The Emerging Part I: Dream

Uxxok and Teqqc arrive at an estate just outside the city of Oxvo. Uxxok jumps off the front of the carriage and opens the door to the carriage for Teqqc to exit. Teqqc takes Uxxok’s hand as she steps down, the hooped dress causing her to walk slowly and awkwardly.

Uxxok cannot suppress a smile at the ridiculous outfit Teqqc is forced to wear. Teqqc’s reluctance and aggravation is evident in her scowling face. Teqqc takes Uxxok’s arm as they stride toward the gate of the estate.

A balding, short man greets Uxxok and Teqqc kindly and opens the gate for them.

“Ah, and what have we here?” the bald man says.

Uxxok speaks, “Ah, we have just recently married and moved into quite a large mansion, larger than I expected. We need some help. Er, we heard this was the place best to shop.”

Uxxok tastes bile on his tongue as he speaks. Teqqc squeezes Uxxok’s arm in shock.

“Yes, of course, I see you would have your time spent, er, well, elsewhere,” the bald man says eyeing Teqqc with hunger in his eyes. Teqqc knows she can knock the bald man out with ease, but must pretend to be appalled and defenseless.

“Er, this way, please,” the bald man says shutting the gate behind Uxxok and Teqqc.

The bald man then leads Uxxok and Teqqc through the grounds of the estate. They walk on a winding path through a massive garden filled with various flowers of all shapes and sizes, some no higher than their knees, others standing as tall as a man, some with vibrant colors, others dull neutrality.

The bald man leads Uxxok and Teqqc and takes them into the house after the garden. “One moment please,” the bald man says.

“Take your time,” Uxxok says.

“I hate this dress,” Teqqc says after the bald man is out of sight.

“Just a bit longer, Teqqc. You did remember to wear other clothes under that did you not?” Uxxok asks, slightly amused.

“Of course I did. I just wish I didn’t have to wear this thing. I want to punch that snide little man’s teeth in.”

“Calm down.”

“I will not. Do not think because we are playing a part you get to decide when I can and when I cannot talk.”

“I did not think that. I can only feel your aura rising in anger. We must remain calm. We are rich after all.”

Teqqc scoffs. “If this is what rich people do, shop for slaves, I never want to see another piece of penoc.”

“Unfortunately, you will.”

“Thank you for the thought, Uxxok.”

“Anytime.”

Teqqc rolls her eyes, “Where did you find this monstrosity anyway?” Teqqc asks, pulling out some of the fabric of the colossal dress.

Uxxok smirks, “I stole it of course, from where I got this ridiculous outfit.”

“At least yours looks reasonable. Only a coat with far too many buttons and boots too shiny to be durable, but still, reasonable. How is anyone supposed to fight in this dress?”

“Women usually do not.”

“I hate those women.”

Uxxok laughs.

“Wait, you stole it?!”

“Where else would I have gotten such exquisite clothes on such short notice?”

“Yes, and why was it short notice?”

“While we were investigating different parts of the city, I happened to stumble across two rich men speaking. One was bragging of his new servants. Strong men, one middle-aged with dark skin, balding hair and no real build, and one young with fair skin, red hair, and a slight build.”

“And?”

“And, I happen to have been with two men fitting the description exactly when I was taken in Qino.”

“Oh.”

“Right, there was no time to explain. We had to hurry.”

“I understand now, Uxxok. Just, let me know when I can rip this dress to shreds.”

“Gladly, yellow is not your color.”

Teqqc gasps, false appall in her voice, and smacks Uxxok gently on the shoulder.

Uxxok smiles, “Excellent, keep that up and we might just make it through this.

The bald man returns, “My apologies, but the master of the estate cannot join you, but he has permitted me to show you to our storehouse.”

Uxxok nods, “Very well then, on we go. We have not all the time in the world.”

The bald man nods and flashes a too toothy grin at Teqqc, making her vomit in her mouth slightly. “Of course not, sir. Er, right this way please,” the bald man says, gesturing behind him.

Uxxok and Teqqc walk arm in arm past the bald man and towards an open door that leads to a staircase leading down into a dark tunnel.

“Excuse me, sir,” the bald man says, “the way down can be quite daunting.”

Uxxok waves off the bald man, “No matter. What’s life without a little extremity every now and then.”

The bald man chuckles, “Exactly, sir. Now, please, follow me closely.”

Uxxok and Teqqc follow the bald man for a few yards before the tunnel leads right. They continue into the tunnel until even the light of the house dissipates. But soon, the light at the end of the tunnel illuminates them clearly.

The bald man stands off to the side, gesturing towards a cavern opening before them. “You will find a great selection, sir. As for your beautiful wife, I am afraid she must accompany me to be refreshed. Trading is no woman’s matter.”

Teqqc feels her rage rising in her throat but bites her tongue, almost drawing blood. Teqqc forces a smile and takes the bald man’s hand. She glances back at Uxxok giving her a smile.

Uxxok connects to Teqqc’s aura, ‘It will be okay. You will enjoy being pampered as a rich woman.’

Teqqc frowns at him as she then is obscured behind a wall and disappears from Uxxok’s sight.

Uxxok turns towards the vast cavern. He walks to the edge of the cliff and looks down. What he sees nearly causes him to vomit. He doubles over, trying to control the contents of his stomach.

He sees packs of kidnapped victims huddled together and shepherded off into rings. Crowds of men surround each ring, observing each and every man inside the rings being showcased as if they were animals. Uxxok vanishes on the spot and reappears in the center of the activity.

His ears are bombarded by sound. Auctions occurring all over that he could not hear up above entering his ears. He staggers as the sudden disruption of silence dizzies him.

He recovers his balance, waits for his blurry vision to dissipate. After he regains control of his senses, he finds himself yards away from a dark hole in the cavern wall patrolled by two guards on either side.

A man exits the dark hole, revealing light for a brief moment. Uxxok catches the man, “Er, excuse me, gent, what is behind that veil there?” he asks in as pompous tone he can muster.

The man smiles a toothy, white grin, “Ah, that is where the master of the estate hides his finer merchandise. The master is even in there. You can find him in the high balcony opposite the activities.”

“Thank you, kind, sir,” Uxxok says, turning to walk toward the veil.

The man grabs Uxxok’s shoulder, “But you cannot enter without permission or invitation.”

Uxxok slumps.

“Luckily for you, I am a nice person. I will inform you of the password,” the man says while rubbing his fingers together.

Uxxok nods, “Of course, thank you kind, sir,” as he dips his hand into his front breast pocket and then shakes hands with the man.

“Ah, very firm handshake, very nice,” the man says. “Now, just tell the guards there that the master has requested the appropriation of another investment. That should get you in no problem.”

Uxxok nods, “Thank you,” as he turns to walk toward the veil. He comes within a few feet of the veil before the guards cross their weapons before him. The guards make no sound, say nothing.

Uxxok says, “The master has requested the appropriation of another investment.”

The guards uncross their halberds, again without a sound or word. Uxxok moves the veil aside and enters into the a silent auction. He swears to himself. He quickly glances around the massive room. He sees multiple balconies across the stage he prevents himself from looking at.

He walks through the crowd, his head held straight, but his eyes hovering rapidly over each balcony, looking for the master of the estate. He notices the balconies are three levels high and seven levels across. His eyes then spot a sole balcony at a fourth level in the exact center of the wall.

He squints and sees a single figure standing at the edge of the balcony. He vanishes on the spot and appears behind the figure. He grabs the figure by the collar, pulls the figure away from the edge of the balcony, and throws the figure to the ground.

The figure’s hood falls away revealing the master’s face. Uxxok’s eyes suddenly go wide, staring at the man he pins to the floor.

“Ah, Uxxok, you have finally found me out,” Micten says in a grunt.

Uxxok clenches his left fist and punches Micten in the jaw hard, but hard not enough to cause any severe pain. Uxxok then steps away from Micten, struggling to control his anger and hurt.

“How?”is all Uxxok manages.

Micten rises from the floor, a smirk on his lips, “Easy, the money was quite a draw.”

Micten recoils as Uxxok punches him again. Micten stumbles to the wall behind him. Uxxok swears loudly. “I trusted you.”

Micten nods his head slowly, looking down, “I know, and that is why I was the perfect person to tell you where to go.”

“Nothing makes sense, Micten. Why tell me to go to Qino when you could have told me it was you? We could have ended this together.”

Micten shakes his head, “Uxxok, I might not have started this slave trade, but I certainly did not want to bring it down before I made good money, which I have now. I own this city. Oxvo is my city. Did you not see the statue they are erecting in my honor? I have done much for this city. I-”

Micten is cut short when Uxxok punches him in the face for a third time.

“So then why allow me to catch you?”

“Because, like I said, I am done. I have acquired enough wealth to last ten lifetimes. And, this slave trade now has to end. It is bringing darkness to Munda Luna.”

“Yes, darkness you have allowed to expand. When did you really discover this slave trade?”

“Two years ago. I have acquired much wealth since then.”

“You allowed this cruelty to continue for your own selfish gain?”

“Why else would I?”

Uxxok grits his teeth, he clenches his fists.

“You could have told me of the trade.

“Of course I considered informing you, but you disappeared, and I am no Rniti, I cannot communicate as you.”

Uxxok shakes his head. “That is no excuse. But no matter, I have bigger things to worry about right now than backstabbing filth such as yourself.”

Micten winces as if Uxxok has punched him again.

“Just, tell me where you take the ones that are not auctioned off,” Uxxok demands, having great difficulty in not striking his so-called friend.

“We send them to the mines. That is what this entire trade is for. Yes, we have sprung up secret auctions for the very wealthy, but most of the kidnapped are sent to work in the mines.”

“What mines? Where?”

“In the Eastern Mountains not far from here.”

“Have you ever been there?”

“Good heavens, of course not. Why would I want to go there?”

Uxxok reads Micten carefully, “You are scared of something. What are you afraid of Micten?”

Micten glances about, looking for something. “Can you transport us away from here. I do not feel it is safe.”

“No, tell me now, Micten.”

“Oh very well. The true leader of this entire charade is a woman. She wears a cloak and hood all the time, I have never seen her face. But, she wields two twin wicked blades and controls fire unlike any other I have seen.”

“Thank you, Micten. But, I cannot shake this easily. I am afraid you must shut this down, now. The fate of Munda Luna is at stake.”

“I believe you, Uxxok. And I will, just after a few more weeks.”

Uxxok slams his fists into Micten repeatedly, knocking Micten to the brink of unconsciousness. “Now! Micten!”

Just then, Uxxok feels an aura enter the balcony. He looks to his left to see a cloaked figure wielding two wicked blades. He sees Micten point in his peripheral.

Uxxok looks down and hears Micten gasping, “That is her, that is her...”

Uxxok feels heat surging toward his body and jumps away at the last second. He watches as the fire blast instantly chars Micten’s body. Uxxok feels a pang of guilt for a quick second before drawing his blade and blocking a sudden strike from the cloaked figure. Uxxok moves quickly, drawing into strength he forgot he had. He moves behind the cloaked figure and puts his blade to the figure’s neck.

The figure’s blades drop to the ground, the figure goes slack. Uxxok grabs the hood of the figure and pulls it away taking the cloak with it. Uxxok pushes the woman to the wall and knocks her blades aside.

Uxxok points his blade at the woman’s throat. “Who are you?”

The woman speaks and captivates Uxxok thoroughly, her voice as smooth as caramel, her lips luscious, her face rosy, her hair an auburn gold, “I am no one you will remember, soon enough.”

Uxxok falters. He lowers his blade to his side. He looks at the woman wholly. He sees a young woman. He sees generous curves hugged by tight fitting dark leather, crimson belts lash multiple knives to her person, blood red sheathes are lashed to her hips.

Suddenly, Uxxok remembers this woman is a sigo and can pounce in a heart beat. He instantly raises his blade back to the woman’s throat, pressing the point into her trachea, causing blood to drip lightly from her skin.

The woman’s dark green eyes flash red. She summons fire on her hands and knocks Uxxok’s blade from her throat. She brings a flame engulfed hand into Uxxok’s stomach and plants him into the opposite wall.

She extinguishes the flames on her hands and grabs Uxxok’s throat. “As I told you, you will not remember me, soon enough. Her eyes spark with flames as she calls fire to her hands.

Slowly, her hands heat with the sigo energy. Uxxok feels his throat warming to an unbearable degree. Skin charring fills his nostrils. He loses his train of thought and accepts his fate.

The woman is then tossed to the side suddenly. Uxxok falls to the floor, grasping his seared neck. He looks up with tears in his eyes to discover Teqqc in her normal clothing summoning air currents around her. She fires the currents at the woman, but the woman disappears in a fog of smoke. Teqqc conjures a fire ball in her left hand, waiting for the woman to reappear.

The woman appears by her blades behind Teqqc. Uxxok sees the woman but cannot form enough thought to warn Teqqc. Teqqc feels the woman’s aura and shoots a fire ball at the woman. The woman knocks the fire ball to the side with one of her blades and slashes at Teqqc with the other. A slash of fire flares from the blade and rockets towards Teqqc. Teqqc catches the fire and throws it to the wall. She moves to retaliate, but finds the woman has disappeared yet again.

Teqqc turns to Uxxok and helps him to his feet. Uxxok sees the charred remains of Micten as Teqqc flashes them to the apartment in Oxvo. Uxxok collapses as soon as the light has dissipated and closes his eyes.

\