The day came and he promised his mother to stay safe for what must have been the hundredth time. He almost changed his mind, but reasoned he had already been paid half his wages. His stomach churned at the thought that he might be leaving to get away from the burden of looking after his mother. The thought that he was that kind of person made him sick inside.

The commander of the soldiers, Gilas, had given them a speech before heading off. Announcing that they were about to head out and set up a secure perimeter before exploring the mine. That it would be dangerous work, and to be ready to defend their lives. And so, with a sour stomach and a wrinkled brow, he set off with the other miners in the wake of the soldiers.

Walking by his side were men he had known all his life. Some of them had given their condolences after his father died, some had given him and his mother food or money, and some had taught him how to swing a pickaxe when he first entered the mine. And yet, if there was some situation, a life threatening event, he hoped they would die instead of him.

The sun seemed to sit unmoving as they walked along, their mining equipment packed away in a wagon ahead of them. After walking until the sun began to hang low in the sky, the soldiers stopped and started setting up their camps. One soldier was tasked to show the miners how to do it, and from then on it would be their responsibility. Dray focused as much as he could. Afterwards the soldier had the miners put the tents up for practice. He went around correcting those that needed correcting. Dray only needed a minor adjustment, which made him smile to himself.

The night passed quickly, the miners were in no mood to talk amongst themselves, so they went to sleep immediately after dinner. Morning came and they disassembled their tents, but packing them was a struggle. Getting on their way again they followed the soldiers once more.

It had been a day of walking, and the miners were starting to feel the distance from their homes. So they started talking amongst themselves. Dray found himself giving short answers, somehow never getting into the conversation. He found himself thinking of his mother with tears in her eyes. He had to make sure he made it back.

A day later a small attack from wolves hampered their progress. The wolves were looking to pick off the weaker members of their group, the miners. However, the soldiers had been paying attention and were able to deter the wolves before they could start. Dray noticed that though the soldiers were strong, it took some effort from them to fend off the wolves. When he asked why from a nearby soldier, the soldier looked as if he had asked a silly question.

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“Level pieces, m’boy.” Dray’s mouth gaped. “But, how are they able to put them together?” The soldier snorted, “they don’t. Animals don’t need to form the Levels like we do. They can consume them raw. Much like we have to cook meat and they can eat it raw. I guess it’s the gods trying to make things even.” From his tone Dray could tell the soldier didn’t much care for the gods' notions of fairness.

They continued for another week, but when Dray asked how far they had to go, the soldier simply replied, “farther yet.” After asking another soldier, Dray found they had another few weeks to go. The mine was just within the boundary of the kingdom but nearly on the other side.

Along the way some of the soldiers reported strange sightings. “Bandits” the leader said. “They’re watching us, but are afraid we’re too strong to handle. So they want to wait and be sure.” Dray frowned at the thought that they wouldn’t simply go away.

A few days later, the attack came, while they were still getting everything broken down and packed away, the bandits surged into the camp. The soldiers dropped their packs and formed shield walls around a central area. The miners were quickly rushed in, and the soldiers began to assemble themselves. They had been wearing their armor most of the time, just in case they were attacked at odd hours. It turned out to be a good idea.

The soldiers lifted their shields and stood next to each other while stepping forward, creating more space within their control. Other soldiers were tasked with fending off the bandits who were looting the wagons while the rest caused a disturbance.

The bandits attacking the soldiers and the miners were a distraction, but they still died. They tried to stay out of range of the soldiers but a few of them were still caught. One wasn’t quick enough and received a thrust through the ribs from a soldier’s sword. His face was framed between the soldiers, so that Dray caught a clear view. His eyes widened in surprise, then his face twisted in horror. Dray saw that he was losing consciousness as he slid back off the sword.

Dray scrambled back to the center of the soldier’s formation. He squatted down, covering his head with his hands, as tears poured down his face. He didn’t think about going home, he didn’t think about seeing his mother, he simply wanted to survive.

A group of soldiers made a salley towards the looting bandits and made their position untenable. Suddenly a whistle called out and the bandits retreated in good order. The soldiers stayed on guard until the commander believed it was safe then told them to start clearing up. Dray watched as the count was taken, and the names of the dead were called out.