Nick
"So what is it??"
Still confused and curious where I am I hadn't ever heard of the Shadow Rebellion. With pride in her voice the girl responded.
"We are a group here in Lucden that was organized to overthrow the false queen, I don't really care too much about the politics though, I'm just here because it pays good."
Nodding I understand a bit more about the organization that had saved me, but there were still a few things I was wondering.
"Well that helped a bit, but who are you and why did you save me?"
"My name is Bella, but I wasn't the one who chose to save you, I only let the boss know and he was the one who said to bring you back for questioning."
Now I get it, I wasn't saved I only changed captivity. Only time would show if this was a better situation compared to the mines.
"Nice to meet you I guess, I am Ni-"
Interrupting me she puts her hand up.
"I do not care for your name I doubt if you will even live for tomorrow, the leader will question you at mealtime. I'm only here to let you know to clean up and be presentable, there is a bucket of cleaning water in the corner and another for waste. Be ready ill come back and grab you in a short while."
With that the cute girl left my room, things could be worse, could be in the mines again at least I can clean myself freely now. Getting out of bed I head over to the bucket and wash myself and just as I was putting my clothes back on came a nock. With a shout, the girl calls out.
"Better be ready because its time to go."
Opening the door I exit the room, it looks she had also washed as her hair was slightly damp near the bottom and wrapped up in a bun.
As we walk neither of us say a thing I’m too nervous to even think of any questions. The hallway doesn’t go on very far we pass a few doors about the size of a common inn I’d guess. As we reach the stairs and head down there is a few men standing nearby and other sitting along the tables laid out. I was right it was an inn, with a bar and multiple benches and tables.
I had only been inside an inn a few times after making enough in the mines to go inside, normally I couldn’t afford any beer but I’d be able to get a nice meal once in a Nox.
The room has a similar look to the others I had been but everyone present had been sitting with their meals and drinks in front of them, none were eating.
As I walked everyone put their eyes on me watching each step I took. I was in a pit of lions they were all well built and weathered with battle scars. The girl and I walked down the steps and towards the biggest table laid at the back of the building, sitting at the head was the toughest biggest guy I had seen. Not even the strongest miners were close to his stature.
I start getting nervous with the glare he gives complete anger on his face. With his hands down I can’t make out what he’s holding but I can imagine there was a weapon nearby. His dark brown hair not even an inch long was matted and showing all the scars upon his face. He was definitely the leader of this group.
I bow my head as I enter his presence not even noticing the others surrounding him. As I keep my head down someone from another direction speaks with a calm voice but sounded more refine then any of the people I had met including the merchants I’ve robbed with Stink and guards down in the mines.
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“Raise your head boy, speak to a man with your face to his.”
Raising my head again I raise my head back towards the behemoth but he was not the one speaking, looking to his right was a man with blonde hair and more slim frame but still covered in scars he was wearing a cleaner outfit as the other guy had light clothing. Although that’s not where the voice came from either. It was the man to my right.
His hair a crimson red and eyes an amber calm. He looked directly into mine as I looked at his. A slight flinch crossed his face quickly disappearing, moving me eyes away I notice his clothes were very plain as well but he had the least mass on him he was still well built but was a lot skinnier.
I was taking in the rest of the room looking at the others, the red hair man putting his hand out to an empty seat, the girl already starting to sit down, gestures and he began to speak to me.
”Please take a seat as I ask you some questions.”
I take a seat looking over to the girls spot where she sat there was food already placed down, but nothing was in front of me. Continuing once I was still the man went on.
”First off I’d like to know your name and the reason you were a prisoner amongst the Royal Knights of the Avadin Empire?”
I sit for a moment. Pausing to speak I slowly start.
“Everyone just calls me peanut, and I didn’t know I was a prisoner. Aren’t I still currently?”
With a small grin the man nods.
”That is true I guess, but the how is it that you came to be dragged with them?”
”I was betrayed by my fri-“
Stopping I remember the beating Stink gave me before he scampered away. No he wasn’t my friend anymore.
”I was betrayed by my old-friend. We attacked the caravan thinking it was merchants. Unsuccessful he beat me before he ran off with the rest of the crew. Leaving me to be abandoned and captured it seems.”
I didn’t want to go into much detail of what happened, Lucden may be the city of criminals but that does not mean I will give up anything randomly. Nodding with understanding the man began talking again.
”Well you have a slave collar on so I can offer you two things. Either you return to your master I have no care and won’t hold you here longer or you join us. Now it’s very deadly what we do as you may notice.”
Gesturing to his own scars, which were fewer then the others but not by much, and to the others at the table. The only one who carried none that where visible was the girl, Bella.
”So… Peanut, what is your choice?”
Sitting there among all these warriors I felt like I could never be on their level of courage. Fighting the queen who I agreed was evil. I could stay in the mines and keep the life of safety my only risk not making my quota for dinner. Making my decision I answer.
”I want to join the fight. I believe in what you are fighting for.”
So the man with the crimson red hair stands and walks over to me, putting his hand on the back of my neck. I can’t see anything he is doing. I just sit there still slightly shaking with fear. They could just be lying to me and be killing me now and I’d have no clue.
After a short second I start to feel a heat on the collar the crystal exploding and bolt falling out. What had been on me for as long as I can remember just easily fell off within seconds. I had never heard of anyone’s collar being removed but by the master, or death.
Rubbing my neck I could feel the scar imprinted upon my skin, the collar may be gone but the scar will most likely remain forever. After picking the collar up the man looks towards the bar and shouts.
”Bring out another plate and drink for the newest member, young peanut!”
Looking down at me the man puts his hand out and pats my shoulder.
“I am Draco, the current leader of the Shadow Rebellion. Train vigilantly or you will be sent back to slavery.”
With those last words I am brought a plate of food, nothing extraordinary just some bread and stew but it was higher quality then the mines ever were. I was even brought a mug of beer.
No one had touched there food yet though so I hadn’t either. With Draco sitting down he bows his head then raised it after a short silence.
”Please you may all now eat.”
With that the silence broke and everyone began munching some more polite then others but everyone was eating slow and enjoying the meal Infront of them. The girl next to me was eating like a queen not a single crumb falling. I slightly lean over and mutter.
”So why is it that I was allowed to join? You all seem strong and Im just a slave?”
Finishing her bite she looks over at me with a calm face.
”Most members here are either military revolutionaries or freed slaves so it isn’t uncommon. Now don’t ask me anything else and let me enjoy my meal.”
Nodding my head I look down at my food and very first beer. Taking my first sip I kind of enjoy it.