An Ember Among Shadows

Chapter Twelve

"Improve not only yourself, but those around you as well. That is your personal responsibility."

- Sacred Scripture, verses five and six of Essence.

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The boat docked near a mire. All around them was waterlogged land. In the distance, Ruqa saw a building, like a poorly built settlement. "That's the Pit," Jiro said as he headed the group there, as if Ruqa needed to know.

"Put me down!" Nezha emerged from the cargo hold being carried by one of the men, Herisu. She flailed her arms and kicked her feet to get free, but Herisu held her strongly. At least she was alright.

The Pit was built in the bogs. As Ruqa was ushered along, he saw animal carcasses with some of their parts exposed to the air, and only scattered bones were visible, and the ones submerged under the puddle was preserved well. Then, to his horror, he saw humans submerged in there, their faces and bodies well preserved from the lack of oxygen. If the light wasn't playing any trick, he could have sworn they were smiling at him. He recoiled in disgust.

"No need to be disgusted. That would be you if you try anything funny." Jiro smirked.

They entered with a rickety welcome from the decrepit architecture. As they toured him through the Pit's interior, they passed by a row of prisons. Men, women and children were locked inside, reaching their hands out in a desperate plea to get out. No doubt they were going to be trafficked. Ruqa could not bear to look at them a moment longer.

They brought him to a small storeroom and pushed him inside roughly. His head hit the wall, and he groaned in pain. The men shoved a pair of clothes, then locked him inside.

The whole space reeked of piss and he gagged. He steadied himself, massaging his head. He held up the clothes he was given, but in the limited light inside, he could barely see what it looked like, so he discarded it away, thinking he should not give them the pleasure of following Jiro's order. That captain should be damned.

Wearily, Ruqa forced himself up towards the door. From a chipped gap in the wood, he could see the light outside. He looked for something to pry the lock with, but he saw none. He slammed the wall, mad at everything. At Yu for abandoning him. At himself for getting into this mess. The spirit did not come at all, but what did Nezha mention earlier? About how a saka could not be far from his master? She must have been mistaken then, because Yu was nowhere near.

He did not know how long he stayed cooped up in that room, but soon the door slammed open, and Jiro appeared with one of his men. "You haven't changed yet?" He eyed the clothes in the corner, all soiled, and gave out a short laugh. "Suit yourself." He pulled Ruqa by his robe and dragged him without mercy outside. Ruqa saw that no one was around. This was his chance.

With a sharp tug, he wriggled free from Jiro's grasp and ran. He didn't look back, and simply tore through the dim corridors. He reached a door, opened it and slammed it shut, locking it from inside. It was a stock room, filled on every corner with amphorae, undoubtedly filled with alcohol. There was a small window at the top. Ruqa removed some amphora down and climbed the rack. He reached for the window and unhooked the latch, but the latch didn't budge, and his shaking hands didn't help either.

The door shook once, then twice. Ruqa could hear Jiro's voice coming from the other side. He pried the latch a little bit more, but it was at risk of sealing shut permanently if he broke it. The door shook again, almost losing on the hinges. Ruqa reached out a little more and managed to unhook the latch. He bent further to push the window open. With a shove, he went over the rack and pushed his head out the window.