Broken Skies: The Everlasting Storm, Part 2
Part 2 in the short story series!
Vencor rested his head on his turf cot. Though commonly referred as such, it would be more accurate to call it a mat. Around him were many other such cots. This is his home. A communal home, with thirty other people. Including this one, there are three such homes. Sleep normally came easy to him. Well, easier than most humans, but he was haunted by a deep contemplation.
“A rebellion, huh.” he whispered to himself.
It was against his common sense to engage so much thought on such ideas, but he found himself grasping at them anyway. To fight for a better future with violence was practically impossible in his current situation. Beyond convincing the others that were satisfied by their meager lives, just because they no longer fell to the storm, there were several other issues.
First, the dwarfs were maintaining a barrier to prevent the Everlasting Storm from destroying the city. Currently no humans no how to operate the barrier, himself included. Immediately after gaining their independence, they would simply return to the time before they began cohabiting with the dwarfs. The storm would own them once more, such a thing was completely unacceptable.
Second, golems. The stone monstrosities that currently maintained the city, and aided in construction, could just as easily be used to crush them. To take down a single golem would be quite a feat of strength. If it were ----, then he could do it, but he was an outlier, normally several warriors would die. The number of golems here is also an issue. This city is being used to push toward the south, so there are many golems stationed here. Around ten golems pass through here a day to head to the south.
Third, the actual purpose for providing care for humanity is unknown. Though we provide labour, and golems are expensive to construct, they have a lower upkeep when taking basic necessities into account. They require no food or water, and the amount of materials they can acquire make up for their fuel consumption. It makes no sense when you look at the long term.
There are only two scenarios were I can see the dwarfs needing the humans. Either an external force is pressuring them into it, or they need us for the southern expeditions. The first is unlikely, and the second equally so. There’s no way the dwarfs could make the mistake of thinking humanity has left the Everlasting Storm, that’s why it’s named in such a way. Until the dwarfs said it to be so, we were unaware that you could leave the storm at all. There’s a something missing here. If we could find out the real reasons, then negotiations might move forward. On the other hand, if it turns out to be something more sinister, they might speed up their plans at the sight of revolution.
Vencor looked blankly at the wooden roof above him. It was made from scrap, and built so poorly that it could fall at any moment. The building he was in had not just his peers, but children and the elderly. Each and everyone of them was suffering in some way. Yet each and everyone one of them was thankful for it. It hurt because they are happy to be free from the storms, and Vencor knew he wanted something that his people didn’t. He clenched his heart, as tears welled up in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I have no right to be selfish like this, but we are not free. We stepped out of one cage and into another. Even if you hate me in the end… I have to do something.”
Vencor let out a quiet whisper filled with emotion. It would touch no one’s ears except his own, but it would irreversibly change the fate of his people.
A single person came to mind as he steeled himself for what would come.
“I’m sorry ----, but our peace will have to come after our freedom.”
