"Whew." Seems the earth walls Alred attack the Havricks men with finally stops pushing on him. His body gives out, leaning against the wall. Light shines through a crack of the wall being rip apart. Heinrich doesn't waste time, as soon as he's free he pulls himself out.
He looks around to see only Alred standing above him. He lets his body just flop against the ground.
"I guess they weren't able to beat. Ha. I knew it was dumb to attack the kingdom." Alred crouched down, looking the man in his eyes.
"For someone on the loosing side, you seem to be in good spirits. Tell me, what is your goal in life?"
"Goals? Mages, they are all crazy. I want to become the strongest swordsmen. But it seems that won't be happening."
"Prove it. I want to see the courage of someone wants to be the greatest swordsmen." Alred turns walking g a few feet away, his wooden staff in his hand.
Heinrich pushes his body up. The pain shooting all over. He uses his word to push himself the rest of the way. He gasp for air, he lifts his left foot, when it slams down he buckles. He holds his sword pointing at Alred.
"I have enough mana for one attack." His sword glows with a faint blue aura glitters across the sword. "Windlass strike." The blue glow from the sword starts to cover him as well. Their Reyes lock, Alred can see the determination in Heinrich. The tip of his sword dips, all the air in the cave seems to have disappeared. He launches, nothing but a blue aura can be seen.
The blade aims for Alreds head. Heinrich swings with everything he has. The blade narrows the distance. He can see the attack landing. He knows he's done it.
'Clunk.' Heinrich sword comes to a stop while the rest if him keeps going. He looks to see his sword stuck in a piece wood held by Alred.
"Dam-it, that was my last chance to live." Heinrich falls to the ground on his hands and knees. He punches the ground. He pulls his dagger out, he points the tip towards his stomach.
"Here." He looks up to see a scroll flying towards him. He drops the dagger to catch it.
"What is it?" He looks at the seal of an owl.
"Contract scroll." He drops the scroll, sliding away from its landing place. "It doesn't bite, it is also the only way you leave here alive. Heinrich eyes darken.
"I heard those things are evil. Once I sign it, you own my life." His eyes lock with Alreds. This time Alreds not standing there. This time he sees a black dragon standing behind him. Heinrich can feel the power pooling off him.
"They can be. But I modified my. Yours is a life sentence, you serve me until one of us dies. The other rule is you can not lie to me. That is it, I will not force you to do something I would not do myself."
"That doesn't seem evil."
"I'm not trying to be evil. I just need to make sure you can't betray me. The choice is yours, you must make it now." Alred touches the ground with his staff, the ground forms a blade of rocks again.
"I…" He looks at the scroll, then looks at his family's crest on his dagger. "Doing this will make me a trader to my family. But to past up a chance to work under a mage. I don't think you are a bad person. Anger, yes but not bad."
He pops the seal on the scroll, picks up his dagger and runs the blade across his palm. Holding his hand over the scroll, blood drips on to it. A white light exits his chest and floors into Alreds chest.
"You are a new man today. You now serve a new master so I will bestow you a new name, for you are no long Heinrich of the Air. You will now be known as, Jep of Howl Wind. Come we have a lot of work to do."
"Yes, Master." The two of them walk deeper into the cave.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"My Lord. Ozzy has returned."
"Send him in!" Charles sits up. He's praying he has brought good news. Although his kingdom is about to break out in war, the fight for a mage who's potential will make him a master mage one day.
The small figure walks into the throne room. His head held low, he doesn't dare let his eyes meet with the Kings. Half way down the room he stops, bows and then kneels on the ground.
"We have failed my Lord. Master Lake was there the whole time. He already took Alred under his wing, his report is;
Alred Wooden is safe. Frank Havrick and Vane a mage form Far Kingdom have both been caught by Alred Wooden. Alred is now going to have to stay with Master Lake and train for the next four months. They will remain there and make sure no one tries to breach the capital from here.
Frank Havrick and the mage known as Vane have been put into cells. Vanes hands are bind and his mouth is gaged."
"Dam-it." Charles pounds his armrest. "There is nothing that can be done right now. Bring my Frank Havrick." Ozzy walks out of the room.
"It is a great loss my Lord. We will have others to replace him with."
"Ah, Alistar. Yes it is a shame. We will have to keep an eye on him. What are your plans for the young mage brought in with Frank?"
"Turn him to the right side. He was once was a child here. He was taught some by Melvin Wooden." Charles ears perk at the last name. "I will be taking young Vane with me to my study, there he will be retrained."
"Good, go ahead and get him ready. We need to hurry and put these fools in their place. Then we can move on to the next phase AiRisa rebirth."
"I will hurry, My Lord." Alistar bows then flashes gone
"Let me go, I am the son of a Lord. You fools have no right to touch me!" Ozzy pushes Frank through the open door. He trips over his own foot falling to the ground.
"Frank Havrick." Charles calls his name out. Frank jumps, he slides his head looking at his king.
"I was so close. No." Frank push himself off the ground rushing at Charles. Ozzy jumps to block him, but Charles holds his hand up for him to stop. Franks gets closer, Charles twist his body to the side. He pulls his fist back. Fire wraps around it as he punches Frank in the face. Franks body lands on the ground with a thud.
"Man, that felt great. You know Frank, had you waited a few more months and I would have declared war on the Far Kingdom. Instead you choose to join them?"
"No, I hate the Far Kingdom. They killed my mother, they killed my younger brother. None of them were in that battle." A single tear rolls down his face.
"The young mage that was working with you is from the Far Kingdom. His master is Jon's right hand man."
"No! My father would betray the kingdom to side with them. No." His body just falls to the ground helpless. He's been caught and traders must die.
"I'll give you a chance. Bring me your father head and end this civil war. Do this and I will let you lead my army against the Far Kingdom." Frank looks at his King, he can see the serious look on his face. "You just have to sign this contract." The scroll unroll as he holds it up.
"I'll sign it, My King." Franks stands up then bows in front of Charles.