Selati, a big construct forced to work in the cobalt mines of Ilmare, is terrified of the overseers. Danger dogs his every breath, somehow the leader of his ragged work crew, and he finally has enough when the mine itself almost kills him. Humans or no humans, he refuses to let his crew die down in the dark. As his crew takes their stand in their bid for freedom, rescue comes. Freedom in the light and a whole new life awaits.<br><br>It’s a duty Aleledai takes great pride in, saving his fellow Caniean. Humans might have created them to mine and nothing more, but like all things, the Caniean are not the mindless beasts humans intended to work to death for resources. Selati’s rescue is probably his greatest accomplishment, because something about this one becomes everything Aleledai was missing, that made freedom perfect.<br><br>Humans don’t let go of their things easily, though and war is coming, no matter what the Caniean want. The price of freedom is always high. Aleledai only hopes the price isn’t everything he’s found worth living for.

A Soldier's Horizon

“After time and a lot of healing, Khladi found conviction in the light. He freed more Caniean and gave them the choice to follow him or find their own way.” Aleledai gestured to himself with a faint hint of sadness around his eyes. “Me and mine held no trust for anyone, so we went our own way.”


“Something went wrong?” Selati had the impression that whatever happened had changed a deep, fundamental part of Aleledai.


Aleledai scowled. “We came too close to a human outpost while we searched for our own place to begin. Khladi and his warriors were following us. They rescued us again from our stubborn selves. I was gravely injured, so Khladi helped us find a beautiful piece of land to become part of. They stayed until we were able to care for ourselves, protect ourselves. He named me leader because of my habit of taking charge all the time.”


In a way, Selati could almost picture Aleledai not long out of the vats, unable to be restrained.


Chapter 12