Gasps of astonishment filled the carriage. The slaves who had witnessed the healing stared in awe and disbelief.
-"A miracle..."
-"He saved him..."
-"Bless this child..."
The healed man, though still groggy from the head injury, felt the relief of his restored vitality.
His internal injuries, mere moments ago a source of agonizing pain, were gone.
A woman, one of the slaves who had been tending to him, rushed forward, tears streaming down her face.
"You're alive..."
She cried, embracing him tightly. He returned the embrace and his hand gingerly touched the bandage on his head.
Ezekiel watched with a small smile proud of his efforts.
He had used a secret healing spell, a gift from his mother, to save the man's life.
It was a powerful spell, capable of even greater feats in its true form. But for now, this was enough. He had healed the man's internal injury, something the other slaves couldn't even perceive.
"How did you do that?" the woman asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
Ezekiel turned to face her, his hood falling back to reveal his youthful face.
"I do what I feel is right," he replied simply.
The woman's eyes widened as she took in Ezekiel's youthful features, her heart dropping as she realized this boy was no older than seven.
She reached out a trembling hand, gently caressing his cheek.
"Those who can use magic can help end this era of slavery..." she whispered as tears welled up in her eyes. "Can you really save us?"
"I promised I would."
But just as reassuring as Ezekiel sounded her expression got saddened even more.
"You're only a kid, you have your whole life ahead of you... They'll kill you if they find you here... so please, run..." She choked back a sob.
"I thank you for healing my husband, but you need to go."
Tears streamed down her face, but Ezekiel gently wiped them away with a comforting smile.
"Please trust me," he said with full conviction.
"I'll make sure you're all saved."
He stood tall and his gaze swept over the faces of the captives.
"Do you have any idea how to get rid of these ropes?" he asked, keeping his voice low.
The healed man shook his head. "None of us know," he replied with despair. "All we know is that if we move out of range of the holder, the connection will be cut, and we'll die from a mana explosion."
"I see..."
Ezekiel examined the ropes binding their hands and necks. Their legs were unbound, likely to facilitate easier movement. He noted the cuffs securing their wrists.
-"Apart from those cuffs, this shouldn't be too difficult. but from what I can guess this isn't something that can't just be removed with a swing."
As Ezekiel noticed, there was a whole line of runic language that was wrote along these ropes.
He gazed closer to see if he could properly read what it says.
[╎⎓ ∷ᒷꖎᒷᔑᓭᒷ ᒷ ̇/!¡ꖎ𝙹↸ᒷ] - [╎⎓ ∷ᒷꖎᒷᔑᓭᒷ ᒷ ̇/!¡ꖎ𝙹↸ᒷ]...
- Even I don't know what it says. It's in another language..
-Let me have a look.
WHOOOOOOOSH!!!!!
The forest shook. A tempest of wind erupted, trees swaying violently as if bowing to an unseen force.
A blinding white light filled the carriage. Then, as quickly as it began, the wind subsided.
In its place, perched on Ezekiel's shoulder, was a small, elegant bird.
Its feathers were the color of freshly fallen snow, and its eyes shimmered like polished emeralds.
A miniature gyrfalcon, a creature of pure grace and power manifested.
In it's form, is a divine spirit of primordiality.
The Great Wind Spirit named Eurus has arrived.
"Ezekiel," Eurus's voice echoed in his mind, "let me perch on your arm and examine those ropes."
Ezekiel gently extended his arm, and Eurus hopped onto it, her delicate claws gripping his sleeve.
She peered at the runic script and her emerald eyes glowed with an intense light.
-Hmm...these are no ordinary restraints, the runes woven into these ropes contain multiple functions: explode, leak, and resist. Any attempt to cut them with a simple spell will trigger the explosive function.
-Explode? So, would there be a tool that could dismantle these safely?
-Indeed, Eurus replied. I've heard whispers among the winds that the guards spoke of a tool designed to dismantle these collars upon a slaves release.
-Good so all I have to do is find it-
"Oi, lads! We're inspecting!" a gruff voice boomed from outside.
"...!"
Ezekiel froze. Trapped, with the only exit blocked, he had to act fast.
**
[Julian's POV]
How could I have not noticed he was trying to leave this entire time?!
What was he trying to do anyway?
There was no way he'd leave without a reason. I had to figure it out quickly and find him before Nivel woke up. Otherwise, the two of us were going to end up dead.
I shot out of bed racking up a plan on what he could be doing.
Like, where would he go? what was he thinking?
I retraced our steps from today, and the first place that came to mind was the Strata Serfdom. That slave house. It was the only thing that seemed to upset him.
I threw on my clothes and crept out of the tavern room, careful not to wake Nivel.
The hallway was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the smell of ale and sweat.
I hurried down the stairs as I slipped out the back door and ran into the cool nights air.
To my surprise the streets were deserted with the only sound being an occasional creak of a sign or the distant howl of a stray dog.
DASHHHHHHHH!
As I took off towards the slave house, I couldn't help but worry thinking I might've gave Ezekiel the wrong idea.
______
AN:
- Within the camp the value of a slave is determined by what carriage they're in. The highest being at the front and the lowest being at the end.