I can feel the inhale and exhale of my chest slowly rising and falling. I lie here, eyes still shut, becoming more and more conscious as the seconds pass by. Blinking my eyes open I first notice the several parallel beams of light shining through a barred window at the highest point of the wall next to me. Dust particles float and glide along the illuminated sections of the air above me. The light is slowly fading away, dusk is approaching.

Is any of this real? Was I just dreaming? I appear to be lying in a crude bed that’s padded with straw. No pillow, no blanket, as simple as can be. No doubt I'm being held in some sort of prison cell. It was made very clear from the men who captured me that I was not welcome anywhere near them.

It would have to be from the brand permanently burned into my right hand. The insignia of Lunis. Not warmly welcomed in very many places. Mandatory for anyone in any division of the Lunar guard. Something I wish could be washed away. It is a shameful reminder I will always have to carry with me. They must've seen it, prompting the decision to bring me in. I don't blame them.

Strange thing is, their uniforms are not something I have seen before. I don't know who they are, or why they are operating so far south. There hasn't been any combat in this area for years. What are they planning to do out here? So many questions but no time for answers. I need to get out of here. I have no desire to be a part of whatever it is they have planned for me.

I spring upward, trying to get out of bed. It's no use, my arm is shackled to the bedpost. An extremely short chain yanks me flat on my back. The sudden jerk of my shoulder leaves a familiar sting. I look over and notice something. My wound has been treated. It's sewn shut and has a bandage covering it. My clothes are completely different too. Someone changed me into some plain white garments. Tattered and worn. The edges are long passed frayed. Stains covering several places. No coverings on my feet.

The question running through my mind is, What do they want with me? I remember them saying I was to talk to Thane. He must be the leader here. From what I can tell he hasn't arrived yet though. They said he was a few weeks out. I run my hand across my chin and feel a thick layer of facial hair. Judging by the length of it I've been here a little over three weeks. Thane could show up any day now.

It would be wise to get out of here before he arrives. A couple more tugs of the chain assures me it's securely fastened. Grabbing on with two hands, I ready a strong pull. Using all my strength in a sudden forward thrust of the arms, I attempt to rip the chain out. No luck, but to my surprise, the bed moves forward just a little. It's not attached to the floor. I might have some luck after all.

Sliding as much of me off the bed as I can, I plant my feet on the wall and push off. Turning the bed, putting the foot of bed firmly on the wall now in front of me. It makes a loud screech as it spins. I stop for a moment to listen outside the door and try to figure out if any one heard that. I lie in wait for several moments. It's not long after that I hear footsteps approaching. Faint at first, they sound far away. Stomp, stomp, stomp, the drumming of boots running on wood getting closer. He's in a hurry and heading right toward me. Someone knows I'm trying to escape. Stomp, stomp, stomp, even more loudly now they approach. Quickly and awkwardly I slide the bed back toward its original position. Crawl back on top and lay down. Stomp, stomp, stomp, they pound like thunder right on top of me. He's here, I shut my eyes and hope for the best. I have one free arm and could take him out if I can catch him by surprise. Trying to breath as lightly as possible I ready myself for the door to open any second. Stomp, stomp, stomp, he passed right by the door.

What was that? Did he not hear me? It appears a little fortune shines my way. I can't waste one second of it. As fast as I can, I spin the bed back around and firmly place both feet on the backside of the head rest. Bringing both knees up to my chest, I use the chain as support while I hover a few inches off the ground. Using all of my body weight in one massive thrust, I push off the bed, separating the post from the rest of the frame. A couple more pulls and it’s completely detached. I am able to slide the shackle right off. One end is still attached to my wrist, but I'm able to move about freely now.

Getting out of the room is the next challenge. Suddenly I hear several men shouting to each other. I peak out of the window and look outside. I see a crowd of armed men gathering at the front gate. Some with swords others bows and even a few axes. A few men stand atop the fence line as lookouts. One of them yells out "prepare to open the gate"! Ten men on each gate door grab onto pegs on a wooden circle that sits around a post with gears. They push all at once and the gears begin to turn in unison opening the massive gate.

Several men riding in on horses. All of them carrying weapons and wearing the heaviest armor I've seen so far. A mixture of leather and some metal make up what they are wearing. Still in the same red and black color pattern. Except for one. The man in front leading them all has slivers of white running throughout all the different pieces of armor. This must be Thane.

As he steps off his horse, men line up on each side of him. The line stretches out toward my building. Thane begins walking past everyone. The moment he passes each segment of soldiers, they all salute him and hold until he passes by. One stands by himself at the end of the path that's been formed and gives a single salute as Thane approaches. I recognize the one saluting. He's the same archer that brought me in. He blocks my vision of Thane. I can't get a good look at him. Then he speaks.

A deep and slightly gruff voice comes out. "What news do you have for me, Ric?"

Ric responds, "We currently have a prisoner in the holding cell."

Thane sounds slightly confused. "A prisoner?" He pauses for a moment and continues, "What do you mean, ‘prisoner?’"

"We were on a hunt and stumbled across him. He was injured and came without a fight. Our medic was able to patch him up, though he hasn't awakened yet and that was three weeks ago now."

"What was he doing out here?"

"That we are unsure of. Like I said, he was nearly dead when we found him."

In a low voice Thane mutters "Strange."

"Sir, there is one more thing you should know."

"What is that?"

Ric leans in closer and in a quiet whisper he reveals my secret, "He bares the symbol of Lunis."

Unsettled by the news, Thane immediately responds, "What? Are you sure?"

"Positive, sir," says Ric. "Have you seen any more besides him?"

Ric shakes his head. "None so far. I have men scouting the area around the clock ever since we found him. None of which have seen anything."

Thane exhales in relief. "Good, we can't give away our position just yet."

Thane walks forward and, respectfully, Ric steps out of the way. The two of them continue to walk side by side and that's when I finally get a clear look at Thane’s face. Judging just by look alone, I would have to put him somewhere in his early fifties. He has a wide jaw line with a short, dark, black beard connecting all the way up to his sideburns. He wears a covering over his left eye; it seems to be hiding a scar. The other eye is visible with a light brown coloring to it. Hair as dark as his beard sits atop his head, medium length and feathered backwards. More and more gray makes its way out the closer to the neck the hair line travels.

"I want guards stationed around the perimeter and at all watch towers, around the clock. The scouts were a good start but we can't risk them missing something."

Ric responds to Thane, "Yes, sir, right away." He begins to run off just as they approach a nearby barrack in the center of the camp which must be Thane’s quarters.

Thane turns toward Ric with one hand on the door. "One more thing... I want to speak to the prisoner when he awakens."

"Of course, sir. I will have someone check on him right away."

With that, Thane turns back and heads into the shelter.

Someone will be here soon. I need to think of a way to escape, and it needs to be fast. There are far too many soldiers outside my window for that to even be an option. The only other exit is the door, and that's reinforced so well it would take a battering ram to knock it down. You just need to keep looking around.

There has to be some way out of here. I continue to examine the room from top to bottom. The light from the window fades away as I come up with a plan. It's dusk, yet looking outside I can see clouds rolling in, covering the sky. Dark clouds, the kind carrying a rainstorm. That's perfect, the noise and obscured vision from the rainfall will make it easy to escape.

Before long, buckets of water dump on the roof, completely drowning out any other sound. All sound except the thunder. A sudden flash explodes in the air, illuminating the entire room. The light is followed by a loud but distant roar of thunder. That's when I see it. A shadow projected under the door. Someone is right on the other side. They came to check up on me. That's it--I'm out of time. No more thinking, no more planning, just react.

I look at what I have to work with. The broken and splintered bed lies in the corner. A large dowel from the headboard is in the mess. I quickly grab it and hold a firm grip on it as I await my capturers. It’s crude, unbalanced, and not very heavy, but it will have to do. My fingers shift as I try to find the perfect handle. The shadow moves a little to the left and a little to the right. He's reaching for his keys. Soon after, I see the door handle begin to turn. I slowly move behind the door as it opens.

Candlelight from the hallway shines into the room. A single silhouette stands in the door frame. It pauses for a moment, I can only imagine he's staring at the debris on the ground. He creeps into the room cautiously with one hand on the hilt of his sword. The man behind the shadow is almost right in front of me. He takes a few steps forward and the door swings behind him, not fully closed. Suddenly, lightning strikes again painting the room in white. This is it, my time to strike. The moment thunder rolls in, I jump forward and deliver a single blow to the back of the head. Immediately he's knocked out and on the ground.

I pull his sword out from its scabbard and open the door behind me. A quick look both ways down the hallway assures me no one is within visible range. I lean over, blow out the candle, and head out. Darkness envelopes the long, narrow hallway. Loud rain crashes down on the roof, swallowing the sound of my footsteps. As I approach the corner, I lean my back against the wall and peak around. Not a guard in sight, but it's no good--I've come to a dead end. Before me is a storage room with nothing useful to me.

I turn around and head back the other way. It's second nature to move around in silence in situations like this, even though no one can hear me. Stealth has never been my most refined skill, but I can hold my own. Strah was always best at moving about unseen and unheard in any environment. I wonder where he is right now. Is he even alive? Is any of my squad still alive? I've seen not a trace of them anywhere. That won't last forever, though. I will find them soon.

Stay focused, Aero, keep with the task at hand. I pass by my cell and see the guard still laying there face down. Not a threat, keep moving. The next corner approaches quickly. One swift look around and of course, a guard. Just beyond him is a wide-open doorway leading outside. He stands, arms folded, staring off into the rain. It's much quieter outside.

There isn't much room to move in this hallway. Engaging in a fight is not an option. I need to take him out another way. I put the sword down and prepare to pull him back around the corner. Now inches behind him, I check to make sure no one is nearby. I'm in the clear. Reach my arms under his, and around the neck. He tries to fight back but I have his arms pinned up. You're not going anywhere. He immediately tries to call out for help. Before he has a chance to get past one syllable, I cover his mouth and pull him around the corner into the safe darkness. I kneel him down close to the ground for better control. He kicks and squirms, trying to get free. My grip tightens around his neck, cutting off his air. He's not going down without a fight. Both feet plant firmly on the ground and he pushes off, which slams my head into the wall behind me. It hurts, but I'm not letting go. I shift his bodyweight so he can't do it again. His life is firmly in my hands. Just one quick turn and he could be done forever. It would be easy, and quicker too. No, I maintain a little self-control and just hang on a bit longer.

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Soon his kicking lessens until it comes to a complete stop. He's out, still alive but no longer standing in my way. I leave the body where it is, take his shoes, and head around the corner to look outside. The rain is still coming down very thick and limits visibility. I can make out a few figures off in the distance moving around. Quickly searching for cover from the downpour.

While no one is looking my direction I pick up my sword and go outside. I'm completely soaked from head to toe within seconds. My hair, heavy from the extra weight, lies flat, almost covering my eyes. Outside, the main pathway is turned to a muddy mess. I stay low to the ground in a crouched walk. Everyone is just about inside one of the many shelters around the area. I make my way to the nearest building and lean up against the wall.

The area within this camp is very large. They have the supplies and man-power here to qualify as a small army. My better judgement tells me to get out of here, but yet something lingers on asking, What is going on? I continue to follow the same pattern of running from building to building, scoping out the area before moving on to the next safe zone. Finally, after making my way past several buildings, I see it--my path out of here. I can see the large stables where they keep all of their many horses. All are under cover during this storm.

The horses are not my salvation--no, it’s what I see lying near them that’s what I am after. Someone has left a very large amount of rope out in the open for the taking. I can use that to scale down the outer side of the surrounding wall. Thirty feet is a long way to drop and I won’t get very far with a broken ankle.

I quickly make my way over to the stables, not wasting any time. I don’t know how long this storm will last and give me cover, so I need to take advantage of every second of it. Upon getting in close proximity of the stables, I slow down so as to not spook the horses. The last thing I need is one of them getting scared from my presence and kicking the wall behind them. I don’t know if there are men in the building attached to the stables but you can never be too careful. There are roughly thirty horses tied up here, many of which are sleeping since it’s starting to get dark out. A few of them are still awake, just watching me. None of them seem to mind me being here. I reach out for the rope laying across the railing. The nearest horse snorts at me and steps back a bit but does nothing more. I've got a hold of the rope now and have thrown it over my shoulder. One hand has a hold of it about halfway down my chest to keep it in place.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning shines across the sky, followed almost immediately with the loud boom. That one was almost right on top of us. The overwhelming sound of the thunder startles every horse in the line. All of them jump back and let out a neigh. I can’t stay here, they are going to blow my cover. It’s not long before I hear a door open around the corner. Faster than I knew possible, I bolt down the line of horses and slide around the opposite corner of the building. Mud and horse manure completely cover the ground in the area. Looks as though I found where they throw all of the waste produced by the horses. The bottom halves of my legs are now covered in a slimy mess. Not a pleasant smell in any way.

Slowly sliding up to the wall behind me and looking around the corner, I see two men out by the horses, calming them down. They grab the reins and hold them down, petting each horse. Once a few of the horses settle down, the others follow. These animals are well-trained. The more and more I see of this place, the clearer it becomes these men are prepared for war. They can’t possibly be thinking of fighting Lunis, can they? I don’t know who else they could possibly want to fight..

This place raises so many questions. The old me would have given my dying breath to see to it that this place never has the chance to even scratch the image of Lunis. Now my loyalty no longer belongs to a single flag or banner. I am my own, me and my allies. Ahriman, Strah, and Khalm are who I fight with. They are my friends, my family, and my army. As soon as I get out of here, I will find them. My time in this place is soon to end.

It’s not long before the two men leave the horses and head back inside. Once I hear the door close, I start heading toward the nearest guard tower along the outside wall. All the men standing in the towers are so preoccupied scanning for anyone outside the base, they don’t even realize who moves about inside.

I keep my same pattern of running from building to building until I come up to a smaller structure only about twelve feet tall. No walls, just four posts and cross joints going up the sides. At the top sits a very large bell. Hanging all the way down to the ground right in the center of the structure is a rope attached to the bell. This must be how they signal the other men in the base. Best that I don’t get too close to it.

I keep moving and I can see the wall not far from me. A guard tower in the corner and a ladder leading straight to the top. Only one guard on duty in this tower. It’s all too easy, he won’t know what hit him just like his two friends. The sun is down and the time to escape couldn’t be any better. I am more than ready to get out of here. No one to my left, no one to my right, it’s time to go. I snake between the last few buildings in my way and hug up to the last one before the wall. There is a large gap of nothing that stretches about 50 feet that I need to cross to reach the ladder.

Here I go with my first few steps out into the open. Nothing to hide behind, I just need to keep moving. Sword in hand and rope ready, my freedom is just within reach. Then it strikes--lightning touches down just outside the wall. The boom of thunder is immediate and louder than I have ever heard. All the guards in the towers are focused in the direction it hit. Now is my chance to leave while they are distracted. The light has cleared from the sky and that’s when I notice it. The ground I'm standing on is painted in a yellow glow. A light shines through a doorway directly behind me. Dead center of the illuminated ground is a shadow of a man who has seen me. I turn back and look at him. He is motionless, taking in what he sees, and realizes I’m not where I belong. He is carrying a heavy pile of firewood with both arms. In his mouth is an apple, top and bottom teeth are sunken into the fruit's flesh.

He stares at me and I at him. I can’t let him live, I do what I can not to kill but I have no choice. We are both bathed in light while the rest of our surroundings are swallowed by the dark of night. Anyone can see us, it would only take one second for a guard in the towers to turn his head and see me. I will have no regrets, this is for survival. It’s either him or me. The rope hanging off my shoulder slides down onto the ground as I lose my grip on it. I firmly grip my sword and raise it, ready to strike. Feet thrusting forward, pushing me as fast as I can go. My blade is steady and ready to pierce through his heart. It will be over soon. His eyebrows slightly lower in anger. The apple falls from his mouth and rolls into the mud, teeth marks face up in the air. I quickly lessen the gap between us and ready myself for a leaping strike. The moment I am about to jump he throws his entire stack of firewood in my direction. Logs of various sizes rain down over me, striking me in the head and shoulders, leaving behind cuts and scrapes. I raise my hands to block some of the blow and a small log lands on my knuckles, cutting one open, spilling blood down my hand and onto the hilt of my sword. He pulls out his sword and readies a fighting stance. In a few seconds, I recover from the several blows and plunge right for his heart. He parries the attack and pushes my blade away. With an opening, he takes a heavy swing which I quickly dodge. Another to the left and one to the right, both miss. I see he’s off-balance and I strike again. He blocks and our blades lock. Being off-balance, he falls over backwards, still holding his sword against mine. Both hands on his weapon, he hits the door behind him, closing it and pushing the light back inside. Down on the ground with his back firmly planted on the door, he doesn’t give me an inch. Our swords at a stand-still, playing reverse tug-of-war. I give it everything I’ve got and push my blade toward his throat. Moving only inches at a time. He’s grinning his teeth, knowing he’s about to die. I can feel the edge of my sword press up against his skin, drawing blood as it slides across. He lets out a single growl and pushes me back. Our blades no longer locked, he raises his hilt and strikes me across the jaw. I stumble back a few feet and jump back into stance. He stands up and stares me down. Our eyes lock in a battle of their own. No one moves for a few seconds, waiting to see what the other will do.

Then, suddenly, he turns back and looks over his shoulder, and back at me. Not a second goes by and he bolts away from me. He must be going to get help. I don’t give him another second before I start chasing him down. Both of us at a full sprint. Like cat and mouse we swerve around obstacles, jump over fences and slide around muddy corners. Dashing through small alley ways. It’s not long before I realize where we are heading. Then around the next corner I see it. The signal bell from earlier. He’s not getting just any help, he plans to call out the entire base. We are not far from the bell when I get within reach of him. I slash at his heel and he lets out a scream falling forward into the ground. The thick layer of mud slides him straight under the structure. He reaches up with both hands and grabs the rope. My heart leaps up into my throat and everything goes silent. The only thing I hear is an explosive ring rippling through the night. Then another, and another. Three tolls of the bell.

That’s it, my cover is blown. I know I can’t fight an entire army. My chances are slim but I might have enough time to get back to the wall and escape. Leaving him where he lies, I turn around and run. Sadly, I don’t get but a few strides when doors all around me start slamming open. Men start marching out, the majority is armed. I look to my right, to my left, behind me, and every direction I possibly can, but it’s no use. I am completely surrounded.

The man I left lying on the ground bellows out to them, “The prisoner has escaped!” There must be at least two hundred men here. Fighters wielding various weapons slowly close in on me. I know I can’t win but I won’t go down without a fight. As soon as they are within reach I slash, plunge, and swing all around me, fighting off anyone who gets near. Not an inch, not a single inch I let them advance. We dance like this for what seems like eternity until my defense is finally broken. Two men grab me, each one holding an arm. They rip my sword out of my hand and hold me still.

There is a man in front of me dressed in an a white apron and covered in blood. His left hand holds a meat cleaver. I can take a guess and say he’s their butcher. He has a beard that hangs a foot from his chin and a long pony tail to match. A smile forms on his mouth, revealing stained and broken teeth. His eyes meet mine and his mouth opens, “Well it looks like the scum of Lunis has finally awoken from his little nap.” He clenches a fist and punches me across the face, and another to the gut. Before he is able to let loose another swing, a couple men from the crowd hold him back. “Let me go! He deserves every bit of it!” I raise my head up for the blow and spit at him. It lands on his beard, his brows harden and he snarls. “You dog!” he says, breaking away from the crowd, planting another punch right to my gut. This one hits hard. It knocks the wind out of me, dropping me to my knees.

Suddenly I hear a roar in the distance, “That’s enough!” Breaking through the crowd is Thane. He walks up to the man. “You are way out of line, Horace.” Thane steps in between me and Horace. “Get out of here,” he says to him in a stern voice. Horace looks at Thane and then down to me, lets out a grunt, and disappears into the crowd. I bow my head in exhaustion and let out several deep breaths, still a little winded. Thane turns and looks at the men holding me in place. “How did he get out?”

One of them responds, “We have no idea, sir.” I raise my head and look up at Thane. Blood and spit dripping from my bottom lip, intestines still in shock from being used as a punching bag. It’s in this moment I am able to get a really good look at him.

He towers over even the tallest men in the crowd, he has to be at least seven feet tall or more. Not only is he of great height but of great strength as well. A wide chest is in the center of two enormous arms, each covered in muscle. Our eyes meet and he squints once he sees me. Not because he can’t see me--no, he's examining me. He gets a good look at me and then turns away.

Ric is in the crowd not far off. Thane looks at him and says, “Where did you say you found him?” in a soft but hurried voice.

“A few miles south, in the forest,” he replies. “I will be in my quarters. In five minutes I expect to see him in the interrogation room.”

“Yes, sir, right away.”

Thane stands up tall and looks out into the crowd. “As for the rest of you, head back inside, there is nothing left to see here.” He walks off and the crowd parts in front of him as he walks by. Soon after, they follow his orders and leave.

The two men holding me by the arms lift me up, placing me on my feet. Ric looks at me “You heard the man, time to go.”