Awakening

"Can we start now?", Ragash broke the silence. "Start what?", I asked, slightly afraid they had something embarrasing planned for my birthday. I looked into the faces of my friends and saw no wicked grins or meanigful glances, just confusion. Karfu nodded though. "You received your full blessings today, Rhandrem. You have grown enough to hold the power our god bestowed upon you.", he declared. At first I was confused, but then I remembered a few things. I had trained with Ragash for hours today and she hadn't hit me once. I thought she had a bad day and didn't press the issue, but had I become that much faster? I was also not exhausted in the slightest, eventhough the training was followed by mining with my friends.

I knew the rock was coming, more than sensing it. My right hand caught it instinctively and I looked up at Ragash, who stood with her arm outstretched. "You really are a champion now, kid.", she wasn't smiling, then again she never was, the faint hint of friendliness in her voice was the best I would get. The reality of my new power dawned on me. "This is it right? With this strength we can finally rise, right? I can see the sun, we can break our chains!", I spoke excitedly and rose to my feet. "You are right, but we cannot be hasty.", Karfu reigned in my enthusiasm, "You must learn to use your powers and when you feel ready and a plan has been formed, we rise.".

I looked at the rock I caught before crumbling it to dust in my hand. "I am strong, what is there to wait for? You taught me what I need to know to free us all. Our time has come, why let everyone suffer for even a day more?", if I didn't know he had the best of intentions, I might have been annoyed at Karfu. I tried not to show it, but having everyone take care of me for eight years while I watched them suffer had weighed heavily on me. I often felt useless, like a waste of their resources and now that I had achieved my full power I should let them suffer more?

"Listen to me. The elves are cunning and they have the support of human paladins and dwarven craftsmanship. You should take a few months to prepare yourself. You can now leave the mines at night and spy on them without risking detection, your speed allows for it.", Karfo tried to convince me. The others were quiet. I noticed Yahg and Dura were subconsciously tugging at their collars. Ragash bit her lip, her body held the tightness I mostly saw before we lunged at one another. Only Surgha was nodding in agreement with Karfo. Caution or action, what will it be?