One Thousand Years Later

The stranger stood, staring at the grin-like opening of the cavern. Massive stalactites hung from the ceiling. Even more peculiar, were the chains that also dangled from the ceiling. The stranger made sure that the shabby cloak was securely fitted around him as he approached the entrance. The cloak lightly billowed in the wind but did an acceptable job of hiding the man.

A young girl looked up from the well where she was drawing water. She didn't seem frightened or weary of the approaching stranger. The man stopped when he saw the bright smile on the girl's face. He hadn't seen anyone smile in ages, let alone, smile like that.

"Hello," the girl called out.

The stranger simply bowed his head and continued towards the small town. Finishing her task, the girl walked out towards him.

"Hello," she repeated as she neared, tilting her head to get a better view of him under the hood.

"Hello," managed the scratchy dry voice of the stranger.

The girl frowned when she heard his voice. She put her arm around his shoulders and led him to the well. Quickly, she lowered the bucket into the well and brought it back up as fast as she could. When the bucket was finally brought back up, she handed it to the stranger. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, but only for an instant and under the deep shadow of the hood. He put the bucket to his lips and slowly drained it of its' cold contents.

He sighed contently and handed the bucket back to the young woman.

"What is this place called?" he asked, his voice not quite as scratchy.

"It's a mining cavern. We call it Drem's Maw," the girl stated as she began walking him to the town.

The man frowned under the hood. He'd heard of the place before, but many years ago.

"Tell me, what is your name?" he asked.

"My name is Linnette. But you can call me Lin," she answered.

The stranger expected her to ask him his name, but she didn't, and she merely walked him to the largest building in the town. The main road was strewn with small rocks and layers of dirt. The houses that lined the road looked like they had been taken apart and put back together several times.

The stranger and Lin slowly made their way to the large building at the end of the main road. Occasionally people would look up from their tasks and stare curiously at the newcomer. Instinctively he hid even deeper in his hood. They reached the only two-story building in the town and Lin knocked on the large door.

The door opened a crack and an old lady peeped out. She smiled as she saw Lin and was about to open the door all the way when her eyes met the darkness of the hood. She glared and pointed an accusing finger at the man. Her eyes questioned Lin as to who he was.

"It's alright Mafalda," Lin said soothingly.

The old lady slowly opened the door, not taking her glaring eyes off the stranger. The man and Lin stepped into the building and Mafalda slammed the door shut behind them. She made a motion for them to stay where they were and hurriedly scuttled up the staircase in the far corner.

Scanning the surroundings, the stranger observed the bare room. There were no decorations on the walls and the paneling was made of all different types of wood, not in any particular pattern. A few small windows gave view to the cavern outside. There was a large rectangular table in the center of the room, with a beautiful velvet table runner in the center. At the far end of the table, stood an intricately carved oak chair, probably where the town's leader sat.

"Is Mafalda . . . mute?" the stranger asked.

"Yes. She was hit in the throat as a child, which damaged her voice," replied Lin.

Mafalda scurried back down the stairs, followed closely by a dark-haired man with a neatly trimmed beard. His grey eyes scanned the stranger as he descended the stairs, his long velvet tunic dragging on the steep steps. The grey flecks in the man's hair twinkled, accentuating his grey eyes.

"Why," the man began in a deep voice, "don't you take that hood off?"

The stranger slowly reached up and gripped the cowl in both hands. He threw it back to reveal brown eyes that had the look of a long hard life, but the man was not past thirty. He had a roughly cut beard that looked like he attempted to trim it using a knife.

"What is your name?" the man asked the stranger.

"I am Uriel," the stranger replied. That was not his real name, but it came so easily to him. He vaguely remembered it from a thousand lifetimes ago.

"I am Estaban. I am the governor of Drem's Maw," the official replied. "What is your business here?"

"I merely seek a warm bed and supplies," Uriel replied, then added, "I can pay of course."

The governor's eyes sparkled at the mention of money. He nodded, turned, and whispered something to Mafalda.

"The evening meal is in an hour, I'd be delighted to have you as a guest," Estaban said cheerfully. "Until then, our facilities are at your disposal, I imagine you'd like a warm bath and a nice shave."

. . .

Uriel emptied his pockets onto the counter in the washroom. He examined his three possessions, a knife, a whetstone, and a pouch of coins. He took his tunic off and, for the first time in years, looked into a mirror. The sight of his own face shocked him. He was no longer the clean and tidy man he used to be. He picked up the razor and began to shave his beard away.

He finished shaving and wiped the hairs still clinging to his skin away. Hearing a knock on the door, he turned and strode over to it. He opened it and let Lin into the washroom. She set the towels on the counter and for the first time since entering, she looked at him. She smiled as she looked at his well-muscled chest, then suddenly wiped the expression off her face.

"You look better," she said trying to maintain eye contact.

"Thanks," Uriel said and nodded.

Taking one last glance at his chest she left the washroom to let him be.

. . .

After having cleaned himself up, Uriel entered the dining room he had previously been in. Estaban looked up as he heard Uriel coming down the stairs.

"I hope you like steak, that's all we really have," Estaban said.

Uriel nodded, just glad for a warm meal. He sat in the chair to the right of the governor, and Estaban motioned for him to start eating.

"Normally," Estaban said through mouthfuls, "we tell delightful stories at the End-Month's meal. Do you have any you would like to share?"

"Yes," Uriel said.

"But we must wait, for my daughter, Lin."

As if on cue, Lin descended the stairs and took her spot next to her father.

"Uriel has a story to share, my darling," Estaban said.

Lin smiled and Uriel began his tale.

"In a land, not too far from here, immortals rose up. They were peaceful at first, but as time went on, they became power hungry. They caressed the throats of the weak mortals, until the most powerful immortal, The Worker of Secrets, created a weapon to slay the un-slayable. He allied himself with an immortal warlord. The warlord was Ausar the Vile, and he betrayed the Worker, locking him in an eternal prison. Ausar stole the weapon and terrorized the land. Then another powerful immortal, The God King, slew Ausar on the Plains of Koroth, killing him with the weapon. The weapon killed all things, trapping them for eternity, and so the blade was called, 'The Infinity Blade.'"

"A magnificent story. It would be even better if it were true," Estaban said knowingly.

"It is true. And now the God King rules over you and oppresses you. You work yourselves to death only to meet his quota," Uriel stated.

"Yes," Estaban began, "But the God King is a fair and just ruler."

Uriel smiled and replied, "I am no friend of the God King, I have seen his tyranny countless times."

Estaban relaxed and took a new liking to the stranger. "What word do you bring from the Outerlands?"

"There is talk of rebellion," Uriel smiled dangerously, "The firstborn son of one family, every generation. They will be trained from infancy to fight, and when they come of age, they shall be sent to defy the God King, to show him he doesn't have complete control over you. This son might send hope to the rest of the land. He would be the sacrifice."

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