ã€ŠRebirth of Fallenã€‹


 Update 01 (time skip Ch 22 to Ch 23)

    Hello guys,

    Without making too many excuses for myself, I got stuck in one part of the story to the point where I seem unable to move it at a reasonable pace. Lots of it is probably my perfectionism and another part might be just my laziness.

    To make sure this story continues and reaches the desired ending I''m going to do time skip in the story and start posting from chapters I have already written.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The skip is not completely unreasonable and actually makes sense.

    I will add the missing chapters as I write them eventually together with the regular uploads.

    I wanted to let you know that I''m back and I will start actively uploading new chapters again. And I''m going to be posting on my website as well.

    THANK YOU for your support and continuous reading. Looking forward to your feedback.

    <hr>

    Skip is between Chapter 22 to 23

 Prologue 1

    ¡®Death is just a beginning¡¯, statement Theo had on mind more and more in recent weeks as he stood in the darkness of his dreams.

    What would it be like to get another chance? Some say you would live the same life, ¡®people just don¡¯t change that easily¡¯, I don¡¯t think so. I would be different, with a chance to hold the sword and wield magic I could make my life mean something.

    Looking around Theo saw battlefield full of humans, orcs and other races killing each other for dominance. Standing in front of the spear-wielding soldiers preparing to charge them, he was ready for the clash, stomach churning, shuddering with excitement his hands clenched.

    I could lead them, show them the way, kill those in my way and carve the path to the glory and riches. I don¡¯t want to leave this place back to that world.

    As he turned around surveying the darkness, breeze touched his skin. Startled he spun around, a spike of fear and hope rose, maybe this time it is real, maybe this time I can leave everything behind!

    A speck of light shined in the complete darkness of his sleepless dream. Taking a step forward he hesitated, slowly walking towards the unknown, yet somehow familiar.

    It is probably my imagination anyway, another one of the countless dreams which ends up in sweaty bed, alone, mortified, forced to face reality.

    Stopping, his head lowered as he was staring at his feet.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Maybe I can just stay here a little longer, looking up he couldn¡¯t help but stare, what was just light a moment ago, was now full body window just a few steps in front of him.

    Spamming four meters wide it showed him his biggest dreams and terrors at the same time. Strange runes ran along the black rim in patterns of obscure pictures of men and women.

    The dirt road he found himself standing on diverged in two directions, to the right was a paved road going to the edge of the window, and then disappearing into the glass, portraying the steal and concrete buildings of his city. People milling around, running from one place to another without any obvious reason.

    I will have to come back to that eventually.

    The left side provided a much more compelling scene, an army of green-skinned bulky monsters with animalistic looking humanoids marching towards a human city.

    Siege maybe? I could help that city, give me a sword and shield and I would fight these monsters!

    Taking a step towards the left side he stared at the display of horror that would be terrifying to any sane person, yet Theo found himself taking one step after another closer to the shimmering glass.

    Please, his voice wavered, don¡¯t wake me up yet, let me enjoy this more.

    Rising his hand, numbing feeling rose as if he slept the wrong way on it, hindering his movement.

    Please!

    Upon touch the window was cold, unwavering, transforming into the mirror, showing the face of a man whose hopes were ruthlessly crushed.

    Pushing into the mirror didn¡¯t help, the cold feeling was gone and he could hear the familiar buzz announcing time to wake up.

    Filling his lungs with cold air before sign escaped his lips, Theo took a step back. As his body turned, his hand didn¡¯t move, eyes going wide, fear assaulted his entire being as black clawed appendage gripped his forearm, wanting to wake up he closed his eyes and screamed.

    Face with dozens of eyes emerged from the now open window staring him down. Feeling his legs wobble and warmth seeps down his left leg Theo¡¯s eyes burst with tears and screams echoed as the hideous face with a smile of rotten teeth dragged him through the window into the darkness.

 Prologue 2

    ¡°Look at me Tolerai,¡± Cisley squeezed hands over her sisters, the labor started two hours ago and most of that time her sister spend in pain.

    ¡°It is almost over, just push one more time. One more and you are going to have a son.¡±

    Tears rose from her eyes obscuring the image of Tolerais face, leaving only short brown locks matted with sweat and dirt, before they slid over her cheeks, mixing with sweat and grime under her knees

    ¡°I see the head, she needs to push more or we would need to open her, or lose the child.¡± Harsh voice of a midwife, the oldest women she ever saw here, urged Cisley to make another false promise to her sister.

    She made too many of those in the last couple of weeks, hoping she would be able to keep at least one of them she lowered her lips near her sisters, urging her to make one more push, just one more.

    Locking eyes with her for an instant before pain forced Tolerai to close hers in another spike of pain. Cisley could feel her sisters suffering as if it was her own. They were never so close before and all it took was forced labor, mixed with despair and constant fear of abuse.

    Rising her hands in prayer she uttered half-hearted words to Kremmel in hopes he would reward her sisters struggle, only to be interrupted by the scream of newborn.

    Breath escaped her lips in relief, before the hand she was holding started to slide from her grasp. Squeezing harder she saw Tolerai facing the other side, mutely staring at the bundle of white cotton now laying next to her head.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Silence settled over them all as the brown eyes of the child looked curiously at his mother¡¯s unmoving body.

    Shoulders were shaking as Cisley tried to contain her sobs, engraving the last image of her sister into memory. ¡°I will take care of him,¡± whisper nobody could hear escaped her lips, ¡°I swear to you sister.¡±

    As the boy started announcing his new life to the world in cries of sorrow she was unable to contain her own, feeling pair of hands around her shoulders, she turned away, holding onto Lexa who came to console her.

    The cries turned into sobs, quiet prayers to whatever gods were present were uttered by some, as the boy exhausted himself into his first sleep.

    Cisley watched Tolerais body being hauled out of the wooden doors by a couple of red-dressed soldiers on a watch that night.

    She would never see her again, she won¡¯t be given proper rites of passage, nor would she lie with her parents in the family tomb. Just another body, another dead prisoner burned to prevent disease, the Empires soldiers had few good qualities, but efficiency was one of them.

    ¡°What about the child, who will take him?¡± The raspy voice of midwife interrupted the silence once more.

    ¡°Of course I will take care of him,¡± Cisley muttered, hoping she could say it with more confidence as she turned to the child. Looking at the little boy her sister left behind, intense fear paralyzed her hands from scooping him into an embrace.

    What am I thinking? There is no way I can take care of the child, not with my own coming as well. Staring on the dirt under her feet, she didn''t move.

    Signing, the midwife took the boy and gently put him into one of the cribs in the center of the room.

    ¡°You are in the shock, it is never easy when one loses her family.¡±

    Looking up Cisley saw a gentle smile on the matron¡¯s face. ¡°You should mourn tonight, say what you need to say, then sleep. In the morning you can decide if you want to take care of the boy or not.¡±

    Glancing at the cribs, she walked out of the door muttering, ¡°you are not the only one.¡±

 Chapter 1

    The warm, rough fabric clung to his body as morning laziness penetrated his mind, knowing he should wake up Raijen attempted to stretch his hands, only to realize he couldn''t move them.

    Sudden panic spiked in his body as he had almost no feeling in his legs, and the rest of his body moved in random directions instead of the one he wanted to. His eyes wouldn''t open and his lungs didn¡¯t expand to fill in with the air, then a memory emerged in the back of his mind, the memory of a woman smiling at him as she took her last breath.

    Anxiety and fear dominated Raijen¡¯s mind, the small heart hammered against his chest faster and faster, forcing the air out of his lungs, choking him. Sweat raised between his legs penetrating him with coldness, followed with more memories of huge women with gray skin falling off of her face, as she wrapped his body in ropes and black chains.

    Opening his eyes in a sudden fit of panic, gasping for air, Raijen saw sharp pointed eyes, lined by thin eyebrows set into the face of a small girl.

    She was maybe six years old watching him with hazelnut eyes, while sunken cheeks with thin dried lips formed a gentle smile. She had short curly hair and could be called anything but beautiful. On the streets of Europe, no one would spare her a second look, most would avoid her for her torn clothes and dirt on the forehead, yet at that moment she demanded all the attention from him.

    Unable to understand, yet knowing this woman was the most important thing at that moment, Raijen stared at her for what felt like an eternity in waking deliriousness before the dreams leave the memory. The calmness gave way to fear as at the edges of his sight black tendrils crept into the view.

    Don''t go!

    She mounted a few words which he knew were important yet he could not hear them, much less understand.

    Please don¡¯t leave me! What is this place?!

    Hot tears burned his eyes, rolling onto the sheets as cries of a baby echoed in his mind bringing him out of the dream world, only to realize he was laying in an unfamiliar bed surrounded by wooden walls.

    Confusion replaced the fear as the cry stopped with silence and sinking feeling of something being horribly wrong. For one, Raijen¡¯s body didn¡¯t move as it was supposed to, he had no strength in his arms to untangle himself from the sheet or kick them off with his legs.

    The room was grey, lacking any color and his eyes couldn¡¯t focus enough to see clearly, leaving everything in a blur. His throat clenched, preventing him from breathing, as he felt another wave of frustration wash over him.

    Head of a messy short hair popped in front of him, two big grey eyes staring at him with curiosity and mild concern forced new tears out of him.

    Turning away the girl shouted some words disappearing from his sight when considering to shout after her to come back another woman emerged. An uncertain smile flashed on Raijen¡¯s face seeing the women from his dream, only to be replaced by frown upon realizing she wasn¡¯t the same.

    She had sharp narrow eyes with long hair, but her face was considerably younger. With shaky hands she lifted his small body from the crib, holding onto the baby as if he was made out of glass, important tressure that could not be harmed.

    Her body was shaking, as she held in the sobs threatening to escape, she slowly sat on the edge of what must have been a bed, now it resembled just dry grass spread over the ground with torn sheets.

    Looking at the women Raijen felt her nervousness to the point where he stopped breathing himself, just not to startle her. When she took her clothes off to reveal the white breasts moment of confusion went through him before the realization settled in.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    Raijen''s body felt like it disconnected from his conscious thoughts, finding himself not to be in the control of his body, enslaved by instincts of infant unable to control himself, his despair surged.

    The following days and months were spent in prevailing fear and horror of what is coming next. Unable to control himself, being at the mercy of others and constantly calling for help, resulted in neverending baby cries ringing in Raijen''s ears.

    To his dismay the women he found himself thinking of as his mother was nothing but kind and caring, loving him over all the hardship he instilled on her, which prompted him to loathe himself even more.

    Watching her sad and weary smile day in and day out caused the guilt in him to intensify. Realizing what he was doing, Raijen stopped calling for his mother, only allowing himself to cry when the hunger becomes unbearable or when his bowels emptied themselves and humiliation didn''t allow him to stay quiet.

    Months passed by before Raijen''s new body started responding in somewhat familiar patterns, now the legs moved when he wanted them to, his hand lifted from the sheets touching the wooden frame of the crib. The world around started gaining a little bit more colors as well, it was no longer just gray, white and black.

    The rush of excitement went through him as some progress was finally allowed to him, some control gained and dignity restored.

    These days he could tell the brown of wood, red and yellow of fires burning around them, green leaves of flowers put into his crib by a small girl with messy hair brought little relief into his mind, promising not so bleak future.

    The feeling of diversion didn¡¯t last long as over the next weeks more thoughts flooded his mind, no longer occupied by attempts to gain control of his body, his mind started to focus in different directions.

    The language was nothing like what he ever heard before, trying to understand any of it proved impossible with no way to associate the words and objects around him together.

    Every time he tried to think of something more complicated or wanted to focus on something specific in the room when his mother lifted him up for a walk, his attention slipped quickly or fatigue took over and he fell asleep. Sleeping most of the days away proved as a welcome escape from the mental suffering.

    <hr>

    ¡°Raijen, slow down.¡± Cisley smiled as Raijen crawled to the other side of the Room.

    Butting his head into Lexa, Raijen looked up with a grin over his small face, lifting his small hands. Lexa grabbed him around the chest and sat him on her lap.

    ¡°Sometimes I think he does it on purpose.¡±

    ¡°You know you like it.¡± Lexa grinned as she wrapped her arms around Telorai''s son.

    Cisley looked at Raijen as her thoughts returned to that night when she and her sister were running as their village fell under the attack of the red flag of what they later learned was an Empire from the different part of the world.

    None ever crossed the chasm on the edge of the land, which made their arrival in flying ships of steel all the more unpredictable, catching them off guard. She never saw them, but she heard other slaves who were unfortunate to survive the invasion talk about hundreds of grey ships flying to the purple coast, spewing soldiers in red and black.

    It was the night of Haihe, the festival held to show the power of Haihe clan, her clan.

    Just as they watched the procession of minstrels, performers and other commoners showing their crafts and skills. Horns started to flare, how mistaken she was back then thinking they were celebratory horns announcing the next event.

    But back then everyone was thinking the same, what is the next spectacle? What is the next curiosity these artists decided to show to her father and other ministers gathered at the courtyard?

    All of them were expecting something big, something grandiose, everyone other than the Yadave soldiers in the crowd for whom it was signal to start the slaughter of men, women, and children. They showed no mercy, the savagery of men thirsty for blood and revenge knew no compassion.

    Before she could realize what was happening guards escorting her were killed and she was running for the castle, for her little sister. Telorai was in her room, fourteen years old girl who for her misbehavior was confined to her room during the night of the festival.

    Cisley remembered the next moments just in flashes.

    When she finally found her sister, she was peeking out of the window on fires raging through the city. With wide eyes full of wonder and excitement, they changed into eyes full of tears and fear as they fled through corridors of their home before soldiers could find them.

    The relief as they boarded the ship to escape via river with Mark and other clan warriors to escort them.

    Then the horror, pure despair as the ship stopped, all resisting men were slaughtered, only her and her sister were taken prisoners and then turned into slaves, sold from one place to other ever since.

 Chapter 2

    ¡°Cisley?¡±

    Stopping the tears threatening to escape her eyes, she looked at the boy in Lexa¡¯s lap.

    ¡°Of course I don¡¯t like it. He just crawls from one side of the room to another until he passes away from exhaustion, and I feel tired too from all the walking.¡±  She couldn¡¯t hide the smile from her face as she sat on the bed next to Lexa.

    ¡°Your first is going to be here soon too, you should rest more.¡±

    Lexa glanced on Cisley''s swollen belly, she was in her eight month of expecting, but looking at how happy the little walk around the room made her, nobody had the heart to say to her she should stay in the bed. The masters no longer made her go out in the fields to work, even they didn¡¯t want to risk losing another of their goods.

    Sighing, Cisley put her fingers over her belly, pressing her lips in a thin line. ¡°It is going to be my second child.¡±

    Lexas eyes widened for a moment before she looked away.

    ¡°Of course, I meant you should know better now and just let us have some fun with him. He is a little rascal, always making his mom run around.¡±

    Lifting his hands up she pulled Raijen back.

    ¡°Right Raijen? How about you play with us and give your mom a break?¡±

    Raijen looked up, smiling, but never talking. Cisley didn¡¯t worry about it too much at the beginning, some children started talking later, some sooner, but Raijen didn¡¯t talk. He didn¡¯t even seem to try to talk, always just looking at her moving his mouth, but no sound other then cries come out.

    ¡°Oh, so you just want my little man to play with you?¡± She grinned at the black haired women next to her.

    A click at the wall, with the heavy black wooden door strengthened by iron, made the whole room fell into silence as five guards marched inside.

    The fires together with small windows at the top of the walls kept the room from complete darkness, but whenever the doors opened the sunrise showed the fear lurking in the corners of the stone barn they were kept in. But when instead of sun the silver rays fell upon them the true despair ignited inside of the women.

    ¡°It is time, start moving!¡± Shouted the only men without a spear, carrying the short sword of the commander on his hip.

    As the women started arranging into a column and walk out, Lexa put Raijen on Cisley''s knee and went to join them. As they parted whisper escaped Cisley''s mouth

    ¡°Let the walls let you in once more.¡± Raijen¡¯s mouth moved with theirs, but with no sound, nobody noticed.

    "May they return me.¡±

    Whispers shaking with fear and emotions for their sisters echoed in every corner of the room. The women filled out and the food was carried in, signaling the night has fallen.

    <hr>

    Raijen saw many women give birth in the last few months, not all of them survived, many didn¡¯t, but it never really bothered him as much as it did today.

    Watching his mother lying on that bed, pink with dried blood, was the scariest thing he ever saw. Many of these women died on that bed, and the worst thing was that he could do nothing about it. Just sit behind the midwife and stare at her, helping to bring the child into this world.

    Children shouldn¡¯t even be born in here.

    Gripping his naked legs his body was shaking.

    Why was I born in here? This is not how it is supposed to be, I should have a great family, new start, new chance on the life I always imagined. Instead, I¡¯m locked in the room with my best prospect of being a slave.

    Since he could move around, Raijen explored most of the house. There was just one room, but even so, it took considerable effort to get from one side to the other. The place was huge, accommodating around fifty people, mostly young women, and children no older than five years.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    There were no men, other than the guards taking women which weren''t pregnant or recovering from injuries out. It happened twice a day at the same time, once in the morning when the first meal was served and the second time at the night, not all of them always returned.

    And those who did were seldom without new bruises or tears in their clothes leaving a little question to what they were made to do outside.

    There was something in their eyes he could not really understand.

    Why did they carry on? They went through that trial every single day and they just kept going as if it was expected. Don¡¯t they know they can just choose to fight back? They might die, but it has to be better than just accepting what has happened to them.

    Unable to distract himself from the scene in front of him, his memories flashed back to Cisley.

    When Raijen first realized that Cisley, his mother, was probably in the same situation as those taken out every night before she started to carry the child. He couldn¡¯t help but feel sorry for her, she was a weak woman, unable to fight back.

    Broken by whatever past brought her here and without reason to carry on. When he glanced in her eyes there was just empty acceptance of her destiny awaiting for it to end, only to be forced to live on, for purposes he didn¡¯t want to think about.

    As an infant with your old life¡¯s memories though, you can do nothing but think.

    After figuring out how to turn around on his knees and move Raijen started exploring. His mother didn¡¯t leave him alone to random adventures and started to follow behind him, making sure nothing happened to her sister''s child.

    One day when he decided to sit by the wall and look at all these people going around their business, he noticed Cisley sitting on the bed next to him, looking fidgety and bored.

    Not thinking about it more something caught his attention, deciding to find out what is in the last corner that was yet to be explored. It was then, Raijen saw Cisley smile for the first time because of other reason rather than his grinning at her, as she happily followed behind him.

    It was then when something clicked in his mind.

    They were locked away for all this time, some of them went out once a day, some twice, but the rest was locked here for months without anything to do other than some menial tasks.

    From that day on Raijen was moving around until he exhausted himself to sleep, or took some rest to eat, or to shit himself.

    Maybe I can actually do something.

    Thinking to himself, Raijen crawled one more time across the room as his hands burned from muscle pain. Something more than just cry and sleep.

    Things started to change since then, Cisley smiled more and more, looking much more relaxed and lively. Giving Raijen more confidence, he accidentally rammed head first into some women legs, giving her his best, innocent, baby smile.

    He started to make his new mother interact with others in the room. For him, it was mostly getting hugged and smothered by the other women, establishing a position amongst the babies as the most adorable one.

    But for his mother it was much more, being able to speak with others freely and make new friends helped her to get out of her shell.

    Lifting his head from between his legs he watched the back of the midwife.

    Who knows what would have happened if she didn¡¯t decide to take care of a child of some stranger she barely even knew. I have to make sure she is at least a little happier then the last day, maybe she will not put me away then.

    The irrational thoughts surged in his mind as panic assaulted his small body for the fear of what is going to happen to this woman who he learned to think of and love as his mother.

    After a long time cries of a newborn once more echoed in between the huge black walls with narrow windows and shadows cast by flames.

    Moving near the bed, grabbing the sheets he pulled with all the strength he had, still unable to properly stand Lexa lifted Raijen in her arms.

    His gaze fixed on new mother holding the little boy in her arms, with a tired smile on sweat covered face. A mix of complex feelings assaulted his belly, the happiness of her being alright, the fear of what having her own child meant for their relationship, but most of all, relief.

    No matter what, she is still here. Breathing, smiling, I can be with her forever, never leaving.

    Siting next to her head she looked into Raijens dark, almost black eyes with her own dark brown eyes. Saying some words he couldn¡¯t understand and gesture to the child.

    Raijen smiled putting both hands on her face, not looking away from her eyes. He didn¡¯t let go of her hair before exhaustion took him, and the first dream after very long time filled his night.

 Chapter 3

    Sitting in the corner, staring at the black wood of the door with hands wrapped around his knees Raijen was shaking in quiet fear mixed with anger.

    Spending hours staring at it confirmed for him one thing, there was no way of opening them from the inside. It is not like he could open the door even if it was possible with the body of a one-year-old child.

    Why did I allow myself to think it would be alright?

    Raijen''s mind was spinning, just as he started to relax, even enjoy himself under the circumstances, the red-bearded men with a sword decided to take it all from him again.

    Watching my mother take care of little Brian, my brother, she was happy, at least I thought she was, she seemed so.

    I was happy.

    How could I be so stupid? Somewhere in the back of my mind, I had to know, did I just decide to ignore it?

    Glancing at the other women it appeared as if nothing changed. Everyone was going through their routine of sewing, eating, taking care of the children and dying.

    The days become monotone, which was good, as he got used to the regime and repetition of each day, starting to think this would go forever.

    ¡°Maybe it wouldn¡¯t be so bad.¡±

    Mounting the words Raijen¡¯s eyes watered with a shaking lip, remembering those silly thoughts.

    Two days ago the doors opened again, soldiers come in as every other day and women started to line up to leave. Their leader, the only one with the sword and no helmet pointed at Cisley as she was sitting with Raijen in her lap.

    ¡°You, you are coming too.¡±

    Her hands froze on his belly, as she stared at the guard, seemingly not hearing what he said. Not understanding anything the men said Raijen tried to look at his mother, but the black eyes of the guard focused on him first. As the men took the first step closer to them his throat contracted, breath catching in his small lungs locking him in fear.

    Shaking in his mothers embrace, his small head couldn¡¯t comprehend the whole situation other then if he didn¡¯t do anything, something bad would happen.

    Turning around to look at his mothers face, tears rolled down his cheeks as the horror and look of realization come over her. She sat Raijen to the side as quickly as she could, almost toppling to the ground as she stood before the soldier was too close to grab her hand and pull her to the line.

    There was no fight from Cisley, no words of protest or struggle to escape her fate.

    Why, why don''t you fight?!

    Anger assaulted Raijen¡¯s senses and overwrote his fear, letting all the boiling rage surge forward and escape his lungs as he started to scream at her in frustration, which resulted in baby cries echoing through the room.

    Raijen¡¯s eyes turned red with hot tears, not even noticing the men closing on him, as he was staring at Cisley, his mother, the women for who he felt such a love that he couldn¡¯t explain and the frustration forced the tears down his face.

    Cisley turned around, eyes wide, looking at the soldier coming closer to Raijen. Taking a step closer, fear gripped her and froze her legs on the spot as the guard''s eyes shifted on her, gripping the spear shafts, the wood protesting to the usual abuse.

    A cold chill shook his whole body at the look in her eyes.

    She was afraid, it was hard to say if more for herself if she runs to him, or for him if she didn¡¯t.

    Pulling his knees closer at the memory, Raijen looked back at the door.

    He noticed the guard ten feet from himself as he blocked his vision, staring at him. The realization came over him at that moment. The realization of what would have happened to her if she came to him if she was brave enough to fight for him.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    What would have happened if she decided to ignore the guard''s orders to follow them?

    It struck him then, giving him understanding, that this wasn''t first for her, nor for any of them. She had to deal with this on a daily basis before becoming pregnant with little baby Brian. And now, year after giving birth, her time come again, to go out and do what they told her to do.

    Years of fear and beating orders into them made them obedient slaves who followed orders, they could choose between pain at the end of the day or death at this moment.

    For some reason still clinging to this life they had, they went with the pain, something Raijen couldn¡¯t understand. Hoping for the situation to change one day or hoping for someone to come and save them one day, or just accepting the fate that was delivered to them at the hands of those men.

    So he did the only thing he could think of, closing his eyes, telling himself it is to clear the tears, but it was really only to avoid the void in her eyes.

    Forcing smile to his lips as he raised his right hand at her, with what was warped smile full of lies.

    The next moment he opened his eyes they were gone, behind the closed dark doors. It should have felt like any other day, it wasn''t all that different, but for the fact, that he was alone now. The women he spent over a year with was gone, leaving a hole in his guts and pain he couldn¡¯t recall feeling before.

    Not being able to withstand the gazes of other women in the room, which felt now focused on him more then ever, as if everyone was watching him, everyone was whispering about him, judging him.

    Raijen moved down from the bed and started crawling around the room. It soon lost its meaning as there was no one following him, no one paid attention to him, women had their own problems to solve, their own lives to live, their own children to rise and enjoy, before they were taken away as well.

    Crawling to the door looking for a way to open it, something pushed at his mind, preventing him from touching the cold iron, as if everyone was looking at him. He sat in front of the hardened wood looking at the hinges, there was no knob or way to grab it from this side, only push.

    It didn¡¯t take long to realize there was no way to open it with his small body, Raijen¡¯s mind started to wander into dark places, imagining what it would be like if they never opened again, or worse if they opened and his mother wasn''t there.

    When his belly squeezed from the idea, the shadows from torches shifted as the whole room went quiet. Instantly looking up, the door started to open, the time passed fast while he was contemplating, and women started returning.

    With wild eyes shifting from one face to the next he finally saw the brown curly locks which only one woman had. Relief filled his limbs and strange lethargy hit him from staying up the whole night.

    That only lasted until his eyes found the rest of her body, her dress was torn with blood on it. Her face was bruised as well as her hands, not the old ones, but new marks, that weren''t there before. Lifting from the ground Raijen went to her in a straight line, tackling her leg, grabbing on her with all his might of the small body he was confined to.

    The feel of her hand on his head, caressing his hair relaxed him, brought relief to his mind, before the look in her eyes met his.

    They were there again, those empty, lifeless brown eyes which accepted her fate for what it was. Raijen was screaming in his head, not daring to make any sounds that might startle her, all this time spent trying to lure her out of that pit, and when she was finally on the edge, someone had to come and push her down again.

    Staring hate at the leaving soldiers he watched them leave, oblivious to the suffering behind them, willingly ignoring it.

    Cisley went straight into the bed, laying down and closing her eyes. Raijen watched as her shoulders shivered, almost as if she was cold. After what he witnessed over the last two years he knew people didn¡¯t tremble like that from cold.

    Slowly coming closer Raijen pulled himself on the bed. Sitting behind her head he put small hands on her small shoulders, which were weighted by such load, which this young woman was never supposed to bear.

    She froze instantly on his touch, glancing over her shoulder with those wild fearful eyes, looking into his. Shifting his hands he touched her face, tracing the lines of her eyes, nose, going down her cheeks, ears and back again, as a bird with a broken wing she relaxed and stared back at the little boy.

    It was at that moment when Raijen decided he will do whatever it took to lessen her pain. And it didn¡¯t matter if she ever took notice.

    Cisley turned around on her chest, her eyes never leaving him, she wrapped him in a tender hug, pushing her face into the small body in front of her. Pulling on her head Raijen wanted to make some sounds, but what left his mouth would usually leave him embarrassed to the point where he usually couldn''t make any sounds.

    As a baby coying sounds escaped his chest and lips Cisley chuckled at the sound of it, it was such a rare sound from him, her hand relaxed and she fell into a deep sleep.

    Looking over his shoulder to where his half brother was, fearing he would start crying, waking her up from the slumber she relaxed into.

    Another woman, Anna was her name, scooped Brian out of the crib and offered him her breast for food. Giving her a grateful nod, which probably looked nothing like intended, Raijen turned back.

    Laying next to his mother, determined to protect her from bad dreams, as she did, even if unknowingly for him, since he first closed eyes in this room. Pulling her face into his chest he closed them again.

 Chapter 4

    Over the next months, Raijen spent every minute Cisley was in the room near her. Every other moment he spent keeping to himself ignoring the looks he was sure were targeted on him, as well as other children who occasionally come near to try and play.

    Cisley seldom left the bed, other than to feed Brian or get her own food. Others left her mostly alone, only Lexa sometimes come to check on her.

    Watching her wither into nothingness was hard, harder than anything he ever experienced before. The powerlessness caused his stomach to tie into the knots, frustration reminded him over and over again, there is not one damned thing he could do to make her feel better.

    Why am I so bloody useless? With such a small body, and no strength.

    Glancing at his hands he squeezed them into small fists.

    It is just a matter of time before they take me out as well.

    It happened twice so far, soldiers come in at a different time than usual, it was so strange, Raijen had no idea what to think about them coming in at the wrong time.

    Wanting to laugh at their idiocy, but instead was met with a bitter taste in his mouth, when all the oldest children were taken out.

    Somewhere in the back of his mind Raijen knew this day would come, there were no older children between those wooden walls covered with moss and sooth from the fireplaces.

    Watching as little kids are forced from their mother''s arms, one even killed when they hit her in the head by the spear for refusing to surrender her little girl. The realization that this place could get much worse then what it was now sunk in.

    They have had it easy, working out of the wind or hot sun, always having some food, water, and bed.

    But then it clicked in his mind, one day they will take him outside, to experience the world. To do whatever they raised them for as cattle in the barn. Leaving the only women who cared for him behind to her fate, for the rest of her short life.

    So, instead of trying to run around the room and get away so Cisley would follow, he stayed as close to her as possible. In every moment presented to them.

    Yet it wasn¡¯t enough, Cisley was getting worse each week, each time she came back with new bruises, more exhausted, surrendering to this miserable life.

    Clearly not used to it as the rest of the women here, it wore on her worst, she was weak, she couldn¡¯t fight nor do the hard work, Raijen knew she would die much sooner than others.

    Even so, he dreaded each day as they come and took her out, wondering if she will come back, wondering if it wouldn¡¯t be better if she didn¡¯t. Wondering if it wouldn¡¯t be better to be just free of this place and move into another plane. He was sure she belongs to heaven or whatever version of it they had there.

    Shaking his head on the ridiculousness of it, he felt the tension of the small body leave as his mother walked in yet again. She stopped when the doors closed and looked around the room.Stolen story; please report.

    Wondering what it is Raijen started to go near her, as she spotted him, her lips moved in an unfamiliar motion, a small smile. Just a little tension at the corners of her mouth which no one would notice unless they watched her face every minute of every day for their whole life.

    For some reason Raijens legs turned into jelly, collapsing on the ground, unable to hold back, he bawled his lungs out. Tears run down the red cheeks in earnest as he felt his body shake with all the tension seeping out of him.

    Cisleys look turned into one of worry, as she hurried over to her son. Picking him up from the ground and pushing his head into her small breasts for a hug.

    He couldn¡¯t help himself but just cry, clinging to her shirt. Before she could get too worried I looked into her face again, as we were sitting on the bed. Searching for that small smile, I couldn¡¯t find it again, but I knew it was there.

    ***

    As time passed, things started to change again, this time for the better, though slower. While Cisley was with Raijen most of the time, they started to interact more with others. When Raijen saw Cisley talk to Lexa and other women, smiling, he felt himself returning to his old way where he could start to relax.

    For the first time, Raijen started noticing the other kids who were in the room with them. They were always there, but he never paid them much attention, as he felt better between adults.

    The children stopped trying to make him part of their play circle once he ignored them long enough, eventually, they didn¡¯t even spare him a glance. Thinking it is better that way he tried to ignore any feelings of discomfort from being left alone.

    It is better this way. I''m much older than them anyway, and I don''t even understand what they are saying after all this time.

    Raijen had no idea how much time passed since he was reborn, there was no easy way to track the time and after a while counting the days become impossible.

    It must have been years, or at least two of them.

    The language proved exceptionally difficult to learn. He could remember names and basic words like mother, bed, chair, fire and so on, but to make sentences were different. Even though he could somehow understand what the kids meant when they used their hands and simple words he couldn¡¯t speak.

    So he never spoke, at first he was worried what others would think of it or if it would bring another worry for his mother. Maybe, because of all the things she went through, she either didn¡¯t realize or cared for it, figuring he should start speaking in time.

    Other women had enough of their own problems and worries to care for one boy not talking. Unable to comprehend most of what others told him and without reference to his own language he was nowhere near to figuring this language out.

    My old memories and language learned are more of a hindrance than any help. Who¡¯s idea was it that children learn English easier than adults? What a load of horseshit Do they even have horses here? Maybe if I just repeat all that others say like a retard I could eventually speak.

    But every time he said something it comes out of his mouth as a cry or babble without any meaning, further solidifying his dislike to talking.

    Another thing is I have no idea what to even talk about. What would I say to them? There was nothing going on, the days were all the same, just rinse and repeat.

    The only thing letting Raijen keep his sanity was watching people, sometimes some women went out and didn¡¯t return, replaced by another young girl. Watching them go about their routine and do the work they were assigned, from sewing, weaving baskets to preparing vegetables brought in.

    There was a place for children to learn, he was made to sit in the classes too since he was now old enough for it.

    The women, her name was Yana, with long black hair and narrow green eyes as if she was from Asia, but not quiet, could see right through anyone who didn¡¯t pay attention. She was young, maybe twenty-eight, but still the oldest of all the women here.

    Raijen had no idea what she tried to teach them, but others seemed to understand. So he kept mimicking the children around him, nodding when they did, shake head when they did.

    She is probably teaching the same thing over and over again for only she knows how many years. As for my part, I think I have her fooled into thinking that I get what she is saying or she just doesn¡¯t care.

    It was colder than usually In his corner that day, opposite the door, Raijen wasn¡¯t sitting there for at least a year. But yesterday, when all the women returned, they weren''t all.

 Chapter 5

    ¡°I won¡¯t let you take her away!¡±

    Klaria yelled at her husband. Holding little Erin in her arms, determined to protect her at all cost. Her bedchambers were empty of servants as they were sent away by her husband.

    ¡°Be reasonable, you know as well as I, she will never survive.¡±

    Mandar didn¡¯t yell at his wife, knowing it will do him no good.

    ¡°She will!¡±

    Klaria shouted back, turning to look at the little girl in her arms.

    ¡°I will make sure she does.¡±

    She finished with a soft voice, as the child started to sob, she wrapped her hands around her baby, trying to ease her pain.

    ¡°Yes? And how are you going to do that? She is blind! You can¡¯t be with her all the time, and what will happen when you aren''t around anymore?¡±

    Mandar raised his voice, not being used to his wife defying him so vehemently, he was at loss of how to deal with her.

    It was more than clear to her as well, a blind girl like her wasn¡¯t going to survive in the Ashte. She won¡¯t survive in this world when left on her own, it was better to end her suffering now, rather than to prolong the inevitable.

    Klaria wanted to shout back, that he was wrong, that it was not true, anything was better than death, but she couldn''t, biting her lower lip she whispered.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°Then,¡± Mandar started.

    ¡°But! There is no way, you killing her now is the better solution!¡±

    ¡°And what do you expect me to do? To watch you spent the rest of your life locked away with this girl?!¡±

    ¡°She is not just any girl! She is your daughter, our daughter! Can¡¯t you see, I have finally given you a child and now you want to take her away.¡±

    Klaria''s voice turned pleading, knowing she didn¡¯t have the kind of strength to truly oppose her husband.

    ¡°She is no daughter of mine!¡±

    He couldn¡¯t stop the words from escaping his mouth. The sound of his voice forced Mandar''s face into a panicked grimace, looking at the stricken face of his wife, regret clenched his gut. Lifting his left hand he took a step closer.

    ¡°Klaria-¡±

    With a frost in her voice which he didn¡¯t hear in years, she spat in a whisper.

    ¡°Get out.¡±

    ¡°Klaria, I-¡±

    ¡°Get out! How dare you tell me she is not yours? Whose do you think she is?!¡±

    Klaria¡¯s face was flushed and hot with tears running down her cheeks. The little girl in her arms joined her mother in cries resonating in the small chamber.

    Klaria went to her knees cradling her baby girl, there wasn¡¯t a day she didn¡¯t cry and Klaria could feel the strain on her body wearing her down. Chipping at her strength day after day, her shoulders shook with anxiety and fear of every arriving day.

    The worst of it was that her husband wasn¡¯t wrong, she contemplated the option over many nights. Almost every single one, over the last dozen days and she hated herself for it.

    Frustrated, Mandar stormed out of the room, passing servants at the door, who all lowered their faces, waiting for instructions from their mistress.

    Trying to calm the turmoil in her heart Klaria started humming a melody she learned more than thirty years ago from her mother. It was about the only thing that seemed to calm the little Erin from her anguish.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    She dreaded this day, knowing she couldn''t keep it a secret any longer.

    After twenty years of trying to get pregnant with her husband who was more than a decade younger, they both gave up on having children.

    Mandar didn¡¯t care what others said behind his back, he never took a concubine into his bed or laid his eyes on other women which could give him children.

    Accepting nobody would continue their line, they decided to move to Ashte ten years ago, the militarised border city in Atagare territory, was their main clan''s most important defensive city. And her husband was leading the city in the protection of borders from Ferelis clan.

    But then, a year and a half ago, she became unexpectedly pregnant. It was during the night of Sanrae and even though the goddess didn¡¯t enjoy much popularity these days, Atagi household saw it as good omen and blessing from Sanrae to their house.

    When the girl was born Mandar was mildly annoyed, for it wasn¡¯t a son, but Klaria suspected it was just a face he showed to the other men, as he was thrilled every time he saw the little girl.

    Glad his wife survived hard childbirth and both the girl and Klaria were healthy he decided not to care what his child was, naming the girl Erin, after his late mother.

    Klaria was elated, she stopped hoping for a child when she turned forty, but now she had a baby girl. Most of the time she spent in joy, fretting over the little girl, torn between being afraid which come as part of the motherhood and joyful at the same time.

    But as the days passed it soon become obvious there was something wrong with Erin. She was always crying if she didn¡¯t bring herself to exhaustion or was too hungry to cry she would wail her sorrow into the world without a break.

    Klaria was at loss of what to do, and even midwives weren¡¯t any help determining the cause. About the only thing that worked to calm Erin was when Klaria sang her song or when she held her close to her body sharing the warmth.

    Klaria decided to spend all of her time with Erin. To Mandars chagrin, he finally, after all those years, discovered what other men meant about there being no bedtime with women when a child is born into the house. Which prompted him into mild annoyance every time she rejected him, claiming she needed to be with her daughter.

    Klaria spent all her days in the bedchamber''s, which she seldom used before if ever, always sleeping in the same bed with her husband, enjoying his arms around her belly.

    Eventually, she noticed something strange, Erin almost never opened her eyes. And even when she did, she seemed to look at nothing, not reacting to light, colors or toys, never really looking at her mothers face.

    Klaria knew what it meant, but was too scared to say anything, so she remained silent, hoping she was somewhat wrong. Praying to Sanrae for help, to cure her little daughter. She spent countless times between cursing the goddess for her children misery and thanking her for giving her the child in the first place.

    Klaria didn¡¯t know what to expect at first, afraid of what could happen to the child, she resolved herself to protect Erin at all cost.

    When Mandar started spending more time around his daughter, it was one of the only times he could hold his wife and feel her soft skin.

    Noticing the little girl would never look at him he went to the midwife, demanding to know what was wrong, learning his daughter would never see the light of the day brought him great pain. He decided to take her into the forest, to animals who could release her from her damaged body.

    It might have been just selfishness from her side, as she knew she would never have another baby. And was willing to leave the house and husband she loved more than anything she ever knew. But now there was her child, little Erin, who would die without someone looking after her at all times.

    Steeling herself Klaria knew Mandar was right, she may be able to spend Erin¡¯s childhood with her. But eventually, there would be situations where her position or age won¡¯t allow her to be near Erin.

    There was just no way she could leave the blind girl alone. She might not be able to be with her daughter at all times, but there is someone who can. As the plan slowly started forming in her mind Klaria looked at the door.

    ¡°Haruka!¡±

    ¡°Yes, my lady?¡±

    Short, homely women with yellow hair come inside the room. Bowing at the waist with both hands placed on top of each other in front of her thighs. She wore white hanfu with a dark red hem on the sleeves and the bottom of the dress.

    ¡°Haruka, how far is the process of choosing new maids for the mansion?¡±

    Klaria looked at the servant girl with a new determination in her face.

    ¡°My lady?¡±

    Haruka was startled, lady of the house seldom concerned herself with new servants for the house. It was usually the role of the senior house woman. The lady then just chose the ones she liked for her own servants, Haruka being one of them.

    Seeing Klarias finely trimmed eyebrows rise in question Haruka hurried to answer.

    ¡°The newest chosen ones by the senior are three months in training, nowhere near ready for the service my lady.¡±

    ¡°Perfect, I want to meet them tomorrow, let the instructors know to have them ready.¡±

    Haruka was little stunned by Klaria¡¯s reaction, not allowing herself another slip, she schooled her face into the proper expression quickly. Bowing again the servant girl left the room to convey the message.

    Looking at the girl in her arms, the little Erin was finally sleeping peacefully again. The fact that Erin almost always cried herself into the sleep brought tears to her eyes.

    Gently putting her daughter into the crib from white oaks, Klaria wiped her tears with light green hanfu which reminded her of the grass in the morning dew.

    Leaving the bedchamber''s, she nodded to her serving girls, two of them followed their mistress and three stayed behind to look after their future lady

 Chapter 6

    The next morning Klaria went into the training grounds accompanied by Haruka.

    The trainee maids chosen by senior house women were waiting for them in a neat row. The courtyard of training grounds had massive purple wisteria trees. Klaria never saw them before, they didn''t grow in the old capital.

    Yellow and red peonies were in full bloom in circles around the trees, light smell of the cut grass tickled her nose.

    Klaria couldn¡¯t remember when was the last time she saw a new batch of maids in training. Usually, they brought them into the mansion for her to select the best ones, which would become part of her personal entourage.

    I was so young back then, how do I even choose which one of them would be the best for her?

    All of the girls had their heads lowered in greeting for their future lady, some of them kept fidgeting, some stealing glances at her.

    To the relief of the senior, Cisley decided to ignore it, she knew what she was here for today. There were a time and place for refined manners and polished appearance, these girls lacked both.

    She wasn¡¯t looking for the prettiest either, or the best educated, as she did many times before.

    No, she needed someone who she could mold into someone else. She needed someone who had a reason to stay loyal forever, and she couldn¡¯t afford to make a mistake, because her daughters future was at stake.

    ¡°You,¡±

    Cisley pointed at one of the girls standing at the end of the line, she was tall, taller than others.

    ¡°What is your name?¡±

    Being tall women wasn¡¯t attractive for a girl, but it had its perks as a maid. Lowering her head the girl mumbled.

    ¡°Faiya, mistress.¡±

    ¡°Why are you here Faiya?¡±

    Raising her head Faiya started opening and closing her mouth several times unable to form the words.

    Wondering if she was off with her intuition Klaria stared back at the young girl. She wasn¡¯t older then fifteen, the new trainees weren¡¯t accepted if they haven''t grown into adult women yet.

    Looking over the girls face Klaria knew she found what she wanted. There was nothing special about her, black short hair, little more narrowed brown eyes, small nose, and thin lips. She wasn¡¯t particularly attractive with small hips, and almost none breasts.

    The only unusual thing was her height, head longer than others around her, but that just accentuated how bony and thin she was.

    But if you don''t have your wits around you, that look will go to waste here.

    ¡°When Lady asks you something, you answer.¡± One of the trainers said taking a step closer to her.

    Lifting her hand Klaria stopped her and started to turn away.

    ¡°My parents,¡±

    Klaria stopped at the soft sound and glanced back at the girl. The black haired girl was shaking either with fear or anger, maybe both. Lifting her left hand she touched the girl''s chin, forcing her into eye contact.

    ¡°Your parents, what about them?¡±

    Swallowing some of her fear as her body went rigid on the touch Faiya¡¯s lips slowly opened.

    ¡°My parents brought me here, to learn how to be of service to your house mistress.¡±

    ¡°Is that so? So they wanted the best for you.¡±

    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Faiya clenched her fists in anger but managed to keep it from her face. Klaria didn¡¯t miss it, a small smile threatened to appear on her own lips. There was something off about the girl, she couldn¡¯t put her a finger on it at first, but the look and how she stood was tickling the back of her mind.

    It wasn¡¯t such an uncommon situation, parents who couldn''t support their children decide to sell them to the Atagi house. There is always the hope the girl will do well and find a way into a high serving position in her household.

    Haruka was once in such a position herself, now walking everywhere in the shadow of the most powerful women in the city.

    ¡°Yes, they wanted the best for me, and it is an honor to be here. My lady.¡±

    She finished with a deep bow at waist, her hands trembling, controlled from clutching at her hanfu.

    ¡°You are no longer needed here.¡±

    Eyes went wide all around them as the girls looked around at one another in the uncertainty of what was happening.

    Faiya herself froze, as if the anger forgotten, instantly replaced by fear. ¡°I want you to take your belongings and accompany me to my house.¡± She then looked at the senior trainers.

    ¡°I will take over her education from now on.¡±

    All stooping deep in perfect synchronization bowed their heads ¡°Yes, mistress.¡± Back at the mansion, Klaria had Faiya prepare to start her education, and her own as well.

    She knew very little about raising children, all her knowledge was from stories of other younger women in prominent houses with whom Atagi clan traded and cooperated.

    She always thought she would learn it if the time came naturally as any mother did, but having a blind daughter was something no one ever dealt with before in any other way, to her knowledge, then to kill the child as a way to spare it from miserable future.

    Klaria couldn¡¯t force herself to do it, wondering if she was forcing her daughter into a life of misery she didn¡¯t deserve. She had to do what she could to make sure her daughter not only survived but thrived and lived a fulfilling life.

    As Faiya entered the common room where Klaria waited she immediately lowered her head.

    ¡°Lift your head. From today on you and I will learn how to take care of my daughter.¡±

    Looking at the girl she waited until she made eye contact.

    ¡°But I suppose you should be able to choose if you want to stay and serve or if you want to leave.¡±

    Before Faiya could mutter her trained response Klaria continued.

    ¡°This is not under normal circumstances. If you decide to stay, you will be by her side for the rest of your life or you will die.¡±

    This took the girl by surprise, the service was never for the length of one''s life. At most a decade or two at which point servants could take a husband and become retainers. Effectively making the family stronger and ensuring continuous loyalty in exchange for protection and security which the name Atagi provided.

    When she arrived at her answer Faiya lifted her head and looked at her new mistress.

    ¡°I have nowhere to go my lady. If you will have me, I will stay for as long as you deem necessary.¡±

    ¡°Good, let''s go meet Erin.¡±

 Chapter 7

    Cisley didn''t come back for four days.

    Raijen was hoping she would come back the next day, but now he started to realize he was just deluding himself into wishful thinking she would come back and be safe.

    It wasn''t the first time, there were numerous times when one woman left with the rest and didn''t come back. There was never a time when someone returned later, once they were gone they were gone, forever.

    And the realization of it hit Raijen so hard, to the point of not eating for two days together with a constant mix of anxiety and fear of what happened to her resulted into fantasizing about the worst outcomes possible.

    Would it be better if she was dead, or taken somewhere else, sold?

    Raijen didn''t know, he didn''t want to think about it, but with all the free time in his hands, he couldn''t stop thinking.

    Lexa would sometime force Raijen and her daughter to play together. The silly games were a welcome distraction for him, more than he thought possible. Taking his mind off of the situation and just playing with little Lia helped him to weather a few more days in the endless stream of building despair.

    But when Lexa wasn¡¯t in the room or if she had work or was just maintaining her relationships in their small community. Raijen was left alone, he didn¡¯t mind particularly or so he was telling himself when his mind didn¡¯t wander into dangerous territories, but it did more and more often.

    ¡°Will they come back?¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    Raising his head Raijen tilted his head the side and up to look at who was talking to him. She was maybe three years old, with dark brown skin and shoulder length black hair. Her face was heart shaped and she had puffy cheeks the children usually had.

    But like all of the kids in the room with him, she was on a skinny side. She was kind of cute, but the dark circles under her eyes made her look sad, with the bloodshot eyes Raijens stomach squeezed.

    ¡°Mother, will she come back?¡±

    Her voice was small as if she was afraid to speak.

    ¡°They say you are waiting for your mother.¡±

    ¡°Who they?¡±

    Was I so blind recently? I might have got a look or so, maybe more often than before, but was it enough so the little girl would think to ask me? Or is she just desperate to the point of talking to me?

    Looking around Raijen noticed a few glances here and there. The women were concerned, restless, much more than they usually would be.

    Switching from one leg to the other the girl opened her mouth again, then closed it when their eyes met. Staring into her brown eyes her lips parted again, but Raijen answered first.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    Looking at her again, her big eyes went even bigger.

    ¡°Your mother went out with others?¡±

    He blurted out to continue before she started bawling.

    She nodded.

    ¡°And didn¡¯t come back?¡±

    Another nod, now with sneeze as her nose started running.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that to me.¡±

    As the whisper escaped his lips, tears started rolling from her eyes over her red cheeks as she was holding back this whole time.

    Clapping his hands in front of her face she startled to the point of almost not breathing. Now having her attention Raijen was lost as to what to do next.

    The only thing he could think of was grabbing her cheeks. Pulling on them to make her do faces. She furrowed her brows and as he smirked at her, her face flushed even more.

    Pulling away, pointing a finger in his face she fixed him with her eyes, her cute version of it anyway.

    ¡°Don¡¯t do that to me!¡±

    ¡°Why not, you looked cute.¡±

    Grinning even more at her Raijen felt his shoulders relax as he leaned on the cold wall.

    Pushing her lower lip out in pout the little girl furrowed her brows glaring at him. Then something shifted behind her eyes, she bowed so her face was near him, and clapped her hands in front of his face.

    Briefly thinking about stopping her, Raijen stared at her hands in as she grabbed his ears and started pulling. Cringing with the pain he let out a yelp of surprise, pushing his hand in front of him he touched the sides of her waist and start pushing fingers in her skin.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    She cracked instantly trying to get away from him, not letting her she tripped and fell into his chest dragging him to the ground in a heap of laughter and giggles.

    ¡°That was mean!¡±

    She accused between deep breaths trying to catch her breath.

    Giving her a sidelong glance he sat back up and faced her.

    ¡°I¡¯m Raijen.¡±

    Her brow raised and a small smile tugged at her lips.

    ¡°Alysha.¡±

    She said as she plopped next to him, pulling her knees closer to her chest she locked her hands around them, falling into silence once more.

    ¡°We can just wait together If you want a company.¡± He muttered eventually.

    She nodded and didn¡¯t say anything else.

    <hr>

    After another five days it really settled in for both of them, mothers weren¡¯t coming back. Alysha went through several crying fits, but one of the women took her in hopes to provide comfort. Raijen was at odds with what to do with himself, eventually finding himself constantly thinking about Alysha, which decided to stick to him for the past few days, never leaving too far.

    He never knew what was on her mind, yet he didn¡¯t care, putting his hand on her shoulder or scratching her head. Raijen found immense comfort in having her on his side at all times, she made him feel as if he was not alone, as if he had someone who cared.

    Trying to get her mind off of the gloomy thoughts he started to play with her more. Realizing he wasn''t speaking much and at the same token she would not speak too, Raijen knew it couldn''t be good for her. For the first time deciding to speak more, to actually start using this language to at least some degree, he started to pay attention to the classes and when adults spoke.

    He started teaching her simple clapping games with words that sounded kind of interesting even when he had just a vague idea of their meaning.

    She is kinda stupid, as any kid should be I guess, but sometimes I just wish she would be little smarter.

    Going through the same patterns dozens of times and who knows how many times repeating the words until she got it somewhat right.

    Over time when Raijen would teach her new game, pattern or words audience would start to gather. He noticed the children around them staring at him after one of the particularly draining sessions for him. When Raijen started to think the little brat was just messing with him on purpose.

    Another kid came near them, his eyes following every clap their hands made, his mouth moved with every word uttered. He was standing on their side without a word for almost an hour, before deciding to call her out on her bullshit.

    ¡°Even I can remember that already and I was just looking at you.¡±

    The boy crossed his arms over his small chest, trying to hide his shaking shoulders, but the voice cracked giving away his nervousness.

    Yeah, tell her buddy.

    ¡°This one is hard, the one from before looked more fun anyway, can you show me again?¡±

    Looking to his left Raijen saw another girl slowly sitting next to them, behind her two more looking at each other before approaching.

    They sat next to Raijen forming a Halfmoon, looking at him expectantly Raijen pursed his lips looking into their eyes.

    When did they sneak up on us, and since when exactly were they looking since they know there is more than one?

    He decided to shear some of the simplest games from his old memories, figuring it could be good for Alysha to make more friends.

    She would need them eventually.

    After two days he wasn¡¯t quite sure if it was such a smart idea, as the stone room was a small place, soon every child started coming closer, sitting with each other playing claps with some version of words.

    Alysha looks smug as hell, knowing more than the rest she thinks she is smarter or something?

    Looking at her face Raijen realized he didn¡¯t see her so satisfied before, leaning on the wall he started drawing lines in the dust of the ground.

    Guess I will let her have her few days of glory before the rest cached up. Now, this is much more interesting and weird.

    Trying to contain his excitement Raijen stared at the glow rising from the picture in the dirt.

 Chapter 8

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    Alysha asked as she sat next to Raijen, putting her head on his shoulder. Glancing at her Raijen briefly contemplated why she had become so clingy over the last month, but ultimately ignored it.

    ¡°Picture.¡±

    ¡°I can see that! But what are you drawing?¡±

    ¡°No idea.¡±

    She looked at Raijen with raised eyebrows, one side of her mouth rising in a mocking smile.

    Why does she look at me as if I was an idiot? I know what I¡¯m drawing I don¡¯t understand what I¡¯m looking at.

    ¡°What do you see Alysha?¡±

    Alysha shook her head, in a way that gesture for some reason irritated Raijen. She picked that habit over the last two weeks from Yana when she didn¡¯t approve of something Raijen did or if she didn¡¯t agree with him. Yet she still sat on her knees in front of him and looked at the pictures.

    ¡°Just some strange lines and not round circles?¡±

    ¡°What about this one?¡±

    Raijen pointed with a finger at the edge of the picture with one long vertical line and two smaller horizontal lines connected to it. Watching the mist of low red light rise from the lines when he touched the symbol made his heart beat faster with anticipation.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like that one, I like this.¡±

    She pointed at a different array of lines and circles which looked prettier but didn¡¯t glow when he touched them. A rush of expectation runs through his gut and his heart beat against the small chest in a frantic fashion.

    With shaking hands Raijen drawn more and more runes which he saw in any fantasy literature or history books in his old world he could think of.

    After five hours the excitement turned into disappointment as there was only one more that glowed orange.

    Is it because I can¡¯t recreate the original or is it was something else?

    One benefit of people not paying attention to him was that he could stay awake hoverer long he wanted, deciding to sleep on the rune mystery Raijen went into bed.

    <hr>

    Laying the back he felt the sheets shift around him, turning on the side he saw Alysha sitting on the bed next to him. In the low light of the torches her eyes focused on his, her shoulders were shaking and her small hands clenched on the surrounding sheets.

    Considering the girl for a moment Raijen lifted the sheets next to him. Not wasting a moment Alysha squeezed in next to him, grabbing on the rags of his shirt she pulled on it. Not understanding what it was this time as she sneaked into his bed for the first time he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and could feel her trembling. Thinking she was cold Raijen pulled her closer, it didn¡¯t take long before sneezing penetrated his ears and the ice hand of realization she was crying before she came to him clenched in his chest.

    Running fingers in her hair to calm her down Raijens lips parted near her ear.

    ¡°What is it, someone was mean to you?¡±

    He could hear the weak attempt on a smile in his voice waiting for her response.

    Why do I care so damn much about this girl? I don¡¯t even know her that well, I will have to leave this place eventually and will never see her again.

    Squeezing her hair harder in the fist she shook her head but said nothing. Deciding to let her sleep he closed his eyes holding onto her.

    ¡°You won¡¯t leave me alone right?¡±

    The question was muffled by her talking into his chest, but he could still hear her clearly.

    Moving away and lifting her face he looked into her black eyes and something almost broke inside of him. In the pale light of the night, her face was a mess, red eyes, red running nose and messed up hair. She looked ready for another cry but was staring in his face with wide, wild eyes.

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    ¡°Of course, I would never leave you,¡±

    Raijen''s voice was strained trying to sound with as much of conviction as he could muster considering his inability to ever deliver on any promises he made to her this night.

    ¡°Why would you ask that?¡±

    Her hands squeezed the rags of his shirt, even more, turning her knuckles white.

    ¡°It is, I¡¯m just not¡­¡±

    She trailed off looking down, but then looked up again.

    ¡°When you play with others, I thought you don¡¯t need me anymore.¡±

    Raising a brow and considering her for a moment he whispered back.

    ¡°I will always need you to be with me, that will never change. You should make some new friends though, but we will always be the very best friends. Sounds good?¡±

    Nodding her head she looked down again. After a few more minutes, another whisper escaped her mouth.

    ¡°Can I stay here tonight?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you know what? You can just stay here every night you want. I can use someone to hug to since winter is coming.¡±

    The words escaped his mouth without much thought.

    ¡°What is winter?¡±

    Blinking Raijen realized the adults were talking about it only between themselves.

    I wasn¡¯t sure if I have ignored the winters before completely or if there ever was one, to begin with. But it looks like it is a big deal since the women are becoming antsy, and more concerned each day.

    Deciding not to scare her too much he caressed her hair before wrapping both of his arms around her and snuggling close.

    ¡°It gets cold at night, so I need someone to hug.¡±

    Smiling into her hair Raijen closed his eyes, waiting for sleep to take him, he could smell the smoke and stone in this room in her hair which brought him a strange sense of comfort.

    Feeling her fingers grab his back she snuggled her face into his neck and in a few moments, her breathing calmed.

    Even after the whole room went quiet, and all he heard was the regular breathing with an occasional snore, the sleep eluded him.

    One day they will take me out and I will leave Alysha to whatever fate awaits for her.

    At the thought of what would happen to this little innocent girl, his stomach churned from more than just hunger. The more he tried not to think about it the more it wormed its way into the front of his mind, keeping him awake most of the night.

    It isn¡¯t only about Alysha, I have a pretty good idea what will happen to her and any other women once they leave. But I have no idea what awaits for me. Will I even have any chance to choose or decide the path my life will go? Most likely not, they can force me into labor, then again why would they bother to raise us like this if only to kill us in mines or something.

    Are we specifically raised to accommodate any perversion the men or women outside had? If so what life was that, to go from day to day knowing there will be never anything more?

    Are we to be sent far away, to some strange land? But then would it really matter since we don¡¯t know anything else anyway?

    Or is it something else entirely?

    Not having any idea about the purpose of any of this was probably the scariest thing for Raijen.

    What kind of second life is this, I didn¡¯t want it to be like this. I want to get out of here soon and be done with it. To face the reality they prepared for us and deal with it, I want my chance to build my life in whatever mess is waiting out there.

    This forced him down another rabbit hole.

    Who are ¡°they¡± anyway? Other then the guards taking women out and back and a few other slaves who carry our food, there is nothing to go by.

    Wondering about the future which scared him more then he thought possible Raijen slowly drifted into a restless sleep. Though this time feeling another body next to him, provided him with something constant he could be sure would be here unchanged when he opens his eyes in the morning.

 Chapter 9

    When the doors opened again in that time of the day when they never do. Raijen knew as his belly squeezed hard and his body started shaking, something was wrong.

    He knew at some point this day will come, but was hoping he had just a little bit more time.

    Feeling himself falling into a trance he watched the men shout out orders, not really hearing anything, but he knew what they wanted. As the one who seemed to always know which ones were to be taken looked in his direction, the sword guards green eyes met his.

    There was no urgency, just a mechanical stare he gave to people as he assessed them. Slowly, Raijen hugged Alysha around shoulders and kissed her forehead as he rose from the ground where they played the game just a moment ago.

    Looking down at Alysha he gave her a smile, wondering how his face looked, with stiff lips in a grimace of a smile and watering eyes. Her eyes went wide and her lips quivered, grabbing his leg she held onto it with all her strength.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go Raijen.¡±

    Her voice cracked and tears spilled from her eyes.

    Noticing one of the guards closing on them Raijen panicked and untangled himself from her grasp, going for the line forming near the doors.

    Part of him was oddly excited about the prospect of finally seeing the outside world. But much bigger part forced him to drag his feet on the rough surface of the room in dread. Unexplainable fear of what is beyond that door and what kind of cruelty is waiting for him.

    ¡°You promised never to leave me! Don¡¯t go!¡±

    Turning around Alysha was scrambling to her feet preparing to run to him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go! You promised!¡±

    Finally getting up she started going in his direction, screaming so the whole room could hear her. She has drawn the attention of every guard in the room.

    Knowing what would happen if they run out of patience which they didn¡¯t have much from his experience, Raijen put his hand up to stop her.

    ¡°Stop there, you can¡¯t go with me, you know that. I know what I said, but we both knew this day will come.¡±

    She stopped hesitating, staring at him her face showed nothing but anger. Lowering his head Raijen attempted to turn around, watching her eyes he knew she wasn¡¯t done, but hoped she would listen to him at least his one time.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care! You said you would never leave me. Did you just lie to me?!¡±

    Turning around and walking away from her, Alysha screamed back again.

    ¡°You are just a liar! I hate you Raijen! Why did you lie to me all this time?"

    Clenching his fists he kept walking towards the line, to bear her anger burned his eyes, cold sweat broke all over his body.

    I have to leave before something happens, I have to keep going, I¡¯m sorry Alysha.

    Glancing to the side one of the guards passed around him clenching wooden stick high in the fist.

    ¡°Raijen, please¡­¡±

    Alysha¡¯s voice cracked again and she started wailing as her knees hit the ground.

    The calmness overwhelming Raijens senses stopped him from realizing his legs carried him right back to her. Past the men who were now swinging to stop her, wrapping arms around Alysha.

    The sting of the wood on his back brought him back to reality.

    The echoing smack of wood on the flesh pulled Alysha from her stupor as she stared in his pain strained face.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that Alysha, you know I love you.¡±

    Giving her his best smile with left eye closed, expecting another smack any moment. Raijen braced any muscles his scrawny body had to protect him.

    ¡°I can¡¯t keep that promise, but I will give you diff--.¡±

    Another hit on the flesh echoed in his ears. No one else could hear it as much at that moment, but for him, it was the loudest sound ever.

    ¡°I will come for you. Alysha, one day, I will find you and take you away.¡±

    Feeling his back going numb he looked into her beautiful eyes.

    ¡°Can you believe me one more time?¡±

    As he forced the last words through his teeth, his hands slumped down over her back.

    She was frantic again, realizing what was happening and without a doubt blaming herself. Raijen couldn''t blame her, she was just a child, for him there was no one to blame but them, but he couldn¡¯t force himself to say more for the pain his body was in.

    ¡°I love you too.¡±

    Sniffing she put her hands on his skinny chest.

    ¡°I will wait, just don¡¯t make me wait too long.¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Nodding, his lips parted to answer but another hit, hit his head, turning his vision dark. Feeling his body being lifted and carried away Raijen hanged on the verge of unconsciousness.

    Losing track of time, he realized what was happening when they carried him through some kind of corridor. The walls were made from grey cut stone and the floor was covered by hardened gravel, metal enforced boots echoing through the halls.

    But what twisted knot in his stomach was when he saw another door, same as the one on his room. For a brief moment thinking it was just him seeing things from the delirium, but when they turned a corner there was another long corridor.

    Raijens throat went dry as he saw many sets of doors, some opened, some being opened by other guards and taking children out. Forming lines, same as theirs and being escorted deeper into the tunnels.

    The scope of this place is huge If each of these doors is hiding another room like the one I was in. And we may have passed dozens of them, and how many others I didn¡¯t see? Then does it mean this place contained hundreds or thousands of slaves, people raised to be slaves?

    For what purpose?

    Noticing he was awake, the guard forced him to continue on feet. Following two columns they were led outside of the tunnels. The hopes to finally see the sky turned to ashes as they exited into a huge hall. The place was massive, easily ten times bigger than the room he spends the last five years in, since being born in this world.

    Same as the smaller room the only windows which brought in the wind were long slits near the roof, there was no way to climb it and the slits were barred by steel bars. They brought in some light, but most of the light was provided by torches, candles in chandeliers and four fires in the corners.

    He was standing in the middle of the front rows, hidden behind lines of children waiting for what was to come. The fact that he was probably the only one really understanding what is going on here, and that he couldn''t do anything about it made his knees shook, his guts twisted in fear and anticipation.

    As all were ushered in and doors closed with those black iron bolts crushing any hope for escape another door opened and men walked in.

    Dividing the children into groups of girls and boys separately, and further into smaller groups by some criteria which eluded him.

    Once the group consisted of forty they were taken out a separate way. Passing an old man scribing into an old looking leather book.

    Raijen was forced into the fifth group of boys, and as they passed the old men asked them for the name they were assigned by the guard.

    ¡°Where do these go?¡±

    ¡°East, Valdag, this is the last group in that direction.¡±

    Answered the guard to the old men.

    Raising a wrinkled eyebrow, the old men signed, shrugging.

    ¡°There is no one acceptable in this batch, all scrawny and meek, move them out of here.¡±

    The soldier stared at the boys next to him grunted, glancing at the men.

    ¡°Serg, if you don¡¯t take someone, we are going to have a problem with Vultures.¡±

    Pointing a wrinkled finger at the children he shook his head.

    ¡°They are going to be more pissed off if we send them someone like them.¡±

    The torrent of thoughts and emotions that rushed through Raijens head made him uncomfortable.

    They want to send us to a different city. From what I saw so far these people are really primitive, so the next city is probably really far away.

    Which means I will never see Alysha again if they send me away.

    But what can I do?

    Is there even something I can do, or try? Run, fight, what would it do other than bring me the pain of being beaten by these soldiers?

    I could die.

    Is there even point in fighting this?

    Looking down on his hands they were scrawny, like twigs of the sapling with unhealthy skin, from never being on the sun combined with restricted food and water, Raijen looked like walking death.

    Entertaining the idea to just let them take him wherever they wanted to and try his luck in different place Raijens brain froze.

    Wasn¡¯t that exactly what you wanted the first time? To escape your old miserable life and get another chance in a different world? How could I forget it? That was everything I hoped for, for years upon years of my old mediocre life.

    And yet, now that the wildest dreams of my life were fulfilled I just go on as before.

    Nothing really changed, was I really thinking about letting this world carry me through like before? Worse was, where am I gonna end this way? I¡¯m a slave, just one tool among possible thousands, I don¡¯t matter to them or to anyone else in this world.

    Only Alysha.

    Without realizing, his body stopped moving, one of the guards poked him in the back with the bottom of the spear.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stop, move it.¡±

    Raijen turned around and not thinking about it run his hand up between the legs of the men. Giving it all the momentum and strength he could muster his fist connected and the guy with scream grabbing his balls started collapsing.

    Wheezing and sobbing the men went to the ground without any resistance.

    Staring at him Raijen was surprised at how effective it was. Shaking from their stupor, from the unexpectedness of the action the other guards around snickered in amusement as they regarded their fallen comrade.

    ¡°No one is going to believe this shit when they hear about it.¡±

    The next moment their sight switched to Raijen and all the mirth disappeared from the guard''s faces.

    A cold sweat broke on his back as one of them lifted his spear and made his way towards him, pushing other kids to the side as murder screamed from his eyes.

    Raijens legs trembled and he knew this was it.

    If I want to make at least some difference, to choose a way this new life will go it has to be now.

    I may have no extensive fighting training or strength and I doubted I had any speed or reflexes. But I have a shit load of experience of watching, studying and training martial arts as a hobby. And my biggest advantage right now is, that he doesn''t expect any of this, he will never expect me to even retaliate beyond what I already did.

    Pushing his right leg back and switching his weight so he could dodge that first lunge the guard will throw at him, Raijen stayed still.

    Raijen knew he would either die here or be forced into whatever plan they had for him, there was no way to live this life his way.

    So I might as well give it my all here, as a protest to this shitty second chance.

    Watching the point of the spear going for his torso Raijen ducked down, his small frame easily evading the attack as he went for a tackle to get the guy on the ground and maul him for what he was worth.

    But once Raijen rammed his shoulder into the guard''s leg, he stopped dead on the spot. The men didn¡¯t even budge in answer to the boy''s attack.

    Like a bug bitting with all his strength into the leather boot, one doesn¡¯t really realize it is happening unless he pays attention.

    And the guard did, plated elbow slamming into Raijens back pushed all the air from his lungs and crushed him to the gravel under them.

    Not feeling his body, red dots appeared in Raijens vision. Expecting to be released from this hell at any moment, someones shout brought a slight smile to his cracked lips.

    ¡°Stop!¡±

    ¡°What?! This little fucker will die by my hand.¡±

    The second voice was much gruffer and composed, almost happy.

    ¡°No, he won¡¯t, you asked if someone will be sent to the mountains?¡±

    His steel capped boots stopped next to the Raijens head.

    ¡°Here is your answer.¡±

    The butt of the spear poked into Raijens back.

    ¡°We will send him to Vultures, they can enjoy themselves for all I care with him.¡±

    Feeling his body is once again lifted from the ground, the guard''s stinking breath tickled Raijens ear.

    ¡°You will enjoy it there, the Marak mountains are hell all on it is own.¡±

    Before another fear could take him one last strike of pain freed Raijen from the pain into blissful darkness.

 Chapter 10

    Thinking there could be nothing worse than the last ten years of being asleep and yet awake in what would be considered a dream you couldn¡¯t wake up from, Erin didn¡¯t know how wrong she was.

    Every day desperately wishing for release from the nightmare in one way or another. Instead just being driven to madness in repeating dream which she couldn¡¯t control.

    Constantly being reminded about what happened that day, when she was on her way home. In the unwavering madness of the dreams, something persisted to keep her sane. Then eventually, something changed, she was no longer in her dream.

    She was looking at two circles on the ground with a silver rim and black symbols which were emitting silver smoke tainted by blue mist around the symbols. Coming closer to the window Erin could see the empty hospital beds.

    I guess that is probably the place where I was taken after the accident.

    Looking over on the second circle, the place was much different, beautiful wooden bed, covered by the kind of fabrics with colors burgundy and azure she could only dream about. It was nothing like her old room.

    Lavishly decorated with flowers, silverware on the red wooden table with two chairs. Open window with drapes like from a story showed a view from the that forced her to stop breathtaking. Open fields with mountains on the horizon covered in an orange sheen of setting sun made her exhale the air again in awe.

    Not thinking about it, wanting to escape her darkness at any cost Erin touched the glass with her feet, but before her bare fingers could reach the window red, rusty fingers grabbed her leg and with a scream escaping Erins lungs dragged her into the hole on the ground.

    When the pressure on her legs finally stopped Erin felt a cold chill run over her skin, before something warm wrapped around her body.

    <hr>

    Thinking about the first days Erin was born into this new world her body shivered. The realization of being somehow reborn, since nothing else was even remotely conceivable brought her a rush of excitement on the prospects of living a new life.

    The excitement lasted until the first time she tried to open her eyes, only to be welcomed by the darkness. Panicking she started to call for somebody nearby, for someone to help her, to put the lights on. All she could hear thought were just cries of a baby. My cries to the world hoping to be rescued.

    When her mother first lifted her little body and brought Erin to her chest for a hug and started humming I started to calm down, realizing that maybe it was just so dark outside, no one could really see. Or maybe babies aren¡¯t supposed to see so soon after birth.

    It has been just my wishful thinking to satiate the growing fear that gripped my very core.

    After several weeks, she started to realized there was something wrong, nothing changed. Erin could feel the warmth of the sun on her skin, the breeze caressing her head as she was enveloped in blankets inside what could only be a crib.

    Constantly trying to call for someone, her mother or father, to make sure someone was there with her and she wasn¡¯t all alone, blind in a place she didn¡¯t understand how she got to. Somewhere back in her mind she realized that she was constantly crying, and at the same time bringing a lot of hardship and sadness to her parents.

    But if nothing else it worked.

    There was always one woman near her, later Erin learned to recognize her voice as her mothers. There were other women as well, but she had no idea what they were saying and wasn¡¯t even sure why they were constantly near.

    Not being able to see, there was no way for her to learn what they were saying. Thinking normal babies learned by pointing on something and repeating the sounds enough times to get it right, she knew there was no such option for her. The realization of the possibility of not being able to ever speak again, on top of never seeing, filled the darkness and consequently many days and night with wails of desperate girl fearing every moment in her life that was approaching.

    What kind of life would that even be? Why was I brought to this world? I have not even once heard the sound of a switch or the hum of some machine.

    The only sounds were the clatter of wood and occasional metal clang. Every sound just reinforcing the fact of being in a backward society, that had probably no access to real medicine.

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    The wildest scenarios were playing in her mind.

    Are they even humans, am I human? Will they let me live once they realize my situation? Probably not, they would see it as a mercy for someone who could not survive in whatever world was waiting outside of the walls I was surely behind. Or in better case, it would be spearing the child of future hardship and even worse life that would follow.

    In the panic of all those things coming to her mind, Erin tried to stay as quiet as she could, to not bring more attention to herself than necessary. To appear as a normal child, but the only outcome of it was permanent feelings of being alone, abandoned in her crib, fearing of her mother forgetting about her.

    She probably had other children she had to take care of.

    Lasting only a moment, unable to gauge time in the constant darkness, Erin started to call for her mother again, until the reassuring caresses of her hands returned. Not caring what would be the outcome if they find out she decided to keep her close.

    Erin heard the voice of the men only once before and it was the only male voice she heard since coming to this world. Hearing her father for the second time she knew he was angry, fighting with her mother over something.

    Was it me? Were they in a fight because of what to do with me? Is this finally it, the point in which they decide to let me die and release me from this broken prison?

    In was a strange moment, staying quiet and wondering if it would be such a bad idea if the end of this was really the worst thing that could happen.

    She was locked in her old body for a decade unable to move, speak, hear, see or smell anything. And now she was locked in this new body, which was broken from the beginning unable to see or speak.

    Is it really wrong for me to think it would be better to end this new prison?

    When silence fell on the room she could feel it was now, the moment which decides what will happen next. Almost wishing for the ending she anticipated she found herself holding her breath, in hopes to hear what exactly would happen.

    Sobbing.

    All she could hear was sobbing, a sound she hasn¡¯t heard before.

    What is this, why does it sound so wrong?

    Something she did all the time sounded so much worse coming from a woman she recognized as the only constant thing in this life where darkness was never yielding. She has never heard her cry before, now considering something so simple Erin was at a loss.

    Did she decide to never cry in front of me? Or was she simply so busy taking care of every need I had so she didn¡¯t consider her own feelings?

    Spiraling into another loop of assumptions and thoughts of what she was doing to her mother all this time. Erin broke into another fit of crying, joining her mother in her sorrow over whatever just transpired.

    As if bringing her back from a trance her cries stopped almost immediately as she was lifted and felt the familiar feeling on her cheek against her chest. The soft hum of her mother''s lips and vibrating chest slowly lulled Erin into an exhausted sleep.

    <hr>

    After the last event, Erin couldn''t escape the guilt she felt growing inside of her for all the selfishness towards her mother, determined to let her know she loved her Erin decided do her best to bring her as little of hardship as she could. Intending to remain silent, trying to deal with the creeping feeling of being alone in the room.

    It was harder then she thought, never knowing what is near, or if someone is in the room watching or listening. Erin wanted to make sure she was alone, or that mother was nearby, or to make sure she wasn¡¯t.

    Not knowing anything and being forced to just guess was scary. Anxiousness and fear crept into her chest again, not knowing what time it was, or how much time passed since she woke up, unable to know if the night was approaching or if instead the lunchtime was nearby made it all the more frustrating and harder.

    Then the doors opened, feeling proud of herself for staying quiet, giving her mother another reason to come to look at her. After all this time she could tell it was her mother because of her smell. She had a unique smell of flowers and wood.

    But today there was someone else with her as well, another woman, her voice was soft the kind teenage girls had when being nervous.

    From that day Erin slowly learned her name was Faiya, she was a young girl in the service of her mother and she was meant to stay with her for the rest of her life.

 Chapter 11

    The warm sun on his skin brought smile to Raijens face as he shifted in his bed. Wanting nothing more then to sleep for a few more minutes before he was forced to wake up and go to school. As he stretched his arms, his hand scraped over the wooden surface and hit a metal bar.

    Bolting upright his eyes went wide as he took in his surroundings. Driving through a countryside they were enveloped by wast grass plains with nothing around them other then a road and mountains in the distance. The mountains were huge, bigger then anything he ever saw. He couldn¡¯t even see the edge of them, as they we were going closer and closer to the forest under the mountains.

    What really surprised him was when he looked around, Raijen was riding in some kind of carriage. More like a moving cage, with wooden floor and roof and metal bars instead of walls, it was quite a change compared to stone blocks enveloping him for the last five years. There were several other children inside as well all staring at him.

    ¡°Yeah, it is quite intense seeing so much new things after all the time in the room.¡±

    One of the boys with emerald eyes mumbled as Raijen¡¯s eyes went over them.

    ¡°So you all were too?¡±

    ¡°Yea, it is an actually common thing amongst slaves from what mother told me.¡±

    Spear hit the bar next to them starting them with the metal clang.

    ¡°Shut it, little bastards.¡±

    Guard shouted and all the boys went instantly silent, with visible fear on their faces their eyes went to the floor.

    I guess that isn¡¯t the first time they met him, and they are all afraid.

    Now looking at the kids, all of them sat in the middle of the cell, away from the bars, as if not to get anywhere near the guards and the violence they promised. Scrambling on his knees near them, two of the boys made some space between each other without any hint of hesitation. Turning around Raijen sat down between them, bringing his knees close and locking hands around them.

    The guard in the tunnels mentioned some mountains and the hell they are on it is own.

    Shivering at the though Raijen glanced at the grey peaks of mountains they were approaching. The sun was warm in the midday, but when he looked closer at the grass, it was starting to turn brown and all the men had thick cloaks around shoulders.

    Winter was coming, and we were taken to the mountains. There is no way we can survive whatever is waiting for us there, can we?

    Two days passed by since Raijen first woke up in the carriage, staring at the gray mass in front of them, his guts were twisting into knots.

    We are probably on our last day of travel, based on the distance from mountains now, we would reach them today, just before the sun falls behind those sharp, white peaks.

    The day felt colder than yesterday, with only rags on their bodies and one warm bowl of slop for food, they were huddled close to each other sapping the warmth from one another in the contest of who would survive the journey. Raijen was almost certain one of the boys was dead, but getting up to confirm it meant losing that so treasured warmth. And it felt like too much of a bother to make sure of something they all knew.

    Nobody said anything since that first warning when Raijen woke up. He didn¡¯t see much of a point and there was nothing they could tell him what he didn¡¯t already know or gleaned from the conversations of men who were escorting them.

    I wonder what his name was, or what are the names of any of them. Do I really care, or are they just bodies to keep me from freezing to death?

    Probably the later one.

    When they passed the first body several hours from their destination, nobody so much as stirred. They all knew people were taken here to die, the bodies littering the road meant they weren¡¯t the only ones.

    When the bodies started to pile up something in Raijen¡¯s stomach shifted. He hoped this would be some kind of test. That they were simply taken into a place were it was expected for most people to die, for children to die. And maybe, he could use the fact that he was way above any other normal kid his age to navigate through it all.

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    This is just a dead man''s land. We easily crossed over two, three dozens of bodies and no one from the guards even batted an eye.

    Chill started to set into Raijens bones over the apathy he felt a moments ago towards the uncertain future. Only now did he realize it was much colder around them then he though a moment ago.

    Looking to his left the boy he talked to at the beginning wasn¡¯t moving. His body was sucking the temperature from Raijens. Closing eyes and deciding to wait for what would come he felt himself snoozing into surprising comfort.

    Maybe I can rest for a while longer.

    His thoughts were cut way too short as the carriage suddenly halted and guards forced them out of the cage. The fact that three out of seven come out registered on his mind only briefly. Looking around he saw dozens of boys sitting in small groups huddled together looking at them. Surprisingly at the edge of the forest under the mountains wasn¡¯t that many dead bodies, but mostly the living ones.

    Did they drag the dead away or did some of them try to get away from the forest hoping they could cross the plains on foot?

    ¡°You, come here!¡±

    Not wanting to get into trouble Raijen dragged his feet near the men who pointed at him.

    Grabbing his shirt the guard pinned piece of metal on it and moved to call the others. Watching him pin tags on others Raijen realised all of the kids had them, each was different, but there was no one alive near the woods who didn¡¯t have the metal piece of iron.

    As the guards finished they saddled horses and rode away without looking back, eager to be rid of this place and return to their home.

    With the sun hiding behind the peaks of the mountains and bathing horizon in rich orange, chill of the night started to settle into their bones. Most of the kids huddled together attempting to share in the little warmth their bodies provided. The pin on Raijens chest was heavy, oval shape with imprinted cross and chains.

    Representing the House of Chains which took everything from him without ever considering the kind of life it meant for them.

    But for the first time since he was reborn, for the first time he opened his eyes to this world, there was something he could do about it. It wasn¡¯t hard to imagine what the pins were for. Fingering his with dirty hands, there was the lingering fear at the back of his mind, some apprehension nagging at him.

    What if something happens when I take it off? No, the better question is, what would happen when I take it off?

    He grabbed the cold metal and pulled with all his strength. His hand shot forwards as the pin come off much easier then expected. Looking at it for a few seconds his hand started to lose strength as the tension in muscles relaxed and the pin dropped to the ground. Sparing it one last look he attempted to join others, but something in the forest caught his attention.

    Lights.

    Torch lights were closing on them, slowly but steadily they were coming closer. Another breeze touched his pale skin through the hole in the shirt. And at that moment something in his mind clicked.

    What if the tags aren¡¯t just indication of which house you are from, but  something more? Surely the people coming for us weren¡¯t looking for some random strangles, but expected selected few from the slavers they had contract with. What if they find someone without a tag amongst the rest?

    Glancing behind his back on the cross with chains in the dirt, the boys started to stand up as if anticipating what was to come. They looked as if they knew what is next.

    Raijen darted for a bunch of corpses few hundred feet away. Heart pounding in his ears, sweat soaking his shirt and hair plastered to the face Raijen turned one of the corpses around. Looking at the dead body his stomach flipped over and he trowed whatever was left in it all over the corpse. Wheezing from extortion of his exhausted body Raijen turned from the corpse, grabbed the hand of another and pulled it closer.

    This one was in better shape but not much. The same oval tag was on his chest, but this one had encrusted two roses strangling one another, over which will reach higher and survive. Ripping the pin off he clipped it on his tattered shirt just in a moment when first of the figures exited the foliage.

 Chapter 12

    The first impression wasn¡¯t anything special. If anything, they looked unimpressive, hunched figures of quite a small man. They all had heavy cloaks with lowered hoods and short swords at the waist. They were young, younger then one would imagine, but looked haggard and tired.

    The leading men with a tattoo on his cheek scanned the boys in front of him with pure black eyes which were so big his whites were almost nonexistent.

    ¡°Those of you who want to live, follow.¡±

    The voice was powerful, much more so then his shape would indicate. His eyes stopped at Raijen, considering him for much longer than others, which brought uneasy feelings to the front of his mind.

    Turning the men started to walk back inside of the forest with most of the boys following without any objections. Stepping into a line Raijen was once more forced to obey someone else¡¯s rules if he wanted to live. Staring at the back of one of the men, watching the brown fur wave in the air he forced his feet to move one in front of others.

    Now that the tension somehow relaxed Raijen was certain they will not just die in the forest. Most likely they were led to some other place where they would be subjected to another series of whatever plans they had for them.

    Compared to death at the border of the forest, it didn''t really register on his mind, his eyes fell to the ground with back hunched. With the darkness inside of the forest, Raijen had no idea how long he was walking. His focus on the grey stones and dark green roots was interrupted as someone tripped, looking back the boy didn¡¯t get up on his legs. The men escorting them didn¡¯t stop or looked back, just continued.

    The message to the group was easy to understand.

    Those who can¡¯t carry their weight will be left behind.

    Shuddering at his own thoughts Raijen continued to march on, picking his way over the ground covered in fallen leaves.

    I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t carry you even if I wanted to. I would die too, everyone is too tired to care anyway. Will they judge me?

    It became clear to Raijen from the very beginning that none of the boys cared about others that much. Concepts such as humanity and helping those around you were lost on them, and the scariest thing about it was that the adults expected such a reaction and probably preferred it as well.

    Scared to do or say anything that would single him out, Raijen simply followed the crowd. Determined to appear as simple and ordinary as everyone else he forced himself to ignore some part of him telling him, there was something horribly wrong with the choices he was making. But in the same breath justifying them by telling himself, there is nothing he can do about it anyway.

    Where will it take me eventually? What will I become if I follow this path, and do I want to really find out what I become at the end of this road.

    With all the confusing feelings surging in his head they eventually exited the forest into a short clearing in front of the stone wall. The moon was hight in the sky, his slightly green color just barely registered as he was ready to collapse from exhaustion.

    By this point he felt a hand on his back, clinging to the rags he was wearing for support, to Raijens confusion he was doing exactly the same thing to the one in front of him. Creating a train of bodies desperately trying to get into the final destination. The next few events were just blurred and occasional moments of clarity amongst deadly exhaustion, muscle pain, hunger, and dehydration.

    Walking into the stone wall and not being stopped, but instead entering something like cave system. When he opened his eyes again, they entered a wooden door and were ushered into something like a large barn.

    The click of the too familiar lock rang in the room.

    Dragging his feet to the middle of the room, he collapsed to the ground and drifted into exhausted sleep without any dreams or nightmares.

    <hr>

    The smell of the food was enough to raise the dead. Kneading the dirt and sleep from his eyes Raijen looked around the room. There was a fire burning in the middle of the room under a huge pot full of bubbling soup. The smell was divine, it was strange no one noticed it the night before. And there was no one else in the room who could light the fire.

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    Few boys were sitting around the fire, pouring the soup into bowls and stuffing their faces with as much of the food as they could.

    As Raijen started coming closer nobody paid him any attention, the boys were quiet, shaking as they ate their food. He could feel the fear on his skin, when he lifted the small green bowl abused with use, it was shaking, almost pouring the liquid on the ground. His bowels felt strangled, ready to burst, by the smell in the room most of the kids did so, a while ago.

    Desperately looking for a corner or other place where he could go his mind kept him from soiling himself.

    Why do I care? Nobody cares, they are just kids with no idea what is happening.

    Scared, same as me. Lost, same as me.

    Putting handful after a handful of warm vegetables into his mouth Raijen felt the tension leaving his body.

    With each passing hour, the fear becomes more dull, more insignificant.

    What can they really do to me, kill me? Make me do their work for them? It can¡¯t be much worse than being closed inside of the bloody room for years. If I¡¯m out I can at least try to escape, to run away from them. And if I die trying, it would probably be better then this.

    With a start, Raijen was forced from his reverie by the men swinging open the door in front of him. Four of them filled inside of the room, holding short swords gleaming in the dying fire. The fifth of them scanned the room with black eyes, keeping a stone face that didn¡¯t say anything.

    ¡°Get out, it¡¯s time for you to show us why you are here.¡±

    Dumbfounded Raijen stared at the men going deeper into the room, towards the ones who didn¡¯t move.

    Of course.

    Deciding to ignore what was about to happen, which was his only way how to cope with the situation, Raijen was the first to exit the room. Staring at the back of another cloaked man, this time they had the hoods over their heads as they led them through the corridors.

    After a few hundred paces they were forced through a huge steel-enforced door into the wooden arena. First thing coming to Raijens mind was a Colosseum. Sand covered the ground in front of them, from each side of the door spammed one man''s body high, wooden wall, enforced by metal sheets.

    Over them lay seats for an audience. Beyond which was the real surprise, as the whole place was encompassed by stone walls which looked as if someone dug into the mountain to create this place. Over them was an open sky in circle shape created by the huge opening in the cave, letting in the sun and fresh air.

    The boys gaping at the sight was short lived as they neared the center of the arena.

    Fresh blood was all over the place. And fresh lines in the sand indicated something being dragged out of there. It wasn¡¯t particularly hard to imagine for Raijen, the bodies being dragged over the sand.

    In the north side of the stands was a special stand in which were the only people present. The young man stood at the front, watching them to realize he was there. His eyes scanned all of them, evaluating them, and deciding something with a slight smile on his lips.

    ¡°Welcome.¡±

    His voice was powerful and gruff, one would expect it from someone much older and harder looking than young men in his twenties.

    ¡°I understand you have many questions and don¡¯t understand what is happening right now.¡±

    It was hard to gauge his expression or if he showed any emotions.

    He probably said those lines many times before, probably even today with us wasn¡¯t his first time.

    Raijens fists clenched as the men gripped the rail before him he leaned closer.

    ¡°Let me make it easier for you. There is twenty of you right now in the arena. But at most ten of you would leave it.¡±

    ¡°There is only one rule, you have to kill at least one of the men around you,¡±

    There are no men, just boys.

    ¡°When there is ten of you left those with life on their hands will live.¡±

    Running his eyes around the arena he fixed them at the center.

    ¡°There is a sword in the middle of the ring. I would imagine it can make it easier for you.¡±

 Chapter 13

    Turmoil ran through Raijens head as he digested the words.

    We are supposed to kill each other? What possible reason do they have for something like that?

    No one moved.

    Not so surprisingly as these children had no idea what he said or meant by killing, sword or survival. They never really come in contact with those kinds of words in the room. Only when Raijen asked, did the women said the words like sword or spear and he learned.

    When no one moved and all uncertainly looked at each other, in the corner of his eye Raijen saw one of the cloaked men pick a bow and draw an arrow. The sound was clear in the morning light of the sun. In the next moment kid next to him went down with an arrow in the neck. Expecting panic to occur yet no one still moved, but the terror in everyone''s eyes was palpable.

    ¡°If you want to live, I would start killing.¡±

    A soft voice rang in Raijens ears.

    This was nothing like before, that men didn¡¯t care, he would just kill us all.

    Alarm bells rang in his head and adrenaline started rushing into his blood. And then one of the kids made run for the center, soon followed by others. Not being able to move Raijen just stood on his spot and didn¡¯t move.

    Then another rushed for the center, and a wave of chaos ensured as most of the kids started to run for the promised weapon as well. Two of the boys just collapsed on their knees in a fit of crying. Another one was staring at Raijen, either considering his chances or wondering why he wasn¡¯t moving.

    Raijen didn¡¯t see any sword sticking from the ground.

    Even if there was one, chances of Raijen or anyone realistically lifting it and utilizing it for anything else then their own death was unlikely.

    I¡¯m supposed to kill someone? How the fuck can I do anything like that.

    Looking around his eyes were wildly trying to assess the situation.

    They were all bigger and probably stronger then him, most of them running on fear and mostly survival instincts on the most primal way. Raijen had none of that, he was too old inside, they didn¡¯t have the self-perseverance dramatically adjusted by moral norms of the old world, which stopped him from killing anyone, for whatever reason.

    In seconds, sounds of cries and beating of flesh echoed in the arena. Watching the carnage happening terrified Raijen to the very core. The killing was brutal while trying to lift the sword the kid got tackled and mauled by the other three, leaving him bloody and broken on the ground. As some of them started to figure out how to do the damage the fights started to get even more bloody. With broken teeth and blood dripping from their faces and knuckles the fighting started to wind down as only eight of them were left standing.

    All were staring at each other, daring others to move yet afraid of every twitch in others. Finally clapping sound woke them from the drunken state, all faces turning to the men on podium applauding. His lips were moving, but Raijen couldn¡¯t hear anything, the only thing in his mind was the fact that he didn¡¯t kill anyone.

    It is clear I failed, but what does it mean?

    The archer nocked another arrow, taking aim, Raijens bowels almost gave in, facing his death bringer. Heart ramming against his skinny chest trying to escape, his mind went blank and something snapped. Scanning the kids in front of him, Raijen found the one most beaten, most weak, the easiest to overcome.

    Lowering his torso and leaning forward to make himself smaller Raijen dashed for the kid, the arrow just barely missing his head and going through the body of the boy standing next to him. The scream wretched from the dying mouth drew the attention of all others, turning around just on time to see him coming. Raijen was too far, too slow to make it the boy dodged to the side, rolling away and turning to stare at Raijen.

    Somewhere deep down Raijen knew this was wrong, and he was sure he will never forgive himself for what he was about to do.

    But now was not the time for self-loathing and hate, either one of them would die or he would die.

    Even if the kid is innocent in what he had done, I didn¡¯t do anything bad to deserve this too.

    I''m sorry!

    Grabbing fistfuls of sand Raijen continued his pursuit, knowing if he stops even for a moment he will die. As the boy was about to run at Raijen too and retaliate Raijen threw the sand at the boy''s feet. Looking confused at the ground and back at Raijen another round hit his face and in next moment shoulder connected with his abdomen and they both went down.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    Holding onto him for dear life the boy managed to get himself free, but only so much for Raijen to get on his back. Wrapping hands around the thin neck in deadlock Raijen lifted his legs bringing his full weight on him and painfully, slowly bringing him to his death. When the boy''s body stopped moving and relaxed Raijen flailed around on the ground and tried to get away from him as soon as possible.

    The weight of the body lingered on him as Raijen got on his legs. Scanning the kids around, all of them backed away, feeling his body shake he turned to the podium. Overseers expression didn¡¯t change much, his hand was raised and upon looking around one more time Raijen could see two archers aiming at him.

    ¡°As I was saying. Those of you who are still standing will join the new family.¡±

    The speaker''s eyes softened considerably and his voice changed into caring as well.

    ¡°Your brothers will welcome you tonight, show you around the areas you are permitted to visit and show you to your training grounds tomorrow in the morning.¡±

    One of the doors on the other side from which they first entered opened and boys of the age of ten at most went inside.

    ¡°Follow us, we will take you to your rooms.¡±

    Following minutes felt surreal, just a minute ago Raijen was strangling the life out of a child he didn¡¯t know and now he was treated as a friend and were told everything was as it should be. One by one they were separated and left at different rooms in a long corridor in the mountain. The place was a bloody labyrinth and when Raijen was wondering how to navigate such a place they were told not to leave the rooms so they don¡¯t get lost.

    ¡°Someone will always come for you when the time comes for food, training, and education.¡°

    The room was small, maybe five to five meters with two double beds, with two kids already inside. Sitting on the beds looking at Raijen as the doors closed behind. Hearing no sound of the lock was so odd that Raijen had to try and open them. To his surprise, the simple brown wood moved without any resistance and the hinges didn¡¯t do any sound to alert anyone.

    ¡°We were told not to leave.¡±

    Closing the doors again he looked at the one who was talking. Brown hair with the odd grey color of eyes was looking at him with that childlike curiosity, but not entirely, as the boy stayed wary of him.

    One of the reasons we were separated was probably so we don¡¯t get into a fight right after the events in the arena, but no doubt they both are the survivors of their respective groups.

    They were both bigger then Raijen with the fists covered in dried blood and splashes over their clothes and body.

    I¡¯m the only one clean, which must be strange to them right? Or maybe they aren''t so observant as someone like me.

    ¡°My name is Raijen, what is yours?¡±

    ¡°Maori.¡±

    They both turned to the boy still sitting on the bed. The curly mess of ginger hair was now stuck on his forehead with the sweat and dried blood. His eyes were deep green, it looked like he could see right through the ones he looked at. The spark of a child in his eyes wasn¡¯t there anymore, only eyes someone much older should have after he saw the violence of the world.

    ¡°Tim, from the house of Balkira.¡±

    Raising a brow Raijen looked at Maori he shrugged.

    ¡°Name of the House of Chains he was brought from, apparently really large and powerfully one, according to him.¡±

    ¡°You were outside before you were taken here?¡±

    It wasn¡¯t so strange after all, who in their right mind would keep someone in the same room for so long only to send them here.

    ¡°No, we were both in the room I guess, until the exams and then travel here. He was just educated on the name of the house more than others apparently.¡±

    ¡°You are just jealous since I''m smarter than you!¡±

    Tim retorted as he went back to sit on his bad, pointing his finger on the upper beds.

    ¡°You can choose one of the upper ones before the last kid comes.¡±

    Realizing the tiredness and state of his body, exhaustion went into the forefront of Raijens mind and he could barely pull himself into the bed before sleep took him.

 Chapter 14

    Opening the door they entered the room and to Klaria¡¯s surprise, Erin was asleep. Her little body was peacefully drawing short breaths with cute little sounds. Smiling she decided to leave her sleeping and sat on the other side of the room, indicating for Faiya to sit next to her.

    Faiya looked at the little girl in the crib with interest but then hurried to sit next to Klaria. After a little hesitation, she couldn¡¯t help but whisper.

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we leave her alone, so we don¡¯t wake her up?¡±

    Giving her a tight smile, Klaria looked the new girl in the eyes, considering her for a moment until Faiya lowered her eyes.

    ¡°She will cry when she wakes up and I don¡¯t want her to be alone.¡±

    Seeing Faiya¡¯s confused face Klaria continued.

    ¡°My daughter is blind, my husband thought it mercy to leave her in the woods and spare her the suffering, the future would likely bring to her.¡±

    Touching the girl''s chin with her fingers Klaria slowly raised Faiyas head to meet her brown eyes, the stare was too much and the girl couldn''t help herself and closed her eyes.

    ¡°I need you to be stronger.¡±

    Pulling her hand back Klaria folded her arms in her lap, her back straightened as she waited for the girl to open her eyes again.

    ¡°I need you to be able to support my daughter. Because I refuse to believe there is no place in this world for her. And I realized that I can¡¯t do it alone, which is why you are here. I don¡¯t think I can find out how to take care of her by myself and if something happened to me, she would be left alone in the world where no one cares if she lives or dies.¡±

    Squeezing her hands into fists until the knuckles turned white she pleaded to the girl.

    ¡°Please help me prepare Erin for the life before her, and stay with her as long as you can.¡±

    Unable to withstand seeing the mistress of the biggest house in the city beg her for help. Faiya instinctively nodded, realizing she was making a promise that would tie her life to this family until she died. A low servant who wasn¡¯t even part of the house she knew she had no other choice if she wanted to live.

    My family sold me here, maybe this is better than life in the wooden house, taking care of the fields. Is this what my mother wanted for me? No, she had no idea what chance I will be given, I wonder what she would think of me now.

    ¡°I promise to stay with your daughter as long as she would have me, my lady.¡±

    Klaria smile froze on her face as she heard her daughter moving in the crib, worried something might have happened since Erin was strangely quiet for most of the day. She went to the little bundle in the crib and as she saw that Erin was awake moving around, she scooped her in her arms bringing her daughter close for a hug and kiss. It was a strange feeling, one that Klaria didn¡¯t mind.

    To think so much would have changed and seemed unimportant compared to her daughters well being was baffling to Klaria. It was just a few short months, yet she felt like her whole world reoriented with Erin at its center. Like Trake, taking control at the end of the winter, as everyone prayed for the spring to arrive sooner. Her forth winter would come soon and Klaria desperately wished none of the Valefor had a hand in the little girls birth.

    Giving her prayers to Sanrae she turned to Faiya, unable to hide the smile dancing over her face she waved her hand to get the new maid closer.

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    ¡°This is my daughter, Erin, from today on you will learn how to take care of her and be in charge of her education and protection. But as I said before, it isn¡¯t going to be easy, for neither of us.¡±

    Trailing off at the end, Faiya raised her head and looked confused.

    ¡°My lady?¡±

    Taking a deep breath Klaria steadied herself looking the maid in the eyes.

    ¡°Erin is blind, she couldn¡¯t see from the moment she was born. And I think she is mute as well. She didn¡¯t make any sounds other than cry so far, she is usually crying every moment she spends awake. Nobody knows why all we know at this time is that it is not just the child crying for her mother''s attention.¡±

    Looking at the little face in her bosom her lip quivered.

    ¡°I¡¯m constantly with her, almost never leaving her alone, which seems like the only time when she doesn¡¯t suffer. I was thinking it is because she misses me so much, or loves me to the point where she doesn¡¯t want to be alone. But I can¡¯t be with her all the time, my husband is brave men, but he misses my attention as well, I can tell, even when he says he doesn¡¯t mind.¡±

    Tears trailed down her cheeks as her chest clenched suppressing the sobs.

    ¡°She suffers Faiya, and I don¡¯t know why, I don¡¯t know what to do, how to help her, how to raise her. All I know is I love her more than life, what should I do, I wish desperately someone would tell me.¡±

    ¡°Do they both suffer because of me? Because I decided to keep my daughter alive I put my husband through pain, he is too good of men to tell me, but I can feel it.¡±

    Her voice breaking, Klaria tried to pull her tears back

    Faiya couldn¡¯t hide the shock from her face and Klaria could only wonder what was going in her mind.

    Does she too think it was crazy to keep such a child alive? But what other choice did I have? And why do I feel like I can tell this girl such things, why am I telling her things I didn¡¯t even confine in Haruka?

    ¡°I, I see.¡±

    Stammering, Faiya attempted to bow low.

    ¡°I will do my best my lady. If you could instruct me in the matters of raising the child, it would be helpful. As the senior didn¡¯t cover that part of the training I¡¯m not quite sure as to, how to help.¡±

    Releasing a shallow breath from her lips Klaria realized Erin was still quiet as if listening to their conversation. The feeling of calmness overwhelm her she pushed the worrisome future further away.

    ¡°Thank you Faiya, but unfortunately even I don¡¯t know how to properly take care for her. Which is the reason why you are here, we will learn together, and you will stay near her at all times. I need her to get used to you, I need her to recognize you even if you just stand in the corner watching over her. Are you still willing to stay?¡±

    ¡°Just say where we should start my lady.¡±

    Closing her eyes Klaria bowed her head to the girl. She understood what she was asking her to do, to give up on any other future life, for one uncertain at best.

    I will give you everything you ever wanted in exchange for your life in my daughter''s service. I just hope I¡¯m not wrong in this, or I will have to take that life from you.

    Determined to keep going as long as it took, Klaria set to prepare few ideas at how to work with Erin so she could learn everything needed, even without seeing it.

 Chapter 15

    Looking from the group of soldiers training in the courtyard, Mandar watched as one of his scouts rushed through the gate and made a straight line for him. Stopping few feet from Mandar the scout knelt waiting to be acknowledged.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    Catching his breath the men kept his eyes from meeting Mandar''s, his voice carried over the courtyard as he blurted the words out.

    ¡°Ferelis clan has fallen.¡±

    All around them the soldiers froze where they stood, all turned to stare at the men trying to comprehend what he has just said.

    Not bothering to rain in the interrupted training session he turned towards the scout fully.

    ¡°Explain.¡±

    Taking a deep breath the scout looked Mandar in the eyes.

    ¡°According to the information we have, around ten years ago ships started sailing into the mainland on the coast.¡±

    Interrupting him Mandar raised a hand.

    ¡°Yes I know that, but they are simple outcasts of speculated empire, which in reality is just a big flying island in the middle of nowhere. Ferelis had them under control, contained at the edge from what we know.¡±

    Swallowing the men continued.

    ¡°Well, from what we were able to get from refugees and soldiers retreating towards our borders, they never had them under control. Once the second wave of steal ships arrived they started to push into the valley and slowly taking over the towns and cities. Then the Empire presumably left Ferelis alone for negotiations and long war which ensued for the past ten years.¡±

    Looking up he saw Mandar narrow his eyes.

    ¡°But then something happened, we don¡¯t know what yet, but they pushed into the capital and started taking over from there.¡±

    ¡°Then a couple of months ago, the refugees started to trickle over the borders.¡±

    That was about the time I got repositioned into this border city and took over preparations of the army.

    ¡°And now soldiers started moving near the borders, resulting in skirmishes to keep them from crossing. But they are desperate, and from the few that surrendered we got the information of the main family being slaughtered, and clan falling apart as we speak.¡±

    Mandar let out a breath which he didn¡¯t realize he was holding.

    ¡°So, it is just matter of time before they are all dead, crushed between our borders which they can¡¯t cross and Empire which will either drive them to desperation or leave them to die there. What do we know about this Empire?¡±

    ¡°Not much my lord.¡±

    The scout was picking his words carefully, knowing he had no information and Mandar wasn¡¯t the kind of men you wanted to make excuses to or waste his time.

    ¡°Other then basic facts, the Ferelis was really good at saving their face and containing the information from leaving the territory. Until now that is. All we know is that there are around forty thousand soldiers. With steal ships that crossed the purple mist for who knows how long. And they are hungry my lord, they were oppressed for a decade, and now they found themselves in a position to gain land. I doubt they will stop easily, if ever.¡±

    Considering him for a moment Mandar scanned the yard as all the soldiers watching him started to return to their training. His voice carried over the whole yard, powerful and unyielding.

    ¡°Take the rest of the day off, go see your families, tomorrow we start preparations for war.¡±

    Turning around he dismissed the scout and went into the castle in the middle of the city where his wife and daughter was.

    It didn¡¯t take long, just a month, when the messenger from Atagare family arrived.

    The men were dressed in fine silks, in the colors of the main clan, rich green of grass, with white trimming around the edges and cuffs. His entourage encompassed of forty guards and over hundred attendance which took care of everyday necessities during the travel. It became soon clear that he was going to stay in the city for a very long time.

    The question was what was his orders and what he was sent to here for.

    Mandar contemplated as he watched the constant stream of Green livery and flags with Nara flower entering the city of Ashte.

    My city, I wonder for how long is that going to be true.

    Turning around he nodded to one of the servants to summon his wife and daughter to the main hall as he prepared himself for the receiving of the guests. Donning robes of heavy linen, servants started putting ornate leather armor on his scarred body. Mandar didn¡¯t like the silk, the armor served him better, decorating and demonstrating his power and position, as much as it made him feel safer.

    Knowing if anything happened he can always pull out the sword and get past any problem with lethal force put him somehow at easy, even when knowing he can¡¯t just kill anyone he wants.

    Sitting on the raised platform, two rows of low tables lined the sides of the room. Looking for his wife Klaria walked in, sitting on the right side, next to him with Erin on her right. Holding her hand helping his daughter to arrange herself, his mind drifted into the not so far past when Erin couldn¡¯t even sit still without changing direction where her body faced. Now she could stand up and sit in pretty much same position where she started without help. Yet it still made it easier if someone helped her.

    She would always need someone, and it can¡¯t be me, I need to start looking for a man who can take care of her.

    Glancing at the girl directly behind Erin he spotted Faiya, looking over her shoulder touching his daughter''s sides with the tips of her fingers.

    Mandar still marveled at the wit of his wife. At first, he doubted his daughter would be able to survive without her mother forcing her to be contained to her room most of her life. But then this girl showed up and soon proved to be the key to his daughter''s happiness. They were like sisters, never apart, yet you had a hard time noticing the servant girl if she wanted to stay in her charges shadow.

    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    The doors slowly opened and the entourage walked in. The men slowly walked towards the dais glancing at the people around, he focused on Mandar. There was confidence in his stride which Mandar didn¡¯t see that often in his presence. The men felt powerful and something about it rubbed Mandar the wrong way, Klaria slowly shifted, turning her side slightly towards the men.

    Reaching the tables the messenger smiled and slightly bowed towards the ruling family. Hearing the rustle of the fabric behind him he nodded his head.

    ¡°First of all, let me extend the greetings from my master to the head of the Atagi family. His Highness is pleased with the way you took over this city and training of its soldiers. I come here, based on reports of a fall of the Ferelis clan.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we have received reports of massive amounts of refugees trickling into our territory from the inner cities. Since the border cities and towns are on the brink of collapsing as well, we expect the fighting to start soon.¡±

    ¡°What have you done with them so far?¡±

    It didn¡¯t slip Mandars mind that it was more of an afterthought than a real question.

    ¡°Contained them near the borders, I tried not to kill them, but we simply can not let them into our territory.¡±

    Smiling the men continued.

    ¡°Good, with Empire on our borders we will be forced into war, which quite frankly we don¡¯t want to fight. Is it that surprising?¡±

    Realizing his mouth slightly opened Mandar hardened his face.

    ¡°No, not really, we all saw what the eighty years of war did to the southern clans. They will not recover for decades to come if they survive at all. And this Empire seems more dangerous then we were willing to consider them.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, so we need to push the refugees back over the border for Empire to deal with them. And reinforce our defenses to prevent any enemy soldiers from getting anywhere near our border.¡±

    The messengers face couldn¡¯t hide the slight smile upon mentioning the words.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure you wonder, why am I here. Well, I¡¯m to prepare this city to be set as the base for an army which will pass here to push Empire back deeper into the Ferelis territory.¡±

    Mandar shifted and his hand squeezed the wooden stool. A low murmur ran through the room as the implication of the message spread among all attending. Feel of discomfort and fear settled over the room, the only sounds were that of the suffering wood and low breathing.

    ¡°You want to turn this city into the bloody checkpoint for the fucking army?¡±

    Mandars voice was the same, he rarely raised voice near his daughter, yet it made him all the more terrifying to those who knew him.

    ¡°Please calm down, of course, it is not something I want to do, His Highness decided it is necessary.¡±

    Staring at Mandar for a few moments the men continued in an attempt to remedy the situation.

    ¡°You, of course, stay in the leadership position of the city. The guards stay at your command, I will only prepare the city for the arrival of the men of his highness.¡±

    It is the same as taking over the damned city without fighting.

    Realizing there was a need to persevere the face of the current leader, himself, Mandar knew this was just for the benefit of those around them. Rising his hand Mandar indicated to his servants.

    ¡°My men will escort you to guest chambers, you can start the process as you see fit. Will you require anything?¡±

    ¡°Access to the city administration, other than food and drink, not much.¡±

    Bowing to Mandar the messenger followed the servants into the side doors between the tables.

    As he left, Mandar sank back into his seat thinking about how to handle the little fucker. He knew he couldn¡¯t just go against the men if he didn¡¯t want to jeopardize his family. Yet when the soldiers come, they would turn the city inside out, leaving it miserable, drained land.

    There was no city that could accommodate the whole army safely. Civilians were going to suffer, they would be hungry, some would die.

    A lot of them would die.

    And what for? So the soldiers can move on to kill more civilians running over the border.

    Mandar had no compassion for the Ferelis clan, they would be too much strain on the economy of this clan and strain the border cities to the brink of collapse. They had to be stopped, killed, but his people counted on him to keep them safe and prosperous. He would have to put his own measures into place to make sure the city itself survives this war.

    Because the war was coming, once the civilians are put down, or forced back, the Empire would cut through them easily, wiping out the whole population of Ferelis so they themselves can survive.

    And then the Empire will march on clashing with Atagi itself, in a war which would put this land into chaos. Turning around he looked at his wife, who seemed ill at ease, doing a good job looking the part of calm and composed women in support of her husband. But he spent too much time with her to be fooled so easily. Her eyes told him all he needed to know, she was scared.

    I swore I would never make you unhappy again, you being scared means I¡¯m failing.

    Clenching his teeth he glanced at Erin, she looked more confused than scared, which was somehow calming. But then an idea popped into his mind. He would be probably called into the war sooner than later and the chances of him not returning weren¡¯t exactly small.

    And Klaria might will more power to stay alive in case something happens.

    Turning ideas in his head he soon came to decision to contact some of the families which were considered as potential suitors. Something scratched at the back of his mind, as he glanced at Erin''s closed eyes, deciding to ignore it, Mandar left the room with the attending people rising and bowing low.

 Chapter 16

    Walking down the corridor they met other groups of children. Each was led by one man, with heavy cloak and lowered hood, their heads were shaved with strange tattoos on the sides above ears. The patterns warred from simple lines to more intrigued lines with other shapes mixed in.

    Some kind of ranking system?

    While some of the boys talked causing echo in the seemingly endless tunnels, none of the adults sad a word since they took them out of the rooms. All of them navigated the corridors without so much as a word. Raijens perception of the time was still messed up. With no natural light between the stones, only the torches carried by the men lightened the way ahead.

    When the wind started to pick up and slight breeze caressed Raijens hair and clothes he had jerked up from staring at the gravel under his feet. Looking ahead he saw the exit, not daring to blink, afraid he would lose the sight of it from his eyes, afraid he might not see it in the next moment. Rays of the light lightened the entrance and he could feel they were much warmer than the surrounding darkness. Raijens heart started to beat faster and faster, facing the moment he dreamed about in recent days.

    What would the outside world look like when I¡¯m finally free to walk it with my own feet?

    A small smile crept on his lips as he felt the first rays on his skin.

    With the first step beyond the exit, his blood turned cold, his feet stopped moving and only when others pushed his back to move again, did he enter the sand of the arena from the previous day. Looking around everyone was shaking, the all too recent memories of blood and violence still lingering in their mind.

    Were they going to force us to fight again? Were we to kill each other again? Why the hell is this happening.

    All of the boys were forced to line up in the middle of the arena, in columns of five with the smallest at the front and biggest in the back of the line. Raijen was one of the smallest, so he was standing in the very front. There might have been around twenty columns and yet, the arena wasn¡¯t getting packed at all. His feet were bare, feeling the cold seeping in. Not daring to look down on what he was standing in, as the squishy feeling of damp sand prompted morbid ideas in his mind, which he didn¡¯t want to confirm.

    Expecting some old men to come and tell them what to expect and what was going to happen with them, they all stood as still as they could, slowly glancing around on each other. The air was heavy with tension, forcing his shoulders to the front, hands wrapped around the waist clenching on the rough fabric with a middle finger slipping into one of the numerous holes in it.

    Raijens heart was beating fast and his stomach felt like turning over and knotting in his guts. Not hearing anything he felt someone push him to move. Opening his eyes he realized the kids started to move again. Not understanding what transpired in his minds absence he moved one leg in front of the other one over and over until his fingers touched the grass.

    They were led outside of the arena, eventually exiting out of the mountain complex into the forest. His small chest swelled at the familiar feeling of damp greenery, with excited shouts of others his shoulders relaxed. The fingers started to turn purple from tight grip on his own skin, now hang loosely at his sides.

    Staring at the massive trees slowly losing their leaves Raijen imagined it was the beginning of autumn.

    They might turn colorful soon.

    Walking for an hour they neared a shallow river covered in grass and reeds which spammed as far as he could see and were higher than the tallest boy.

    ¡°You will make this trip once every day. It is expected you remember the road soon, otherwise, you become bothersome. Pull out as many as you can carry before someone comes for you. You have an hour.¡±

    Turning around the guard left them alone.

    Bothersome? What does he mean by that?

    Some of the kids went into the river and started pulling on the reeds which proved much harder then it seemed. The reeds cut into the flesh and left bloody marks which stung when Raijen tried to pull more.

    By the time he pulled out six of them his hands were a mess, the reeds were broken, one snapped, another''s leaves were torn apart, but all of them covered in blood. Most of the others gave up after a few and were sitting or lying around.

    I can¡¯t be bothersome, these people kill others if they become bothersome, or leave them behind, or send them into the mountains.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.Raijens mind was doing loops around all the foggy recollections of typical scenarios he had from the old life.

    Trying to grab another reed his hands were so sore he couldn¡¯t even properly wrap his fingers around it. His hands pumped with dull pain when he put them under the water. As the skin went numb he noticed for the first time his new face, staring at it with mouth open he didn¡¯t move. It was so different from what he was used to he was just staring at the stranger in the water, not wanting to scare him.

    Dark brown hair, long enough to touch shoulders. Black, wild eyes of a scared child, with just a hint of going narrow, but it could be because of how underslept he was. Narrow cheekbones on a mostly oval-shaped face with thin cracked lips. Big ears, almost too big for his head which was kind of huge compared to the rest of his body.

    Then again I¡¯m five, so maybe it is normal.

    ¡°Grab what you pulled out and follow.¡±

    Snapping out of his trans Raijen looked behind his back. The same men from before were standing near the tree line, watching.

    Was he there the whole time, or did he actually leave?

    Morning breeze brought some pain to his hands as he pulled them out of the water.

    Going back while dragging the reeds was way more difficult due to their size cut up hands.

    Don¡¯t they fear to be discovered? We must have left quite desolated path behind us by dragging all the material.

    When they come back, they were all led into a different part of the complex. The new place was way bigger than the first one. Raijen was wondering if they have control over the whole mountain. Exiting the tunnel once more, they were staring at the first thing, that actually looked like a city in the middle of the mountain.

    Looking up he could see the sky, ridges and the peaks of mountains creating space of hundreds of meters in diameter which seemingly provided light for the city.

    Strolling through cobbled road no one could tear their eyes from the stone buildings with heavy wooden doors and windows. The roofs were made with some sort of black shingles. Slopes of stone decorated with carved likenesses of animals, trees, and flowers supported roofs covering the entrances.

    Drainage systems built on the side of the road. Some kind of aqueducts built between the buildings bringing the water from the top of the mountain into the houses and wells were sprinkled around the city. As they neared first of the people, the locals parted way for the men leading the children and then continued whatever they were doing. No one spared them a second look, other than children living here, which were hushed away by parents.

    Raijens group was led to the first crossroad and turned left, leaving all the street life behind and entering an area that was much narrower and devoid of people. In a few minutes, they were encountered by another large wooden gate with black iron hammered into it for more strength. The small door near the middle opened and Raijen went inside. The slopes around them supported roofs spamming on both sides from the gate, covering walls, separating the complex from the rest of the city.

    Clearing the gate, they were confronted with open space encircled by another set of a stone building with a similar style as before. Standing in the middle of the plaza one of the men stood before them.

    ¡°My name is Arasto, you will call me master, or master Arasto. I want four groups of five on the left and four on the right.¡±

    Watching them move to create the respective groups Arasto continued.

    ¡°You will be divided into three groups of twenty, each living in the separate building. Inside are waiting for your caretakers, these men will be your fathers, your mentors, and guides in this new life. You will do what they say, or you will be punished. Every time you are given a task your answer is yes master, or you will be punished. Every time you can¡¯t finish the task, you will be punished.¡±

    His eyes gleamed as he looked at each of us in the eye, his face was neutral as if he had said it hundreds of times.

    ¡°No one can survive too many punishments.¡±

    Pointing one of his fingers on our group he said.

    ¡°You are Anatol.¡±

    Switching to the middle group.

    ¡°You are Mesim¨¦.¡±

    Lastly, his gaze fell on the third group.

    ¡°You are Iliovasi. From today on, your loyalty would belong to the clan. If he sees you worthy, you will be part of the vultures. If not, vultures will pick you apart.¡±

    A chill run over Raijens back as the men''s gaze lingered on them for few more seconds before turning and going into what looked like a main building.

 Chapter 17

    Spending more time around his daughter as Erin started interacting and living with Faiya, Mandar realized there was much more to her than just the blind little girl he thought her to be. Klaria realized that having someone constantly near their daughter to whom she could fully trust resulted in her having more time for herself. Spending more time with her husband as well, which started to remedy their own relationship.

    In the beginning, Mandar was skeptical and didn¡¯t spend too much time with his wife or daughter, but when she brought the servant into the house, he decided to entertain her. Thinking when she saw herself, that there was no way for Erin to live a full and happy life she would reconsider.

    To his chagrin, since she brought Faiya in, Klaria becomes obsessed with finding the best way to raise their child, and eventually didn¡¯t have time for anything else.

    His own stubborn nature could hold only so long, before he found himself irritated, often for no real reason other than his wife not paying him any attention.

    Staring at the other women around him, for the first time since marrying his wife, Mandar was forced into celibacy. Getting angry, many times in the confines of his chambers he entertained thoughts of bringing serving girls in, having his way to release the stress accumulating in his mind.

    It was not like anyone would think anything about it. Other men did it often enough, going so far as having mistresses and leaving their wives in the background.

    Never quite forcing the situation so far as ignoring his morals he staid alone in his room. Hating the thoughts of infidelity dominating his judgment he had servants secretly watching his wife from the distance and getting reports back to him.

    Mandar soon realized his own folly and become even angrier at himself for what he was even contemplating. His wife spends weeks after weeks near their daughter in relentless attempts to find a way how to teach her the basic, mundane things like walking and talking without what most normal parents and children relied on, the eyes.

    Her nights were spend studying some more, looking for books which could be at least somehow helpful. While inviting numerous midwives to ask for their experience and advice, which proved useless most of the time. The everyday tasks were taxing on her and Klaria seldom slept, the only reprieve she had was when Faiya took over, leaving her mistress alone, exhausted in the room to sleep.

    Taking their daughter on the tour around the mansion, Faiya became familiar with most of the other servants and integrated herself into their everyday life.

    Something gnawed on his conscience, realizing Klaria held and carried a weight she never should have to, and he was the one forcing her into that position.

    Yet lost on how to help her, he did the only thing he thought he could do. Walking into his wife''s chambers he ignored the serving girls looking at him with a confused face and with a fear clear in their eyes. He knew what they thought of him and he knew, he couldn¡¯t really blame them.

    What kind of men lets his wife go through hell like this and offers no support?

    As he walked into the room where Klaria was rocking the crib she froze, staring at him, with anger building in her tired eyes.

    ¡°What!¡±

    Unable to finish as he put a hand over her mouth, he knelt in front of her and picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder his eyes looked at Faiya.

    ¡°Look after our daughter tonight.¡±

    Not waiting for the response he carried Klaria through the halls of the castle as the sack of potatoes to his chambers. She was angry, screaming and thrashing around demanding he let go of her. Ignoring her protests even as she started hitting him he just squeezed her legs more strongly, afraid he might drop her and carried on.

    When he walked into his chamber he told everyone to leave finally putting his wife on the bed.

    ¡°For Sanrae what do you think you are doing?!¡±

    Screaming Klaria rose to hit him again, trembling with traces of fear in her eyes.

    ¡°When I don¡¯t lay with you, you think it alright to bring me here and what, force yourself on me?!¡±

    Heaving with extension she clung to her dresses staring at him, as Mandar took his shirt off and turned to her.

    Opening his mouth he hesitated, closing it again, he realized he had no idea what to say. He took her around the waist and forced her into the bed, she shrieked with surprise and fear. But he just lay down next to her, putting his bear arms around her waist keeping her down even as she struggled to sit up.

    After a while, she exhausted all her strength and just laid down staring at the ceiling. Closing her eyes as few tears streamed down her cheeks she put her small hands on his.

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    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Klaria.¡±

    Starting with a surprise Klaria slowly turned her head to him, she glared but her stare broke as she saw the pain in his eyes. His voice was strained, weak, searching for words he hardly knew how to use.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t a good husband to you in the past months, and I was a terrible father to our daughter. I will promise you to do my best from now on.¡±

    Feeling her belly, his hand stopped on her ribs, frowning.

    ¡°You grow thin and weak with each day. I can¡¯t stand it anymore. I won¡¯t take our daughter away so you need to take better care of yourself.¡±

    As Klaria wanted to say something he released her waist, his fingers tracing up to her neck as his palm enveloped her now red cheek.

    ¡°I will be here for you, and you will stay your nights in here from now on like you used to. Just have Faiya take care of Erin through nights, hell if I must I will spend the nights near her.¡±

    Staring into her eyes he continued in a softer voice.

    ¡°But you will rest, and eat, and I won¡¯t take no as an answer to what I said tonight, understood?¡±

    Tracing his thumb under her eye to get rid of the tears, she slightly nodded wrapping her hands around his.

    ¡°Good, so tonight you sleep here, and you eat with me tomorrow and then we go to our daughter together.¡±

    Tears flowed freely from her eyes as Klaria clung onto the sheets, rubbing her face into his chest as his hands enveloped her in hug forcing her even closer. Feeling his own chest heave on the verge of tears he just held her until she fell asleep. Pulling the covers over them he wormed one hand under her head, cleaning her face as he could and wrapped his other hand and legs around her. Finally feeling her warmth again, Mandar contemplated what tomorrow would bring, but soon fell asleep himself.

    <hr>

    When he opened eyes again, Mandar could feel the body of his women against him for the first time in a very long time. Klaria had her back to him pushing into his chest, holding onto his hand around her waist. Feeling himself hard, he decided to ignore it.

    Slowly tracing circles with his thumb on her belly, smelling her hair he decided to stay in the bed until Klaria woke up on her own.

    She must have been more tired then he though because it took a long time for her to stir. Pang of guilt stung in his gut at the knowledge that he was part of her suffering.

    Freezing for a moment she relaxed again, turning in his arms she looked at him with half closed eyes. Klaria had her clothes from the other day still on, making it hard to move around in the bed as they were tangled in the fabrics. Putting her hands on his chest she pushed herself higher forcing him on back. Mandar didn¡¯t protest and let her hover over him as they stared each other in the eyes.

    Holding her waist close to his, he opened his mouth only to be stopped as she lightly kissed him.

    ¡°I hope you meant what you said yesterday.¡±

    Looking down at him, Klaria couldn¡¯t hold the smirk. But wanting to make sure she understood he was serious about this Mandar continued.

    ¡°Yes, I meant everything I said, including you sleeping here with me, every single day, from today on. I don¡¯t care if we have sex or not, but you are going to be in my bed as we used to before. We can move Erin here, or we can have Faiya take care of her in the nights, she can just move to your chambers permanently. She lives there more or less anyway, from what I can tell.¡±

    Klaria was conflicted, not knowing what to say as she lowered her gaze. Mandar knew he wasn¡¯t at his best and he hated it more than he thought possible, seeing her like this did nothing for his mood either. Grabbing her chin between his fingers he raised her head up.

    ¡°I know, Klaria, I wasn¡¯t good to you. I said it before, didn''t I? You can¡¯t be there for her all the time, and if you get sick it will be even worse.¡±

    Something passed over her face and he felt her tense.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to keep you away from her, but I want you to be happy and you need to relax sometime. Why don¡¯t you let me spend some time with my daughter and you can just relax today?¡±

    ¡°You really mean that, don¡¯t you?¡±

    He could feel her hands shake, and her whole body was quivering from emotions surging out.

    Grabbing her hair he brought her down for a kiss, she laid her head on his chest as he started running fingers in her hair.

    ¡°You are perfectly capable of making me choose if I want both of you or none. And I just spend too much time with you to be able to be without you.¡±

 Chapter 18

    Their group was taken to the left building with the sun rising from the mountain depicted over the shield of the entrance. Raijen was still dragging the reeds, although some of the kids left theirs outside something told him not to let go of them.

    What would be the point to take them all this way only to leave them on the sand?

    ¡°Welcome to Anatol, others call me adept Sarca and so will you from today. You will live here in this house of the sun with me until the vultures decide your fate.¡±

    Sarca was a tall man, with a shaved head and intricate pattern of tattoos on his temples. Wearing tight fitted tunic shoved off his lean muscle, one could think he was emaciated if he wasn''t so full of vitality and hard muscle. The skin on his arms looked like it had trouble keeping him in it, as he pointed to the doors on his left.

    His words were heavy, carrying the years of experience and feel like he has done this before.

    ¡°You will all sleep in the same room. You will all eat, learn, train and even shit together. From today on, you are brothers, you are going to depend on each other to survive. No Vulture can survive alone, and believe me, you won''t make it until the end of this training if you don¡¯t look out for each other.¡±

    A small smile spread on his lips, showing yellow teeth.

    ¡°Now, take your reeds and choose a place where you are going to sleep. When you are done come back here and we will start with the first lesson.¡±

    When they entered the room there were twenty bundles on the ground arranged around the room. No beds, no other furniture, nothing. Getting the idea of what this is about Raijen went on the other side of the room and put his reeds over one of the bundles. Going outside to wait in the hall he saw Sarca sitting on his knees behind a small table watching as all the boys come back sitting down in rows facing the adept.

    Sarcas eyes focused behind them on the doors.

    ¡°The reeds that were outside were put to kindling, those who took theirs inside will use them for bedding. Each morning with the rising sun, you will go to the river and collect more for an hour. You will build your own bed and sheets, If not, you will sleep on the stone. The winter is coming and with it, the stones will become colder, eventually too cold to sleep at.¡±

    Raijen had no idea what this was all about, he wasn¡¯t even sure if the men knew from where they were.

    None of us should know what winter is, and none of us really knows anything about life or how to take care of ourselves. Were they really expecting us to figure it out just like that or just die? Are we all from different regions, or are we from the same city, how much information do the others have about this place? They are just kids.

    Raijens mind was spinning, unable to grasp what was expected from them like five years old children he looked at the others. Most of them were visibly shaking, even though the room was warmed with the fire casting shadows over the walls.

    ¡°After that, you will go run, someone will show you the way. Then you will learn how to walk, how to sit, how to sleep.¡±

    Pausing for a moment he let it soak in.

    ¡°My advice to you for now? Do everything your trainers tell you, as they tell you to do it. Don¡¯t ask questions. Don¡¯t think about it. Just do it.¡±

    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Running his eyes over them all he continued with a lower voice.

    ¡°There is a restricted amount of punishments for each one of you. Don¡¯t use them up too soon.¡±

    <hr>

    It was just ten days when Raijens body was at the edge of collapse. Most of the days light were used for pulling the reeds and running around the compound, soon he realized the place was much bigger then one would think at the first glance. Each day the road towards the exit of the mountain was little different, once it was the road to the left at the well, then to the right at the intersection, and then there was no well at all as they took a different path.

    Didn¡¯t they say to remember the path towards the river? Why are they changing the directions every single day?

    Raijen wondered how many of the other boys were thinking the same, or if they even bothered to think of it. Glancing around he noted Grey walking beside him, he was a small kid almost as small as Raijen, yet still little higher. He was the last one to join them in the room after the slaughter in the arena and oddly enough, all of them remained in the same group ever since.

    Do they even realize the situation, or are they just kids being formed to the desires of their masters? Is it possible one of them reincarnated as well, or am I the only one?

    Switching his sight on the men leading them his body shuddered, not because of the cold winds that started to pick up over the last days, but on the thought of being discovered as something else than a normal child.

    The rest of the sun was used for exercises that made little sense to him, followed with lectures on how to walk and sit, eluding Raijen time and time again as to their purpose. Eventually deciding to ignore it he submerged himself into learning and fitting in as well as he could.

    They were beaten for every noise someone made, with no clear pattern for when it was individual punishment or when part of the group or the whole group suffered. The message was clear, nobody is safe or innocent and nobody is except for punishment if someone makes a mistake. And it is never clear who will get punished for your mistakes.

    Adepts soon delivering on their promise, when one of the boys didn¡¯t get up after another beating, his body was carried out of the gates, never to be seen again.

    Staring at his green and brown mush of vegetables sprinkled with black and red pepper making it unreasonably spicy, Raijen looked at the main table of the room. The only time all of the Anatol, Mesim¨¦, and Iliovasi come together was for dinner. All the adepts and masters they met so far were seated on the main table and their portions were incomparable to theirs. Meat, bread, vegetables, sometimes rice. Compared to them, Raijens group had only vegetables, potatoes and some kind of lentils. Never really feeling full he could only stare at the adults as his stomach growled.

    Knowing there was no way his body could work under such stress for much longer. Raijen was getting thinner and felt his energy leave him with each exercise, with every march and run there was little less of him in the body and even in the mind.

    He liked to think his strength somehow improved despite all of it. The only thing they had enough was sleep, they went to the bed with setting sun and woke with the moon leaving the sky.

 Chapter 19

    ¡°The roads are clear Raijen.¡±

    Whisper carried in the wind as Raijen crouched behind a pillar propping one of the house entrance roofs.

    Maori ran across the street in the direction of the outer wall, where the sleeping quarters were. After years of constant training and living in this place Raijen learned many things, they all learned many things.

    The tasks pilled upon them each day eventually started making sense over time. Even though he hated each and every moment of it, after weeks of pulling reeds and dragging them barefoot to the dorms their beds started to gain shape and little softness compared to the cold stone floor. The callouses formed on their palms and feet and the pain become little more bearable, little less distracting.

    Running each morning to exhaustion, to finish one morning invigorated and oddly full of energy.

    Learning to read to convey messages between groups and adepts.

    The promise of the masters come true soon as well, some tried to steal food out of hunger and were punished. Unable to pull their weight through the daily tasks, another punishment was delivered taking a bigger tool on the small kids. Unable to listen to instructions some faced third punishment after which Raijen and his group have never seen them again.

    Though others tried and failed to secure more food earning flogging, extra running or opportunity to learn something new earning them sleepless nights, they were never told not to do something.

    They were beaten but never discouraged. As if it was a game, playing on how long can they last against how fast can they learn and gain experience.

    The masters were teaching them how to move around quiet without being spotted. How to breathe so none would notice.

    Masters always gave us what we needed, expecting us to use it right away without a fail or pay the price for failure, punishment.

    Sit like the stone, stand like the tree. None will notice the tree in the forest, or stone in the mountains unless they paid attention. Sounds like something I have heard somewhere hundreds of time when I was reading the books in my home.

    Contemplating what Sarca often said, Raijen watched Maori hiding behind the crates across the street thinking of his next move.

    Having his past memories some of it seemed familiar as if he has read about the system somewhere before.

    No matter, we are just two hundred steps from reaching the dorms. I can eat and sleep tonight, I need to recover before tomorrow, I don¡¯t think I can withstand much more punishments.

    Taking a step into the street Raijens back singed with the pull on freshly flayed flesh from three days ago. Looking down the street his blood froze in the dry predawn air of the mountain as he spotted two figures rounding the corner in a practiced fashion of the men stalking their pray through that street for thousands of times.

    Damn, those are fucking drapers, and they know exactly where we are!

    Fear gripping his stomach at the memory of the last time being caught, Raijen shuddered and took a step back behind the pillar. The punishments were stacking against him and Raijen didn''t feel like he could survive more of them.

    One of the adepts sped up the road in pursuit. Heavy boots drumming on the paved road promised more pain. Pain flared in his back as his body slide to the ground hugging the slopes carved surface. Hugging his knees Raijen tried to contain his chokes of fear and tears running down his cheeks.

    The fear was something ever-present, some coped better than others, he cursed this life, more often than not. Swallowing the bile rushing up his throat Raijen felt short relief rush as the adept run past him. His head snapped up staring in bewilderment as he saw Maori running for the dorms.

    He is done. They know it is him, they always know who it was. Why is he still running?

    Head spinning Raijen forced his legs to propel him up. It didn¡¯t seem possible to him.

    Just maybe he is giving me a chance to hide and run?

    The other adept was slowly closing on Raijens position.

    What the fuck do I do, how far is he?

    His heart beating he knew the adept would instantly know where he is if he tried to look behind the slope. The dorms were too far for him to rush like Maori.

    Maybe I could make it to the wall. But what for, where do I go from there?

    Stolen novel; please report.

    The wall!

    His eyes widened.

    Of course!

    Steps echoed just a few feet away from Raijen, the adept was just behind the cold gray stone, right behind his back. Rounding the pillar Raijen bolted for the wall behind his back. It took just a few extra seconds for the draper to realize and start the pursuit, shouting something Raijen couldn¡¯t make out over the wind and blood pounding in his chest, his legs carried him towards the destroyed part of the compound.

    There was only one way out. Just one place near the old part of the wall which for some reason was never repaired properly.

    Gaining some distance Raijens mind narrowed in the single alley, focusing on one task only, to get near the wall. With rotten wooden supports and missing stones he recognized the place instantly, his hands dug into the wood, fingers sinking inside the rotten mush and soft, wet moss. Scaling the wall halfway up his body froze trying to meld with the wall in hopes the dim light and shadows would be enough to confuse the adept.

    His hands were shaking, the heart was hammering so hard against the wall, he was sure everybody could hear it. Yet, nothing happened, staying still Raijen could feel the wounds in his hands opening, red blood staining the morning dew on the green moss.

    Unable, unwilling to move, his hands started to go numb as the first rays of the sun started to cross the peaks of the mountains containing the city. With the sounds echoing in his ears and rotten grass prickling his open wounds, his mind battled with fear between the adept and blood poisoning, which sang of his slow and painful death.

    Now or never.

    Pulling fingers from the wood, some of it stuck to him, the feeling of rotten wood was sickening, but it was much better than the alternative. Scaling the rest of the wall was excruciating, fingers on fire, his back was screaming and there was almost no footing to support his legs. If not for him being a child with a small light body he could never scale the wall, he could never escape.

    Reaching the top, Raijen glanced on both sides looking for sentries on the wall. There were none. Taking the opportunity he went to the other side of the wall, small roof a few feet from it greeted him.

    Too far to make the jump.

    Frantically looking around he saw no other way. Taking five fast steps he closed his eyes and leaped from the edge of the wall. Feeling his legs give in, upon landing and crumbling down the side of the wall, Raijen fell to the darkness.

    <hr>

    Knock on the door made the old men let out a sign. Schooling his face into the slight frown he straightened his back in the chair.

    ¡°Come in.¡±

    One of the adepts opened the door, walked in and stopped just on the border of the room with hands behind his back. Look in his eyes was filled with excitement concealed by years of training and repetition. Yet still too young to achieve perfection.

    ¡°Raijen scaled the wall and is in the outer city, master.¡±

    Finally one of them managed to break through.

    ¡°Good, send the word and let them know, one is out.¡±

    A savage smile tugged on the adepts lips.

    ¡°As you wish, master.¡±

    Turning the adept rushed towards the door in hardly concealed excitement for hunt and blood.

    Raising his head the gray-haired men looked at the adept.

    ¡°Failure is not an option.¡±

    Bowing his head the adept left the office.

    <hr>

    Throbbing pain went through his body when Raijen tried to move around. Locked muscles prevented him from moving, so he rolled over, pushing hands under him, feeling the gravel digging into the skin.

    Pushing himself to his feet Raijens chest squeezed at the realization of being outside of the wall and the sun raised over the mountain peaks. Soon the adepts will round up all the trainees and morning running exercise will begin.

    There is no way they won''t notice.

    Staring at stone brinks tightly locked together on this side of the wall his eyes went wide, it was in the perfect shape of smooth stone, with no places to grab and climb it, just like the rest of the wall from inside.

    What happens to runaways?

    They never told us anything. In fact, they never told us not to do something either. Then again if they catch you doing something outside of orders you get punished severally.

    Run, or not? And if so, then where?

    Turning to the street he started down the first alley.

 Chapter 20

    Raijens heart was pounding in his ears with the stomach-knotting into a small tight ball of anxiety and fear.

    What the hell do I do? Where do I go from here?

    The sun was crossing the peaks of the mountain and the city started to come to life. Having no clear direction where to go, Raijen was lost, unable to get any bearing in the maze of tightly packed houses.

    Some women gave him a look when he crossed their doors as if he was lost child, men mostly ignored him going about their business of opening stores and craft shops.

    With each hour of aimlessly wandering around the streets, Raijen knew his time was running out, yet at the same time, strange calmness started to take over.

    Whoud they even care? One less child between the dozens, one less mouth to feed, they wanted to get rid of the weak ones and keep the strong anyway. I¡¯m always the weakest and slowest.

    Stopping in the middle of the plaza his legs carried him to, without realizing he noticed people giving him strange looks as if he was an anomaly in their daily lives.

    They have never seen me before!

    Realizing his mistake Raijen frantically looked around for the nearest alley, the darkest shadow, only to spot a man in the armor five steps behind him with a spear in hand and smirk on his lips as he neared Raijen.

    Turning around in an attempt to run his legs gave out and Raijen fell on the paved road, bruising his legs and palms as he let out a frustrated growl. Laughter accompanied his body getting lighter, as someone lifted him up by his dark brown hair.

    ¡°So you are the little shit who ran away? I wonder what reward do I get from the freaks when I bring you back.¡±

    Squeezing his eyes because of the pain he flailed and kicked around feeling his bare feet connect with the man''s chest, throwing them both off balance. His back connected with the paved ground again in a spike of pain, but this time Raijen forced himself on his legs, turning to the right he ran for the buildings.

    ¡°Stop right there you little¡­ ¡±

    Choosing the street next to the bakery, Raijen ran into the dark alley next to it, hearing the shouts behind him, his eyes searched for an opportunity to hide. There were no doors, only windows on the second floor, too difficult to climb up.

    He didn¡¯t have time nor strength for climbing, turning left corner his heart sunk. Wooden cart covered with rags of torn fabric blocked his way, deciding to run for it anyway, in hopes of getting around it when he was close enough.

    I should be able to get under it with this body or slide around the sides.

    With a small smirk, he was just about to duck under the cart when in the corner of his eyes something moved. Spinning on his right leg his side crushed into the hardwood, just as the sword swung in the air missing his head. Groaning in pain Raijen looked at the men in front of him.

    What the fuck!

    His shoulders started to shake, as he was staring into the red eyes of a man covered in tattoos emitting slight blue light. His guts clenched together in the fear of death that was sure to follow the bald men''s next swing.

    Unexplainable terror assaulted his senses as he stared at the blue light, his thoughts steering into darkness tainted by blue mist. His pants started to feel wet as his knees shook with fright and almost gave in.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Help me! Somebody, please help me!

    Sound of the whistle pierced the silence in Raijens mind, looking to the side he saw the guard from before, holding his spear pointed at the men, whistle tied around his neck now in his mouth sounding another alarm. The men were shaking, his spear didn¡¯t point straight as if it was too heavy, his eyes focused on Raijens for a brief moment.

    ¡°Run you little shit, that one is mine.¡±

    I will die if I move you bastard! And it is all your fucking fault for pursuing me this far in the first place!

    When he saw Raijen not moving his eyes shifted back to the tattoed men.

    ¡°For fuck''s sake, did you piss yourself already? How low did the Nolag Bal fall, to enslave little kids this time? Are all those tattoos even real?¡±

    Stopping him midsentence another voice rang from behind the bald men. The other men were smaller, yet his shoulders were as broad and powerful as the first one. He pushed his long black hair full of grease and sweat from his forehead squinting in the light.

    ¡°What are you doing, kill the guard, he called for the help, reinforcements will be here soon. We need to ditch the cargo.¡±

    Raijen dropped on his knees and rolled to the side to get under the cart, his eyes fell on the hand with a green skin hanging from the bottom of the cart. The sight of it was so surprising that he couldn¡¯t stop staring at the muscled hand until his body was jerked back and his head rattled against the wood.

    Deliriously staring at the sky in the narrow street he could only hear the shouts and the steel clashing against one another.

    I need to get up, the masters would never let us lay on the ground for so long.

    More shouts echoed in the street as new bodies blocked the light and joined what had to be one-sided slaughter. Raijen didn¡¯t look, he couldn¡¯t, too afraid to lose himself again he searched for the escape.

    The nearest possible place was the doors from which the other men emerged, knowing it was the worst way to go, yet staying on the street promised certain death.

    Crawling on his knees and hands Raijen neared the doors, when he saw ahead with the long hair fell next to him, staring emptily in his eyes, Raijen pushed his legs under his belly and jumped inside of the building.

    Bruising his side he looked around the room, his stomach turned over and he retched across the blood splattered floor. Skulls bigger than those of humans, some with tusks, some with sharp animal teeth yet still humanoid were laying on the table.

    Over the walls were layers of green skin and furs arranged in different patterns, tainted by new blood drizzling to the ground, turning green or blue.

    Whine escaped his lips as his hands locked around his body in a hug, his heart was ramming against his chest, his shoulders shaking. All the smells made his head throb at the temples and Raijens mind went into chaos, images flashing behind his eyes in spirals and swirls of black and red, unable to make a coherent decision he stayed still.

    If I can¡¯t see them, they can¡¯t see me right? Just stay still, like a tree in the woods, like a stone in the mountains. Just stay still and they won¡¯t find you. The masters know better than you right, just follow the orders, just obey and everything will work for you. I¡¯m a good kid, I¡¯m a good student, I can do this.

    ¡°Soon the masters will come, they will announce the new exercise and we will all move on. Right?¡±

    Turning his head to the side, there were no others, just a dead face of a mouse on the human-sized body. Tears burst into his eyes and his voice cracked.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t make any fucking sense, I can¡¯t die here, I have gone too far to die here.¡±

    Relief comes to him, as a familiar voice which normally unsettled him, spoke the words of promise.

    ¡°And who are you to decide that?¡±

    Turning around he saw the adept, draper, relief flooded his body in a way that was not possible with the men so close to him. Raijens vision focused on him, refusing to stray from the sight of the hunched men. In a hand at his side was a short sword dripping red blood on the floor

    Raijen saw the draper move near him but was unable to move.

    ¡°What a disappointment, first to move over the wall after years and running into sight like this in the first couple of hours. I¡¯m not quite sure if this is a failure or not?¡±

    Failure? What does he mean by failure?

    ¡°Well, you did find this place. Nolag Bal''s cult in the mountain city. Who would have thought they could do it alone.¡±

    Looking at Raijen the draper squatted down, pointing his sword behind the boy.

    ¡°No they couldn''t, you see, someone helped them. Someone from the inside showed them this place. You might be wondering why am I even telling you all of this, or maybe better question, why are you still even alive?¡±

    ¡°I might be useful to you.¡±

    ¡°So you do talk outside of your head as well boy. And here I was thinking you will never open your mouth. Yes, you can be useful, but not the way you think.¡±

    Raising up the draper pulled Raijen on his feet.

    ¡°You succeeded, and if you are at least as smart as you are good at hiding it, you will not ask questions after today.¡±

    Before Raijen could open his mouth the pommel of the sword connected with his nose pushing him into the darkness.

 Chapter 21

    Hearing the voices beyond the doors Erin recognized her mother and Faiya.

    ¡°Hello, mother. Hello, Faiya it¡¯s nice to hear your voice in the morning.¡±

    The corners of Erin''s lips slightly rose up. She wasn¡¯t sure what did it look like when she wanted to smile, but after years of training spend with her maid while listening to the descriptions of her face and through hundreds of lessons to master her expressions, she became much more confident in her own smile.

    ¡°Thank you, mistress, I¡¯m glad to hear you too.¡±

    With the rustling of fabric, Erin could tell she was bowing to her again. She gave up trying to make her stop a long time ago, realizing her mother wouldn¡¯t allow it, even if she did.

    ¡°I like your voice Faiya, you helped me found mine as well.¡±

    Turning her head slightly to the side, she could smell the fresh grass as her mother gave her a kiss on the cheek.

    ¡°Your father would like you to meet somebody today. I want you to get ready to receive a guest in the lobby in the afternoon.¡±

    Excitement tickled her body as Erin started to fidget in her chair. It was the first time when her mother expected her to be involved in meeting someone from outside of the family. Usually, she was expected to just sit next to her mother, with Faiya behind her to listen and learn the proper ways of the upper families.

    ¡°Who?¡±

    Raising up she moved with practiced steps towards the wardrobe, avoiding the table corners with only the silk of her hanfu grazing the wood. Faiya started to untie the belt as soon as she Erin stopped next to her and slowly took the hanfu down.

    ¡°What am I going to wear today?¡±

    Erin always wondered what her clothes looked like, what kind of color and style they had. If they were decorated or simple if they had the flowers or the animals. She couldn¡¯t understand the words for most colors because she never had any reference for it since she was born. But she could imagine them based on the objects, red when talking about blood, green when talking about grass and blue for the sky. Years of experience made it clear which ones she was correct about and which ones were different.

    She stopped asking about her clothes at some point, she realized it didn¡¯t really matter since she would never be able to see them and making her maid always describe the fabric made her feel guilty.

    Even after years of work on her studies, with countless sleepless nights trying to memorize the words her vocabulary was still limited, allowing just for simple conversations. She seldom understood the whole explanations of her mother''s maids or others in the service of her house. Forcing her into solitude, the only saving grace was the friend she had in the girl she met shortly after her birth.

    Faiya was the only one who seemed to understand her plight, keeping her own words and descriptions easy to understand. She thought her of the gods and stories tied with them, her favorite was Namira, the goddess of darkness. Erin imagined talking to her over the years of nights when she was alone. Her mother and Faiya didn¡¯t like her talking with Namira, but couldn¡¯t explain why, so Erin continued her dialog with the goddess in the secrecy of the night.

    ¡°Red dress with the golden Nara flowers¡±

    Faiyas voice whispered near her ear. With another rush of excitement and nervousness running through Erin''s body, she licked her lips.

    ¡°And who am I meeting?¡±

    ¡°The son of one of your father''s vassals. It¡¯s time for us to look for your future husband.¡±

    Her body froze at the words from her mother.

    Husband? I¡¯m just ten!

    Erin felt the fabric of the dress slide over her skin, with the belt being tightened around her waist.

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious, I don¡¯t want to get married!¡±

    Catching herself rising voice on her mother Erin immediately lowered her head. Erin''s neck colored red and she could feel her earshot as well. She couldn''t see her mothers face, but she could feel the surprise in the room, even Faiya stopped moving, holding her breath.

    Not being able to withstand the tension Erin''s lips opened in a whisper, her voice almost breaking.

    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.¡°I¡¯m a sorry mother.¡±

    Taking a deep breath Klarias voice carried far more gentleness then Erin expected. Feeling her shoulders being touched by two warm hands she leaned into her mothers embrace. She wasn¡¯t used to the parent''s quick forgiveness, even though she knew her new mother never got angry with her no matter how many mistakes she made. Regardless of the things she broke mother always treated her with nothing but patience.

    ¡°It is alright Erin, you are not going to get married right away. For now, we just want you to meet him, say hello and hear him out if you like him as a friend is alright or if you don¡¯t like him there will be others to come. I will make sure you have the best husband.¡±

    Caressing her daughters head she slowly stroked her hair.

    ¡°Can you do it for me, Erin?¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course, mother, I will greet him properly. Can you,¡±

    Stopping her words Klaria pulled Erin even closer into her embrace. The two distinct fabrics pushed on each other, creating the sound of bodies moving in the morning sheets.

    ¡°I will always hold you, my little princess. And I will always kiss you too.¡±

    Feeling her mother''s lips on her hair Erin stopped shaking, slowly rising, she turned to where Faiya was standing. Raising her hands towards her she could feel the women¡¯s worry for her.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine Faiya, please help me to get ready?¡±

    Without words, Faiya started to tie the golden sash.

    <hr>

    Walking down the corridor Erin squeezed Faiyas shoulder. She was used to the position, always one step behind her maid, with her left hand on the woman''s right shoulder. But today something was different, the fabric felt softer, with an embroidery she didn¡¯t recognize. Giggling Erin leaned forward touching Faiyas ear with her lips to whisper.

    ¡°Did you get new clothes? They feel nice, what is the pattern on your shoulder?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t miss the pleased tone of her maid''s whisper, even when she tried to sound indifferent.

    ¡°Yes mistress, I created them myself, with ladies permission of course. The pattern is of the rose, it¡¯s a kind of flower in your garden, I noticed you liked them more than the Nara.¡±

    Because it is one of the only things that seem similar to my old life. They even smell the same.

    ¡°Once you get used to the shape, you will always know when those loyal to you are here with you, even if we can¡¯t speak. At some point, you will have more maids at your service, especially when you become the mistress of the house.¡±

    Stopping for half a step Erin pulled her head back.

    ¡°You mean you will not always stay at my side?¡±

    ¡°Of course I will. I might just not be the closest one to you.¡±

    Nodding her head Faiya didn¡¯t say anything more. Continuing to walk between the cold stones, Erin could feel the warmth of the fire on her face and the rising heat in her left hand.

    Is she comfortable with me holding on her all the time? The shoulder feels padded as well, is that for my comfort? She must be hot as well.

    Feeling a little uncomfortable with the idea of others enduring the discomfort for her own sake she started walking faster. Finally arriving at the doors she could hear the hinges move, they weren¡¯t freshly oiled so the doors made more noise than usual.

    But nobody else seems to mind or notice.

    Walking into the reception hall her nose was assaulted with the sweet smell of fruits and honeyed meat.

    At least the food smells good today, I might just enjoy myself.

    Feeling the wood being replaced with something softer she knew she was at her seat, looking to her left she nodded to her father. Erin was always sitting on his right with her mother next to her.

    ¡°Erin, you look fabulous today, please meet Lorei, he is the son of my very good friend Bohai.¡±

    Putting her fingers on the desk Erin centered herself facing the table, Faiyas fingers pushed into her side, signaling her to stop. Slightly inclining her head Erin pushed the corners of her lips into a strained smile. Sometimes she wondered what her true smile might look like without any training.

    ¡°Nice to meet you Lorei, my name is Erin Atagi. I would like to find out if we can be friends.¡±

    Smiling she sat down pulling her plate closer.

 Chapter 22

    ¡°What is on your mind Mandar?¡±

    Klaria shifted on his chest, propping herself on hands while putting one of her legs over his.

    Feeling her bare skin Mandar traced fingers over her lower back. It was fifteen years since Erin was born and the years started to show on Klaria''s face. The stress and pressure from the empire near the borders didn¡¯t help.

    At the beginning when the Empire soldiers destroyed the Ferelis clan it becomes clear they didn¡¯t really want to continue the war. Staying on their side of the border slaughtering the old population, while other clans didn¡¯t do anything to help. Everyone was watching in silence as one of the continents most peaceful and dominating clans was torn into pieces.

    If anything we helped to kill the survivors. Took their riches and lives, calling it the revenge for the old war.

    Over the years Ashte transformed into something new, it was no longer just a military city, now it was the biggest trading hub in the whole territory. The clan head could no longer ignore the Ashte as it becomes more prosperous and powerful than the capital. New traders went into the border city first, knowing they would find anything they wanted there, from fabrics and spices to exotic materials and animals.

    Atagare was losing face and they couldn¡¯t do anything about it. Yet it was bringing sleepless nights to Mandar, knowing they weren¡¯t likely to just sit around and wait to lose all the control of the city.

    They want it back, they need it back, but they can¡¯t risk upsetting the balance while we are the first line of protection of the territory.

    When the army of the Atagare started coming into the city ten years ago, they were preparing for a war, for being attacked. The civilians suffered the most, with the food running short and the snow falling sooner than expected the bodies in the streets soon started to pile up.

    The surrounding villages and smaller towns were slowly abandoned, when the winter was two years in, it becomes clear that the Empire soldiers had other problems to solve rather than continue the invasion.

    As if they never saw or expected long winter. Well, nobody did, a years-long purge of winter happened in the last twenty years and they are never so close together. Is something changing?

    With the thousands of soldiers stationed in the city and constant stream of refugees, they started running out of supplies just in two short years and the snow was still falling. None expected the long winter at the time, the longer ones come only once in a generation, yet this one was here only after twelve years since the last four years of darkness.

    The only reason we survived was that the Ferelis has fallen.

    Mandar knew they had to do something, to procure more food and wood. The granaries of the nearby towns were empty and most of the animals were hunted down in the area. It was Erin, who gave him the idea, she was much smarter then he gave her credit for.

    ¡°If you can¡¯t feed the soldiers send them out to get their own food, send them out to bring food to the city.¡±

    The Ferelis was ripe for picking, the Empire didn¡¯t have the men to cover the whole territory, to station enough soldiers in each city in each castle and fortress to stop the raiders. And Mandar didn¡¯t have just raiders, he had an army, thirsty for blood and hungry for the fight.

    In the following weeks, the army has left the Ashte and in the next month, the city was full of grain and dried meat again. The Ferelis were rich, prepared for long winters, for cold and hunger, ready for anything.

    Other than iron ships from the mist.

    The peaceful days were coming to the end, in the last two years, the soldiers were able to establish a trade route of steel ships flying across the ridge into the purple mists. And more were coming, each couple of years a few more ships were constructed and transported more people and provisions to the continent.

    None believed it possible, the ridge was a dead-end of the continent, red stones and trees covered the edge. The red bark of the Paloc was rarity exclusive to the clans living on the edge of the continent, the source of envy and prosperity turned into poverty and fear.

    The purple mists lurking in the empty space gained new recognition, once a source of ave and reverence in the name of the gods, turned into the stories told to children to keep them in the bed at night.

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    What else could be out there? Who else is hiding behind that mist?

    Gaining momentum the Empire started to move the troops towards the borders. Establishing new outposts and building fortresses of the like they have never seen before. The current head of the Atagi was young but smart, he knew he could no longer tolerate the Empire, nor could he risk the repetition of the Ferelis massacre.

    At the same time finding a new way how to deal with the Mandar¡¯s growing influence, he issued new orders. It was time to stop cowering behind the walls in their own land, waiting for what the other side decides to do first.

    Take action first, if you don¡¯t, others will. He knows with time the Empire will be stronger and stronger, while we are the same, growing used to the peace day by day.

    Looking Klaria in the eyes he knew he could no longer stale.

    ¡°There was a messenger from the Atagi, the new leader can no longer stand still and risk invasion into our territory. I was tasked with gathering the army and leading the main assault over the border.¡±

    Klaria tensed as she processed what he has just said. Biting her lower lip her body trembled.

    ¡°Are you leaving into the war?¡±

    ¡°Yes, there is still some time, before the army assembles and before we have rations in place. That would take around a month, after which I will have to leave.¡±

    Not looking away from her eyes he continued.

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t able to find suitable men for our daughter, but that I will just blame on her, for being so picky. And you, for supporting her in it.¡±

    His smile wavered as Klaria wasn¡¯t having any of it. Exhaling, he tightened the grip on her hips, his hands grew stronger with time, while her body grew weaker, softer. He still saw her as the only women he would ever hold, but he could tell the years have changed her, refined her.

    Yet her confidence was shaking, realizing her prime days are gone and that Mandar is still young and strong.

    ¡°Is there no other way? They have to know you are getting old to lead an army into the war.¡±

    His face screamed as he turned his eyes to the side. She grabbed his chin, forcing him back.

    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look, I know how I look and Erin makes me remember my age every passing year.¡±

    Pouting at her she couldn¡¯t help but chuckle, they were well past any quarrels or misunderstandings between them.

    ¡°You know the answer to that, I¡¯m lord of this city, the moment I took the oath I received privileges like no other. I also accepted the burden of responsibility tied to it, no matter the cost. Including command of armies, our clan will send into the war.¡±

    Laying back down Klaria wrapped her hands around his neck, snuggling closer, her nose touched his neck.

    ¡±There is no convincing you is there.¡±

    ¡°You would have to convince someone else, someone in the ruling family to let me stay here and send someone else out there to fight. On the other hand, I have probably the best chance of getting the job done and coming back.¡±

    Pushing his fingers into her hair he squeezed her black, straight hair.

    ¡°You should know by now that commanders don¡¯t really fight on the battlefield. I¡¯m the last one to draw the sword and lead my men into assault. If I were to die it means the whole army is slaughtered and we will be invaded. Everything will be lost.¡±

    Kissing the top of her head he inhaled her scent, she smelled of Nara flowers, which was unusual for her. Klaria usually smelled of more earthy flowers the ones showing their resilience or grass in the garden. He preferred the Nara, young and fresh, rich and sweet, like his wife just ten years ago.

    He could feel it in his bones, getting older, weaker, and as much as he didn¡¯t want to worry his wife by admitting it. He was eager to go into the battle again, to prove himself just one more time. To hold the steel outside of the training ground in combat with another man trying to take his life. That feeling of pumping the heart and boiling the blood in your veins proving you are alive.

    But not wanting to worry her and some strange pull to return to his daughter, forced him into a fight over what he knew, he wanted and what he felt he needed to do.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to be fine.¡±

 Chapter 23

    ¡°It was a long time since the last time we had this view.¡±

    Hooves of Rouncey¡¯s clapped over the road accompanied by the sound of morning rain.

    ¡°What was it? nine years, ten years?¡±

    Galar wiped his face with the left sleeve of his grey shirt, holding onto the iron bars of the cage with a huge smile plastered over his face. It was early morning and everyone in the cage could feel the anticipation propelling the horses forward.

    While some were keeping on their carefully practiced stone faces while sitting still in the middle of the cage, others let out a soft chuckle with legs and hands fidgeting, no one rebutted them, none could blame them, as everyone was fighting the excitement in their bellies in their own way.

    It was a very long time, since the last memories they had from crossing the plains for the first time. That time they were cold, scared and having no idea what was going to happen.

    Since entering the mountain city, and starting their training they grew in body and mind likewise Galar was just small kid at the time with scrawny hands and pale face, now he was one of the biggest in the group.

    No one went outside of the forest, no one knew when or if they will live long enough to see the outside world again. But now, the prospects of seeing something new, something no one had any memories of was exhilarating. With the blood running hot in the veins of the boys and chests heaving with sucking the morning air of the grassland.

    This was the last test for all of them, the last obstacle to jump over or duck under, the last hungry nights and the last people they would kill in the training.

    ¡°Survivors can return to the city as part of the population.¡±

    Raijens mind was spinning as he remembered the words of adeps before their departure.

    ¡°As warriors of the Vulture and protectors of the civilians.¡±

    We would be allowed to take a wife, build the house and become part of the society. It sounded too good, the price was too big for this to be just another regular training, just another test.

    Being part of the city meant all the privileges were included, do they really accept just about anyone into the families? No there has to be something more to this.

    ¡°Before that, you have to prove yourselves.¡±

    What do they mean by ¡®prove ourselves¡¯? We did all they asked for, some did even more, yet it is still not enough?

    Even if he wanted to, Raijen could not share the collective glee of his companions. Looking at them he could feel the fear of what was coming rising.

    All of them were pretty much converted by those fanatics to believe they had our best interests in mind. Even Mauri believes in the greater good the clan promises. But in the end, we are just fodder, soldiers for the front lines.

    Assassins or spies for the few lucky ones who shoved exceptional talent or quick wit and fast hands.

    Looking at the green grass Raijen¡¯s memories turned the peaceful image into one with brown grass, the blood, and carcasses scattered over the plain. Dark birds descending on the feast of flesh and bones singing their joy to the sky.

    Now we were hauled into the cages like livestock heading for the front lines, to fight someone else¡¯s war. To die or somehow survive. And none of these boys really knew what to expect, seeing the glory in the winning and pride in what they can accomplish.

    ¡°There is no pride in dying,¡± Sarca said it too often for it to be just regular lesson.

    Raijen¡¯s shoulders shook as he put his hands under his butt.

    Though I never experienced it myself, I read enough books and saw enough movies to know it was going to be a slaughter. How many of us were expected to return anyway? How many graves are they digging right now, or are they even going to bother?

    <hr>

    Days passed in another routine, wake up, shit, eat, sleep and repeat. Most of the initial eagerness died away over the weeks when the carriage encountered first signs of the battle. Skirmishes around the border announced themselves in the form of bodies scatted around the forest. The Empires soldiers were much deeper in the Atagare clan''s territory than expected.

    ¡°We should probably change the uniforms before we encounter the empire.¡±

    Vulgar¡¯s comment brought them out of the morning lethargy.

    ¡°Nah, it is too soon, we are still days from the border, I don¡¯t want to encounter Atagare wearing their most hated enemies colors.¡±

    Pointing at the body near his feet he crouched to examine the corpse.

    ¡°And these don¡¯t look like they were done in by the soldiers. More like beast rammed it is teeth down his throat.¡±

    ¡°What kind of beasts can slaughter half a squad of soldiers?¡±

    The adept glanced at Vulgar.

    ¡°Good question¡±.

    Getting to his feet the adept dusted his pants.

    ¡°We move one more day before we change colors. After that, we move for Empires camp and deliver the cargo.¡±

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    His eyes shifted towards the cage.

    ¡°After that, it is all in your hands whether you can return or not.¡±

    Raijen met his eyes and couldn¡¯t help himself.

    ¡°How many return¡±?

    Regretting the question as soon as he said it he looked down on the wooden floor. The feel of eyes on him was hot, burning him, examining him, deciding what the punishment is going to be for the questioning. As the whole group went silent his skin crawled from nervousness and Raijen was trying his best not to look up, to avoid their eyes.

    ¡°What does it matter?¡±

    Vulgar¡¯s voice broke the uncomfortable silence.

    ¡°You all decided to be part of the clan at one point or another in the last four years or you wouldn¡¯t have made it so far. If you think you can back off now, well, you can.¡±

    A small smile passed his lips over the bewilderment of the boys.

    ¡°Just don¡¯t expect to be welcomed back home. Once we reach the camp, you will be handed over to them, they will give you weapons, armor and put you into their ranks to fight. Your jobs are to find an opening, kill as many of them as you can and find your way back to the mountain.¡±

    Stopping, Vulgar waited for all the boys to let the message set in.

    ¡°But were you to decide to desert midway in the fight and join the Empire, well, then no one can really tell the difference.¡±

    ¡°Enough useless talk.¡±

    The adept snapped.

    ¡°Keep quiet, something run through these woods just recently and left behind this mess for us to find.¡±

    Pointing at one of the corpses which lined the trail in the Forrest, Raijen didn¡¯t miss the wrong direction they laid in. Their heads were to the south, and the carriage was heading for the south as well.

    The soldiers were running from something, and it wasn¡¯t just a scouting party, but pretty much the whole unit by the number of bodies.

    What would scare fifty strong in the middle of the forest?

    As they left the grisly scene behind them, the sun started to set in. The adepts had broken out the camp preparing for the night, starting a small fire to cook a meal.

    ¡°Change before you go to sleep I don¡¯t want any surprises in the middle of the night or morning.¡±

    One of the adepts started stirring the pot to get the mash moving.

    Just as the men started to relax, hooves riding the path echoed in the quiet of setting sun. All of the men tensed, grabbing for weapons.

    The cage was in the back of the caravan which was the guise used to smuggle them over the border as a bunch of slavers on the road to make some gold. Raijen couldn¡¯t see much in the last rays of the sun. The tension was thick, and the men looked nervous.

    Still, they didn¡¯t rise, sitting, waiting for what or who will come. This was way too important for these men whose whole religion and life creed built around such practices like this one.

    The iron bars of the cage gave Raijen some semblance of peace and safety. He didn¡¯t know about anything in the wilds that could rip apart such a construction made by man. Then again he had no idea, none of them had, what was out there in the open world other then what they were forced to believe.

    It became obvious it was no beast as men started to relax they stances, with the sound approaching closer indicating it was just lone rider. Sitting down the adepts looked like a bunch of normal slavers for anyone other than those who were around for a long time.

    ¡°Who is he?¡±

    Adept looked on the approaching rider.

    ¡°Has similar colors to Atagare, but not quite right. Probably some branch from the main family.¡±

    Vulgar¡¯s voice sounded from behind the fire.

    ¡°Here, alone?¡±

    Vulgar raised a brow at the adept, who shrugged and put his hand on the pommel at his hip.

    The scout stopped the horse and looked them over.

    ¡°Who are you? What are you doing so near the borders?!¡±

    His voice was harsh in the otherwise peaceful night, confident and quite high pitched which made it clear he was still young.

    ¡°I¡¯m Snoot, and we were paid to deliver a bunch of fighting slaves to the front lines for the Atagare family.¡±

    Vulgar shifted on his left leg.

    ¡°And you are?¡±

    ¡°Envoy of Mandar Atagi, we head for the border as well.¡±

    Turning his horse around the scout nodded.

    ¡°Very well, I will let the captain know about your arrival.¡±

    Turning around the scout started leaving without glancing back even once.

    ¡°Did he said, bloody captain?¡±

    Vulgar looked at the adept.

    ¡°Does it mean there is a whole company or regiment out there?¡±

    Adept turned around and started for the fire.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, the soldiers can¡¯t be that close yet. We would have seen the tracks. Prepare the men for change in the plan, we need to alter the course.¡±

    Stopping dead in his tracks he stared on the ground on his left. Turning around, startling Vulgar he screamed at the sentries near the edge of the camp.

    ¡°Go after him! Don¡¯t let him get away no matter what!¡±

    The guards didn¡¯t hesitate for a second, jumping on their horses and rushing the scout.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    Adept pointed at the ground near him.

    ¡°If he saw that then we are fucked.¡±

 Chapter 24

    Straining his neck Raijen saw few empire uniforms scattered around the ground as men were preparing to change.

    ¡°Whose is that?!¡±

    Staring around on each adept near him one of them stepped forward.

    ¡°It is mine, senior.¡±

    The senior adept reached for his sword, ready to gut him. As the sword cleared the sheath a horn roared from the direction of the scouts. Ignoring the adept, the senior turned to face the forest.

    ¡°All men prepare for assault!¡±

    All of them started to form the line as soon as the horn sounded.

    ¡°We need to get out and help them!¡±

    Maori said urgently as he fumbled with the planks under the lock of the cage. Ripping the cracked wood off he pulled out a key and started opening the door. At the same moment, the foliage around the clearing erupted into hundreds of splinters, dirt and leaves giving way to a charge of the cavalry with over a hundred riders.

    Dark blue and yellow colors of lively adorning iron armor and marking horses was all Raijen spotted before they rammed into the formed ranks of the vultures and the slaughter ensued.

    ¡°We need to help them!¡±

    Maori shouted again and was about to jump out of the cage. Before he could leave the iron bars Raijen grabbed him by the collar of the tunic and pulled him back into the cage. Slamming his head against the wooden floor Raijen was holding onto the boys'' clothes holding him down and looking him in the eyes.

    ¡°What in the Namiras darkness Raijen, he is right.¡±

    ¡°No.¡±

    Maori¡¯s blue eyes were staring at Raijen with questioning, dwindling patience.

    ¡°Look around, there is too many of them, we stand no chance. If you leave the cage and fight you die if you try to run you die.¡±

    Releasing his collar Raijen went for the door and closed it, stashing the key under the planks again. As no one stopped him, he hoped they started thinking, they had a mission to accomplish and dying wasn¡¯t part of it.

    ¡°We have only one choice, and that is to stay here, wait it out and think about how to escape afterward. Do you want to please the Vultures? Then finish the bloody task, follow the instructions, they are specific enough.¡±

    Screams penetrated the forest which was preparing for the night. By the time Raijen sat down and started assessing the situation all of the adepts were dead or running. The Atagare¡¯s branch family soldiers were making sure no one was left alive, stomping the men to death with horses or running spears into their hearts and heads. He couldn¡¯t see any of the clan''s soldiers dead, no fallen horses.

    It was clean and fast, they are professionals. But what the hell are they doing here? We are still days from the border and from what we know there shouldn¡¯t be any fighting so deep in the territory. Did the empire actually progress so deep, so fast? Or did some local lord start taking action on his own?

    ¡°All clear my lord. We are chasing down a few stragglers but it shouldn¡¯t take long.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡±

    One of the soldiers with dark blue armor and gold Nara engraved into patters of one of the houses led his horse to the cage.

    ¡°Slaves, I guess I¡¯m supposed to believe them to be. That bunch of masked empire soldiers tried to penetrate our borders in disguise as a bunch of slave traders.¡±

    Staring the boys in the face the men were contemplating what to do with the group of teenage boys. No one dared to look up or maintain any stoic composure. Raijen could feel them all shaking and suppressing sobs as if not to break into tears.

    He was the same, the training they all went through didn¡¯t allow for any other action in the current situation.

    If they think they just slaughtered a group of empire spies or saboteur then we should be able to find a way out, slip in their attention would be enough. But if these men decided we are anything else other then a bunch of random peasants taken as slaves, we would be all dead or tortured, and we all knew it.

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    ¡°Should we kill them all then?¡±

    Glancing up Raijen saw similarly dressed men approaching the leader.

    The lieutenant who knows the commander well enough to be casual with the main officer, I can use that. If anything these clans is extremely Asian centric, similar to my old memories, there has to be something I can use.

    Blood was pumping in Raijen¡¯s ears from the excitement of finally getting the chance to escape, he was planning for this day over the last four years almost every single day. For the day when they leave the mountain and will be left to their own devices to make the ultimate choice.

    There had to be a system in place for the eventual deserters, or were they so confident, that no one will desert?

    ¡°No, they are not a threat. We will take them to the city and sell them for provisions. We can always use extra food on the front lines.¡±

    The more Raijen was turning the ideas around in his head the colder the chill on his back. There was no way to escape, not with so many riders with horses. Frantically thinking what to do, it slowly started dawning on him, there was nothing they could do to get themselves from this position.

    The soldiers mounted the carriage with the cage and started leading the convoy away from the slaughter. Raijen had no idea where they were going, or where they were now. One thing was clear to everyone, it wasn¡¯t the border. They were going alongside it to the east, the Atagi soldiers were mostly quiet, but talk about popular wines in Merqes lingered in the air.

    Probably one of the cities far enough from the border to not get destroyed by the flames of war, but near enough to profit from it.

    It didn¡¯t take long for them to join the main force which was over five hundred strong plus cavalry.

    So this guy is, in fact, a senior captain going to fight the Empire.

    Not having anything to do Raijen¡¯s mind was working without pause. Going from the moment they left the mountain forest to the second they met the sprawled corpses. The caravan didn¡¯t meet any resistance either from the beasts or men. The forest was disturbingly quiet, no birds or insects made any noise, as if a beast was roaming between the woods and bushes.

    Men, the beast of hundreds of men changing the landscape.

    Unless we were really lucky to avoid all life in the forest, the massacre on the road was no accident, but the real encounter of the empire saboteurs with the Atagi. And the results were nothing short of disturbing since we were to fight the clan. Were we lucky in the end? Did getting captured actually saved our lives?

    Merqes came into the view when the sun rose, soldiers were marching nonstop and Raijens guess was that they will take just short break in the city and move on to the front lines.

    After selling us.

    Staring at the lock and planks beneath it Raijen contemplated the likelihood of escaping were he to attempt to force his way out. When locking eyes with the rest of the cadets in the cage he realized they all knew. The boys knew there was no way in all hells they are going to be able to pull something like that off.

    And for some strange, perverted reason, he wasn¡¯t able to reason with himself about death is better than living as a slave again. So he just sat, slowly coming to terms with another man again deciding the course of his life.

    Was it even my life? In the end, what does it matter, it is not like there is something I want to do here.

    Staring at the approaching gates of the city his mind started to take him onto the path he wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to be on, but he didn¡¯t really care.

 Chapter 25

    One of the soldiers opened the doors of the cage.

    ¡°Get out.¡±

    Galar was the first one to exit and to Raijen¡¯s surprise, but evidently not to the others, as they were all waiting for it, he hurled himself onto the soldier. Taking him down with a knee into the face cracking his neck with the kind of noise Raijen didn¡¯t hear that often. In the stunning moments of silence Raijens mind was in chaos.

    What is the plan? Was I so out of it, that I have missed the whole planning on our way here?!

    Staring at the others as they followed the cadet out of the cage he saw the boys scatter. Causing chaos in the attempt for at least some of them to make their escape successful in the cracks of the slacking soldiers, who didn¡¯t expect any resistance from mere slaves.

    Raijens could tell his mind was processing the information in an overly logical and complicated way again, unable to make the decision if to follow or not. He saw Maori take down one of the soldiers and make his way for the streets of the city.

    Two of the cadets were taken down, one got spear rammed into his back, black iron tip spilling blood and guts all over the paved road. The other got his hand cut off when reaching for the spear on the ground. The last two made it to the alleys killing four soldiers between themselves. Taking one sword and a spear and disappearing in the bustling streets of the border city.

    ¡°After them! Don¡¯t let those bastards get away!¡±

    The commanding officer bellowed and fifteen soldiers immediately followed the cadets into the streets of the Merqes.

    There is no way I can manage that.

    Still sitting in the cage Raijen¡¯s mind was justifying his inability to act in any way.

    The chances of escaping are pretty much the same as they killing me. I don¡¯t like those odds, I can¡¯t risk it, can I?

    ¡°Check the corpses, I want to know who the fuck are these slaves if they are slaves at all!¡±

    Staring at the alley the commander turned to look at the cage with rage in his eyes, they went wide, with surprise quickly turning into hate. His face quickly turned into a frown, his mouth twisted in disgust and savage smirk manifested on his lisp as he realized there is still one left.

    ¡°Get that one out, carefully, bind him, and get him here.¡±

    Five of the soldiers followed the orders coming near the cage, shields up and spears leveled.

    ¡°Get out, slowly.¡±

    One of the men growled, his eyes didn¡¯t even blink. Lovering his head and rising hands Raijen slowly shuffled out of the cage.

    Yea there was no way for me to escape, I was right. This is the right decision.

    Getting to the border of the cage exit one of the spears dug into his gut, the sharp point sends chills through his belly and legs, penetrating the skin.

    ¡°Far enough, try something and I¡¯ll spill your innards on the ground like the other rat.¡±

    Giving into the pain Raijen sunk onto his knees, feeling the cuff of his shirt pulled, someone dragged him out on the ground and across the cobbles in front of the commander.

    ¡°What the fuck are you?¡±

    ¡°Slave.¡±

    Before even finishing the sentence his head rolled back, jaw on the verge of dislodging from the steel cap of the boot. Pulling on Raijens hair hard enough to rip it from the scalp the men groveled into Raijens face.

    ¡°Lie to me again, and I¡¯ll personally take you apart in one of the torturing chambers in this city. And then sell your parts as the pig food.¡±

    Raijens stomach churned at the smell of wine and grounded beef from the men''s mouth.

    ¡°Commander, none of the bodies has any sign of the brand. I don¡¯t know who they were, but it sure as hell wasn¡¯t slave trade which we intercepted.¡±

    Of course! None of the kids had any branding when we first come to the Vultures, they couldn¡¯t, so we would not be traceable back to our origin. And you don¡¯t get Vulture brand before you are fully initiated. If you die in the training you are just a nameless corpse, you don¡¯t belong anywhere.

    A small smile almost broke on Raijens face, but realizing what they could and would do to him if he started grinning made his face froze. He gripped his tight and forced the fingers into the skin, drawing blood under his nails. His face turned into one full of pain, contorting muscles in his face to fake fear and obedience as they were taught.

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    Raijen looked up at the commander when he heard his voice again, feeling the real tears in his eyes from the pain in his leg.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know who they were, I was taken from Kargar and they put them in the cage on the road later.¡±

    Wind run out of his lungs as Raijen was sprawled on the paved road. Feeling the blood on his tongue from the kick in his belly he could see the red clouds in the sky as the tears seeped from his eyes. He didn¡¯t need to fake anymore, genuine fear started to set in for the first time in the last five days. Raijen could feel his breath quicken, with a sheen of sweat spreading over his body.

    These people aren¡¯t listening! They probably didn¡¯t even care, for all they care I can die as well. I will die regardless of the truth, fuck I don¡¯t even belong here!

    Grabbing the left sleeve of his shirt Raijen gave it the last of his fading strength and resolve to tear it off. Exposing the tanned hand with the scarred skin of the badly healed brand.

    The commander was looking at him, with his hazel eyes, not sure if he should just kill him, or believe what he just saw. Raijen wasn¡¯t sure what was in the man''s head, he was clearly struggling, emotions surging in his mind, anger battling with the logic and orders. He was told to sell the slaves and bring extra food in for the unit. If he were to return, with nothing but dead bodies of his soldiers flogging would be the least of his punishment. Looking at one of his soldiers he forced the words through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Which house is that?¡±

    ¡°Looks like chain links, but it is disfigured and badly healed, I have never seen anything like it.¡±

    ¡°We should kill him, commander. Little buggers killed three of ours.¡±

    The soldier said as he leveled the spear at the boy, ready to run him through. Staring at the guy in the lead all Raijen could hope for was the commander obeying his orders to at least some degree.

    ¡°Go find someone from the local House of Chains. I want to set up an auction. Tell them we found a battle slave with the training.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t be serious!¡±

    One of the soldiers shouted in the protest.

    The officer slapped him across the face with the gauntlet, bringing him to the ground.

    ¡°You should remember with whom you speak! We were given orders by the senior captain, and we are going to deliver what we can. If I was you I would prepare for whatever punishment he decides to give us for fucking over something as simple as selling a bunch of filthy slaves.¡±

    Soldiers grunted while squeezing the wood of the spears, one of them went to the town while another started pulling Raijen up and binding his hands by a cord around wrists and elbows, with one loop going around his neck, to make it extra uncomfortable.

    Going bound through the Merqes with no shoes and on a display for everyone to see, was more degrading then Raijen imagined. In the past life, the imagination of similar situations prevailed in his mind. Raijen was always imagining the situation, how he would handle it, how to find an escape through the defenses of the soldiers. How to get rid of the chains and escape the city into the wilderness to survive the mountain and the forest.

    And now, everyone was looking at him and even if their attention was not entirely on him, but on the soldiers escorting him in what he thought was the center square, he couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of their eyes off of him. The pressure building inside of him, the realization that the fantasy and reality are simply two different concepts, which he couldn¡¯t hope to comprehend entirely in the comfort of his bed with a book in the hand.

    Now people were judging, evaluating, dismissing and pitying. What was really in their heads might have been just indifference, as there were dozens of slaves around, bound, on a display or working for some master or another.

 Chapter 26

    This was Raijens first time outside in the real world and he was bound in the chains, experiencing what it really was like to be a slave. Just the meat for sale, hands, and legs for the use at labor or entertainment of others.

    What is really on the other side of this? And how far do I need to walk this road before I get there? Then again, there aren¡¯t many things they can do to me, that are worse then what I was already through.

    The noise of the main square brought him out of his reverie. As if waking up from a dream, Raijen¡¯s ears were assaulted by noises of all kinds, from laughter to angry shouts. Giggles of delight to the sobbing of the children.

    Lost in the moment he felt the end of the spear in his back forcing him to move forward, he felt like he was always forced to move forward and never allowed even one step back. Going up the stairs he found himself on the wooden platform, staring down at all the people whoe came to observe or bargain for the new goods.

    He got a momentary rush of excitement from being higher than all of them, somehow above them all in a space which they couldn¡¯t enter. It lasted but a moment before the voice next to him shouted to the masess.

    ¡°And here we have a special offer from the Captain of the Atagi! Mandar Atagi himself sends his regards with slaves for the good folk of Merqes! Fresh meat from the pits of battle! Slave of the Kargar, trained for combat no less! We start on a hundred!¡±

    Raijen¡¯s legs almost gave out, his stomach turned over and anxiety started to set in, he wasn¡¯t the one to look down on them. It was they, they had all the power. Judging, evaluating, deciding if he was good enough, strong enough and worth enough.

    How much am I worth to pay for?

    Feeling all the power being taken from him put bile in his mouth, just barely containing himself from puking all over the floor, undoubtedly promising even more pain and embarrassment. He wanted to stand with dignity, to take at least some of the control back, to decide his own fate. Looking at the sky he remembered a name from the time he was just a small child in the room.

    Mowri, you bastard, are you really going to claim me as yours? You know I fucking hate you, I will kill them all, chains or not. I will slaughter them all, carve my way in the blood of every men, women, and child who ever rises the leash or touches the chains!

    Looking down he saw the hungry eyes of the merchants and traders bidding for his flesh. Watching the faces of the men, Raijen wondered, if they even cared about his fate or if they were just indifferent to his struggle to regain some kind of fragile pride.

    In the attempt to hold onto his humanity, he felt grasp on his shoulders, the fingers were cold, diging into the flesh over the clothes. His muscles flexed and he could feel the coldness penetrating his body. Bright green hue escaped his tightly wrapped fists before Raijens shoulders were pulled back to square which forced his body into the proper posture. Hands grabbed his bonded wrists taking him off the stage. With the final price for his sale being called, Raijens pride crumbled and he felt like his energy and will to live was sucked right out of him.

    His shoulders were slouching, his head pulled down to hide the shame. His legs carefully were lifting from the ground as to not pull even more skin off of them. When he was put into the line with the other slaves, waiting to be processed, staring at his feet the whole time Raijen tried to find comfort in his mind. Little corner, place to stop the constant thinking about what was to come, what to do next. It became apparent that there was nothing he could do.

    They will force me to do their bidding. They always do. These people were doing it to each other for generations, finding the most effective ways how to break each other. My mind is uselless, I might be better of not knowing any different. Being the same as others, content in the situation might even make me happy.

    Feeling his body was moving as the line of slaves bound to each other started for the new place he forced one leg in front of others.

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    I remember the time in my old life, when I fantasized about this situation, hating characters for being unable to do anything. ¡°Why don¡¯t they fight back?! If I was there I would fight! I would get away and somehow survive in the wild, or die fighting rather than to live the slave''s life.¡±

    Looking at the sky Raijen saw small red birds circling above the city. Wondering for a moment about their, freedom he shook the tears in his eyes away. Staring at the sand on the ground.

    There was no way for me to escape that cage as the others did. Would it be better if I let myself be turned into the sect member? Maybe if I was as fanatical, as dedicated to the cause as others I could forget about the consequences and just put at risk everything in order to please the master and gain some reward by escaping the city.

    Raijen new it was impossible, he knew that desperately clinging to his sense of justice and holding his morals too close to his heart was to his detriment. Yet, he was unwilling to let them go, they were the only thing that defined him as Theo, keeping him from turning into the pawn of the dark lady. He caught himself finding comfort in her arms in his darkest moments.

    Fuck my morals, where did it lead me, what did I gain from them? Just more pain, of course! There is no way some random guy from my world can survive here without giving in. Clinging to the old life will lead to the confusion, knowing there is something more than being obedient would just make one more misserable. Thinking that there is something beyond life in the cage or beyond the enforced order is crushing my soul.

    Squeezing the palms together, with interlocking fingers his knuckless turned white.

    Doing what others tell you, will bring you less pain, less suffering. When deciding on my actions based on what I knew, which is now irrelevant, will not serve me for survival in this place. I need to adapt faster, take the ways of these men for my own.

    Lifting his head, Raijen could see the back of another man, scarred flesh run from his neck to the lower back. Red lines in the skin marked the whipped body into the submission.

    That is the fate for those who stick out of the fold. For those who question, or contemplate over their choices and never do what needs to be done. If I follow I will live, If I follow I won''t have to suffer as much. I¡¯m smarter, I have an advantage over them, my training with Vultures proved that.

    Looking to the side he spotted another line of slaves. At the end of it was a figure of a man covered in grey cloth, with a body where everything looked wrong, from the way he walked to the fur on his bare hands. He was the only one with a heavy iron chain over his wrists and ankles. Poeple kept their distance yet still stood near to watch and satisfy their curiosity despite the fear.

    If I just let go of the past and embrace what I¡¯m to become here and now. I can lead a decent life, maybe even find fulfillment in the process instead of focusing on a future that I can¡¯t see.

    Days filled with the hard work and little free will seemed much more temting, compared to the wishfull future of glory that will never follow.

    But that is easier, isn¡¯t it? If you just follow without questions your life should become much more simple. With no need to take responsibility for your actions or care for the consequences as they are someone else¡¯s problem.

    Feeling his shoulders relax, his head rose little higher and Raijens ears opened to the sounds around him. The red birds in the sky were still circling while chirping between each other. Drops of water hit his face as they passed fountain in the center square while surrounded by rows of other slaves, who for some reason appeared much more misserable compared to just a moment ago.

    While looking forward to meeting the one he should follow. Raijens mind became more clear and focused, wondering if this was his fate Raijen let out a sight of relieve.

    Just follow Raijen, just follow and you will be fine.

 Chapter 27

    Being led in the column of bodies Raijens mind was trying to juggle with many thoughts. From where they were taking them, to what it is they bought them for. Trying desperately to shut his mind off, to think about something else, Raijen focused on his training. On the teachings of the masters and principles, they were ruthlessly forced to take as their own.

    Yet his mind would chase those questions even more aggressively the more he observed his surroundings, almost naturally looking for escape routes and possible shadows to hide into. Wondering what the drapers would think of him as they observe his decisions.

    ¡°Pathetic! If the guards are sweeping the area, the only possible locations to hide is somewhere under or above, and I don¡¯t mean the bloody crates. Considering your scrawny walking corpses you might get lucky if you pull yourself into the window or find a sack of hay.¡±

    They knew all the details, all of the likely hideouts for the new boys. We learned fast that the sack of hay and stacked crates are the best way to get randomly beaten up with the stick or being thrown in the crate across the street.

    Looking around trying to figure out where they were taking them, Raijen realized the look of the city started to change. From the central square where the trade was happening, with the shops and houses being crafted from the gray and yellow stone to the edge of the town. The further away from the fountain, they went the more stone gave way to the wooden walls and roofs.

    The shops were replaced with workshops for planks and stone. The fruits and wine were replaced by the black bread and smell of meat, because of the war so close to the city most of them didn¡¯t dare to leave the Merques. Raijen saw hardly half of the workshops being in use at the moment.

    Running out of the stock, they must have heard about the raiding parties outside of the walls and merchants are the ones doing all the profit. As long as they have the balls to go out and get the new goods, they will keep getting richer and richer from the war, the braver the better.

    Staring at the empty shops Raijen saw few children hiding inside, playing games with thin cloths wrapped around legs and palms.

    Wonder how long it takes for a city to run out of the food, or I might be just overthinking it. In the end, they just bought a bunch of slaves for fun, how desperate can they really be?

    If we go long enough we will probably meet the wooden shacks of the poorest.

    Changing direction four times, the houses changed once more, this time giving way to the iron bars embedded in the stone foundations of the two meters high wall and then transforming into a beautifully constructed wooden amphitheater. Raijen couldn¡¯t imagine why it was in such a style. But it didn''t take long for them to be led into one of the reinforced heavy gates.

    Taking the sun off of his skin and replacing it with torches, changing the fresh air into the husky and heavy smoke creeping into their lungs forced tears into everyone''s eyes.

    Exiting on the other side of the gates they entered the courtyard, covered in the shadowy corners under the canopy stood soldiers in the light armor, swords on their hip with spears and bucklers in the hands. They all had white sash with a yellow shield wrapped in chains around their forehead preventing the sweat from their hair to obscure their eyes.

    Thirty men were training on the sand with each other or hitting dummies with the wooden swords, axes, and spears. The scene reminded Raijen of his own training in the clan, but more sophisticated, flashy.

    For the masses. They are real bloody gladiators. Do they expect us to fight in the arena as well?

    Raijen felt a rush of excitement run through his body, being a slave was one thing, but gladiators had to be better. From what he could remember the men fighting for the pleasure of the common people had it always somewhat easier.

    As long as you please the public you should live long, maybe even get out. If they are the same as the one I remember though.

    There were five men led inside the arena with him, all lining up before the terrace dominating the entrance into the building. With a similar style as most of the buildings in the mountain, pillars, and terraces on the front doors. With columns decorated by nature and animals, the depictions in front of Raijen were different from the mountains, instead of the forest, they portrayed gardens. And instead of wild lions and wolfs, these shoved horses and birds.

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    Is there a connection or is it just similar architecture for all the people on this continent? How small is this place?

    ¡°Master Tulien of the house Atraga!¡±

    Bellowed one of the men with an iron sword on his hip and whip in his hand. All of the men in the yard stopped, lined up and faced the terrace. As the master of the house walked on the sun to look at them, all lowered their heads. Raijen quickly followed as the rest of the new arrivals.

    Lifting his right hand with a palm towards to sky his voice carried across the arena.

    ¡°Welcome to the house of Atraga! From today on you will be given one chance and one chance only. Prove to me that your life is worth more than the price I paid for your miserable existence and you get the chance to gain something more than just a miserable life in the mines. If you can even survive long enough to get there.¡±

    Pausing he studied each of the men for a moment, not sparing more than a second to any of them before lifting his left hand in the same manner.

    ¡°On the other hand I can guarantee you, you will get your pride back. The humiliation you suffered so far will be allowed to be forgotten in the pursuit of higher things than just yourself. You will get the chance to fight for something more than survival, for something greater than just yourself. This house.¡±

    Putting his hands down, grabbing the railing, his smile turned dark, with black skin and narrow eyes their new master continued.

    ¡°Fail me, and you will never see the sky again, you will never feel the sun on your skin again and you will never breath fresh air again.¡±

    All of the men were holding their breath, without realizing it Raijen let out deep breath himself, the men possessed the presence that was not to be ignored. That didn¡¯t allow to be overlooked.

    ¡°But prove yourself, and you can have it all and so much more!¡±

    Thirty slaves behind Raijen cheered raising hands and calling his name. By pointing at Raijens group the cheers stopped.

    ¡°You five will now fight with one of my warriors. Try not to disappoint me by dying before I finish my lunch.¡±

    Sitting back on the chair, five female slaves went around him placing a tray with food and carafe of wine next to the dark-skinned men''s left hand. Raijen couldn¡¯t tear his eyes off of them, not seeing women so beautiful for so long stirred the blood inside of him, from a desire to lust, his mind wandered. The words of the master rang in his mind and he turned to the men who seemed in charge.

    Pointing at the guy next to Raijen his voice carried for everyone to hear.

    ¡°You, against Bargos.¡±

    Tossing the wooden sword in his direction the new slave picked it up and turned to his opponent. Getting a closer look at all the other slaves, Raijen was brought into the arena with, he realized they were much older than him. In their early twenties for the youngest and around thirty for the oldest. They all were huge with bulging muscles looking like steel and arms as thick as Raijens legs.

    The idea of fighting one of them made his arms shiver.

    Why the hell am I here? Do they really expect me to fight them and stand a chance? Or was I more like the new meat to be grounded and pummelled by the gladiators and let''s see what comes on the other end of this?

    Anger flared in Raijens guts, but he suppressed it even faster.

    I fought bigger opponents, I was thought how to beat them. And one of the things that get you killed faster than anything is to get rilled up over bullshit which doesn¡¯t mean anything to anyone.

    Looking to the terrace his head tilted to the side.

    They might have completely different reasons for me to be here. Or they might actually expect me to perform well.

    Getting out of the way to the impending fight Raijen stood still, focusing on his breathing to calm his nerves and slow the heart that was pumping the blood into his body faster then he needed.

 Chapter 28

    As the fight started it become obvious to everyone that the new slaves had no to little training, taking huge swings at his opponent which were easily dodged or averted. Raijen wondered what was expected from them here.

    Are we supposed to win? They called me battle slave at the auction aren¡¯t these all supposed to know how to fight?

    Bargos blocked one of the swings, guiding the blade to the side and down slipping the sword over the belly of his opponent, drawing a grunt of pain. Anger was quickly building with adrenalin pumping in the new slave''s blood.

    Only to run out of it eventually and get killed himself in the process.

    Blocking numerous strikes with his legs, sides, and beck, he eventually went to the ground, with a pain that would lead to the blue spots all over his body.

    The second fight was better, the new guy took some inspiration and was mostly dodging and avoiding most of the strikes from his opponent. Raijens lips turned into a little smile as his shoulders relaxed.

    Running, dodging, he is like Mauri, small and weak but fast and smart.

    While interrupting his memories the rest of the spectating gladiators started booing and laughing. Realizing what was happening Raijen finally saw the face of the new slave more clearly. Sweating with flushed cheeks and tears in his eyes.

    He is just scared shitless!

    Unable to retaliate and mostly trying to avoid any hits to his body. One of the gladiators threw a spear under his legs, resulting in tripping fall face-first into the ground. Bargos waited for him to get up.

    ¡°I will kill ya if you don¡¯t fight properly. Master isn¡¯t interested in this shit. And you are useless if you can¡¯t fight.¡±

    Grabbing the sword with shaking hands, the voice of a boy in his early twenties broke as he rushed the gladiator with a scream, that was more desperation then threat. Stepping to the side Bargos rammed the pommel of the sword into his face breaking his nose with an audible crack. Blood spluttered over the sand as the men went down followed by the cheers of the gladiators around Raijen.

    Standing next to the slave with bleeding nose he looked at the rest of them, his eyes shined with glee as he licked his lips.

    ¡°One of you will be my bitch, I wonder which one.¡±

    With a leer on his face Bargos turned around, going back to his men.

    ¡°Hey, you!¡±

    Jamming a wooden sword into Raijens chest one of the guards forced his eyes back from the image of the blood on the ground. Raijen felt something snap inside of him at the prospects of what was to come.

    ¡°You go next, and if you want to walk away on your legs I hope you are better at it then you look.¡±

    Bending down to pick up the sword Raijen realized it was much lighter than the blue oak swords used in the clan. Keeping the blade low he contemplated his options.

    My opponent is big, some type of trained gladiator for games I guess. Should I exchange the blows with him or just kill him and be done with it? Or is it better if I let him win? Are we even supposed to win?

    Watching the other men pacing Raijen knew he will not let him go without an injury.

    I can¡¯t risk that here. If this place has any similarity to the traditions and concepts I¡¯m familiar with, then the stronger you are the better your circumstances. If I can make the name to myself, I can just avoid any trouble these guys give to the new blood here. And I have an advantage, none of them are expecting anything from me.

    ¡°Brox, you are up. Don¡¯t go easy on the little guy.¡±

    Nodding, Brox didn¡¯t think twice before he rushed Raijen in a straight line with a wooden sword at his side. Deciding to parry the hit, Raijen felt the strike carry through his hand, numbing it for a second.

    Fuck Mowri! Not a good idea.

    Dodging his next vertical swing Raijen went for his torso with the tip. Narrowly missing the belly Brox took a step around, going for the side. Ducking down it missed Raijen completely, he was small but it had its advantages.

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    Then knee hit him in the chest sending Raijen reeling back. Trying to catch his breath he narrowly dodged the next attack and then was forced to parry a double. Feeling his hand losing the sense Raijen decided to block the round kick with the side of the sword, shattering it in half and absorbing part of the hit by his elbow.

    Infuriated by his little opponent still standing and without any real injury, Brox started taking deliberate swings designed to do as much damage and pain as possible. Lunges on the chest and belly, swipe on the torso and head. All Raijen could do was to dodge, he heard the shouts from the overlookers, but he didn¡¯t pay any attention to them.

    Remember the training, you need to focus. He is big and strong, but he is just a fighter, brawler, he will break.

    Getting frustrated and even angrier as the fight advanced to the second minute Brox rushed forward, grabbing the sword with both hands as he went for the chest. Raijen dropped his guard, his sword went low, too low to block. Catching the strike directly into his chest the pain flared over his belly, chest, and neck, the skin on his chest felt like the fire burned the flesh and promise of a huge bruise and pain later was clear, but Raijen had just enough of playing.

    Realizing the huge hit and the crack, which might have been ribs or wood Brox spotted pleased grin. For it to only turn into fear and confusion when Raijen ignored the pain and went right in for him. In an attempt to get away, Brox took a step back as Raijens hand went up to avoid the fist.

    But the sharp edge of the broken wood penetrated the skin and muscle under the chin, the wood went halfway into the gladiator''s jaw, spurting blood all over the sand and Raijens hands as the fighter went down.

    Before Raijen could turn around something latched on his neck, unable to take a deep breath his lungs were instantly on fire, choking him. Yanked on his back and dragged over the ground his back burned as the rough sand dug open wounds into his skin. All he could and wanted to do was get the coil from his neck, clawing at it, trying to get his fingers uselessly under the leather. His vision started to go red, dark.

    Heavyweight settled on Raijens chest and arms as the air rushed back into his lungs, heaving, taking deep breaths, he realized three men were on top of him, holding him down. Unable to even budge he relaxed, staring at the guy standing on his chest.

    Tense moments passed, followed with the deathly quiet arena as Raijen wondered just how much has he fucked up, only to be interrupted by clapping hands. All the men looked in the direction of the balcony on the master who was standing near the railing, slowly clapping.

    ¡°Good. Good, we have some real talent there.¡±

    Gesturing on someone behind Raijen he went back to sit.

    ¡°Take him inside, I will deal with him later.¡±

    With no protest or even change in expression the men with the whip noded. Turning to the rest of the gladiators he pointed with the whip.

    ¡°Master. You two, take him inside and watch over him. Don¡¯t touch him, but if he tries something to beat him to sleep.¡±

    With nods, two of the men grabbed the boy under the armpits and dragged him inside of the manor. Unable to resist as he was still winded with adrenaline leaving his system, Raijen could only watch as they passed heavy black doors with halved yellow insignia he didn¡¯t recognize.

    The insides were built on carved columns, decorated with patterns of animals and all kinds of the fauna of the new world. The walls had drapes hanged over them in red or yellow hiding the stone, separating one part of the manor from another. In the middle of the entrance hall was open space with a small stone pool full of water and an open roof.

    Raijen was led to the stairs and dragged into the second floor. Passing a few slaves, mostly women carrying food and drinks in red clay pottery. Sparring him a glance, unsure of what is going on, but afraid, they continued with their tasks. Raijen wasn¡¯t sure he wanted to know why they had such eyes when they met his.

 Chapter 29

    ¡°Master wants to speak with him after the test finishes.¡±

    The doors in front of them had a guard posted there. Eyeing them for a moment he nodded.

    ¡°Wait here then.¡±

    Unable to argue the point, the slaves dragged Raijen near the left wall dropping him on the ground.

    ¡°Try some shit and I will break something in you.¡±

    Eyeing one of them, briefly entertaining the possibility of taking him down to see what happens, Raijen smiled. Leaning on the wall waiting for the master, he knew he didn¡¯t have any strength or need to do it.

    I proved the point, I did what I could, now it is up to them.

    It took around half an hour, the sense of the time somehow returned to him once he was taken out into the world. The taller slave forced him to stand as the master entered the hall. Turning to the doors the master looked Raijen in the eyes and indicated with his head to follow.

    Entering the room Raijen was hit with the scent of burning herbs, with a wooden tone. An assortment of fruits, bread, and cheese was on the red oak table with delicately carved legs into the patterns of roots.

    ¡°I have not seen what you did out there in a long time. And I must say, I¡¯m impressed Raijen. That doesn¡¯t happen often these days.¡±

    Seeing the men so close he was quite old. Probably in his late seventies.

    I¡¯m not sure how long people live here, but it can¡¯t be this long.

    ¡°Where did you learn it?¡±

    Hit into his back forced groan from Raijen as he turned to stare at one of the gladiators.

    ¡°You are to answer when the master asks you a question!¡±

    Wanting to shoot something back at him Raijen was stopped by the master.

    ¡°And don¡¯t bother to lie, no one can do what you did without previous training. No slave learns your moves on the farm or in the mines. No secret teachers in those places Raijen. They tend to lean towards the mountains.¡±

    Lowering his head and contemplating the answers, Raijen knew he couldn¡¯t lie too much.

    It is probably best to go with something that is at least somewhat true.

    ¡°I was trained in the house of Kargar to be a battle slave. When we were sent to the border assist with the war, we were abducted by the Atagar

    e and resold here.¡±

    Looking up the old men seemed to think.

    ¡°You mean to war with the Empire? I have heard of them, a bunch of savages from some island from beyond the mist. No real threat for the Atagare. You, on the other hand, could be a threat to the training.¡±

    Staring him in the eyes without any hint of amusement the master continued in a cold tone.

    ¡°I need you to understand, that you have a real potential boy. Some would call it talent, I can tell those things, you could have anything you want if you survive long enough to earn it Raijen. What is it, that you want?¡±

    Staring the men into his gray milky eyes Raijen knew it was not true, but he had to try.

    ¡°What are the possibilities?

    ¡°Anything.¡±

    Raijen couldn¡¯t help but raise the corners of his lips, showing his yellowish teeth.

    ¡°Anything?¡±

    The beard moved slightly in with a not, licking his oiled lips.

    ¡°Chance to walk away without fighting?¡±

    A gleam of amusement flashed in the master''s eyes. As his white teeth flashed inside of the oiled beard, before disappearing again.

    ¡°Guess not anything then. You should remember two things once you leave this room. If you fight and win enough times, you can get almost anything you wish for. And the next corpse in the training ground is your way how to get to the mines in Marak. You don¡¯t want to go there.¡±

    Gesturing with his right hand Raijen realized he was being dismissed.

    ¡°Settle in, get used to your new room, training starts in the morning.¡±

    Laying down on his new bed, which was much more comfortable compared to the reeds with pieces of fabric, Raijen couldn¡¯t fall asleep. The new bed was made from some kind of straw or dried grass as the base. Then covered with thin sheets of cloth he didn¡¯t recognize.

    The sun must have gone down already, as the guards were changed for the night shift. Staring at the wood supporting the stone roof, Raijen could hear most of the other slaves in the cages around sleeping. But not him, his mind was full of jumbled thoughts. Thinking what would happen next and what were his options.

    If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    From what I saw so far this was probably some kind of gladiator-style training ground. Does that mean I¡¯m to fight in the arena for the amusement of others? And if so, what could I do about it. The moment I was born my flesh was branded, tied to the fate of a nameless slave, given as a gift to one order, only to be sold later as a slave again.

    Was it ever going to change? This is the same as before, why can¡¯t I be in charge of my own life for once?!

    His chest rose and fell with heavy breathing as anger settled into his muscles and bones. The drops of sweat forced themselves on his skin and he could feel the bile in his mouth.

    That guy said plenty of crap I don¡¯t believe, maybe I can¡¯t leave this place without fighting. But maybe if at least some of what he said was true, I might have my very first shot in this world to attain at least some form of true freedom and maybe choose my death. Not one for the amusement or purpose of others, but my purpose. Do I even have one?

    So far I was always forced into the role I didn¡¯t want to play. Yet I played it good, almost forgetting myself in the life of it. Am I to do the same thing again? And what real guarantee do I have, that he would keep his word?

    Losing himself in his thoughts gradually pushed Raijen into the hands of the night lady.

    <hr>

    When his eyes closed harsh grinding and beating of iron resonated into the cell bars, bringing the whole floor awake. A couple of guards standing at the doors started to shout the orders to line up, to prepare to get escorted into the training grounds for food.

    Thinking of food Raijens stomach grumbled letting him know he hasn¡¯t eaten in two days.

    The slob staring at him from the bowl did nothing to easy the disgust he felt from looking at it. Forcing spoonful down he decided to close his eyes and focus on swallowing rather than chewing or even tasting the food.

    It soon becomes clear to him that some kind of hierarchy was established between the slaves. Hard to tell if decided by the master and soldiers or by the slaves themselves. And Raijen wasn¡¯t sure he had it in himself to start looking into it more and maybe climb to some semi-interesting level, in a place where he didn¡¯t want to be.

    A harsh voice accompanied by the sound of the bell startled him from deciding what to do next.

    ¡°Prepare for drills!¡±

    All of the men with just a few rumbling about the food got up and went for the rack of weapons, forming lines on the sand.

    ¡°Hey, new ones, you are allowed to choose your weapon of preference.¡±

    Said soldiers with short brown hair and shaved chin, seemingly in charge of the new trainees he looked like someone who did this hundred of times.

    ¡°You will be tested in it for a few days and if necessary I decide on the different weapon you will use from now on in all or at least one of your fights.¡±

    Not thinking about it too much Raijen went straight for the racks with dory spears, it was mostly wooden shaft with a padded point, but the purpose was clear. Taking one long enough to hold comfortably in one hand he added an oval shield as well. There wasn¡¯t a much better choice in an open space like the arena than a spear. Raijen remembered his master''s words well.

    One of the others took the ax and the rest took the short sword and shield or bigger swords. Turning around Raijen saw one of the guys take two swords.

    Guess he never really held one before or knows how to use it. Much less two.

    ¡°All right, go join the group with your weapon and start doing the same drills as them, you will be guided and corrected as necessary. Don¡¯t make them beat you to unconsciousness your very first day.¡±

    Raijen finally got a look at how big this place was. For one, it was bigger than his old training ground in the mountains. With open space and damp sand all over the place, it was easily five hundred steps across and eight hundred in other direction giving it an almost perfect rectangle. The sand ended with wooden planks creating raised platforms under the stone roof around the sand.

    Pointing to the center of the training ground, the men turned around and left for the edge of the grounds under the shadow.

 Chapter 30

    The night was quiet, the sound of sizzling water hitting the hot wooden logs was the only company Mandar had in his tent. Erected in the center of the camp the commander was preparing for dinner while drying his clothes over the fire.

    The black bread with oil and dried fruits lost its appeal quickly, the same as the excitement from the beginning of the journey. Mandar was soon reminded of the hardships of the military campaign and the constant company of other men stood in direct contrast with his time with Erin.

    They had to cross the river first, before setting up the tents and establishing themselves on the enemy territory to march unhindered the next day. Knowing there was no way around it as the horse would never cross the river with rider and all the supplies at the same time, Mandar was forced into the cold water with the rest of the soldiers.

    She was right, wasn¡¯t she? This is not for me anymore, I wonder how Erin is doing.

    Now riders were building the palisades around the compound for the night, while the rest of the soldiers were setting up the campfires and preparing the food. They were far beyond the border and they knew the constant threat before them, they had to save as many travel rations as possible before they found their first target, the first town, or fortress to fall.

    All they encountered so far was just a few Empire soldiers in one-sided skirmishes, nothing big enough to stop their advance. Destroying two of the red-flagged camps, yet there was no indication of the real army. No fortresses or bigger encampments and now they were just three days from the first big city they planned to take.

    There was a knock on the entrance pole bringing Mandar out of his restless dinner.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    His voice was harsh, the weeks of moving camps from one place to another in the enemy territory were making him nervous. Unable to sleep properly Mandar regretted to ever leave the warmth of his wife''s hands.

    Looking at one of the men ducking under the entrance flaps, Mandar was reminded what kind of situation they were in. There was no time or place in the camp for pitying himself, for the choices he made were his own.

    ¡°Lieutenant, any problem?¡±

    The men had the bald head covered in sweat and scars, short trimmed beard which only officers were allowed run from ear to ear. Complementing the armor was a short sword, with the shield on his back, leaving the spear outside. His dark-skinned hands were almost too big for the men, muscles rippling under the skin, which looked like it had a hard time containing the mass. Always having a smirk on his lips he checked the tent with practiced precision.

    If there is somebody who doesn¡¯t want to be anywhere else then here it is him.

    ¡°Not a problem exactly, commander, but I think we should send scouts on the night trip to know what is out there.¡±

    Coming closer he put his hand on the table with the bread, oil, and dried fruits.

    ¡°So you think it strange too? We haven¡¯t encountered any resistance that would be meaningful, just stragglers. I wonder if the reports of the Empire soldiers mustering near the borders were true.¡±

    ¡°You think the reports we were given were false? Would they send us here without confirming the treat? They had to be sure we are needed here right?¡±

    His smile went away when the implications started surging in his mind.

    ¡°No, the clan leader can¡¯t afford us to just roam around meaninglessly, he had to be sure we are needed here. I just don¡¯t believe the reason the emissary gave us about why we are really here. There is clearly no army of thousands in the field unless they are holed up in the city in which case we have a problem. We are not ready for any kind of longtime siege.¡±

    ¡°So we just continue on, having no idea what we are doing here?¡±

    The men were doing his best not to get frustrated on top of being angry.

    ¡°No, we are going to find out what is out there first, as you suggested. Then we will press on until we reach the city and see what is happening there. We don¡¯t really need to engage them in the fight or siege them, we can go around. We left nothing behind us which could bring us problems.¡±

    Mandar sat down at the table, ready to start his dinner and go sleep.

    ¡°Take a squad of five riders, let them run the perimeter for a quarter of the night of distance.¡±

    As the men started to leave Mandar continued.

    ¡°Double the sentries until we reach the city.¡±Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Understood, commander.¡±

    Chewing down the food, the flap of the tent strained as the lieutenant marched out, taking the uneasiness and anger with him. Relaxing on the wooden chair Mandar swallowed some of the bread with oil, feeling the taste of the battle camp on his tongue. The old bread proved as disgusting as he remembered it and only the sweet oil made it bearable. Wondering at the taste he reached out to take the berries his wife packed before he left.

    His lungs flared with pain as a violent cough stopped him, splashing blood all over the table.

    ¡°What-,¡±

    Grabbing the edge of the table he tried to stand, his knuckles turned white with the grip. Shaking legs prevented him from even raising from the chair as he collapsed. His face hit the table coloring his skin in red of blood and oil before he hit his back on the ground. Steps cough his attention, flexing his hand to rise it, to reach for help, whisper escaped his lips.

    ¡°Help me.¡±

    The short figure of blurred men squatted next to his face. Now seeing the skinny figure Mandar realized it was just a boy. With heavy boots of foot soldiers and gray trousers, with no helmet, his face was blank, no smile, no anger, just curious eyes watching Mandars blood seep out on the rugs.

    His vision blurred and he couldn¡¯t see much more. Feeling his guts contract in pain again his bowels spilled over the sand. As tears forced its way out of his eyes, the only think on Mandar''s mind was the shame, the humiliation.

    Why now, why this fucking way, I should have died on the battlefield, holding my spear. No warrior goes with the Lady, they go by the bloody sword!

    Klaria, I wanted to die in your arms.

    <hr>

    ¡°Fucks like you don¡¯t deserve any help. What did you do when my friends were calling for help?¡±

    Nudging the body with a finger, disappointed sigh escaped his lips.

    ¡°Dead already, guess old men die faster than expected.¡±

    Turning around he exited the tent by the hole in the leather. Slowly going towards the palisades, to the border of the camp.

    ¡°Took your damn time and where is the wine?¡±

    ¡°I told you, I¡¯m going to piss or you wanted some yellow wine?¡±

    Laughing with the others around the fire, Irua sat down next to the men who offered him some game. Throwing him the leather skin with the wine Irua chuckled at the laughter.

    ¡°So what is your story anyway, we more or less know of each other, but nothing of you.¡±

    Chuckling he picked the bowl of hot slop.

    ¡°Well, there is really nothing interesting to say.¡±

    Looking at the men over the fire wondering about the silence Irua realized he isn¡¯t going to get away so easily.

    ¡°I never knew my father, my mother was alone when I was born, she did what she could, we never had much, but I like to think she loved me. She disappeared when I was five, though later I found it wasn¡¯t really her fault, so I¡¯m not angry at her anymore. Others deserve my anger more and I¡¯m going to find them eventually. After I survived in the streets of the city which name I don¡¯t know, I decided to join the army, to serve our Lord and maybe survive long enough to enjoy my time after the service.¡±

    Everyone around them was quietly listening by now, having different expressions ranging from understanding to indifference. The polite way everyone was looking at him ground something in his head in the wrong direction.

    ¡°You fucks wanted to hear it, don¡¯t tell me now that it is not interesting.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you are just as boring as they come. What about your mother, don¡¯t wanna know where she is?¡±

    Staring into the dancing flames as it heated his face Iruas shoulders slumped.

    ¡°It would be nice to know where she is, or what she is doing.¡±

    It is not like I don¡¯t know who she is, a slave in some house of chains. But I wonder if she is still alive, if she suffers, or if she was already put out of her misery.

    ¡°But I don¡¯t have means to seek her out.¡±

    Nodding, the alarm horn sounded over the camp striking everyone out of their rest.

    ¡°For Namrai¡¯s sake, what is it?!¡±

    Turning around captains eyes went wide,

    ¡°It didn¡¯t sound from the edge. It is from the middle of the camp!¡±

    ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we go check what is happening?¡±

    Irua asked turning from the captain to the center.

    ¡°No, we need to maintain the position, if the enemy attacks now, we can¡¯t just let them pass the defenses we set up. Whatever happened in the middle of the camp, will be dealt with a unit designated to that area.¡±

    The camp became like an anthill when someone didn¡¯t pay attention and stepped right inside of it. Fires sprung up, torches started moving from tent to tent, it didn¡¯t take long for the message to spread.

    The commander was dead! Someone murdered the Lord leading the army in his own tent.

    Panic started to set in fast, other commanders were congregating around the main tent. The soldiers become restless, with wild eyes scanning the woods for the enemies. Deep behind the enemy lines without any leader, their options became extremely scarce. The goal of conquering the Empires city started to lose importance and soldiers weren¡¯t deserting by the sheer will of the men put in charge by Mandar himself.

    Knowing his goal was achieved, Irua needed to decide what to do next. Looking in at the running soldiers and fires lighting the whole bank of the river Irua contemplated his options.

    Should I go ahead and scatter now while I have the time? Or stay and see what happens. On the other hand, I probably have a better chance to survive out here if I stay with the group.

    Figuring he could desert the camp at any time, Irua picked up his shield and spear next to him and started after the other soldiers headed for the palisade.

 Q&A

    Hi guys,

    As we are on chapter 30 I have decided to do something like Q&A.

    For the next 48 hours, you can ask in this post any questions about the story/world/ characters and I will do my best to answer them without spoilers.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    If you have suggestions for the story or you think there is something missing I''m open to a discussion.

    I''m mostly trying this one to see if there is an interest in it.

    Hope to see you around!

    (Next: Chapter 31 is scheduled for this Monday)

 Chapter 31

    ¡°Tomorrow, you finally fight! My guess? One of you gets out alive! The rest of you either ends up dead or maimed beyond useless.¡±

    The clean shaved guard stared in their eyes, looking for fear, anxiety, any weaknesses he could find. Wanting to take the last punishment on the recruits before their impending departure from this world. The guard made it a point to never share his name and others didn¡¯t know or dared to share it with the new slaves.

    ¡°But, the master has a different idea. He thinks you can bring him money, honor and perhaps gain some kind of redemption for yourselves. Don¡¯t kid yourself you little shits. The pits aren¡¯t that easy. Most never come out of them after their first time, and those who do, rarely remain the same.¡±

    Pausing and looking into the sky the men continued.

    ¡°But, for the few of those who do, there is an opportunity. Climb high enough in the ranks of the pits, be the best, and make the losers love you. Then you might get the chance to fight in the arena! Among the best warriors, gladiators in this realm. In front of the patrons who have the power, you can¡¯t even dream about.¡±

    <hr>

    Walking the same way Raijen always did for the past month or so, he climbed into his bed. The turmoil of emotions assaulted him, he knew this day would come. Forced into the pits under the arena to fight another trained slave. The tests in the clan were easy, he knew he had the biggest advantage over them all, being reborn has always the greatest benefits at a young age, when the experience is scarce and boys are prone to mistakes.

    But here it is different, these people train with only one goal, to survive. The fact that we are going to the pits and not the arena is making my chances to survive even smaller.

    The most worrisome thing about it is that the only reference to such an environment I have from my old life is the movies. These pits are pure survival, with little to no rules, where men savagely tear each other apart.

    Hours passed before Raijen finally fell asleep, it was the first time no one came to wake them. Fights started around midday, and on a fighting day there was no training for the fighters, so there was little reason to wake them sooner than necessary. Getting into his waistcoat, the only piece of cloth slaves at his stage were allowed to own.

    Raijen decided to grab a meal and meditate. It was a practice he started to do to calm his nerves and bring himself at least some peace of mind. Taking his thoughts inside, instead of focusing on what was to come from the outside madness. Thinking about the incoming fight felt like the best way to stress himself to the point where he would just freeze and die with the first strike.

    Focusing on his breath and feel of the gravel under his feet made his shoulders relax. The iron bars once unbearably cold brought a sense of comfort to his heating body. Raijens heart stopped pumping against his ribs and calmness overtook him as he opened his eyes to the men who came to escort him out of the cell.

    Raijen knew himself, he was seldom stressed-out hours before the big events, the real pressure will settle in just moments before he enters the ring and sees his opponent. Going down the hall he missed the safety of the cell.

    <hr>

    The worst thing was probably the smell. The sweat of people in the hot midday air which didn''t move in the underground spaces under the city made them all nauseous. While the guards and locals looked perfectly comfortable, Raijen¡¯s group looked like they would flip their stomach at any moment.

    Drying blood, and rotting flesh tickled their nose promising gruesome death. Piss and shit with corpses piled on the side, forgotten even before given the chance to make a mark, draw everyone''s attention as they passed next to it.

    The noise was so loud, one couldn¡¯t hear the person next to him, as booming and cheering of merchants, soldiers and other patrons carried from the oval sand rings scattered between the underground stalls and balconies.

    Looking with distaste at the guards next to the rack with the weapons, Raijen contemplated his options. Spears weren''t allowed at the beginning stages of the pit fighting, as there was no space for it in the narrow rings. Raijen remembered his training in the other weapons like swords and axes, but he was nowhere as proficient with them as with the spear and shield.

    So, how in the mist am I supposed to survive against someone with much longer and harder training in swords and short weapons than me?

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    No matter what his option would be, Raijen couldn¡¯t imagine himself walking away from the fight without serious injuries at the very least.

    And from what we were drilled with, for the last month or so, both fighters generally never walk out of the pits at all. One wins and is helped out of the sand and the other is dragged away to that pile of meat.

    Looking down on his palm the rune had the faintest of glows, light yellow with a mist emanating from the scarred flesh. He could tell it was doing something but had no idea what it was. It was clear that no one else could see it, even when he waved his hand in front of the other men, they didn¡¯t give him any reaction other than annoyed looks.

    Focusing on the light glow, Raijens mind started to calm down, his heart stilled and he found himself in a strange state similar to the meditation he did over the long sleepless nights when desperation and fear seemed to overcome all reason. Desperately clinging to that feeling of calmness he let out a long breath

    The guards prompted them again to choose the weapons and prepare for the fight.

    Scanning the racks of tools one more time he saw dozens of weapons in front of him, each telling him the same story of his horrible death at the hands of another man. His eyes eventually fell onto the one thing that he could rationalize the use of. The mace, with the length of his forearm, oval-shaped head with protrusions from it, but no spikes.

    Not ideal, not even close to what I would normally use, but at least maces are easy to handle. I just have to smash my opponent with any part of it and I¡¯ll do damage just fine.

    Looking around he saw other lifting swords, daggers, and axes, but they were too technical for him, expecting too much precision he didn¡¯t have the confidence to execute in the deathmatch. Picking one of the biggest shields he could find, which thanks to his smaller frame would serve almost as a wall Raijen turned around for the rings.

    ¡°Hell no.¡±

    Said the guard immediately.

    ¡°You are not using that slab of wood in here. If you want a shield, go take the aspis.¡±

    ¡°Why can¡¯t I use this?¡±

    Raijen blurted out without even thinking about it.

    Staring at Raijen dumbfounded the grey-haired guard could barely believe someone was talking back to him at this point. Knowing he couldn''t beat the boy up for it here, he took a few steps closer.

    ¡°Because I said so, no one takes these shields into the rings here.¡±

    Narrowing his eyes Raijen wanted to protest, but the guard continued with a little grin.

    ¡°There is no fun in that. And the master wants people to have fun. The more blood on the send the more gold in the pool.¡±

    Pointing to the racks he growled through the thin lips.

    ¡°Leave it here and take something else or go with just that stick. Before I drag you there by my teeth¡±

    Considering him and the shield for a moment Raijen realized there was no way around it. Dropping his shoulders Raijen went to exchange the tower shield for the smaller aspis. He would usually use the smaller kind of shield with the spear, which he couldn¡¯t have here. His mood started to turn from the worst he had in the last months to one where he just wanted to die.

    Nearing one of the sand rings Raijens feet become harder to lift and his legs didn¡¯t want to take another step closer to the rope. Pointing to the ring from which a body was just dragged away the grey men seemed pleased.

    ¡°That one is yours. Don¡¯t die too soon.¡±

    ¡°From the house of Atraga, we have another new meat! A young man brought to us from the borders ravaged by the war. Looking to find his way in the world! Raijen, the slayer!¡±

    Unsure what the hell is he talking about Raijen entered the ring. His skin crawled with the following stares of onlookers, a shiver of coldness ran over his arms and legs. His back stiffened, belly sucked in, Raijen was doing his best not to shake. He could feel his balls shrinking, with the sound of the metal clanking. His entrance was met with booming and occasional cheer from someone finding the situation funny.

    ¡°And his opponent, who has already shown his proves to us once, surviving his first fight, while drawing his first blood. Corg the crawler!¡±

    More cheers were heard from the crowd, from a few funs his previous fight brought.

    ¡°Will he repeat his success today or will the newcomer claim the victory?! The blood will tell!¡±

    The crowd joined the announcer with a single sentence.

    ¡°The blood will tell!¡±

    ¡°Fight!¡±

 Chapter 32

    Holding the shield up from the second the Corg entered the ring Raijen put the mace on the upper edge of the shield. Waiting, judging and remembering every detail Sarca told them in their training.

    As the men in his twenties started to circle the ring Raijen stayed grounded on the spot, keeping the face of the shield aligned with the other man''s body. Angling the shield, he put one of the legs behind the other, turning his body and making himself into a smaller target.

    The man was holding the short sword in his right hand and buckler on his other arm. Realizing Raijen was not moving at all, his eyes widened a bit, unsure of what to do. Unable to decide what to do, short of charging the guy behind the shield. took a step closer.

    There was little reason to move from Raijens spot and give him a chance to strike for a weakens he was looking for.

    ¡°Are you gonna just stand there the whole day?¡±

    Not responding, Raijen stood his ground, waiting for him to get into his striking distance.

    Not like I have something to gain by making this faster or more entertaining for others.

    Hiding his mouth behind the rim of the aspis and glaring at Corg, the crawler finally lost it. Lunging forward aiming for the head, Raijen took a step to the side diverging the blade away. Turning around the slave swung his blade horizontally, the slash connected with the shield. The raw strength of the impact forced the shield closer into Raijens'' body.

    Taking another piercing strike the sword hit the shield again. Raijen turned the shield sideways and swung the mace while jumping back. The maces head connected with the outstretched hand holding the sword knocking it to the side.

    A shout of surprise escaped him as Raijen took two steps forward intending to press the advantage before stopping. Cursing at himself for becoming eager to go for it when he barely did any damage. His opponent''s hand was at best pulsing with little of the pain, at worst he would have just the blue spot on it in a few minutes.

    Stopping himself dead in his advance Raijen stood still again, taking two steps back, luring the men in.

    Blood runs in his wains as anger took over the young man, throwing himself at Raijen smashing the sword into the shield. Raijen took another step back reaching with his hand the men grabbed the rim of the shield, intending to pull it away.

    Taking a step with him Raijen slammed the mace into his shield crushing the fingers. In the pain that followed he dropped the sword and bowed in tears, ramming the knee in his face Raijen brought the mace around caving his side in, breaking ribs and smashing organs, following with shield bash to the face got the brawler on the ground.

    Taking another hit to the man''s leg for safety, Raijen stepped around to finish with a strike into the head. Th sound of skull caving in suddenly broke the silent trance, with the cheers of the public soon following.

    Realizing what just happened Raijen took a step away looking down, unable to stare at the corpse. His breath was heavy, yet he felt strangely energized and sick at the same time.

    ¡°And our new winner is newcomer Raijen! What a surprise, making an enemy think he is sacred, luring him in, only to smash him to pieces.¡±

    Going for the racks Raijen dropped the shield on the sand, fingers letting go of the tight grip on the mace. The heavy metal landed on the face of the shield rolling to the side. Before he could think of what to do next someone grabbed his shoulder.

    Startled, Raijen grabbed the hand on his right shoulder, wrapping his right hand around the elbow he had the man in the lock as he faced the guard. Staring at the fearful eyes Raijen recognized the armor and hurried to release the lock, the guy took an involuntary step back. Surprised at his own reaction he stared at Raijen with murder in his face, yet his eyes had the trace of fear men had when faced with unpredictable animals.

    ¡°What are you doing? Your next fight starts in two bells.¡±

    Not sure he heard him right Raijen mumbled a response.

    ¡°What next fight? It was supposed to be just one today.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but then you killed the guy so easily, master wants you to fight one more.¡±

    Grinning at Raijen with eyes that showed no mirth, but demanded silent obedience the guard pointed next to his leg at the mace. His voice was cold, confident.

    ¡°Pick it up.¡±

    Raijen wanted nothing more than to smash his face in, but new it would be the same as a death wish. Picking the shield from the sand Raijen sat on it, putting the mace over his legs.

    ¡°Come for me when it is time then.¡±

    Raijen closed his eyes in silent protest. Not really caring what the men will do after this.

    He can do nothing to me here, if the master wants me to fight, he can¡¯t risk any punishment.

    Raijen focused on his breath, the need to go and destroy something was growing in him, it was equally scary and intoxicating. Unable to calm down, his eyes fell onto his palm again.

    Deciding to do at least something to occupy his hands Raijen grabbed dagger from the rack, took the shield and put the face of it in front of him, considering the iron dagger for a moment he started to carve the same rune as on his hand into the shield leather as well. To his surprise, or according to the expectation, the lines started to emanate a green glow when finished.

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    Something felt different though, he had no idea what, but the fact that the color of the rune on his hand changed made him nervous. Unable to stop himself Raijen continued to carve one rune after another into the shield, he stopped only when the guard stood in front of him again.

    ¡°It is time. You are in the fourth ring this time.¡±

    Indicating with his head to follow. Raijen looked down at his handiwork, there were over a dozen runes of various sizes but of the same type and light. Grabbing the shield and mace Raijen followed to the fourth circle of death.

    Another one, how many of them died today?

    Passing fresh corpses dragged over the sand Raijen glanced down, sweat broke on his whole body when he recognized one of the faces. Thinking he was the only one from his house who was here today was a mistake. Two of the guys he was training with were now just pieces of meat to be put on the pile. Their empty eyes stared at him, inviting him to join them.

    Snapping back to his current situation Raijen entered the ring just as the other guy was announced. Not caring about the men''s reputation or what he accomplished here.

    It doesn¡¯t matter. He is in the way and there is no other way for me to walk away from here other than over the corpses. Regardless whose they are.

    Facing against him the shield felt strangely lighter compared to before, the mace went to the same position as well, on the rim of the shield. Slightly bent knees distributed the weight evenly for any moves Raijen needed to make. Staring at his opponent Raijen waited, it was always a waiting game of who loses patience first. The biggest difference was in Raijen''s mind, not caring what anyone else had to say. There was no pride or honor in dying and masters made sure everyone understood that over the years of training.

    But his opponent was different, new, inexperienced in the art of the war and murder. Easily swayed by the public, by the promise of fame, without much of training compared to the years of bloody tyranny Raijen went through in the mountains.

    The crowd started booing, demanding more for what they paid. But Raijen stood his ground unmoving, observing and tracking his opponent. The men had a long sword, a blade with a length of over one meter, hefting it in both hands he started closing on Raijen. The guy was huge, bulky muscles contracting under the weight of the metal were covered in the sheen of sweat reflecting the lights of the torches. The heavy smoke of fires in the room burned the lungs and made it harder to move.

    The first strike came fast, vertical slash from over his head. Raijen stepped to the side to avoid it but was cough with a heavy kick into the shield forcing him to step back, getting close to the rope.

    What happens if I step outside of the rope? What is the punishment for desertion?

    His mind reeled to the pile of bodies stacked next to the wall, lying in the pool of bloody sand.

    Bringing the sword around, the blade of the weapon hammered into the side edge of the shield with the men''s full body weight behind it. With the hit Raijen panicked, Raijens eyes went wide as the green glow intensified and the runes flared with impact. Thought his body was forced to move and Raijens hand felt little numb, there wasn¡¯t any real damage.

    That should have either burrowed into the shield or break my arm. I need to pay bloody attention or some fucker like Nahr will take me.

    Staring at the boy in disbelief the crowd was in the stunned silence over the spectacle. Raijen rushed the guy shield first, pointing the blade it was expected to go straight into the shield trying to pierce it. The shield held, the blade bounced off and wrenched itself from the man''s hands as the vibration of the strike immobilized his arms.

    With a heavy grunt, Raijen went for his side, connecting with ribs bringing him on the knees. Holding his belly in pain as blood spilled from his mouth, the fighters'' body bent forward with face going to the ground.

    Taking a step back Raijen looked around on the crowd. The people went wild, cheering and chanting.

    ¡°Death, death, death.¡±

    Fixing his eyes on the kneeling form of now breathing corpse, his hand froze.

    He is desperate, in pain and afraid, knowing full well what is coming, yet unable to do anything about it. Will I really execute him?

    Of course. There is no other way.

    Going around Raijen stood behind him bringing the mace down on his head, spilling the brain over the sand to the delight of the people around. Lowering the shield Raijen stared at the runes for a moment before looking up, spotting master in the balcony looking approvingly and pleased with the outcome.

    What has become of me? Am I really alright with killing another man without so much as little remorse? But he would have killed me too, not thinking about it twice. Was it really that big of a deal in this place, where everyone comes to die or kill? In this world, where everyone lives by the laws of violence and power dominance, can I, or should I resist it?

    Maybe it isn¡¯t wrong, maybe it is expected and quite natural. Who am I to judge them?

    Leaving the corpse behind Raijen wondered what was next to come.

 Chapter 33

    Months have passed, an almost the entire year went by since his first fight. Since the first life has been taken.

    Sitting near the training grounds the grains of sand were falling through the fingers of the brown-haired boy, finding its way back to its brothers on the small hill between his legs. Raijens hands were that of a stranger, rough, calloused and full of blood. Covered so thickly with the liquid life, they could never be washed properly again, even with all the water in the ocean if there was one.

    And apparently, there is only the mist. The purple fucking mist, bringing the world to the state in which it is now. Making people slaves to the wonders around the edge of the world which nobody even understands.

    Raijen was angry, yet his anger seldom influenced him in the peaceful moments outside of the pits.

    Since that day, when he entered the pits for the first time, Raijen counted each body, but eventually, they become too numerous to count. The pile of bodies he left behind was the testament to the savagery of the men and greed of the masters.

    Yet he found it strangely comforting. There wasn¡¯t anything else left, any other moment in his memory when he felt more alive then facing another fighter. He felt intoxicated with what he accomplished over a short time in the Atraga house. Knowing the end is just one step away, one misstep for the blade to penetrate the flesh. Yet it became so far, he just had to convince the other men to take the easy road.

    I¡¯m helping them to find the comfort and resolution in their sorry lives. Their choices are limited, to continue fighting and suffering at the leash of the masters continuously or escape to the better place. Kremmel forgot about them, they won¡¯t get the reward for their struggle, and I doubt their gods even exist.

    Raijen never believed in the gods, he always thought if anything then reincarnation made the most sense, conservation of energy in a way, with the reset of memories at the end of the road. He just never imagined he would be the one where the mistake was made.

    If they do exist though, Nahr might take better care of them once they fell by the sword. Some need more convincing than others, but ultimately all of them decide to end the suffering, and I¡¯m the men at the gate, opening it for them and letting them find the peace.

    They can live with the fear of the ever-approaching death and pain, or I can help them let go and find peace in death. Finding the Lady at the end of the road, about which we all dream in the rare cases of peaceful nights.

    Raijen could hear the steps approaching. It was hard to imagine he would find someone akin to a friend in this place blessed by Namira and forsaken by all others.

    Today is no different, in a few hours another one would face me, looking for a release, and it is my suffering and duty to deliver him safely to the other side.

    ¡°So today you fight the champion.¡±

    Looking up Janus was standing there, one of the guys who survived long enough to gain some sort of respect and recognition from master and other slaves.

    We might be calling ourselves fighters or warriors, but in the end, we are just slaves, enslaved in order to entertain others. There is no glory or pride in being the slave, but in the illusion of freedom of the pits or arena is all the fame in the world.

    There is no higher status, that slaves like us can attain. So nobody cares about it is just a lie, we tell it to ourselves and after enough time we start believing it as well.

    ¡°I heard, when you become the champion, you can choose to move to the arena, or remain in the pits.¡±

    Sitting next to Raijen, Janus put his hands on his knees, position Raijen recognized as one for the meditation.

    ¡°Guess there isn¡¯t much doubt in where you want to go after this.¡±

    ¡°You sound like it is clear that I will win.¡±

    Grin spread on Raijens face without control. There weren¡¯t that many guys who knew how to massage one''s ego and improve self-esteem and even less of them who went out of their way to do it for others. It was one of the reasons why everyone liked him and it was Januss way of surviving.

    Scratching people''s asses was always a way how to go about it here I guess.

    Raijen didn¡¯t like the men, the way he decided to live his life, but he was unable to bring himself to hate him. As his way of surviving was spilling other people''s blood over the sand for the pleasure of others and attaining his own goals.

    Looking at Raijen with raised brows he frowned.

    ¡°Sounds like you doubt yourself. You didn''t lose a fight in the last ten months, if you lose now, you will die. Seems like you have added some more of them recently.¡±

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    Pointing to Raijens tattoos he started to look at them more carefully. Janus was always fascinated with the shapes, never fully understanding what they mean, but never giving up the game of finding out their meaning.

    ¡°I think I figured it out this time. They are not from your old house of chains, or clan from which you came. They don¡¯t remind you of your family or lost ones. And I know you don¡¯t believe in gods even when you speak their names. But, they look kind of nice, they are just for intimidation, to make you look better in the pits.¡±

    Rising his brows expectantly Janus stared at Raijen almost without blinking.

    Raising his hand Raijen focused on the first rune he engraved into his palm years ago in his training as Vulture. The first time was the worst, by cutting the flesh and scarring the skin repeatedly, the skin stopped healing eventually. Learning how deep he could cut so the hand wouldn¡¯t be useless in the following fights and making the scar permanent was one bloody adventure he didn¡¯t want to think about again.

    Since the day he found that the runes didn¡¯t just glow, but they had some benefits to them as well he started to put them on his weapons, shields, armor, and skin. It took a long time to gauge the difference, but certain patterns and colors gave him an advantage.

    Blood and pain in exchange for an edge that one might not even notice. Or has to kill dozens of innocent in order to figure it out.

    At some point, when offered, he asked for a reward, the materials for making tattoos. Going all out on his arms, shoulders and with some help even on his shoulder blades on the back. Thought after a certain number, there seemed to be a limit to how much he could power himself.

    His body was stronger, lifting weights he wasn¡¯t supposed to lift, usually, nobody could tell the difference. All thought he was just extraordinarily talented or gifted with a strong body. Only years of weight training and scarce memories of muscle functions from the old world allowed him to know when he was breaking the limits of his muscles.

    When his recovery became much faster, scarily so, allowing him to overtrain, again and again, only to wake up in the morning with just a residue soreness in his muscles, Raijen took full advantage of it. Spending every waking hour lifting bags of sand, stones, and wooden poles. Running hundreds of kilometers and sprinting thousands of times from one side of the compound to the other.

    Other fighters tried to copy his style, following his steps. A small smile appeared on Raijens lips at the memory of men running with him only to give up after a couple of weeks.

    His skin became harder to pierce, and he took less damage on impact. Even his reaction speed increased slightly.

    The strangest thing was that no one could see them glow, only him. And the more he trained the darker the glow got, different symbols emanated different colors. The green, yellow, orange and blue mists were emanating further and further from his body, mixing and creating whirl around his hands and shoulders making him look ethereal.

    Raijen was glad that the color lights only gloved when his body was under the massive strain of the training or when wielding the steel in the rings of rope. Otherwise, they were translucent with a softly colored mist coming off of them.

    As gaining too much power too fast would draw attention that he couldn''t afford and because seventeen-year-old boy slaughtering his way through the pits undefeated already put a target big enough on his back to make everyone eager to rip his head off with their bare hands.

    Raijen forced himself into the grueling regiment of lifting weights, running, hitting targets and weapon practice with older slaves. He was doing things his mind remembered from the old memories, that no one else seemed to do. But the difference was clear, gaining weight and strength at the rate that even he didn¡¯t expect.

    Now he was almost ninety kilos of muscle mass. Hitting growing streak around seventeen years in this body he was well on his way to one ninety centimeters by his estimation.

    No idea who my father was, but I¡¯m kind of thankful for the genes.

    ¡°It is something one of the girls shoved me in the place I have grown up. Apparently, they represent different aspects of life.¡±

    Looking unconvinced Janus watched him skeptically.

    ¡°And they are kind of cool.¡±

    Laughing Raijen patted him on the shoulder.

    Shaking his head Janus looked on the training grounds, finding his next target.

    ¡°Don¡¯t die today Raijen, would be a shame to see your corpse on the pile with the first-timers.¡±

    Getting up he left Raijen alone.

    The fate of defeated, your first time or your hundredth time, doesn¡¯t matter. You end up in the same place, forgotten on the pile of carcasses.

 Chapter 34

    Basking in the sun was something Raijen learned to appreciate more with each time underground. As the sun passed it is a crest, two soldiers come to escort him to the place where he could probably find his way even blinded.

    ¡°There are more people than usual.¡±

    Looking around he could almost see the wooden rails strain under the pressure of bodies, the place was packed. Few regulars he learned to recognize as they attended most of his fights and were betting on him heavily. Sometimes he wondered what are the odds against him. They were in the first rows, the hardest to get to, usually requiring the men to be under the ground from the beginning of the fights.

    It felt strange for Raijen when he first found himself giving them more of a show, but over the time he learned to enjoy it. There was something to be said for the benefit of the momentum, intimidating his opponents with his reputation and savagery gave him another edge he couldn¡¯t deny nor explain.

    The enjoyment he felt when the rush of blood hit, with the final blow splitting the skulls of the men made his heart beat faster. He was scared of it, of how it changed him, shaped him, took control of him, but like with any drugs he always came back for more.

    But today something felt different, the air was staler, the stench of the unwashed bodies permeated the whole premise, tickling his nose. His eyes almost watered from it all and if he wasn¡¯t so used to it, he would have started to shake.

    Picking his spear and aspis Raijen was led to the biggest ring situated under the four cages, guarding the soul of the champion. The cages were decorated with skeletons inside of them in different stages of rotting, and with four distinct ways of decorations and clothing. Raijen wasn¡¯t sure if they were representing the four world directions, paths of life or some gods looking over the arena.

    Someone once told him a story about how the bodies never rot over their current stage and always remain the same. He couldn¡¯t tell the difference, but some poor men changing the corpses, which they never lacked, every few months seemed more reasonable.

    They were probably just skeletons of poor men dying in the rings, without ever making it above the ground. Which is, in a way, more of an accomplishment compared to the others.

    The stories say that the arena above the pits is not for the pit fighters. They can¡¯t thrive under the sunshine, it burns them to the bones, makes them whiter, more brittle to breaking.

    The darkness of the underworld is where we fight, live and die.

    Looking at the cage above him Raijen could see one of the bony legs sticking out, pointing to the black sand.

    That isn¡¯t me, I will see the arena.

    Some things changed over time, he was allowed to use the spear for one. Entering the bigger rings meant more space, room for more sophisticated fights bringing the best from the slaves. Donning basic armor consisting of cauldron and shin guards allowed fewer injuries for the winner, which kept them alive and in the battle condition longer.

    His spear hand had full hand armor, from the glow, bracer to the shoulder guard. They weren¡¯t allowed to wear helmets as spectators wanted to see their heads. Raijen was guessing they just felt some kind of satisfaction from watching the despair and the pain on the faces of dying men.

    The pleasures of the lower men are more powerful than those of the higher lords. Theirs get more savage, primal in nature as they don¡¯t know any better.

    Raijen hated the look in the eyes of the men he took the life from. Even if he knew they were better off dead, and he said it to himself over and over again. The sour taste in his mouth when he pulled the spear out of the bodies never disappeared even when masked by the metallic taste of the blood.

    The current champion won his way up around two months ago and decided to stay in the pits.

    Not moving to the arena was probably the smart decision for him. Here aren¡¯t many who could challenge him, enjoying the basic pleasures of life and flesh.

    Raijen remembered the stories from the guards. When people move into the arena they start pretty much from the bottom, the same as the first time in the underworld. Only the odds of survival are somehow worse, even if the masters try to make deals to keep their slaves alive. Since not everyone gets to have gladiators in the arena and the prestige connected with it. The established competitors in the above don¡¯t care

    But nobody stays champion for too long here, there are just too many slaves going around, and the body grows old fast here.

    Using two short swords the champion was famed for his speed and agility. Cutting his opponent''s hands and legs drawing the blood, draining the strength and blood from them until they could no longer move. He wasn¡¯t that big, probably half a head shorter then Raijen. Lean muscle covered his body, protected by the full leather armor without sleeves. Sporting heavy boots with spiked shin guards.

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    He is probably a kicker as well.

    ¡°Today is a very special day ladies and gentlemen!¡±

    Announcer stood in the middle of the ring addressing all of the people around, silencing them at the same time. After all of this time, Raijen felt at easy, standing, waiting for him to finish the same speech over and over again.

    ¡°The current champion finally found the challenger! And it is no one but the men who you all know as the men who are immovable, unpenetrable, like the wall itself! Man who refuses to kill in a fun way, yet still finds a way to make it entertaining! Raijen the Mountain!¡±

    Raising his hand with the spear cheers erupted from all over the place on Raijens'' side of the ring. The sound of his name made his legs tingling in anticipation.

    ¡°The current champion! The man who is the fastest we have ever seen, the man who makes it look so easy, as he slowly puls apart any opponents standing against him! Harridan the dark blood!¡±

    The cheers and yells came from all over the underground compound. The men, women and even the children were cheering, shouting and betting. The place was full of tension, full of death. Clenched expectations and emotions waiting to be released in the wake of the battle.

    Raijen was wearing the shoulder guards intentionally, so none of his tattoos were visible. But he could still see the mist leaking through the cracks of the armor, covering his forearms. Standing in the ring he put the shield up and leveled the spear over the rim. With his body getting bigger, he could use the aspis much better, faster and the whole style become more versatile.

    Harridan held the swords loose along his body, standing still, staring Raijen down. As the bell rang he started to circle to the left side, Raijen stayed as always on his spot, just adjusting the angle of the shield and spear. Knowing that eventually, his opponent would get too close to avoid the fight.

    Lifting both of the swords the champion knew there wasn¡¯t space for fucking around advancing on Raijen or trying to intimidate him. Preparing the blades for a strike, Raijen lunged the spear forward with a half step. Diverging the head of the spear with both swords he stepped to the side. Raijen retracted the spear immediately, preparing for the next stab.

    This continued for a few seconds, taking fast stabs with the spear, him blocking them and then Raijen stepping out of the reach, walking in a counter circle, while going for another stab. () become slowly frustrated, no matter what, he couldn¡¯t get any closer, and if he managed to get close enough the only thing he could hit was the face of the shield.

    Lowering his body the men rushed forward. Raijen retracted the spear all the way back so just the point of it was still laying on the rim of the aspis. Anticipation building, he finally got close enough to make a strike into the shield while at the same time going for the legs, but Raijen was already too far behind the shield. Diverting another sword strike to the side he took a fast, short stab with the spear on his torso.

    Startled with the speed and not expecting the reach of the spear Raijen pierced a hole in his hip.

    So the guy was correct. He never faced against the spear, or anything bigger than the two-handed middle sword.

    No wonder really, spears aren¡¯t that popular here and no one really uses them. And not having experience against it, there is no way he could effectively close the distance on me, if I don''t let him.

    Starting to methodically force the champion back to the edge of the ring, the injuries started to increase, his side was heavily bleeding. Slowing him down and making it easier for Raijen to take fast hits with the spear poking holes into the flesh.

    When Raijen found himself too close to his opponent allowing him to hit the shield, he bashed his body or face with the shield. At some point, Raijen forgot if he was careful not to overextend or if he was intentionally prolonging the men''s suffering for being stupid. But it didn¡¯t matter, eventually, he was unable to hold his blades up. The spear stroke true into his torso, the second strike went under the neck, forcing him to leave this wretched place.

    Raijens hands were burning, his lungs and chest were heavy and his legs stubbornly held him up. He let go of the weapons and screamed into the sky beyond the rotting roof, announcing himself to the world.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming! And no one can stop me!¡°

    The crowd went wild, breaking into shouts and mass of sounds indistinguishable from one another.

    Turning to leave Raijen spotted the master clapping to him, looking in his eyes with a smile of promise. The promise of possibilities lying beyond his imagination. Today they both got what they wanted. Raijen had his pass from this hellish place and the master had a champion admitted to the ranks of gladiators. Wondering what his life would look like, one thing was clear.

    It would be much better from now on, no matter what is out there in the sunny world.

 Chapter 35

    The women''s bare feet dragged over the gravel as she entered the city. The newest master, who bought her four months ago was supposed to be average, not too cruel, but not overly nice to his slaves as well. He was running one of the houses of chains in the Merqes, supposedly for the sake of fighting pits and there was never a lack of place for a female slave.

    Finally.

    She could feel her shoulders relaxing, looking at the houses made of stone with masons working the workshops and bakers putting up the fresh morning bread. Her hair was touching her thin shoulders, over the years of changing the Houses of Chains, she found the perfect length to keep it attractive while not spending too much time on keeping it straight.

    She saw many cities, but none were so close to the border of the former Ferelis clan. She was warned repeatedly not to go, not to let herself be resold to such a place.

    Her skin lost the pale color she had from the years in the darkroom where she was taken from her child. Cisley¡¯s hands were scarred from the years of work. Her age shoved around her eyes and forehead. She exchanged her youth for experience and her innocence for ruthlessness.

    Taking a deep breath she smelled the sweat and fear on the other girls around her. Cisley was shaking as well, not from fear, but excitement.

    Ten years. I was looking for you for such a long time and finally, I¡¯m here. Raijen, will you remember me?

    Looking up she saw a wooden gate opening in front of them as they were all led into a long corridor with torches making the air thick with the smoke. She would not even notice the change in the air was it not for the coughs of the girl in front of her.

    He won¡¯t recognize me, will he?

    Feeling her back slump she forced her body to straighten up.

    It doesn¡¯t matter, I will find him, I promised I will. Tolerai, I will keep our promise, I will find our son and make him free.

    The process was always the same, the houses of chains varied slightly, but Cisley remembered all of the main points. The principles by which these people chose the positions for the new slaves remained the same. Over the years Cisley knew what to do, how to be picked for specific positions, to be selected by mistresses or masters for their convenience.

    This time was no different, yet it was one of the most difficult and uncertain positions she tried for. She spent years upon years looking for this place, where her son was taken to. Now she was here, and she couldn''t wait to finally see the boy she was forced to leave behind ten years ago. The pressure and anxiety made her belly contract, her heart beat faster and sweat broke over her back as the lady of the house walked in front of them, judging.

    Cisley hated it, leaving her fate and circumstances be always dictated by others. They weren¡¯t that much different from her, she was born in higher circles as well. The mistress could be as easily in the line to wait to be selected as any of them. Yet the Mowri decided to take Cisley under his watch instead of the women in the silk robes.

    ¡°How old is this one?¡±

    Stopping in front of her, Cisley glanced up and met the ladies'' eyes. Lingering for few more seconds, she didn¡¯t smile, didn¡¯t flatter.

    She is not looking for that kind of thing here.

    Taking a step back, Cisley aligned her feet, one behind the other in one line, her right hand grasped the left as she bowed her whole body.

    ¡°I¡¯m thirty-four, from the south, mistress.¡±

    Finishing the bow she straightened her back but kept her head lowered looking on her feet. She braced her body for a hit from one of the guards, fortunately, it never came. Everyone was stunned by her gesture and even more so by the fact that she dared to speak without being asked.

    There was a gleam in the eyes of the lady of the house, she was not used to such a behavior in all her years. But with the silver entering her hair she sometimes wondered if she could find someone who would be a little challenging.

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    Cisley knew this part was mostly about making impressions and showing how one could withstand the pressure and pain. The mistress might choose one of the new girls into her personal service for training, but that was very rare at this stage. She would need to show more, prove herself first, but there were ways how to improve her chances. As the mistress continued looking at others Cisley let out a slow breath of relief.

    At worst cleaning the pots and cooking in the house, at best carrying the wine and food into the main house.

    Claria mussed as they were all evaluated and send into the common baths to be cleaned and prepared for their work. The testing never ended, and it started even before she was purchased. Claria learned over the years the precision and intrigue put into how people selected their best slaves. Especially the bigger houses, not every house had the title of chains, but Atraga did. Producing the best products, while offering the biggest opportunities for those who were smart enough to catch them.

    Cisley passed her peak a long time ago and knew that with more time her appearance would suffer, her body would grow old, her face loses its beauty and men eventually stop being interested in having her around. In this world that meant death in the mines or being sold to one of the brothels, her body shuddered just thinking about it.

    But there is still time, I still have time to gain status, to be recognized as a trusted ally to the mistress.

    Looking at her breasts and belly she remembered the reason why she was here. What she had to do sway the favors of guards and masters to position herself in a place where she could send one of the biggest remaining cities near the borders. And it was all for her son, for Tolerais son.

    Finished washing her hair she walked out of the water with shoulders pushed back. Cisley noticed the benches with herbs and bottles near the doors and went towards one of them. Drying her wet skin she smelled the flowers, blue Nara flowers, and yellow Mor grass.

    The colors of the house are important, the symbols smell of the flowers.

    Picking one of the perfumes with the yellow leaf on the glass she flipped the bottle on her fingers, carefully smearing the soft fragrance on her neck, behind the ears, and on the forearms.

    The way you walk, the way you talk and the smell are the most important parts. Everyone is watching, from the guards at the gates to the younger serving girls holding the towels who are longest in their service.

    Walking out of the room she waited for the rest of the new arrivals to finish. Sitting down she put her hands into her lap, pressing her left calf to the front of her right leg. Cisley knew they were watching, and she knew there was no space for mistakes. Every new girl who wanted to be in the service of high houses of the clans was expected to learn and come prepared. The mistresses didn¡¯t look for naive or innocence, they looked for the best to advance the status of their house.

    The Houses of Chains was little different, the women in charge wanted their men''s status to advance and did their best to look for talent between the servant which could help the perception. If one presented itself they would take it, regardless of the origin, as their arrogance didn¡¯t allow them to look at the servant as anything more then slaves.

    Cisley spent the last decade polishing every gesture, every step she took in order to get the one chance she wanted, needed when the time came.

    That time is now, I can¡¯t afford to be sold away or assigned to a low position between the common servants. My son is here, I don¡¯t know where or what does he look like, but he has to be here.

    Rising from her seat as everyone finished Cisley followed them out.

 Announcement

    Hello guys,

    I would like to apologize for letting you hang for 6 months with no new chapter.

    To be honest I run into that trap I should have seen coming, but didn''t realize (probably the same as most of the new writers here) that I was already in it.

    I wanted to write a 120 000 words book, the first book of a trilogy as my first ever attempt to actually finish a story. Turns out, it''s not going to happen as I struggled with certain parts in the middle of the book that felt just too boring/generic or just uninteresting to me to write in here.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    And if I don''t enjoy to write it, I imagine you would not enjoy to read it.

    So as my first book, I''m going to rewrite the Rebirth of the Fallen into a shorter book of around 70-80 000 words, which I feel confident actually finishing. After that, I can continue with more arcs, other characters and expand this story into something epic.

    Looking forward to having you on for the ride and hope you enjoy it.

    See you soon