CHAPTER 7 – BRAD, THE ROGUE/ CAMERON, THE LEADER OF SECT 3

The group made their way to the prison. Jamie was worried about Brad as he recalled how they met. I hope he has been doing well. I hope that if Brad sees me, he might come around.

Jamie had known Brad for a few years by this point. Jamie had met Brad at the school in his first year.

Jamie had moved to Amaria in his late teens when he showed signs for magic at an early age. He was thrilled to be selected to study at a school for magic. He had high hopes of becoming a summoner. Due to some unknown reason at the time, he couldn’t summon anything. It quickly made him an outcast amongst the other student summoners. He still made other friends in other areas of study.

Brad happened to be one of them. The goblin took pity on Jamie. Unlike other magic families that had money and wealth. Jamie had to odd jobs to scrape by. Brad offered recommended him for a job at a local government research facility as a security guard at night and an assistant researcher during the day. Since Jamie was from Earth. It gave him a higher status when scientists studying magic came to him to ask about technology questions from Earth. The situation was a win for Jamie. It helped him pay for his expenses for his summoning materials. He wanted to encourage him to pursue his dream even if it was futile.

By this point they had made into the prison and made it to Brad’s cell. Jamie had paid attention to other prisoners. There was a variety of different magical races locked away. Even though the place was a prison. The prisoners were in healthy shape. The cells weren’t what Jamie had expected at all. Instead of a stone dungeon prison. The cells were furnished and had all the immodesties anyone wanted. He was told most were in the same boat as Brad.

Curiously Jamie did ask about where they kept the hostile prisoners. Lily responded to him saying they were housed in another prison that was separate from this one that was darker and crueler.

Brad was sitting in his cell messing with his thumbs when Jamie and the others arrived. Jamie saw he wasn’t in the dark robe of the Dark Void Cult anymore. Instead he was wearing white hemp shirt with matching shorts. “I told you I’ll give you my answer in a few more days.” Brad said with a frustrated tone. He didn’t even look at who had shown up.

Damn, he really is far gone by this point. Thought Jamie.

“Is that anyway to talk to an old friend?” Jamie questioned Brad raising his brow. Brad turned to look. His mouth fell open seeing Jamie. Brad was sitting there for a few moments trying to gather his thoughts. He then just drooped his head and began to cry.

All Jamie could do was stare at Brad. I’m going to make it my life’s goal to kill whoever messed with Brad.

“Can I go in and see Brad.” Jamie asked Lily in a whisper. Lily nodded to one of the guards who opened the door to Brad’s cell. She followed Jamie in.

Brad heard the door open but remained put. “I’m glad to see they are treating you well Jamie. At least you aren’t locked away. You can continue your fun with summoning while I have to rot away in here.” Brad began to cry even more.

Jamie patted Brad on the back as he took a deep breath before he spoke. “No, I am just as much a prisoner as you are Brad. I was only given two options. Fight for Iris or be locked up 24/7. I’d rather fight then be locked up and who knows if we are able to finish off the cult. Then just maybe we can get back to our lives.” Brad slowly began to stop sobbing as he looked at Jamie. Jamie thought he swore he could see hope in the man’s eyes.

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“I came here to offer a proposal. Since I seem to be Iris’ chosen champion. I need to form up a team. I wanted to see if you wanted to join as the rogue. Together I’ll help you get your revenge on the one who recruited you.” Jamie finished his statement with a smile.

Brad paused to think. Jamie was hopeful he had gotten to him. He wasn’t sure if they could go back to there normal lives after. In any case he would try and track down the one who setup Brad.

Brad eventually agreed with Jamie. He wanted to join him back at the place he was being housed. Unfortunately, Morrack told Brad he wouldn’t be able to go there just yet. He would be informed when he could meet with Jamie for training and other priorities. Brad let out a frustrated sigh. They all left Brad as they headed for their next destination to meet with Cameron.

Jamie was glad he was able to ally Brad to his cause.

Jamie followed the group out of the prison as they made there way to meet with Cameron. Lily gave him more background on who he was. The man was the head of the area facility for Iris’ followers.

The building they met at was heavily fortified but average in size. The structure looked impressive to Jamie. The building looked like a rook chess peace. The group made their way to a gate led into the only entrance that Jamie could see. There were no windows to see on the granite building. It was overgrown with trees and vines.

Morrack stepped up in front of the group and showed his credentials before entering. Everyone else followed suit as they entered to meet Cameron. Jamie walked with the group into a big open space. The ceiling was 15 feet in height. In the middle was a statue of Iris with a water fountain. To either side of the statue was a marble staircase that led behind to only who knew where. A few doors lined the inside of the room.

Jamie was in awe at the site and stopped to look. Lily had to grab Jamie as the group made there way towards a door on the left. There were four guards stationed outside the door. Morrack knocked announcing himself that he had brought Jamie.

On the other side of the door. An elderly voice spoke up. The accent made Jamie think it was Irish in origin. “Come on in. I only have a brief time to meet.”

The group entered as they were told. As they entered Jamie got a good look at the room. The room was a semi-circle that was lined with shelves and shelves of books, scrolls, magic artifacts, and other things. Sitting in the center of the room was an elderly man with pointed ears. His hair was snow white that led down do his back. His face was wrinkled from time. He wore a simple white hemp robe that had a draw string hoods attached.

The man was reading a scroll with a pair of glasses when they walked in. He rolled it up and then set it down on the desk he was sitting at. The man looked at Jamie with his deep blue eyes with a ton of curiosity.

The man got up from his desk to approach Jamie. He reached out to shake Jamies hand as he spoke. Jamie quickly shook his hand.

“It is an honor to meet you, Jamie. My name is Cameron. I am the leader here at sect 3 of the followers of Iris.” Cameron made his greeting to Jamie before speaking again. “Iris has told me many good things about you. Things are getting rough as of lately. Your actions to release her has given us an advantage. We are currently trying to find the next location of her hidden essence. The cult is not to be trifled with. You are going to have to get stronger or get more help to deal with them. I already know you have unlocked your first summon.”

Morrack then spoke up after the greeting. “Jamie was able to recruit his friend Brad to our cause at least.”

Cameron raised a brow at Morrack with the info. “Well in that case. He can join you in your training. For now, I need to get back to my work. Lily will be joining your party as well.

Hearing that made Lily let out a sigh. “He is going to hard to train for sure.”

Morrack told the others to go while he was meeting with Cameron. Lily walked out with Jamie as they headed back to his place of residence.