Legends of Belariath

Artumus Obsidian

All the memories he had as a child were those of him working in what he called home but upon later recollection many years down the line was a mere slave mine. Those that he had been kept around were much like himself all half wolves in race and living out lives doing manual labor and growing strong enough to merely do each days work before resting and waking the next day to continue mining out the coal. He himself at his earliest memory of 7 was of him working his first days in the mine. It had been a poor month and there had been an accident the month prior which involved the death of 20 or so of his fellow people that he called family. His first job had been to try and uncover the collapsed tunnel and if any remains were found were to be disposed of as quickly as possible \so as to rid them of the wretched smell that the bodies would make in the tunnel that they wanted excavated . As he was mining that first month he finally made a break through on a Sunday afternoon while working through lunch and herd one of the wolves grumble softly for him to hurry. As he did so there was enough space to make a hole in which the male wolf stuck his head through the whole and whispered his final dieing words. " Artumus this was no accident, there is something you must know." Artumus could tell that the wolf had a serious head injure and it seemed that even with the wolves extraordinary luck for being able to survive as long as he had, it seemed to have festered and looked very bad. He looked to the injured wolf and though bewildered by what the wolf was saying brushed it off as a mere fever. Artumus spoke softly to him " look it will be ok gramps let me go get one of the human doctors to look at your wounds and i am sure you will see that it was simply a collapse in the tunnels structure." the older wolf sighed and angrily slammed an arm through a portion of the ruble and freeing enough of his body to grab Artumus by the scruff of his neck " I AM TELLING YOU KID THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT!!" chuffed the old wolven male heatedly " now listen i am dieing and you must leave this place when you are strong and go free. We were once a proud race and free from our human captors. " the old wolf looked into Artumuses eyes and looked for any sign of comprehension. seeing none he said plainly. " Yes you are a slave weather you know it or not. " the old wolf coughed up congealed blood that had formed in his lungs. His last words spoke cold and true " Grow strong...kill these humans...take their women as slaves...and ...and... seek the lonely_inn far to the south east of here..." with those final words the old wolf died and Artumus sat there shocked at the fact that he was being told that he was a slave to the humans. The thought had never before crossed his mind and now that he was being told this he had no idea what to think. He sat there stunned for what seemed to him to be hours before some of his fellow wolven that had been tasked out to help him came along. One of the wolven that were about his age saw the shocked and lost look on his face and patted him on the shoulder. This wolven was smaller in height but was broader then he was himself and the wolven just placed a hand on his shoulders and said.” I guess this is your first time seeing someone die isn’t it?” it was said as more of a statement then a question and Artumus didn’t reply for he was so lost in thought about the old wolvens words. The other wolven gave him a small shake of his shoulders to take him out of the twilight that he seemed to be in and dug his claws in to get Artumus to come around. “ Look.” said the other wolven” My name is Rocksha, we need to get these men buried so they can move on into the afterlife.” the younger wolven was surprisingly strong and had lifted him off the ground with what Artumus thought of as relative ease. But now he simply responded” Your right there is work to be done… mush work.” Rocksha had given him something to keep his mind away from the old-mans words and he placed all his effort into the task permitting his body do the movements of their own accord.

(time in-between)

Last ten years

Over the course of the next two weeks the two wolven never strayed far from one another and during that time Artumus had yet to speak a word. It was not that he was unable to nor was it that he choose two as far as anyone would be concerned it was him growing into his first furs. He was now at the age that the majority of his race went through puberty but unfortunately the event at what he had sceane and herd the old man say was baffling and scarred him. The days of clearing out the tunnel was most certainly messy work and every few meters that were cleared were other wolven people that had been smashed apart by the cave in. It had been Artumuses job as well as that of Rocksha to get the support beams in place as more was cleared. There was a wolf or two here that he recognized from the face that had not been crushed but for the most part the majority of the wolvens bodies were obliterated to the point that it was almost impossible to gather all the pieces. There were others that were sent for the funeral detail but the humans guards refused to allow them to have individual graves and were enforcing a singular mass frave from what he had herd over muffled conversations. The horrid scent of the dead bodies began to permeate into the stones themselves after a time and this only hastened their detail.

After a month of clearing the tunnel the job had finally been completed and on that early morning the inspector came in with a dozen of the human guards armed to the teeth. He stood about in the crowd of wolven that were lined against the wall and from there the short man spoke with a shrill voice almost as though the man was a women. “ So tell me why did it take so long to clear the way?” the man had started and though he was speaking to them he had his back to all the wolvens. After a few moments there wasn’t anyone that had spoken up and the man voice spoke again this time seeming flustered at the lack of response. “ SOMEONE TELL ME WHY THIS TOOK A WHOLE MOTH TO CLEAR?!?” the man seemed irate to him and one of the older wolvens perhaps in his mid 30’s took a step forward and glared at the mans back while the inspector wasn’t looking. “ It took a month because there were many dead and we couldn’t take away to many from the other veins.” the older wolvens spoke in placid tones and for a moment the inspector had said nothing to him merely fanning himself with the small sized fan.

The inspector turned around and to Artumuses amusement the mans face was a bright red. He would have laughed had it not been for one of the guards using a club and slamming it into the wolvens stomach. The wolven keeled over now stunned by the blow and fell to his knees gasping for breath. The guard spoke for only a moment but his words were projected and amplified through the cave.” you will address the inspector on your knees and use his title when speaking to him. Do I make myself clear, or must I make an example of this wolven to get my point across.” his words were harsh but it seemed to Artumus that this man would have been pleased to get the chance to strike the older wolven to his death.

The older wolven had had enough time to catch his breath now and there was a glimmer of red in his eyes when a second wolven stepped up and placed a hand on the wolvens shoulder and knelt next to him seeming as though he was supporting his friend but Artumus was short enough at his 9 years old to be able to see that the other wolven was holding the other firmly in place from doing anything rash. The second wolvens words were pronounced and clear and spoke with less of the regular wolven accent. “ It is understood lord of the guard, and inspector you have our apologies it was a were slip of his tongue please forgive his absent mindedness he has worked day and night to finish this job as quickly as possible.” the second wolvens maw dipped down in respect to the man and uttered a few final words “ I assure you it won’t happen again.”

The inspector general looked to the second wolven and for a moment his eyes shook with fear at this second wolvens appearance but it wasn’t enough for Artumus to fully realize what exactly was going on. All that Artumus could tell is that the reddish color seemed to fade away some and a more ghastly and pale color took its place. The inspector was silent for a few moments and when the inspector spoke it was again to the regular shrill voice that it had been when he started. “ This will not go unpunished but I will spare his life for the grace of our heavenly gods.” the words seemed all to practiced to Artumus and a murmur went through the line of wolven muttering the human prayer for peace which they were all forced to learn and memorize. “ The wolven shall suffer half rations Lord of the guard see to it and make sure the rest of these wolvens produce and additional half to their productions in mines 3 and 8 to make up for time lost. “ With that the shrill voiced man turned tail and began to walk up the tunnel when Artumus spoke out for a moment and as the words flowed they even shocked himself “ Inspector that is unfair we have worked hard these weeks and finished it in almost double the time it should have taken.” he paused and under his darker fur he turned a whole color paleer realizing he had just spoken completely out of turn.

A second guards man moved almost faster then lighting itself and the next words out of Artumuses maw were an “OMPH!!!” as the large guard hit Artumus square in the stomach and sent him flying straight into the wall.” the blow had made his eyes bulge and as he hit the wall he felt blood come up to his mouth. His vision began to blur and when he slowly began to lift himself to his hands and knees when he felt a solid steel boot crack him in the ribs and he squealed in pain as he felt his ribs fracture. The second wolven that had spoken in turn for the older wolven was by his side in but a moment and he could for some reason feel the shimmer of electricity lighting through his body. In the corner of his eyes he could see a slight dace of blue and though his body was racked with pain he turned his head to the side and saw that all the guards now had weapons drawn and all the wolvens had picks in or claws fully extended outwards. The second wolven spoke in cold tones the for some reason sent the chill feeling of death through his body.” It is time for you and your guards to leave inspector and I suggest you leave this out of your report or you won’t live another day if you step in this mine again. Is that understood inspector?” there was a tension between the two groups and though the guards numbers up to a dozen and were fully armored in plate the humans would have been hard pressed facing 4 times their own numbers.

The inspector was surrounded by his guards and was not a stupid man knowing full well that if he did not agree to this deal he wouldn’t make it a dozen feet without being maimed by a pair of wolven claws and called out in his shrill voice. “ Fine but the punishment is double for that child are we clear?!?” it seemed as though the human man with a shrill voice was merely being an unreasonable ass and he called for his guards to return to the surface which was merely a tactful way to say retreat. For some reason he caught the feint whiff of piss and sweat and wondered where the strange smell was coming from but he passed out grinning with the thought that perhaps that is what freedom felt like.

He had slept for almost two days with his injuries and

-supports his friend silently and shares food

-befriends Rocksha and finds a brother in him.

1.5months

-two work together and share common backgrounds (what tunnles they worked in)

-Rockshas parents were killed and he was brought to the mines about 2 years ago

-

Last 7 years

-tells Rocksha the old mans last words feeling that Rocksha could be trusted

Last 5 years

-meets a female in the mines and finds her a suitable mate

-she dies at the hands of the humans

-this drives him into a fit of rage and he almost kills the three guards that were involved

-punished for his actions (how he received scarring on his face. Engraved them with his own claws as a testament

Last 2 years-

-plans attack

 

Over the next ten years Artumus had grasped the concept that he was not a free wolf and had grow strong as the old wolf had instructed him to do. He had been fortunate to find a vein of gold inside one of the old abandoned tunnels at 13 and had used that to spur on his future with the human masters. Because he had been the one to find it the humans , though still just as harsh on him and perhaps a little more so on him then they naturally would have been in the first place left him extra portions and gave him a position over his fellow slaves to ensure that the mine area was mined out well. Over the expanse of 4 years of hard strenuous work Artumus had found quicker more efficient ways to mine out the ore and made sure that though they mined out more over time they kept a good amount hidden from the human keepers so as to assist other wolves in case anyone came up short for the daily quota. Because he had ensure that all the wolves in the mine were well taken cared of and quotas were met he had earned the respect of all but a few of the older miners who though were unwilling th challenge him grumbled hateful words for his be dammed luck.

It was on his 18th birthday , or so he liked to call if for there was a certain period of time that he had forgotten how much time had passed so he merely claimed the changing of spring to summer as his birthday, That he decided to begin the uprising and through the next night fall on the summers eve the workers that were loyal to him attacked without mercy and obliterated the unprepared humans overnight. The night had been filled with hallow screams and the strong scent of musky sweat and blood. As the sun slowly began to rise and he strolled out onto the camping grounds of the human encampment he saw that as directed the women were rounded into the largest tent and as he passed the smaller tents he saw that there were bodies of the men whom had tried and failed to protect their feeble homes. the bodies of children were laid carefully in a grave by some of the wolves respecting at least the fact that these small human monsters were at least to young or innocent to know better. He finally reached the main tent and saw that one of his underlings had decided to take one of the women by force and he scowled at the wolf" " Did i not say that they were to be left to be until i took my choice..." he left out the wolfs name intentionally ensuring that his disappointment was noted and the wolf merely looked up without missing a single stroke and said" She attempted to lead the women to fight against you. So i am teaching the others what will happen if they get any bright ideas in their heads." with that he went back to what he was doing and ignored Artumuses disappointment. " At least take it elsewhere now that i am here and if you disobey me again, or touch any more of these women..." his voice was soft and burned with anger." i assure you that i will have you castrated and your teeth broken off. Do i make myself clear" the other wolf looked horrified at Artumus and nodded quickly and muttered apologies. Having lost interest in the women that the wolf had been raping he quickly dispersed out of the tent and went to go take out aggression on something out of Artumus sights. Artumus looked at all the other women that seemed terrified of his bloodied appearance and were cowering away from him in a corner of the tent he said calmly to the violated women " You have been wronged and i am sorry for that i assure you it will not happen again as long as you serve me faithfully." With that he genitally lifted her into his arms and looked to the other women. " One of you come here and care for this women she will be alright and..." he paused weighing their emotions to his words and decided to say it simply rather then sugar coating it like he would have some years ago if he had been in this position " You are all now my personally slaves. I will treat you all well and you will have every right i can grant you so long as you obey me. Any of you caught trying to escape will be let loose to the 700 wolves out their and all their lustful cravings. As well your fellow ..." he thought of a good word to put in place of maids and snapped one of his paw like fingers at the idea merrily " servants. Now one of you take this women from my arms and care for her. I will return shortly." he gestured to the women standing around. and as one walked up to him and took the women from his arms he looked down and saw that she had silver eyes and he smiled at her his white ivories glistening in as friendly a manner as possible. " You will be in charge of these women ensure that they listen to what i say and i will leave it to you to get them fed until i can make more reasonable accommodation's. Understand." The women though she seemed terrified out of her wits nodded quaintly and with what seemed to be a singly voice broken by choked by fearful emotion said " Yes my lord as you wish." she bowed her head to him and with that she took the young women over to a small bed. Artumus politely stepped out of the tent and allowed her to care for the traumatized lady in any fashion that she saw fit. He looked to the two other guards and in a flat toned told them. The women of this encampment are mine no one goes in without me and if the red-haired one asks for any thing send one of the other guard units to go and get what ever she needs." with that he set off to organize his men he knew that after a small time some of the humans would come to investigate and if no organization was made here that the humans would return in full force to retake the mine and he intended to be ready for when they did.

Over the course of the following 3 months under the leadership and guidance of Artumus the constructed a defensible wall of solid rock and trees and made a fortress that would at least be able to for now keep the human forces at bay. He himself after talking with a number of the older wolves discovered that a good number of them had had training before being brought to the mine and between a hand full of them found that they were knowledgeable in swords, long bow, axes, spears, and one of which taught hands to hand combatives.

He instructed that the wolves were to separated into units of a hundred a piece and allowed the teachers to hand pick those that excelled the greatest in each art as leaders for the 50 wolf sized platoons. He himself was fond of the spear it could be used in both close and long range combatives and if necessary could be easily used as a staff or a knife if the tip was broken off. As the months passed on there were several attempts to take on the wolven encampment but to no avail and with each attack they learned how to better the defenses. Artumus found that perhaps the most peaceful times of his day were when he had finished his training and walked into his tent to see his women smiling happily at him for the protection he granted them. Every now and again though one or two of them would take to his bed and though he was gentle at times depending on which one it was he found that a few of them enjoyed the rougher treatment and he blissfully took them happy for their respect and attention to his needs. As time went on the reached the beginning of fall and he had found trade caravans that passed though as useful commodities for supply and trade. There was also a few towns near by that every now and again he sent out attack raids to steel crops and though he looked the other way to when his men took a slave or two hear he made sure that if they took a slave that they treated them respectfully so long as their slave adhered to the individuals rules, and that of the encampment. But as his time continued on he realized that the old man had instructed him to find an inn called the lonely_inn and he dipped his head respectfully in the old wolfs memory. " Well old man i suppose you were right after all, i will leave tomorrow in search for that inn as the snows cover the pass and protect my people." with that he instructed a few of his servants to pack his belongings and assured them that he would indeed insure for their safety with promises to return in the spring. That night he had celebrated with all his men and gave them all a feast as well as that of a dance show by his personal servants at each table as entertainment. All the women had gotten to know the men over time and were more then happy to entertain so long as none of the wolves touched them and every wolf understood well enough who these women belonged to. At his own table his red-haired servant whom served him anything he ate and took care of his women sat to his left. His fellow platoon leaders sat to on the opposite side of the table and the man he called brother " Rocksha" sat to his right. His brother was only a slight bit smaller then himself but he knew full well that if it came to close range combat not a single wolf here could rise to the challenge so as he spoke to him that night he spoke his words with confidence " Brother it is time we have warded off the humans long enough that no attack shall come till next spring and we have food enough to last two hard winters." he started.

His brother looked at him with a raised eyebrow." Yes i know this i was the one that gave you the report Artumus, so why do you brag about this to me?" Artumus laughed heartily at the bluntness of his fellow mate and quickly continued to avoid the dire irritation of Rochsha." It is time i went to find the lonely _inn that the old man told me about and discover what it was that he had told me to go their for." with that he took a large gulp of the beer to sloshed down the mouthful of meat that he had just torn into moments before.

Rocksha looked to him and said blatantly " Don't tell me you are going to listen to the words of that old crackpot that died all those years ago. " Rocksha laughed heartily thinking it was a joke until he saw that Artumuses liquid bronze eyes were set in stone and were not laughing.

Artumus spoke softly and calmly as he had tolerated a lot of badmouthing about the old man from rocksha and knew that though Rocksha had no faith in the old man he knew that he meant no harm or malice in the words." Yes i am, but i promise i will return by the beginning of spring with many tales to tell ." he nodded his head saying that he was not asking but telling Rocksha what it was that he was planning to do and byt the tone in his voice Rocksha could tell that arguing would do no good.

Sighing deeply Rocksha chuffed" Then go if you must i will keep the men disciplined and look after your women while you are gone, though god knows why you keep them so well maintained and paper them..." he stopped their knowing that this was a touchy subject considering he had raped one of the women the first day of the uprising" And you have my word none will have a paw laid on them lest the wolf awnser to me." his promises were always kept and for the few poor wolves that failed to listen to him learned through both broken bone and torn ligaments that he would keep it.

With that he nodded his head to Rocksha and stood from his table and began to walk from his table knowing that Fiona would be behind him shortly. He smiled in the moments that no one was looking and engraved the merry laughter of all the wolves around him in the encampment. " Tonight truly is a night to remember" he whispered before he felt a small arm wrap around his large muscular one and a hand gently petted the fur on his fore arm . He had no need to look down to see that it was Fiona and knew that he himself was in for quite the berating once he reached the tent. Out of all the women that were his slaves he found that he liked the feisty polite redhead the best. When they finally reached the tent he herd her soft calm words come out as though a siren was singing them " You know you should have at least stayed for the winter knowing that your women will be coldest this time of year, we have no fur like you do to keep us warm." she fell silent hoping that it would convince him to stay but after a moment of hearing no response and only having him open the door for her she sighed and knew it was futile to try and stop him from going. As he sat down on his large bed that he had gotten of a trader for some mined gold she slowly began to take off the small bits of armor and jewelry that he wore. Speaking softly once again in a sing-song like manner she hummed one of her favorite tunes and as she finished what was her nightly ritual and finished her song she spoke in a slightly more lustful voice. " Well no i suppose i will just have to treat you tonight since you are leaving me." she was the only women out of his servants that he had left untouched and had done that purposefully so as to show her in his way that he cared for her. Now it was his time to speak and he got an stubborn look in his eyes and meant to argue with her " Fiona... you know you don..." she merely held a finger to his maw and hushed him. speaking lastly before disrobing she smiled cutely and said " I do this because i want to." with that she slipped out of her silk top and for that night she pleased him as well as she knew how.

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