisters if you help me to return the World Gems to their rightful owners.”
“But what about Jha’dor? You brought him up. What do you plan on doing with him?” Arclin asked, skeptical.
“I asked because he was the last one known to have had all four Gems with him,” Sranic said, his demeanor calming a bit. “I figured if there is anyone who would know the whereabouts of the World Gems, it would be the family who are direct descendants of the man who collected them.”
Arclin frowned. Sranic had a way of dancing around the question, but he still didn’t like his interest of the Dark Lord. But he had offered to help find his sisters. That was something he had been trying and failing at for the past two years to do.
As if he could read his mind Sranic sat down again and the fire seemed to return once more to his eyes. “Arclin, we would use the stones power to create a world that is safe for everyone. Shifter and non-shifter alike. I know you probably don’t see much in store for you, but this is what we need. All of us. Will you help me?”
Arclin considered Sranic’s offer, his gaze shifting to the table and the details of the grain while his mind raced. What we need? There were few things that he needed besides food and shelter. No. What he really wanted, and was excited about was the prospect of having someone else help him look for them. To figure out where his sisters had gone.
Where are you? he wondered. Inside he felt the pang of loneliness, and wondered if he could do it. Could he betray some of the last lessons his parents had taught him about their history?
“You would really help me find my sisters?” he asked looking back up to Sranic.
Sranic’s face darkened a little and the fire seemed to dim. “I know I offered you my help, but you do realize that is a tall order, son? There may be a chance that they have already died or have hidden themselves so well that my own men won’t be able to find them.”
“I understand that. I’d still like to try. I need to make sure they are safe and if not safe...” his throat choked up, and he had to look down to avoid Sranic seeing his eyes.
“I understand, son. I will see what I can do to help you find your sisters. I will need more information about how you all escaped so I can set my men to finding them for you.”
Arclin nodded, staring down into his lap, not ready yet to face him.
“But before I can help you though, I need to know if you can help me.” Arclin’s head shot up to see Sranic’s hard gaze penetrating him. “Will you help me?” he repeated, holding out his hand.
This was it. Would he do it? Would he turn his back on everything Father and Mother had warned him about concerning the Soul Gems? If he did, then he could finally know where his sisters had gone, and hopefully bring them all together as a family ought to be.
Tirza, Annica, little Nichol...I will find you, he vowed. I will find you, and I will keep you safe. Sitting up, he looked Sranic in the eyes before saying, “I want my sisters found and kept safe. I want them with me.”
Sranic’s hand remained extended. “I don’t offer my help frivolously, Arclin. When I give a man my word, I mean it. I will help you, if you will help me?”
He still didn't quite believe the stories were real, but... he had been healed by magic and on some level deep inside, the impossible was starting to seem possible. Perhaps there was something to those tales after all besides a warning of the past. And could he ever really look at himself in the mirror if he didn’t explore every avenue to find Tirza, Annica, and little Nichole. But still there was something holding him back.
Sranic must’ve seen his hesitation, because he added, “I don’t make offers like this very often son. We can’t do this without you. Those gems are tied to your family more than any other, and if we are to have any hope of finding them, we will need your help.”
Memories of his father and mother surfaced of them telling him the warning passed down through the generations.
Gone the dark one may be,
By and by, we hold this plea.
Let not a child of Venglath seek the stones
For if found and brought before his throne
The world will bow before his feet.
Keep them hidden from all who seek,
In the dark places under Aras’s Peak.
Beware of the dark one’s shadow.
There was more to the warning, not that most people knew about that, but Sranic wasn’t looking to revive Jha’dor right? They just wanted the gems to bring magic back, to fix the world to be a better place. And I can do that, Arclin thought, making up his mind.
“Count me in,” he said. Finally taking Sranic’s hand in his they shook enthusiastically.
“Then let’s get started,” Sranic said with a smile.