ã€ŠActor lost in another world.ã€‹


 Chapter 1 Unhappy landings.

    Robert opened his eyes. The sunlight stung and he blinked. He turned his head to the side. Sand stared back at him.

    What happened? What hit me?

    The world suddenly lurched sideways, as his body slid. Is someone dragging me away? He thought, lightheaded. Robert looked up, nearly jumping out of his skin.

    Two giant ants were dragging him along by his shoes. They worked as a team to pull, Robert slowly along. A surge of adrenalin and panic overcame, him, as he kicked and screamed. The ants unready for this, let go. Loose sand fell from Robert''s body as he stood up. He turned, in time to see the two ants charge him. Their jaws open wide.

    ¡°Oh, Crap!!!¡± Robert yelped, as he backpedaled.

    The leading ant bites wildly at the air, nearly at his legs; as the second ant flanked behind him. Robert instinctively fainted to the right and rolled to the left. The leading ant missed him, as he got beside it. The flanking ant turned and charged again.

    Robert kicked the nearest ant in the underbelly, it went flying. A sicking crunching sound, came as it landed. But it didn''t die though, it got back up and ran away. The charging ant bites wildly, towards Robert. He kicks a spray of sand in its face. It reeled back.

    Robert risked a bite and kicked. The ant fell back, barely hurt. It turned on the spot and followed the retreating ant. They disappeared over a dune and vanish. Robert scanned the dune, for thirty heart-pumping seconds. The ants didn''t reappear. His heart rate slowly returned to normal.

    Oh crap. Crap crap crap! Robert thought as he hopped nervously. Those were giant ants! Real giant ants attacked me... This... I must be dreaming... this can''t be real. This is impossible. I must have hit my head or something.

    In a flash he remembered, somethings; The memories were like a car, during a hit and run. There one moment, gone then next.

    He was falling through the sky. For some reason he also remembered seeing, confusing images in his head, like a movie. The thoughts were hurting him, making terrible pain in his head. All the images were of his life. Like his whole life was playing out for him?

    The wind kicked up and splayed him in the eyes.

    ¡°Ah, my eyes,¡± Robert Muttered, as he rubbed away the sand. His eyes still hurt but he didn''t care. ¡°This can''t be real. That can''t be my life, flashing before my eyes. Can it? This is just a dream after all.¡±

    All around him were dunes. He couldn''t see past them. There were twenty feet of viability at any given time. All around were small turfs of weeds and dead plant life. This was a desert, He was in a desert.

    Robert spotted his shoes. They were left halfway up the dune.

    Crap! Those things managed to take off my shoes? Robert thought, looking down at his now shoeless feet. His socks were still there, luckily. Robert carefully approached his shoes and put them back on.

    Besides himself and the wind, the only other sounds were a faint, musical familiar ringing tone that floated over the sand. Robert knew what it was immediately.

    ¡°My cellphone!¡± Robert yelled as he looked around.

    A glint of light caught his eye, it was his cellphone. Robert ran to the spot and dug around. A silver cellphone appeared and was quickly snatched up.

    ¡°Oh, it was just my alerts?¡± Robert muttered, checking the phone over. The network connection was gone and all access to the internet. Figures. There wouldn''t be any bars in a dream. Robert thought as he turns off the phone.

    Another glint caught his eye, so Robert reached down and pulled out his pen.

    Hum? Must have fallen from my pocket. Robert thought as he put it back where it belonged. Soon after the adrenaline buzz slowed to a stop, Robert started to hate the wind. The unpredictableness of wind was getting to him. It crawled up and down his body and as it went stealing his body warmth.

    This is a pretty weird dream? First the talking stars, now a cold desert, and giant bugs. What''s next to a giant worm? Robert thought as he walked to the top of the closed dune.

    Once there, Robert got a good view of the desert. An endless sea of sand and blue sky, stretching out forever.

    Well isn''t that pretty. It''s amazing what you can dream up. Robert thought as he blocked the sun with a hand. Wait what''s that there?

    Floating over the dunes was a brown dot. It was slowly moving across the sky.

    Is that a plane? No that''s not a plane, it''s moving to slowly. What the hell is that then?

    As the dot grew a line of orange that fell to the ground.

    The orange line disappeared into the ground, leaving the brown dot to float there. The brown dot started to become clearer like it was coming closer. It was a ship, a large flying boat. A massive brown balloon hung over it.

    ¡°What the hell! It''s a flying boat?¡° Robert yelped. "Ouch Ah! what''s happening?¡±

    The sunlight suddenly grew dark as the winds started to hit Robert with sand. Robert felt a dangerous change to the wind. It wanted to carry him off. Robert looked up in horror as a huge tornado appeared from thin air. A massive swirling tower of sand and fury, big enough to block out the sun, just appeared.

    Robert felt his feet leave the ground a second later. He gasped at anything feeling around for a solid hold. but only got loose sand. Finding the action useless, instead, he covers his head. Everything goes black. Sand hit Robert''s skin with the same speed and density as a sandblaster. It was the best he could do just to cover his face. He landed on his belly.

    ¡°Aaah!¡± Robert screamed as a large wave of sand washed over him.

    Robert awoke in darkness. He breathes in, filling his nose with sand. He couldn''t breathe, his arms are stuck and the only things free were his legs. He never felt so terrified in his life, and the worst thing was that he should have awoken already.

    Robert had nightmares before, but never one this real before. His brain was shutting down, he was in full survival panic mode.

    Can''t breathe! Can''t breathe! Can''t breathe! Robert thought as he screamed internally. Soon he felt the sand above him move as footsteps stopped above him.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    A pair of hands grabbed his feet and pull. Sand entered places sand shouldn''t be, but eventually, Robert was pulled out and rolled on his side. The light sang his eyes, as his body expelled sand from his mouth and nose. His two rescuers stood over him, they were soldiers by the look of the clothes. Both wore yellow capes and carried spears. Their underclothing looked like chain mail armor.

    ¡°OH my gosh, I would have died under there. Think you, thank you.¡± Robert said, feeling a little light-headed and then confused by their angry faces. "Can I ask something of you?"

    ¡°Don''t count on it Podor. As I see it, you got two chooses here! " the taller of the two said, as he crouched down to Robert''s level. "You can obey everything we say now, or you could resist and we could break your arms and carry you!¡±

    What the hell? Didn''t they just save me? Robert thought. Oh hell they''re not here to save me!

    As Robert stood up, he learned that the two men weren''t the only ones around. At least thirty men with similar yellow capes were walking around either carrying or escorting at sword point, a bunch of men in brown clothes.

    ¡°Move!¡± the soldier ordered. Robert looked down at the sword grazing sharply against his belly and hesitantly obeyed. The crowd of armored men and prisoners formed together and started walking with Robert in tow.

    This can''t be a dream. That was real panic back there in the sand. That fear was real. There''s only one answer to all of this, that it''s all real. Robert thought as the soldiers lead him up a hill. Everything from the sand, to the soldiers, to hell ...the great ants were real too!!

    After reaching the top of the dune, Robert gasped. Below them was a massive desert caravan, at most a mile long. The caravan''s wagons were on sleds instead of wheels, and each wagon was pulled by a set of camels.

    Near the caravan, was a gathering of people. All the men in brown clothes were being gathered there, and the guards around them.

    Robert was brought down the hill and was forced to kneel with the rest of the prisoners.

    To Robert''s surprise, the caravan were all cubes-shaped. The wagons were large boxes with a simple cloth door. The strangest thing of all was that they were made up of sandstone and the only metal on them were their blade sleds underneath.

    As Robert glanced around, he noticed that some of the kneeling men had been tied up.

    ¡°Hey, buddy. Can you tell me where I am?¡± Robert asked, turning to the nearest brown-clothed soldier. ¡°I don''t belong here. ¡±

    The man''s burning glare made Robert''s stomach jump.

    ¡°Be Silent scum!¡± Yelled the yellow caped guard, as he placed his boot on Robert''s back. ¡°Or I''ll hurt you¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    ¡°I said silence.¡± The caped men said. "You''re about to be judged for your crimes against the Liba royal."

    Crimes! I don''t even know these men, I''m innocent!

    ¡°Hey, I''m not..!¡± As Robert started to yell but was kicked in the arm by the guard.

    The large wagon sled pulled up and stopped beside the crowd. A tall, rough-looking old man, stepped out of the wagon. He also was wearing a yellow cape with even heaver-looking armor under it. He viewed the crowd with disgust.

    ¡°Commander, have you removed their weapons and Cinta yet?¡± The old man asked.

    ¡°Yes, general. They are harmless now.¡± the commander said, as he step forward. He looked more like a liberation, than a soldier. Glasses and all.

    ¡°Well then.¡± The old man said as he turns and shouts. ¡°Podor soldiers! You''re only alive by pure luck, and by the good graces of her royal highness! Until we reach the Gudo capital, you''re our prisoners! Play nice and we can promise you a safe trip there! Once there, you will be handed over to the Gudo military for progressing! However, if you try anything, you''ll be killed on the spot! Take them away commander. ¡±

    ¡°Yes general.¡± the commander said.

    ¡°NO, wait! I''m innocent! I''m not with...Aw¡± Screamed Robert, standing for a few seconds, before being tackled by four men.

    ¡°Why isn''t that man tied up yet?¡± Asked the general, pointing at Robert.

    ¡°I''m sorry general.¡± the commander said. ¡°We think he was some kind of noble. He wasn''t resisting at the time, so the men thought they didn''t need to. ¡±

    ¡°Make sure this doesn''t happen again... What?¡± the general said, listening to someone in the wagon behind him. ¡°Oh, your highness. Hum? Are you sure? It could be a trick." A long second passes "Alright. Commander bring that man forward.¡±

    Soon Robert was dragged to the front of the crowd. Some of the brown-clothed soldiers in the front, begin whispering to each other.

    ¡°Her royal highness wishes to know by what reasons do you clam innocents?¡± The general asked.

    ¡°I''m.. Robert Price. I''m an actor and I don''t know where I am. One moment I was getting in my car, the next I''m talking to a cluster of stars out in space. The stars said something to me, but I can''t remember, and before I knew it. I was here. Will more like, I was over there.¡± Robert said pointing to the dunes. ¡°I know this sounds weird, but I thought this was all a dream ten minutes ago, but now I don''t even know. Maybe..¡±

    ¡°Whoa, you can stop right there.¡± the General cut in, looking annoyed. ¡°Either you''re a good liar or you''re completely insane. People can''t just appear out of thin air, not even with Cinta. How can you expect me to believe an actor got out here alone. Not even a mercenary would risk being alone out here.¡±

    ¡°But you must believe me, I did just wake up out here. Here. Test me, ask me anything?¡±

    ¡°Alright, then what kingdom do you come from?¡±

    ¡°Ah? I don''t come from a kingdom. I''m from America, it''s a democratic republic.¡±

    ¡°A what? There''s no such thing. You made those words up.¡±

    ¡°Yes, there is. And for your information, a democratic republic is a place where the people rule themselves."

    ¡°Where the people rule themselves? Ah! What''s crazier than talking stars.¡±

    "Of course, you would call it crazy. you never see one before." Robert said. getting suddenly mad over the man''s closed-mindedness.

    ¡°This is pathetic." The general said, looking completely done with this interrogation. The General turned to the crowd. " You Podor know no shame. You really expect me to believe this hornet spat. Take them all away!¡±

    ¡°NO! I''m not lying!¡± Yelled Robert, as two guards grab him from behind. ¡°Please someone, anyone. Believe me!¡±

    The yellow soldiers started escorting the other prisoners away too. Everyone was heading towards the end of the caravan. When a familiar musical sound rang through the crowd and Robert couldn''t help, but smile. It was his phone.

    ¡°What''s that noise?!¡± the general asked, in shocked fury. "Where is it coming from?!"

    ¡°Here!¡± Shouted a guard, who was holding Robert. ¡°It''s coming from him!¡±

    The general stomped over and pulled out Robert''s, cellphone. He held it like a man holding a snake.

    ¡°What is this thing?¡± The general asked as he turned to the commander. "I thought you scanned them all for Cinta?¡±

    ¡°Sir, I did. I''m sure I did.¡± the commander said frantically, as he thought for a moment. ¡°Sir, I could have missed this one.¡± The commander raised a hand and shock crossed his face. ¡°I can''t scan it, sir. It''s like it''s not even there!¡±

    ¡°Don''t joke with me, commander. If it''s not there?¡± the general asked, as he held up the cellphone. ¡°Then what is this?¡±

    ¡°It''s my cellphone. It''s a device from America," Robert said. "It''s used for communication, and other things.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so it''s a seeing stone? ¡° the general said, turning the phone around in his hands. He hadn''t turned the screen on yet, so all he saw was black. ¡°But how is it making that sound?¡±

    ¡°It''s making that sound because it''s trying to alert me to something,¡± Robert said.

    ¡°What! It''s alive!¡± Cried the general, as he dropped the cellphone. The soldier holding Robert let him free out of shock. ¡°What dark magic is this?¡±

    ¡°No, it''s not dark magic, it''s science. Just hang on,¡± Robert said, bending over and picking it up.

    Many of the soldiers looked worried as Robert grabbed the phone. He turned on the screen and the guard behind him gasped.

    ¡°Look, does anything in this world look like this?¡± Robert asked, showing the old man the screen.

    ¡°No, not at all.¡± the General said, as he leaned down to look at it. ¡°I didn''t know the Podor empire had seeing stones that can make sounds and..." a second passes. " This is very worrying. The king must be told of this at once before we return.¡±

    ¡°Hey! I said. I''m wasn''t from Podor!¡± Robert growled as he pocketed his cellphone. "I''m an American!¡±

    ¡°General Paul, what going on out here.¡± A young woman asked as she stepped out of the wagon. She wore a fancy golden dress and her long honey-colored hair was in a braid. ¡°What was that sound?¡±

    Whoa! Who''s that? She looks familiar somehow? Robert thought, surprised. Like someone, I know? But how? The memory... it''s on the tip of my tongue?

    ¡°Your highness, go back inside,¡± the General said, as he stepped towards her. ¡°I can handle this.¡±

    ¡°But what was that sound? I never heard anything like that before?¡± She asked, meeting the General halfway.

    ¡°Go back inside, now Princess .¡± the general said.

    ¡°Why?¡± the princess asked, as she looked over the crowd. ¡°I see no danger here?¡°

    ¡°Can''t you see we have enemy soldiers here,¡± The General said, as he pointed at the crowd? ¡°Princess your wedding''s in four days. I don''t want to be the one to report back to your father and tell him you''ve been killed by a rouge prisoner on the way there. So please your highness, go back inside.¡±

    The guards around them tensed up after hearing that. To Robert''s quiet protests, the guard took hold of him again, while the rest of the guards started holding their prisoners tighter. Likely trying to avoid that very possibility.

    ¡°Alright, I''ll go back inside.¡± The princess said in a soft voice, as she slowly turned. " I guess. I must ask someone less busy than. ¡±

    ¡°Ah fine I guess. ¡± sighed the general, as he pointed at Robert. ¡°The sound was coming from that man''s seeing-stone. Nothing more. Now please go inside.¡±

    ¡°A seeing-stone that can make sounds.¡± the princess asked like someone brought up her birthday surprise. ¡°Can I see it?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Your highness I can bring it into you later.¡± the General said, turning to the commander. ¡°Commander escort the princess back inside.¡±

    While the princess headed back to the wagon, the general approached Robert.

    ¡°Ok give it here.¡± the general Ordered, with an opened hand.

    ¡°What no! You''re not taking my phone.¡± Robert yelled as he backed away fruitlessly. The guard was holding Robert fast. The general reached into Robert''s pocket and took the cellphone out. ¡° Hey!¡±

    ¡°Ok. Now put him with the rest." the General said, pocketing the phone himself.

    ¡°Wait! you guys can''t treat me like this! No, I''m not with them! I swear!¡± Yelled Robert, as he was dragged away. ¡°I want a lawyer!!¡±

 Chapter 2 Meeting the Locals

    When Robert looked up, he noticed that the Podor soldiers were being chained to the last few wagons of the caravan. So they would be forced to walk when the caravan begin to move. Robert was chained to the last and farthest wagon, along with twenty other men.

    The manacles they put on Robert. Looked unbelievably shiny and new. But they were very primitive. The key was a solid metal screwdriver thing, that screwed a bolt in between the two halves of the manacle.

    ¡°Hey.¡± A Podor prisoner leaned in and whispered in Robert''s ear. ¡°If they''re treating you like this. You''re not from Liba or Gudo and I know you''re not from Podor. Did you really mean what you said, about waking up out here?¡±

    ¡°Yes every word,¡± Robert said, as he quietly strength tested his manacles. ¡°Everything I said was true.¡±

    ¡°Oh, come now. It was a good story and all, but you were talking nonsense. ¡° replied the Podor Soldier, as he leaned again the wagon. "Half of the things you said were animal noises."

    ¡°What? You heard noises, not words?¡± Robert muttered.

    Oh right. How did I miss this before? Even on earth, there''s a language barrier between cultures. But this is another planet, so that barrier should be even bigger? So how could they even understand me?

    ¡°Hey what language are we speaking now?¡± Robert asked

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± The soldier asked, looking a little confused. "What do you mean? We''re just speaking aren''t we?"

    ¡°No I mean have you ever met someone who you couldn''t understand... Whoa,¡± Robert said. As the caravan started moving. Everyone started walking along with their wagon.

    ¡°Oh. You mean when you cut someone''s tongue out. So they can''t speak anymore? Is that what you mean?¡± the soldier said, so casually Robert almost missed it and nearly dry heaved, at the idea.

    ¡°Ah, no,¡± Robert muttered, turning away. ¡° That''s not what I mean.¡±

    ¡°Silence! No more talking!¡± Commanded a passing guard.

    After ten minutes Robert was having trouble walking. He glanced to his left, where two black towers came into view over the dunes. Against the blue sky and tan desert, the pic black towers look menacingly and manmade.

    ¡°Hey what''s that?¡± Robert asked, pointing. The soldier glanced over.  "Those towers, is that where we''re going?¡±

    "You''re joking with me right. Ha, you got me with that one. ¡± The soldier laughed.

    ¡°Ok, then. If it''s not where we''re going?¡± Robert asked, mildly frustrated. ¡°Then what are they? Some kind of strange rock formation?¡±

    The soldier looked like he swallowed a bug.

    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.¡°Really? Have you been sheltered your whole life or something? How do you not know this? ¡± the soldier, asked gesturing at the towers. ¡° I thought... This is like a child''s question."

    "Well then, just call me childish and tell me."

    "Ugh, you''re crazy. I feel like. I''m getting dumber just by talking to you.¡± the soldier said, shaking his head. Then he snaps upright and stares at Robert in shock. ¡°Hey, I understand now. You''re trying to worm information out of me, by claiming complete stupidity. It starts with simple kid questions. Then I drop my guard and you start asking me the real questions. Well, I''m not going to fall for your tricks, I''ve been trained for this. I''m going to be over here from now on. Don''t try to talk to me again or I''ll hurt you.¡±

    ¡°Wait no! I''m not doing that.¡± Screamed Robert, as the soldier moved away. ¡°I''m just a dumb actor! Who doesn''t know anything or where I am! And he''s ignoring me. Oh, why me?¡±

    The earlier Liba Guard walks by and gives Robert a commanding, You better not try that again stare.

    Four hours later the commander, liberation guy came looking for Robert. Who was now sitting on the back of his wagon? It was the only place to sit then the wagon was moving. The guards had allowed him, because after two hours of walking, Robert, collapsed and couldn''t stand up again. The guards and the captured soldiers couldn''t understand why.

    What now? Robert thought, looking down at the commander.

    ¡°What?" Robert said."I got permission to sit here.¡±

    ¡°That doesn''t matter, the general wants to see you personally,¡± the commander said, as he waited for Robert to get down. Robert didn''t move. "Now."

    ¡°He wants to see me, does he? He can come here for that.¡± Robert said disrespectfully. The commander in annoyance pulled Robert off the wagon. ¡°Hey, ow.¡±

    ¡°You will show respect then talking about general Paul!¡± the commander ordered. ¡°Now move.¡±

    ¡°Nice tough guy act. You must be great at parties.¡± Robert said, leading the commander back up the caravan.

    They passed some other groups of prisoners. They watched Robert as he passed. At the head of the caravan, the general stood waiting for them.

    ¡°I didn''t want to do this. I was fine with letting the Gudo sort you out. But that seeing stone is another matter.¡± the general said, gesturing behind him. ¡°Princess Samantha won''t leave it alone. She wants you to help her use it.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Robert said, coming to a full stop. ¡°The Princess wants my help? No way I''m not going to help her. Take me back to my sit.¡±

    ¡°You will help her.¡± the general growled, as he grabbed Robert''s outer suit. ¡°Or I''ll tie you up and leave you here to die.¡±

    What the hell! This guy means it. Robert thought as he saw the fury in the old man''s eyes. Then Robert acknowledged that this world was a lot worse than earth.

    ¡°Ok Sir, I''ll do it,¡± Robert said. "Just no hitting."

    ¡°You got good enough manners. Remember that. She is waiting for you in here.¡± the general said, as he leads Robert to a smaller wagon. ¡°If you do so much, as to give her a headache. You''ll be hurting faster than a windy snake bite.¡±

    ¡°What''s a windy snake?¡± Robert asked, casually. The general growled and pushed Robert in the doorway. ¡°Oh alright, alright.¡±

    The interior of the wagon was filled with pillows, blankets, and a set of curtains blocking the rest of the room. As the door closed behind him, Robert realized the ceiling was glowing. A hand moved the curtains aside. The princess was sitting on a large fluffy bed.

    ¡°So you''re the owner of that strange seeing stone.¡± the princess said. ¡°You know it''s commonly seen as respectful, to introduce oneself first in the presence of royalty.¡±

    She royalty. Robert thought. If this world has real kings, then this woman must be one of their daughters? If I can get on her good side, maybe they''ll stop treating me like a prisoner.

    ¡°You''re completely right your highness. I am Robert Price, and I''m very pleased to be blessed by your presence.¡± The princess quickly composed herself, barely managing to hide a smile.

    ¡°You have manners for one, so strange.¡± the princess said, pulling out Robert''s cellphone from behind a bellow. ¡° I know for a fact that this isn''t a Liba-made Seeing-stone. And I have handled many different kinds before, from all over the world. But none like this one. Where did you get it?¡±

    ¡°Where I got it?¡± Robert asked, suddenly getting an amazing idea. ¡°Do you have a map?¡±

    The Princess seemed to understand. So she leaned over and pulled a small box from beside her bed. She opened it and unfolded a map.

 Chapter 3 When everything goes wrong.

    The map was rolled out before Robert. It was showing two green landmasses surrounded by the ocean. They were connected by a thick brown stretch of land. A land bridge to be honest.

    A large group of green islands was off the right coast of the lower landmass. The topmost landmass was larger. so the whole continent looked like a giant baby''s rattle toy.

    The lower smaller landmass had little gray spikes. That Robert believed to be a mountain range. That surrounded and cut off the south sea from the center.

    The topmost landmass and the land bridge had three blue dots. While the lower landmass and the group of islands had only one blue dot each. Words were written by each one.

    To Robert''s surprise, the words were understandable. At the top of the map was The capital city of Gudo. Below on the left coast of the land bridge was the Podor empire, and on the right coast was, The capital of Liba. It was underlined Home in crudely childish handwriting.

    The islands on the bottom right had the words Waba isles, and the lower landmass had the words, the Pulux empire.

    Whoa, this is a lot to take in? This is pretty much a whole new planet. I''m obviously not on earth anymore? Robert thought. Somewhat relieved knowing that this wasn''t a planet of the ape''s rip-off. Hum? It''s strange how I can understand their written language too. I know it''s not English at least. And these people. I don''t remember... Ow, ow!

    A memory flashed through, Robert''s mind like a hot poker. Flashes of people and places. A word stood out among the chaos. Omega and just as quickly as the memories appeared, they faded. Leaving only a burn mark in his mind.

    ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± The princess asked, reaching out to touch his shoulder. Robert leaned away. ¡°Are you ill? I can call for a healer.¡±

    ¡°No, no I''m fine,¡± Robert said, as he composed himself. ¡°Ah, I can''t understand this map.¡±

    ¡°Oh sorry. I thought you were a learned man.¡± the princess sighed, as she pointed to the highest most piece of land. ¡°This is the kingdom of Gudo, that''s where we''re going.¡± She slid her finger down to the middle of the land bridge. ¡°And is where we are. And below that is Podor and Liba.¡±

    The princess went silent when her finger passed over Liba. For a minute the only sounds were the moving of the wagon and the camels outside.

    ¡°Sorry, where was I?" the princess asked, before remembering. "Oh right and below that is Pulux. They''re an extraordinarily secretive kingdom, no one knows what they really do down there. The rumors are numerous. These islands over here are the Waba islands. They''re a trading-based kingdom.¡±

    ¡°No, I understand the words,¡± Robert said. ¡°But I don''t know any of these places.¡±

    ¡°Oh ah. Well, the most likely place that you came from would be Pulux. I''ve bought their seeing stones before and they''re much better than ours.¡± the princess paused. As she removed a stone from the box. It looked like a normal round gray stone, but one side of it was ground flat. ¡°This is a Liba seeing stone. I can only use it at midday. That''s when father is watching. But never mind that. I want to know that this one does?¡± She offered Robert his cellphone.

    ¡°Sure, but¡± Robert started, but he was cut off when the general opened the door.

    ¡°Your highness it''s getting dark." the general said, climbing in the wagon. ¡±I''m be taking the prisoner back. It''s too dangerous to have a prisoner in your wagon after dark.¡±

    ¡°Hey, let go of me,¡± Robert said, as the general grabbed Robert''s arm. ¡°Ow!¡±

    ¡°Quiet you.¡° the General ordered shaking Robert a little. He was crazy strong for an old guy. "Just be happy I didn''t rush in here earlier when the princess tried touching you."

    ¡°Paul! You were watching me? Since when did you decide who I touched?¡± the princess fumed. ¡°And I''m not done with him yet. Who said you could take him yet. ¡±

    ¡°Your father. His majesty gave me That authority.¡± the general said, starting to pull Robert away. ¡°And until your wedding night, you follow my rules. So to speak.¡±

    ¡°He did what!¡± the princess screamed, jumping to her feet. ¡°Why I''m I only hearing of this now?!¡±

    ¡°Oh he...ah. Hey I need some help in here.¡± The general yelled, and two guards appeared at the doorway. ¡°Take the prisoner back for me.¡±

    ¡°Yes sir.¡± said one of the guards, as they grabbed Robert''s arms.

    ¡°Ouch,¡± Robert said. ¡°Hey watch the hands, guys.¡± The guards lead Robert out of the wagon and away. they were heading back towards the end of the caravan. He heard the princess and the general argue, all the way there.

    Well, that didn''t go as planned. Robert thought.

    The Podor prisoners had been avoiding Robert. Because he was sitting, while they were walking. The Liba guards seemed to dislike Robert too, maybe because of the princess. Robert set on the back of the wagon with his head held low.

    ¡°Hey, you! Eyes forward. I have something for you. The Princess ordered me to return this.¡± A guard said, walking up. Robert looked up to find his cellphone being handed to him. Robert casually pressed the power button. The cellphone didn''t turn on.

    Well, great. Robert thought. It''s out of power.

    ¡°Ah, can you tell me why she didn''t want it?¡±

    ¡°I only follow orders.¡± the guard said, as he turned. Robert looked down at his phone. ¡°She didn''t say why.¡±

    ¡°Why would she give back something so rare? Well, nothing I can do about it now. What would I give for, a solar recharger."  Robert muttered as he pocketed his phone. He looked up at the first few stars in the sky. "Oh wow.¡±

    The constellations were strangely familiar to him. Like from a dream. But stars weren''t the focus of his attention. Over the horizon, two twin moons slowly rose over the desert.

    ¡°Oh Damn!¡± Robert said, pointing. ¡°You guys have two moons? Do you know how weird that is? How do tides work with two moons?"

    A few of the Podor Prisoners looked over had him with blood lust in their eyes. Like they wanted to kill him right then and there.

    ¡°Shut it over there.¡± a prisoner yelled, doing something with his fingers in Robert''s direction. it looked like the peace sign. "Or do you want to die in your sleep tonight!¡± A pair of Liba guards hearing this quickly silenced the man, by kicking his feet out from under him.

    Whoa, that was harsh. I hope that doesn''t happen to me.  Robert thought as he looked down at the guy. who was standing up again. He deserved it though.

    Soon another guard appeared. He wasn''t wearing a cape and he was carrying a large box.

    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    ¡°Meal Time!¡± Shouted the guard, as he started handing out cold baked potatoes and a few raw carrots. Robert got a potato and a carrot. He took a bite of both and chewed mechanically.

    ¡°Filthy Libas!¡± Muttered a nearby Podor soldier, gripping his potato and carrot angrily. ¡°They feeding us, the leftovers and the animal''s food.¡±

    ¡°Where''s the water?¡± Robert muttered. He had finished both vegetables. He was surprised that he got them down. ¡°Are we getting water?"

    "Shut up." a few prisoners said in unison.

    ¡°Attention prisoners! Gather around for water.¡± a new guard said, as he appeared coming down from the rest of the caravan, he leading a camel with heavy water skins up.¡°We''re not giving out cups, so use your hands. Move closer together.¡±

    The Podor prisoners must know what was going to happen, became they quickly formed a circle around the camel. The guard then raised his hand and the water skins popped. In seconds a large ball of floating water formed above their heads.

    ¡°What the hell!!?¡± Robert yelped. ¡°How is he doing what!?¡±

    ¡°Why are you screaming?" A nearby guard asked.  "How have you never seen Cinta bending water before? Where did you grow up?¡±.

    ¡°No never.  That''s what I have been saying all this time. I really don''t know anything about this world.¡± Robert huffed, as he noticed the water was shrinking. The Podor soldiers had begun cupping out handfuls of water from the ball. It was slowly started to shrink. Robert smacked his lips, he had never been this thirsty before.¡°Hey, wait don''t take it all.¡±

    ¡°Move. Hey, open up!¡± Robert said, as he pushed into the crowd and waited for an opening. He felt ridiculous, drinking water shoulder to shoulder with other men, like some kind of farm animal.

    For a slip second in the back of his mind, he was worried that the ball of water might be toxic or not water at all. But he quickly pushed that thought aside. Once the cool refreshing water hit his dry lips.

    Someone grabbed Robert''s shoulder and pulled him away from the water. Robert fell out of the crowd and hit the ground. He quickly stood up again, really to fight over the water. But the crowd started to get violent, others were getting tossed out. The guards soon had to jump in. Robert realized it was a bad idea to go back in for more.

    Robert sit down on the wagon and leaned against it.

    How will I survive in this world? Robert thought. I never prepared for this. I never thought I need to,...whoa?. The wagon suddenly lurched forward.

    ¡°What''s going on? Why is the wagon moving?¡± one of the guards asked the others.

    "I don''t know." another one said.

    ¡°We are under attack! To arms!¡± Came a shout. Faint lights appeared along the edge of the dark horizon.

    Holy Crap! What''s happening? Robert thought.

    The Commander Liberian guy, raced by on a camel.

    ¡°Everyone to the front." He said, turning his camel around. ¡°Leave the prisoners wagons behind. They''re slowing us down.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Commander.¡± one of the guards responds. "let''s go men."

    ¡°Wait! You can''t just leave us....¡± Begin Robert, but before he finishes a scream cuts him off. A guard lays motionless in the sand. A Podor prisoner was standing over him, welding a small bloody knife. The other prisoners dropped their chains to the ground and pulled hidden blades. They were free.

    ¡°Stop them!¡± The commander yelled.

 Chapter 4 The desert.

    The next few moments were pure chaos. The guards were rushing the freed prisoners while drawing their swords. The prisoners fought hand to hand. Mostly using their fists and bodies, but some had knives.

    Robert hit the sand and covered his head. When Robert looked up, he realized the prisoners were losing, badly. Prisoners were falling left and right. Even though most of the guards weren''t even using their swords.

    A guard would simply flick their hand towards an attacker and like in the movies. The attacker would just start gushing blood along a massive chest wound. Each guard picked a group of targets and began laying waste to them.

    Soon several large dust devils were chasing prisoners down and cutting them to ribbons. Robert watched in horror and awe. He couldn''t unchain himself, so he laid near the wagon hoping he wouldn''t be noticed.

    A Podor prisoner falls at Robert''s side, dead. Robert has seen fake movie fighting before, hell he had even played in some bad ones. But this! He had never realized just how truly horrifying a real fight was.

    The guards though fewer in number, were better equipped. they quickly finished off the mob of prisoners. After the last of the fighting was over and everything calmed down. The guards finally noticed Robert, as he got to his feet.

    ¡°Hey, what about him?¡± A guard asked as he cleaned his sword on a dead man''s shirt. "He didn''t join in. Shouldn''t we put him out of his misery before we leave?"

    What seriously. but that''s so cruel. Robert thought. The guard who spoke approached Robert with his now clean sword. I knew I should have played dead.

    ¡°No, leave him.¡° The commander ordered, as he climbed onto his camel and waved to the others to follow. The commander had jumped from his camel during the fight. "We have no time, more Podor troops are attacking the front as we speak.¡±

    ¡°Wait! Aren''t you going to unchain me at least?¡± Robert shouted after them.

    The commander and the guards ignored him as they ran to join the rest of the battle. Soon they were soon out of sight and Robert was alone.

    "What the hell?" Robert muttered as he looked over the dead. "They''re just going to leave me here with these guys?" he glanced down at the chains.

    "Ok that''s it, I''m not going to stay here and be killed. I''m breaking out of this.¡±

    He scanned the chain and focused on the base that was attached to the wagon.

    ¡°Oh, come on. ¡± groaned Robert, as he tried pulling the chain out of the wagon. "Work darn it!." It was like pulling something from hard cement. As he let go, he looked down at the bodies. "How the heck did they break their chains so easily?"

    He had to look away because the sudden smell of death was revolting. So he instead looked down at the chains. All of them were open, not broken.

    Did they break them? Robert thought as he looked closer. Or somehow unlock them? They could have stolen one of the screwdriver key things. but finding the stolen one in this mess would be impossible. Maybe I can find a new one.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Only three guards had died during the fight and only one was close enough to reach. Robert walked out to the body. He remembered him as the guy who kicked him in the back.

    ¡°Poor guy. What a way to go. I guess he.¡± Robert started. But as he bent over the body. "Oh, no. Eww gross, he ugh. No, ignore it. Just get the key.¡±

    Robert quickly found the screwdriver thing in the guy''s right pocket and unlocked himself. His wrists were sore, but he didn''t care.

    Besides the screwdriver thing, Robert found a handful of coins, and around the guy''s neck was a glass tube with a gold chain, which contained a small bit of red sand.

    This looks important. Robert thought as he put on the tube necklace.

    "I should take the cape and sword too. I don''t want the clothes."  Robert muttered "Ahem, do you mind if I take them?"

    The body didn''t respond. Robert rolled his eyes.

    Oh great, now you''re talking to the dead. But hey for all I know they might just talk back here. Robert thought, as he shook his head but then stopped. Wait no, that''s just dumb. Dead is dead anywhere.

    The cape was easy to remove. It was being held on by some very strong magnet buttons. Robert wrapped the cape around his neck and heard it click.

    The sounds of battle were getting closer. Robert then reached for the sword. He had stepped over the body and picked it up.

    ¡°Wow, this is way heavier than my prop sword back home,¡± Robert muttered, as he looked back. ¡°Hum, time to leave." as he stood up and glanced around. "but what way? I don''t want to get lost out here.¡±

    Both sides of the desert looked the same. Vast, dark, and empty. The sounds of men shouting were getting closer. It forced Robert to make a quick decision. He chose straight ahead, back down the path the caravan came.

    After running a few yards, Robert glanced back. The lights of the caravan looked very small against the blackness of the night. Suddenly a line of orange fire flew from the darkness and towards the caravan. The flame crashed into an invisible barrier, a few feet from the caravan, doing nothing.

    What the heck was that barrier? It didn''t stop me from leaving? maybe it just stops fire? Flame thrower magic, maybe? it looks like magic Napalm. Robert thought as several figures appeared. Oh hell.

    They were approaching the last wagon. Robert dropped on all fours. The figures started checking the dead. Robert held his breath and watched, for several minutes. The figures soon walked back up to the front of the caravan. Robert waited a minute longer and then run.

    After a mile, he finally stopped. Breathing heavily and very tired. He glanced back and saw that the caravan was a small dot of light in the darkness. He turned and didn''t look back again.

    After a few minutes of walking Robert like entering a freezer, suddenly felt colder. He wrapped himself up in his new cape and kept walking.

    After a while in the darkness, Robert''s eyes began to adjust to the light. The desert turned a faint blue, due to the two large moons. The silence gave Robert time to think.

    Those guards how did they do that? Robert thought as he dragged his new sword behind him. It was magic. it had to be. They just raised their hands and cut people apart with what.... air? Maybe wind? They were using wind to cut people apart? but how did they do that?

    Robert made the hand gesture casually, nothing.

    I knew it. It wouldn''t be that simple. Robert thought slowing down. Maybe it''s like fantasy and I just think it. Like a mental trigger.

    Robert paused. While copying the actions of the guards in his mind he reached out his hand. He made the hand gesture and pushed. To his surprise and shock, a massive wave of sand moved, like an air blast of a jet engine.

    ¡°Oh, Crap... It''s working!¡± Robert shouted.

    How did I do that? Robert thought. He made the gesture again. nothing happened. What? It''s not working now? A third try also produced nothing.

    What happened? How did it work before? what changed? Robert thought as he wrapped the caped around him again. Well, I guess learning magic is harder than I thought. I can try again later in the daylight. Thinking of the day. I''m freezing my fingers off. Oh hell, why did it get so cold all of the sudden?

    As the minutes passed the desert wind grew even colder. But thanks to the new cape, the wind hardly affected Robert. it would have been fine if only the wind was warmer.

    Ok, decision time. Should I stay on the path or try my luck out there? Robert thought as he looked out over the dunes. Right before his eyes a dune in the distance disappeared. Leaving open sky in its place.

    ¡°What was that!? Did that just..¡± Robert mumbled, blinking. ¡°Oh great. I''m seeing things now. Ya, that must be it. I must be very tired?¡±

    In the end, Robert shook the idea of leaving the path out of his mind and kept walking.

 Chapter 5 Black Towers.

    After several hours of walking, the sun begins to rise. In the light, the desert was a tan void. The caravan path was the only landmark. As the minutes passed, the air became a little warmer. Though it was still very cold.

    ¡°What the Hell is with this place. The sun''s up. So why is this desert still so cold?¡± Robert said.

    Earlier completely tried of holding the sword up, Robert had decided to let it start dragging along the ground behind him. A few minutes ago, He had started swapping the hand that dragged it. He was now debating if he should just let it go.

    I wonder what my agent''s doing right now. Robert thought, happily. He trying to push through the exhaustion. He hadn''t slept in hours and his body was letting him know it. Probably panicking. I can imagine the news right now.

    "Rising star Robert Price is missing. The twenty-seven years old actor. Was last seen leaving Logan''s grand theater." Robert mumbled to himself. He was getting a little bored at this point. "Ha, he''s hard to spot as he''s the most average-looking man alive. He gets all the average roles. If you''ve seen this man or someone who looks like this man. Call one eight hundred now.

    Damn, it all feels so distant now. So unimportant. Robert thought as he licked his cracked lips. I should have looked for water on those guards.

    Robert paused mid-stride. He just had a wonderful idea.

    ¡°They could control water. Couldn''t I just magic up some? It''s magic after all.¡± Robert muttered, as He raised a hand and imagined a floating ball of water. Nothing appeared. ¡°Damn, it was worth a try.¡±

    Robert tried to relax his nerves before continuing. But found it impossible.

    What''s this creepy feeling? He thought, as all the hairs along his neck stood up. It''s like I''m being watched.

    Casually scanning the desert. Robert noted nothing strange. But as he was about to turn back, he spotted a pair of red standing wires coming up from behind a dune. They are a few yards away. He noticed a faint tapping sound. It was slowly replacing the silence.

    What are those things, some kind of power lines? Robert thought as a giant red centipede head rose up from behind the dune. The standing wires were attached to the thing''s massive head. Its giant mandibles twitched hungrily, while its pure black orb eyes stared at Robert, intensely.

    Screamed Robert and dropped his sword. He turned and ran. The taping sound of the thing''s mandibles, exploded into a thunderous screech, as the massive bug gave chase. Robert had distance on the monster, but the thing was scarily fast.

    As Robert ran. The yellow cape he wore was shining like gold in the morning light, and waved like a flag, as it flapped crazily behind him.

    Robert couldn''t keep this up, he was quickly running out of steam.

    As he ran. Two black towers came into view over the dunes. The centipede was too hungry to realize its mistake and Robert was too panicked to look up. But around the towers, flew little black dots.

    The dots then grew larger, and larger as a faint buzzing sound overpowered the centipede''s thunderous noise.

    Robert hearing this looked up in horror, as the black dots became huge black hornets. The hornets flew over Robert and went straight at the centipede. Robert tried looking back, but tripped on his cape and landed on his side.

    The four hornets begin stinging the centipede and where they stang, flames appeared. The centipede lashed out, biting one of the hornets and cutting it in half. A hot, orange liquid gushed out of the hornet''s body thus covering the centipede''s eyes.

    The centipede was writhing in pain before finally becoming completely motionless. Robert couldn''t move either, he was paralyzed with fear.

    The hornets begin cutting into the centipede''s flesh, making smaller parts. Instead of blood, red sand spilled from the wounds. When the pieces got small enough to carry.

    The hornets would then fly the pieces back to the towers. Those remaining would slowly carve away at the rest of the body. Even the dead hornet was taken apart.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Four more hornets flew in, to carry things off.

    After a few minutes, the body of the centipede was gone and the last few hornets flew away, leaving Robert stunned and alone.

    Aw? Robert thought, frozen.

    A few minutes more passed by before Robert could even think straight. After the initial shock, He turns his head to look at the black towers. The skies around the towers showed no signs of any hornets returning for him.

    Robert slowly stood. As he scanned the area of the battle. He noted that the place where the hornet had died had turned to glass.

    Molten Glass? Robert thought. He walked over and felt the heat radiating off from the hardened glob. It is still hot.

    Next, Robert moved to the place where the Centipede of nightmares had dead. The place was covered in red sand.

    Does it bleed red sand? Crap, doesn''t this look familiar? Robert thought, as he pulled out the tub necklace, he got from the guard. It was empty now. What the hell? It''s empty!

    ¡°Where did all the sand go?¡± Robert asked as he unscrewed the tube. A few red grains fall from the opening, to join the rest on the ground. Robert picked up a handful of the red sand.

    This can''t be the same stuff, right? Robert thought, Why would they put blood sand in these tubes, It can''t be for decoration, can it?

    A change in the wind, made Robert jump like he''d been stung by a bee. He looked around panicked. But nothing was there luckily. He was alone, the only thing that moved was his cape. Softly blowing in the wind. He swallowed back dryness.

    I need to get away from those towers. Robert thought as he glanced back down at the red sand. Well if this stuff is somehow valuable. What if is this the Cinta stuff they were talking about. It would be a waste to leave it here.

    Looking around again, Robert then scooped up a handful of the red sand and slid it into the tube. It was mixed with other sand, but most of it was red. Without looking back Robert, slowly continued down the path, heading away from the black towers and towards the unknown.

    As the black towers fell from view. Robert calmed down a bit but held a watchful eye on his surrounding. He looked back every few minutes to see if anything was following him but found nothing each time.

    After an hour of walking, Robert felt the familiar call of nature. He walked to the edge of the trail and checking for dangers, relieves himself.

    Whoa! Now that feels better. Robert thought as he kicked sand over the spot. Ugh. I''m dreading when I might have to do number two. Wait what''s that?

    Far off on the side of the path was a very large brown something. It moved like a flag would, waving in the wind.

    How did I miss that? Robert thought. It doesn''t look like a giant bug? I might be wrong though. Or it could have water. I could not? Alright, I''ll risk it.

    Robert stepped off the path and slowly approached the object. As he got closer. he noticed that it had a symbol on it. A pure blue circle with a brown triangle inside the circle and there was some marking that looked like writing below the triangle.

    Hey, isn''t that the flying ship!? Robert thought. Wow, it survived? I wonder if there could be something useful in there I can use, like water or food.

    The front of the boat came into view. It was wrecked, holes everywhere. Bits of wood scattered across the sand and the balloon was in knots.

    Approaching the first available hole, Robert paused.

    Hold up, I don''t have a sword anymore. Robert thought. What if there''s some giant spider in there, just waiting for someone like me. Someone''s who''s unarmed and helpless to fall into its'' web.

    Robert stared into the blackness, imagining it was staring back at him. He licked his dry lips.

    Ok. He thought as he entered... Here goes nothing.

    The interior was littered with boxes and broken wooden beams. the floor was a mass. The whole ship was tilted at an angle, so everything had slid to one side.

    This must be their storage. Robert thought as he walked over to the nearest box labeled munitions.

    It contained crossbow bolts and arrows. Most of them were broken. Probably from the crash. Robert moved to a second box.

    This one contained uniforms. The kind the Podor soldiers wore.

    Well, at least I know where the arrows are. Robert thought. But they''re useless to me without a bow.

    A fallen support beam blocked the other half of the room.

    ¡°Up and over I guess,¡± Robert muttered, as he began climbing over the beam. On the other side, stood a ladder. It was fixed to the ground. The ladder went to the next floor, through a small hole in the ceiling. ¡°Hum, more climbing.¡±

    The next floor was a hallway, with doors on both sides. When Robert reached the top of the ladder. He heard a scuttling sound come from one of the doorways. He froze.

    As he watched a giant ant appear from the darkness. It held an apple gently in its mandibles. Robert practically fell down the ladder.

    He leaped over the support beam and ran outside. Only stopping when he had to catch his breath.

    ¡°Holy Crap!¡± Robert barked ¡°It''s infested. There could be hundreds in there.¡±

    The ant soon appeared from the ship. It ignored Robert''s presence on the dune and turned away, heading into the desert. It soon vanished over another dune.

    It''s gone now. Robert thought. Should I chance that again? Wait, maybe I should watch and see if there are any more in there.

    So Robert found a nice spot on the hill to watch the ship from away and set down. As Five minutes pass, nothing else happens. Then ten minutes. Slowly losing his adrenaline high, Robert realizes that he can''t move.

    When was the last time I closed my eyes? Robert thought, yawning. No, I might stay awake! If I fall asleep here I''ll be killed for sure.

    He shook the gruesome images from his mind.

    After another five minutes, still, no ants appeared.

    Was that the only one ant, in there? Robert thought, as his view of the ship split in half. Crap! My vision''s going funny. I can''t wait anymore.

    Robert stood up and approached the ship again.

 Chapter 6 Taking a Risk.

    The interior was unchanged from last time. Robert convinced himself that the ship was quieter than last time.

    That''s right there''s nothing there. Robert thought. Everything''s fine. Just keep moving.

    Robert climbed the support beam and reached the ladder. He could detect no other sounds besides his own.

    With a little courage, he climbed the ladder. At the top of the ladder, the hallway around him was dark and void of movement or sound.

    I guess it''s true what they say in the movies. The best place to avoid the murderer is at the scene of the crime. Robert thought, as he clambered up and stood. He glanced over at the doors. So that door was where the ant came out. Should be the safest one, right. it can''t still be in there. I better make this fast.

    The door opened up to a broken room. it looked something like a mess hall. Light poured in from the cracks in the ceiling. Plates, forks, and bowls were everywhere.

    Lining the walls was a set of tables and benches. They were nailed in place. In the far corner was a metal stove, that had been flatted under a collapsing ceiling. Robert bent over to check the plates and bowls.

    What the heck? Not even grease is left? It''s like everything has been heat cleaned. Robert thought as he leaned against one of the tables. Could the ants have taken everything, even the grease? Hopefully, they didn''t keep their water in this room. I think it''s time to check the next doors.

    Robert headed for the doorway but stopped cold. When he heard a scuttling sound. He rushed to the doorway and looked out to find a giant ant climbing up the ladder.

    Oh crap! Robert thought, moving to the other side of the mess hall. It''s back. Or is this a new one? Crap! What do I do?

    The scuttling sounds approached the mess hall doorway.

    Please don''t come in here. Robert thought, begging. There''s nothing in here you want. Just keep moving.

    The ant entered the mess hall, but it was not alone. Three other ants entered behind it.

    Two were following behind the first on the floor. While the fourth who was a special little snowflake wanted to walk on the ceiling.

    All of them were huge by Earth standards, but they weren''t all the same size. The two who entered last. Looked dark red, and was bigger, with larger jaws. If they stood on their back legs, they could easily be taller than Robert. The first ant approached Robert''s position.

    At that moment. He could have sworn his beating heart would get him killed.

    Just as it were within five feet of him. It turned and headed for the iron stove, completely ignoring Robert. The other ants begin helping the first, by moving the rubble and digging the stove out. Robert barely moved through the whole thing. In fact, he couldn''t move. His legs had gone numb.

    Finally, the ants pried open the flatted iron hatch and removed a pot from inside. the pot still had a lid. A red ant threw the lid away and the lid clattered to the floor. The ant then dipped its front legs into the pot. Feeling the contents maybe.

    The ant then moved back, allowing one of the smaller ants to get at the pot. The smaller ant also dipped its front legs into the pot. It must have found something because it then put its head inside.

    A disgusting slurping sound begins. It made Robert queasy. He didn''t want to know what was happening in the pot.

    The small ant soon finished and came back up with a piece of meat in its jaws. It passed the meat off to the nearby larger ant and went back to slurping from the pot. The larger ant carried the meat out of the room.

    Robert never felt so sick in his life. He was more disgusted than sacred now.

    Why aren''t they attacking me? Are they ignoring me? Robert thought. It''s like I''m invisible to them?The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    The small ant came back up with potato this time. The remaining larger ant, probably feeling left out. Knocked the pot over causing the remaining liquid to spill across the floor.

    All the ants circled the puddle and opened their jaws. Robert winced and looked away. The floor was soon licked dry and the pot double-checked.

    The ants glanced around before heading for the doorway. Robert held his breath until they were out of sight. Once they were out of sight. Robert breathed a sigh of relief and stumbled over to a nearby bench and set down.

    Oh crap, they''re finally gone? He thought as he stared at the doorway. hoping they weren''t returning. That was horrible.

    Robert sighed. Feeling himself calm down and his adrenaline rush slowing. When he felt better, Robert stood and sneaked over to the doorway.

    Looking out, he nearly screamed. An ant was on the ladder facing downward. Its head was in the hole to the lower floor. It didn''t look like it was moving any time soon either.

    Crap! How, do I get out of here than? Robert thought as he glanced around. He kept the ants rear in his peripheral vision as he looked for a way out. Whoa, that might work.

    Further down the hallway, away from the ant. Stood another ladder. It looked like it went to the next floor.

    Robert risked it. He crept out of the doorway and over to the ladder. He glanced back before climbing. The ant didn''t move so he started climbing up, as quietly as possible.

    The third floor was a massive lit room. Fulled with bunk beds and holes in the ceiling that let light in. The bunks were a mess. Like a college parties'' level of messiness. Damaged bedding, clothing, and random stuff were everywhere.

    Must be some kind of barrack. Robert thought, as he climbed up and looked around. There should be a way to get outside from here.

    Robert crept through the room, carefully looking for another ladder or any other kind of exit.

    On the far side of the chamber were many doors and a single ladder. The doors probably lead to other parts of this deck. Robert ignored them as he focused solely on a faraway ladder. The ladder''s ceiling hole with fulled with blue sky.

    An exit! Robert thought as he walked over. Finally a way out.

    Robert climbed up in a rush, ignoring how noisily he was. The sunlight blinded him as he reached the top.

    The main deck was sandblasted clean. A large pile of sand covered the lower side and holes in the floor, presented an immediate danger.

    No ants at least, that''s a good start. Robert thought, looking over the holes. I hope the floor can still hold weight.

    Robert moved carefully towards the lower side of the ship and looked out. The vast desert and sky expanded outward endlessly. It was swirling into unreal depths of blues and tans.

    ¡°Oh wow. what a view.¡± Robert muttered as he looked around ¡°Hum? Too bad, it''s all trying to kill me."

    As they say, every rose has its thorns, so watch out. Robert thought as he glanced downward. The distance to the ground was a good thirty feet. Now how do I get down without breaking my legs? Maybe they had a ladder somewhere?

    Robert tried to explore the top deck but found that it was way too risky. He almost fell in after placing one foot out of place. The wooden board fell away landing on the floor below.

    Shoot, what could have been me. Robert thought, as he carefully tested the way back to the ladder. He climbed down and at the bottom of the ladder. Robert had a thought.

    Hey, this thing''s a ladder, right? I could use this. Robert thought as he looked it over. Hum? Well, it wouldn''t reach all the way, but if I used another one. Then maybe.

    The ladder was twice his high and it was secured to the ceiling. The base had a hook like a candy cane.

    Robert tried to remove the ladder. But since he didn''t have a saw on him, it wouldn''t budge an inch.

    There must be a way to remove this. Why even have a ladder. If you can''t move it around? Robert thought as he glanced around. There should be some tools around here somewhere. Maybe a saw. Robert walked back towards the beds.

    The beds were ripped up and useless. Many personal effects were covering the floor. a few books, a lot of clothing, and many pieces of paper were most of the mess. Robert noticed a dirty little animal doll hidden in a corner.

    A child''s doll? Crap. Those poor idiots. Robert thought as he stopped himself from reading any of the papers. Knowing it will only make him further upset. I wonder if this was their stuff? Those guys that died?

    Robert tied one of the doors and found a small room that was covered in maps. The maps were all the same, just with different sizes and locations. Under the deck, he found a toolbox. He was so happy he forgot to grab a map.

    He carried the toolbox back to the ladder and within seconds cut the ladder free.

    Crap that was too loud. The ants could have heard me. Robert thought as he looked around. There were no signs that the ants were coming, but he glanced around again anyway. I need to be more careful.

    Robert leaned the ladder against the wall and climbed. Once reaching the top, he stood and pulled it up next to him.

    Ok. I just need to put it over the side now. Robert thought as he Slid it across the deck behind him.

    The drop over the edge was as menacing as before. Robert lifted the ladder over the edge and hung the ladder down. It hardly reached the ground.

    Heck, I still need something for the last ten feet or so. Robert thought as he look down. I need another ladder or...

    Just then, the three ants appeared below him from a hole in the ship. They were running away from the ship and heading for the sand dunes.

    Are they leaving really fast? What the heck spooked them? Robert Thought, as he watched the ant run.

    A flash of movement catches Robert''s attraction. A group of four strange-looking wheels, came rolling over the dunes and into view. The wheels turned at a surprising sharp angle and rushed the ants. They rammed the ants at top speed. Sending the ants flying.

    Ten smaller wheels came into view behind the first four. While the ants were still recovering. The wheels uncurled like pill bugs and revealed themselves to be wolf-like pill bugs.

    What the hell are those?! Robert thought.

    The pill bug wolves weren''t covered in fur like dogs would be, but rather large scales. They looked four feet long from head to tail. Pillbug wolves surrounded the ants. The ants who fully recovered charged their attackers with their jaws snapping wildly.

 Chapter 7 Fighting for my Life.

    The battle was more of a slaughter. The pill bug wolves were in greater numbers, and they seemed to be smarter than the ants. Capable of teamwork, strategy, and pincer attacks, unlike the ants. Who helplessly chased after the first wolf, who was expertly dodging each ant bite. The rest of the pill bug wolves were attacking from behind.

    On one side of the battle, a smaller ant got pinned to the ground, by a larger wolf. Near the ship, a pair of wolves had managed to bite the back legs of the larger ant and ripped them completely off. The ant in a panic flicked back at them with jaws wide and snapping. The jaws found the wolf''s shelled back and bit down. A few scales flew. Red stuff leaked everything as the wounded wolf leaped back.

    Soon more legs fell to different attackers and after five minutes the ants were no longer a threat to anyone. Because they were being eaten alive.

    The sounds they made as they died was, horrible. A horrible whining insect sound. The way they died was worse, watching it made Robert woozy.

    I was down there a few minutes ago? Robert thought as he grabbed the railing for support. What could have been me?

    The movement must have disturbed the wolves because one looked up and started barking. Robert''s head shot up, as he realized he have been leaning over the railing and looking down at them. With another set of barks, the whole pack turned on the ship.

    ¡°Oh crap! ¡± Robert yelled, as he jumped back away from the railing. He moved away from the edge. The barking circled the ship, the wolves were trying to find a way up. ¡°Holy Crap! They''re surrounding the ship! They can''t get up can they?¡±

    In moments the sounds of barking came from below inside the storage floor.

    Oh crap! They''re alright inside the ship! Robert thought as he scanned the main deck. I need a weapon fast! Something, anything.

    Robert had foolishly left the toolbox below while moving the ladder. Finding nothing on the main deck. But sand. Robert came up with a desperate idea. He run back to the ladder and removed it from the edge.

    Robert had just remembered seeing a karate movie he had seen. Where a karate master weaponized a metal ladder. So why can''t I try it too? Sure it might not be metal. Robert thought as he pulled the ladder up. But it''s heavy.

    The barking got louder as the wolves made their way up through the ship.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    Robert waited. Nervously readying his defense weapon. Ladder.

    Where are they? Can''t they get up here? Did they get stuck somewhere? Robert thought, eying the hole in the floor. Should I go check?

    Robert slowly walked towards the hole to check. If he had looked up at this point and not down. He would have noticed a pair of brown dots in the sky quickly getting bigger.

    Below were five or more large pill bug wolves. They had gotten stuck in the barrack room. Because Robert took the ladder. They started barking up at Robert. So he to leaned back away from the hole.

    They moved in and out of sight running on top of the beds. Their shells were tan and earthy and to Robert''s surprise, they had small patches of hair sticking out around their paws. One of them took a running jump against the wall. The wolf soared up catching the edge of the hole with its forepaws.

    ¡°Ah crap!¡± Robert screamed as he stabbed his ladder''s most sharp end at the wolf. ¡°Crap!¡±

    The ladder did its job, and upon impact with the wolf face. It fell back down. A second wolf tried the wall jump and failed. Falling back down harmlessly.

    "ah ah," Robert yelled, as he panicked. ¡°Yes, go to hell all of you. ¡±

    A third wolf leaped up and again caught the edge with its legs. It started climbing up. Robert hit it with the ladder over and over, but it held fast.

    ¡°Why won''t you die!¡±

    A shadow fell over Robert, which he didn''t notice instantly. A rope ladder landed a few feet from him, the movement made him look away from the wolf.

    ¡°holy..!¡± Robert muttered, as he looked up at the skyship in the air. ¡°That''s one of those...¡±

    He could see soldiers climbing down the rope ladder. The wolf seeing the opportunity bit the ladder and tried pulling it away from Robert.

    Oh crap? Robert thought as the wolf was getting its back legs up. He makes a snap decision. Here goes nothing.

    Robert gave one last push on the ladder and dropped it. He turned and run for the rope ladder. Once there he started up it.

    ¡°Hey?!¡± Podor soldier said, surprised. ¡°Where did he come from?¡±

    ¡°Help me! there are Monsters behind me!¡± Robert screamed as he reached the first soldier. ¡° I don''t want to die!¡±

    ¡°Hey get off the ladder!¡± the soldier shouted, as he tied kicking Robert off. ¡°You''re shaking it.¡±

    ¡°What''s happening down there?¡± A third soldier asked, from the ship. ¡°Is that a person?¡±

    ¡°Please, don''t leave me here!¡± Robert shouted as he tried to avoid the guy''s kicks with his arm. ¡°I don''t want to die out here.¡±

    ¡°Kick him off.¡± said the soldier on the ladder. ¡°Do it.¡±

    ¡°No wait, I surrender. Take me, poisoner.¡± Robert said as he remembered that we were soldiers. He looked down at the wolves below him. they had gathered on the ship''s deck. ¡°I''ll do anything. Just don''t leave me here. Please!¡±

    ¡°What do we do?¡± The first soldier asked as he stopped kicking Robert. ¡°I''m not paid to make these decisions .¡±

    ¡°Ok, all of you climb back up then.¡± The third soldier said as he waved them up. ¡°Let''s get the captain to decide.¡±

    A silent peace treaty was formed as they all climbed up the rope ladder together. Robert followed them slowly.

    He was nervous about what they might do to him but compared with the horrors of the desert. They couldn''t be any worse, right?

 Chapter 8 Abducted.

    When Robert reached the ship. The three soldiers were waiting for him. The two men from earlier, took him by the arms and dragged him away from the hatch.

    Robert felt unnaturally relieved. Back on earth, he could have never willingly chosen to be manhandled, over anything else. The soldiers moved him against the wall, and the third guy tied Robert''s hands together with a thin rope.

    ¡°Alright I''ll go report change or plans to the captain.¡± the third guy said, as he turned to leave. ¡° Private, strip search him, and then move him to an open cell.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Sarge.¡± said the guy on Robert''s right.

    ¡°Hey, this cape''s from a Liba Royal guard? Are you one of them?¡± asked a younger-looking soldier on Robert''s left. The soldier gave Robert the once over. ¡°No, wait the clothes say otherwise, maybe he''s a Liba Nobleman?¡±

    ¡°Wait, I''m not a Liba anything. I''m just an actor¡±. Robert said as he gestured toward the cape. ¡°I took this cape off of a dead man.¡±

    ¡°An actor really? I didn''t know actors had the guts to do that.¡± the younger soldier said, as he leaned into Robert more. The guy''s elbow hurt. ¡°Did you kill the Tainter too?¡±

    ¡°Ow... no! I didn''t kill him.¡± Robert said as the other guy man patted him down. ¡°He was already dead. ¡±

    ¡°Oh really? Then how did he die?¡±

    ¡°I saw it happen. A soldier like you stabbed him. There were more prisoners like you there too. I was one of the prisoners there too.¡±

    ¡° Did you hear that private? Some Liba royal guards died?¡± the younger soldier said as a nasty smile crossed his lips. ¡°Serves the Tainters right then. ¡±

    What the Hell? Did he really just say that? Robert thought. Who the hell would pass over the deaths of their own people like that.

    ¡°Don''t joke like that, Victor. It''s unpleasant and..... hold on, he has Cinta on him, get it quick.¡± Private said as he moved the yellow cape aside.

    The guy was looking for something. When he spotted the glass tube around Robert''s neck, he reached out and detached it with both hands.

    ¡°Here we are. Hum? That''s funny. People normally try and hid their Cinta before they get caught? Wait a second!!?" Private yelped, as he looked down at the cape. "This cape hasn''t been severed yet. We thought this one has already been severed. Wow, a fully working one. What a find.¡±

    Victor grabbed the cape away from private.

    ¡°What really?!¡± Victor asked, examining it himself. ¡°I only heard stories?¡±

    Wait the cape does something? Robert thought. What did he mean by it being severed?

    ¡°The Sarge says it has the power to protect the wearer from some of the dangers of the desert,¡± Private said, as he removed the cape. ¡°Or something like that. But finding an unsevered one is rare. Very rare. They must not know it had gone missing.¡±

    ¡°I heard it could make you invisible to certain monsters,¡± Victor said, as he look down at the cape. ¡°Came I keep it?¡±

    ¡°Are you tinted boy,¡± Private said, as he rolled the cape up. ¡°You would get punished for stealing loot from the captain.¡±

    Private placed the cape and tube in a nearby box on a nearby table.

    ¡°Oh... just joking,¡± Victor said as he checked Robert''s pants pockets.

    ¡°Hey don''t take those.¡± Robert snapped, as he tried to cover his pockets. ¡°They''re mine! They''re the only things I got left.¡±

    Victor flashed a wicked grin and removed the cellphone.

    ¡°What the taint is this?¡± asked Victor, holding up the cellphone. ¡°It looks like metal, but it doesn''t feel like metal.¡±

    ¡°It could be a seeing-stone of some kind?¡± Private said as he checked Robert''s other pocket. ¡°The captain has a seeing stone in his room. Hey, what''s this?¡±

    He had just removed Robert''s pocket pen.

    ¡°It nothing, just something used for writing things down,¡± Robert said, nervously. He reached for it. ¡°It''s nothing really. Please can I have it... Ow!¡±

    Victor sucker-punched Robert in the guts.

    Ouch, why did he need to sucker punch me? Robert thought, clenching his stomach. Hell, I surrendered and everything.

    ¡°Can''t you understand? It''s not your stuff anymore. It''s now the property of the Podor empire.¡± Victor stated as he placed the cellphone in the box too. ¡°Okay, that seems to be all of it.¡±

    "Get up, prisoner or I''ll force you to stand.¡± private said, as Robert slowly stood.

    They''re just like the Liba guards, they''re all brutes. Robert thought as Private placed his pen in the same box.

    Robert noticed that the strange coins he had found were not brought up or even put in the box with the rest of his things.

    Great, they''re thefts too. Robert thought. I wonder if this really was the better choice? I could have survived those wolves, maybe.Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    They forced Robert out of the room. A ladder was there with their help, Robert climbed the ladder and arrived at a hallway, which looked very familiar to him. The ceiling was glowing and it was lined with doors, like the wreck below.

    But unlike the wreck, this hallway was crowded. Soldiers passed in a hurry. Each heading for different doors. A female soldier almost run into Robert as she left her door.

    ¡°Whoa!¡± the woman said, as she scan Robert over. She blushed. ¡°Ah, sorry sir.¡±

    ¡°Wow! She called you sir.¡± Victor said as the woman closed her door. ¡°Why can''t I get women to talk to me, like that.¡±

    "It''s because you''re a little creep Victor," Private said, as the crowd opened up. A taller man appeared.

    ¡°Now that''s going on here? Why are people lollygagging about?" The tall soldier asked. He wore a more colorful uniform than the rest. he glanced over a Robert. ¡°What''s this! Why haven''t you retired him yet? I was just about to head to the cells.¡±

    ¡°Sorry inspector,¡± Victor said, as he pushed Robert away. ¡°We were just about to do that.¡±

    ¡°Well then hurry it up, about it¡± The inspector snapped. ¡°I want him locked behind bars now.¡±

    ¡°Yes, inspector.¡± private said. ¡°Come on Victor.¡±

    Seemingly satisfied with that answer the inspector behind them. Finding the crowds lessened with the inspector here. Victor and private moved Robert around a corner in the ship and into a secondary hallway.

    This hallway was empty of people, and the walls were lined with barred-off rooms. The bars on each were made of wood with a metal lock. Inside was a bench fixed to the wall with a chamber pot underneath. Well, they were more like closets than rooms, only big enough to sit in.

    What the hell is this? Is this really where they''re going to put me? Robert thought. It''s so small. This shouldn''t even count as a prison cell.

    ¡°Hey, these are too small! You can''t put me in there!.¡± Robert said as he grabbed the walls and started resisting them. ¡°This is inhuman treatment. Get me a bigger cell!¡±

    ¡°Come on. Get inside already,¡± Private stated. ¡°There are no bigger cells.¡±

    ¡°Is something wrong, private?¡± the inspector asked/ his head appearing from over Victor''s shoulder. ¡°Is he resisting again?¡±

    ¡°Sorry inspector. The prisoner said it was too small.¡± Victor said, as he opened the cell and Private pushed Robert inside. Victor then closed the door and locked it. ¡°Do you think it''s too small now tainter?¡± Robert turned and tried to grab Victor through the bars, Victor jumped back. "Oh too slow."

    Crap. He playing with me. Now I want to punch him even more. Robert thought as he pulled his arm back and collapsed onto the cell''s bench. He glanced around the small cell. Ok, it''s a little bigger than I thought. But I can''t sleep in here, even if I wanted to.

    ¡° I''ll be interrogating him from here. Both of you are not needed.¡± the inspector stated. ¡° Make sure no one comes in here until I''m done?¡±

    ¡°Yes Sir,¡± Victor said. They turned and headed for the door. "Oh and maybe you should hurt him if he acts up again, inspector."

    ¡°I''m going to ignore that comment soldier. ¡± The inspector said, as he opened the cell opposite from Robert and took a seat in it. ¡°Ok, let''s start simple. What''s your name? I know you got one."

    "It''s Robert."

    "I mean your full name. Only slaves are without last names.¡±

    ¡°Slaves!?¡± Robert jumped to his feet. ¡°Oh crap, are you slavers?¡±

    ¡°That was not what I asked you! Sit down!¡± The inspector growled. The man glanced away for a moment before speaking again. ¡°I see this going to be harder than I thought."

    His tone of anger was soon replaced by a new coldness. It made Robert shiver. "If you''re going to be difficult, we can try something a little more... painful to get my answers." He raised a hand and in seconds a gentle wind enveloped the hallway. The inspector lowered his hand and the wind fainted. ¡°The power of wind is a dangerous thing in the hands of an expert. Do you understand what that means? Now... what is your full name?¡±

    ¡°Wait! ¡± Robert yelped, stunned. "How did you do that magic!"

    ¡°Magic? I''m the one asking the questions here!" The inspector shouted. "If your family failed to teach you even this. Then you only have them to blame. now answer the question!"

    "I''m... Robert Price" Robert said, as he reluctantly sit down.

    "Good. The Sarge reported that you came in from the desert with a cape of a Liba royal guard? Where did you get it? A caravan maybe?"

    "I already told the other guys. I got it from a dead man. I didn''t kill him though."

    "So you just found a dead guy in the desert? Then what were you doing down there in that ship? You couldn''t have been living in it?"

    "You know what. I don''t deserve this kind of treatment." Robert barked, as he leaned forward. "I don''t know who you are, or where I am, or who you''re fighting. I don''t really care. Because I don''t belong in this world. So ask your useless questions because I can''t answer them!"

    "I see. " The inspector said, as he rolled his eyes. The guy didn''t believe him. "I completely understand now. You''re just some rich Liba noble, isolated from the world all your life. Well your not going to get special treatment here."

    "Holy Crap! Are you all mentally stupid or something! How can I be a Liba anything just look at me!" Robert said as he jumped to his feet and grabbed the bars.

    "Sit down!" The inspector barked, as he flicked a finger at Robert. Robert felt a strong invisible force push him back into his seat. "You will answer my questions nothing more."

    "No, wait. what did you just do? I thought you could only control the elements. Like the caravan Guards." Robert said as he put a hand on his forehead. "But what you did just now wasn''t an element. It was like the force or something."

    "Finally, we''re getting somewhere. So you admit it you were in the Liba caravan?" the inspector said. "Tell me everything you know about that. Their defenses, their numbers."

    ¡°What! I wouldn''t know any of that stuff." Robert stated. His legs were hurting now. "I''m sorry, but I didn''t think to count any of them. I was their prisoner. I''m not a noble like you think. ¡±

    "When tell me what you do know." The inspector paused for a moment then spoke.

    "Ah. Well, they. The Liba originally was going to deliver the prisoners to a kingdom called Gudo. I saw a map. The prisoners were your guys, right." Robert said. "Men had the same color of uniforms as you. I''m sorry, they were killed. "

    "Yes, we passed over their bodies a few hours ago. The bodies are mostly gone now. But their wounds were familiar. Likely done by Liba royal guards.¡±

    The inspector said as he raised a hand again. Robert flinched back. ¡° ha, I believe that enough for now. Someone will be assigned to feed you later. If I find you been hiding things, I''ll be back."

    The inspector stood and stepped from his cell.

    ¡°I wasn''t lying¡± Robert yelled, as he stood out and peeked out the bars. ¡°They better bring water.¡±

    Oh, great. I just made another enemy in this world. Robert thought as he tried coping with the two gestures. Robert sit down and leaned against the wall. He did that so easily? Hell, I''m so thirsty and tired. He closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.

    <hr>

    Robert stood in front of a green screen. He wore an outlandish Viking getup, with a prop ax and shield. Around him were many others wearing Viking costumes.

    ¡° We got a fortress to raise! Ready the longboats!¡± Robert Yelled, as he raised his ax high. ¡°Our Kin''s spilled blood calls for vengeance! Brothers ready yourselves!¡±

    ¡°Cut, cut!¡± shouted the director, as the lights came on. ¡°This is all wrong. Robert, you''re being a little too hammy out there. Can''t you fix that?¡±

    ¡°I''m sorry, Mr. Stevenson. it''s just the way I do it." Robert said, relaxing his arms. ¡°Should we try another take?¡±

    ¡°No, it''s are getting late. Everyone pack it up.¡± Mr. Stevenson said, addressing the crowd. ¡°Meet here tomorrow at the normal time. Good night everyone.¡±

    The stage was abuzz with activity. Robert walked off the set and a stage worker walked up to him.

    "We need those," the man said. So Robert handed his props weapons over. " and the armor."

    "What? It stuck?" Robert said as he sit down to try to remove his boot. "It''s like someone glued it on. Are you pranking me now?"

    What the....? The floor was covered in sand. Robert thought as he looked up. What!

    The studio was empty and everything was covered in sand. The wind picked up, and in seconds a sandstorm appeared.

    ¡°What the heck is happening?!" Robert yelled into the storm. ¡°Wait this isn''t how it happened?¡±

    A cluster of stars appeared in the air above him and Robert recognized them.

    "Omega!" Robert yelped. "I remember now. Why did you do this to me?"

    Robert''s answer was a set of pictures flashing inside his head. The hindenburg exploding. A box of kittens with the word "abandoned" on it. A picture of earth from space and finally a picture of the princess''s map.

 Chapter 9 Kidnapping

    Robert woke up with a jolt. His arms shooting out slamming against the walls. He was leaning against the left corner of the small wooden cell. His neck was bent and sore. Everything from his head to his toes was in a middle warmth.

    Oh! My neck. Robert thought, as he set up and rubbed it. Why did I sleep like that?

    He glanced around the cell and the realization dawned on him.

    Oh, really? All that was the dream and not this? Well crap. Robert thought as dryness and a feeling of pain from his throat came to his awareness. I really need some water soon.

    "Hey! Anyone out there?" Robert shouted as he leaned through the bars. The ship was oddly quiet. "Hello? I need some water in here! Hey! I''m going to die of thirst in here!"

    After five minutes of yelling, Robert had to sit down. As he did so, he noted a change in the hallway''s air. It was moving past his cell at an ever-increasing speed.

    What''s this? Is someone using wind magic in here Robert thought, as he stood. Or did someone just open a window?

    The howling wind inside soon became a roar, as the winds outside the ship faintly got louder. The floor lurched upward knocking Robert off his feet and onto the bench. Robert in a panic, braced himself against the walls, as the ship started rocking up and down. The ship lurched to the right then back.

    "What the crap is going on..!" Robert screamed. People shouting and running footsteps came over the roaring wind. Robert moved over and gripped the bars for support.

    ¡°Hey, anybody!¡± Robert yelled. ¡°What''s happening out there?! Somebody answer me?!¡±

    No one appeared or shouted back an answer. For all he knew, Robert was the only person on the whole floor. The ship leaned right again. A creaking sound came from above. His stomach jumped to his throat, as the ship descended or fell. Robert couldn''t tell either way. In seconds Robert felt a sudden jerk and heard something hit the ground, the ship became motionless.

    Did we just land or crash? Robert thought as he tried to stand up. the shaking had made his legs numb. Eventually, he got up and look up the hallway. He couldn''t see anyone.

    ¡°Hey, can anyone hear me?! Did we just crash?¡± Robert Yelled. ¡°Is anyone out there?! Hey!!!¡± The wind surged outside and the ship rocked.

    Hell, where have all the soldiers gone? Robert thought as he shook the door. It won''t move. It felt like we crash. Did everyone abandon ship? If so, then I need to get out of here, and get back my stuff?

    Robert checked his pockets, but they had taken everything from him. Luckily he found a safety pin and a button that he could rip off of his suit.

    They must have missed these? Robert thought as he decided against ripping off the button. He might need it later. He was sure that suit repair shops didn''t exist here. Now, what can I do with this?

    Robert reached his hand through the bars and felt the lock. It was massive compared to the locks back on Earth. Robert slipped a finger into the lock. He never needed the safety pin. So he sliped it into his pocket.

    Unlike the metal manacles with the screw-like key from before. Robert felt that this lock would have a key that look more like a cross with a circle in the center. Because his fingers there thin. He could push the cookie cutter-like wheel that was inside the lock and make it shift a little. With a little more force the lock slowly opened.

    Yes, I got it. Robert thought as he pushed the bars open. I''m out? Ok, which way did that Victor guy go?

    Robert sneaked down the hall back the way he came and stepped out into the main hallway. It was also empty. Robert heard speedy footsteps overhead. They were heading somewhere. Robert didn''t like it.

    Oh, Crap I got to get out of here. Robert thought, as he turned and headed towards the ladder that lead downwards. I''m going to die. They''re going to cut me into pieces and toss me overboard. Please lady luck smile upon me.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Robert reached the ladder and started down. Lady luck must have heard him because luckily no one was down there. This lower floor was darker than the rest of the ship, it was even darker than the whole wrecked ship from yesterday. The ceiling here didn''t glow like the other rooms and the hatch door that he was pulled up through was closed. Robert felt around in the darkness for the table that had the box with his stuff in it.

    ¡°Ow! ¡± Robert muttered, as he pulled his hand back. ¡°Ok here''s something? Yes, it''s the table. Aha, the box.¡±

    He reached inside and felt the familiar metal shell of his cellphone. He pulled the phone out and reached in again. But found nothing more, the box was empty. His pen wasn''t there or the cape. After checking every last inch of the box. He found the glass tube in the corner. He ignore the tube and removed his hand.

    ¡°Where''s my pen and the cape? Did someone take them from the box?¡± Robert muttered as he groped the table. ¡°Did they take it because of that I said? Oh Hell, that must be it. Why did I have to explain what the pen was? Of course, it would be stolen. I''m so stupid.¡±

    The room got darker as a body blocked the ceiling hole, and footsteps started down the ladder. Robert panicked and hid under the table.

    ¡°This place is perfect." A woman''s voice muttered as she reached the bottom of the ladder. ¡°What there''s Cinta down here?¡±

    She walked over to the table and bumped into it.

    ¡°Ow! Tainted thing! Why am I walking around in the dark? No one''s here. Everyone''s up on deck celebrating.¡± The women said. The room was suddenly full of orange light like from a candle. Robert shifted closer to the wall to hide in the shadows. The woman slides the box over to herself. ¡°Hum? This is a Liba-made? Huh? The Cinta has been mixed with sand? Did someone mess it up on purpose? Rushing thunder chargers. It''s useless to me this way. What a waste of time.¡±

    She moved away from the table and the orange light vanished replaced with a blue light like from a cellphone.

    There was silence for a few minutes. Robert felt trapped. Eventually, the woman spoke again. But each word was drawn out like she was talking to a baby.

    ¡°What...? The.. council.. wants... me.. to.. take.... the... Liba... princess... hostage? But...Sir... I... thought... this.. was.... only... a... recon... mission... It... took... me... weeks... to... infiltrate... this... crew. Why.... drop... this... on... me... now?¡± she stopped and huffed in anger. After another minute of silence, her tone changed.

    ¡°Yes... sir... I''ll... find... a...way... to... kidnap... the... target. Do... I... have... permission.. to.. kill... if... she... resists?¡± After a few moments of more silence, the blue light vanished. Leaving the room in darkness again.

    ¡°Taint me and toss me to the deeps.¡± the woman spat. ¡°If I don''t survive this mess. I hope the night bird eat their eyes the lot of them.¡±

    She headed for the ladder. Once there she climbed to the top and disappeared. Robert eventually crawled out from under the table.

    Holy Crap. She''s a spy!? A real spy? Robert thought, as he carefully headed for the ladder. She was talking about kidnapping a Liba princess? The only princess I that''s around here is Princess Samantha? Oh hell, what have I gotten myself into?

    Robert started climbing up and hopeing the lady was gone. The hallway above was still empty. But the sounds from above were even louder now. The footsteps were all over the place.

    Oh crap, a lot of people are coming. Robert thought, as he quickly came up with a plan. Hey, that''s perfect. I''ll hide back in my cell.

    Robert harried back the way he came and found the prison hallway again. His cell was still open. Robert entered and closed the door behind him. No sooner than he did that. Voices came up the hallway.

    ¡°Let go of me you barbarians! You can''t treat Me like this!¡± A familiar voice said. A flood of people appeared at the doorway. ¡°You Podor scum! I hope you all get tainted in your old age.¡±

    The crowd parted and princess Samantha was pushed forward down the hallway. Someone opened a cell door on the opposite wall, and she was pushed inside it.

    ¡°You can''t be serious! Is this too small!¡± Samantha barked, as she looked over the cell. ¡°This can hardly be called a closet, let alone a room.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, your highness. But we haven''t prepared any other rooms.¡± An overly happy and colorful uniformed soldier said. ¡°So for the time being. You''ll have to be in here.¡±

    The inspector appeared from the crowd and closed the door. He locked it with a flick of the hand.

    ¡°I want to talk to your captain!" The princess said as the colorful man smiled. "Bring him here.¡±

    ¡°Look no farther. I am him.¡± The colorful man said. ¡°What do you want to ask me?¡±

    ¡°You''re the captain?! You''re the one who leaded the flanking attack? You tainted bastard, you night bird spawn of a she monster! You should be hanged for what you did! I saw the bodies. Oh, mother the bodies. ¡±

    ¡°Whoa! I didn''t know princesses were taught such language? You''ve earned my respect.¡±

    ¡°I don''t want your respect. Scum! I want to be... ¡° the princess started. The ship suddenly shook and started to rise. ¡°Wait, what happening?¡±

    The ship has left the ground again. Robert thought as he watched the crowd. The soldiers didn''t seem surprised by the ship''s take-off. Robert knew because take-offs always made his stomach lurch. There goes my chance to escape.

    ¡°Oh, that''s just the ship taking off. We''ll be back in Podor in a matter of days. In fact, we''ll be passing Liba on the way there. I''ll let you out, so you can wave as we pass.¡± The captain stated as he turned to leave. ¡°So get comfortable.¡±

    ¡°Wait captain!¡± the princess said, more respectfully. ¡°What are you going to do with me? My father will not surrender just because you have me. I''m not a very good hostage.¡±

    ¡°Well that true?¡± the captain said glancing back. ¡°But why should I tell you that?¡±

    ¡°Because... you should... yes.¡± the princess started, She was at a loss for words.

    ¡°No, not going to happen.¡± the captain said turning to the crowd. ¡°Inspector place some guards here. And get a Female staff member to tend to her daily needs.¡±

    ¡°Yes Captain.¡± the Inspector said, turning to the crowd. ¡°This isn''t a stage play, back to your posts.¡±

    The crowd slowly filed out of the hallway. Only a part of Podor guards stayed behind. The princess set down on her bench, in clear distress. She looked up and spotted Robert across the hallway.

 Chapter 10 The dinner.

    ¡°Hey! What are you doing here? How are you here?¡± the princess asked., making the guards glanced over, in shocked surprise. They didn''t know Robert was there. ¡°I was told you were dead. How are you still alive?¡±

    ¡°Well, obviously I''m not dead,¡± Robert stated as he held closed his open cell door. He didn''t want it to swing open and reveal that it was unlocked to anyone. So he added. "Where the hell did you get that idea from?"

    "From General Paul. He said you were left behind with the extra wagons.  Those wagons were cut off from the main group''s protection and warmth." said the princess, as she made a scissoring gesture with her fingers. "He also said that even he would not survive in the desert alone. So how did you?¡±

    ¡°Well for one. I got my hands on one of those yellow capes your guards wear. The soldiers here said they were magical?¡±

    ¡°What!?¡± the princess yelped, as she shot up and grabbed the bars. ¡°You took a royal guard''s mimicking cape? How did you get that!? So you were with the men who kill my guards!?¡±

    ¡°What! No, I''m not with anyone! I never killed anyone either. I simply took one from a dead body. He was alright dead, I promise.¡±

    ¡°Robbing from the dead. That''s almost as bad.¡± The princess said as she warped her arms around herself in a self-hug. ¡°You should be ashamed.¡±

    ¡°You''re right, But I think I''m alive because of it,¡± Robert said, looking down at his feet. ¡°I have never stolen anything before, not even from the dead. Your world is turning me into a hypocrite.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean my world?!¡± the princess barked. ¡°It''s your world too!¡±

    ¡°No, it''s not!" Robert barked. In his anger, he shifted his door a little. shocked he shifted it back before continuing. " Well, didn''t your general tell you, what I said about where I came from? He asked about it. I know he didn''t believe me.¡±

    ¡°Paul said you were a liar or crazy, and I still believe him. What proof do you have to claim otherwise?¡± The princess muttered.

    Why does no one believe me? Robert thought, as a bit of anger swelled inside. Is it really that hard to believe? You people have magic for goodness sack. I need something to prove it. Should I show her my cellphone? No, what if the guards saw it? They would take it away like before.

    ¡°Remember that seeing-stone I had before?¡± Robert asked. The princess raised an eyebrow at this. But nodded anyway. ¡°Well, that thing wasn''t a seeing-stone.¡±

    ¡°What really? I have seen metal seeing stones before, you''re not..¡± she paused, and suddenly got excited. ¡°Hey wait! So you still have it on you then? Can I see it? Toss it over.¡±

    ¡°What no! They took it away.¡± Robert yelped, as the guards looked at each other. ¡°I don''t have it anymore.¡±

    ¡°Oh, they took it!? Of course, they would. Well, it would have been a nice distraction from all this.¡± the princess said, as she turned away. But suddenly she turned back excited again. ¡°Say how did you power it? I tried the normal way but got nowhere with it. I couldn''t find a way to connect Cinta to it.¡±

    ¡°You did what to my phone?!¡± Robert shouted. The princess jumped back in shock. ¡°If it''s dead because of you. I''ll make you pay for that. You phone breaker.¡±

    The princess looked stunned, like a child who had their dreams just crushed. She collapsed into her bench seat. Robert looked down at the floor. Soon he heard faint crying.

    ¡°Hey, sorry I didn''t mean to yell. That thing just meant a lot to me...and.¡± Robert said as he looked up. The princess was crying in her hands. ¡°I''m sorry??¡±

    ¡°No, I''m..sorry. I didn''t mean to break anything.¡± the princess said, sobbing into her hands. ¡°I just can''t take it anymore. This has been the worst week of my..my life.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about?¡± Robert asked, confused.

    ¡°Like you would want to know!" the princess whimpered but continued anyway. "Married off to some nice stranger. I only met once years ago. Couldn''t even bring my... my maids, with me. That accursed desert and now I''m a prisoner heading for the Podor empire with a crazy man for company, who''s mean. And eventually, I get..¡±

    Killed off and dumped somewhere? Robert thought before she finished. He remembered back to the spy''s mission. Oh Crap, that might be soon than later.

    ¡°I can empathize. You''re feeling how I''m feeling.¡± Robert said, leaning again the door, but still keeping it in place. ¡°At least you still have people and a home to go back to. Unlike me.¡± The princess looked up shocked.

    "What do you mean by that." the princess asked, as she whipped tears from her eyes. A mocking clapping came from up the hallway. It was the inspector.

    ¡°What a lovely little play. It almost made me cry. Sadly I''m not here for such a lovely banter. ¡± the inspector said, clapping some more. He turned to the princess. ¡°The captain can imagine how painful all this is for you. So he wishes that would you dine with him tonight? Of course, his officers would be there too. It happening in a few minutes. What do you say?¡±

    The princess stood up. Her hands tried to remove the dust and tears from her face and dress, before composing herself.

    ¡°I say. You can tell him to feed my plate to the night bird for all I care.¡± the princess said. She turned and pointed at Robert. ¡°I would sooner dine with that crazy man, than with your captain and his officers.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± The inspector said as he scanned Robert over. The man smile at Robert, before facing the princess again. ¡°I can arrange that.¡±

    He turned and nodded to the guards as he passed. Once the inspector was gone. The princess turned to Robert.

    ¡°I''m sorry. You saw that.¡± the princess said, seemingly better. ¡° A princess should never be seen crying.¡±

    ¡°Why? It''s only natural. It''s like trying to stop people from...¡± started Robert.

    ¡°Stop, Eww!¡± barked the princess ¡°I forbid you from finishing that sentence.¡±

    Robert was about to say he wasn''t going to say anything gross when a group of soldiers entered the hallway. They approached the princess''s cell and unlocked it.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± the princess asked, as they pulled her out. ¡°Hey! what is the meaning of this?¡±

    ¡°Hey, Where are you taking her!¡± Robert shouted as they pulled the princess completely out of her cell.

    ¡°Let go of me, you tainted scum.¡± she barked, as they lead her away. A few soldiers turned to Robert''s cell.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    ¡°Back up.¡± one of the guards said, as he moved in to unlock Robert''s cell. ¡°Don''t try anything funny.¡±

    Holy Crap. Robert thought as he let go of the door. If they realize the door has been open and unlocked all this time. They''ll kill me for sure.

    ¡°Good now...¡± the soldier said, as he put the key in the lock and tried the door, it didn''t open. ¡°What the.?¡±

    ¡°Maybe you use the wrong key? ¡° Robert asked, quickly thinking up a plan. ¡° They all look the same to me.¡±

    ¡°That because they are the same!" the guard barked.

    ¡°The lock could have gotten stuck then.¡± Robert offered. ¡°Maybe you should try the key again.¡±

    The man used the key inside the lock again. The door opened.

    ¡°Hum, must have been stuck?¡± Muttered the soldier, as he examined the key. He put it away and grabbed Robert. ¡° Anyway, you''re coming with us.¡±

    ¡°Why? Where are we going,¡± asked Robert? ¡°I hope somewhere with water.¡±

    ¡°Shut up and move.¡± the soldier ordered, as he lead Robert away.

    The group pushed Robert into the main hallway where he spotted the princess. She was being forced up a ladder. Surprisingly there was nobody else in the hallway. The crowds of soldiers from earlier were gone?

    Robert was pushed towards the same ladder the princess went up. He guessed, like the wreck, that this ladder went up to the Barrick of the ship. Robert grabbed the ladder and climbed up.

    At the top his guess was right and he found the missing soldiers. There were a dozen or more soldiers here. Men and women both. Some set on their beds, while the rest stood. Everyone was watching the princess. As she passed by them and was pushed through a door at the far end. Robert noticed some kind of hexagon playing cards on a nearby bed.

    As he was pushed through the room. People ignored him. Some soldiers even resumed their card game.

    Robert walked into the door at the end of the room and entered a small dining room. That was mostly filled with a large table and chairs. Around the table was a small crowd of soldiers. Six in all. The captain being the most colorful stood out among the rest. He set again the far wall. The princess was standing by the doorway and was already shouting to the men.

    ¡°...paraded around like some trophy!¡± the princess shouted, as she push her female escort away.

    ¡°Please your highness. Would you rather dine like my guest or as a prisoner? Because we can do both if you like? ¡± asked the captain, smiling. He noticed Robert. ¡°Wait what''s he doing here again?¡±

    The inspector leaned into the captain''s ear and whispered something.

    ¡°Oh. I see. He must be the one you mentioned." the captain said, as he turned inspector and faced the princess. "So princess, he''s one of your royal guards perhaps?¡±

    ¡°Yes, he is.¡± the princess said, unhesitatingly. ¡°Robert come sit.¡±

    She moved to take a seat opposite the captain and opened another seat beside him. Robert was shocked.

    What the Hell? Did she really just say that. Does she even know what she''s doing? Robert thought. You can''t drag me into this.

    ¡°Wait I''m not...¡± He started, but the princess was faster.

    ¡°No need for royal niceties here. Robert. We''re prisoners of war after all.¡± The princess said, taking a napkin and covering her lap with it. ¡°Come sit or might I order you?¡±

    Robert got the hint. So he walked over and set down next to the princess. The inspector leaned into the captain again and whispered something. The princess gave Robert a steely glance.

    ¡°Oh, I see.¡± The captain chuckled as if he just heard a great joke. ¡°So this is the legendary royal confidence. To always stay in control even in the face of danger. Sure I''ll play along princess.¡±

    What''s going on here? Does he know she lying? Robert thought, as he took his own napkin and place it on his lap. Oh, right the inspector knows I''m not with her. So this is a bluffing game? I can play at that too. Bluffing is a part of my job after all.

    Robert set up straighter, as he forced a convinced smile spread crossed his face. Surprised the other officers adjusted in their seats leaning a little away from Robert.

    They must not be as enlightened about the situation as the captain is. Robert thought as he scanned the small crowd. Most were younger than both the captain and the inspector. But they had a hardness, Robert had only seen in returning war veterans. But if that''s the case, why are they so quiet?

    ¡°You know you''ll never get away with this.¡± the princess stated, as she rearranged her utensils. ¡°General Paul will come for us soon.¡±

    ¡°That''s where I fear you''re wrong, princess. I have already gotten away with it.¡± the captain said. A dumbwaiter hatch opened up in the wall and an officer stood up and removed the tray from inside. The tray had ten small bowls atop it. The man begins delivering the bowls to the officers beside him first. ¡°The food Finally. This meat is....¡± The captain was cut off by Robert.

    ¡°Ahem. Shouldn''t princess Samantha be served first?¡± Robert said, in his most commander-like voice. He added a hint of impudence into what he said next. ¡°She is your guest after all.¡±

    The room fell silent. Everyone looked shunned. After a moment the princess smiled at him.

    "Oh, all the..." started the officer who was carrying the tray.

    "Tiller remembers your orders." the captain Barked.

    "But he has no right to speak, then...." the man started again.

    ¡°Tiller! Enough. ¡± The captain said, as he turned to Robert. His permanent smile faded to a temporary frown. ¡°Of course, by all means, serve her first. It''s only proper.¡±

    The officer walked over to the princess and served her a bowl. It was some kind of meat soup. The man served everyone else. Going counter cloak around the table so Robert was last to be served.

    ¡°So Robert, as you''re a Liba royal guard.¡± The captain asked, lifting a wooden spoonful of soup to his mouth. ¡°You must know that, They''re famous where I come from. For their bravery and victories in battle. Strange, how I''m told you pretty much bagged my men to come aboard.¡±

    Robert realized the man must be trying to tear down the princess''s lies.

    ¡°I think we should talk about our travel plans captain, not something unimportant.¡± the princess said, cleaning her spoon on her napkin after every bite.

    ¡°Oh, of course, I begged to be let on board,¡± Robert stated, playing with his food. The princess flashed a little worried glance at him. ¡°It was all according to my plan.¡±

    ¡°What plan?¡± The captain asked as he put his mouthful of soup back into his bowl. ¡°Was it to find the fastest way to lose your honor as a warrior?¡±

    ¡°Why no,¡± Robert stated. ¡°I knew the princess would be here eventually, so of course, I needed here as well.¡±

    ¡°So her capture was all predicted by you? That''s a very roundabout way to guard someone? If that''s the case, then why let your banner cape and Cinta fall into my hands?¡± The Captain said. ¡° Every Liba guard we captured before has severed their banners capes and voided its power, but why not yours. Care to explain that?¡±

    ¡°Why, of course, I can," Robert said, finally taking a spoonful of soup. He let the bite last a little longer than needed. "I would need my banner cape and Cinta at a later date. So I let you keep them. Any more questions captain?¡±

    The captain was at the point of popping a blood vessel, but the inspector leaned in and whispered something that calmed him down.

    ¡°I have just been informed that you''re not from this world, Mr. Guard.¡± The captain said, with an evil grin. ¡°Do you deny this?¡±

    ¡°Oh, so he fell for it,¡° Robert said, starting to sweat. ¡°You should get a new inspector then.¡±

    The mood of the room was changing. The princess was really looking worried now.

    ¡°If you say so?¡± the captain said, as he was gaining momentum. He smiled as he realized something. ¡°Say you heard the language the princess used earlier. Do you think her highness should be calling on the name of the great night bird, so easily? I don''t know about Liba, but in the Podor empire, it is normally frowned upon. I''m sure you know why?¡±

    Oh crap. He knows I''m not from here, and he''s taking full advantage of my ignorance of the customs. So what do I say? Robert thought as he looked to the princess for answers. She was mouthing something to him. Hell, I can''t read lips I didn''t take that class. That''s a night bird anyway? A monster? The princess didn''t look happy when they caught her, So it is some kind of swear word?

    ¡°Of course, he wouldn''t be pleased with my language.¡± The princess started, putting a spoonful of soup down. ¡°No one has ever heard me use such language before. You''re all the first.¡±

    ¡°The first? What an honor.¡± The captain said, in a mocking tone. ¡°You know I never met your father King Thomas before, what''s he like?¡±

    The princess looked confused by the question. The officers. Who was silently eating during the whole thing? Was now trying to hide wicked grins.

    Who''s king Thomas? Robert thought as the princess looked over at him. Does the princess seem confused by the question too? Ok, I know he playing with me now. But what could be the trick here? But I''m I supposed to know this king Thomas?

    "ah.." Robert started. but the princess cut in.

    ¡°I never heard of this king Thomas before.¡± the princess stated. ¡°Why would any of my guards know him. ¡±

    ¡° Are you sure?¡± the captain said. ¡°Let''s ask Sir Robert.¡±

    ¡°The princess is right. I never heard or met this King Thomas.¡± Robert said, taking another bite and finishing his bowl. The captain looked happy at that response. Robert realized it was time to cut and run.   ¡°I''m full. I think that''s enough games for today.¡±

    ¡°Agreed.¡± the princess said, putting down her spoon into her half-eaten bowl. Robert and the princess both stood up. ¡°I''m done. Can we return to our cells now captain?¡±

    "What? Are you sure you don''t want to stay for the main course?  Steak and potatoes?" The captain said. Robert started drooling.

    "No, I''m perfectly fine. Come Robert." the princess said, as a Soldier moved to escort her away.

    ¡°Alright return them to their cells, they have overstayed their welcome anyway.¡± the captain said, through gritted teeth. ¡°Oh and Sir Robert.¡±

    Robert turns to face the captain, expecting a rude gesture from the man. But finding a fireball flying towards him.

    It barely missed Robert''s head and exploded against the back wall. the heat flashing across Robert''s face. The Princess jumped and held in a gasp. In the air around the captain, bobbing about were three more small fireballs.

    "Don''t expect me to miss again?" the captain said, grinning. ¡°Get the message?¡±

    Holy crap!! Robert thought, maintaining a straight face. He could have just killed me there. The message? Yes, I get it very well. I''m expendable here.

    ¡°Move.¡± the soldier said, as he let them out of the room.

 Chapter 11 The Attack.

    The soldiers pushed the princess back through the barrack chamber. Lazy soldiers looked up from their games and books, surprised the princess here. They must have thought the dinner was supposed to be longer.

    Behind the princess, Robert being pushed followed her closely. Maybe too closely. Many male soldiers glared daggers at him as he passed.

    Come on, guys. Robert thought. It''s not like I want to be here.

    "Come on move?" The taller of the two soldiers said as he brings them to the ladder. The princess went down first. Next was the shorter soldier before Robert went down. Down the ladder, in the hallway, the princess stood waiting for Robert and the taller soldier. They gathered and walked through the hallway towards the far doorway.

    They entered the prison hallway and Robert noticed small buckets lining the doors. one on every third cell. On closer examination, the buckets were filled with water. a small enough of water, but still water. A small lade sits inside each one. The soldiers pushed Robert to a random cell.

    "You first." said the taller of the two. As he opened the cell and pushed Robert inside. The shorter one did the same with the princess.

    "Hey, do you think I can ask for the princess leftover food?" The shorter to the two asked as they locked both doors. "She''s not going to eat it."

    "Don''t be stupid." The other man said as they turned and headed for the doorway. "Like they''ll give you extra raions."

    Once they were gone. The princess turned to Robert.

    ¡°Wow? That was a surprising act up there,¡± she said. ¡° Were you an actor before all this?¡±

    ¡°Yes and be careful what you say. They could be listening to us,¡± Robert said, looking up the hallway. ¡°It''s not safe to talk.¡±

    ¡°Oh. I never saw it myself. but I heard Cinta can allow someone to hear through walls.¡± The princess said, sitting down. "So maybe they are."

    They can hear through walls? Does magic here have no limitations at all? How does it even work? Does it have anything to do with that red sand? Is that Cinta? Robert thought as he sit down on his bench. Well, I can''t go asking her about it now.

    To pass the time Robert mentally rehearsed his memorized stage lines and drink some of the water from his cell''s bucket. It tasted like warm lake water. Warm and sandy.

    After thirty minutes. Robert finally felt sure enough to risk being overheard. He wanted to answers. He turned to the princess.

    ¡°Hey, can I ask you some things?¡± Robert asked, as he leaned forward and looked through the bars.

    ¡°What I thought you said it was too risky?¡± The princess said as she stopped leaning in the corner and sit up. ¡°What if they''re still listening?¡±

    ¡°I don''t care anymore. they can listen if they want.¡± Robert said as he double-checked the hallway. ¡°Why did you lie for me up there? I''m sure they wouldn''t have done anything to me.¡±

    ¡°What happened to your manners, Mr. Price?" the princess asked. "I''ll not have you speaking to me as they do."

    "Sorry, Princess. But I really need to know."

    "Oh fine. well about that lie. They might have taken you back and left me there. I just didn''t want to be alone with them. You can''t trust a Podor to keep his word. By the way, that act in there was really something.¡±

    ¡°It wasn''t that good. I was winging it. I took a class specializing in ad-libbing. You gave me a character to fill and it came naturally to me."

    ¡°But, it was so convincing. For a moment I really thought you were one of my guards. You had the confidence of one. General Paul would have done something just like that.¡±

    The sounds of voices came from the hallway.

    ¡°Quiet, not so loud,¡± Robert said as he put a finger to his lips. But the princess didn''t seem to understand his gesture. ¡°Ah, did you hear that? The guards are still within earshot, so we should be quieter.¡±

    ¡°Why it''s not like we''re saying anything important.¡± the princess said, realizing. " and even if we''re. They can hear us through the walls with Cinta. so who cares."

    ¡°Actually about that," Robert said. as the princess raised an eyebrow. "I wanted to ask you some things? I have many questions.¡±

    ¡°Questions? Like that simple question, you got stuck on earlier? Even a commoner would know that. Well if you weren''t..¡± the princess said, as she rubbed her face. ¡°Oh taint me, that story of yours is crazy. But I''m starting to believe you. Only a child would be that ignorance. Alright, ask your questions.¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    Perfect. Robert thought I can ask her what Cinta is and how it related to magic. wait hold on. I always ask her later. I need info. As the saying goes know your enemy.

    ¡°So who are they anyway, these Podor? I understand they''re enemies of yours, but why are they doing this? Did they start this conflict or did...¡± He didn''t finish, because the princess was glaring at him. She sit quietly for a moment then spoke.

    ¡°The Podor empire have been testing our borders with small attacks for some time now. Using ambush tactics to weaken my home land''s defenses. A full-scale war could happen any day now." she said, glaring at him. "They started it. Not us."

    "My father seeing no other action, choose to seek an alliance with the Gudo Kingdom." she continued and her face softened. "At first I didn''t mind that idea. But I soon found out they wanted to seal the alliance with a royal wedding." She

    "I was known as my father''s youngest and I yet to be married. So it was no doubt who would be picked to go. I knew nothing of this at the time. I was busy doing other things."

    "Anyway. To answer your other question; I believe the Podor wish to end the alliance with my kidnapping and hopeful ransom.¡±

    A full-blown War?! Holy Crap! Robert thought as he stretched his head. What have I gotten myself involved in? Once they realize I have no ransom value they''ll kill me for sure!

    ¡°Hey are you even listening?¡± the princess asked, checking if she should continue. "Hey, if you not listening. I not going to tell you anymore."

    ¡°Oh, sorry. I was just thinking. Can I ask about Cinta... ¡± Started Robert, as the gravity under him suddenly dropped. The ship shook, knocking both of them off their feet. the princess grabbed the walls and Robert grabbed the bars. The wind howled outside, beating against the ship.

    ¡°What happening?¡± the princess asked, holding the walls. ¡°Are we crashing?¡±

    ¡°No. This happened before. I think it''s a sandstorm.¡±

    A woman appeared at the doorway. She came sliding down the hallway to them.

    ¡°Your highness it''s not safe here.¡± the woman said, as she started unlocking the princess''s cell. ¡°You need to move to a safer deck.¡±

    That voice. Oh crap, it''s her! The spy! Robert thought, as he pushed his face outside the bars. She here to take the princess away! I need to do something.

    ¡°Hey, what are you doing here?¡± the princess asked as the spy pulled the princess out of her cell and started leading her away. ¡°Let go of me! I''m not going anywhere, with you.¡±

    ¡°Oh yes, you are.¡± The spy said as she pull manacles out of her beltbag and force them onto the princess. ¡°Captain''s orders.¡±

    Holy crap! what do I do! Robert thought, shaking the bars. Do I call the guards? No, she''ll kill me before that. I know. I''ll say I can help her. ¡°Wait, what about me!¡± shouted Robert, as he shook the bars again. ¡° Let me out and I''ll help you.¡±

    ¡°Yes, let him out.¡± The princess said. ¡°Please let him out.¡± The spy ignored both of them and resumed leading the princess away.

    ¡°Wait! Come back!¡± Robert yelled, at the top of his lungs. ¡°Let me out damn...! Oh crap!¡± Both women vanished into thin air. One moment they were there, and like a glitchy security camera. The next moment, gone.

    ¡°Hey, let go of me you tainted olf hag. Wait your not a Podor... Ah.....¡± the princess''s disembodied voice screamed. A muffled cry soon became stillness.

    ¡°Princess Samantha!¡± Robert screamed, hitting the door. ¡°Crap.¡±

    Hell!? Do they have invisibility now? That''s not fair!! Robert thought as he scanned the hallway for any movement. Are they even still here? If I step out now. Could I still be killed, or Hell? If that spy felt threatened by me. She might kill the princess instead. What do I do!

    The ship leaned to the side again, and Robert lost his balance. He crashed into the wall.

    ¡°Ow.¡± He yelped, as he tried to get back on his feet. ¡°Crap! Not this again.¡± The ship leaned again to the other side. He held on. Soon the ship leveled out, and Robert made a jump for the door. He grabbed on and reached for the lock.

    After unlocking it earlier, he knew what he was looking for. He put his fingers inside and flicked the wheel violently. The door swung open with him still on it as the ship leaned again. he let go and grabbed the doorframe. The ship leveled out again.

    And Robert stood up slowly. he glanced around checking if he was about to be stabbed. Finding nothing, he turns and leaves the prison hallway. Shouting and screaming were coming from above, and the sound of many footsteps ran over him.

    What''s happening out there? It doesn''t sound like a sandstorm? Robert thought as he wobbled towards another door in the hallway. It sounds like a battle up there. Oh hell, what am I even doing, chase them? I should find a way off this stupid thing! If I run into anyone else, I''ll get killed. Most definitely, if it was the captain.

    The main hallway was empty of people, well it looked empty at least. He didn''t want to check any of the side doors. Leaning against the wall Robert worked his way down the hallway. He was groping his free hand out ahead of him. Hoping to not bump into any invisible attackers. He felt stupid and looked stupid, but this was the only idea that came to his mind.

    Please no one comes here. I don''t want to die. Oh, where did the spy go? Robert thought as he inched along. The ship wobbled again, But Robert remained standing. If only I had a gun. Sure I never used one before. But now I really want one. A nice big scary-looking one.

    He came to an open doorway. It was the crew''s mess hall. Like the one he finds in the wrecked ship and due to the shaking. It was starting to look a lot like the one from the wreck too. Plates and utensils covered the floor. A kitchen knife was on the floor too. It was a single piece of metal bent into a covered handle and blade. it had no leather grip.

    That might be useful. Robert thought, as he entered the room and approached the knife. He picked it up. The cold metal burned in his hand. The battle above was getting louder.

    So this is it. I going to have to kill someone, another person. Robert thought suddenly fearing the knife in his hand. Why am I hesitating now? I didn''t feel like this when I took the sword? I probably knew subconsciously it was just a big stick in my hands? But this is a knife. There''s no other way around it now. I''m going to have to kill someone eventually.

    The screaming above got softer as the sounds of many voices filled his ears. They were running down the hallway towards him. Robert turned to the door and dashed behind it. just in time too. Because people rushed past.

    ¡°The enemy has taken the main deck and has breached the first. Protect this hallway with your lives.¡± the inspector ordered. More men run past Robert''s doorway. ¡°We will prevail or the empire will fall.¡±

    ¡°Inspector! Inspector¡± a soldier shouted as he got louder. ¡°The princess is gone! All the cells are empty.¡±

    ¡°Night bird dropping.¡± the inspector yelled. ¡°Search the deck. We couldn''t have gone far.¡± Someone entered the mess hall and passed Robert. Robert froze behind the door. The soldier looked around the room as another soldier entered.

    ¡°What a mess.¡± The second soldier said. ¡° Hey, I guess that''s why it''s called a mess hall.¡±

    ¡°Stop being stupid. Hurry and check the over there.¡± the first said, as he pointed to the left side of the room. ¡°I''ll check over here.¡± The second soldier started searching under the tables. While the first soldier stood by the door. His head was turning towards Robert''s hiding spot.

    I''m so dead. Robert thought, readying the knife. Please don''t look here. The soldier placed his hand on the door.

 Chapter 12 Stuck in the meddle

    ¡°The enemy has taken the first deck!¡± Yelled the inspector from outside. ¡°Everyone get back here now.¡± The sounds of fighting and screaming were filling the hallway. Robert breathed in relaxed. The soldier turned to his comrade. The other soldier came running out of the kitchen. the mat up by the doorway.

    ¡°Come on,¡± The waiting soldier said, she turned to leave.

    ¡°Just a second. Did you check behind this door?¡± the other soldier asked, as he reached out to move the door aside. Robert springs from his hiding place. He saw a flash of blood and jumped back. his knife at found flesh. Robert run to the center of the room and turned around. The soldier fell. while grabbing his right hand in pain. ¡°Ah!! Taint me, that hurt! who are you.¡±

    Oh, Crap. Robert thought as he realized his knife only cut the guy''s hand open. I''m dead.

    ¡°Hey guys, get in here. We got one.¡± the unwounded soldier yelled. A small group of soldiers rushed in, each carrying a sword with different levels of readiness. Robert held up his knife in a sad attempt to look scary. The soldiers circled him.

    ¡°Out of my way. move!¡± An angry male voice yelled. The soldiers parted, and the inspector entered. He spotted the wounded soldier first. ¡°What is this! Oh, you?¡±

    Oh, Crap not him. Robert thought as he backed against the wall. He''s the second guy I didn''t want to meet today.

    ¡°What are you all doing!¡± the inspector yelled, as he looked over the small crowd. ¡°The captain needs help. I''ll deal with this one alone. Now move it!¡±

    ¡°But he cut my hand?¡± the wounded soldier shouted as he glared murderously at Robert. ¡°I want payback.¡±

    ¡°I said move it! That means all of you.¡± the inspector shouted. The soldiers with the swords obeyed and grabbed the wounded guy. The inspector turned back to Robert as they left.

    ¡°Drop the knife idiot. ¡± He said, raising a hand. The wind in the room grew to an uncomfortable level. ¡°Or I will cut your head off.¡±

    Holy hell, he''s not joking. What good is a knife, against magic? Robert thought, as he dropped the knife and He raised his hands up. The knife clattered to the floor.

    "See I''m no threat, please don''t cut off my head," Robert stated.

    ¡°Where is the Liba princess? You must know. Speck now!¡± The inspector asked as he flicked a finger, and the knife slid towards him along the floor. He stepped on the knife when it reached him. "Or this will be your head."

    ¡°I don''t know where she is! honest¡±

    ¡°You lie, you escaped along with her. I know it. Where is she! ¡± The inspector howled, raising his hand again. the wind whipped around. "Tell me!"

    ¡°Oh, Holy hell! Wait. I''ll tell you.¡± Robert said as he blocked his head with his arms. ¡° A woman. A woman took her away. She said it was under the captain''s orders. I don''t know where they went, they both became invisible.¡±

    ¡°What? This can''t be right!? the captain wouldn''t... Wait they were Invisible?¡± the inspector said looking confused ¡°You''re lying again.¡±

    ¡°I''m not lying. I really saw them vanish.¡±

    ¡°if they let you there. Then how did you get out of your cell?¡±

    ¡°The woman let me out.¡± Robert barked. ¡°Before she took the princess.¡±

    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    ¡°Then why didn''t she take you with them?¡±

    ¡°Because she only wanted the princess!¡± Robert said. ¡°Duh.¡±

    The inspector looked confused and annoyed. The fighting sounded like, it was right outside the door. The captain appeared at the doorway, he was covered in scratches and blood. He was using the doorway as cover while firing fireballs up the hallway. Some soldiers appear beside him in the hallway. They were holding up metal shields. A blast of wind from their attacker cut against the shields and the men groaned with pain.

    ¡°Get more shields out here! Once they run out of Cinta, we''ll rush them!¡± Yelled the captain, as he turned around to look in the room. ¡°What the night bird? Inspector, what are you doing in here?¡±

    ¡°The Liba princess is the missing captain. This prisoner says you''re responsible? Explain how that wouldn''t be the case!¡± The Inspector growled as he walked towards the captain. ¡°If you did anything to hinder this mission, Thomas. I''ll see it put on your report.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about...? Wait the princess is gone!¡± the captain blurted, clearly shocked. He finally registers Robert. The captain summoned a few fireballs.¡°You!¡±

    ¡°No, he''s the only witness.¡± the Inspector said as he stepped in front of the captain. ¡°We need him alive.¡±

    The battle outside was getting worse. The wind was knocking over or cutting into people now, fireballs and arrows were flying over their heads. The shields the soldiers were using seem to be working for now. Then suddenly a Liba royal guard appeared, leaping over the shields and into the fray. His sword seeks a shield carrier''s chest. The two men turned to face the incoming enemy. What happened next Robert didn''t see. The inspector was blocking everything with his back. A flash of orange light, and a clash of metal.

    ¡°Push them back!¡± The captain yelled as he left the room. He jumped into the fray facing the lone royal guard himself. ¡°I won''t let them take my ship!¡±

    Wait the Liba are the ones attacking? Duh, of course, it''s the Liba. Their princess is here. Robert thought glancing around the room. The mess hall had a back kitchen but that was it. There was only one exit. Oh Crap, how do I get out of here? I''m stuck.

    The air in the room pressurized, causing Robert''s ears to pop. A second later a huge shock wave of air crashed into Robert hard, throwing him on his butt. The same happened to the captain, the inspector, and several other Podor soldiers.

    ¡°You night bird scum! Fight me like men!¡± an old but loud male voice yelled. ¡°Where are you! Princess Samantha yell if you can hear me! ¡±

    General Paul? Robert thought as he rubbed his ears. Oh hell, this just got a lot more complicated. I''m stuck in the middle of this thing.

    Everyone quickly got back up and the battle resumed. It became a pushing match, both a physical one and a buffing one.

    ¡°Push! They''ll be running out of Cinta eventually. Push!¡± the Captain shouted, as he himself took a shield from a fallen soldier. ¡°Kill the wounded!¡±

    The inspector looked like he was about to jump into the fray himself. When he glanced back at Robert, flicked his finger and turned away. Pain shot up through Robert''s body. He falls to the ground.

    On the floor, Robert screamed in horror, as he realizes that his legs were both cut open down the middle, longways. A straight bloody line across his knees. The inspector joined the battle as if nothing happened.

    Robert felt sick, the pain was suffocating. He was losing focus, nausea blurred his vision. The battle became muffled and muddy.

    Holy crap! Crap. Robert thought as he tried to move his legs. They didn''t respond. ¡°Aah!¡± He couldn''t speak. Tears and snot ran down his face.

    The Podor soldiers were being pushed back, and more Liba royal guards appeared. Someone entered the mess hall. Robert couldn''t see through the tears.

    ¡°Wait. I know him.¡± A familiar voice stated. ¡°Leave him, let''s keep pushing.¡± Robert saw the yellow of their capes. He remembered that voice, it was the Liba commander.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Robert shouted, mustering up all his strength as he looked up at them. ¡°The Princess. I...¡± They surrounded him again.

    ¡°What do you mean the princess?¡± the commander shouted, as he grabbed Robert by the collar. ¡°Where is she?¡±

    ¡°Blood, so much blood,¡± Robert muttered, as he grabbed the commander to keep from falling. The floor was covered in his own blood. ¡°I can''t...¡±

    ¡°Quick, who brought any deep herbs?¡± the commander asked, holding out his hand. ¡°Give it here.¡±

    ¡°I have one.¡± Another guard stated as he walked over to the commander. Through Robert''s teary eyes he saw the guard give something green over. ¡°Here you go.¡±

    ¡°Wait why are we wasting a deep herb on him.¡± a different guard asked. ¡°He could be lying.¡± The commander didn''t answer, he placed two green patches on Robert''s legs. Immediately the pain and nausea were gone, replaced with a faint itching. Robert breathed in and looked up. Completely fine like he was just sitting here.

    ¡°Oh crap. What did you do?¡± Robert asked, feeling great. He looked down at his legs. ¡°How is this not hurting anymore? What is that stuff?¡±

    ¡°The princess now... ¡± The commander asked. "Where is she?

    ¡°Oh, the princess. She was taken by a female spy. The spy said she''ll kill the princess if she can''t have her.¡± Robert said, looking over the commander''s shoulder. The battle was moving away from them now. ¡°They became invisible. So I didn''t see where they went.¡±

    ¡°What a lie. See a waste of time.¡± One of the guards growled.

    ¡°The woman spy wanted to kill her and they became invisible... Hum?¡± the commander said, standing. he turned to the guards. ¡°Quick go tell the general this.¡±

    ¡°Yes sir.¡± all three guards said together. They turned and run out of the mess hall.

    ¡°Can you stand?¡± asked the commander. ¡°I have more questions.¡±

    ¡°Oh Yes I can, strange? I thought was just pain killer?¡± Robert asked, standing. ¡°Oh, more questions? Sure. I...¡± The commander pushed Robert toward the doorway.

    Okay, so no talking here. Got it. Robert thought, still shocked that his knees were working. Wow, I really need to get my hand on some of that green stuff.

 Chapter 13 Back again

    The commander leads Robert out into the hallway. The dead bodies of Lida and Podor fighters both laid face down in their own blood. Their weapons dropped futilely beside them. The blood was everywhere Robert couldn''t help but step in it. the smell was a burning iron, septic tank. The commander pushed Robert forward while forcing his head down. The battle was still raging behind them. Only twenty feet away. Some Liba guards ran past the two of them. As Robert could only look down he noticed that the hallway floor was cut and burned in spots. When the force on his head vanished, Robert looked up and found the ladder to the next floor looking worst for wear.

    ¡°Tom, wait.¡± The commander said as he stopped a Liba guard who was climbing down to them. ¡°Take this man back to the caravan, and hold him there for me. He''s an important witness. He is not to be harmed.¡±

    "Yes Sir," Tom said, as he grabbed Robert''s arms. The man was strong and Robert''s legs were still numb.

    ¡°Hey, wait. Thanks for the healing, and all. I mean it. But are you taking me, prisoner, again? ¡± Robert asked as he was pulled towards the ladder. He was still a little foggy from the green medicine. ¡°Hey, easy.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we are. If you don''t like it. Bring it up with the general.¡± the Commander said, fixing his glasses and turning away. ¡°You hurry up now Tom. I got to go find myself an invisible kidnapper.¡±

    ¡°Yes commander,¡± Tom said, as he dragged Robert up the ladder. ¡°Come on, now. Are you limping on propose?¡±

    "No, I''m not."

    Robert was led up the ladder. It was the same ladder to the barrack. The room was destroyed beds burned and turned over. Luckily there were nobodies. Now it looked just like the wracked ship''s barracks. An explosion rocked the ship and Robert fell. Tom grabbed a nearby bed.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Robert asked as he stood up. ¡°Did something just explode?¡±

    ¡°Seems someone just used a whole lot of Cinta, all at once,¡± Tom muttered, looking back. ¡°I hope that wasn''t aimed at the commander?¡±

    ¡°I don''t really care.¡± Robert Barked, glaring back at Tom. ¡°I have been treated unfairly by both the Podor and the Liba. So in my book. You''re all Very crappy people. If you people even have a Hell, I hope you all go there.¡±

    ¡°I don''t like your tone very much, prisoner,¡± Tom said, as he begin pushing Robert again. ¡°Take my advice. Be careful who you insult, if I wasn''t under orders against it. I would have struck you for that.¡±

    Tom lead Robert to the far side of the barrack where a second ladder was set. This one was worse than the last. The floor under it was covered in sand and more sand was flying in.

    Tom forced Robert up a ladder to the deck. Wind and sandblasted Robert''s face as he reached the top. In such wind, he could hardly breathe. The whole ship was caught in a sandstorm. Sand flew around in every direction, blocking out everything beyond the ship. The deck was getting covered in piles of stuff. Robert could hardly keep his head up. When Robert managed to look around, he noticed three Liba Guards were approaching them. They made no attempt to cover their eyes from the sand. Robert realized that their hair was strangely moving with the wind, but the sand seemed to flow around their heads like they were wearing glass fishbowls.

    ¡°I''m bringing this one to the caravan,¡± Tom shouted, as he reached the top. He pushed Robert past the others. ¡° Commander''s orders!¡°

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    ¡°Yes sir!¡± One of them shouted over the wind. as Tom dragged Robert to the edge of the ship. Tom didn''t look like he was going to stop at the edge.

    ¡°Wait? What are you doing? Hey, stop! We''ll fall!¡± Robert shouted as he made Robert climb over the railing. Tom climbed up the railings with him and leaped from the ship. Dragging Robert with him. ¡° Oh, crap!¡±

    For a moment everything was overwhelming pain. The roaring wind in his ears. The scraping sand against his skin. Soon the pain stopped and the sky became clear. The sun was out and there were no signs of a sandstorm. The air felt thinker somehow and the two falling men were slowing down. Until they come to a gentle landing on the sand. Before they landed, Robert noticed many Liba guards below. They were all standing around and staring. All of them had their eyes to the sky, and some with helmets had their hands out.

    ¡°Ow. I hate you.¡± Robert muttered as he grabbed his head and turned to Tom. ¡°How did we survive that fall? Our legs should have been ruined.¡±

    ¡°Can''t you see, Fool? They caught us obviously. ¡± Tom said as he pointed at the helmeted guards. ¡°Now move. I got to get back up there fast.¡± One of the helmeted guards approached them.

    ¡°What''s this? I thought the general said no prisoners?¡± The helmeted man asked as he scanned Robert up and down.

    ¡°Commanders orders,¡± Tom said, pushing Robert forward. ¡°He told me this man is a witness.¡±

    ¡°Really Tom? Are you sure.....?¡± the helmeted guard asked, then he looked up. ¡°Hold up, incoming.¡± He raised a hand and the wind whipped around them. Robert turned around and looked into the sky. His jaw dropped open. About seven stories up in the air. Was a massive ball of swirling sand. A mini sandstorm. They were controlling a mini sandstorm. A flash of yellow crossed Robert''s view, as a third guard landed beside them.

    ¡°Reporting in.¡± the new guard stated, as he got up. he burst himself off. ¡°We have gone through most of the ship by now. But we found no sighs of the princess. The surviving crew have locked themselves in and are putting up a real fight. The general says they must not have the princess. Because they haven''t yet tried to use her as a hostage. That''s it send me back up.¡±

    ¡°Ok. Ready guys in three, two, one... Now.¡± the helmeted guard said, as he flicked his arm. The messenger guard was sent flying into the air. He reached the ball in seconds and vanished inside.

    Whoa! That was a leap. But that isn''t really flying, was it? Do they not have flying Magic or good flying Cinta? Is Cinta the word for Magic here? Robert thought as he glanced up that the ball again. Wow, that thing''s insane. How can they even control all of that?

    "Ok move it. I''m going to put him in one of the empty storage wagons." Tom said as he led Robert away. "Then you can help me back up there later." The helmeted guard must have approved of the idea because he went back to watching the sky.

    Tom moved Robert away and toward the wagons. The caravan had formed a circle around the floating ship like a boa constrictor with its prey. Upon reaching the wagons. Robert was led to the door of one. But like the other wagons, this one had a door made of wood. As Tom opened the door, a shocked shout vibrated through the crowd. Tom turned and that allowed Robert to see too. Above the ship had appeared from the ball, it had escaped the sandstorm.

    ¡°Someone quick, go tell the elders that the as the ship moved out of alignment!¡± The helmeted guard yelled as he faced the crowd. ¡°Well go on.¡±

    One of the crowd turned and ran off to a larger wagon. He opened the wagon''s door and entered. A minute later the sand ball reabsorbed the ship.

    After seeing that, Tom started pushing Robert up and inside the wagon, but he didn''t get very far. Robert was pushing back and yet another yell shook through the crowd. Both men turned again.

    A dozen yellow dots had appeared from the sand ball this time. They were falling fast. The guys on the ground panicked, quickly raising their hands. Several large tornados appeared, shooting up to catch all of the falling men. Some of them landed awkwardly. Robert realized why they were carrying bodies. The general and the commander were among the guys who landed. The helmeted guards rushed to help.

    ¡°Move! Move aside!¡± The general roared, as he pushed past the helmeted men. He stomped off toward the elder''s wagon. He passed the crowd. ¡°Get out of my way.¡± He forced himself inside the wagon and immediately the sandstorm ball disappeared. The sand simply felling to the ground. The floating Podor ship was free but very damaged.

    ¡°Men, prepare for any counter attacks!¡± The commander yelled as he walked through the crowd toward Robert. ¡°They might drop firebombs on us. So move the caravan out of the way. ¡±

    "Hey ow," Robert said, Tom grabbed Robert''s head and forced it down.

    ¡°What''s going on commander?¡± Tom asked.

    ¡°The general is letting them go. They threatened to blow the whole ship up.¡± The commander stated as he stopped in front of Robert. "What are you doing with him?"

    "Ah, well I''m thought the empty storage wagon would work as a temporary cell?" Tom said as he pulled Robert''s head up.

    ¡°Good idea. But I need to talk to him first.¡± the commander said.

    Oh, dear? This is going to be the inspector all over again, isn''t it and he doesn''t look as calm as the inspector was. Robert thought as he rubbed his neck. His mood means they haven''t found the princess either. Crap.

 Chapter 14 The mercenary Town

    So Robert told about his time in the Podor ship. He explained how the spy came to the prison hallway when everyone else was partying, about her seeing-stone and about that he overheard. Then he told the commander how the princess had vanished into thin air. The librarian-like commander looked downright terrifying at the moment. The wind would dramatically change directions with every other word. Robert didn''t know if the commander was the cause or not. But by the time the commander was satisfied, the Podor ship was long gone. Barely a dot on the horizon.

    ¡°The princess must still be on that ship somewhere, invisible? Simply unbelievable I thought they were only stories.¡± the commander muttered, as he turned the crowd of forty or fifty Liba guards waiting behind him. ¡°Men, we''re going after that ship. Prepare the caravan to leave in five minutes.¡± He walked off towards where general Paul was standing.

    ¡°Come on, stand up. If he wants to keep you around. The commander must think you''re very important. ¡± Tom said, as forced Robert to his feet. Robert sits down during the exchange. ¡°It''s your lucky day, buddy.¡± Tom pushed Robert inside the wagon doorway.

    Lucky? I beg to differ. Robert thought as he was pushed inside. he glanced around at the nearly empty storage wagon. I''m exhausted, dirty, and my nerves are shot to hell. I haven''t answered the call of nature in hours, and I''m a prisoner, again.

    ¡°Hey, where do I go in here?¡± Robert asked, turning. ¡°I really need to go.¡±

    ¡°We''ll get you a pot,¡± Tom said, as he started closing the wooden door. ¡°Now step back, a little further.¡± Robert stepped back again. As the door closed, it became pitch-black before the glowing ceiling kicked in.

    ¡°Great,¡± Robert muttered, as his belly hurt. ¡°I hope they get the pot fast."

    The wagon started moving. The sounds of camels and moving sand filled the air. Robert found a comfortable spot near the back of the wagon to sit in. He had gone from one of many prisoners. To one of two, and finally to being the only prisoner.

    Ok, what do I know? Robert thought, there''s a war coming and they have magic. They kept calling that red sand Cinta? But they also said Cinta was the cause of all the magic? So it''s like the spice from dune? Is it a magical ingredient, or a fuel source? Ok, so I used their magic that one time because I had Cinta on me but where did it go? Damn, I can think straight, everything hurts.

    The door opened and a pot was tossed inside. It banged against the wall and clattered to the floor. The guard who threw it popped his head in.

    "I was ordered to get you this." the man said. "Enjoy."

    "What the hell? I thought it would be bigger and that it come with a lid?" Robert muttered, looking at the pot in the corner. " This is going to really smell.¡±

    When He finished his business, but without toilet paper, he had to just leave it there, He felt sick and dirty, when he put his pants back on. The whole room smelled too. He moved the pot into one of the corners. His hands started smelling of it too, but they looked clean. Robert couldn''t tell where the smell was coming from anymore. He sit down on the opposite corner and collapsed.

    This must be hell. Robert thought, as tried blocking the smell with an arm. The contain''s odor filled the air. Well crap, I really miss toilet paper and my shower. When I get home I''ll never take them for granted again. I really had it good.

    Four hours later, Robert started to hear a lot of noises outside. It sounded like a group of animals and people. Soon it sounded only like people, as a crowd of hundred plus people. He stood up and rubbed his head.

    ¡°Eww, I forgot that that,¡± Robert muttered after he sniffed his hand. He immediately regretted both actions. ¡°Ok, enough of that¡± He walked over to the door and knocked. ¡°Hey, what going on? What''s all the noise¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    ¡°Be quiet in there.¡± The guard outside barked. someone started banging on the door. ¡°If you draw attention to ourselves, you''ll be punished.¡±

    ¡°Punished? What are you talking about?¡± Robert asked. ¡°Where are we?¡± No one answered.

    What a jerk. Robert thought as he walked to the other side of the room. That sounds like an awful lot of people out there? Have we reached a city? Could it be Gudo?

    The voices outside were muffled and dispersed. But some were louder and clearer than the rest. ¡°Hotcakes!" a male voice over the noise yelled. "Get your hotcakes here! Two copper crowns a piece! Hotcakes¡± Robert put his ear to the wall.

    ¡°Monsters and murders got you down! Come by Mark''s shop for everything that U will need!¡± another male voice said.

    Sounds like a marketplace? Robert thought. I remember earth still has such places? But how did we get here? I don''t think we traveled that very far? We must still be in the desert.

    The wagon turned a few times and everything got a lot quieter. Soon it came to a complete stop, and only the sounds of the guards and camels could be heard.

    ¡°Hey got any water out there?¡± Robert asked as he knock on the door again. He then leaned against. ¡°You know it''s hot and smelly in here. Hey...Aah!!" The door opened, Robert fell back and hit his head on the hard ground. Sand-filled his hair and shirt. "Ow!¡±

    He grabbed his head and looked up. A Liba guard stood over him with a sword pointing down at him.

    ¡°Get up?¡± The guard barked, the guy looked furious. ¡°I said get up?¡±

    Robert slowly rolled over and sit up. All the wagons were parked in some kind of large back alleyway. The shadows of the two-story buildings loomed over them all. A second shadow passed over, as a skying ship passed overhead. Unlike the Podor flying ship, this one had green markings.

    ¡°Ow. Hey!¡± Robert Muttered, as he grabbed his shoulder. The guard poked his shoulder with the tip of the sword. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I said get up. The general wants you.¡± The guard said, waiting until Robert stood. as Robert stood the guard grabbed his arm. ¡°Move.¡±

    The guard leads Robert down the caravan to another wagon, which sits under a large sandstone arc. Under the arc was a group of people.

    ¡°Ah, finally.¡± the general said, turning from his conversion. He spotted Robert and pointed. ¡°Wait, you? How are you alive? How is he the prisoner you mentioned?¡±

    ¡°General focus.¡± the commander said, walking up beside Robert. ¡°He''s the only witness of the princess. Gorge sit him here.¡±

    The guard sits Robert down on a wooden stool near the wagon. Someone had set up a small tarp over this part of the alleyway. With poles everywhere. A woman stepped out of the shadows. She walked forward and stopped by the general. Under a long purple covering, she had stunning eyes. He wore a purple robe that covered her from head to feet. Another man appeared behind her, he was tall and muscular. He was carrying a box. The man begin unfolding it and the box unfolded into an easel.

    ¡°We''re ready.¡± The woman said, taking a sit on a stool that the tall man sit out. She looked up at Robert. ¡°Oh my? I didn''t know, I would be drawing such a handsome man today.¡±

    ¡°No, you''re not painting him.¡± the commander stated. ¡°Ah look. Robert, I want you to explain in detail to her, what the female spy looked like. The woman who took the princess¡±

    The woman nor the man showed any signs of surprise. They must have known about the princess or they must simply have great control of their emotions.

    Oh, I see. It''s like a police sketch artist. Robert thought. maybe I can find an ally in this woman?

    So he started explaining as much as he could remember.

    ¡°Wow, what a pretty woman.¡± the artist said, as she looked at the faint picture. She turned to Robert ¡°You''re good a describing people.¡±

    ¡°Thinks,¡± Robert said he was about to ask her for help when he was interrupted.

    ¡°Are you done?¡± The general asked, moving behind her to catch a peek at the picture. ¡°So this is the one huh? The one of two who were causing me such a headache.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I''m done.¡± The woman said, handing the picture to the general. ¡°That will be four sliver heads and five copper crowns.¡±

    The commander handed her a hand full of coins. She and her male assistant started packing things up. Robert wanted to yell after them, as they turned and moved out of sight. The Liba guard who had brought him here grabbed Robert''s arm again.

    ¡°Ok, time to get you back to your wagon.¡± the guard said, she pulled Robert off the stool. ¡°Come on.¡±

    ¡°Hey wait! Stop treating me like a prisoner! I did what you wanted!¡± Robert shouted, jumping from the stool. ¡°I haven''t done anything to be treated like this. Just let me go.¡±

    ¡°What!? Haven''t done anything?¡± the general barked, as he rushed over. ¡° Boy, you scream suspicious. You were found on an enemy ship to boot. I say that''s a good enough reason for me to keep you close. Take him back to the wagon.¡± The commander stepped in between them.

    ¡°Wait, general. He''s right." the commander said, as he stepped towards the general. "We have been treating him unfairly. Plus it''s much kinder to kick him out here. Then in the desert. I say let him go.¡± He leaned in and started whispering something into the old man''s ear. The general''s eyes when wide-eyed and a grin crossed his lips.

 Chapter 15 Free at last?

    Oh, Crap. I got a bad feeling. Robert thought as the commander whispered something else into the general''s ear. Who then smiled even more. That guy is the last person I want to be happy with.

    ¡°Yes, your very right commander.¡± The general said softly as he examined Robert over again. The General then put on a fake smile. A smile so fake even a gullible child could see through it. ¡°I have been acting paranoid. since the princess''s kidnapping. I have been so upset lately." The old man was not an actor. If Robert wanted to rate this old creep''s acting he would only give a three out of ten.

    "I''m so sorry, Mr. Price for taking out all my anger on you. You shouldn''t have had to suffer like that. It''s completely our fault and as you have said. You have helped us greatly in finding the princess. Well, anything to say?¡±

    "I.." Robert muttered. He glanced over at the commander. Who was watching him like an owl after a mouse? In other words motionless and ready to strike at any undesired action. " I accept your apology, sir. May I go now?"

    "Oh yes. you may." The old man said, as scratched his old graying hair. "Though you''re going to need an escort out of this caravan."

    ¡°I''ll lead him out, general.¡± the commander said, as he stepped over grabbed Robert''s arm. ¡°Come this way. Oh Eww! Oh, night bird you reek? Have you washed ?¡±

    ¡°Well, I have been a prisoner three times this last little while. ¡± Robert said. ¡°So no.¡±

    ¡°I can smell that. Here.¡± the commander said, pulling out a bag. he reached inside and pulled out a hand full of coins, before putting them in Robert''s hand. ¡° I saw a bathhouse on this block back there. This will be enough for the fee. Ask around if you''re lost.¡± Robert looked down at the money. It was seven copper coins.

    They''re going to abandon me in an unknown city, in a world I barely know. Robert thought. Who does that? But if they''re giving up money, I can use this opportunity.

    ¡°Hey? Are you listening?¡± the commander asked, as he closed Robert''s hand around the money. ¡°Take the money. Now come on.¡±

    "Wait this is only for the bathhouse right," Robert said, stealing the money away into a pocket. The commander looked back at him. " So I can''t buy food with this? Do you want me to starve?"

    "I... we?" The commander stuttered. He looked shocked Robert even said that. But something must have clicked in his head because the man took out even more coins. "Here. I''m sure you can buy a snack at some food stand. now come on." Robert was handed five more copper coins which he pocketed too.

    The commander leads Robert past royal guards, camels, and wagons. The guards looked confused. Until the commander waved them off, giving each a commanding head nod. Soon they reached a larger crowd of guards at the very end of the alleyway. An even larger crowd of people walked by beyond the guards. Some watched the guards suspiciously.

    The commander pushed a bewildered Robert past the guards and out onto the crowded street. The street crowd was tiny compared to modern cities. People here had enough space to move around him. The whole city''s color palette was mostly browns and reds. Tall buildings surrounded the street. The people''s clothes reminded Robert of the forty thieves'' stories. Robert, spun to take it all in, then he came back around the commander was gone and the guards blocked the alleyway.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    I''m free? I''m finally free. Ok, this feels nice. Robert thought, as he caught a whiff of animal dung, or was that him? Besides that small, I feel great.

    Robert started walking through the crowd. But before getting four meters a scream rang out.

    ¡°Stop thief!¡± cried a male voice up the street. ¡°Help someone! My beg!¡±

    The crowd casually parted for a man with a long knife. He had a bag over his shoulder and was running toward Robert. Robert jumped out of the way and the man ran past. When the thief got out of swinging distance, he suddenly screamed and fell to the ground. Robert backed up surprised and winced when he noticed the cause of the man''s pain. A metal rode had suddenly appeared in the guy''s right leg.

    ¡°Aah!¡± Screamed the thief, as he grabbed the rod in his leg. He couldn''t remove it, he was pinned to the ground. ¡°Oh deep! Who the night B did that! You did you?¡±

    The man turned to Robert. He was bleeding on the ground now. Robert backed up even more. A shadow passed over them both and caught Robert''s attention. The shadow was on one of the buildings. The figure jumped off, and a cloaked man landed in the street. A spray of sand and wind-breaking the guy''s fall. The thief turned to the figure and swore about the night bird again.

    ¡°Stop! Make way. Coming through.¡± Shouted a male voice in the crowd. The thief and the clocked man stood waiting. ¡°Clear the area!¡±

    The crowd didn''t part very fast for this voice. But soon a group of men in armored robes appeared. They each had a spear and a wooden shield. Behind them, a fat man followed. Robert was about to turn away from this crazy encounter when he realized the stolen bag was at his feet.

    ¡°There he is. ¡± the fat man said, pointing at the thief on the ground. The fat man spotted the stolen bag under Robert''s feet and lunged for it. ¡°Hey get off of that!" He gathered up the bag and gave Robert the stink eye. "Oh, my lovely. Come to daddy. ¡±

    The armored men, who Robert expected to be the city guards. Ran up to the thief and grabbed him. Finding that they couldn''t remove him. The cloaked stranger pushed his way through the guards and walked over to the thief unhindered. He then removed the rod with unbelievable speed. The crowd now uninterested started moving again. The fat guy left with the crowd, but Robert stayed not knowing if he should leave.

    ¡°Ow ooh!¡± Screamed the thief, as he was forced to stand. One of the city guards pulled out a knife. He grabbed the thief''s hand. When the thief noticed, the man started screaming. ¡°No, no! Stop!¡±

    Wait, what are they doing? Robert thought. As he noticed that the thief''s hands were already missing a few fingers. Oh crap! they''re not... They are!

    Robert winced and looked away, he had seen worse since coming to this world, but this was different. The cut was skilled and intentional. A punishment nothing more. Blood covered the sand. The guards let go of the thief. He fell to his knees, sobbing and cradling his hand and leg.

    "We have this position for a reason, Mr. Smith. You can''t just jump in and take over." a guard said to the cloaked man.

    "Well thought I should help you a little. " Smith said, as he started walking away with the rod. He glanced over at Robert as he left. A green eye flashed under the guy''s hood.

    The cloaked stranger''s head was still visible as he mixed in with the crowd. The fat guy was already gone, and soon the guards were gone too. Leaving Robert with the crying man on the ground.

    What the Hell did I just see! Robert thought looking down at the wailing thief. People walked around them, and show to signs of interest. Crap. Just Crap... They just.. Wow!

    Robert backed up as the thief stood and started hobbling away. He was muttering strange profanities under his breath. The man looked defeated and harmless. Robert was about to go the other way. When he noticed something strange about the thief''s body. The thief had a small patch of rocky scales growing along his back.

    What the heck is that stuff? Is it growing out of him? Robert thought as he looked closer. The rock-colored scales have a bloody outline and some look inflamed. Eww, it looks infested too. Right, this might be another world, but germs still exist. Even alien germs.

    The thief vanished from sight down an alleyway, and Robert looked around. The crowd was ever-changing. But the buildings were the same.

    Well, I better figure out where this bathhouse is. Robert thought, to himself. He checked his pocket. Good everything''s still in here. After seeing all that. I better be careful of pickpockets. Very desperate pickpockets.

 Chapter 16 The bath house

    Robert stopped a man, who was walking past.

    "Hey, sir can I ask you for directions to the bathhouse here?" Robert asked as the man pulled his cloth mouth covering down. He had gray skin and lips.

    "Ah, I believe it is over there. The white building." The man said and pointed to a smaller white building, compared to the rest of the street. it was a few yards away.

    Robert thanked the man and begin pushing his way through the crowd towards the building. He reached the building''s doors and pushed his way inside.

    "Whoa!" Robert muttered as the blues, reds, purples, and greens of the lobby room enveloped him. He was in shock by the color shift.

    The lobby of the bathhouse had a rainbow of colored cloth hanging from the ceiling. Through the hanging cloth, Robert could see a desk. A man stood behind the desk, spinning a coin out of pure boredom. Beside him on the desk was a dozen sand timers, each counting down. A man entered the building behind Robert.

    ¡°Move.¡± The large man said as he pushed past Robert. He flicked colored cloth in his way as he approached the front desk. ¡°HelIo, I want to the hour-long bath.¡± The customer pulled out a cloth bag.

    ¡°That will one copper crown.¡± The man behind the desk said as he straighten up. He eyed the bag intensely. ¡°Ahem, Would you be interested in upgrading to the two-hour bath? Only another payment of one copper crown.¡±

    ¡°No, think you.¡± the man said as he handed the ten coins over. ¡°Here you go.¡± The large man then hid the small bag away.

    ¡°Alright, here''s your marker.¡± The man behind the desk said as he handed out a neckline of green-colored wood. ¡°Make sure to return it afterward. Head through that door, and go through the door on the left, not the one of the right, understand? Oh and don''t worry about the hired muscle in there. As long as you don''t stay past your time limit you won''t have to meet them.¡±

    The customer nodded understandably and left through the back door. The man behind the desk pulled out a new sand timer and turned to Robert.

    ¡°Hey! Are you just going to stand there all day?¡± The man behind the desk said as he put the sand timer down. The timer started ticking away. ¡°Get over here.¡±

    Ok, calm down. This can''t be worse than buying a car on earth. Robert thought as he approached. Wait I don''t even know the currency system. How much do I have again? I don''t want to give him too much. I''m going to have to wing this.

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    ¡°Haha, sorry but my girlfriend took my wallet and I only have some pocket change handy,¡± Robert said, as he showed his money. ¡°How much time can this pay for?¡±

    ¡°What''s a wallet?¡± The man behind the desk asked, confused.

    Oh crap! They don''t have wallets here. Robert thought.

    ¡°Oh, it''s a new coin carrier. That kind of thing.¡± He said.

    ¡°Oh, so an expensive purse then.¡± The man behind the desk said, as looked at Robert''s coins. ¡°Oh, sir? That''s more than enough for a full hour. Sorry, but it''s not enough for two. Would you like two hours anyway?¡±

    ¡°Sure. Anything.¡± Robert said, gulping back anxiety.

    ¡°Ok. A two-hour bath coming right up.¡±The man behind the desk said as he takes twelve coins from Robert. ¡°Oh and sorry about your girlfriend.¡±

    ¡°Ah? What do you mean?¡± asked Robert, confused.

    ¡°Didn''t your girl run off with your money?¡±

    ¡°What no. She does this all the time. She''ll be back. I hope.¡± Robert said as he pointed at the back door. ¡°So I just go through that door?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Oh right here''s your marker.¡± The man behind the desk said as he handed Robert a neckline of red-colored wood. Robert put it on.

    ¡°Make sure to return it afterward. Now through that door is two doors make sure to take the one on the left, not the one on the right, understand? Oh and don''t worry about the hired muscle in there. As long as you finish in two hours they won''t kick you out.¡± The man behind the desk said

    ¡°Ah, think you,¡± Robert said as he headed for the back door. ¡°Great hired muscle. I wonder what that looks like here?¡±

    The back door leads to a second room with two doors. the left door had the drawing of a stick figure and the other door a long-haired stick figure. A small group of large men and women set around the table playing cards. They paused to acknowledge Robert''s presence. One pointed to the left door. The one with the build stick figure.

    ¡°Think you,¡± Robert said, as he walked around them and entered the left door.

    The left door leads to an indoor pool. The pool was a half-circle that stopped at the wall. The floor was made of wooden boards, and the ceiling had many holes to let light in. The pool water was faintly boiling and was lightly tan-colored. Facing him was the man from earlier. He was sitting in the pool naked, with his clothes behind him in pile.

    Hang on? Where''s the changeling room? Do they not have one? Do I have to change in here? Robert thought as he noticed other men here. At least it''s not a mixed bath.

    Robert started undressing. He put his suit jacket, tie, undershirt, shoes, and socks in a pile. He got a lot of attention, probably because of the number of clothes he had on. Finally, he removed his pants and boxers and stepped inside the pool.

    The water was hot, like a hot tube. The bottom was filled with rocks, that moved under his weight. As he stepped deeper in, the deepest part didn''t even go past his chest. It was the worst hot tube he had ever been in, but never the less it was cleansing. He finally relaxed.

    Oh, that feels good. Robert thought as he wobbled back to the edge to sit down. He rubbed water into his hair. It turned the water under him a hint darker. Oh, I''m really covered in it. This alien sand.

    I was imprisoned, interrogated, attacked, starved, and abandoned. I almost died like eight times. Damn it. To Hell with everyone that did this to me. I mean really it. How is that even fair? I''m lucky to be alive. Just to hell with all of that.

    Well, I can''t just say, everyone was totally horrible. The princess was pleasant to be around to at least, and she was even pretty. I hope they find her. No stop!

    He shook his head and splashed water in his face.

    No! I can''t think about that anymore. Robert thought. They''ll definitely kill me if I go back. Whatever that was about, it''s far too is big for me to do anything about. I''ll have a hard enough time surviving the normal here. Firstly I need a job and a house like back on earth. Oh crap... I completely forgot.

    He slides in deeper into the water.

 Chapter 17 Finding a job

    Oh damn. Carol? I had a date later this week with her. She''ll be so mad at me for ditching out on her? Then she hears that I actually disappeared. Oh, crap. She''ll be so upset. Robert thought as he holds his head in his hand.

    I hope she moves on and forgets about me. We have barely been dating for two weeks. So It''s not like we had anything major.

    ¡°Aah!¡± Robert screamed as he grabbed his head. The other bathers warily watched him jump and splash. ¡°Ow ow ow.¡±

    His mind was hit with a series of imagines. They were all images of earth. He had never even been to China before. Yet his mind was full with images of it. The great wall, smiling faces, a restaurant meal, and Carol''s reflection in a mirror. She had long blonde hair which she was brushing and a happy smile. The pain fainted along with the images. All vanishing from his mind.

    ¡°Ow! What that hell was that?¡± Robert muttered as he held his head with both hands. ¡°Were those Carol''s memories? But that''s impossible.¡±

    A nearby splashing sound makes Robert turn. He looked over to see the large man from earlier getting out of the pool. The man walked a bit and laid down on a set of rugs. The man was not shy in any fashion.

    Hold up? If he''s getting out now. Robert thought, worried. Does that mean it has already been an hour? Crap, how long was I in here for?

    ¡°Ahem! What are you doing?¡± Robert asked, leaning outside the pool? The man didn''t hear him. ¡°Hey!¡±

    ¡°What?!¡± the man growled as raised himself up on an elbow. ¡°Why are you talking to me?¡±

    ¡°I don''t mean to be rude. ¡± Robert asked. ¡°But...What are you doing?¡±

    ¡°I''m drying out. What do you think I''m doing?¡±

    "Doesn''t this place have towels?"

    "Towels?" the large man said as he laid back. "Who here could pay for those?"

    ¡°Ah never mind then?¡± Robert said, avoiding eye contact. ¡°I''ll stay over here.¡±

    ¡°I don''t care.¡± The large man said as he scratched himself.

    If it haves already been an hour, then I have one more hour to go. I wish I knew for sure. Robert thought as he looked around. Of course, they don''t have clocks here.

    A few minutes later the large man finally clothed himself and left. The other bathers didn''t look like they would be leaving any time soon. Maybe they bought a four-hour bath?

    Now I need to dry off. Robert thought as he stepped out of the pool. As He did so, he had a thought. Hey, I should grab my shirt and cover myself.

    Robert grabbed his shirt and walked over to the large rugs. He laid down and covered his bottom with his shirt. The rug was dusty and itchy. But the sunlight was nice. He laid there for a few minutes just enjoying this alien sunlight.

    Afterward, Robert put on his boxers and started dressing. His damp clothes stick to his skin a little. They had gotten wet by being so close to the pool. Though his boxers smelled better for it. He checked to see if his cellphone had gotten wet. Luckily it didn''t.

    Good. Now to get out of here. Robert thought as he walked out the door. Hopefully, I''m on time. It didn''t feel like two hours, but it''s best to be early than late.

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    Robert passed into the next room. Where the large hired muscle was still playing cards. Robert''s curiosity got the better of him. So while walking past, towards the opposite door. He glanced down at the cards. The cards were hexagons.

    On each card was a strange character. Some were familiar like a standing tower, a pond, or a large blackbird. The blackbird card had dark lightning and storm clouds behind it.

    ¡°What are you looking at?¡± One of the men asked. ¡°You want something?¡±

    ¡°Well yes. I have never seen this game before.¡± Robert asked. Getting some confused looks. ¡°What''s it called?¡±

    ¡°It''s called weather cry.¡± the man said. But He didn''t really say winter cry, but it sounded close to that.

    ¡°Oh, thanks. I''ll see if I can get a copy.¡± Robert said, turning away. The group looked confused.

    Robert walked out into the first room. The man at the desk had returned to spinning a coin.

    ¡°Good day sir,¡± Robert said, heading for the door. The man jumped, dropping his coin.

    ¡°Ah? Yes?¡± The man said. but then he reached out a hand. "Wait where is your marker?"

    "Oh, I forgot it back there," Robert said pausing.

    "Oh, I see. well don''t forget it next time." the man said.

    With that done, Robert stepped out into the street. The crowd had gotten thinner from earlier and the sun was starting to set. Someone bumped past Robert and entered the bathhouse.

    Ok, prioritize. Robert thought. First money, second shelter, third food, and water. Maybe I should ask around if there is a theater around here? I am an actor after all.

    So Robert started walking. Every few minutes or so he would stop someone and ask about the theater. But only to discover that they didn''t know what a theater was or that they did like plays. He stayed away from the stores and businesses, especially the shady-looking ones. Because he didn''t have any money. Although his search was a failure, the walk was enlightening.

    Robert had learned that this was a mercenary city. Everyone called it the hole. The reason for the name was because it had an entrance to something called the deep. He asked what the deep was or what a mercenary city was, but got annoyed replies.

    Soon Robert was leaning against a fence while looking out over a network of buildings and skying airships docks. The hole was small compared to earth cities, but it was not some small backwater farming town either. Robert turned back to the street. He had walked up a hill to get here and his clothes had dried during the walk.

    Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a yellow cape. He turned and found two Liba royal guards, talking to a small crowd. They held up the picture Robert helped make.

    Crap! What are they doing here? Are they following me? Robert wondered. As he started walking away. He looked back every few seconds. Looks like they''re still looking for the princess. It''s sad. But I can''t get involved.

    Robert turned a corner and walked up to a food stall where an old woman worked.

    ¡°Hello? Can I ask you something?¡± Robert asked. The old woman looked up at him. ¡°Do you know if there''s an acting troop or a theater here? You know people who act make-believe.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha haha. Oh my.¡± The old woman burst into laughter. Robert was about to leave when. ¡° Wait.." She coughed. "Wait, pretty boy. Don''t get your sand snakes in a twist, kid. Yes, there''s a theater troop here. I go to their plays every night. I like their stories.¡±

    ¡°What really? ¡± Robert asked, nearly jumping into the air. ¡°Where is it? I want to join it.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it''s down by the east side. They''re camped right outside city limits.¡± the old woman said.

    ¡°Wait? Why are they outside city limits? Shouldn''t they be inside the city?¡±

    ¡°Wait you don''t know? Oh, this is rich. ¡± The old woman said, slapping her knee. ¡°Hahaha. I mean you were looking to join them and yet.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about,¡± Robert said as he was getting mad. ¡°Stop laughing.¡±

    ¡°Haha. Oh, pretty boy, everyone has got to be a fool, at least once in their life. ¡° the old woman said as she reached out a hand. ¡°Name''s Gertrude what''s your name pretty boy.¡±

    ¡°Robert price.¡±

    ¡°Oh, what a name? But I imagine your parents liked it.¡± Gertrude said.

    ¡°I''m not from around here,¡± Robert said, feeling only kindness from her now.

    ¡°So anyway about the theater troop. The reason is because of their plays.¡±

    ¡°Their plays? Do they need large stages or something?¡± Robert asked.

    ¡°Oh... well yes in a way, but that isn''t the reason. They have live monster fights during their plays. Scares the locals to death, it does. But I like the thrill.¡±

    ¡°What? Live monster fights.¡± Robert said. Her words felt like a punch in the face. He couldn''t believe it. ¡°Really? Isn''t that dangerous?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes. But not any more dangerous than living in a mercenary city. Just this month the city was attacked by a large swarm of desert sand crabs. They''re small, but mighty in numbers.¡±

    ¡°Wait. Monsters attack this city. Is that why it''s called that? Because of all the monsters?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes, and all the mercenaries here too. You must have come from somewhere pretty far, to not know even that.¡±

    ¡° Well, yes. ¡± Robert said as he looked at the sun. ¡°I think I should go. It''s getting dark.¡±

    ¡°Okay then, goodbye Robert, and good luck..¡± Gertrude said. Robert started walking away, he looked back. And saw Gertrude waving at him. He waved back.

    Finally, I found a friendly face. Robert thought as he headed to the east. After I find a stable lifestyle here, I should visit her again.

 Chapter 18 The Theater Troop

    Robert wasn''t sure if the direction of sunrise was really where east was. So he asked around and was pleasantly surprised that it was the same as earth. Through the people, who he had asked. Looked at him a little funny. On his way to the east side of the city. Robert passed guards and smaller crowds.

    Soon Robert reached the city limits and found a place that looked like a fairground or maybe a circus area. Sheet-covered wagons and crates were everywhere. A small crowd of people busily moved about, each one carrying something. A few had small boxes, a few carried swords, and some had large sandbags.

    Where''s the stage. Robert thought as he looked around. Maybe they didn''t set it up yet?

    "Hey, you." A male voice behind Robert said. Robert turned. The man was large. He wore a fur coat with an open chest and had a very trimmed to balding head. His upper and lower body was ripped with muscles. Just like the hired man and women from the bathhouse.

    Well crap, will every other people I meet here be a walking mountain? Robert thought as the man came uncomfortably close. Ah, I hope he''s reasonable.

    ¡°Sorry, but the play won''t start for another few hours.¡± The large man said as he crossed his arms. ¡°Come back later?¡±

    "Oh, you misunderstand. I''m not here for the play.¡± Robert started. But at the statement, the man''s eyes turned cold and instantly threatening. ¡°Ah? I mean, I don''t want to watch the play. I want to be in it. I want a job.¡±

    The large man looked taken aback and eyed Robert suspiciously. He glanced around and spotted a woman walking by.

    ¡°Hey, Sofia! I got a weirdo here!¡± The large man said. The short brown-haired woman approached. She first turned to the large man. ¡°He wants to be in the play. Sofia.¡°

    ¡°Really? Well, he can...¡± Sofia started, as she looked over at Robert, and did a double taken. ¡°Oh, sorry sir. You look a little... Anyway, I''m sorry, but only members can be in the plays. If you want, you can watch the one tonight at a discount.¡±

    "Sofia, you can''t change that." the large man barked.

    "It''s fine. I''ll bring it up with willow later." Sofia said.

    ¡°No, you both misunderstand. I want to join your troop.¡± Robert said with a hand to his chest. ¡°I''m an actor. I want a job here.¡±

    ¡°A job? Oh, I''m sorry sir. But we don''t have any openings for stage actors.¡± Sofia said softly. Robert must have looked pathetic because she quickly added. ¡°But troop membership is always open and we do need help backstage. Would you be interested in membership?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Absolutely.¡± Robert said. ¡°When do I start. How must does backstage work pay?¡±

    ¡°Hold up. Before anything. You''ll need to be taught how things work around here. Follow me.¡± Sofia said. The large man chuckled for some reason and walked away. ¡°Ignore him. He doesn''t get enough greens in his diet.¡±Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Ok Sure?¡± Robert said growing a little concerned but he followed her anyway.

    ¡°What''s your name by the way?¡± Sofia asked as she directed Robert deeper into the camp. People watched them pass. Some were even smiling at them.

    ¡°Ah, Robert Price.¡±

    ¡°Oh, that''s an interesting family name. You must be from someplace far. I never heard of the noble family called Price.¡±

    Oh crap. That''s why everyone was looking at me weirdly. Robert thought. I should have realized it before. I haven''t met anyone with a last name yet. Even princess Samantha didn''t tell me her last name. Maybe she didn''t trust me with it. I must look like some weird noble. I better stop using my last name then.

    ¡°Hey, why did you stop? ¡± Sofia asked as Robert paused for a moment. "We''re almost there."

    ¡°Sorry, I got lost in thought. You were saying?" Robert asked as She approached a sheet-covered box.

    Why is she showing me this? Robert thought as He noticed there were bars under the sheet. Is that a cage?

    ¡°Right. I was asking if you''re ok with monsters? ¡± Sofia asked, as she tapped the bars. Something underneath growled and hissed. ¡°You see, we use monsters in our acts. I wanted to know if you''re okay with that?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes. I''m totally fine with you killing monsters.¡± Robert said as he eyed the cage nervously.

    ¡°Really?¡± Sofia asked as she in one quick motion pulled the sheet down. The sheet slide off and revealed a giant blue snake. It was larger than an anaconda and smaller than Titanoboa. The snake was coiled up and staring at them like it knew they were. It had frost along its body like skin growths and bits of the cage were covered in ice.

    Wow! So this must be an ice snake the general was talking about? Robert thought as he looked it over. He was expecting something more insect-like. It''s kinda cute compared to the nightmare centipede that almost killed me.

    "The cage is covered in ice?" Robert asked as he waved a hand by the bars. "Why is it not radiating cold?"

    ¡°Whoa ok?¡± Sofia said. as she looked a little embarrassed. Robert turned to her confused. She turned away. Robert noticed people were looking at them.¡°So it seems this isn''t your first monster. So ah, let''s continue. Come this way.¡±

    Wait, was she trying to scare me just now? Was this her idea of a prank? Robert wondered as he followed her. A few people moved in to cover up the snake again. If this is what they do on my first day. Then working with these people is really going to be a problem later.

    Sofia guided Robert around a wagon. Surprisingly this wagon had wheels. around the corner, they entered a massive fenced-off area with a back wall. On where a dozen people were painting a forest scene. A few others were setting up empty boxes and a few bales of hay. A chubby woman was directing the work.

    ¡°Yes over there. That tree line must be perfect. Oh, Sofia where were you?¡± asked the chubby woman, as she turned to Sofia and Robert. ¡°Who''s this?¡±

    ¡°He''s our new member and stagehand,¡± Sofia said, waving Robert over. ¡°Robert Price meet Willow. She''s our troop leader.¡±

    ¡° A noble last name? Really?¡± Willow asked looking him up and down. ¡°You must have fallen on hard times if you''re willing to work as a stagehand.¡±

    ¡° Well, you could say that,¡± Robert said as he scratched his head. ¡°I forgot to check but I was wondering if this job pays well?¡±

    ¡°Why of course it pays well. Do you think the Heart String troop would cheap their own members? We''ll talk about payment and paperwork later. You''ve come at the perfect time. Go help them paint the bushes.¡± Willow said, pointing at a group of men painting fake trees. ¡°We''re running out of time everyone. Only two hours to sunset. Sofia with me. We must check on the Cinta delivery.¡±

    ¡°Ok, Willow. See you later Robert.¡± Sofia said as he followed Willow away. ¡° Dinner''s at sundown before the play.¡±

    ¡°Really? I guess I''ll see you there.¡± Robert said as he jumped onto action. He walked over to the stage workers willow pointed to. ¡°Hi, I''m your new stagehand Robert. What can I do to help?¡±

    The three men looked confused. But one pointed at a wooden box with green paint in it.

    "Bring that one closer. I''ll get the water." The man said as he passed his paintbrush off to one of the other two.

    ¡°Oh right. I''m on it.¡± Robert said, as he walked over and grabbed the box.

 Chapter 19 Fable

    Later the sunset over the horizon and the two moons rose high in the sky. The desert beyond the lights was like a black canvas. The play was about to begin and Robert was not in it. Robert was sitting on a crate behind the wall. Pulling out splinters from his hands by the light of a nearby campfire.

    Why didn''t they tell me there were splinters. Warn a guy or something. I should have been more careful when I noticed that none of them had gloves. Robert thought as he removed a larger piece of wood from his hand. A red drop spilled from the wound. Oh great, I''m bleeding now. With my luck today I''ll get infected by some new kind of tetanus.

    ¡°Hey, Robert are you coming or not? ¡± One of the workers asked. His name was Rex. He''s one of the more likable guys in the group of four. ¡°The play''s about to start. We have to get ready.¡±

    ¡°I''m bleeding, Rex,¡± Robert said as he showed Rex his hand. ¡°Do you have any ointment for this? I don''t want to get it infected.¡±

    ¡°Maybe I do? Let me see that?¡± Rex asked walking up. He grabbed Robert''s hand and examined it. The motion sends a rush of pain up Robert''s arm. The guy''s hands were like sandpaper. ¡°Whoa, this feels like baby skin? Where were you working before this? These hands have never done hard labor before?¡±

    ¡°Ah... I was a big city actor. Big-time roles. So about that ointment? ¡± Robert said, wary of the question and trying to change the topic.

    ¡°Right. Got to protect our moneymakers,¡± said Rex, letting go. He pulled from his pocket, a copper-tin. Rex gave Robert the tin and started to walk away. ¡°Put that balm on the bleeding areas and get ready. The play''s about to start in fifteen minutes. We''ll need to be ready to change out the props.¡±

    Robert applied the balm and was disappointed. The area felt numb and only numb. It didn''t magically close the wound or deal with the pain.

    It''s just like normal ointment? Then what was that green stuff the Liba royal guards used on me? Robert thought as he rubbed the ointment deeper onto his hands. I guess I can ask Sofia later about it. If I''m going to live in this world, I am going to need more of that green stuff.

    Wordlessly Robert pocketed the copper-tin and reminded himself to return it later. Robert got up and joined the other workers by the wall. All of them were couched over and looking through the wall. They were looking through with tiny square peepholes. Curious He found his own peephole and looked out. Beyond the wall was the fenced-off staging area for the play, and beyond that was a large sandy hill. Robert didn''t notice it when he walked in. Did someone make a sand dune while he was working?

    On the sand dune, a crowd of people gathered. Many of them wore colorful robes and hats. They appeared to be rich merchants in the company of their wives. Strangely Robert didn''t see any children in the crowd.

    Hey, wouldn''t Gertrude be here? She said, she visits the plays nightly. Robert thought excitedly as he started looking around for her. He spotted two men in familiar uniforms. Wait, I know those guys? What are they doing here? Why are they watching a play?

    Among the crowd, Robert spotted the Captain of the skyship and the inspector. They were looking for places to sit o the hill.

    Crap. What will I do if they see me? Robert thought as he leaned away from the peeking hole in shock. Hell, what do I do if find they find me here? I''m not fast enough to escape those fireballs. Will they spot me then I go out there? Even from this far away?

    ¡°Robert! Robert." Rex Barked, as he passed behind Robert. He heading toward the edge of the wall. "Get right Robert. The storyteller is going on." He grabbed a flat wooden prop that had a painted green bush. "When she''s done. Everything on the stage will go dark twice, when that happens grab one of these and follow me.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°Wait, do I have to really go out there. Can''t I..¡± Robert said, pausing as a female voice rang through the air.

    ¡°Welcome everyone to the Heart string''s play. Please stay where you are, and refrain from speaking. I hope you eat before you came."

    ¡°Is that the storyteller?¡±

    Rex didn''t listen to him, but to the speaker. He was looking through the wall at the staging area. Robert crept up nervously to his peephole and looked out himself. A woman was standing out there in a black robe. Her arms were up and gesturing to the crowd.

    "Tonight''s play is the tale of the terrible night bird and the legendary king who slew it. The Liba version." Some people in the crowd booed. " Yes, most of you will know this story and even some of you might tell it differently. But to many in the crowd who might be younger of age or who have never been told the Liba version. Then this must be a treat for you.

    "Tonight we''ll be going back in time, about a hundred and seventy years ago. When the world was peaceful. The monsters as we know them now were only mentioned in bedtime stories and myths. The night bird was one of those bedtime story monsters.¡± She stopped speaking and the staging area vanished into pure blackness.

    Shocked Robert glanced over to Rex for answers, but the man wasn''t moving. Was this not the time to change the props? The crowd outside gasped and some women started screaming. Robert looked back through his peephole and saw that the darkness was gone. A massive shadow was now floating above the storyteller. It was in the shape of a massive crow. Easily larger than a minivan. The shadow flapped out of view and the woman started speaking again.

    ¡°But the night bird wasn''t a bedtime story. It was real and unlike modern monsters. It was smart and cunning. It wished death and sorrow onto all life. And so it went out into the world and butchered.¡±

    The storyteller paused again and unlike the darkness before. Only the crowd vanished this time. Behind a pure wall of darkness. The staging area was completely visible.

    ¡°Now.¡± Rex barked, as Robert glanced away from his peephole. Rex grabbed a part of the wall and opened a hidden door. ¡°Well come on!¡±

    Panicked, Robert stepped over and grabbed the wooden prop. Rex was always gone. Hurrying Robert followed him through the hole.

    A dozen other workers were carrying something out onto the sand. The staging area was surrounded by a magical black wall of darkness.

    As Rex put down his wooden bush, his hands flicked at a nearby hay bale. Which burst into flames.

    All across the stage, fires were being lit. The stage now looked like a burning hay field. Robert dropped his prop.

    "Come on." Rex barked as he grabbed Robert''s arm and pulled him toward the hidden door. Once though Rex grabbed another prop and looked again through the wall. Robert instead leaned against the wall, relieved. He wasn''t going to be spotted b the inspector with that wall in the way.

    Once all the hidden doors were closed. The crowd gasped and the storyteller started speaking again.

    ¡°The night bird was unstoppable. Anything that got in its way, was killed. One day a Liba king. His name was lost to time. Heard of the beast.¡± She paused again and another voice was heard.

    ¡°This is the second destroyed farm we passed by your highness. There were no survivors.¡± said a male voice. Rex was still looking out. Robert stood and glanced out a nearby peephole. Two brightly clothed men were standing out there with the storyteller now. ¡°Wait. Someone''s still alive.¡±

    "My king my king. My daughter is trapped in the burning barn." Another male voice said.

    As the hours passed. Robert got a basic understanding of the play. The acting was basic, and the scenes were simple by Robert''s standards. Though the magic and the monster fights did help.

    There was only so much they could do with a live audience. They really needed CGI effects. Robert couldn''t watch all of the scenes, because he was too busy making them.

    But the scenes went as follows. The king finds motivation to go kill the night bird. The night bird kills more people. The king finds the night bird and kills it. Which Robert felt was kinda lame.

    There was no epic battle, with fire and explodes. The king simply shot the night bird out of the sky with a single arrow.

    Robert did discover that the shadow crow and the black wall were both products made by one person. He would wave his hands around, whenever the shadow or black wall was out.

    ¡°I did it!¡± The king shouted. ¡°The beast is dead!¡±

    ¡°All hail his highness, the killer of the night bird!¡± Yelled a crowd of actors playing as the king''s army. The storyteller reappeared. An hour before she had to step out to rest.

    ¡°But as the story goes. When the king killed the night bird.¡± the storyteller said as she pointed at the fallen shadow. ¡°Its soul did not die.¡±

    The shadow had crashed landed when the king shot it. A smaller shadow was rising out of the larger shadow. Suddenly a creepy hollow voice from nowhere rang out.

    ¡°I curse humanity! I will be avenged! my children with haunt you forever.¡± The shadow vanished. The crowd was silent. The king turned to his soldiers.

    ¡°Did you all just hear that?¡± The king said confused. The black wall appeared and the storyteller started talking through it.

    ¡°The end.¡± She said. ¡°Think you all for coming. Please clean up after yourselves.¡±

 Chapter 20 Settling in for the night.

    ¡°Hey, Robert, great job for a first try,¡± Rex said walking up and patting Robert on the right shoulder. Robert flinched in pain. ¡°Oh sorry. Bit sore? It''s probably not that bad. So before troop dinner. We just need to put everything away.¡±

    ¡°Ah, can I skip that part? I don''t think I can do that physically. I can barely lift my arms.¡± Robert said, rubbing his sore right shoulder. Robert wasn''t surprised his arms were sore. For the last few hours, he had been running around like a Construction worker with his pants on fire. ¡°Also I think, I should get my hands checked. Is there anyone here that can do that?¡± Rex looked at Robert''s hands and shrugged

    ¡°Sure there is. Our healer is around here somewhere. After a play, he normally moves around checking on the actors and monsters. ¡± Rex said walking away. ¡°If your arms aren''t better by tomorrow morning. You''re going to hate tomorrow night''s play. See you at dinner.¡±

    Tomorrow''s play? Robert thought as he stood up and brushed himself off. If I have to do that kind of work again so soon... I better go find that healer.

    As the other troop members were working around him. Robert looked around for that healer Rex spoke about. He couldn''t find the guy. No one looked like a healer. Hell, Robert didn''t even know what the guy looked like. As he explored, Robert learned a few things about the Heartstrings.

    Their camp was split into two parts. The theater area was filled with wagons, cages, campfires, and the other half was a large tent city that sit just beyond the lights. Robert spotted a group of people gathering between the two areas and walked over. As he reached the crowd. A familiar voice stopped him.

    ¡°Robert? ¡± Sofia said appeared from the crowd. ¡°What you doing over here? Shouldn''t you be to taking down the props?¡±

    ¡°Can''t. I hurt my hands. I was told to get them checked by the healer. ¡± Robert said, showing her his hands. Robert couldn''t hold in his curiosity for must longer. ¡°So Sofia, during the play those shadow things. How does that work?¡± Sofia paused at the question.

    ¡°They''re just Cinta like normal. Well, darkness is a rarer element than others, because it''s practically useless in battle. ¡± Sofia said, gesturing to the staging area. ¡°But here in the theater. It has a use. Speaking of Cinta? I''m surprised you don''t carry Cinta on you? Is that a personal choice?¡±

    ¡°Ah no. I got robbed in the city. I ah... lost all but the clothes on my back.¡± Robert said. ¡°I barely survived with my life.¡± Sofia eyed him suspiciously.

    ¡°That''s terrible to hear,¡± Sofia said as she thought for a moment. ¡°Maybe you should make a report to the iron jaws about it.¡±

    ¡°The iron jaws? They don''t sound nice for law enforcement. Who are they exactly another mercenary group?¡±

    ¡°Well yes?¡± Sofia said pausing for continuing. ¡°They''re the oldest mercenary group here. They practically founded the Hole. Did you not see any of their members in the city? Their newbies use spears.¡±

    ¡°Oh them? Then yes I did meet some. They stopped a thief?¡± Robert said as he winced remembering the events. ¡°They cut the guy''s finger off. By the look of the guy''s hand, they did it more than once. I hate to ask, but is that a normal punishment around here?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is.¡± She said, frowning. ¡°You see, the only law around is the iron jaws. They can''t build jails or prisons here. So that''s the only not lethal thing they can really do to slow crime down. Let''s change topics. You were looking for a healer, right?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes. Do you know where he is?¡± Robert asked.

    ¡°Well, he''s a little busy. He''s over there.¡± Sofia said as she pointed at the line of people getting food. A small group of men was passing out bowls. A hooded man stood with a ladle. ¡°Maybe you can catch him after he''s done passing out the food. If you don''t mind. I''m wondering what you thought of our play? You said you were an actor.¡±

    Is she testing me again? Should I be honest? Robert wondered? Or lie? Maybe a little lie won''t hurt here.

    ¡°I was surprisingly good. Though I was behind the stage, so I couldn''t really see.¡± Robert said, looking at the gathering people. ¡°So that dinner?¡±

    ¡°Oh yes, that''s dinner,¡± Sofia said gesturing him over. She spotted another line of people forming. ¡°Deeps! You don''t want to be last in the food line. Talk to you later.¡± She runs off towards the new line.

    Well if he''s busy. I can''t ask him for help now. I better take her advice and get in line. But I can''t eat with blood on my hands. Do they have a bathroom somewhere? Probably not. Robert thought as he approached a man in the line. Better asked someone.

    ¡°Hello, can you help me with something?¡± Robert asked, tapping the man on the shoulder.

    ¡°Ah, what? ¡± the man asked, turned to face Robert. ¡°Yes, what do you want?¡±

    ¡°Do you know where I can wash this?¡± Robert asked. Showing the man his hands. ¡°I need to wash this off.¡±

    ¡°Why are you bothering me?¡± the man asked. The man glanced down at Robert''s hands.

    ¡°Fine. There''s a water tub by that wagon over there. Now don''t bother me again. I got a mean headache and I don''t want to lose my place in line.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Robert said turning. After a second he realized the guy looked like the shadow user he saw during the play. ¡°I really need to learn how they do that?¡±

    This Cinta stuff they keep talking about. Robert thought. I''ve seen the stuff everywhere? However it works, I need to find out? Now I just need to find a way to ask about it without being suspiciously ignorant.

    Robert approached the wagon with the water tub. He leaned over it and dipped his hands in. The surprisingly warm water stung his cuts. The water made the wounds on his hands bleed again.

    Ow, hell I''m bleeding into the thing. I hope this isn''t drinking water. Robert thought as he glanced around for a towel. Crap, they don''t have towels. I keep forgetting.

    Robert wiped the water on his pants, which only made his hands dirty again.

    Damn. This isn''t working. He thought, as Robert wash his hands again and flicked them dry. Note to self. Buy or invent into some towels. It''s time to start the wish list. Willow walked up behind him.

    ¡°Well, there you are. What are you doing in the monster''s drinking water?¡± Willow asked as she glanced at the tub. ¡°If you''re washing off. The washtubs are over... Oh never mind. Sorry to catch you before dinner. But we should talk about your membership. By the way, You did a wonderful job during the play. I watched you.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. Will this take long?¡± Robert asked. ¡°Should we find a place to sit down?¡±

    ¡°No, not at all. We already wrote you into the papers. Here. ¡± Willow said as she pulled out a small metal tag. She offered it to him. ¡°This is your membership tag. You have to show it at the quartermaster''s wagon or the food line to get service. You can receive your payment in Cinta or money. But you can also get equipment. Though you can only rent the equipment. It belongs to the troop after all.¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°Right sounds simple enough. I''ll be sure to check it out later.¡± Robert said as he looked down at the metal tag. There were the words Heartstrings carved into it and a number. Hundred twenty. ¡°Wait, should you be the one who gives out the pay?¡±

    ¡°What no?¡± Willow laughed as she moved the loose hair from her face. ¡°Why would I carry that money around? Well, I held you up for long enough. You must be hungry.¡±

    "Yes, you could say that," Robert said as Willow walked off.

    Robert sighed and headed over to join the line for food. It felt weird being the only one in a suit. Sofia was a dozen people ahead in the line. Besides her most in the lines were actors from the play. The man ahead of him was the actor that played the Liba king.

    As the line moved up. Robert reached the tables. Covering the first table were a dozen bowls filled with something that looked like soup. Vegetable soup. Surprisingly the bowls were made of glass. Not fancy glass, just plain clear glass.

    "Your tag please?" the man serving said as he picked one up

    "Oh right," Robert said as he showed the man his membership tag. "Here."

    Wow, it really is glass? But aren''t these expensive to make? Robert thought as the man handed the bowl over. Robert took the bowl and felt fingers prints in the solid glass. Whoa! Did they mold it like clay? That''s really believable actually. They can control fire at will, so yeah.

    "Wait you need this." the man said, as he offered Robert a glass spoon.

    "Ah thinks," Robert said, as he left the line. He walked away for a bit and paused to look around for a sit. Other people were sitting down on boxes around campfires or on the edges of wagons.

    Should I pick any odd place? Seems like everyone else is doing the same Robert thought as he approached a set of boxes by a lonely campfire. As he set down Sofia walked up.

    ¡°Why are you sitting out here Robert?¡± She asked taking up a box beside him. ¡°The company not to your liking or is it the soup?¡±

    ¡°No. It''s not the soup. I have even tried it yet.¡± He said turning to Sofia. ¡°I would just like to be alone for a bit."

    "Well ok. If that''s what you want." Sofia said as she started standing.

    "Wait. No that''s not it." Robert said. Sofia paused and sit down again. "Maybe you can help me with something. I''ve been thinking about this since I got here. But everyone here looks like they know how to fight. Including you."

    "What are you getting at?"

    "I want to learn how to fight. Do you think someone here can teach me?¡±

    ¡°You want to learn how to fight? Can''t you already...¡± Sofia said pausing to look Robert up and down. ¡°Sure there are plenty of people who could teach you. But I doubt any of them will.¡±

    ¡°Really why? Do they ask for money? ¡± Robert asked. ¡°If that''s the case I''m out of luck. I''m kind of poor right now.¡±

    ¡°Well, some do want money. But anyone worth their Cinta has another reason.¡± She paused. Robert jumped as a flame appeared from her hand. ¡°Real Cinta users want to keep their methods secret. Most teach people who they trust. Like family members. I learned from my master.¡± The flame vanished. ¡°Or you could go join one of the armies out there. They train people just not for free. Or you could go buy a simple weapon and try your luck with that.¡± Sofia took a spoonful of soup and started chewing it.

    ¡°Well disappointing?¡± Robert said as he takes a spoonful too. ¡°Wow, this stuff is good. Wait, is there walnuts in here?¡± He noticed a small blue thing in his soup. ¡°What''s this blue thing?¡±

    Sofia stopped chewing and looked over. ¡°No, it''s called a blue water nut. We got loads of them, during last week''s expedition.¡±

    ¡°What expedition? What are you talking about? ¡± Robert asked. ¡°I thought this was just an acting troop?¡±

    ¡°What really?¡± Sofia asked as she looked surprised. ¡°You thought we only did plays? The Heartstrings are a mercenary troop. I thought you knew that when you joined?¡±

    Holy crap. Did I just join a mercenaries troop by accident? Robert thought, hiding his panic behind a fake smile.

    "So you''re mercenaries?¡± Robert said with a lump in his throat, Sofia must have heard the worry in his voice.

    ¡°Are you worried about fighting monsters, well don''t. Most of the troop doesn''t fight. It''s one of Willow''s rules.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Well, that''s reassuring.¡± Robert said, taking another spoonful of soup. He finished and turned to her again. "So... ah the rules? No one mentioned them yet."

    ¡°Well, they''re more like guidelines?¡± Sofia said as Robert started giggling. "What?"

    "No never mind, continue." Sofia looked at him doubtfully.

    ¡° Ok. There are only three rules here, which are. Don''t force others to do things, only Willow can do that. Don''t go breaking the laws, like stealing, killing, etc, etc. or you''ll have to deal with Willow, and lastly don''t bring strange things into camp. That last one is new. Simple right. Besides those rules, Willow basically ignores everything else.¡±

    ¡°Yes, very simple,¡± Robert said taking another spoonful. ¡°Thinks.¡±

    Those rules are terribly vague. That first rule sounds really worrying. The second one sounds reasonable at first, but then what happens to the criminals in that case? What would Willow do to them? Robert thought as he started chewing the blue water nut in his mouth. It tasted as if walnuts and lettuce had a baby. And the last rule worries me most. Could I be breaking it right now, just by being here?

    Sofia put the bowl to her lips and emptied it in seconds. She was about to lick it clean before she noticed Robert staring, So instead, she started scraping the bottom of the bowl with her spoon.

    ¡°What?¡± Sofia asked.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Robert said. As he took another spoonful of soup.

    ¡°Well, If you have nothing else to ask about. Then see you in the morning.¡± Sofia said as she stood. She walked back to the food line and returned the bowl and spoon to the men who were working there. She glanced back at Robert for a second, before disappearing into the crowd of the newly arriving stage workers.

    Ok, that was almost useless. I didn''t even get to ask about Cinta yet. Robert thought, taking another spoonful of soup. He yawned into his arm. Oh, I better finish this fast and get some sleep. Well crap! I forgot to ask. Where do I sleep here? Maybe I should ask at the quartermaster''s wagon?

    Plagued by exhaustion, Robert jumped from his seat and started walking toward the wagons. As he passed the different groups of people. He spotted Rex eating around a campfire with a group of other stage workers. Rex noticed him and waved him over.

    ¡°Hey! Robert. Come sit with us.¡± Rex said as Robert walks over.

    "Thinks," Robert said, setting his soup beside, completely forgetting about it.

    Rex turned back to the others. ¡°Anyway, that''s when I told him to shove off.¡±

    "But wasn''t he your grandfather? How could he do that to you?" asked one of the other men.

    "Well.." Rex started but Robert placed a hand on Rex''s shoulder.

    ¡°Rex, I have been meaning to ask someone,¡± Robert said as he pulled his hand back. ¡° Where do new members sleep?¡± The other stagehands glanced between Rex and him.

    ¡°Oh, don''t worry guys I''ll get back to the story later,¡± Rex said, as he paused to think. ¡° Well, Robert that depends. Some choose to rent hotels in the Hole. But that gets expensive after a while. If I remember right, it''s one whole sliver crown per month or something. isn''t that right guys." The others mutter a quick yes to that. Rex pointed over to the tent city, where people were gathering to hang up a series of lights. The lights made the area look eerily.

    "Most of us sleep in the tent forest. You can get a tent from the quartermaster''s wagon.¡±

    ¡°But about monsters,¡± Robert asked. ¡°Isn''t sleeping outside the city dangerous?¡± The stage workers started laughing. Rex held back a chuckle.

    ¡°Robert. If you''re so worried about monsters'' attacks. Then why in the deeps did you come here and join the Heartstrings?¡± Rex asked. ¡°The Hole is like monster central. It''s in the job description.¡±

    Well, he got me there. But it''s not like I wanted to be here. Robert thought, making a fist. Rex continued speaking. If monsters are in the job description. Then I really need to learn how to fight soon. I can only rely on these people to protect me from monsters. Would they protect me, if the General changed his mind or if that Podor captain finds me here? Probably not.

    ¡°Hey, Robert? Are you listening?¡± Rex asked. As he waved his hand over Robert''s face.

    ¡°Hey stop that,¡± Robert said.

    "Sorry, you went a little blank there for a moment," Rex said. "I was asking if you would like to share my tent? I got some extra room."

    "What? Why would you do that?" Robert asked.

    "Well, it''s already dark. It''s a little too late for setting up a tent." Rex said as he stood. "Come on I''ll show you to my tent."

    ¡°Sure?" Robert said, suppressing his doubts. ¡° Oh, wait I forgot my food.¡± Robert turned back and grabbed his bowl. He emptied the now cold soup in a few spoonfuls.

    ¡°Whoa slow down. Don''t choke.¡± Rex said, stepping over to check on Robert. ¡° I guess we''ll have to pass the serving area first so you can turn that in. We only have so many of them.¡±

    They returned the bowl and headed for the tent forest. Rex was silent all the way there. So Robert had time to think.

    Oh, this has been a long day. Hell, this was a long week. This job might be a good jumping-off point for me. Robert thought, walking behind Rex. But eventually, I''ll need to leave here and move to someplace safer. If I can get enough money now I could live happily there. Well crap, I''m going to be here for a long time, aren''t I? Well, that''s depressing. Robert glanced up a the stars. If I only had a spaceship.

    ¡°Here we are,¡± Rex said, pointing at a cloth tent. ¡°This is mine.¡± He opened the flap and crawled inside. Robert followed. The interior was packed. Bags, blankets, and tools were everywhere inside. Rex grabbed a blanket and put it in Robert''s hands.

    ¡°Here use this one....¡± he said, pausing. ¡°Did anyone tell you about Willow''s rules yet?¡±

    ¡°Yes. They did.¡± Robert said, rolling up the blanket.

    ¡°Good,¡± Rex said, seemingly satisfied with the answer. ¡°Sleep there. By the wall. I''m not going to bed yet, so I will be back later. Good night.¡± Rex turned and left the tent.

    The cool wind blew outside, and the sandy ground was no bed, but Robert lied down anyway and covered himself with the blanket. He pulled his cellphone out of habit, and disappointingly put it back.

    Robert thought he wouldn''t get to sleep tonight because of nightmares, but to his surprise, he fell asleep instantly.

 Chapter 21 first day on the job

    ¡°Hey, Robert wakes up. I''ve been up since sunrise. It''s almost lunchtime.¡± Rex said, tapping him on the shoulder. Robert sits up stretching. ¡° Now I know you''re an actor because only actors can sleep this long. Actors or nobles. ¡±

    ¡°Oh, thank you for awaking me then Rex. I could go for some lunch.¡± Robert said as he moved the blanket off himself. Surprisingly his hands didn''t sting during the whole process. ¡°Hey, I think my hands got a little better over night.¡±

    ¡°That''s good to hear. ¡± Rex said, closing the flap. ¡°Come on, leave my blanket there.¡±

    Robert left the blanket and exited the tent. It took Robert a moment to take in all the tent city. In the daylight, it was completely different. Some of the tents had been moved he was sure and the ground was awash with footprints.

    ¡°So what has been happening, while I was asleep?¡± Robert asked as he followed behind.

    ¡°While you were asleep. We had breakfast and Willow chose tonight''s play. The watery princess. You probably never heard that story before? Not many people have. It''s mostly told over in the Waba isles. It''s about a princess that fight a water dragon and losses. A cautionary tale.¡± Rex said as he glanced back at Robert.

    A water dragon really? Should I even asked if that story is fantasy or historical? Robert thought, as they left the tent city behind and walked towards the theater area. No I shouldn''t. It''ll make me look even more out of place.

    ¡°Anyway then we got the actors ready for today''s many rehearsals. Practice rehearsal was over a few hours ago and the actors are already finishing up dress rehearsal.¡± Rex said as a ball of fire shot up ahead of them. Then another rocketed into the air. Rex continued without even glancing up. ¡°We''ll be needing the extra props from the storage wagons for tonight. Think you can stay awake for that? ¡±

    ¡°Oh sure? I was just extra tried last night.¡± Robert said as he glanced over that the men catching and throwing fire around. They also had people shaping water into fish. ¡°Hey is there a schedule I can get for all this?¡±

    ¡°What no. Well, no written ones anyway. Parchment paper and wood paper are to expensive.¡± Rex said. ¡°I''m sure with a few more days here and you''ll get the hang of it.¡±

    ¡°Well, how about someplace to freshen up for the day?¡± Robert asked.

    ¡°The dressing wagon but I think you need to be an actor to get in there.¡± Rex said pausing. ¡°Well You can go into the city for that too. That''s another option. ¡±

    Ahead the theater area was abuzz with people. Near the fenced off area was a group of actors. Sofia was at the center of the group with a woman and all eyes were on them. Sofia looked to be helping the other woman with her acting.

    ¡°Oh, good the actors are almost done. Come on Robert lets get a few last things done before lunch. You can freshen up later¡±

    ¡°Sure?¡± Robert said as he followed Rex to the staging area. Where a few guys were stacking wooden boxes. Hundreds of boxes.

    ¡°Wow, that''s all lot of boxes.¡± Robert muttered as Rex was already heading to join the men. Robert grabbed a box. ¡° Hey Rex! Do we have any work after lunch?¡±

    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°No, not until night fall. ¡± Rex said as he casually grabbed three boxes. The other men here were carrying two or three themselves. ¡°Most afternoons I go into the city. To test my luck at the local card tables. ¡±

    ¡°You gamble? ¡± Robert said as he formed a stack of three boxes. ¡°I didn''t take you for that type.¡±

    ¡°Well there isn''t a lot to do here for fun. ¡± Rex said, as he grabbed another pair of boxes. ¡°Hey, your doing that wrong!¡±

    Rex set down his boxes, rushed over and demonstrated the better way to stack boxes. Robert tried it himself and got it after a few tries.

    Twenty minutes of moving boxes later. Robert noticed the boxes were taking the shape of a large hill. Soon there were only a few boxes left. Robert wiped his forehead and sit down laying his hands in his lap. Through the whole process he had been careful to keep his hands from the sharp edges. He didn''t want more splinters. Lucky his hands were only rubbed raw.

    ¡°Ok, I''m done here.¡± Rex said as he placed the three boxes down. He glanced over at Robert. ¡°Ok we''re done. Lets going for lunch. Oh I can''t wait. I hear they are finally adding meat to the greens today.¡±

    ¡°Lucky us.¡± Robert said as he followed the group out of the area.

    A line was already forming in the open area. People were getting their food and leaving. Rex joined the end of the line and Robert took up behind him. Sofia was a few people ahead. After a minute of standing around, Robert was given a glass bowl and an empty glass cup with no spoon this time. Inside was a large slice of meat jerky and some dry colorful plants. He spotted some blue water nuts with the orange and dark green leaves.

    Is this really lunch? It very small, more like a snack? Last night''s soup was only a little bigger than this? Robert thought as he followed Rex down to a group of men eating and talking. But where''s the water? He glanced up and spotted a man in the group drinking from his cup. Oh right. Cinta can make water. I can''t just ask anyone to make me water. I''m up a river without an answer.

    ¡°Rex. There you are. Took you long enough.¡± one of the group said when he spotted Rex coming. Then he noticed Robert. ¡°So he woke up in time for grub? Must have smelled it from his tent.¡±

    ¡°Hey, give the new guy a break.¡± Rex said as he took a bite of food and gestured to Robert. Who was sit down next to Rex. Robert sit his useless cup in the sand. ¡°Can''t you see how shaky he is. Something tells me he still trying to get over something.¡±

    Am I that transparent and what does he maybe by shaky? Robert thought as he tried the jerky. It was spicy and chewy. It burned his mouth a bit. Whoa is this spiced or is this natural? I wonder what of monster this meat came from. Because all the monsters I had seen so far didn''t have meat inside, only Cinta. Like big murder pinata.

    Robert sighed as he put down the jerky and started on the color plant leaves in his bowl.

    Is this fresh? Where are they getting these plants? There can''t be some kind of public garden here. That wouldn''t explain all the wood. Do they get it all from monsters? Robert thought, as he remembered back to a few horror movies about giant a man eating plants. Well Sofia did said that they got the blue nuts from an expedition. But where would they go for those... The hole maybe? Surely not. How can there be plants under ground? Their must be some kind of oasis somewhere.

    Robert was expecting rough, flavorless plant fibers. But after one bite, he dug in with gusto. They tasted rich, flavorful and surprising fresh. Unlike many earth greens. ¡°Whoa! This is surprisingly good for just plain salad and jerky.¡± Robert muttered, as he took another bite.

    ¡°Ok, how about this guys.¡± Rex said. ¡°Did anyone see that Liba caravan that came in yesterday?¡± Robert froze mid bite. Everyone shook their heads. ¡°Anyone.¡±

    ¡°Well this morning during my job, I spotted a few guys with those yellow capes, walking through the market.¡± a shorter man said. ¡°They were looking for someone. A woman. They didn''t say who she was. Just that they were looker for her. Real mysterious.¡±

    ¡°Probably some noble looking for a runaway daughter.¡± Rex said as he finished his food. ¡°But enough of that. Who wants to join me for some gambling later? Have any of you been in the lucky lady lately?¡± Everyone shook their heads. ¡°Well I have. We''re bringing back weather cry.¡±

    ¡°Really? But wasn''t that banned for being to fair?¡± one of the men asked.

    ¡°Not any more, it isn''t. Well turn in our bowls and head over.¡± Rex said as he stood. A few other stood too. Rex stopped everyone with ahead. ¡° Wait I forgot, I need to trade down some sliver heads for gambling money. You all can head over. I need to visit the quartermaster''s wagon first.¡±

    ¡°Why don''t we all go.¡± one of the men said. ¡°I''m sure Rex isn''t going to pay for everyone drinks.¡±

    ¡°Hey Rex came I go after you?¡± Robert asked as he chewing the last of his greens. ¡°I was meaning to check out the quartermaster''s wagon. You can show me how it''s works¡±

    ¡°Right sure. You can even come with us to the luckily lady.¡± Rex said ¡°How good are you at cards?¡±

    ¡°Pretty good, if I know the game.¡± Robert said, as he stood. ¡°But you need to teach me how to play weather cry.¡±

    I wonder if weather cry is like poker? Robert thought as he followed behind the group. I should ask to be left out of the gambling. I don''t have any money to waste on it. I should ask about a clothing store later. He glanced down at his dirty water stained jacket, pants and undershirt. Wow this suit was really seen better days. But surprisingly it fits right in with that dirty mercenary look.

 Chapter 22 An eventful afternoon.

    A few minutes later Robert was approaching the quartermaster''s wagon in a group of six. He didn''t know any of their name besides Rex''s. But Rex seems to know them. It was the second-largest wagon there. Willow had pointed it out to him yesterday and it was time to say hello. A woman was waiting by a small hole in the wagon''s side. The hole was at neck level.

    A hand appeared from the hole and offered the woman a single coin. The coin glinted like an American dime. She opened her hand to catch the coin as the hand dropped it. The hand retracted and the woman turned.

    ¡°Oh, sorry.¡± The woman said as she almost bumped into him. ¡°Were you all waiting?¡± she added as she awkwardly stepped around Robert and pushed the group. ¡°I''ll just get out of your way.¡±

    ¡°Is that the quartermaster?¡± Robert asked as Rex stepped up to the hole.

    ¡°Oh, so the context clues were not enough for him?¡± a male voice said through the wood.

    ¡°Don''t mind him, Robert. He''s like this with every new member.¡± Rex said as he offered a silver coin and his tag to the hole. ¡°Can you exchange this for ten copper crowns?¡±

    ¡°Don''t tell me how to do my job. It''s obvious you weren''t asking for a bag of hundred copper heads. No one asks for that.¡± said the voice as a hand appeared and took the coin while leaving the tag. ¡°Is the rest of you asking for services too?¡±

    ¡°Ah yes, but I can go last,¡± Robert said. He wanted to watch how the others did it. ¡°Since I''m new.¡±

    The hand appeared again with a small bag that jingled like money. Rex took the bag and stepped aside.

    The oldest and tallest of the group when next. With his tag in hand, he asked for today''s pay. The quartermaster muttered something and was offered a small bag.

    The next two guys asked to exchange up a big handful of copper coins. They call them copper heads. The quartermaster took the coins and came back with one copper coin. He called it a copper crown. They took the coins and let the last guy go. He pulled out a silver coin and asked for the same thing as Rex.

    Ok, so a few copper heads, make up a copper crown and those make up a silver coin? But how many exactly for both? Robert thought as he tried to count coins. Oh hell, defiantly more than seven. Logical states it''s an even ten, but I can''t be sure.

    Soon it was Robert''s turn and he already know what he wanted. As he stepped up to the wagon, the others were waiting on him. He glanced up into the hole for a moment. The hole was strangely dark. He barely could see an outline of a person inside.

    ¡°Ah hello. Can I get today''s pay?¡± Robert asked.

    ¡°Can I see your membership tag?¡± the voice asked as a hand appeared. Robert quickly took the tag from his pocket. It took him a moment to find it. The tag was nestled with his dead phone. Once retrieved he gave it to the hand and the hand disappeared. ¡°Hum? Ok. I only got your name in yesterday. So I can only give you the pay you made yesterday. Anything else?

    ¡°Some Cinta please,¡± Robert said, as he glanced back at the others. They looked bored. Like he was just taking too long. That''s good. ¡°Oh and a knife, you got a knife in there?¡±

    ¡°Yes, we got knives but they''re only for rent. You''ll have to return them later.¡± The voice said as a pair of hands appeared. One with a small bag and the other with a foggy glass tube. Through the foggy glass of the tube, Robert could see red. ¡°This bag has six copper crowns and ten copper heads. Your pay for yesterday and this is your daily Cinta, don''t use it all at once.¡±

    ¡°Think you,¡± Robert said as he grabbed the tube with one hand and the bag with the other. ¡°Oh and that about the knife?¡±

    ¡°Now hold on. I''ll have to get it out of storage.¡± The voice said as the hands retracted. Robert heard footsteps and some loud rusty hinges before the footsteps came back. A hand appeared holding a sheathed knife. The sheath had blue scales like a snake. ¡°Here,¡± Robert pocketed the Cinta tube and took the knife in his free hand. ¡°Now off with you lot. I''m busy.¡±

    ¡°Wait you forgot my tag?¡± Robert said as the hand retracted.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°Oh sorry about that. Here it.¡± said the voice as the hand came back with his tag. Realizing he needed to do a little quick hand snuffle. Robert moved the knife under his armpit and grabbed the tag. He stuffed the coins and the tag into his other pocket. Then took the knife out of his armpit. ¡°Hey, I didn''t get your name?

    ¡°Right, like I''m going to tell you my name. Now go away.¡± the voice said. Then the wagon went quiet. Only footsteps could be heard from inside.

    Well, that was rude. Robert thought.

    ¡°Hey, let me see? ¡± Rex said as he stepped up beside Robert. Robert put the knife away in one of his pockets and turned. ¡°Did you rent that knife, Robert? Bad move I say. If you lose that, they''ll take it out of your next payday. And where we''re going we might just lose our shoes. Now that we all have money to waste. Let''s go.¡±

    ¡°Wait, Rex. I think we should invite Chad along.¡± said one of the group. ¡°He''s horrible at cards and I don''t want to be the only loser.¡±

    ¡°What no,¡± Rex said as his head to the guy to speak. ¡°Why would we invite that bag of wind.¡±

    ¡°I don''t think he''s a bag of wind.¡± said another of the group.

    ¡°Oh come on. Rex. You just don''t want to bring him along, because he''s a higher rank them you...¡± said the first guy. ¡°and us for that matter.¡±

    Robert realized that probably was true. Whoever this Chad guy was. All six of them were just stage workers. Seemingly the lowest and least paying job in the troop.

    ¡°Hey, that''s not the reason. He''s loud and will ruin the mood. Come on guys let''s just...¡± Rex said looking around trying to find supporters. ¡°Ok fine, you can ask him.¡±

    ¡°Alright, I''ll go find him. You all wait here.¡± the first guy said, as he ran off.

    ¡°Hey, why didn''t any of you back me up,¡± Rex asked as he turned to the last two guys who were just watching. ¡°Robert?¡±

    ¡°Well Rex, it can''t be that bad. you can still have a good afternoon even if you spent it with some real jerks. But unless...¡± Robert started as the guy came running back. A large balding man was in tow behind him. He was the first troop member Robert met yesterday.

    ¡°So is this the group, right?¡± Chad said, coming to a stop. ¡°But first who''s buying the drinks.¡± Rex shook his head.

    <hr>

    As they walked away. Robert took a spot a the back of the group. He wanted to test something. He pulled out his Cinta tube and shook it a little. The red sand bounced around inside.

    Ok, so how does this stuff work? From what I have seen, it can''t be anything scientific. They just do it. Maybe it''s imagination? All I have to do is imagined the thing and it happens? Nothing more than that, right? Robert thought as he raised his other hand, palm up, and imagined the flame Sofia showed him yesterday. He didn''t want to make anything bigger.

    The moment he had the image in his head. A flash of flames appeared and there was a momentary heat. But only briefly. The smoke puffed away as he had just scuffed out a match. He glanced over that the tube. It was empty.

    Oh no not again. Am I missing something here? It can''t be a one-time use. I''ve seen others use it for longer? Oh hell, I''m going to have to wait for a whole another day to get more of this stuff. Robert thought as he stuffed the empty tube back into this packet.  Hum... Maybe if I separated it out into smaller piles it might last longer?

    Walking up the main street. Robert''s group joined the afternoon crowds. They were near the market, if he remembered right Gertrude''s stall was a few streets away from them. He should find the time to meet her again.

    As they walked, people shouted about cheap afternoon goods. That got Robert thinking. He hadn''t checked the coin bag yet. Maybe he had enough to but Cinta.

    ¡°Hey, Chad you''re...¡± Rex said as he turned and glanced back at Robert. His eyes went wide. ¡°Everyone stop. Robert where''s your Cinta?¡±

    ¡°What, I... don''t know?¡± Robert said as patched his pants like he was checking for his keys. ¡°It was here a minute ago?¡±

    ¡°I don''t see why this is a problem. It was only a gram. I lose a gram of Cinta all the time.¡± Chad said crossing his arms.

    ¡°Of course, you don''t. This is different from using it. He got robbed and right after he got it too?¡± Rex barked. He rubbed his forehead and turned to Robert. ¡° How did you not see someone literally using Cinta on you?¡± Rex looked down at the coin bag in Robert''s hands. ¡°At least you didn''t lose your pay. That''s something. You need to be more careful Robert. There are pickpockets and Cinta swipes everywhere. Maybe you should put that bag in your coat pocket. It''s safer up there.¡±

    ¡°Thank I''ll do that,¡± Robert said as the group started walking again. After a few steps, Robert finally open the bag he was so curious about.

    Inside was sixteen copper coins. The darkness inside the bag revealed nothing but their color. He reached in and pulled out one. It was copper with a human head stamped on it. Like old roman coins. They were also the same coins he had gotten from the Commander, but he only vaguely remembered looking at the shape of the coins briefly. He should have paid more attention to details like this.

    He put the coin back in and widened the bag to allow more light inside. He could see an obscured crown on some of the coins.

    Curiosity satisfied. Robert moved the bag to his jacket''s inner pocket as he was told. But the weight on his jacket was uncomfortable, so he moved them to his pants pocket. He was pretty sure he could stop pickpockets. Though he hasn''t a clue what a Cinta swipe is.

    Soon they reached their destination. The lucky lady was at a casino and bar. A large crowd gathered outside the building. They were a mix of people who were leaving and entering. A bouncer stood by the doors eyeing the crowd. The building itself was a fancy three-story building unlike the rest of the city. Robert hadn''t seen any four-story buildings around.

    Maybe they couldn''t get them that high so some reason? Robert thought as he scanned the building. Well, I''m surprised. It is a nice little place.

    Robert''s group was about to enter the building. When a flash of red light filled the street. The shadows elongated and everything turned red. Burning cinders landed along the street and on some of the buildings. People turned and started screaming.

    A massive fire bloomed and raised over the city. It was raining cinders everywhere, after a heart-stopping second the smoke cloud started to fade but then the fires started. Almost every building was on fire. The crowds were panicking and running for cover. Then the second explosion of fire filled the air and shot even more cinders up into the air.