“Come,” the ‘naut commanded.
I turned my attention back to the
wall where a trickle of moisture ran down a groove, around a rivet, and
disappeared behind the bench.
The white-hot tearing of my scalp
ripped a scream from my chest as the ‘naut yanked me to my feet by my braid. He
held me, dangling in the air for a moment before releasing me. My hands went to
my head and returned covered in blood.
“Come or be dragged.”
The warmth of the blood running
down my back held me for a moment. Then Tar was at my side, gripping my elbow
to guide me.
“Walk,” he commanded.
My legs felt like they were full of
sand, but I made them move as he guided me out of the cell and we followed the
‘naut through the maze of passages. “Where are you taking me now?” I
whispered.
Tar ignored my question, but I felt
a tightening on my elbow.
“Why are you helping someone like
him?”
Again, no response, but this time
there was a tug on my elbow. “Okay, at least tell me where you’re taking me?”
The massive head of the ‘naut
glanced back at us. “No speak. Walk.”
We rode up out of the cells in an
open lift. The fresh air felt good against my sweaty face. I studied the
bleak world of Vrellum as we rose and wondered if my friends were somewhere
lost in the labyrinthine maze of metal gantries and yellow haze.
The platform stopped and the ‘naut
led us out into brighter, well-lit passages. We were back in the fortress of
Urbo’Krk. We weren’t led to the main assembly chamber. This time the ‘naut led
me past the big wooden doors with the familiar motifs etched on them. Instead,
I was taken to a smaller chamber. As we entered, a light came on above a large
metal chair that sat in the centre of the room. There were straps on the arms
and the footrest. I stopped short, making Tar bump into me.
The ‘naut pointed. “Sit.”
I threw my head back, catching Tar
off guard and smashing his face, just missing his already flattened nose. My
elbow connected with his ribs, and I heard a satisfying grunt. Turning to run,
I wasn’t quick enough. The one-eyed Omaj blocked my exit, and the ‘naut grabbed
my shoulder, pinching me, and I screamed at the crushing of my bones. He threw
me into the chair, slamming my head against the upper backrest. I left a bloody
imprint from his earlier threat of dragging me. I tried to get up but felt pressure
on my chest. It forced me back into the chair.
“Enough.” Urbo’Krk stepped out of
the shadows with Cog at his side. He’d removed his cape and the silver
breastplate. He now wore a black vest that allowed him to display his
mechanical arms. Beneath the close-fitting fabric, I could see that his neck and
chest were flesh. There was a seam where the augmented arms attached to his
shoulders. The join was smooth and had a natural appearance as if the black
mesh were just another type of skin.
He leaned over me. His presence
felt heavy. The pressure built on my chest, and I tried to take a deeper
breath, but could only sip the air. I turned away and refused to acknowledge
him.
“Ah yes, you feel my strength.” He
stood and pointed at Tar. His energy pushed against me, pressing me into the
metal seat. Tar remained standing against the wall and motioned for Omaj to
strap my wrists and ankles to the chair.
“I wish to examine you.” He spoke
calmly as he turned and walked to a table that ran the length of one wall. “It
isn’t every day a Rysyn passes through my world.”
My teeth felt like they might pop
out as I spoke through my clenched jaw. “I’ve never heard of a Rysyn and don’t
know why you think I’m one. I was only looking for the truth.”
I glared at Tar as I spoke my
defiant words. His stoic face drew tight as he stared at me and shook his head.
Cog had stepped further into the room and now sat at my side. His quizzically
tilted head indicating his attention.
Urbo’Krk’s broad back hunched over
the table now straightened as he slowly turned back to look at me. “I will
learn what makes you a Rysyn,” his eyes flicked to Cog, “or I’ll make the cog
suffer for your defiance.”
Cog tilted his head as he gazed
from me to his master. I couldn’t be certain if he understood the threat that
Urbo’Krk had made, but I also wouldn’t be the reason that he suffered any
further abuse under this monster.
My jaw remained clenched as I
slumped defeated into the chair. Tears welled in my eyes as Urbo’Krk came
toward me carrying a mesh of wires.
“That’s better. Now sit still; this will hardly hurt.”
CM Dawson is an indie fantasy author and the founder of
Crystal Path Publishing, writing multi-world adventure fiction from the rolling
green hills of Wiltshire, England. Her debut series, The Lesitha Tales, follows
Bex Gartan — a headstrong, impulsive 17-year-old who finds herself thrust into
a power struggle that spans multiple worlds. Compared to Samantha Shannon,
Brandon Sanderson, and Suzanne Collins, the series blends fast-paced action,
vivid world-building, and a fierce coming-of-age heart. She crafts immersive
multiverse fantasy filled with emotional stakes, dark magic, and lore rich
worldbuilding. The first two books — The Edge of Oblivion and Dark Side of the
Veil — are available now. A space opera trilogy, a short story collection, and
a dystopian novel are all in development. When she is not writing, she can be
found gardening, editing the local parish magazine, playing skittles, or being
bossed around by her two English Bulldogs, Sage and Bubba.
.jpg)
%20(1).png)
