It had been a very bad day for Manis and his goons. They almost had their necks wrung when they raided a desert tribe and failed to get one kid. Their orders from the captain were very clear, "Capture everyone in the tribe". They did capture everyone, except the kid.

What in hell's is so special with the kid?

He had never seen his captain more royally pissed before. Pissed enough to send them reeling back to the tribe, but level headed enough to give them a second chance. The client this time was a big fish. One that would bite back if they failed. The cloaked figure that talked to the captain provided a hefty amount of gold.

Too much gold for one head I say.

Not only that, but the figure also included a letter sealed with the insignia of the Kingdom of Almar, a dangerous country armed with the treasures from the fallen tower. Something him and his boys were hesitant to deal with. But greed knows no bounds and his captain was an especially greedy man.

He touched his pendant made from a falcon beak. Luck was on their side this time. A miraculous event happened occurred when they were sent back to look for the kid. Just a while ago, they found two kids sitting in the shade of an old well.

"What a luck if that's them," Silv the lanky man said.

"Uhuh as if it's that easy," said Borlus ringing his deep voice. His camel had trouble bringing his brawny built.

"Who told you to speak baldie?" Silv fired back. Clearly irritated at both the desert heat and his companion.

"I did, you scrawny little shit. Good thing you've your sword with ya. Prevents the wind from sweeping you away."

"Perfect, you speak of swords. I do wanna test it to a meatbag, now might be the chance."

"Get off the camel then."

"No, you get off. Move that fatass. I feel for the camel's back."

Suddenly, Manis laughed. Borlus became red, thinking he was being the butt of the joke.

"Lads, I think we hit the lucky stars," Manis said.

That stopped both of the two from further bantering. Up ahead they saw what the two kids wore. Matching Azure silken robes, the same as what the captured chieftain wore.

***

Eshikel saw the camel footprints. The two idiots didn't even scream or struggle for him to hear.

They could've been too weak to shout.

He clicked his tongue. Based on the footprints there were four camels that passed by, meaning a small group.

Not slavers then.

Like wolves, Slavers usually travel in packs. He can think of several plain practical reasons for this. But one stands out the most.

Fucking cowards.

He sighed.

Time to move.

He followed the track. They weren't able to go far. Three people were riding with the two kids. None of them looked weak. Zilloh and Herod were squirming in a separate camel, bounded and gagged. He followed them and continued observing. The canopy was beginning to look more of a savanna rather than a desert. Perfect for hiding. Eshikel sneaked about in the tallest bushes he could find. The sound of insects masked his footsteps. He trailed them for a while until they stopped into a nearby lake. The sun was beginning to set and they would need to make camp here.

The smallest man mounted off and started barking orders.

"Silv, give them water would ya? If they die, we follow too."

The tall man called Silv groaned. He proceeded to rummage on his wares and conjure a pot.

"Borlus you too, get the dry wood. I'll chop up the game for some stew."

The three went to work and so did Eshikel. He was trying to plan on how to separate the three.

They have all they need. Three on one doesn't sound like a good idea. Separate them then? Take them out one by one. No that wouldn't work. Maybe they'll need to take a jiggy sometime. They might, no they will, make a ruckus. Tsk, they're also armed.

Eshikel checked his inventory. A cape, some gems, and some cooking supplies were all he had. He didn't even have the crossbow. He gave that away to the two brothers, which ultimately befell on the hands of the captors.

Shit.

He didn't have a single thing that could help fight them.

Sneaking off then, while they sleep. Get the camels and the kids and— No that wouldn't work either you nut brain.

Eshikel just stayed there, crouching, letting his mind work. The three were now arguing on how to make a fire.

What can I do then? Wait? I don't have the time to—

He watched them boil the water while he mused his idea. He chewed it, played with it until all the other possibilities that could go wrong was gone. By this time, the water was already boiling. Eshikel sneaked off deeper into the wild grass. He'll come back later. He had time after all.

***

A hint of light from the sun was starting to cascade into the sleeping sky. Eshikel sat nearby, hidden by the bushes and the dim surroundings. He watched the two sleeping slavers while the other one named Borlus sat awake looking at the fire. Eshikel had the urge to sneak off after him but he held himself back.

Patience Eshikel, Patience.

All of his efforts would go to waste if he dashed at any random ideas that came upon. He needs them to be awake and relax, not tense from being abruptly awakened.

When morning finally came and the trio was having breakfast, he decided to approach them. He walked towards the three with a drunken man's confidence, as if there was nothing wrong with appearing out of nowhere. The three looked at him, surprise showing on their face, then animosity, followed by an intense warning glare that clearly says "stay the fuck off". They fumbled for their weapons.

"Now gents gents, easy on the swords." He raised his hands. "I mean no harm."

"Look at this bugger showing his sorry ass in our lot," Silv said pointing his brand new sword at him.

"Urghhh you reek," Borlus said, covering his nose.

Eshikel had to admit, he wasn't exactly the epitome of hygiene. He had ragged clothes all dirtied by dried mud. A few bathless weeks would surely make anyone smell. Although the stench might be coming from his rotting eye.

"I've small patience undead, what do you want?" Manis asked. His eyes straining for any movement.

"I'll get straight to the point then. I need directions."

"Directions? Directions to the afterlife? Only God knows that boy. You and I both know you ain't going anywhere."

"No, to the nearest city, sir."

The three looked at each other, gauging what they thought about the stranger.

Manis was the first to break the silence. "Alright then". He lowered his sword. And then swung at him. He was quick. The blade cut through Eshikel's wrist, almost severing it. The others followed. They aimed for his other hand and legs. Eshikel sidestepped. They missed.

"Wait!" Eshikel shouted, clutching his hanging wrist. "Wait, wait, wait! Calm the fuck down."

The three continued advancing. They tried circling him but Eshikel kept on backing up.

"Wait! I can pay you! I can give it if you bring me to the city."

Manis held his hand up, signaling the other two to withdraw. "Pay us?" He laughed. "By hells what can you pay us?"

Eshikel grabbed a small bag from his side. He opened it, flashing them the brilliant assorted gems. "I'll give this, but I need you to take me to the city"

"We'll just take it from ya bloody body. Don't mean to be mean but," Silv said, inching his sword closer. "It's easier that way"

"N-No, wait, please. There's more where that came from, I can tell you where it is"

"Did he just say 'more'?" Manis asked

"Is what I heard, boss.", Borlus replied

"Hmmm, expound your uhh... proposition further. Me and the lads might think it over"

These backstabbing bitches

Eshikel feinted a nervous smile, he had trouble unknotting his clenched jaw.

"I- my master and I were attacked by robbers. We were carrying ornamental stones for some Almarian Noble. I escaped of course. Brought some of the goods with me."

"Where is it?"

"Hidden nearby."

Manis pointed his sword again. "Wrong answer. Where is it?"

"If you agree to my—"

"Lookie here lad, you can die now or you can die later. We'll give you directions, but there's no way we'll take you in. You know it yourself, you're undead. Bad for business."

"Alright alright, I'll take what I can."

"You two guard the kids."

"I don' think so boss. Is only fair we see the loot."

"Damn straight Borlus, good thing you're thinking now."

Manis grunted. "Fine both of you can come. You, go on, lead the way."

They took the bait. Now I'll just have to lure them in.

Eshikel started walking towards the dense thicket of the savanna. He took them deeper and deeper until they came upon a freshly dug earth that was sloppily packed. It was covered with some dead golden grasses.

"Is this it?" Manis asked.

"Yes. I'll need to get my shovel." He went behind the three and proceeded to look for it in the bushes. He then kicked Manis sending him forward. Manis tripped unto what was supposedly packed earth. Instead, he fell down into a deep pit. Before the two could draw their swords, Eshikel went for Silv and pushed him. Down he goes with Manis. Borlus charged at Eshikel. He attempted to tackle him. Eshikel fed him a knee, straight to the chin. He heard a thump and the charging Borlus went to sleep.

Manis shrieked. The pain on his forearms and wrists were starting to sting.

Eshikel tied down the sleeping Borlus with his improvised rope made from different plant fibers. He looked over the pit, smiling.

"My my, how's the treasure gents?"

Manis gritted his teeth. He held his aching wrist. Something was definitely broken. It was quite a drop he took. The pit was about ten feet deep and he tried to stupidly break the fall with his hands. Silv lay near him, passed out from the concussion. They had no way out. Not with their injuries.

"Hey! Hey! Let us out you snake bastard!"

"Give me the directions first, then we'll talk."

Manis paused for a moment, trying to come up with threats. "Were marked fucker! Once we die, we'll hunt you."

"Not before I burn your corpses."

Manis went silent. He had no choice. His threats doesn't sound very convincing, especially since he's the one in the pit.

"Go northwest from here, there's a river there. Takes you straight to the city."

"You're slavers aren't you?"

Manis bit his lip. "Yes, what else can we be in this godsdamn world then?"

Satisfied, Eshikel stood up. He threw Manis a sharpened stone.

Manis looked at it the same way he would look at a pile of shit.

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Throw it over to your friend when he wakes up." And with that Eshikel left them to fend for their own.