My Apprenticeship (Part 1)

Ket never called me by my name; he never asked it. I was always "apprentice" except sometimes when he rebuked me, calling me "slave." I was given responsibility for the captives he kept in the dungeon, most of whom had been there many months and who had thus lost their minds. The villages nearby gave tribute, in gold and in food, in return for Ket leaving them be, and I took over handling the food from the zombie servants.

Much of my time was spent in study and practice; Ket had many projects occupying his time, and so he spent only two or three days in ten at most training me. Still, I learned steadily, for I had nothing else that I cared to do, and I could not leave. I passed four years in this manner.

Though I could not leave the keep, I was allowed access to the caverns. From time to time when the proximity of my master was too much, I would wander about them for a day or so. It was on one such trip that I found a narrow, hidden passage, at the other end of which I saw sky. I determined that it opened just outside the outer wall of the keep, near the bluff overlooking the sea.

One day in the chill of winter my master called me to his study, for training I thought; but he wished for the first time to discuss something with me. "In three days hence is the day of sacrifice, when I must give to the demon-lord who must not be named a virgin sacrifice. Here," he said, waving a hand at the door behind me. As I turned to look I saw a peasant girl, her hands bound behind her, gagged, and held by two zombies. Ket rose and approached her, causing her to writhe and struggle to no avail. With one icy claw he ripped her dress from top to bottom, and the zombies tore off what remained.

She was beautiful, of course, and terrified, her eyes like those of a trapped deer. "You will care for her, apprentice; see to it that she is still a virgin when I slay her on the altar." With that, he waved in dismissal and turned away.

I led the zombies who were by now carrying her down to the dungeon. I gave her a cell that had not been used in a while, and ordered a zombie to bring fresh straw. After posting guards at the door I removed her bonds.

First she struck at me, but she was weak with fear and exhaustion and so did me no harm. I put my arms around her and held her tight until she stopped struggling and began to cry. After a time she moved away and I told her I would return soon with food and water.

When I returned, some hours later, I brought food and water for her to consume as well as a bowl of water for washing in. She watched me like a mouse watches a hawk, but she did eat and she did wash. Finally she spoke.

"My name is Mara. Have you a name, apprentice?"

"I am called Solomoriah, but not by my master, who does not know my name." I smiled at this, my first smile in many years.

She stood then, and approached me slowly. "I would do anything, Solomoriah, to escape the fate your master plans for me." She spread her arms slowly, a gesture of offering, and I would be no man if I didn't admit I was tempted. My master's warning rang in my ears still, though, and I told her no. I left quickly, before I could change my mind.

It was nearly daybreak then, and like my master I slept in the daytime; but I did not sleep that day, for in my mind I could see Mara bound to that altar Ket spoke of. I had seen it many times, even seen the bloodstains, but I did not allow myself to think about its use then. Now I could think of nothing else.