Chapter 46 - Across The Lake

Kilgon lend the duo through the back of the palace. Behind the palace was more of the lake, all Zell and Kaitlyn could see was water. Kilgon walked over to the shores of the lake. He bent down and picked a chain up out of the water and started pulling it. Slowly a small boat inched closer and closer to shore as Kilgon pulled the chain. When the boat reached the land Kilgon disconnected the chain from the boat and got inside. He looked at Zell and Kaitlyn who had just been watching. "Stop staring." He said. "Get in the oat so we can go."

The two of the nodded and got into the boat. Kilgon picked up two ores and began to row.

"So, what's it like living under the ground?" Kaitlyn asked.

"Just like living anyone else I suppose." Kilgon responded. "Life is life no matter where you live. Everywhere has hardships and advantages. I would rather live no other place though."

"Have you ever lived anywhere else?" Zell asked.

"No." Kilgon answered. "I have been to the surface many times, it is full of greed, war, and death. An okay place to visit, but not a place I would want to live."

"What kind of things did you do on the surface?" Kaitlyn asked.

"I am a warrior." Kilgon said. "When I go to the surface it is to fight. Our people are looked down upon, we are spat upon, turned into slaves, or murdered for just being who we are. When our spies find an opportunity, we strike, and we save our kin."

"I am sorry." Zell said.

"It is not your place to apologize, human." Kilgon said. "A single human is no more responsible for the actions of his kin, than a pet dog would be responsible for the actions of a wild pack."

"Did you just compare me to a pet?" Zell asked.

"I am sorry." Kilgon said. "I am not good with comparisons; I am much better with my ax."

"That's fine." Zell said. "We cross the lake and then what?"

"After we cross the lake, we will enter the back caves." Kilgon explained. "After that we will exit the cave system near Kermonth. It will only be a half day's walk from the exit of the cave to the city."

"Good." Zell said. "We need to convince them that my sister's ways are wrong and get them on our side."

"Strength is the only thing humans understand." Kilgon said. "They follow the bitch queen, because she is a hero, not because they love her."

"Well earlier I would always hide my strength." Zell said. "I grew up terrified of what would happen if people found out I was different. It's amazing to think how different everything would have gone if I did not hide it. I probably would not have ever gotten my memories back and might have even been as racist as the rest of the humans I have met."

"Yes." Kaitlyn said. "Growing up an outsider really helped you become who you are. Who you are meant to be."

"This time is different." Zell said. "This time I know what's at stake. I know what will happen and this time I have my memories of my past life. I will not hide myself this time. "

"Some speech." Kilgon said. "Can you back it all up?"

"Oh, Zell can back it up." Kaitlyn laughed. "I once watched him shatter time itself to save me."

"Shatter time huh?" Kilgon said. "Impressive for a human."

"Oh, and have you done anything that impressive?" Kaitlyn asked.

"This one time, while I was taking a piss." Kilgon started. "A group of humans snuck up on me from behind. I heard their approach and immediately turned around and grabbed me ax. I was still draining the main vein and aimed my piss right in their damned eyes. As they were disgusted and confused, I swung my blade and disemboweled them there they stood. Finished my piss and went on about my way. I had just saved twelve of my kin that day. The human I freed them from must have been upset, to send assassins."

"That's not as impressive as breaking time." Kaitlyn said.

"Oh, and have you ever used your piss as a weapon?" Kilgon laughed. "I fought with my ax and my sword that day if you know what I mean."

"Oh yeah!" Kaitlyn said. "Well, I once saw Zell push a man halfway across the forest in a single blow!"

"Reminds me of a rescue mission I once had." Kilgon started. "Slavers had two dozen of my kin locked in a cage. Next to that cage was another with wild beasts. A whole pack of killer wolves. The camp was completely overrun with slavers, and I had just eaten a large meal, so I was feeling a bit sluggish. I threw my ax one hundred yards to hit the lock on the wolves' cage and opened the door. Those furry beasts rushed their captors and began feasting upon them. I scrolled over to my kin while the wolves feasted, picked up my ax, and then freed my kin. I saved them all without personally having to fight a soul."

"You think that's more impressive?!" Kaitlyn asked. "Zell's strength is on a completely different level."

"Strength is not the sole signifier of an impressive feat." Kilgon said. "It is more impressive to use your wit and cunning to defeat your foe, than to simply overpower them. It is easy to force open a lock. A more impressive feat is to open it without breaking it."

The boat stopped abruptly as it went ashore. Kilgon but his ores back on the floor of the boat and stepped out. He picked up a chain lying on the ground and resecured the boat. Zell and Kaitlyn got out of the boat as well.

"Now we must enter the caves." Kilgon said. "Keep your weapon on the ready. A beast lurks in the darkness, which has slain many of my kin." He walked over to the entrance of the cave, which was blocked by a massive door. He entered the rune code and opened it. On the inside of the door hung a torch, he picked it up and lit it. "Let's go.." He said as he went into the darkness.