by Alan Mundle
As for Dentin and me, we have been appointed to leave our old employment and join the other Nobles in the ruling of the city. I have a place among the Noble Scholars deciding the future of education in our fair land, while Dentin has joined the Merchants, controlling the wealth of all trading, so he is happily being in his element and sends both his thanks and his love.
When they are not lavishing over our new gold or arranging marriages, your Mothers are also making the best of things. Anessa is planning a celebration for your return and trying to arrange a chest full of things to be sent to make your time in the prison more bearable. Jisara's has had an offer to accept a position as a Healer at Blue Water Sanctum. Only the best of our Nation's Healers get invited to practice there, and she took such joy at telling those slave drivers at the hospice to go to the Void.
The most unbelievable part of what has happened is that the whole family have received a personal invitation from the Empress to dine with her in the Royal palace in Mordabinn! I think it was the only time in their lives that your Mothers and sisters have been completely silent. After Dentin and I finally pulled them free for their catatonic stupor, all of them proceeded to their slumber rooms and plundered their coverings for hours until they all declared that neither they or us males had anything suitable to wear for the occasion. Your Second Father and I are more than content to let them handle the situation, and I'm sure I can expect an outrageous bill from a Merchant soon. Etarin is putting himself and the rest of your brothers through their paces in the training yard, should they have to demonstrate their prowess with a blade. Hopefully, some of them will still live by the time we get to Mordabinn.
Of course, all of us think of you during this time and only wish to hear from you, to tell us that you are safe and are as happy as we are. I sit here at your old desk in my study and think back to the little Dwarfling that tried so hard to get in here is now the talk of the city and soon the world. But Torbin, it doesn't take a great Scholar to work out that whatever you're doing is so vital that the price of failure will be high. Be careful my son, and for Sapphire's sake, write to me!
Your very expected First Father.'
Torbin knew as he finished rereading the message that his First Father was right, as usual. Things could just as quickly go wrong for both him and his family if he fails. He was faced with the most horrible choice. To comply with the Empire and hope they send him home with his new position and lover. Or do what was right and condemn himself and all he loved to almost certain death.
He could hear the sound of someone coming. He put the gauntlet back on quickly, resealed and activated. He looked round to see who it was, but he suspected as much. From Soraba's stance, she was in a towering mood. 'I know you're still the Commander, but what in Sapphire's name were you thinking?'
'I didn't want to wake you,' Torbin said. 'I couldn't sleep.'
'So you went for a stroll out here? I was worried sick when I woke up, and you were gone!'
'I should have left a note, I'm sorry.'
Soraba calmed down, put her axe down and sat beside Torbin. 'What's wrong? Is it me?'
'No. Your the only thing that seems right at the moment.'
'So… what?'
Torbin had to really think before he answered. 'I feel like everything else is going wrong.'
'You're under great pressure. It wasn't too long ago that all you had to worry about was melting tunnels.' Soraba put her arm around his shoulders. 'What do you want to do about it?'
'I don't know why, but I want to set the thing free. I'd be in so much trouble, but I know I'm right. What do you think?'
'I think your right about everything. You right about setting it free and about having more trouble that you know what to do with. If you go against the Empire, they will take your family out of their new luxury and throw them to the lava rivers of Mordabinn. I know it's hard, but you have others to think about too. I know I don't want to see you lose everything.'
Torbin knew Soraba was right. The last thing he desired was to lose their newfound love... even though it meant doing the wrong thing. His family was now tight in the Empire's embrace, a pleasure that would quickly become lethal in a matter of seconds. So he would be the obedient Dwarf and play by the rules. But he knew it was wrong. Soraba got up to her feet and held a hand out to Torbin.
'Come on, we're both up now. Let's find some food.'
'In a minute. The suns are about to come up. I have always wanted to come up here and watch them rise. Stay here and watch with me.'
'I obey.'
Torbin took Soraba's hand. They sat there, watching the horizon. Rays from the first sun were about to burst over the landscape. The moment made both of them gasp. Torbin had seen a sunrise before back home, but few Dwarves had seen one over the tundra they resided in. The white surface exploded with colour like its own sun. Both Dwarves had to adjust their visor filters a little, but the sight was nothing short of incredible. At that moment, it was difficult to understand that he lived in a place that was feared and shunned by all of his people. Torbin quickly looked to the towers and saw the guards watching the spectacle too. All except the ones by the main gate.
Torbin stood up to get a better view of what these guards were looking at. Far in the distance, a train was speeding up the track. Torbin thought this was odd, as the next shipment wasn't due for another four hours at least. He went back over to Soraba and shook her out of her besotted trance.
'Get up,' he said. 'Something's wrong.'
They made their way to the station. The train came into the platform when they arrived. The Dwarves stood there for a moment, watching it, no signs of movement. Then the doors opened.
Black Warriors spilt out of it fast, filling the platform. Seeing Soraba standing there with an axe, they ran up and overpowered her onto the floor. Torbin activated his blades, parried a blow to his head and struck back, knocking the two Warriors that took down Soraba off their feet. Soraba quickly got up, taking down another two Warriors. The station guards mobilised, entering the fray, forming a protective circle around Torbin and Soraba. Scores of black Warriors continued to pour from the train. Torbin and the guards managed to take down three more of the invaders before finally being surrounded.
'STOP!'
A voice sounded over the train. The black Warriors stood their ground. Torbin was gasping for air, his head scrambling to catch up. The invaders were clearly of the First Battalion. He couldn't believe that the Empire would attack him. But before he could think on it, another figure appeared from the train. Torbin could see from a distance that it was a female from the shape of the gold-plated Rune armour. She came closer, and Torbin could see the emblems on her breastplate. Soraba had clearly seen them too, gasping at the sight of the Imperial crest of a Regent. Torbin and all the guards kneeled. The Regent walked through a parted path toward the group with her First Warriors flanking her in battle formation.
'We seek Torbin, Son of Rafarin, Commander of this facility.'
Torbin, taking a breath, stood up from the ground. 'I am he, my Regent.'
The Regent's head snapped to him and lifted a pointed gauntlet in his direction. 'First, seize him!'
The nearest black Warriors moved through the guards and arrested Torbin, clapping his gauntlets in irons. 'My Regent, please, what have I done to offend the Empress?'
'Your crimes will be answered, Commander. But first, we would have you lead us into your facility.'
'My Regent,' spoke Soraba, 'you would have our Commander escort an Imperial company into his facility in chains?'
The Regent nodded to her closest Warrior, who moved to Soraba and drove the butt of his sword into the guardswoman's stomach. Soraba doubled over, and Torbin felt a white flash of anger build in himself.
'Rats like you don't speak until spoken to. Clearly, the Commander is unable to discipline his Dwarves. Yet another reason he is being removed from his position.'
Torbin felt the blood in his face drain away. He had lost it all. In
mere seconds, the Regent had damned him and his family. The only good thing he had left was gasping for breath, barely able to stand.
'Lead on now, Dwarf.'
But Torbin was determined not to give up. It took a lot of strength, but he found his voice and tried his best to sound defiant. 'My Regent, I demand to know what crimes I have committed. You now enter a facility controlled by Dwarves loyal to me, and unless you want a fight on your hands, you will unbind me and explain!'
The Regent was silent. Apparently, no one had ever spoken to her like this in her whole life. Torbin doubted if any Dwarf had ever talked to a Regent like that before. She took her sword and held it close to Torbin's neck guard. 'How dare you? HOW DARE YOU? You insult the Gods and me by speaking such blasphemy! What in Tridas makes you think I will not end you right here?'
'For the same reason you came here! I have the creature under my guard, protected by Warriors of the First that are loyal to me!'
'And they will be put to death instantly! Defying the commands of a Lord of the Empire and not sacrificing themselves upon their defection. They are no longer of the First Battalion, I tell you! They, like you, are damned!'
'Do you know why this placed is called Void Prison, my Regent?' Canara starred at Torbin. 'We are removed from the mainland, cut off from the world. If you force the issue, there will be a battle and the Empire will be none the wiser for what happened here.' You may have many Warriors, but you know little of this place. I promise you, you will regret a fight.'
Canara shook her head back and forth. She was both at a complete loss and a towering rage. 'How? How can you dare to speak to me like this?'
Torbin could hear the shock and a little fear in her voice. 'You have taken all from me, and I have little left to lose. Sapphire herself gives me courage for all the deeds I have done in this place. So you will heed me, Regent!'
There was stunned silence. Even the First, who were supposed to be devoid of all emotion, seemed a little disturbed. The Regent held her fighting stance, immobile, considering the weight of Torbin’s words. Finally, she started to lower her sword.
'And what will happen now, Dwarf?' asked the Regent.
'My name is Torbin, Son of the Noble Rafarin, Commander of Void Prison. And I propose we start again. I will escort you to the facility and afford you the courtesy a Regent and her company deserves and we will talk business. We will talk of the creature and what to do with it, and we will sort out our differences with honour.'
The Regent didn't say anything. She stood quietly, considering her options. Finally, she sheathed her sword. 'Warriors stand down and release the prisoners. I will play your game, Commander. But I promise you, the first sign of betrayal, I will destroy you.'
'And you have my word, Regent, that if you don't raise arms against my Dwarves and me, you will be safe.'
Torbin could tell she wasn't going to accept this. He was aware of the 'game' she spoke of and knew she had no intention of playing fair. He knew her type. She had a job to do and wouldn't let him get in her way. His job now was to prove himself beyond all doubt so that even a Regent could not stop him.
*****
Torbin managed to send an advanced warning to the facility before his arrival with the Regent. All available team members and guards stood at the front gate in support of their Commander. Good, thought Torbin. He needed to back up his claim to authority. The Regent also saw this display.
'Most impressive, Commander. I thought your claims of authority over your people to be nothing but the desperate move of a dead Dwarf.'
Her remark was full of venom, admiration and fear. Though Torbin could sense her uncertainty. Unless she could counter him in some way and soon, she would start getting desperate, which meant trouble.
Tenabin was standing at the front of the crowd with Forin. Torbin looked for the Professor, but she was nowhere to be seen. The Commander put it down to armour set-up, a practice she hadn't improved upon during her short time at the prison. He stood in the middle of the two groups and addressed his people. 'We are honoured with a visit from a Regent of the Empire.' At Torbin's words, many of the expedition started to bow to the Regent until he quickly cut them off. 'Her visit with her company of the First will aid us in the matter concerning the Griftin. Pay her all due courtesy on her visit, as I know you will.'
The Regent came forward from his side. Torbin could see Tenabin looking at Soraba, who was still in a sorry state, then looked back to his Commander. A moment of eye contact told Tenabin precisely what was going on, as the older Dwarf tightened his grip on his side axe. 'I am Regent Canara. I have been sent here by the Empress to take charge of what has become a delicate matter for the security of all our people.' The expedition members were shocked, looking to Torbin for guidance. This did not go unnoticed by the Regent. 'However,' she continued, 'it is clear to me that progress here is only possible with the cooperation of those present. Despite better judgment, Commander Torbin will retain his command in conjunction with myself.' Canara chose every word carefully and quickly to inflict the most damage possible. Torbin and Tenabin knew this, both seething with fury. 'Go about your work,' Canara said. 'No doubt you will receive new instructions from your Commander soon.'
Torbin stepped up at her words. 'Do as she says, my friends. Sapphire go with you.'
The company moved back into the facility. When they had all entered, Torbin escorted the Regent's Dwarves inside. Their new complement in the facility required another reshuffle of living space. Torbin, as a sign of good faith, gave up the Command Cabin to the Regent and moved in with Soraba. He and Forin spent time making sure that there was nothing left inside it that could betray his actions, official or otherwise. The quarters of a guard were cramped, but it was the last thing on Torbin's mind. While grateful to his love for putting up with him, the Commander had only one thing on his mind. His family. His First Father's last words to him kept echoing in his mind. If they were not already on their way to Mordabinn, they soon would be but not at the invitation of the Empress.
Dwarves from Canara's legion of the First came to escort him to the Command Cabin at the Regent's insistence. Torbin conceded, but it was the last gesture he would make to show his cooperation. Both he and Soraba went with the First. The two lovers went everywhere together now, Soraba not daring to leave anything to chance, afraid that Canara would attempt an assassination. Torbin couldn't help but think that, two weeks ago, the thought of a Regent even thinking about killing him or anyone he knew utterly absurd. But even through her visor, Torbin could see that there was a coldness in Canara's eyes more deadly than all the ice in the Wastes. The more he thought of her, the more a question burned in his mind like a suns. What in the world had he done to anger the Empress to make her send this vile female here? It made no sense. Her message was more or less glowing with praise of him and his actions. He was missing something. And it scared him.
Torbin was struck silent as soon as he entered the Command Cabin. Lined out on the circular deck of the room where his own Warriors of the First, being held by those in Canara's command, arms bound and on their knees. All his expedition team were present, and Torbin saw the Regent talking with Dalara next to the main controls. For the first time, he got a view of the un-helmeted Regent. Her jet-black hair had been recently cut, sharp blue eyes accentuated the regal qualities of her face. She had the look and demeanour of a predator. And she was out for blood. It was clear that the Regent and Dalara knew each other. Not only that, the professor was now wearing a most immaculate set of shining silver armour, worn on ly by those who were Second to a Regent. This both incensed him and bombarded his mind with questions, but he couldn't afford to think on this now. Torbin went right up to both the females. 'What is the meaning of this,' he said.
'Ah, Commander,' said Canara. 'So good of you to join us. I didn't want to take these steps without your presence and-'
'With respect, my Regent, I would know why my Warriors are bound.'
A cruel smile spread across
Canara's face. 'They are not your Warriors. Despite their actions, they are Warriors of the First Battalion and, as such, subject to the authority of the Empire.' Canara walked over to the bound guards. 'You may all think that these Warriors acted with honour in betraying the Lord and leader. I assure you, they did not. They disobeyed orders and must pay the right price.'
The Regent nodded to the highest-ranking Warrior of the First in her company, a Major. He walked over to the bound Dwarves and drew a long dagger. In perfect
unison, his Warriors unbound their prisoners and gave them all identical weapons. The prisoners knew what they had to do. They all took off their helmets.
Even Torbin, the Scholar, knew the significance of this. In being commanded to take off their helmets to those outside their company, they became nothing. He looked into the eyes of every one of them. Their eyes were shallow and dark-rimmed, their skin as pale as the ice that surrounded them all. In their eyes, Torbin knew what it truly meant to be one of the First. To be empty and obedient with no sense of self. The Major made a gesture with his blade, and in an instant, Torbin knew what was going was happening.
'STOP!' he shouted.
But he knew there was nothing to be done. The First always obeyed their own. In perfect form and unison, the kneeling Warriors slit their own throats. They all fell to the floor, convulsing as they choked to death until finally, they were still and silent. It was a horror Torbin had never known. But he made himself watch. He wanted to remember everything at that moment to his last days. And he would remember why Canara had to die.
