Chapter 6: Outcasts Under Stone
"I shall fix us all some breakfast," Dameon said. "That is--if the Dar fiend will permit me the freedom to do so."
"I won't let you out of my sight," Theodus said.
"Let him cook breakfast," Kelden said. "Meanwhile, I can concentrate on healing. Just keep an eye on him."
Theodus sighed. "I suppose, if only for your sake."
While Dameon prepared breakfast under Theodus' watchful gaze, Kelden channeled his sorcery into his wounds. The smell of cooking stew drifted through the cave, reminding Kelden of the comforts of Valganleer.
Finally Dameon returned. "Come, the stew is nearly done. I want to let your friend loose, but he looks to be an angry one. He views me as a tormentor and probably thinks I'm in league with the seers. I'll need your help to keep him calm."
Kelden rose, groaning as his neck and head throbbed with pain. They followed Dameon and entered a short tunnel that led to a larger cavern that was well furnished--but strangely so. Instead of the usual wood or stone chairs Kelden was accustomed to seeing, these were brightly colored, smooth ones made of a lightweight material he could not identify. At the room's center was a rectangular wooden table, prepared for a meal. The stew sat simmering on an iron stove with a square metal box where the chimney should have been. A shaggy red carpet, crudely cut, covered much of the floor. The chamber was lit by a metal lantern that sat on the table. The lantern displayed odd symbols and had a smooth, seamless look that made it unlike any lantern Kelden had ever seen. A large bookcase stood against one wall, displaying books with shiny blue covers. More steel drums stood in the corners, along with iron pots and pans.
Near one wall was what appeared to be a man made of gleaming metal, correctly proportioned, with two orange, bulbous eyes. It was seated on the floor, its back to the wall. Its head was cocked to one side, one arm tucked behind its back. Though it had no mouth or nose, and seemed to be nothing more than an elaborate sculpture, something about it made it appear strangely lifelike. Chills crept over Kelden. Theodus stared at the metal man disdainfully--as if he knew something about it Kelden did not--as they walked past and entered another tunnel.
This one branched off into two, and they went left. They soon found themselves walking in darkness, and Kelden tried to keep pace with the others while stepping very carefully along. They soon entered a torch-lit room littered with metallic objects. Tools lay everywhere, and black and grey cords crisscrossed the floor. Kelden could make little sense of most of the objects, though he assumed by their strangeness they were bits of the Halstarion technology Theodus had mentioned. Kelden had always imagined such devices would be awe inspiring, yet what he saw in this room looked like a bunch of junk, some of it badly rusted.
Thayan lay chained to a metal table. He regarded them with shock in his eyes--especially when he saw Kelden, whom he obviously recognized even though the two had never spoken to each other. His long black hair hung in tangles, his face darkened by stubble. His pale skin contrasted his bright blue eyes. Kelden could not recall having noticed him in detail before, but that was mainly because Kelden usually walked with his head bowed whenever he passed Ulden students in the halls. Thayan appeared hopeful yet guarded, ready to retreat inside himself should more torture come his way.
"How are you today?" Dameon asked him.
"Hungry and thirsty," Thayan said.
"The stew is nearly done," Kelden said. "And I'm sure our friend has some water he might spare."
"His food and drink are probably poisoned," Thayan said. "After all, what kind of man would keep me chained here like an animal?"
"I understand your anger," said Dameon. "It was necessary for my own safety, but now I can let you loose. I have an explanation for you, and so does Kelden. We can talk over breakfast. We can learn to be friends. We may have much in common, you and I--something I should have realized from the start."
Thayan's expression softened. "Then let's eat," he said, smiling. It was a fake smile, a mask hiding dark thoughts Kelden couldn't fathom.
The Curse of Credesar, Part 1 Page 11
