by Jon Kiln
Vandemland was famous for its rare and precious gems, so surely it could afford to pay their workers. Myriam felt strongly about this and was determined to do her very best to ensure none of her trading partners used slavery.
“You are deep in your thoughts,” Ganry’s voice interrupted her planning.
“I don’t like to see people used in this way, Ganry. Look at them. Many seem near death. Why do the leaders of this land allow such cruelty?” she quizzed him, knowing he was a man of much experience.
Hendon then rode up by her other side as he had overheard her comments.
“Artas told me that Duke Harald sent over his Captain of the Guard as a spy, but he was sold into slavery. He was put to death at one of the mines for attempting to escape. It did not come to light until after the battle. Border guards had heard tell of the tale from a merchant called Ragnald. He had informed the slave guards of Captain Henrickson’s attempted escape and he was let free for being so loyal. Mind you, I’ve also heard tell that once a slave, you will never be freed. Terrible business,” Hendon concluded.
“You have much to say on this matter, Hendon,” Myriam smiled. “I believe we agree on this and perhaps upon our return we can approach the politicians to put pressure on such practices. If anything, maybe we can improve conditions for these poor people.”
“It would take hundreds of years for such changes to happen,” Ganry said. “It is the way of these people. Concern yourself with your own lands, Myriam, not those beyond your control.”
Queen Myriam said no more on the subject, but she would not forget.
Most nights they camped out but occasionally they arrived at one of Qutaybah’s properties. They were due to stop at one for this night, and Myriam looked forward to sleeping in a real bed. It’s not that she wasn’t used to sleeping outside, she had spent many a rough night on the roads when she was escaping the clutches of her cruel uncle. Still, it did not mean that she could not enjoy the comforts of a soft bed and pillows, and maybe even a means of bathing. These luxuries were all the more enjoyable since she had lived life on the run.
The building was only a single storey, but it was large as it seemed to spread out over the land. Most buildings they had passed in these parts were painted in white because of the heat. This was no different. They arrived into a courtyard where servants received them and relieved them of their burdens. Food was supplied in abundance.
Myriam wondered if these servants were also slaves. If they were, then their lot was much better than the ones she had seen in the mines. These looked healthy and well fed, yet how could anyone live happily if they were not free to choose their own way in life?
Too tired to approach Perseus, she simply ate a light meal and went to her rooms where, luckily, a bath tub full of warm water awaited. Soaking her aching body in such comfort and ridding her skin and hair of road dust, it seemed that all was well with the world. What could possibly go wrong?
12
At dinner that very evening, Myriam brought up the subject of slavery with Perseus.
“I’m curious, Perseus, to know if the people who work for Qutaybah are slaves?”
Perseus had proved to be a man of few words, so she was surprised at the lengthy explanation he gave.
“Are not we all slaves in some way, Queen Myriam? We all try to live our lives as best we can, but we must eat and clothe ourselves and our families. We must have a roof over our heads. We all need these rewards for the work that we perform. I understand the concept may be difficult, but most enter slavery willingly for the security it provides them, and there are other advantages too. In my homeland, slaves are not allowed to wander freely or unaccompanied. This helps in reducing crime. Is this not a good thing?”
Myriam did not answer straight away as he had made some good points. As she ate her food, she contemplated on his words. It would not do to rush at a reply and yet have no reasoning behind her argument.
“Yes, Perseus,” she spoke so all could hear. “In a sense we all must slave to provide the necessities of life, such as food and shelter, but that is not slavery to a master, that is slavery to a system. A slave who is purchased by a cruel master will not care about rewards. Indeed, I do not think those poor people in the mines were hardly even fed.”
“Those in the mines are often the criminals of society, but others do end up there as well, this is true,” Perseus admitted. “My own master rewards his slaves well, but yes, we do belong to him.”
“Wouldn’t you like to travel to other places, yourself, Perseus?”
“I do travel, when my master instructs me, and I do see other places, Queen,” he replied.
She understood Perseus to be loyal to Qutaybah, his master, so she would not question him further, it would not be fair. This was something she had to live with as a Queen of a people who have freedom. It would take many, many years to forge changes, but she hoped her legacy in years to come would be that of the Queen who opposed slavery in all its forms.
For now, she had other matters and events that needed to be dealt with immediately and could not wait.
“Perseus, I appreciate your honesty,” she smiled at him. “Tell me, do you have a family?”
Perseus was uncomfortable with this line of questioning, but he knew she was a Queen and his master had impressed upon him how important the Duchess was to him. So, he must take great care of this granddaughter to the Duchess that his master praised so highly.
“I have no family, Queen, I serve only my master.” With that he stood, bowed, and left the room.
Myriam tried not to look at Ganry immediately. She knew he would be scowling at her. Finally, she lifted her head and forced her eyes over to his battle-hardened features.
“I am a Queen, I have to learn,” she said to him. Then she herself stood and left the room, not giving Ganry the opportunity to reply.
“Our Queen is trying to understand the world around her,” Hendon offered him.
Ganry said nothing. He too hated slavery, but it would take more than an idealist Queen to change the world.
***
Artas was pleased how his session with the merchants had gone. Most were complaining at the opening of the borders as the competition from bordering nations was forcing them to lower their prices. The influx of foreign traders did not sit well with the Palaran merchants, but the people of this nation would benefit from it and it was a masterstroke by Queen Myriam.
With one single decision, the stores were full once again with an abundance of food and the people were beginning to reap the benefits of her rule. As a concession to the local traders, he had agreed to tax imported goods which would increase the price to meet local prices. Artas knew this was not the answer, but equally, it meant he could have a good night’s sleep tonight, with happy local traders not complaining in his ears.
All he had to do was hold the kingdom temporarily. Once Myriam returned with her retinue, she would have many advisors to help her make more permanent decisions about trading. For now, he simply wanted to find temporary solutions and he felt he had achieved this.
When he arrived in the main parlor, both Parsival and Lady Leonie were there already. It was time to catch up on the noble’s gossip. Lady Leonie had already built an intricate network of spies in all levels of Palaran society. Artas thought she would be a great help to the Queen, as she would need such skills to run her kingdom.
“I hear tell the ladies are wanting the Queen to marry as soon as she’s well again,” Leonie informed them.
“Are they indicating who they wish this husband to be?” Artas asked, quite amused at their presumptions.
“Well, some think it should be you,” she smiled at Artas, knowing that would amuse him. “Others say someone from Vandemland, in order to bring the neighbors closer together by the tying of our two great nations with a marital bond. It seems none were interested in the Queen’s wishes. They say it should be a political marriage.”
“From what I know of our new Queen, I don
’t think she’ll be that easily persuaded,” Parsival added.
“I would marry Myriam tomorrow if it would make her happy, but I don’t think I’m the one she would chose,” Artas said, a little sadness in his heart. “I’m happy just to be her personal knight. I imagine Ganry will train me for the role, and when he grows older, I will stand in his place.”
“Ganry will never be too old to stand by his Queen. Even in his dying hours he will be at her side,” Parsival said. “I fear you will have a long wait, my friend.”
“Poor, poor Artas.” Lady Leonie kissed his cheek. “I know you feel disappointed that the Queen left you behind, Artas, but I believe it’s only because you don’t have the D’Anjue bloodline. She has come to rely on Ganry, and when he returns he will help you in your training.”
She felt that she had become good friends with Artas and liked him. He was young and brave and turning into a handsome man. She was no match for the Queen, who he clearly had his heart set on, but she believed she had more in common with Artas than Myriam had.
13
After a good night’s rest and a hearty breakfast, Myriam’s party set off into the desert. The journey was hot and laborious. Myriam was thankful they had camels for the journey, otherwise it would have been impossible on foot.
Myriam held a cloth sun parasol over her head. It did not help against the relentless heat of the sun, but it did stop her skin burning from its harsh rays. She wondered how the camels could manage such high temperatures, but they seemingly coped well.
They made good progress despite the heat. The camels really deserved their name of ships of the desert, and all was going to plan until the tremors began. Myriam had heard of earthquakes where the ground rumbled and toppled buildings, but she was sure they did not happen in this land.
She could see Perseus stand upright on his camel, scanning the horizon as if he was looking for something. Ganry rode up next to him and they talked together. She assumed they were discussing the tremors and waited patiently for them to come and inform her of its cause.
“Can you feel it?” Hendon asked as he approached.
“Yes, do you know what it is?” she asked hopefully.
“It’s the desert worms. They move beneath us. I have never seen them but I can hear them communicating with one another. They are oblivious of us. It is not us they seek, but the waters.”
“Yet, my young Hendon, if they come across us they will not hesitate to eat us.” Ganry came up behind them. “I’ve just been asking Perseus. They move in groups and the creatures are huge. They are carnivores and therefore dangerous to us. We should move quickly to a crag near to here. It will take us off course but the sands are dangerous whilst the desert worms are beneath us. We will be safe on the rocks where they will not be able to sense us.”
“Why ever didn’t he mention these dangers to us?” Myriam asked.
“I don’t think we would want to know of all the dangers that lurk out in this desert. Only as, and when, they happen,” Ganry told her.
She knew that Ganry feared nothing. In fact she had never met anyone as brave as her seasoned warrior. He always chose his words carefully, so maybe he was right. It is best not to know all the horrors that may befall them on this journey or they may never keep going forward.
Perseus took the lead and swung the camels away, where they all followed in a single line. He had warned them that they must remain quiet and only talk in whispers. The desert worms could sense noise, and until they were upon the rocks then they were all in peril.
In the distance, Myriam could see the crag. It was a large black outcrop, seemingly in the middle of the desert as though it had been dropped there by some giant. Myriam could sense the tension in Perseus. He was constantly looking back, anxiously, and she realized they were all in mortal danger. She stared longingly at the rocks and wished them closer.
As the crag loomed before them, Myriam was beginning to believe they would all make it. Then suddenly, chaos exploded all around them. The worms had sensed them, and whilst they were actually seeking water, they always craved for meat.
The carnage began.
Wyatt’s camel was the first to fall. A huge worm reared out of the ground as the sands parted. Its high pitched screech was deafening and Wyatt seemed to somersault as his ride was lost. He landed some distance away from the monster.
As Myriam turned in her seat, she saw three hideous creatures rearing out of the sands. The monsters resembled giant worms, but their heads had huge gaping mouths that were filled with row upon row of razor sharp, serrated teeth, clearly well adapted to tearing meat to shreds before swallowing it.
Wyatt’s camel had lost its footing, slipping into the hole that the worm had created when it reared off the ground. The creature hovered above the luckless camel, and in one swoop it darted in a downwards motion, its jaws clamping onto one of the camel’s back legs. As the worm forced its great weight into a backwards motion, the leg ripped away from the body.
Wyatt took out his broad sword and hacked at the side of the worm’s ugly body. A thick, yellow substance spurted in an upwards fountain from the injured beast. The monster cried out, seemingly requesting help, and others came to its aid before it disappeared back into the ground.
The poor camel was still alive and writhing around, emitting a pitiful cry of fear and pain. Maybe it also was crying out for assistance, but unfortunately for the poor beast, none came. All its cries managed to do was alert another monster to its presence.
A worm hole opened up to its side where a huge beast came rushing out, raising at least ten feet into the air, half-in and half-out of the sand. It dropped back down, its gaping jaws burying into the soft flesh of the camel, dragging it underground.
Blood seeped through the sand, turning it a crimson red as the other worms converged on the feast. This did not placate them though. If anything it made them worse. They now had the smell of blood and could sense that there was more to be had.
Perseus and Ganry struck the hind quarters of the remaining camels to speed them up. They had to get to the crag quickly, while the worms were preoccupied with the fallen camel. There were only a few more feet to go, and soon the rest of them were safely on the rocks.
Myriam watched on in horror as she realized that Wyatt had been left behind. She could see him running for his life, but he still had some distance to go.
Ganry turned his camel around, intending to head back out, but one glance and he knew it was hopeless. He noticed the rippling sand and saw the worms were moving too fast. He was never going to make it.
Linz realized that his compatriot was in danger, and he readied his camel to ride out to help him. Ganry reached out and held Linz’s beast in check by the reins.
“You cannot save him,” Ganry said sadly. “To try would mean certain death.”
Linz drew his sword from its scabbard and turned to the former mercenary. “Take your hands off of me.” Linz could not stand by.
Ganry kept a firm grip on the reins. “I do not wish to see you die needlessly. We will need you if we are to be successful in this mission, but if your honor forces you to ride out to your death, then I will not forcibly stop you.”
Myriam watched on, feeling helpless. She too wanted them to save Wyatt, but knew deep inside it was not possible. She laid her hand on Linz’s arm.
“Please, Linz,” she begged. “Please, I do not want to see another death today.”
Linz looked on hopelessly as he saw his friend surrounded by the monsters. He watched as Wyatt turned to him and waved for him to stay there and not to try to be a hero.
Wyatt stood firm as the ground below him opened up, and a desert worm with gaping jaws came rushing in an upwards motion out of the sands, grabbing him by the midriff before dragging him below ground. The other worms screeched in triumph before they too dived back into the sands to feed on their prey.
“Nooo!” Linz screamed out his grief, as his friend was taken by the creatures.
He
watched, unable to tear his eyes away from the scene in front of him as the final moments of his friend’s life were played out. The yellow tinge to the sand was now mixed with red as Wyatt’s life blood seeped out of the ground. Linz’s whole body was wracked with grief, and he felt the stinging hot tears flooding down his cheeks.
14
That evening was spent in absolute silence upon the coldness of the rocks. Linz sat and stared at the bloodstained sand where his friend had spent his last moments of life. Even in the pitch darkness, his eyes found the spot. He made no attempt to sleep. This night, he would grieve for his protector and trainer. Though he had no plans on how he could kill these beasts, tomorrow was the start of his life when he would plan revenge on every sand worm he was ever to meet.
Myriam slept restlessly. The cold, hard rock surface was uncomfortable, and the visions of Wyatt’s death plagued her dreams. Her mind was in shock and her body exhausted. Losing Wyatt had made her realize just how dangerous this mission was. Despite Wyatt’s death, she was determined more than ever to continue. Wyatt would not die in vain. She would not return to Palara without her grandmother.
Although they stayed upon the crag in absolute silence, the sand worms did not leave. Even the next morning, they could see the sand rippling as the worms circled the crag, as if awaiting their next meal. Perseus was surprised as it was unusual for the desert worms to hunt their prey for any length of time. They are more opportunistic hunters, often finding prey by accident. This behavior was out of character. He sensed there was some other hand at play in keeping them here, although he did not share his thoughts with the others.
The sun was rising high in the sky, and now the rocks were red hot. They had plenty of water and food, but little protection from the sun’s harsh rays. They would not be able to stay here much longer, but the worms would not leave.
