Keepers of the Realm

Daryn

Daryn once again found himself half-conscious in the back of a cart, headed for the slave pits. This time, however, instead of the harsh sun on his skin, it was something he'd not felt in a long while: rain.

"How do you feel?" asked the old healer as Daryn lifted his head.

"Like an old man just drained half my blood," Daryn
replied. "Did it work?"

As Daryn spoke, he noticed that the never-ending landscape of sand had almost entirely disappeared, and instead, he was surrounded by green grass, trees, and, to his pleasure, rain. Although he wondered how they'd travelled so far in a day.

"I do not know. One can only carry out the procedure and wait," answered the healer.
Juree was laid out in the middle of the cart between their legs, his bandaged arm still dripping with blood.

"This is the kingdom of Lorey, I'm sure of it. How have we travelled so fast?"

The old healer rummaged through his bag for replacement bandages, revealing strange glass figures of men and women. "We have travelled rather slow actually, four weeks to be precise."

Daryn's intrigue turned to confusion. He was sure that the previous night they were on the slave road out of old Gescae. "Four weeks? How can that be?" he said with a raised tone.

"As I said, the method is a new one. Most never awaken. I've been keeping you and your friend here fed and watered, but apart from that, all I could do is wait for you to open your eyes."

Daryn considered his situation for a moment before questioning the man once more.
"What's your name anyways? Will you return to old Gescae once we arrive in Leylen?" Daryn was curious about the man, he seemed to be more knowledgeable than the average healer.

"It's Tolan if it pleases you. And that depends, us healers are sworn to aid our patients until his or her fate is clear, and your friend has yet to awaken". The old healer Tolan put up his hood as the rainfall began to get heavier, and handed Daryn a long roll of cloth from his bag to cover his head.

As the cart and the accompanying slavers' carriage travelled down the forest road, a great roar shook the ground beneath them. From the forest emerged four mooncats, who pounced at the horses and tore them in half with one rip.

"Don't move, friend," Daryn whispered to Tolan as the mooncats devoured their prey.

Just as it seemed they were done, the slaver shouted from his carriage, "KILL THE BEASTS YA FUCKERS! WHAT YA STANDING AROUND FOR!?" The remaining guards reluctantly challenged the four beasts, slashing and jabbing at them with their short swords.

Daryn quickly realized the men stood no chance and ran to the slavers' carriage. "Cut me loose! Quickly! Else we all die!" Daryn said in a frenzied voice.
The slaver, who had soiled his britches, cut him loose.

Daryn picked up a short sword laying beside a dead guard and ran to join the other fighters. After seeing only one guard remaining, Daryn realized he had no chance against them alone. Spotting a lone horse still strapped to their cart, he quickly ran over and cut it loose. The mooncats all rushed to chase their prey.

"Ya did it again!" the slaver shouted as he left the carriage. Daryn strode over to the man and quickly opened his throat, to Tolan's shock. The pouring rain washed away the slaver's blood as Tolan climbed out of the cart.