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

“Why is he still here?” Aleledai demanded. The words stuttered and tumbled over themselves, anger pounding like a live thing in his brain.


The churning ball of anger, confusion, sadness coalesced and Aleledai whipped around. He lashed out, fist closed, heavy with his exhaustion. It smashed right into Vunei’s hard, expressionless face.


Bone crunched under his knuckles. Blood spurted out of his friend’s nose. Aleledai’s hand would hurt later but he couldn’t feel anything else. His warriors shifted back. Aleledai bared his fangs. “All of you will help me take him to Zerai.”


Vunei darted into action and the rest followed. Each Caniean ducked down and readied their hands under his All, Aleledai at Selati’s ruined shoulder and Vunei at his ruined side. Opati was across from Aleledai, big rainbow bulk ready at Selati’s right shoulder.


“On three,” Opati called down the line. “One. Two. Three!”


Chapter 46