Merlin

“You come to Godo, looking to do business, yes?”

“We want you to join us. Help us build a resistance,” Merlin said.

Godo was a heavyset man, and his clothes were fine. If they were anywhere else, Merlin would think him a noble. The man wore a vibrant, bright red and orange cloak that he wrapped around himself. If the other prisoners looked at Merlin with contempt because of his cloak, he wasn’t sure how Godo avoided the same reaction. They sat in a small, secluded shack on the edge of the mineshaft. Apparently, Godo used it often for business deals.

Merlin wasn’t quite sure how Godo pulled something like this off, but he wasn’t complaining.

The heavy man had olive skin and a small gap in-between his two front teeth. He stroked his chin as he thought. “Ah, Godo knew this was coming. Achai warned him. He said these two, very dangerous. But Godo says he always sits down and listens when opportunity comes. So now Godo sits, and you will tell me of opportunity!”

“The opportunity is simple. Our goal is freedom for the people of Sange and their children,” Crussus said, leaning forward at the table.

“Ah. Freedom is expensive. There is a big price to pay! Godo not rich enough. Not nearly rich enough. Godo has his own way forward. He will earn the trust of the guards. He will trade for his freedom. That is what Godo knows best.”

Crussus scoffed. “They won’t go for that and you know it!”

“Ah, you criticize Godo, but tell me, does Merlin know that about your involvement in the last rebellion?”

Merlin blinked. He turned in his chair to face Crussus. “Crussus, what’s he talking about?”

Crussus was silent.

“Ah! If you do not know who you share a bed with, how can you invite Godo to bed? Impossible! This is not a good deal. I’ll have to decline. I’m sorry. Good luck with your business ventures.” Godo stood and pushed in his chair. He pulled the vibrant cloak tighter around himself and went to leave.

Merlin hurried to his feet. “I hear you have a daughter,” he said. He didn't have time to worry about a failed rebellion. Not now. He'd ask about it later.

The merchant looked at him over his shoulder, but did not turn back. “Godo has many children, a daughter is among them.”

“And she’s trapped in the dungeon, is she not?” Merlin said, leaning his hands on the table.

Godo turned to face them again. “Godo will earn Varroc money. He will trade. If not enough, Godo’s business partner will come looking soon. He will bring many wares and carts full of gold. Varroc will take this deal. In mean time, Godo does good business. Guards need many things. Prisoners need many things. Godo provides.”

Crussus laughed. He shook his head and looked at Merlin. Merlin sent him a look. They needed to win Godo over. They couldn’t give up now. Crussus sighed. “Do you really think you can believe Varroc? You think he is a man of his word? You came here looking for trade and became a slave. Your partner will share that fate. He’s a slaver and a tyrant. You really think you can take him at his word?”

The merchant’s face deflated. His brows drew closer together. “Godo has no choice but to take his word. Varroc is powerful man. Business with powerful men is good.”

Merlin stepped around the table and stood face to face with Godo, staring into his eyes. “Godo, you already have the favor of the guards. Trading with you requires an element of trust. That is the advantage we need. With your help, we could ambush several of them early on. When they come to make deals with you, we could capture them. And you’re good at getting things from the city as well. That could be helpful to us. We need supplies.”

Godo frowned. He sighed deeply and leaned against the table. His tone changed. It sounded more sorrowful than before. “Why are you doing this, Merlin? Do you value your freedom that much? Do you think you value your freedom more than Godo values his?”

Merlin gripped a fist tight. In his other hand, he pointed toward the door. “There’s a boy in that dungeon! He’s a good kid. He deserves better than to be a slave trapped in this place. I would spend the rest of my life here in those mines if it meant I could help him escape. If I could help all those children escape.”

Godo looked taken aback by this. He folded his arms and looked away for a moment. He turned back. “This boy, he is your son?”

“No. I’ve only known him a couple of weeks, and yet, for the first time in a long time, I feel alive again. Like I’m on the right path. That’s thanks to him. So, if I can return the favor, even just long enough to help him escape, then I’ll do it. And I’ll pay whatever price it takes.”

Godo stared at him. His head bobbled as he processed the conviction in Merlin’s words. “To sacrifice one’s life for a child is wonderful. Many men would do this. But to be a slave, I don’t know. Would Godo do such a thing for a child that is not his own? Godo likes to think so. But Godo is not sure. Godo has been known to be a greedy man. His wife loves him for it. His children benefit from it. But Godo is known to be greedy. Godo must think on this.”

Merlin sighed. “Godo, will you help us? Will you help us fight to free the children and save Sange? Please.”

Godo shook his head. He wagged a finger towards Merlin. “Godo likes to do business with good businessmen. Godo does not think Merlin is good businessman.”

Merlin’s heart sank. This was a setback. Without the merchants’ support, he wasn’t sure they could get in contact with the other mines. It wasn’t just his persuasion and connections with the guards. The real boon Godo offered was that he had communication lines to the other mines. He did business with the prisoners and guards there as well. With Godo on their side, a minor rebellion could be a full-fledged resistance. Without him, their chances of success were low at best.

“…but Godo does think Merlin is good man. Godo would like to do business with more good men. But good men are not always so good at making money. Godo will not have many chances to work with good men, so perhaps he should take this one. His daughter would be very proud. He is raising her to be a merchant as well, take over the family business one day. Very important she learns to be good merchant, but also, good person. So, I will set example for Godette and take this deal.”

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Merlin looked at Crussus, their eyes both lit up once. They smiled. “Godo that’s—”

“Businessmen should shake on such deals, yes?” Godo said, his hand outstretched.

Merlin hurried forward and shook his hand firmly. He nodded, a bright grin on his face.

“Godo is also a hugger!” The large man pulled Merlin in, and they embraced. Afterward, Godo stepped around the table and shook Crussus’ hand as well. “Godo thinks you two should speak more about rebellion from before. Much to be learned from bad business deals in the past. Yes?” he asked, still shaking the blonde man’s hand.

The door of the shack burst open before Crussus could respond.

It was Achai.

“Oh! Oh no. Godo lose his head. Stupid. Stupid deal. This has been a very bad deal. Perhaps the worst deal of all time. Godo is ruined! Not good, not good!” Godo slapped himself in the face several times. “Godo is stupid man, stupid man!”

Achai ignored him. He turned to Merlin. “Merlin, I need to talk to you.”

Crussus took a step, ready to vault over the table. “We need to deal with him. We can’t have another Torq situation, Merlin.”

Merlin held out a hand to calm his friend. He turned back to Achai. “What exactly is this about?” he asked him.

Achai stared into his eyes. “I want to help. I want in.”

Merlin shook his head. Had he lost his mind? Just a day ago he’d cost a man his arm. Now he wanted to join that same cause. “What? What are you talking about?”

“There’s no time for this. We need to talk now,” Achai insisted.

“Merlin, this is a waste of time. For all we know, Varroc is outside now with guards. We need to go!” Crussus said.

Godo’s eyes grew wide at those words. He slapped himself again. “Godo is stupid man! So stupid!”

Achai was growing frustrated. He turned toward Crussus and slammed his hands on the table. “They didn’t let me inside the dungeon!” he yelled.

Crussus grew serious. “What? Why? What did you do?”

“Nothing. I’ve not lost their favor. The guards haven’t treated me any differently. The ones that usually escort me came to get me, as always. But when we arrived at the daycare, there were new guards posted outside. They refused to let me pass. Something is wrong.”

Crussus shook his head, turning toward Merlin. “I don’t think he’s lying.”

“You’re sure?” Merlin asked.

Crussus nodded. “Yes. I can’t think of a reason he’d have to make this up. Besides, he’s distressed. I’ve only seen him this distressed once before. When he first arrived, and they took his son.” He turned back to Achai. “Has this ever happened before? Have you ever been turned away?”

Achai shook his head fervently. “No! Varroc knows the people would rise up if they thought their children were in danger. That’s why he allows the sitters to go in and check on them. The people have come to expect at least that much. He’d lose control of everything. But now, more lies.”

Crussus and Merlin exchanged a look. Godo stopped talking to himself and paid attention, too. “Achai, what do you mean more lies?” Crussus asked.

Merlin felt a pang in his stomach. He had a bad feeling about all of this. Something was going on. Something bad.

Achai swatted his hand through the air. “We need to get my son! There’s no time for this. We need to go and save him before they sacrifice him to that…thing.”

There it was. Words that validated the building dread inside him.

“Godo does not understand. What do you speak of friend?” he asked.

“Agh! We need to act now!” Achai screamed.

Merlin took a step toward him and put his hands on the man’s shoulder. “We can’t do anything until you tell us what’s going on. Breathe. Good. Now, tell us what you’re talking about. Help us understand the situation. What is happening?”

Achai gritted his teeth. “Sitters aren’t what you think. Varroc says that we’re supposed to verify that all the children are safe. But we…I…I’ve only seen my own child for the last few months. I haven’t seen all the children in a while.”

Crussus’ face went still. A moment later, he collapsed, his knees giving out. He just barely managed to pull himself into a chair. “You have the checklist. You’ve told us that all the children are fine…I don’t understand.” His voice cracked.

Godo’s hands grasped the sides of his head.

“I’ve been allowed to visit the dungeon. I come back and tell everyone that their children are safe. In exchange, Varroc allows me to see my son. There was a time when I got to see all the children. My last time was a few months ago. I noticed one of the children was missing. I heard similar accounts from some of the other sitters. In their cases, multiple children were missing from their daycares. All of us were told the same thing. To keep it quiet. Varroc told me if I wanted my son to be kept safe, I would keep it to myself. Act as if everything was normal. So, I did.”

He paused. “Since then, I’ve only been allowed to see my own son. It’s been like that ever since. I’m sorry.”

“What do you mean, a child was missing? Who? Whose child?” Crussus was having a hard time catching his breath.

This was a powerful reaction, Merlin thought. He was concerned too, but Crussus seemed…oh no. Did he have—

Achai looked away. He said nothing, and he wouldn’t meet the gaze of the blonde man.

“Achai, is my boy okay?” Crussus asked.

Silence.

“Achai! Is Tomas okay?” Crussus demanded. He tried to stand but crumpled, falling to the floor. Godo hurried over and helped him up. Crussus leaned against the table. “Achai!” he screamed.

Achai’s eyes watered. “I’m sorry, Crussus. I couldn’t tell you.”

Crussus slammed a hand on the table. “Damn it. Damn you to hell, Achai. I’ll kill you. If I hadn’t sworn to run my blade through Varroc first, I’d kill you now. But you know too much. You’re too valuable. And now that I know they have your son. I know you’ll help us. But know this…” He shook himself free from Godo’s grasp and forced his way to his feet. He approached the sitter and got in his face. “I will kill you. Your life is mine. And that little boy, Kyo, he will grow up without a father. I promise you that.” Crussus shook his head, a deranged look on his face, and then he brushed past Achai and left the room.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Godo seemed stunned by it all. “Achai, my daughter? Is she okay?” he asked her.

Achai nodded. “She was still okay the last time I saw them.”

Godo breathed a big sigh of relief. He sat down in a chair and leaned forward, putting his face in his hands. “Godo is having hard time processing. But if what you say is true, Godo would like to make this business deal happen very soon. Please Merlin.”

Merlin nodded. He turned to Achai. “I’m going to need to know everything. Start by explaining what you mean by sacrifice? What are they doing to the children in the dungeons?”

Merlin’s heart beat frantically in his chest. Please be okay, Charlie. Please. I’m coming for you. As soon as I can, I’m coming.