Role

Chapter 3

Tomias stood up weakly, and let the shapeshifter take his arm. They walked
down a a dark tunnel. There was no light, and an uncomfortable odor turned
Tomias' stomach. The boy stopped and pulled back his arm. He shook his head.

"Lad. We are safe here. No one knows of this place. None have ever found me,
none have ever escaped! Come!"

Just then a slight, bony figure emerged into sight. A weak voice mumbled
at them, "...master... you have another."

"My sweet Arianna! This is Tomias. He is most special, and will stay in my
chambers."

"...yes, sir... I will prepare your tools."

"No!" The shapeshifter cried out, then laughed politely. "No need for that.
Do we have anything he can eat? Wait. Don't answer that."

"I don't want to be here." The boy began to sniffle and sob again.

The shapeshifter frowned nervously. "Tomias, in time, you'll love it here!
I can teach you how to shapeshift... you've surely got the magic within
you. I can teach you how to protect yourself from mother and that wench
Ilzaza..."

The boy turned his head, then suddenly sprinted away toward the weak light
back at the entrance. The patter of his footsteps echoed through the
tunnel.

"...another one." Spoke the weak voice. "I will get the tools."

The shapeshifter sighed at her and shook his head. He crossed his arms
and waited.

Moments later, little footsteps pattered back down the tunnel. Slowly,
then more quickly.

Huffing, the boy looked at the shapeshifter and asked, "Can you take
me to Voralia?"