Providence
The Land of Arbit was one rich in natural resources, and low in beasts and territorial disputes. Having risen from ashes of the land of dread, it's land was one of the very few where aspects were revered rather than feared.
The land was ruled by a monarchy, and the royal who sat on the throne was decided by bloody selection where siblings who wished for the strength to rule put their lives on the line, and the current queen, Anara, the second youngest of 5 of her siblings, rose to the top.
Upon taking the throne, Anara commanded her people to delve into The Land and to unearth the treasures hiding below the surface, and decreed the mines to be managed by her right hand. Vast mines and tunnels were dug into the land, unearthing jewels and precious metals to be traded with the other nations for technology and rare artifacts.
However, while gold and gems were traded for artifacts outside the borders, one more powerful than she could conceive would soon be discovered.
In the deepest of the mines a trio of Men worked tirelessly, their caverns having not born any fruits in weeks, the the crown was growing tired waiting for their pledges.
"wouldn't it be easier to just blow this place wide open?" Asked the demolitionist while they toiled by pick and lamp light
"the soil is too weak, any detonation could bring a tunnel down under us" spoke the engineer, as he prepared another brace for the ceiling
"not to mention we might destroy anything of value. Can't risk that when the crowns blade is watching us closely" reminded the foreman.
The trio worked deeper and deeper into the mine, going deeper than any other tunnel into the land
"you sure this is the right direction? We're going into harder rock" the demolitionist whined
"I had a geologist scout this tunnel. Said there should be some geodes deep in the soil. Said she detected something precious with her aspect" said the foreman
"you hired a vessel to scout geodes? You know most of those guys are duds right?"
"not this one" retorted the engineer "worked with her on the royal mine before I lost my arm. She'd point, we'd dig a tunnel, and then hit record breaking veins. Only did this job cuz she owed me a favor"
"let's hope she's right. I'm not sure my arms can take much more" the demolitionist whined again
What seemed like hours passed, and the stone only grew harder and harder, their picks starting to grow weaker and their points dull. Just when they were ready to throw in the towel however, they hit denser rock, the kind no pick could get through, only explosives.
They were smart and started small, the demo knew more about explosives than he did about the men beside him. Stress in the rock was pinpointed and lined with small explosives, fused and set. The blast shook the mine, but the rock stayed firm
"maybe we go around? The mine can't handle much down here"
"for once I agree, that boulder hasn't a scratch on it. As much as I wanna blast through it I'd rather not trade my life to save my energy"
The foreman shook his head "no, this has gotta be it. The vessel said whatever was down here was surrounded by stone stronger than she ever felt. Plus, we don't exactly have time to try anything else. It the mine doesn't take our lives, whatever fate the crown has for us likely will"
With the reminder of what was at stake the men returned to work. The engineer and demolitionist worked together to reinforce the mine and prepare the blasting charges. However their second blast was unsuccessful and behind them the mine shook, almost roaring at them to turn back. But with their lives on the line, they decided to take one more chance, to throw everything they had at this boulder, to uncover the riches inside so they may live another day.
The demo used every charge they had, and every reinforcement that could be made was done. The men all knew this was their last chance, and the mine could swallow them whole regardless of their success, but the sun was surely rising, and the crowns men were certainly going to be waiting on the surface for tribute. With no choice, they lit the final fuse, and prayed it was enough
The explosion rocked the mine, causing tunnels behind them to collapse, dust filled the air and the men were thrown by the force of the shockwave of the mine all around them caving in, all expecting death. The men however, did not expect to awake again, and inside their quarry of all things.
"fuck.... I think my leg is broken I can't move... How about you two? Are you still breathing?"
"I'm alive" said the engineer "the foreman is out cold but he's breathing, might have a concussion"
"just our luck! So what's the plan .... I can't exactly move here"
"my legs are still working. Let me try and move around"
The engineer took a few steps, the cracking of precious gems could be heard under his feet
"wait! Sounds like you're stepping on something, lemme light a match" the demo lit a match, with the lamp destroyed in the explosion it was their only source of light.
"holy shit..." The engineer marveled at the cavern, it was lined floor to ceiling with precious gems and minerals of all kinds, pillars of gems extending like a web to the center, holding something
"wait what's that? Is it an artifact? Looks like everything here is coming from it"
"yeah I see it. Lemme climb up there and get a better look"
With the match slowly burning to the demos fingers, the engineer climbed the ladder of precious gems, treating them as lesser to the treasure at the center of the massive geode. Climbing with a single arm was difficult but eventually he made it
"it's... A ring? Maybe? It's just some weird stones kinda shaped like one... Never seen anything like it"
"think you can grab it? Maybe we can try and make a tunnel out of here with it? If it made all these gems surely it can do something as simple as a tunnel"
"yeah lemme see if I can pull it out" the engineer got a good foot hold and tugged and tugged but nothing made it move. However, while trying to get a better grip, a finger slipped through the ring, and like all of its kind, the ring changed size to fit its host, but without structure the geode collapsed.
Upon the surface the collapse of the mine was felt, and the enormous geode following was assumed an after shock, and the men were thought to be dead. The Queen's Men stayed by the entrance, waiting for something. And as if almost on queue the trio emerged from the earth. Carried by The engineer, who's missing arm was constructed from beautiful crystal.
"these men need help! Quick!"yelled the engineer, barely phased by the collapse.
The soldiers however, did not move, their leader, the feared, every loyal right hand of the queen, stepped forward. "The ring. Give it to me"
"what are you doing!?? These men need help you can get your stupid ring after!"
The hand stayed still "do you think I'm a fool? We both know what you've slipped your finger onto. Hand the ring over, and there will only need to be one dead man today"
The engineer looked to his colleagues, the demolitionist had been pierced through the heart by the second collapse, he was dead before he even surfaced. In a fit of rage the engineer attacked, wanting retribution for the life that was traded for the artifact. He lunged at the Queen's loyal hand, wanting to trade one more life today.
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"well where is it? You better not have tracked blood and dirt into my court for nothing" Queen Anara barely paid attention to the man in her court, skimming royal decrees and trade agreements.
"they found it as I predicted your highness. They found a ring"
The Queen set her papers aside "let me see it. Has anyone touched it?"
"one of the miners" the man presented a piece of cloth and unwrapped it, presenting the ring "I disposed of him when he attempted to fight back. He had only worn it for moments so he did not know the extent of its power."
"hm." She waved for her right hand to bring it closer, and he did as she wordlessly commanded. She picked up the ring and inspected it. "I was hoping for flame. I would much like to have that predictive power of yours for myself. But I suppose controlling land will do"
The man bowed "it is already yours my queen, so long as I live my sight will be yours to use"
The Queen slowly placed the ring upon her finger, one she had left bare of royal jewelry in preparation for this day. "And use it I shall. When we're finished, all the banners of the world will hold my emblem"
"it will be done, my queen" and he saw it to be true.
