Ascending Light

Chains

They flew for a long time until finally they stopped and Crysen was passed around a few times. He was finally dumped on the floor of a forest surrounded by the sounds of other captives. When the darkness finally faded from his eyes, he looked around wildly. He was surrounded by families in rags and chains. He himself was put into chains. He was horrified when they started explaining where he was. A holding place for new slaves to put to market.

He was to be "Reginald's" biggest profit ever as a light fairy and a prince. Apparently a wealthy dark fae had instructed them to retrieve him. Crysen wondered if it was Zacesi and then figured it probably was. It wouldn't surprise him at all that Zacesi had tie to the slaving ring. He refused to go back to that place, no matter what.

His mind raced on what to do and then he remembered the dank cell where he'd found their answer. He had meditated as his father had always done to contemplate problems. He settled back against the tree and closed his eyes, finding it difficult to calm down. His steady slow breathes brought him to an uneasy peace and he calmly reflected his options. He would pick the lock on the chains and get out.

A cough and a whisper reminded him that he was not alone. He couldn't simply leave these poor fae to their fates. He would get them all out but he would have to be quick. It would also have to be quiet. He stayed in his meditative state a while longer to prepare himself mentally. He was terrified and sore but he would go home. He was ready.

He opened his eyes and blinked into the darkness around him. Nothing much had moved. He glanced around and then concentrated on the chains. A small sprig of light made its way into the lock and soon it clicked. The chains slid of and clattered softly to the ground. The other fae in chains looked at him with shock and hope. Everything in him screamed to run, but he knew he couldn't leave them. He had determined he would get them out and he wouldn't run away in fear.

He quickly and quietly made his way around to everyone. Some grew impatient, but were silenced by others. He made sure to get everyone free, even the ones in cages around the fire. He snuck around as quietly as he could, careful not to disturb the carefully armored guards. He was glad of what little training he'd been given in his time at the temple, otherwise he would've failed before he began. If he hadn't honed his stealthy tiptoeing as a kid trying to sneak up on his dad, then he would alerted them quickly.

He learned that he didn't need to be near the locks and that he could do several at a time. One of the other slaves clapped a hand over his shoulder as he unlocked the last few in the camp, hidden behind a tree. The elder fae had dark hair and green eyes. "We'll provide a distraction for you. You run and don't worry about us. We owe you our lives, light fairy." They had been kept too weak to use their magic, but that didn't mean they were helpless.

He nodded and hesitated as the last few fae were freed. "Go," someone whispered urgently.

He saw them all rush for the guards before he flew off as fast as he could. After flying for a while he stopped in a tree to rest, unable to go any farther and hoping for the moment that he was safe. He pulled new clothes from his crystal and changed into a dress rather than his nightgown. This one was a soft pink color that came down about mid-thigh with matching leggings that came to his upper thighs. He looked at the forest around him and couldn't figure out where he was. He knew nothing of the world outside of the forest he'd grew up in.

He kept flying anyways, hoping he would reach a town or village somewhere along the way. A fluttering behind him made him glace around and he saw the same shadow fae from earlier had caught up. Without another thought, he sent a blast of light at him and soared off as fast as his wings would allow. He was glad for the guidance from the guardians, because that was the only thing keeping him ahead of his captor. The fairy was hurt, he could tell, but not enough to slow him down. He chased after Crysen as he wove through the trees and the vines. When the forest grew denser at the bottom, Crysen flew lower, using the extra foliage to lose his tail.