We both took the opportunity to rest. It had been an exhausting couple of days and an even more exhausting hour. There was a new fresh layer of hell to navigate and now I was being restrained, collared like an animal. The constant pressure around my neck fed a consistent stream of rage into my system. It probably wasn’t very healthy to have my blood pressure so high all the time, and it made it hard to sleep as a bonus to boot. I took a few deep breaths and attempted to calm myself enough to at least doze.
Finally, I managed to fall asleep for a nap. Said nap rather abruptly ended with the sound of the door creaking open. I immediately shot awake and stood up as a reaction only to see Kala standing in the doorway, hands full with two bowls and a look of surprise on her face. “I uhm, brought dinner.” She paused for a second. “What was that?”
I shook my head a little. “Sorry, just spooked me is all. Need to get used to having you as a roommate.” The news of food, actual food that smelled like heaven to my starved senses, made my stomach growl quite loudly.
Kala evidently heard that and snickered a little as I felt my face flush in embarrassment. “Come on, let’s eat.” She said while walking over to the table and setting a bowl down on each side. I took a seat across from her and looked at what was to eat. It appeared to be a broth soup with potatoes, something that vaguely resembled carrots, and small chunks of meat.
I was almost drooling at it and dug in with a fervor immediately. My enthusiasm saw me barely stopping to chew what went into my mouth, only doing so for pieces that would be a choking hazard. When I finally came up from my feeding frenzy, I noticed that Kala was looking at me like something was wrong.
I was worried for a second and asked after that. “What’s with the look?”
She just stared at me for another second. “Did they not feed you?”
I shrugged. “Moldy stale bread, which I stopped eating after the first one.”
Her expression morphed into anger then softened to sadness. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re not to blame, Kala.”
“I know.” She said morosely. She started eating slowly, deliberately, like she considered each bite for all its substance before eating it.
“You’re going to make me depressed if you keep acting like that.” I gave her a bit of a smile to try and brighten her mood.
She smirked back at me. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine, just be yourself and stop trying to shoulder the blame for things you didn’t do.” She nodded and started eating again.
After a minute she decided to start another conversation. “So, are there any other interesting things you can teach me?”
I chuckled at her. “You’re insatiable, you know that right?” She shrugged with an innocent smile, prompting another laugh from me. “Well, did you know we are in a volcano right now?”
“A volcano?”
“Yeah, basically a mountain that erupts in fire and molten rock from near the planet’s core.” Her eyes went wide, and she looked all around the room in fear. I laughed again which made her squint angrily at me. “Don’t worry, this one’s dormant, or maybe even extinct. It hasn’t erupted in a while as far as I can tell, and we only really need to be concerned if there are earthquakes that start happening.”
She visibly deflated as the worry left her. I gave her a smirk, and she leered at me in return. After that I explained the basic functionality of a volcano. Molten rock underground builds up and when the pressure becomes too great it bursts forth in fiery fury. She seemed intrigued by the subject, and it made for decent conversation while we finished our meals.
Once the bowls were empty Kala picked them up and made to leave, probably to return them. She stopped just before the door and turned back to me. “I think I might have a problem getting more meals soon. They seem to be wary of people taking more than their share and my excuse of ‘my friend isn’t feeling well’ probably won’t hold for very long.”
“So, I’ll have to come out and get my own food, great.” It would be nice if I could just live in this little hole in the ground with Kala, having nice meals and pleasant conversations. However, it seems that I would be forced to suffer the sling and arrows of the mob outside, made all the worse by this fucking thing around my neck.
“Sorry.” She said while looking at the ground.
“What did I say about that.”
“Oh, right, uhm, fuck them?”
“Better.” I kept a straight face for as long as possible, but it was a losing battle. I busted out laughing and Kala joined me shortly after. She probably was the only thing keeping me sane, or at the very least not homicidal in the extreme.
She left to return the dishes and came back just a few minutes later. We got ready for bed, settling into our respective cots. Kala averted her eyes again as I removed my shirt and crawled under the thin blanket. Her innocence was amusing, and I smiled to myself because of it. Candles were blown out, goodnights were said, and sleep was sought after. There was probably a long day ahead of me tomorrow, what with them planning on poking around in my head and or the rest of my body with whatever magical mumbo jumbo they were planning on using.
Kala slept like a baby; she was practically out the moment she rested her head. I wondered if she was kept awake the last few days worrying about me. Even though I didn’t know if that was true, the thought made me simultaneously apologetic and appreciative towards her.
I, however, had a much more difficult time falling asleep. My paranoid instincts that were nurtured in this world could not find rest while they thought we were surrounded by hostiles. To fall asleep was to leave myself vulnerable to attack, and with the beatings fresh in my mind, it was almost a justified feeling.
I did my best to tell my body to chill, remembering the representatives promise that further violence would be punished. I had no illusions that that would stop it from happening completely, but it would at least prevent people from seeking me out for the sole purpose of assault, probably.
My eyes eventually closed and forced sleep upon myself. It was an uneasy rest, one that could be disturbed by the slightest sound. I imagined soldiers must feel like this after spending time in a combat zone. Luckily the ghost of the man I killed did not visit me in the night. It seemed his coming was somewhat blocked when more active concerns were present. Not exactly a foolproof or pleasant way to prevent a haunting, but there was no other way to deal with it.
I woke up earlier than Kala, my eyes stung a little bit from being up so soon and they closed again to rest. Couldn’t fall back to sleep though, which was annoying. I settled for resting my eyes until Kala decided to wake up as well.
She groaned a little as she returned to consciousness, shifting under the thin blanket before sitting up. I looked over at her as she rubbed her eyes, removing the last of the sleep from them. Her eyes turned to me with a half-lidded gaze.
“Is it morning?” She asked groggily.
“Not sure, must be close if we’re both awake though.”
She moaned and laid back down. “Can you look?” She curled up under the blanket and looked like she didn’t plan on moving anytime soon.
I chuckled at her but got out of bed, throwing my shirt on in the process. After opening the door and looking down the long tunnel, I saw some light streaming in from the end. “Yep, looks like it’s morning.” I called back to Kala.
She groaned in response and rose from her bed like a zombie from the grave. It was plenty warm inside this little cave, but she was evidently not much of a morning person. She still looked half asleep as she sat on the cot.
“Can it not be morning? I don’t see the sun, so let’s just pretend.” Her voice was full of groans and moans reminiscent of teenagers having to go back to school after the weekend.
“As good a plan as that is, I get the feeling someone's going to come disturb us anyway and I would like breakfast first.”
She sighed. “Fiiiine.” She drew that single word out like it was three times its actual length. Getting up from her cot was a dramatic process that made it seem like she was struggling with some unseen weight. She shuffled on towards the door and passed by me. “I’ll be back.” She mumbled as she went by.
“Thanks Kala.” She gave me a hum in acknowledgment of my gratitude and continued down the tunnel like an extra from a zombie movie. I chuckled before closing the door and sitting at the table to wait. She returned some minutes later, this time with plates that held bread and meat along with a cup of precariously balanced water. The portions were enough to satisfy but not fill. Life in an army, I guess.
Kala looked a lot more alert than she did before she left. “That little walk manage to wake you up?”
“The cold outside was jarring; this place doesn’t get a lot of sunlight.” She grumbled as she set the plates down and took her seat.
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.” We basically have a mountain surrounding us on all sides, the only time this place would get sun would be around midday. “What’s the general mood of the camp? Anything about me?”
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“I’m pretty sure word has already spread all over about you long ago. I overheard some people questioning why you were even here or alive still. I also think I've been getting some odd looks. They might have put it together that I'm on your side in this.”
I released a forlorn sigh. “Damned by association, fuckers. If they raise a finger against you, I will break it.”
She gave an amused huff. “I think that’s supposed to be my line.”
I smiled at her. “I guess we’ll just have to watch each other’s backs.”
“Deal.”
That conversation kept a slight smile on my face while we ate. Once we both neared the end of our meals there was a knock at the door. Such a simple thing to inspire so much dread, like a reaper trying to beat down your door. I took a deep breath before standing up and approaching the door. Before opening it, I corrected myself to appear as impassive as possible to the intrusion.
The door swung open to reveal a lizardman who was unknown to me, probably just some soldier who drew the short straw for this task. “Your presence is requested by the general.”
Straight to the point, is it? “Well, let’s not keep them waiting I guess.” The last of the food was stuffed into my mouth before stepping out to follow. Kala did a jog to catch up and stayed close to me.
We emerged from the tunnel back into the camp, navigating through the outskirts towards the large tent once again. More laughter and barbs were thrown about regarding my collar. I could practically hear Kala grind her teeth as she held herself back from throttling anyone who said anything.
We made it to the large tent and went inside quickly. Not all the representatives were present right now, evidently, they weren’t needed. The only one still there was the orc representative and a satyr who wore short robes that came down just below his waist and a satchel hanging off his shoulders. His fur, around the goat legs, and hair were brown with just a slight hint of grey. He had a neat beard that came to a slight point and short horns that jutted out from the top of his head as well.
The representative noticed me and turned his attention away from the satyr he had been in conversation with. “There you are.” He paused for a moment as if to consider something. “It occurs to me that I don’t know your name, would you care to share?”
“James, might I have yours in turn then?”
“Durdan.” I gave a little nod, not wanting to say it was a pleasure or anything because, quite frankly, it wasn’t.
Durdan gestured to the new member of the group. “This is our head of magical research. His actual name is the length of a small poem, so he has adopted a much shorter moniker of Sert for convenience's sake.”
I dipped my head again but was surprised when Sert walked straight up to me and seized control of my chin. It took everything in me not to strike him for such an act as he turned my head from side to side. “Hmm, stunted growth of the ears, side effect of magical tampering?”
“Born that way, and for the umpteenth time, I'm not a fucking Thrainian.”
“Memory alteration perhaps? Maybe a requirement to facilitate the unknown magical anomaly, or possibly an effect of it?” If it wasn’t for the comment about my memory, I would assume he wasn’t even paying attention.
Does nobody have the capacity to fucking listen to what I’m saying? This guy was going to get on my nerves fast if he didn’t knock that shit off.
“Do forgive him, he tends to get lost in his work, but he does hear you and will take into account your personal comfort with certain things.” Durdan commented. “He will be the one to study the anomaly inside of you, I would like you to report to his work place every morning after you have had your meal. Please follow him and remember the path, you will be expected to return and if you fail to, guards will be assigned to escort you, which would be a waste of time for all involved.”
“I’ll try not to be late then.” I gave a light sigh before turning to Sert. “Where to doc.”
Sert tilted his head a little. “What is that term, doc?”
“Where I come from people who master a specialized skillset, be it medicine, science, or whatever, get the title doctor, or doc for short. I just defaulted to it because you seem like one to me, I'll stop if you like.”
“If it is a term of respect, you may continue. Now follow me, we have work to do.” Sert marched off and out of the tent. Kala gave a queer look to the strange satyr as he passed, and I just shrugged to her before following behind.
Our little group left the tent and made towards one of the tubes that littered the mountain. This one seemed like it started naturally but was expanded upon for greater use. The room at the end of this tube was spacious, plenty of tables and chairs strewn about this personal workstation. The tables all contained various sizes of crystals, etching instruments, vials, plants and books. This room screamed laboratory and this guy was the equivalent of a scientist.
He turned and offered me a chair before noticing Kala standing with me. “Your presence was not required.”
“Wherever he goes, I go.” She replied firmly.
Sert sighed. “Very well, please stay out of the way and don’t touch anything. There is a decent chance of some things exploding if you handle them wrong.” That made her brow raise in concern as she edged away from a nearby table.
I took a seat on the chair he offered me while he sat across from me. He pulled over a notebook and started to scribble in it with a quill. I knew it was just notes, and any good scientist would keep them, but there were bad memories concerning such things.
“Before we start, is there any aggression you would like to get out of your system? Yelling, cursing, hitting? I would prefer it in those forms over any magical bullshit.” I asked as flatly as I could manage.
Sert stopped writing in his book, like he was frozen in place for a moment. After a couple seconds he put the quill down with deliberate slowness. “I can venture a guess as to say your treatment here has been lacking in niceties.”
I tugged at my collar. “I see you’re one for understatements.”
He raised a hand and dipped his head. “I yield the point. You should, however, be aware that I care not about your past, the circumstances that led you here, or even what species you claim to be. My only wish is to further my knowledge of magic, and if you would be civil and cooperative in assisting me with this, then I too shall extend the same professional courtesy. Is that agreeable to you?”
He seemed very straight forward and to the point, almost one-dimensionally so. I got the feeling he was being completely honest with me. You know what, I take it back, this guy's alright. “I respect the professional approach. You have a deal.”
Sert nodded and started grabbing a few things around the tables, depositing them on the one we were currently using. “Are you ready to begin?”
“As I'll ever be, I guess.”
“Good, let’s get started.”
He began with an orb similar to the one that was used to scan my emotions. Curiosity made me want to confirm if it was in fact the same type. “Is that an orb that reads my emotions? I already had one of those used on me.”
“True, it is, and while I did have the one who did so give me a full report on what happened, I would like to confirm for myself and get a feel for what is going on.”
“So, you’re being thorough?”
“Yes, now please place your hand on top. If the orb breaks remove your hand as quickly as possible.”
I nodded and he began the process of scanning my mind. There was that tingling, itchy sensation again that made me shudder slightly. Sert’s brow raised as he dug through my head. “I heard about it, but you certainly are an angry one, aren’t you? Now, where are you hiding...” He mumbled, probably just another quirk of his. “Aha, there you are. My oh my, how bizarre. A mind within a mind, are you born of his, or perhaps you are an entirely different entity all together.”
Sert looked in his element, completely focused and consumed by curiosity. “You’ve noticed me, haven’t you? I can feel that annoyance. Now, what happens if I...” I felt a chill run up my arm and all the hairs stood on end. Shortly after the sensation the orb cracked.
I pulled my hand away and Sert recoiled slightly but didn’t drop the orb. “Instantaneous backlash, a very defensive entity that hates intruders.” He put the orb down on the table and started scribbling in his book again. “Was there any pain, discomfort, or weariness when the orb cracked?”
It took me a moment to realize he was asking me that question. “Uhm, no, I didn’t feel anything, except for what I think was you probing me.” He continued writing in the book, evidently adding what I had said to it.
He finished his note taking then reached over and grabbed a small glowing crystal. “Hold this.” He gave the short command and thrust the crystal into my grasp. It felt warm and shimmered with a variety of colors. Pretty, but I didn’t know what to do with it. Sert was just looking at the crystal as it laid in the palm of my hand.
“Is something supposed to be happening?” I asked.
“It is a simple test to see if it will react to any source of magic entering your body or specifically those that come from another.”
I watched the crystal now too, waiting to see if it would crack or do anything. We stared for another minute before Sert reached out and took it back. “Does not react to unfocused magic.” A few more notes were taken, and he handed me a rough-cut crystal the size of a baseball. “Please put as much magic as you can into this.”
My eyebrows raised and I stared dumbly at the crystal in my hand. “Err, how do I do that exactly?”
Sert gave me a questioning look. “You do not know how to control magic with that much power inside of you? How have you not exploded yet?”
I chose to ignore the exploding part of his statement. If it hadn’t happened already, it probably wasn’t going to happen at all. “Look, I'm a human, we don’t do this whole magic thing.”
“You’re saying none of whom you consider your people can control magic?”
“Yes! I’m not a Thrainian, and where I come from, we don’t have magic or anything like what goes on here.” He didn’t comment further on that. Instead, he grabbed another crystal that had very intricate carvings in it.
Holding the crystal in one hand, he placed his empty one against my chest and started focusing. I was waiting for an explanation, but he just moved his hand around my chest and stomach, holding it against the areas for a moment before trying another. After he had successfully groped me all over, he took to observing the crystal he was holding.
He turned the crystal over multiple times, seemingly trying to verify something. “It’s true, you don’t have any magic in your body whatsoever. Fascinating.”
“Why is that ‘fascinating,’ I'm pretty sure not everyone here is a mage.”
“No, but everyone here does have some amount of magic in their body. Whether they have enough that they could utilize it without killing themselves in the process is another issue entirely. You have nothing, completely devoid of even a sliver of magical power. I do not know how you can even survive like that.”
“Have a pulse and breath, maybe eat right and exercise every now and then. I don’t see why it requires magic just to do those things.”
“For you, maybe, but if one of us were to have all the magic removed from our bodies, we would die, our hearts would simply stop beating.”
“Damn, that seems like a major flaw. Why is that even a thing?”
“All life here is touched by magic. From the moment of birth to the moment of death you are surrounded by it. To remove it in its entirety would be akin to removing the air.”
“I guess that makes sense. If you live with something all your life having it removed would be quite jarring to say the least.”
“Exactly, so the fact that you have both no magic of your own and possess an entity who appears to be composed entirely of magic within yourself is a contradiction that shouldn’t be possible.”
“Why not?”
“Normally, when one tries to take in too much magical energy to the point where their body can’t handle it, they explode, torn apart by overflowing power.”
“Well, I'm not exploding, so what do we do now?”
Sert stood up from his chair and went to a corner of the room that had boxes. He cracked the lid on one and reached inside. I heard him grunt with exertion as he hefted something out. When he turned back my eyes widened as he carried a crystal the size of my torso over to the table. He dropped it on the table with a crash. “We need to go deeper.”