...and they call Xûll a crook! These merchants not only robbed Xûll blind, but they kidnapped him and are now trying to extort money from his father. Ha! Good luck to them. Xûll's father, Andhul, loves nothing more than money - and Xûll's recent catastrophe will only reinforce Andhul's impression that Xûll is not to be trusted with it. Good riddance, he will no doubt say when he receives the demand.
Well, either way, Xûll had elected to free himself. He had just about worked one wrist out of his bonds. Then it happened. All to quickly.
The kidnappers' mobile jail hit a bump in the road, jarring Xûll's shoulder. He cried out in pain and frustration . As if sensing his frustration, his entire body grew massive and strong, and he snapped his bonds, knocking over a lantern as he did so. The flames set the floor of the cage alight. It was only seconds before the guards, riding alongside the prison, had raised the alarm and moved to douse the flames. The cart was not well built. The feeble carpentry holding the floor together gave way at the foot of the bars and unceremoniously dumped Xûll onto the dirt. Luckily for Xûll, thought Xûll, the horses were not harnessed when the flames broke out.
It was a simple matter to overpower the soldiers guarding the flaming cart, too simple. Xûll snapped their necks in his rage. His rage subsided somewhat, Xûll leapt onto one of the dead soldier's horses and sped after the merchants that rode not half a mile ahead of the prison cart. A fire was in his heart - and it was literally filling him with its power.
The merchants were completely unprepared for Xûll's newfound powers, and perished at his hands. The last merchant to die had the papers that changed Xûll's life forever. A letter, sealed and signed by Xûll's own father, demanding Xûll's capture. A lesson for Xûll, father? Or did you just want Xûll out of the way? It mattered not, Xûll could not return to his People now. All he had was tied to his family.
That night, the flames of Xûll's camp-side fire seemed to reveal the way to go. Absalom, thought Xûll as he saw a teeming mass of sparks fly from the fire like so many people flocking about aimlessly, Xûll could do quite well there... and one day, Xûll will come for you, Andhul. Xûll will show his father who is boss.
