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THREE DAYS LATER

It was another day of misery in the colony. She was staring out the window as she sat at Gomez's feet in the great hall. It was raining again. She idly wondered if the barrier caused it to rain more within the colony. Gomez was involved in a heated discussion with Raven, Scar and Arto. The Old Mine had collapsed the day before and they had just received word. Gomez was so furious that he had the digger who had brought the information executed in the courtyard. If Gomez's temper wasn't feared before, it most certainly was feared now.

"We need ore! Without it, that bastard, King Rhotbar, won't send us supplies and our stores will only last for another month or two!" Gomez exclaimed, as he smashed his fist into the arm of his throne. His face was still twisted into a dark, angry scowl.

"We should attack the New Camp's mine, surely it would fall to us quickly," suggested Arto as he waved his hand in a quick chopping motion to emphasize his point.

"Agreed, that shadow, what was his name... bah, I can't remember. He found a pass that leads directly to the mine a few months ago. We can bypass the main camp that way and avoid taking a lot of casualties. If we make a quick surgical strike, we can easily take them and hold the mine against any retaliation from their mercenaries. Then we can send in the diggers to start collecting ore for us," stated Scar as he folded his arms confidently.

"That's true, but we would have a great deal of trouble with the Fire Mages. They have an agreement with the Water Mages to maintain peace in the colony and those weaklings will not want us to break that pact. If we attack the New Mine without provocation they might betray us to the Water Mages," objected Raven as he frowned.

"I'll be damned before I let those weak-kneed, red-robed fools weaken our position with the King! We need ore and we will have it! I don't care if we have to slaughter that whole fucking camp to get it!" Gomez shouted hotly. "Raven, make the necessary preparations to take the mine! I want it under my control as soon as possible!"

"But Gomez, the mages...." Raven started to protest, but was silenced when Gomez turned his scowl upon him and moved his hand to the hilt of his sword. Raven swallowed his objections and left the hall to start the preparations.

"Arto, I want guards near all the mages and bring some more in here as well," Gomez commanded. "I want to keep the mages on a tight leash. Scar, when this is done go inform Corristo that I wish to speak to him, stay close to him. I'll cut off any protest before it has a chance to begin. Their ore-mine will be mine and no one will stop me."

*

It was dusk before all the preparations for the assault were complete. Guards and Shadows had sharpened swords, strung bows and crossbows, readied armor and gathered supplies together. Diggers got packs and small handcarts ready for hauling the supplies to the mine, that would, in turn be used to haul ore back to the Old Camp. The mages had started to become suspicious of all the extra activity, but were prevented from investigating because of the extra guards in the courtyard. She watched from her place in the hall as all the preparations were coordinated by Raven and Arto. The attack force left an hour before nightfall and Gomez ordered the gates closed and placed under heavy guard. Everyone who was not a member of the Old Camp was quietly assassinated in their huts by skilled Shadows. Gomez didn't want anyone warning the people of the New Camp.

Then shortly after dusk, Corristo was escorted into the hall by Scar. He glared at Gomez as he stepped in front of the Ore Baron. "What is going on?" Corristo demanded as he looked Gomez in the eye.

Gomez smirked arrogantly at the old mage. "I'm going to conquer the New Mine," he stated simply.

"WHAT?!" Corristo choked as surprise staggered him. Scar took a quiet step closer to the mage. "Oh, I'm sure you heard me, mage. The Old Mine is buried under a mountain of rumble and is useless now. If we are going to survive we need a source of ore. And the New Mine is the only remaining source," Gomez said flatly as his eyes narrowed and an edge of hostility entered his voice.

"You can't do that Gomez!" he shouted at the obstinate Ore Baron.

"Hahaha! Watch me!" Gomez tauntingly laughed.

"We can't have a war between the camps! It would ruin everything!" the aged mage howled as he shook his fist at Gomez.

"As far as I'm concerned, it won't ruin anything, old man. It will guarantee my position in the colony!" Gomez laughed triumphantly. "Face facts Corristo! We are never leaving this rotten shit-hole! So I say that we might as well make ourselves as comfortable as possible."

"Dammit Gomez! You go to far! I won't allow this!" Corristo yelled as he reached into his red robes. Gomez quickly made eye-contact with Scar and nodded curtly. With a ring of steel, Scar drew his weapon and slashed Corristo deeply across the back in one smooth motion. Blood sprayed from the wound as the leader of the Fire Mages fell to the floor wailing in pure agony. A magic rune slipped from his numb fingers and rolled across the floor. He tried to rise, but the hideous wound was quickly sapping his strength. All he could do was writhe in a crumpled heap as his blood quickly pooled around him. He screamed as the sharp, excruciating pain set his nerves on fire and tears ran freely from his now-fading eyes. Gomez just sat there and watched in morbid rapture as his former ally slowly bleed to death.

Gomez grinned maliciously. His breathing was quick and shallow. He looked up with excited eyes. "Kill the rest of the mages," he ordered the guards. They quickly leapt to obey his command.

She looked away from the dreadful scene and tried to hold back the contents of her stomach with a hand clamped over her mouth. The fresh, sickeningly sweet smell of blood and gore was making it difficult though. The tortured screams that came echoing in from the courtyard made it nearly impossible. Killing out of necessity was one thing, but in such a delighted, cold-blooded fashion... that was savage.

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