Free Shaper of Stone (The Shapers Book 1) by Keith Keffer

them,
just enough so that the others could clearly identify the body. It
didn’t take too many failed attempts before those who remained
decided it was safer to stay in the compound.
    Almost a year ago, Vatrale showed up
with a group of mercenaries and reopened the mine. They worked the
pits for several months before the first prisoners arrived and were
taken below. More souls kept going into the mine, but no one ever
came out.
    That was until four weeks ago when they
emerged with an unconscious body on a cart and whisked him away.
Hahns only got a glimpse of the body as it was loaded on the wagon,
but he saw enough to recognize the man when he saw him again.
    I was that man. The way back to my
world must be in the mine somewhere. Someplace that Vatrale hasn’t
shown me yet.
    -o-

Chapter 8 - Duty
    As soon as I woke up, I realize that
Vatrale was back. From the pull in my stomach, I guessed he must be
in the house. If he wasn’t in his room, he was in the common
area.
    Well, at least when I’m awake he
won’t be able to sneak up on me. At the moment, I was happy to
find any advantage. Then again, I probably couldn’t sneak up on
him either.
    I dressed and headed out to face him.
Vatrale was seated at the table in the common area. Standing behind
him was a lizard man. It was Carvis. The last time I saw him he had a
crossbow bolt in his chest and was covered in blood. I didn’t
see any sign of his wounds. Whether he was a fast healer or Vatrale
was able to speed up his recovery I didn’t have a clue.
    “Hey there Carvis. You’re
looking much better than the last time I saw you.”
    The lizard man showed me his teeth.
Yeah, just as scary as ever.
    “And you do not, Devin. What
happened to your head?” asked Vatrale.
    I still had the bandage wrapped around
my head. Somehow telling Vatrale that I was attacked by the people he
released to me didn’t seem like a good idea. I did the next
best thing, I lied.
    “Ah this,” I said as I
touched the bandage, “I was out exploring yesterday and I
wasn’t watching where I was going. I tripped and fell. Nothing
too bad.”
    “Indeed. I’m sure that is
what happened, and it was no way related to the two prisoners who
were killed yesterday or the guard who was struck down. I expect you
would like me to think that they are simple coincidences.”
    “Well, since you put it that way.
Yeah, that would be nice.”
    “Devin, you must realize that I
know everything that goes on here. Even if you cannot see me, do not
doubt, for I am watching you. In the future when I ask a question, I
expect you to answer honestly and completely. You will not like the
consequences should you lie to me again. Do you understand?”
    “Yes, Lord Vatrale.”
    “Excellent. Now finish your
breakfast and join me outside.”
    Vatrale pushed away from the table and
strolled lightly to the door with Carvis at his side. After our
little talk, I was not in the mood for anything to eat. I got up and
followed them out.
    Outside a squad of ten lizard men
waited in front of the house. Huddled at their center were the seven
people from the shack. Tali and Hans had found food and clothing for
them, but they still looked pale and sickly.
    Vatrale walked down the steps and
approached the crowd. He stopped a few feet from them and waited for
me to join him.
    “Devin, these are the ones
responsible for your injury. Tell me, who instigated the attack?”
    “He isn’t here, Lord
Vatrale. He was killed along with another man.”
    “Then we will have to pick our
example from the survivors. Someone must be punished if you wish to
keep these people in line. Who shall it be?”
    “Punish! No way! It wasn’t
their fault!”
    Vatrale actually grinned as he turned
to look at me. “What does that have to do with it. Pick someone
or I will select them all.”
    Before I could open my mouth and pick
myself, he raised his hand to stop me, “Don’t think of
martyring yourself. You are a lord to this rabble and above