Paragon of Destruction

The climb to the mines' upper levels was easier than before. After the lower levels were cleared, the rusty old ladders had been replaced with new ones, to allow the mercenaries to haul up the ore they mined.

Still, only a few mercenaries could make their way up at a time. And so, when Captain Kaleesh and his commanders emerged from the mineshaft, the soldiers who guarded the tunnels did not immediately realize what was happening.

"Where's your ore?" one of them barked. Yet a moment later, his eyes went wide when he recognized the captain. "What are you doing here?!"

The captain did not reply. Instead, he walked toward the group of soldiers, a slight spring in his step as he approached them.

There were half a dozen soldiers, each of them carrying a sword and wearing armor. But even so, they hesitantly stepped backward at the captain's casual approach.

"Stop!" the lead soldier said, drawing his sword in a clumsy motion. "If you don't stop, I'll cut you down!"

"Is that so?" the captain asked. Then, in a sudden motion, he lunged forward, slapping the soldier's weapon aside and striking the man in the face with his fist.

The blow was powerful enough that the soldier collapsed instantly. The other soldiers immediately reached for their weapons, but it was already too late — before they could even draw their swords, the captain and his commanders were upon them.

Taken by surprise, all six soldiers lay unconscious on the ground only moments later. And already, more mercenaries were emerging from the mineshaft.

Several minutes passed as the mercenaries made their way up, and when the last ones had emerged into the cramped tunnels, the captain nodded in approval.

"Let's go," he said. "And remember, do not kill any of them."

They encountered several small groups of soldiers as they made their way to the surface, but none of those caused more than a moment's delay. Even without weapons, the mercenaries overpowered them easily.

A few soldiers thought better of it, however, and fled the tunnels as the mercenaries approached. While catching them would have been a simple matter, the captain stopped his troops from doing so.

"We're not looking to escape," he said. "We're merely causing a small disturbance."

When they emerged from the mines, they found two dozen soldiers already waiting for them, weapons drawn and cautious looks on their faces.

"Stop right there!" one of them called out, his face twisted in an angry scowl. "Another step, and we'll cut you down like the dogs you are!"

Yet the captain ignored the man, continuing onward with nearly fifty mercenaries following behind him. There was only one among them who lingered in the back — Sassun, who still carried a chunk of starmetal ore.

Arran had no time to consider the matter, however, because at that moment the soldier followed through on his threat. Face twisted in anger, he raised his sword and dashed forward.

At that, the other soldiers set into motion as well, though perhaps not quite as eagerly. But reluctant though they might be, with one of them attacking the others could not stay behind.

The lead soldier was the first to reach the mercenaries, and at once, he struck at the captain — only to find his blade stopped mid-air when Gar grabbed it. And before he could pull the weapon free, the giant man kicked him in the chest with such force it sent him flying a dozen paces.

The other soldiers fared no better. Armed or not, none of them could match the captain and his commanders. In a few short breaths, they were all dragged to the ground and beaten senseless. A few mercenaries received shallow cuts in the process, but none were seriously injured.

Yet even as the group of soldiers went down, more soldiers arrived — and not just soldiers. Roused by the commotion, the Rangers had arrived as well, and Arran knew that they would not be defeated as easily.

When he saw the new arrivals, the captain called out, "Form up!"

At once, the mercenaries did as he said, forming a dense square with the captain and his commanders at the front. But as they faced the Rangers, Arran realized that Sassun had disappeared.

Brief though the fight had been, it had given the middle-aged commander the chance to slip away. And now, with the other mercenaries distracting the Rangers, he had already reached the edge of the camp, showing no sign of slowing down.

"You dare attack my men?" The one who spoke was the Rangers' leader — the same man who had struck and threatened the captain when he arrived in the camp. "You will die for this."

Captain Kaleesh faced him calmly. "I think you'll find that your men were the ones who attacked us," he said. "And you will not kill any of us — not if you value your life."

The Ranger briefly looked at him in astonishment, then let out a loud laugh. "You think you can threaten me?"

"Take a good look," the captain replied. "None of us carry weapons, but we will not stand down. If you kill one of us, you'll have to kill us all."

"Then we'll kill you all," the Ranger replied, anger in his face. "What difference does it make?"

However, while the lead Ranger's face showed only fury, several of the others' expressions changed in an instant, some concern now showing in their eyes.

The captain sighed. "Look around you," he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice as he gestured at the miners and guards who had already gathered around them. "All here can see that we are unarmed, and that we have no interest in escaping or attacking."

The Ranger narrowed his eyes as he looked around, and although the fury hadn't faded from his expression, there was some hesitation now, as well.

"If you kill us," the captain continued, "what reward do you suppose Lord Kadun would bestow upon you for such an act? Killing fifty unarmed workers, Body Refiners each of them? Do you think such a waste would go unpunished?"

The Ranger scowled in anger, but even so, the doubt in his eyes grew stronger. Finally, he asked, "What do you want?"

"We wish to petition Lord Kadun for our citizenship," Captain Kaleesh said. "As is our right. Naturally, we will abide by his decision."

At this, the Ranger laughed sharply. "You think you will be set free? Despite your indolence and insubordination?"

"We trust in Lord Kadun's fairness," Captain Kaleesh said. "And whatever lies you might tell, we have one to speak for us, as well." He glanced around the crowd that had formed around them, then waved. "Overseer! Please join us!"

After several moments, the overseer stepped out from the crowd, a mortified look on his face. "I want no part of this," he said in a panicked voice.

"Even so," the captain replied, "I have the right to choose someone to speak for us. And I choose you."

"You know our laws well," the Ranger said, and as he spoke, a slight smirk appeared on his face. "Very well, I will allow it. If you wish to see how Darian justice deals with insubordinate outsider dogs, I will not stop you."

"You have my thanks," the captain said, giving the Ranger a small bow. "Arran here will accompany me as my second. I trust you have no objections to that?"

"It matters not," the Ranger said with a dismissive gesture. "Send your men back into the mines. We will leave at once. The sooner you face Lord Kadun's mercy, the better."

The captain turned around to face the mercenaries, then said, "Everyone, head back into the mines. In my absence, I expect you not to cause any trouble. When we return, you will have your freedom."

The mercenaries did not complain or object as they followed the order, though Arran could see frustration on several of their faces. Had the choice been theirs to make, he had little doubt they would have preferred to fight their way out of the camp.

As the mercenaries moved back into the mines, the overseer hurried over to Captain Kaleesh. "Captain," he began in a worried voice. "Even if I speak for you, against a Ranger's word…" He shook his head. "Please, reconsider this while there's still time. It's your only chance."

The captain gave him a calm smile. "I trust in Lord Kadun's wisdom," he replied. "I have no doubt that he will do as I expect."

The overseer gave him a troubled look, then shook his head. "The choice is yours to make," he said, though it sounded like he had little faith in the outcome.

A moment later, the Rangers' leader approached them, with another Ranger at his side and a dozen soldiers behind them.

"Let's get going," he said, cruel amusement in his eyes. "You'll experience Lord Kadun's mercy soon enough."