Sand & Stone

Chapter 3: One more Deal

"There is a plant in the east Empire which coats its leaves in sugar water, when insects come to enjoy it the plant closes and digests the insects alive, slowly. So when a deal seems too good, run."

-Merchant King Huffar, the well travelled.

The days flew by in a blur.

Wake up, eat slop, head into the mines, get whipped, come back, eat slop, sleep, repeat. Time was an odd concept in the sunless mines, months had passed and yet it only felt like one endless day.

"Did you 'ear, Queen Azeal was crowned last week and she's begun new works already."

I ate my slop methodically, my ears perked up as I eavesdropped on two slaves who were talking at another table.

The other slave scoffed "Another monument? Or some grand bath house for merchants to relieve themselves from a hard day's work?". A round of amused chuckles arose from nearby slaves, I smirked too.

The first slave shook his head "She's building craftsman schools, for teaching. An' I heard that she ain't using slaves, free men getting paid wages." The other slave raised his eyebrow "That so, well wish I had such a fine woman for my master instead, I wouldn't mind getting whipped by a Queen" another round of laughter, what a comedian.

"Maybe not, rumor has it she's a cripple scarred and burned, came out of the womb all wretched. She's known to be a right crazy" the other slave commented but the discussion had already turned degenerate.

I finished my slop and went to my bunk. Queen Azeal Ulgar huh, guess the fat bastard King Ulgar really was dead, I winced remembering my lunge at Reji. A school... for merchant's and maybe even what little free citizens remained but not slaves like us down here in the mines. She'd probably be dead within the month if she tried that. I still remember the few times Reji had taken me to the palace back during the mercenary wars, when Reji was still welcomed to such events and when I was still a free man.

It was a horrid place full of snakes and they feasted upon the weak. I had snapped the wrist of the first merchant I met when he insulted me, something about smelling like a Wandersnach. Don't know what that is but it didn't sound good. Wasn't welcomed back after that. As I came up to the wreckage at the end of the tunnel where cats once played I sat cross legged in front of their tiny grave.

There was still hope, there were still artifacts left, that night had proved that, if I just-

"Where did the cats go?" A female voice sounded out beside me and I turned my head to see Annas staring back, full smile on display, eyes amused in a malicious way. I hadn't heard her get so close and that sent a chill down my spine but soon it was replaced with burning fury as I remembered who rested inside the graves in front of me.

Letting out a roar I swatted at her but she only giggled dancing back out of my reach. I jumped up "You killed them." she feigned a look of innocence "Me? Why would I do such a thing?" I screamed sending out a punch but she was fast, my fist hit the wooden pillar behind her instead causing it to collapse inward shaking loose sand and dust from the tunnel ceiling. I turned to her breathing heavily and I caught her widened eyes as she stared at the damage.

She nodded slowly "Yes, I think you will do perfectly." Ignoring her words I lunged forward with all my strength and she went to dodge again but I grinned pinning her foot with my foot causing her to stumble. Lining up a deadly punch I smiled coldly at her "Predictable." and I swung, the wind singing death.

But before my punch could land a piercing headache assaulted me as I caught glowing red from the tunnel entrance. I crumpled to the floor, my head pounding as if it would explode.