Chapter 6

Drakkel opened his eyes to the sound of a demon shouting from outside the sleeping quarters. “Get up, now! Time to get to work!”

He immediately got up and stretched, dusting the dirt off his pants. At the same time, Ri'en sat up and yawned.

Gazing at Drakkel, he smiled. “Another day, another copper.”

Drakkel tiredly gave him a nod.

They went to the pit to get some food when they spotted a new person walking into the mine.

The man was well-built and muscular.

Although his hair was now black, his features were still familiar.

At first, Drakkel didn't know why he recognized him. But after a minute, he remembered.

He clenched his fists tightly as his forehead became dappled with sweat.

As he watched the man walk, he could only hope he wouldn't see him. But the man turned his head to the side and locked eyes with him causing his face to pale.

After looking at him for a moment with an inscrutable expression, the man then moved his gaze to Ri'en.

Gazing at him, his expression soured before he shifted his head back to its original position.

Drakkel frowned.

He just met Rillian Adore before and now he appeared in front of him again.

He continued to watch and listen, hoping that Rillian Adore would be placed in a different Cavern than him. But when he heard the mine manager happily command Kin to take Rillian Adore to Cavern C, his heartbeat slightly quickened and his throat became dry.

“You look a little nervous, Drake. Do you know that man?” Ri’en asked.

Drakkel sighed. “I don’t know him that well...”

Ri’en crossed his arms. “You don't seem very happy to see him though. Does he bother you? If he does, I can…”

Drakkel shook his head, “It's fine. Call him an old acquaintance of mine. He won't cause me any trouble, but his presence will trouble me.”

Ri’en raised an eyebrow, “What do you mean by that?”

Drakkel ignored his question and made his way to the Cavern. He heard Ri’en shout from behind him, “Wait for me!”

Rillian Adore was crouched in the spot near where Drakkel worked the day before, slowly picking at the rock wall. Drakkel gathered some tools from the cart and made his way to a different spot.

But as he passed Rillian Adore, he heard a whisper imbued with sword energy, “Are you Ignoring me, Drake?”

Rillian Adore purposefully put an emphasis on Drakkel's name.

The Golden Blade was known to be ruthless and intimidating, having no mercy for others. Because of this, when he uttered these words, Drakkel didn't know if they were a warning or a threat. So he crouched next to him to hear what he had to say.

Meanwhile Ri’en crouched on his other side.

When they both sat next to him, Rillian Adore continued in a whisper, “Do you two know each other?”

“I just met Ri'en at this mine yesterday.” Drakkel answered. “He helped me out and we’ve been well-acquainted ever since.”

Ri'en nodded.

A corner of Rillian Adore’s mouth dropped slightly. “I see… Well, I'm sure you already know the situation of these mines. So… how do you plan to escape from here?”

Ri’en answered first, “Actually, I…”

The mine manager’s loud speaking suddenly sounded through the halls.

“So someone caused trouble twice yesterday and even mined no stones?”

“Yes sir. He should be right over there.”

Drakkel turned around to see a thin and pale man pointing to Ri’en.

Ri’en stood up and calmly dusted off his pants as the mine manager, the unknown man, and two demons approached.

The unknown man said, “Yes, it was him. He bribed a demon guard with meteoric stones and spoke against the demon handling the food.”

“So you’re the one who's been watching me, Fenri? Ri’en asked. “You couldn't keep your mouth shut and your eyes to yourself?”

Fenri silently smiled at Ri'en as he spoke. Afterwards, he calmly answered, “Ri’en, if you didn't want to be caught, you shouldn’t have done anything wrong.”

“Fenri!” Ri’en spat. You aren't any better than all of us here! You're a miner too! It's only because you wag your tail at your owners that they're willing to give you a few more treats! So your food is a little better and you get more leeway in mining, so what? You still have to share a cave with the rest of us!”

Ri’en huffed a laugh, “Just sit there and watch! Once they get tired of you, they’ll put you down like a dog!”

Fenri sneered at Ri’en, opening his mouth as if he was about to say something in return, when the mine manager yelled, “Enough!”

Turning his head to the demons at his side, he said coldly, “Take him away.”

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They moved to grab him, but he shifted his arms away.

“I’ll walk by myself.”

“Fine,” The mine manager said.

The group walked towards a dark corner of the cavern.

When they arrived, the mine manager shouted, “Twenty whips!”

One of the demons took out a whip from under his clothes and Drakkel's body stiffened.

After a moment of silence, the first cracking of a whip could be heard and the sound of grunting followed after.

Drakkel wanted to help, but he also knew it was futile. If they caught him now, Ri'en might suffer a worse punishment and he could be dragged into it as well.

If that happened, his plans to help the people of Shadowy Ridges could be delayed or ruined.

But, he was restless.

He clenched his fists and attempted to get up, only because he couldn't stand to sit.

However, Rillian Adore grabbed his wrist, struck at an acupoint on his chest and held it there, blocking his use of sword energy as well as his movement.

Drakkel didn't appreciate the gesture, but he understood Rillian Adore's intentions. He probably thought he was going to jump in to save Ri-en.

Because he understood and couldn't do anything about it anyway, he decided not to say anything and let him believe what he wanted. There was no need to waste energy.

When the punishment was completed, the mine manager and his entourage left with Fenri.

Rillian Adore released Drakkel’s acupoint and let him go.

Drakkel immediately headed over to Ri’en whose back was covered in deep gashes and dripping with blood. He picked him up from the ground and helped him back towards their side of the cavern.

“We need to do something about your wounds.” Drakkel said.

He tried to touch Ri’en’s back, but Ri'en clamped a hand on his wrist.

“Not yet.” He breathed. “If they see you, you might suffer the same fate.”

Ri’en's face inexplicably broke into a smile. Then he forced himself up, let go of Drakkel, and walked to a different mining spot.

As Drakkel looked after him, the bleeding lash marks on his back could be seen through his tattered robes.

Drakkel frowned.

He had a point.

In the end he decided that it would be best to discuss their matters during the night so they wouldn't be caught. Rillian Adore seemed to understand this as well, for when he and Drakkel sat back down to mine, he didn’t speak anymore.

The day went by slowly, but it finally ended.

After they ate their food and washed themselves, they headed to the sleeping area. As he had been doing all day, Drakkel helped Ri’en walk to the place.

Rillian Adore followed behind them silently, his arms crossed and his face displaying a disturbed expression.

When they settled down and took their seats on the smooth stone, Ri’en finally said, “I’m sorry.”

Drakkel wondered what he meant. “For what?”

Ri'en coughed and Drakkel decided not to pry more until they healed his wounds.

“How about we take care of your wounds first?”

He glanced at Rillian Adore and said casually, “Rillia…”

Rillian Adore's eyes widened.

Drakkel realized he did something wrong. Rillian Adore was obviously trying to hide his identity, so saying his name would betray his intention. But besides that, he had addressed him too familiarly just now. If he was a Sword Fighter at a higher level then him, it would have been fine. But he was at best supposed to be a commoner and at worst a sword outcast at the moment.

If he said his full name as he almost did, his true identity might have been discovered.

He cleared his throat and bowed his head respectfully. “Good Sir. Do you happen to have any medicine with you?”

Under normal circumstances, the answer would have been obvious, but because Drakkel was checked for any items on his person before coming to the mines, he wasn't sure.

Living dangerous lives, sword clan disciples were required to have medicine on their person at all times. This medicine might include salve, plaster and, for the more well-off clans, some healing pills, the cheapest of which was the rejuvenating pills.

Drakkel still remembered that during his adventures, he would save the few rejuvenating pills he was provided for civilians rather than using it himself. He didn't need them most of the time anyway.

He gazed at Rillian Adore expectantly, unsure if he would have any of the items in question.

Surprisingly, Rillian Adore nodded. “I have a rejuvenating pill here. Have him eat it first for any internal injuries.”

Rillian Adore pulled a rejuvenating pill out of his robe and handed it to Drakkel.

Drakkel stared at it curiously, before taking it.

How did Rillian Adore still have items when he was checked for his own?

As he thought about it, an image quickly flashed through his mind of two people trying to touch Rillian Adore, suddenly feeling the atmosphere tense with murderous intent as their lives flashed before their eyes. Perhaps with this realization, they decided they wouldn't dare touch the source of their fears.

Drakkel shook his head.

Deciding it didn't matter, he took the pill and fed it to Ri'en, rubbing his back as he swallowed.

As Drakkel rubbed Ri’en's back, Rillian Adore quickly stated, “I also have some salve and plaster here. I’ll apply them on him.”

Drakkel nodded and moved aside to let Rillian Adore sit next to Ri'en, watching them carefully.

“Lay on your stomach.” Rillian Adore commanded.

Ri’en obeyed, getting on the ground so his back faced upwards with his stomach down.

Rillian Adore took off his top robes carefully as the blood from the wounds had already dried, sticking the clothes to Ri’en’s back.

When Ri'en’s bare upper body was exposed, two things caught Drakkel's attention. Among the bloody gashes was a flower-like symbol that seemed burned to his skin in the middle of his upper back near his neck and below that, was a scar on his right lower back.

“Are you a sword outcast from the Sweeping Trees Swords clan that specializes in the bow and arrow?” he inquired.

Ri’en’s eyes widened at Drakkel's question. Then after a moment, they narrowed a bit and he calmly answered, “Yes.”

He seemed neither sad nor angry about what Drakkel asked. No one wanted to be a sword outcast, but Ri’en appeared unbothered by the thought.

As Rillian Adore applied the salve and plaster, Drakkel asked the second question that sat in his mind.

“And do you know a woman who bears the same flower symbol as yours on her chest?” Ri’en paused for a moment, then looked at Drakkel. “So you've seen my wife?”

Rillian Adore's countenance suddenly grew more relaxed. His shoulders, which were pent up and stiff before, softened with his expression.

“She was your wife?” Drakkel asked.

Drakkel’s eyes shifted to the side as he hesitated for a moment.

Letting out a sigh, he finally asked, “Then do you know…?”

Ri’en nodded. “I know. We’ve been in contact with each other all this while. The matching brands are a symbol of marriage in her home village.”

With the salve and plaster now applied on his back, Ri’en sat up.

Facing Rillian Adore and Drakkel, he continued, “Anyway, now that you two have figured so much out, I might as well tell you. Because you’re both Sword Fighters like me, I think you can be trusted.”

He turned to look Rillian Adore in the eye, “Especially you, Rillian Adore.”