floor. The sound drew the grunt’s attention, and it dropped down to search the floor. Dobrin came to his senses, and started down the ladder. He cursed himself for not having the time to move the cover back in place. The three grunts circled the entrance, which was too narrow for their hulking bodies.
^Where is this leading?^ he asked.
^I don’t know. but if it’s away from them, and Uld, it has to be better.^
Overhead, a pounding shook down dust and debris, each strike accompanied with a grunt or groan. Ellore and Dobrin moved down quicker, the slick ladder shifting against their weight. Small rocks soon fell from overhead, as the sound of metal being torn filled their ears.
They can’t be that strong . . .
They paused for a moment, listening, and soon heard footsteps on the ladder above them.
^Dobrin, pull up your sleeves like this,^ she cast him an image of what she meant, ^and grab onto the sides of the ladder. It’s slick enough that we might be able to slide down. Put your feet on the sides. We need to make some headway.^
^Alright,^ he cast anxiously.
Ellore balanced herself on the sides of the ladder, and started to slide down. Slowly at first, then with building speed. She could hear Dobrin doing the same thing above her.
I only hope the bottom isn’t too far away . . .
A dim light could be seen beneath her and in the center a small metal platform, overlooking hundreds of massive containers.
^Watch out!^
Above her, she knew Dobrin had slipped. She fought her maternal instinct and pulled in, watching his body fall past her, knocking her hard in the shoulder. She almost fell off, but was able to maintain her hold.
^Dobrin!^
A loud thud was heard below.
^Dobrin! Answer me!^
She slid down, as fast as she could, hearing the footsteps above her grow louder, the ladder shaking violently.
^Dobrin!^ she slammed, trying to glean any thoughts from his mind. She finally sensed his mind was still alive, could feel his breathing.
^I’m here.^
She got to the bottom, and turned him over. Blood oozed from his mouth, and his legs were twisted unnaturally beneath him. He slowly opened his eyes, wincing at the pain.
^Go on, mother, you’re too important. Leave me . . .^
In his mind, he could nest the cries of the others, feel as they were torn apart by the grunts that chased them, killed by expressionless beasts shaped as men. He could even feel the last gasp from Nijil, as she reached out to him, wishing him well. Dobrin braced himself for the inevitable.
^I will never, never leave you, Dobrin,^ cast Ellore, sobbing. ^Where you go, I go.^ She held his head in his arms, watching the huge, pale-skinned beasts above come closer and closer.
^I love you, Dobrin.^
^I love you, mother.^
Darkness came over Ellore, as great hands swept her away, her mind silenced by an unseen force.
The next thing she nest was a cast from the last person she ever wanted to see.
^Ellore, it is so good to see you again!^
It took a while before she could open her eyes, whatever drug or mental agent they gave her was slow to wear off, and made her more susceptible to bright light. When she did finally get her eyes open, she wished she were blind. Uld stood above her, a little thinner to her eyes, but all the more menacing. Wearing close-cut white slacks and a tight, navy-blue shirt, he almost looked to be someone else to her, someone respectable. That is, until the gleam of his polished black boots caught her eye. Then, she understood he was merely playing at respectability. At his side was a sienna-robed TELREC and the three grunts that pursued her.
^Why did you run from me Ellore?^ he asked with mock sincerity. ^I only wanted to take the greatest of care of you. I mean, Ksilte’s death must have been such a blow to you, you need a man, to give you some support.^ His sarcasm made Ellore sick, and she desperately wanted to wipe his arrogance away. ^Why, I remember seeing him on the ground, just before he died.^ Uld stooped, making a grand flourish over the body of her son. ^Oh, and look, it’s Dobrin! I showed him images of your son, before he died. He was so very happy to see them.^
Dobrin lay on the ground, next to Ellore. He was conscious, but couldn’t move much. He did manage to mentally lash out at Uld, using whatever strength he had against him. Uld shook a little, then smiled, laughing softly as he struck out with the back of his hand, knocking Dobrin unconscious. Ellore leapt to her feet and tried to attack him, but a grunt held her back. She kicked at the beast, bit deep into its arm, all to no avail.
^Impressive,^ cast Uld, resting his boot on Dobrin’s left hand. ^The little boy must really hate me. I think he would do very well back in the fleshival. After all, that virt-life I have of him has made me so much lottment, I really can’t believe it!^ he cried, beginning to sweat. ^Everyone wants to see it! Young and old, sisters and brothers, it has become the one thing that is pulling this forsaken world together! You make for great theater, my young friend. If not for your mother, I’ll bet you would enjoy making a few more. Why, a couple of big, burly TELREC, some chains, and, oh yes, I really liked the bestiality angle. It made for an interesting diversion. If only I could find that TELREC you loved in that virt-life, so she could make a guest appearance . . .^
^Leave my son alone!^
Uld came close to Ellore, holding her face as a vise in his thin, bony hands.
^No, my dear, my love. If you had given yourself to me willingly, before, I might have spared you son. But you put me through so much . . . trouble,^ his mind flashed back to the punishment he received from Denged, ^and I need to make you pay. Kurd!^
Kurd stepped forward, out of the shadows. ^Hello Ellore.^
^Shackle them,^ commanded Uld, ^and muzzle their minds.^
Kurd bent down to attach a device to Dobrin, as Ellore racked her brain to try to figure a way out. She saw the metal bracelets go on her son, his legs clamp automatically together as the magnetic field was initialized. Kurd then attached a small circular device to Dobrin’s head, and was about to turn it on, when the door slid open behind them. Uld whirled around in anger, as he realized who it was.
^Suld.^
Suld stood before them, fury and murder in his eyes, looking as vengeance unleashed. He glanced over at Ellore and Dobrin, then at the grunts behind them.
^Uld.^
Uld calmed his mind, a gentle smile returning to his lips. ^I must congratulate you on coming, in the nick of time, as they say. A true hero, to save a damsel in distress. How chivalrous.^ Uld scanned the area, but could only sense Suld. ^Where are your soldiers? Where are your Iganinagi friends? You see, I have my friends here.^
The TELREC next to Suld nodded in greeting. ^You must have excellent mind-dampening technology, Mechle of OLMAC.^
^Yes I do, TELREC, just for times like these.^
^Oh Suld,^ cast Uld, ^don’t forget to greet my other friends . . .^
More grunts returned after dispatching their prey. Fifteen of them now stood behind Ellore, their hands covered with blood and flesh. Ellore desperately wanted to move away, as she could barely stomach the notion that pieces of people she once knew were strewn about their bodies. The smell was offensive, and Ellore was glad Dobrin was still unconscious.
^So, did you really come here alone?^ asked Uld, suspecting some trap.
^No. Aeolle?^
She came out from behind him looking a little nervous, but resolved. ^Yes Suld.^
^Oh look, a reunion of friends.^ Uld stepped forward a little, examining Aeolle. ^I can’t say this is completely unexpected, after seeing you two at my party. I may have been a touch inebriated, but I still was able to notice some things.^ Uld affected a clownish frown, pressing his hands together. ^Why, my sweet? After all I gave you, after all the pleasure you had and could have had?^
^Pleasure at the expense of the weak?^ she demanded, the mature woman within her becoming visibly apparent. ^No longer can I, will I, sit idly by as you and your friends abus
e the innocents of this world.^
^Your words smack of the delusions of Suld,^ cast Uld, spitting on the ground. ^And suddenly I even think on poor Ksilte, for his name did sound like someone who spit!^ He laughed to himself, happy that others were forced to share in his amusement. ^So is that why you took Herdl away from his playthings? I knew it smacked of morality. If there’s one thing I can sense, it’s morality. It stinks like the worst waste-reclamation plant, glows like fission fuel waste. It’s not too late, you know, Aeolle. You can come back to me, to the winning side.^
^I’d rather die with them,^ she cast grimly, ^than live with you.^
^Fine, have it your way,^ cast Uld with a casual shrug. ^I’ll crush you like the rest, under the heels of my boots, and won’t so much as pause to wipe the stain from my shoes.^
Dobrin slowly came back to consciousness, trying to move his legs absently on the floor. Ellore rushed down, cradled him in her arms.
^Well Suld, how is it to end?^ Uld appeared bored, as he was hoping for more of a fight. He absently ground his boots on Dobrin’s hand, seemingly oblivious to his torment. ^Would you like to die here, at my hands, or be taken into custody by my friend in the brown and gold?^
^Uld, this is between us. Deep down, I think you know it always has been. Ksilte was a good man, but not really a worthy competitor for you. Admit it—you were overjoyed when you found out where my allegiances lie. It gave you the excuse to make me a target, to dream of facing me.^
^I think you overestimate yourself. But yes, I am more than happy to