Hi guys. This is just a story that’s been bouncing around my head for a while I figured I’d try putting it to paper (or in this case the net) and see what people think. I’m going to try to release at least 3-4 chapters a week but as I write most of this at work it will depend on how close I’m been watched.

Just so you know although it won’t be included in every chapter this novel will contain graphic violence and gore, slavery, coarse language and sex (later chapters).

First chapter was revised because it didn’t really finish where it needed to as a prologue. Next chapter will be out within 24 hrs.

Chapter 1:

The smell of sweat and excrement gathered in the air as the weak cries echoing around the area were drowned out by the ringing sound of thousands of pieces of metal striking stone vibrated across sky. Dried blood mixed with dust on the ground as thousands of feet shambled back and forth as masses of bodies moved the loosened earth and stone out of the valley while countless more mined with an efficiency that would make ant colonies envious. Above all the noise and oppressive aura all could hear the murmur of the slaves

“Death is a gift”

This was the Kael Slave Mines. Where the millions of precious stones and gems where pulled from the earth every year so the citizens of the empire could have access to magic.

Guard Captain Saar was sitting behind his desk shifting through the latest reports. Sapphire and emerald extraction was down. His superiors could care less about the emeralds considering earth magic was banned across the empire outside of the Archons, but the sapphires were going to hurt him. There were few enough water/frost mages as it was without this new reduction in output.

Before he had a chance to contemplate the consequences of this information a loud knocking came from the door.

“Enter” the captain grumbled before one of his men entered into the room bearing a message. The guard simply placed the message on the captain’s desk than stood at attention awaiting the captain’s response.

Seeing the parchment, Saar’s eyes went wide at seeing the seal. Quickly unrolling the parchment, he read through the message before turning to the back to the guard.

“Get all men on duty, make sure all there equipment is in parade order and have the pit leaders have all slaves lined up in their respective camps”. He ordered before the guard saluted than ran out of the room.

Leaning back in he’s chair he looked at the message again. The High Archon Crius was sending his daughter to select slaves for her next stage in training. He wasn’t sure if this was a blessing or a cure. On one hand if he could impress the daughter and her father than he might be able to get out of this place and finally get himself and his family posted back to the capital. Or if she didn’t find any slaves to her liking, he might get stuck in this desolate place forever. Standing he went to prepare before the arrival of the daughter of the second most powerful man in the empire.

Raele was scrambling back and forth in a panic. He had decided to take any early (and extended) lunch and as a result had missed the message about the arrival of the High Archons daughter. If he didn’t have everything in order by the time she arrived, forget losing his job as a pit leader, the captain would most likely have him become a slave himself. he had to stifle a shiver as he knew all to well what the life of a slave entailed.

Death is a gift

After a quick polish, he donned he’s dark plate armour and left he’s tent to organise his men and slaves into order.

The ringing of a pick echoed throughout the cave as a lone figure worked a large Gem loose from the stone. The gem appeared to be a diamond and given its size it might allow him to earn the right to die. The only oddity in this virtually flawless gem was the strange red hue it radiated that seemed to move within it. Rubbing his slave collar he placed the gem into one of his pockets and continued down the wall to find a new place to start mining, shuffling along deep within the mine he didn’t hear the large bells ringing outside.

Standing at attention and trying to ignore the copious amounts of sweat flowing down he’s back, Guard Captain Saar was awaiting the arrival of the High Archon’s Daughter. Whoever thought that black plate was I good idea for people stationed in arguably the hottest place in the empire was either a complete moron or a sadist.

Continue to curse whichever prick had brought this down on him, the first signs of the High Archon’s Daughter’s entourage could be seen entering the valley. Several knights dressed in brilliant gold and white armour came riding in atop their powerful ware drakes. These were the Draconian Templars. Extremely high level mages skilled in single and group combat, siege warfare, assassination and about every other possible aspect of combat imaginable. To have this many in one place was astonishing enough, but to have them assigned purely to guard a single person went to show just how much power the High Archon commanded.

Finally tearing his eyes away from the knights he caught sight of the carriage following behind them. Coming to a stop a hundred paces away from him the door to the carriage opened to let out possibly the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. With flowing blond hear that was braided into an intricate pattern and hung down to her middle back, her near perfect proportion on her hourglass figure. But it was her eyes that captivated him. Even from a hundred paces away it felt like he was staring into the sky on a cloudless night. Her eyes sparkled like millions of stars seemed to radiate from within their deep blue depths.

Pulling himself together he strode forward and delivered a crisp salute as he stood before this goddess. Seeing the conflict on his face she let out a quiet laugh that threatened to make he’s knees collapse.

“Welcome to Kael milady. I am Alistair Saar, Captain of the Eastern Guard of the Kael Slave Mines.” Pronounced the Saar with another salute.

“Greetings Captain, I am Renee Crius, Daughter of High Archon Damian Crius.” Said the woman with an amused expression.

“Er…umm… yes well…, I understand you are here to select a few the slaves for your training. If you would follow me ill lead you to wear we have them assembled for your inspection”. Said Saar trying to fight down the nervousness he felt from been in the presence of such a beautiful and powerful woman.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Stifling another laugh at the poor captain’s expression, Renee and her guards followed along as he took her to the platform overlooking the slaves.

“As you can see all the slaves have been broken into their individual camps, 39 in total. Each camp works it’s corresponding mine. At last count there was between 200 – 250 slaves per camp. The people in the leather armour are the pit guards and the people standing in plate are the pit leaders” Explained the Captain.

“And the collars the slaves are wearing are the what keeps the form bonding?” asked Renee

“Yes milady, among other things. The collars not only prevent bonding with any gems the slaves might extract but also prevent them from dying.”

“WHAT! But, if this kind of magic exists why would we not make collars for everyone to wear so we could all be immortal!?!” Exclaimed Renee

“Ahh but they don’t heal people milady, only prevent them from dying. It is a type of necromancy that prevents the soul from leaving the body. The slave still feels all the pain from any injury they might sustain and will only heal what the body itself is capable of. Hence why all slaves will continue to repeat the mantra. ‘Death is a Gift’.”

“DEATH IS A GIFT” Echoed all the slaves in unison

Renee stared wide eyed at the amassed slaves. Even from 200 paces away they were able the here the captain speak those words. It left her with an eerie feeling and she was only just starting to understand how much those words mean to the assembled slaves.

“Shall we begin milady?” Asked the captain

“Yes I will require you to remove each slave’s collar as I inspect them.”

“Of course this way milady” Saar said before leading her down to inspect the first camp of slaves. Upon reaching the first camp the pit leader stepped forward, saluted and then proceeded to inform Renee about the number of slaves in his camp and what the mined. Removing the first slave’s collar she placed a strange crystal into the slave’s hand. Seeing the crystal give no reaction she moved onto the next slave as the previous had his collar placed back on.

Thus began the slow process scanning each slave. Twice the crystal had reacted and lit up in different colours and both times the Dragon Templars stepped forward and took the slaves away. All was going smoothly until they reached the 27th camp.

“Sargent Raele, Pit leader of the 27th East Slave Camp. Current shaft mines diamonds and quartz. Current slave count is 247….”before Raele had a chance to finish there was a rush of air and a Dragon Templar was standing before him with the sword at his throat.

“You DARE to lie in the presence of your betters?” Demanded the Templars as he applied more pressure with his sword as blood started to trickle from Raele’s neck.

“N..n…noo of course not. I… I.. there is 247 slaves in my camp I swear!” He pleaded as the warm blood from he’s neck joined another warm liquid at his legs.

“There are currently 246 slaves standing behind you worm. If you’re not lying than your incompetent.” Stated the Templar “So where is this slave you have lost?”

“H…He must still be in the mine, ill go get him now”

“No” turning back he saw the young woman stepping forward. “Take us to see him”

“Yes milady of course” stated Raele before leading the party towards the mine shaft.

It took the group almost an hour to find the slave and only the periodic ringing of metal striking stone confirmed that the slave was even in the mine. The slave didn’t even register there presence when they finally found him as he continued to work on freeing another gem. It was until the pit boss ran over and dragged him back that he realised something was happing.

Upon seeing the slave the guard captain was surprised to recognise him. He had reports on this one before. The slave worked for one purpose only. To die. From his understanding the slave hadn’t slept his entire time in this camp, continue to work the mines in hope to find a gem worthy of releasing him. As one of the Dragon Templars stepped forward to remove his collar Saar stopped him.

“Milady, the only thing keeping this slave alive is his collar, if you remove it he will most likely die immediately”

“That’s quite alright captain. Even if he dies the body can still be of use if it meet the specifications” she said as the Templars once again moved forward to remove the slaves collar and place the crystal in his hand. The moment the collar left the slaves next he collapsed to the ground shuddering slightly before going still.

“Ahh such a pity and we came down all this way for nothing.” Sighed Renee as she looked at the slave’s body. Turning her gaze back upon the pit leader she gave a quick nod.

The next moment would haunt Saar for the rest of his days. He saw one of the Templars blur as he appeared behind the pit leader. Then came the cracking. Raele’s mouth was open in a silent scream as his body contorted sporadically with such force his bones were snapping, blood poured from his mouth and nose as bones started to protrude from his skin. After nearly 5 minutes he finally collapsed to the ground.

“Well much better” said Renee cheerfully.

“Ready to get back to the inspection captain?” she asked with an innocent smile

“Of course milady” said Saar snapping back to himself. Turning he led the party back to the surface leaving behind the body of a slave and the blooded wreck of a former pit leader.

<12 hours later, Shaft 27, Kael Slave Mines>

The scene in the mine shaft had changed largely over the last few hours. The floor was devoid of blood and the corpse on the ground was a pile of bones and shrivelled skin. Beside it was the body of a man covered in a red glow that pulsed in time to the slow rise and fall of his chest.

Finally the light disappearing, his eyes snapped open as he looked around. He could feel the blood in his veins surging with restrained power. He could see the surrounding area even without the light of the torches that had long gone out. He could feel the slight air flowing against his skin as he looked towards the where the entrance of the shaft was located. Rising to his feet he felt the repressed strength ready at his call.

“Death is my gift and I will share it”