The tenth Cycle (Work In Progress)

Chapter One

Drip, drip, drip.

The slow melodic sound emanating from somewhere to his left had become normal to Kor during what was supposed to be his sleeping hours. Recently however, sleep had been light and commonly interrupted.

His "Sleeping quarters" consisted of a cold damp cell, and the thick iron chains shackled around his wrists. He often pondered on the possibility of escape. He had helped many other people get out of this cold death sentence, for the right price, but never felt any urge to escape himself.

The sound of dripping began to intrude into his thoughts once again, slow, smooth, at a predictable pace, drip drip drip, pause, drip drip drip. It was sort of soothing. Slowly, the dripping was overrun by voices and footsteps. His cell door opened a crack, a thin stream of light resting on the left side of his face.

He looked up, the thin ray lied on his face for a few brief moments before the door swung open with a blinding light. Kor squinted for a moment, allowing his eyes to adjust, before the silhouette of a stout man with a large beard stood in the doorway. 

"Rise and shine scum!" The man shouted, his voice heavy with a dwarfish accent. 

Kor's "master" was named Killio. He was a very short man, but had a short temper. A thick grey beard covered the majority of his face and draped down over his potbelly. He had taken control of Kor ever since him and his goons had taken him and his brother when they were kids. Ever since then, Kor had spent his days working in the lumber field, unknowing of his brothers whereabouts.

Killio unshackled Kor and led him through the maze of corridors that led to the main hall. Lines of other slaves filed in behind Kor in a monotonous slur. Killio led the group outside to collect there things and begin working.  

The morning sun, still hazy behind the mountains, lit the clouds in a vibrant shade of orange, and barely illuminated the thick forest as Kor emerged from the main hall. Wake up, chop trees, repeat. Same routine every day, but the sunrise never got old.

Kor was a trimmer, sizing down the trees to make them more manageable for the loggers. Of course, as many of the new recruits, Kor had started as a logger. Being a logger was a gruesome and demanding job, but over the years he had gained some respect, as well as a few promotions.

He collected his ax as well as his belt and rope from the shed, then the thin slab of bread the camp called breakfast. He took a few deep breaths then trudged into the thick woods looking for the previously marked trees he was assigned to trim.

After about fifteen minutes of walking he came upon one of the tall pine trees he so often trimmed, marked with the usual red circle signifying its removal.

He began ascending the tree, skillfully weaving through the branches with the expertise only years of practice could teach. In a few brief minutes he reached the top. The sun had finally crested the mountains providing i vibrant blue sky. The crisp morning breeze swaying the tree ever so slightly. He tied himself down, assuring that every knot was fastened correctly. He brandished his ax and began chopping at the branches trimming away at the top of the tree.

CHOP, CHOP, CHOP. The terrifyingly familiar sound shook the tree beneath him.

It was an unusually bright morning, summer dew settled on the cobweb outside his window. Apori sat up in his bed and looked drowsily at Kor.

"Children!!!!" The two boys heard there mother, Keylith, call. They rushed to make their beds and hurried out of their bedroom. Their bothers Sado and Daro were already seated at the table.

Kor and his brothers sat around the large mahogany table that dominated the room. Along with the table, a fireplace and a few chairs sat in the corner of the room.  A warm breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, sausage, and toast lied in front of them. The warm scents caused Kor's mouth to water.