An Unpaid Debt (A Fantasy Short Story)

Seth was already awake even before a booming voice willed him to get up. He got up and prepared his things without asking for breakfast. They have to reach their destination soon and could not be delayed, they'll munch on their bread while walking. It was the second day of their journey and his "companions" still won't tell him where they're taking him. A bank. They should be taking him to a bank because they were "bank representatives", but they're still in the middle of a forest and he has not seen a single hut or cabin, much less a bank.

Just yesterday morning his father woke him up and told him to pack. He obeyed but not without questioning why, so his father told him while searching his room for anything he might need on the journey.

Years ago when his parents hasn't met yet and his grandmother was ailing, his grandfather loaned money from a distant bank because the town's bank would not lend them for the absence of collateral. His mother's family is so poor they had no assets to their name, so when the local blacksmith suggested they go to the Dragon's Bank at the edge of the neighboring town, his grandfather did not hesitate. It was easier alright, they had the money they need within the day without any fuss. A day after his mother's sixteenth birthday, a visitor from the bank came, asking for payment. They want their eldest child as payment for the debt, but seeing that the eldest was a girl, and all the other children were girls, they left with the warning that they will come back after the sixteenth birthday of the firstborn son of the eldest of the sisters.

Image Source: Gringotts Bank – Universal Studio, FL

A couple years after that, the eldest daughter, his mother, met his father. And a year later, he was born.

Still shocked, he had no time to process everything as he opened the door to two burly men waiting for him. His father's last words to him was, "I'm so sorry, my son, but I don't have any choice."

After three hours of walking, they arrived at a clearing in the woods, and as if by magic a door appeared. They entered the door and Seth was astonished at the sight beyond it. Nothing. They entered a door from nothing and nothing was beyond it. The two men chanted something and slowly, as if one by one, huts came into sight. And the two muscular men became dwarves. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but everything in front of him was real.

The dwarves led him to one of the huts. Inside the hut was unbelievably spacious, with bunk beds that lined the walls, all of which were empty. They pointed a bed at the bottom bunk with his name on it. His bed. "At work." one of the dwarves told him when he asked where the occupants were. "You'll find out soon. But for now you need to eat."

He followed the dwarves out of the house to a stone building at the farther part of the seeming town of huts. Contrary to the outside where no one could be seen, inside the building was busy with action. Dwarves are everywhere, milling about carrying papers and boxes, pushing crates, talking in hushed tones. Nobody paid them attention as they made their way to a wooden desk where a bearded dwarf with monocles was seated behind, looking through the papers scattered before it.

"Debtor?" the dwarfed asked them without looking up.

"Adolfo Puruntong", one of his companions promptly answered.

They waited for full five minutes before the dwarf finally found the paper with his grandfather's name on it. The dwarf stamped it with a red check, then went back to looking through the papers again.

The dwarves beside him gestured him to follow. They entered a large hall with low long tables but without chairs. On one side of the hall was window where food was supposedly served. Still no sign of any human, there are only dwarves cleaning the tables. Turned out they were too early for lunch, and the servers refused to give them food. They sat on a table, his two companions briefed him on the going-ons around, because that's what he would be doing for the remainder of his life. Hugo, the taller dwarf, told him that his job is going to be in the mine, digging for gold. His routine would be to sleep, eat, dig, eat, dig, eat, sleep everyday. He's allowed to have a few minutes for self hygiene, but not everyday. Only when the guard to the river would let him use the water. Food is served on time so that would not be a problem.

As if on cue, a bell rang, and the first human he had seen that day appeared on the door. The men who were all covered in dirt strode directly to the counter to collect their food. While they're in line he noticed some of the guys throw a glance at him but dared not approach. He recieved his ration which consisted of a bowl of soup, a piece of bread and a banana. He returned to his table with Hugo and Normus and cosumed the food.

When their were finished, the dwarves tapped him on the shoulder, "Just do what your fellow humans do.", and left.

He did as he was told. He followed the others to the pit, was instructed on what to do and learned how to do it. The others were silent when underground and kept their distance whenever a dwarf was around when above ground. Whenever they're back in their huts is when they start talking and telling him their stories.

After days of staying in the mine, he got the answers to some of his questions. Apparently, the gold mine is the source of the bank owner's wealth. The owner would lend money to the unsuspecting people, then take their able-bodied sons to work for him as payment without clearly stating when they will be allowed to go home. Most men are in their thirties, some are forties, other twenties. The oldest are in their sixties, the youngest was Seth, sixteen.

Has anyone tried to have a dialogue with the owner? Yes. But none of those who has gone to see the owner returned to the mine. If they were released nobody knows, but if it's true, they all left without collecting their things.

Has anyone tried to escape? Yes. But all of those failed, got lost in the woods for days only to find their way back to the huts.

But Seth wanted to be out. He wanted to go back to his family. There must be a way out. If there's anyone who knew this place, it must be the dwarves. He'd seen what they did when they first brought them in. He needed to ask the dwarves themselves.

The dwarves used to eat lunch after the miners, so after every lunch he deliberately stayed behind to observe the two dwarves, Hugo and Normus. He noted that the two were always together and always seated at the same table far from the others.

The next day he lined up last for food, seat himself at his friend dwarves usual table and ate very slowly until he's the only one that's left. He waited until both dwarves are on the table, stooped down and whispered for them to meet him by the river before dinner.

The dwarves did not fail him. He lingered by the river until the last man left and the two came out from the bushes. Wasting no time, he bombarded them with questions, which they answered with a hint of amusement.

The bank owner is called Lordragonio, they have not heard of his surname. They have not seen him, either. The only one who's allowed to see him is his secretary, so if anybody would want to talk to him, they would need to ask the secretary first. The whole area is protected by magic, that is why it is invisible to the human eyes unless it willed before them. Also the reason why no one could get out without permission. Only the words of Lordragonio could make the magical door, the one they used to enter this unseen dwelling, open.

"What about the two of you? Do you need to have him say it every time you leave to collect 'payment'?", he, asked.

"No, we dwarves create the magic used in this compound. We can take off anytime as long as it's to carry out our duties", Hugo answered.

"If you are the source of magic, then surely you can do something to wish away the barrier.", Seth became excited.

"No.. We may have the abilty to use magic, but we are still slaves bound to him from our ancestors. Everything he says, we do unquestioningly and follow through immediately. We are not allowed to disobey any order or do something without his bidding. "

What happens if they go against the boss, the two dwarves has no interest in finding out. After all, they have everything they need: food, shelter, and the purpose to serve their master. They are content.

"The others who tried to talk their way out, what happened to them?", he inquired curious of what really happened to them.

"They're all well underground, but not in the mines." Normus replied, its face somber.

They heard the dining bell ring.

That night Seth thought about it while on his bed. He rose and reached for his bag to get his notebook and a pencil. Whenever he needed to decide on something, he writes them down. Writing it down makes the choices more solid and reading it aloud makes them more comprehensible.

He wrote Permission on a blank page.It is the only key. But how will he get it? Others have died trying to obtain it, the dwarves confirmed. He has no strength nor the skill of combat to force it out of Lordragonio, much less any magical powers to control him into saying it.

He repeated the word again and again but no idea came. Then finally something clicked.

After breakfast, instead of going with the others to the mine, he walked to the dwarf behind the wooden desk. The secretary.

"I want to talk to your boss.", Seth demanded.

Without looking up to see who made request the dwarf jumped off its seat, opened a door behind the desk and motioned him to enter. The dwarf followed him inside and closed the door behind it. "Wait here." It entered another set of doors and he waited behind. He just stood there for at least five minutes before the dwarf emerged, "You can see him now." it said with an expression he can only recognize as sympathy.

"Hey," he called to the dwarf, "can you at least come with me? Just, you know, to have someone to walk beside with." His plan may be more effective if someone else will be there to listen.

"I'm sorry, I have a lot in my hand right now. The papers.." its eyes refusing to meet his.

He passed two more set of doors and flights of stairs leading down that he lost count of. He was panting as he finally reached the last landing where big oak doors with carving of a menacing face of a dragon stood. He knocked three times and hearing no reply, pushed the door open. The room is a dark circular chamber, so enormous that the light from the torches which lined the wall did not reach the center. The air is damp and by the numerous flight of stairs he could tell that they're now underground.

"Hello!" he called out. The room looked to be empty and the only way in was the door he from came into. Where's Lordragonio? Is this some kind of a trick? Maybe this was a trap set to end whoever wanted to challenge the bank owner. Maybe they don't get to talk to him after all.

Suddenly he heard a guttural chuckle and was taken aback when two glowing orbs appeared in front of him.

"I can smell your fear, human. I wonder how you are able to drag yourself here with the little courage you have." The voice seemed to be coming from the orbs which now floated in sync. Then a large shadow shifted, together with the sound of giant footsteps.

Slowly the light from the torches revealed what was hidden in the dark. It was about ten feet tall, with long neck and spikes on its head. Its scales shining where the light hit it. Its mouth full of pointed teeth, and the two orbs he had seen earlier turned out to be its eyes. He has not seen a creature like this until today and but read it in myths. In front of him, talking to him, is a real dragon.

"Cat got your tongue? Too bad, I bet that tongue would taste good. Got it? A tongue that tastes good?" the dragon roared with laughter.

Still paralyzed by shock, he just stood there staring at the creature before him. Lordragonio. Dragon. And he pictured the boss as yet another dwarf.

"It has been a long time since a human came here to confront me. I guess I should commend your bravery, no matter how futile your actions would be." the dragon smirked. "Foolish human, you should have been content with the life I gave you. Going here, you have forfeited what's left of it. But before that, I'll let you say your last words. Speak."

"Y-you can talk." were the only words that came out of him. He can try to plead for his life, but it was all he managed to say.

"I used to belong to a wizard who used me in his experiments. I was chained for years, made me his slave. One day the old wizard decided that dragon's roar is nonsense, so he made me talk the human language with his magic. Entertained him, I did. Until it wasn't fun for me anymore. I cut him off. Literally." the dragon roared with glee, obviously enjoying itself. "Are you done? You should be finished. If you get what I mean."

Seth don't know what to make of his current situation. This all would be ridiculous, except for the fact that this might be the last day of his life. The plan he made up last night's slowly losing its appeal. How's he supposed to make a dragon listen to his request?

Summoning the courage, he decided to give it a go. Try or not, he has nothing more to lose. Before the last drop of hope fall, he asked, "Can I have one last request? There's just something I need to know. Although you're a dragon, you appear to be much wiser than the wizard. You defeated him, didn't you? Will a mighty dragon grant the final request of this poor human slave?", he knelt, bowed his head, and nervously waited for the answer.

"The wizard was, powerful as he might be, was halfwitted. He thought of me as an unintelligent, little knowing that I have understood and learned from him and his trade. All his knowledge, I have acquired. What is it you want to know?"

Seth's heart jumped. He quickly fished a piece of paper from his pocket and lifted it up to the dragon, "I found this note in my journey going here. I have no doubt you can read. But unlike you, I wasn't able to learn anything, and small things like this excite me. Can you read aloud what's in here?"

The dragon sighed, "How wretched your life must have been. But you've been fortunate enough to have a generous master to grant your little request."

The dragon took the paper from Seth's hand, held it up to the light, cleared its throat and read aloud.

"I am the most solicitous of overlords. I have heard my people singing praises to my name." the dragon's eyes glowed. "I am the bravest, dauntless and unafraid. I am most brilliant and knowing." the dragon paused, visibly relishing every word. "I am a master with heart full of compassion. And ALL my slaves, from human to the dwarves, are free." suddenly its eyes widened at the realization of what the last sentence meant.

"You..", the dragon took a step forward, its glare threatening, "how dare you trick me.."

Seth started backing out. Has anyone heard it? Had the dragon said it loud enough? Was it effective?

He saw the dragon open its mouth, showing him its pointed teeth. If the myths are true, dragons can breathe fire out and this dragon could probably burn him alive. That, or he would be eaten.

Behind him the oak door flew open, Normus, Hugo and the secretary standing outside. The secretary stepped forward. "The dwarves have heard the lord. The humans and dwarves are now free."

Seth barely heard the dragon scream when in an instant he found himself at the clearing. All around him were the miners and the dwarves. The dwarf secretary who introduced himself as Patrius, came up to him to thank him for giving them back their freedom. Hugo and Normus asked him if he wanted to be escorted back to his family, he declined and thanked them for the offer. Some of the men will be going home with him to his town so they need not bother themselves. He shook hands with humans and dwarves and bade goodbye. It's time to go.

Image Source: Skyrim Bone Dragon Defeated