by Eden Redd
Jon watched as Lilly and Zelda were marched off to the pit gate. When the door opened, they pushed them in and marched them down. Lilly glanced back to Jon as he sat in the hanging cage. She mouthed the words, “I love you” before she disappeared over the side. Zelda’s head hung in sorrow as she marched down out of sight, the guards following her down.
Warden Kell looked up at the swinging cage. “I wouldn’t worry too much. The Empire will most likely return you to your realm. You people may be very strange looking, but tonight, you will tell me tales of your world. It will add a little extra spice to my memoirs I am currently writing.”
Jon looked down. “Fuck you,” he scowled.
The Warden nodded. “That’s the spirit.”
The Warden walked away with a half a dozen guards. The cage swung as Jon tried to see over the edge of the pit, the inner hope in his heart hanging by a single thread.
Thirteen
Lilly took in her surroundings as they descended down the carved path. The wide path spiraled down the massive hole. Looking over, she spotted levels with sea elves using pickaxes in carved out tunnels. The constant ding of metal on stone echoed all around them as they made their way down.
The air was stale. Lilly guessed that the open top of the pit received very little wind this far down. Gray wisps of dust floated along and settled as carts with stones moved up the path. Sea elves walked like the undead, their gazes unfeeling and blank. No one turned to look to the newcomers, the prisoners focusing on their tasks.
When they reached the third level of the mine, guards unlocked the cuffs and chains and shoved Lilly and Zelda hard. The pair hit the stone floor as several guards eyed them with wide grins.
“Careful for the worms. Don’t want them biting any fingers off as you sleep,” a guard chuckled.
The other guards laughed and chuckled as they glanced at each other.
Lilly sat up and eyed them. “Does the Warden pay you enough to be traitors to elves everywhere?”
The guard’s chuckles died, but his smile remained. “The gold is enough to soothe those outdated feelings. The sea elves are lesser to us. If you knew that, you wouldn’t be here in the pit. Enjoy your time with the sea trash. The Empire wants you, but said nothing about your bottom feeder.”
Zelda sat with lost eyes.
Lilly smirked at the guard. “Wouldn’t it be safer to have me upstairs in a cell or a cage? What if I have an accident down here?”
The guards kept their amused smiles. “So, you can try to seduce one of us? No, the Warden knows your reputation. He wants you down here so the only creatures you can tempt is the trash. I wonder how long before the males have their way with you? I wonder what sloppy mess we will find in the morning?”
“You’re making a mistake,” Lilly said whimsically.
“No, you made the mistake when you stole the princess from the Emperor. She is meant to do great things and you cut that short. You deserve to be down here with the rest of them.”
Lilly looked around. “What if they kill me?”
The guards started laughing.
“You are so naïve for such a scary pirate. They know death is not allowed and is punishable by their death. They won’t kill you, but they will fuck you into submission. We are placing wagers on how we will find you in the morning. My personal wager is you will be unconscious, seed leaking from your ass.”
“I wager it will be dripping from her mouth,” another guard said.
“I wager you will be covered in their foul seed,” another guard laughed.
“I wager you will all be dead before morning,” Lilly laughed.
The guard’s laughter stopped and they all glared down on her.
“Start working or one of the bottom feeders will be whipped in your place,” the guard growled before all of them turned to leave.
Lilly stayed sitting, watching as the group of guards made their way to the stone ramp and began walking up. When they were out of sight, she let out a long exhale.
Sea elves on the level slowed their work. Some of them turned with weary eyes and haunted expressions to Lilly and Zelda. Others worked while some of them broke away and walked toward the two newcomers.
Lilly and Zelda curled their legs under them and stood up. They stood their ground as ten sea elves stepped closer. A few looked to Zelda, but the rest looked down on Lilly. Haggard expressions carved into their faces as they barely blinked. A sea elf handed a pickaxe to Lilly and another handed one to Zelda.
Webbed hands rose up and took hold of her shoulders. They marched the Captain and her First Mate to a wall. The sea elves began working again, carving out rock with each swing of a pickaxe.
“They watch us all the time,” a sea elf whispered.
“Word has already been passed as you both came down. We are searching for her family,” another one whispered between Lilly and Zelda.
Lilly nodded.
Zelda slammed the pickaxe tip into the wall, dust and debris floating up as she worked. Lilly joined her, swinging the axe. She didn’t have the power of her First Mate, but she managed to knock off a chunk of rock from the wall.
“How often do they send elves to the lords and ladies of Aquris?” Lilly asked with a whisper.
“Several times during a three-moon cycle. There is no end to their hunger for our flesh,” an old sea elf whispered.
“The two-moon cycle is ending. They will ship more of us in the coming cycle,” another sea elf hissed.
“What if I can save all of us?” Lilly said in a low whisper.
Heads shook from side to side.
“We tried many cycles ago. In our failure, they slaughtered an entire generation of our young to prove their point,” an elf said sadly.
Lilly glanced over her shoulder. It was then when she noticed the young children working alongside their elders. They moved stones to wagons, their expressions hollow.
“This cannot go on,” Zelda growled sadly.
“It cannot. We will all die here or on a lord or lady’s table. Enjoy your moments until fate decides,” a sea elf said softly.
Lilly worked the pickaxe, anger bubbling under her skin. Sparks flew as she hacked out small pieces of stone with nearly every swing.
“Zelda?” a voice said from behind.
Lilly and Zelda turned around. Zelda’s dark eyes shined as she saw a thin male and female sea elf. Their eyes watered as they rushed toward Zelda and embraced her. The First Mate grabbed them, holding them close as all three sobbed.
“Jyn. Ryta,” Zelda cried.
The two held on fiercely, not wanting to let go.
Lilly watched with sad eyes as the three sea elves trembled in their embrace. She spied the resemblance between them, Zelda’s taller height the only thing truly separating them. After a long moment, they parted, but still held hands in a triangular formation.
“Mother and Father?” Zelda asked with hope in their eyes.
The pair looked down.
“Taken away a long time ago,” Jyn muttered.
“We can’t tell you how long ago. Time is strange here,” Ryta sniffled.
Zelda’s eyes widened as she turned her head to Lilly. “Captain, they are my brother and sister, Jyn and Ryta.”
Zelda turned once again to her siblings. “I thought I lost you both forever.”
Jyn gave a weak smile. “We had hope. We knew as long as you were out there, we would one day see you again. Ma and Da knew it too, even as they were marched from here. They shouted to remember Zelda. That you would come to save us!”
The light in Zelda’s eyes died a little. “I’m so happy to see you both, but I don’t know if we can get out of here.”
Tears welled up in Zelda’s eyes. “I swam away. I should have stayed. I should have fought.”
“We shouted to you to flee!” Ryta said with an excited edge. “We knew we couldn’t fight the hunters, but those that escaped would eventually come back looking for us. We are just so happy it is you!”
&n
bsp; Zelda wiped away tears, “And the rest of the clan?”
Sadness filled the two sibling’s brows.
“Half of the original pod is here. The others never arrived here or were taken away. There are many clans from many seas down here. There are rumors of other pits, some hidden away to supply stones and gems to the Empire,” Jyn answered.
Zelda sobbed softly, the realization breaking her down.
Lilly stepped closer to her First Mate and put a hand on her shoulder. “Zelda, I knew of this place. We were to sail here to free your family and your people.”
“Captain?” Zelda said with wide, wet eyes.
Lilly nodded. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to give up hope until I was sure. I hope you can forgive me?”
Zelda’s arms shot out and hugged the smaller sun elf to her chest, her cheek on the top of Lilly’s head. “You are my Captain! I know and trust you to do the right thing. I have pledged my life to you. I know your reasoning and will never think of any betrayal of your plans. You have my soul and my heart!”
Lilly hugged Zelda tightly. The pair broke their embrace as several more sea elves moved in closer.
“I know it has been difficult here, but my plan has remained the same. We are leaving tonight. Spread the word among all who dwell here,” Lilly said with a commanding whisper.
“They will kill us if we try to escape. They will kill our children,” an older sea elf muttered.
Lilly looked up, Jon’s image in her mind. “I have a plan and an ally above us that will ensure our success. Spread the word. Tonight, the sea elves will be free.”
***
The last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the horizon. Cool air drifted on gentle winds as stars began to shine in the darkening sky. An evening breeze swirled as a lone cage swung gently from side to side.
Jon sat in the hanging cage, his mind dripping with chemically enhanced chaos and confusion. The tentacle tea from earlier in the day continued to affect him. He was thankful that the blazing sun didn’t burn at him any longer, but the evening cool air sent a shiver down his entire body.
I have to get out of here. I have to help everyone who is a prisoner here. I need my luck now, more than ever.
Jon waited, watching to see if an opportunity would present itself, but nothing happened. Thoughts shifted from frustration. Syndra’s face appeared in his mind’s eye and terrible sorrow weighed him down. Weakness filled his entire body and the added pain of losing someone he loved only dragged him down deeper into his personal darkness.
I couldn’t save Syndra, but I can save Lilly, Zelda, and everyone else here. Don’t let Syndra’s death have no meaning. She fought for us till the end and we have to keep fighting for her, even if she isn’t with us anymore.
Jon stared out at the beautiful night sky. The stars seemed so much brighter to him and he saw the hint of moons rising up in the distance.
Thirteen moons for thirteen seas. This world would be so much better if the people weren’t trying to slaughter each other.
Jon’s gaze drifted down to the courtyard. Several guards walked with crossbows slung over their backs and furniture in their hands. One carried a chair while two others carried a small, wooden table. A fourth one carried a small case and behind all of them, Warden Kell walked with relaxed ease.
The guards set down the table and chair not too far from Jon’s hanging cage. The last one opened a case and pulled out a bottle and two cups. The dark bottle was placed on the table and two cups set down beside it. The guards turned to the approaching Warden, bowed and made their way back to the main keep.
Warden Kell stepped over. In his hand was a small, leather notebook. He placed it on the small table. Next, he un-belted a small short sword and laid it on the table. Next, a pistol similar to Lilly’s was placed on the table next to the sword.
Kell sat in the chair and looked up to Jon’s cage. “How are you this fine evening?”
“Room service is lacking. I’m going to have to give this place two stars,” Jon said with a deadpan expression.
“How droll. I assume that is Urth humor?” Kell said before opening his leather notebook.
The Warden produced a small inkwell and quill from an inner uniform pocket. “As you can guess, I don’t leave this place often. The work here is much too demanding, but I have procured some interesting books from your realm. They are hard to come by and I had to make expensive deals, but it’s worth it in the end.
“You are an unexpected windfall.”
Jon simply looked down to the blonde elf. “What makes you think I will tell you anything?”
Kell smiled. “I simply want to have a friendly conversation before the Empire ships arrive. Your stay here over the next few days can be a little more comfortable than how they are currently. I may even give you a room with a bed, under guard. You will be well fed and knowing the Empire, they will send you back so there is no hostility between our worlds.
“All you have to do is talk and tell me about your world. My memoirs have many of my experiences, but I know many more will want to read if they know about my interactions with an Urth man. Your people fascinate many in royal circles. Our talks may allow me to retire from this rock and perhaps purchase a small island for my own.”
Jon pressed his face between two bars and gave a weak smile. “You have my friends. I’m not saying shit.”
Warden Kell nodded. He pulled the cork from the top of the bottle and poured rum into each cup.
“You’re correct. You don’t have to say anything to me but, as you had eloquently put it, I have your friends. The Empire wants Captain Silk alive. The bounty on her First Mate is not so specific. She may end up with a missing limb or two. Perhaps her cold body will be loaded onto the ship, a victim of an unfortunate accident.
“So, tell me, do you think some polite conversation in exchange for your friend’s wellbeing is too high a price?”
Jon looked down.
Kell lifted up a cup and drank from it. “Fine rum for a cool night. I know some rum will help with the pain before I have meals brought out. I have another cup and am more than happy to share this bottle with you, after we speak a bit.”
Jon’s face remained blank as he looked to the smiling warden. “Is it true, you send sea elves to those in royalty so they can be eaten?”
Warden Kell nodded. “We do. Sea elf flesh is quite delicious. I have dined on it on several occasions. You haven’t lived until you have taken bites of their well-cooked meat.”
“Only monsters eat their own kind,” Jon said in a low, dark voice.
Warden Kell’s brow hardened. “Sea elves are not our own kind. They are nomads and barbarians of the sea. If they are not hunted, their numbers would swell. The Emperor was correct in declaring a need to keep their populations low. Feasting on them was simply an added bonus.”
The Warden’s brow softened and he sat back in his chair, cup to his stomach. “But we are not here to talk about my world. We are here to talk about yours.”
Jon gave a small nod. “We imprison and execute anyone who performs cannibalism. It is not considered a noble trait to eat those like us.”
“I’m sure there have been instances where eating your fellow Urthling was needed so others can survive?”
“Only in the direst of circumstances, but generally, it goes against everything we stand for. We try to help each other and grow as a community. What you do is evil.”
Warden Kell smiled. “I do know some of your history. I have read stories where circumstances have caused your people to act like mongrel animals. Do not judge us because we are ahead of the curve.”
“If you are so ahead of the curve, why are you a prisoner on your own island?”
Warden Kell sipped his drink, taking a moment to mull over the question.
“I have a hundred men and women here, guarding roughly eight hundred sea elves. They have families and must earn gold to support those families. Work is difficult and turning to piracy ca
n be a death sentence to those not strong or quick witted enough to escape the Empire’s grasp.
“You may not approve of our methods, but they do produce results. Our world may not be as lavish as yours, but food fills bellies and work keeps the masses happy. I’m a leader and I must tend to my workers and those under my watchful eye.”
Warden Kell took another sip before he tapped his cup with a lone finger. “And if eating another is wrong, I will go to my grave knowing never wanting to be right.”
Jon’s shoulders sank down as he clutched at the bars. Defeat swirled in his heart as he looked up to the surrounding towers along the wall. Cannon portals faced outward and inward. Even if he could escape, the guards would rush out and kill him or the cannons would.
There must be a way? There must be a way to stop this madness?”
Jon’s belly growled as it was empty for days.
Kell took another sip before placing his cup on the table. He picked up the quill, dipped it in the inkwell and held it over the blank, notebook page.
“Now, let’s talk about your world,” The Warden smiled.
***
Sea elves lay on thin, dirty mats along the mine edges. Their bodies didn’t move, but their eyes were slightly open. The starry sky filled the top of the pit, two moons just barely shining their cool light down the vast pit.
Lilly and Zelda sat and leaned their backs into a small cave wall. The pair were silent as they had been waiting for hours. Lilly guessed that it was slightly past midnight. Around them, sea elves laid, but their ears twitched as they listened.
Word had spread across the pit to every elf. Children were brought to lower levels, as well as the old and infirm. Those strong enough to fight were on the upper levels, pretending to sleep.
Lilly mulled over her plan. It was simple. She and Zelda would open the main entrance door and take out some of the guards before Zelda would give the signal. Once they had secured the courtyard and a cannon tower, the wave of elves would rush up and take out the rest of the guards. It was a solid plan, despite many elves saying the lock was impossible to break or manipulate. After the last uprising, the Warden had replaced it with a tougher lock and two guards stayed by the entrance at all times.
