(A/N ok I have finally reached this last chapter of revising… in my next chapters I’ll be sure to write better so I don’t have to go back and fix anything : p )

Chapter 7 The Encampment

Darkness. It was everywhere. A low grumbling noise could faintly be heard. Thurs swam around in the black void, reaching wildly all around to find something to grasp. But all that existed were the darkness and that faint noise. He struggled more and soon became exhausted. He lay floating in nothing, listening. Thoughts weaved in and out of his mind, leaving him dizzy and confused.

"Where am I? Why am I here? How do I get out? Who will be waiting for me? Is this Gorgeth's work?"

Panic seized him at the thought that the brutal assassin was behind this. Out of the nothingness came a familiar voice. "Do not fear. It is time to wake up!" He recognized it as the voice from his prison!

A small light became visible in the distance. The thought of a way to escape shocked him into action. Almost shivering in anticipation, Thurs focused all of himself to the light. He willed himself to get closer and closer. Surprisingly he found himself floating steadily towards the opening. He soon realized that the grumbling noise was starting to become louder. Before long individual words could be heard.

"GGGrGrrGgrrrrrr him ggrrroorrgogowwwgogoggg that.." "Ggrowlgglrr leader. Grro he grollgl know ggooel gllldlgllg ."

Thurs realized that there were at least two separate people talking. The thought that they were his followers almost made him slip back into the nothingness. The light steadily grew brighter until it completely enveloped him. Blinding white light slowly faded to the dull flickering orange of a camp fire.

He tried to move and pain flared from his wrists that were tied too tight with a thick, rough rope. A small whimper escaped from his lips and caught the attention of his two whispering guards. They stood still and stared at their prisoner.

The sight of the guards almost made Thurs pass out again. Above him stood two of the most dangerous creatures of the desert. They each stood over seven feet tall all though one of his guards was slightly taller than the other. Their skin was a golden brown color. the exact color of sand. Their bodies were muscular and made to easily catch its pray over the slippery environment. Yes, these were the Valagors, the dreaded lizard people of the desert.

The Valagors, a warring race with only one ambition. Killing. If they couldn't kill you by hand then they would raid your village and/or cut off your water supply. They often had to do this to the Shadows and the Elves that formerly lived in the Kalia Forest, the only two races that stood a chance against them. During the middle of the dry season the Valagors sent patrol parties all along the banks of the Eternal River, making sure nobody used its valuable resources. Thurs had been lucky not to have been caught by such a party earlier that day.

Again Thurs attempted to move, only to have the same effect. The taller guard nodded to his companion and the smaller guard ran off among the sand huts. "What…what are you going to do to me?"

A smile stretched the guard's leathery lips. "You have the honor of seeing our glorious leader before we kill you!!"

The smaller guard came trotting back and whispered to his companion. The night air only increased Thurs' shivering that shook his body when he heard the snickers of his guards. "Come along fragile one. Its time you met our master." They roughly dragged him to his feet and pushed him forward.

Stumbling more than walking, Thurs made his way to the largest hut. His guards flanked him the whole way. Two more Valagors stood guard at the entrance of this hut. Each one held a spear as a weapon. The orange glow of the entrance torches reflected off the polished blades. Wicked looking swords also hung at their sides. The four guards exchanged knowing looks and nodded to each other.

The two hut guards moved back so that Thurs could enter. His guards pushed him through the doorway but did not enter themselves. He found himself in a brightly lit room. An overweight Valagor sat in a pile of silk pillows. Female Valagors sat around him feeding him various fruits and offering him bone cups filled with spiced wine.

When Thurs entered the room, the leader waved his hands and his seducers left him. He kept only the cup of wine. He looked Thurs up and down and motioned him closer.

Thurs cautiously walked forward keeping an eye out for any kind of escape. The king held up his hand signaling him to stop.

"Why would the Shadows send someone like you to kill me?" The kings voice was scratchy and sent shivers up and down Thurs' spine.

"I.I. don't know what you're talking about."

"Is that so? Well how do you explain this?" He held up Thurs' bag. Recognition must have shown clearly on his face because the king’s face hardened. He threw the bag into a corner where another Valagor picked it up and began to sort through it.

"I didn't come here…"

"Silence!" roared the obese Valagor. "Your lies will get you nowhere!"

A sudden commotion outside caught the king's attention. A guard burst inside panting. "Sire, we are being attacked!"

The king nodded and turned his attention back to Thurs as the guard returned to the fight outside. "And how do you explain this?" Thurs' silence told the king everything he needed to know. "Get this scum away from me. Kill him."

A guard appeared out of the shadows and unsheathed his sword. "Come along." The guard led him to a small door off to the side. The door led to a small room that smelled of blood. The floor was still sticky from its last victim.

(A/N Ok I’ve finally finished all of my revising… I’ll post a brand new chapter next monday. I have plans this weekend (my birthday) so forgive me if I’m a bit late in the update. Until then!! )