The Blade of Dawn

Chapter 26

"I have so few people of interest to talk to these days." Ryker says casually, as if we were old friends.

We walk through a dark tunnel towards a pale yellow light. My eyes adjust to the darkness and I see that up ahead, the rock path ends. The path overlooks a deep pit that has been carved into the mountain. Ryker stops a few inches from the ledge. I stand beside him and look down.

Below us, a series of paths are carved into the rock walls. Metal scaffolding crisscrosses between the paths connecting one path to another. Torches flicker along the walls and dozens of workers move along the paths like ants.

"There's no use trying to talk to these filthy creatures." Ryker says, peering down at the people below. Ryker turns away from the ledge. "Come, let's go to my study where we can talk."

As we walk through the mine, a man stops us.

"I caught this one trying to steal, sir." The man says, he holds an emaciated young boy by the arm.

Ryker's eyes narrow. "Flog him. But wait to do so until rations are doled out so that all of the workers can watch. It will be a useful reminder that we do not tolerate criminals in these mines."

The young boy's eyes widen in fear, then his shoulders drop. There is no fight left in the boy. My heart aches for him.

My emotions must have shown on my face because Ryker looks at me and frowns. "What would you have me do? I must keep order or there will be chaos. These people are here by choice. If they do not like my terms, they can leave."

"What are the terms?" I ask.

"They work. I pay them in magic."

I look at the weak, sickly bodies of the workers. "The magic is killing them."

"I give them what they want and what they want is magic. Their lives are not my responsibility." Ryker shrugs.

We descend deeper into the cave until we reach a room carved into the mountain. A large, ornate rug covers the cave floor and a wooden desk sits in middle of the room. Candles and torches light the room. It is cool and damp.

Ryker sits behind the desk and offers me a seat on the other side of the desk. "So Madge is alive?"

"Yes," I reply. " She told me that you might have the stone that is missing from the hilt of the Blade of Dawn."

"Why do you seek this stone?" Ryker asks.

I press my lips together and try to decide what to say. I don't trust Ryker. The less he knows the better. "I work for Madge. I am seeking it out for her." I lie.

"I had the stone for many years." Ryker says wistfully. "I am an avid collector of rare and powerful magical artifacts. However, times have changed and I have had to part with many of my most prized pieces. The stone was by far the most valuable piece I had. When Kronos came to power, he confiscated the stone."

"So Kronos has the stone now?"

Ryker nods.

My shoulders drop. Traveling to this terrible island has been a waste of time.

Ryker pulls a vial from a drawer in his desk.

"Have you ever tasted dragon's blood?" he asks, lifting the bottle towards his eyes and inspecting the dark purple liquid inside. "It is remarkable. It tastes different every time. But more interestingly, the effects on the body are different every time. The magic in dragon's blood can give you visions of the future, it can add years to your life, or it can do nothing at all. It's a gamble every time. It is my favorite form of magic."

Ryker tilts his head back and takes a sip of the blood. A cold shiver rushes down my spine. I have felt uneasy since entering the cave but now my senses cry out with renewed urgency.

The dragon's blood flows through Ryker's veins and his eyes turn black.

He leaps to his feet.

"What are you girl?" he demands.

"What do you mean?" I stammer, caught off guard by the sudden intensity in his voice.

"Tell me!" Ryker shouts. "Are you some kind of spirit? Your soul is in two places at once. No human can achieve this. What kind of magic are you using?"

Ryker leans towards me and his voice drops. "Whatever it is, it is wearing thin. You soul seeks to be whole again. It cannot remain split much longer. Half of you is dying."

My breath catches in my throat as I think of my body lying in the hospital back home.

A wave of homesickness washes over me. I need to get out of this cave. I need to go home.

The black cloud disappears from Ryker's eyes and he collapses into his chair. He grips the armrests of the chair and locks his gaze on me.

"You must teach me what you know. You must show me the artifact that gives you your power." Ryker says fervently.

"I don't know anything. I don't have an artifact."

"Liar," Ryker scowls, turning hostile.

"I swear. I am telling you the truth! I don't know what you saw, but I didn't create the magic that caused me to be here." I plead.

He thinks I am lying. I can see it in his eyes.

"Olek!" he shouts. A boy enters the room. "Get Lars and whoever else he's with today."

The boy nods and scurries away.

"Your magic is strong, but so is mine. I will make you talk..

My mind races. What is he going to do? Who has he summoned? Before I can speak again, I get my answer.

The boy returns.

Following closely behind him are two Dark Soldiers.